An ultrasound probe which is connected to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an acoustic element for converting an electric signal and an ultrasound to each other, an electric signal processing circuit electrically connected to the acoustic element, a case for storing the acoustic element and the electric signal processing circuit, an acoustic element board for electrically connecting the acoustic element to the electric signal processing circuit, and a partition part which is arranged to contact with the case and separates the acoustic element and the electric signal processing circuit. A space on the side of the acoustic element in the case separated by the partition part is filled with a first material having lower thermal conductivity than that of a material for forming an inner wall surface of the case. Accordingly, the heat generated by a circuit unit such as the electric signal processing circuit can be more efficiently dissipated.

An apparatus, method and system for detecting a position within a body are provided. A dipole that is free to rotate or oscillate within a capsule is inserted at a target location within the body. The dipole can be either electric or magnetic, and the dipole rotates or oscillates within the capsule when an alternating or rotating electric or magnetic field is applied in the vicinity of the dipole. Ultrasound energy is impinged upon the target location and a position of the dipole is determined based on detected ultrasound reflections.

An acoustic wave receiving apparatus comprises: a light irradiation unit that irradiates a subject portion with light; a receiving array; a transmitting and receiving array; an array support unit that has a supporting region for supporting the receiving array and supports the transmitting and receiving array; and a scanning unit that scans an effective reception region, wherein a focusing region formed by the transmitting and receiving array transmits the ultrasound waves and the effective reception region overlap each other.

Devices, systems, and methods for controlling an intravascular imaging device are provided. For example, in one embodiment a method includes communicating a control signal to an actuator of the intravascular imaging device to cause oscillation of an imaging element of the intravascular imaging device, wherein the intravascular imaging device further includes an acoustic marker; receiving imaging data from the imaging element of the intravascular imaging device; identifying the acoustic marker in the imaging data by determining a correlation between the imaging data and a template representative of the acoustic marker; adjusting an aspect of the control signal based on identifying the acoustic marker; and communicating the adjusted control signal to the actuator of the intravascular imaging device.

Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for registering images obtained through internal (e.g. intravascular) ultrasound devices. Embodiments of a device with a rotating ultrasound beam is provided, with a wall of the device being anisotropic in ultrasound passage. As examples, a cable opaque to ultrasound is attached along the wall of the device, so that the ultrasound beam at the location of the cable is blocked, reflected or scattered. As another example, a thin film of metallic material is placed on or in the wall to allow a portion of the beam to be blocked or attenuated. The imaging system recognizes the changes to the signals made by the anisotropic wall, and registers successive images according to those changes.

An improved ultrasound probe (100) has an ultrasound transducer as a body (10) and is capable of accurate positioning on target operative regions of a patient after being improved. The ultrasound probe (100) at least comprises the body (10) and an engagement member (20); the body (10), at an end thereof, comes into contact with patient skin (S), and is provide, on a side surface thereof, with a groove (11) extending from the end that can contact the patient skin (S); the engagement member adjoins the groove (11) of the body (10), allowing one side surface of an article to be disengaged from or engaged in the groove (11), and the engagement member (20) is located at a first location and a second location relative to the groove (11); the article is engaged in the groove (11) when the engagement member (20) is located at the first location relative to the groove (11), and on the contrary, the article is disengaged from the side surface of the body (10) when the engagement member (20) is located at the second location relative to the groove (11).

For alert assistance for an ultrasound scanner, computer-assisted detection is applied as the patient is scanned. The user may be notified of any detected objects so that the user gathers more information when appropriate. An automated system may be configured to return to scan any detected objects. Information is gathered as part of the work flow for that given examination of the patient based on the detection. A mechanical property of the object is derived from the extra information, resulting in further information that may be used to avoid a return visit and/or increase sensitivity in survey mode scans.

An intracavity ultrasound probe includes a pivotally mounted array transducer which is oscillated to scan a volumetric region from within the body. The transducer is oscillated by a motor located in the probe handle. The array transducer is immersed in a liquid which acoustically couples ultrasonic energy between the elements of the transducer and the body. The acoustic coupling liquid is located in the distal tip of the probe shaft, where only 6 cc of liquid is required. The small amount of liquid reduces the weight of the shaft of the probe so that the center of gravity of the probe is in the handle, making the probe comfortable and easy to manipulate. The majority of parts in the probe shaft are made of aluminum or other low density materials, keeping the overall weight of the probe to about 250 grams.

An intravascular ultrasound imaging system with a catheter having an elongated body having a distal end and an imaging core arranged to be inserted into the elongated body. The imaging core is arranged to transmit ultrasonic energy pulses and to receive reflected ultrasonic energy pulses. The system further includes an imaging engine coupled to the imaging core and arranged to provide the imaging core with energy pulses to cause the imaging core to transmit the ultrasonic energy pulses. The energy pulses are arranged in repeated sequences and the energy pulses of each sequence have varying characteristics. The reflected pulses may be processed to provide a composite image of images resulting from each different characteristic.

An ultrasound probe includes: a first arm that swings along with rotation of a motor and includes a protrusion; a second arm that rotates along with rotation of a second gear engaged with a first gear attached to a first rotational shaft; a third arm attached to the second arm such that the third arm is rotatable with respect to the second arm; and an ultrasound device connected with the third arm. The protrusion of the first arm is connected with the third arm such that the protrusion is slidable on the third arm along the longitudinal direction of the third arm.