Various methods and systems are provided for a removable transducer module having memory. In one example, a transducer module for an ultrasound imaging system comprises a casing configured to fit into a module receiver of the ultrasound imaging system, an array of transducer elements, and a non-transitory memory configured to store at least one of usage data and specification data for the transducer module.

A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is used for performing a test upon a subject is provided. The probe includes a case which forms an exterior of the probe, a piezoelectric object which is provided on an inside of the case and which generates an ultrasonic wave, a sound absorbing layer which is provided at a rear surface of the piezoelectric object and which prevents the ultrasonic wave from being delivered to a rear portion of the piezoelectric object, an acoustic matching layer which delivers the generated ultrasonic wave to a subject by matching a sound impedance of the piezoelectric object with a sound impedance of the subject, and a sound lens which concentrates the generated ultrasonic wave and radiates the concentrated ultrasonic wave toward the subject.

A method of operating a medical-imaging system is described; the medical-imaging system has an ultrasound-transducer interface configured to operatively interface with an ultrasound transducer including transducer elements; the medical-imaging system also has a spatial sensor configured to provide spatial information indicating spatial movement of the ultrasound transducer; the method includes receiving ultrasound information being associated with a scan-line set having a limited number of selectable scan lines of the ultrasound transducer. Also disclosed is a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic transducer including a swivel member, a linking member and an array. The swivel member rotates upon receiving an actuating force and has a thrust mechanism. The linking member is connected to the swivel member to make a movement along a pendulum motion path upon receiving thrust generated by the thrust mechanism of the swivel member. The array is connected to the linking member to rotate a predetermined angle upon receiving thrust generated by the movement of the linking member. In some embodiments, the swivel member has an insertion pin coupled to the linking member including a guide groove for receiving the insertion pin, and the guide groove length is greater than the insertion pin diameter. The array includes a stop for restraining the linking member from moving side to side. The present disclosure also provides a method of operating the aforementioned ultrasonic transducer.

Systems, methods, and devices that perform flow scan sequences are provided. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system includes an intraluminal catheter or guidewire, an annular array of acoustic elements positioned around a circumference of the catheter or guidewire, and a processor in communication with the annular array. The processor is configured to activate a first subaperture of the annular array at a first time, thereafter, activate a second interleaving subaperture, and activate the first subaperture again at a different, second time such that the scan sequence moves around the circumference of the catheter or guidewire. Temporal differences between the received ultrasound signals obtained by the first subaperture at the first and second times are determined to detect motion around the annular array. By interleaving subaperture firings, the total number of firings to form an image frame can be reduced.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for enhanced navigation and visualization of body passages. In particular, the systems and methods of the present disclosure provide enhanced navigation through the pulmonary peripheries, and enhanced visualization within larger pulmonary passages.

A spiral ultrasonic tomography imaging method and system are provided. The method is to use synchronous rotation of an ultrasonic probe or cyclic switching of emission array elements in the ultrasonic probe under the premise of a uniform displacement of the ultrasonic probe along the Z axis, so that the change trajectory of the positions of emission array elements over time in a three-dimensional space at each ultrasonic emission time is distributed along a spiral line or a curve. During the process of the uniform displacement of the ultrasonic probe along the Z axis, the ultrasonic probe emits ultrasonic waves and receives and collects echo data. The collected echo data is stored and post-processed to realize ultrasonic tomography imaging of an object. The spiral ultrasonic tomography three-dimensional scanning method and the corresponding system realize rapid continuous uninterrupted data acquisition to ensure that higher spatial resolution in the Z-axis direction.

Embodiments provide an ultrasound treatment system. In some embodiments, the system includes a removable transducer module having an ultrasound transducer. In some embodiments, the system can include a hand wand and a control module that is coupled to the hand wand and has a graphical user interface for controlling the removable transducer module, and an interface coupling the hand wand to the control module. The interface may provide power to the hand wand or may transfer a signal from the hand wand to the control module. In some embodiments, the treatment system may be used in cosmetic procedures on at least a portion of a face, head, neck, and/or other part of a patient.

A testing apparatus has a phantom and a scanning mechanism. The scanning mechanism moves an ultrasonic probe in a scanning direction (x direction) while maintaining a contact state of the ultrasonic probe with the phantom. The phantom includes a heart simulated element simulating a heart which is a tissue of interest, and a simulated element simulating a tissue which is present at a periphery of the heart. A form of the heart simulated element changes continuously in the scanning direction. A change of a form thereof represents a change with respect to time of the heart.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates an ultrasonic image of a subject by using an ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transducer unit that is arranged in the ultrasonic probe and performs transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves; a stepping motor that is arranged in the ultrasonic probe and moves the transducer unit; a motor controller that sends a drive signal of a microstep drive method to the stepping motor; an encoder that is arranged in the ultrasonic probe, detects rotational motion of the stepping motor, and generates a detection signal having a pulse train shape depending on an amount of rotational displacement per unit time of the stepping motor; and a position data generator that generates high-resolution position data in which resolution of position data of the transducer unit obtained from the detection signal is increased.