The invention relates to a method and to a corresponding device in which irregularities regarding each detected measurement position within a measurement surface are detected using a local measurement density. Each echo signal received in response to each detected measurement position is then weighted in order to generate an image using a data processing device such that the irregularities are adjusted.

A single hand operation ultrasound probe array is provided. The single ultrasound probe array places individual transducers, each having different transducer characteristics, on sheaths that fit over fingers of a user. By the user positioning their fingers differently, different transducers are selected for use, enabling the user to switch between multiple different center frequencies, or other different transducer configurations, based on the positioning of the fingers of the user relative to the patient. The ultrasound probe array is configured with wired or wireless communication to an ultrasonic machine to receive the probe signals and interpret.

Method for ultrasound image acquisition includes defining a fixed frame of reference, with an origin of coordinates within a transmitter of a tracking system; detecting position and orientation of a probe relative to the frame of reference with a probe sensor of the tracking system coupled to the probe; detecting position and orientation of a body relative to the frame of reference with a reference sensor of the tracking system coupled to the body; calculating position and orientation of the probe with respect to the body; acquiring a set of 2D images constituting a 3D by transmitting an ultrasonic beam into the body and receiving echographic signals with the probe; iterating for a predetermined number of 3D image acquisitions; generating a panoramic 3D image by combining the 2D images based on information of position and orientation of the probe relative to the body for each 2D image acquisition.

The invention is a method for generating ultrasound image, comprising the steps of: determining a plurality of recording locations (L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3, L.sub.k, L.sub.n?1, L.sub.n) separated from each other by a recording spacing (?y), recording a first data package (F.sub.1) placing the ultrasound transducer on a first recording location (L.sub.1) being on the investigation surface and assigning the first data package (F.sub.1) to a first image column (I.sub.1) of the ultrasound image corresponding to the first recording location (L.sub.1), repeating the following steps until loading at least one forthcoming image column: recording a subsequent data package (F.sub.2, F.sub.i, F.sub.a, F.sub.a+1, F.sub.b, F.sub.b+1) by moving the ultrasound transducer essentially along an image recording line being in an image recording direction, towards a forthcoming recording location, and evaluating a data package acceptance criterion based on comparing one or more actual image correlation value and corresponding correlation function value, investigating fulfillment of the acceptance criterion; and if the acceptance criterion is fulfilled, assigning, for the forthcoming recording location, the subsequent data package to a forthcoming image column (l.sub.2, l.sub.3, l.sub.k, l.sub.n?1, I.sub.n) of the ultrasound image loading the forthcoming image column (l.sub.2, l.sub.3, I.sub.k, l.sub.n?1, I.sub.n).

An internal probe device for insertion into the body of a patient, comprises an elongate body with a plurality of EAP actuators mounted at the surface of the body. The EAP actuators are made to vibrate so that their position becomes visible in a Doppler ultrasound image. The use of EAP actuators to provide vibrations enables individual locations to be identified. In particular, the movement of the EAP actuator may be largely isolated from the main body of the probe. Furthermore, EAP actuators can be thin, lightweight and have a small form factor suitable for application to or within the surface of a probe, such as a catheter, needle or endoscope.

A method and system for providing ultrasound treatment to a tissue that contains a lower part of dermis and proximal protrusions of fat lobuli into the dermis. An embodiment delivers ultrasound energy to the region creating a thermal injury and coagulating the proximal protrusions of fat lobuli, thereby eliminating the fat protrusions into the dermis. An embodiment can also include ultrasound imaging configurations using the same or a separate probe before, after or during the treatment. In addition various therapeutic levels of ultrasound can be used to increase the speed at which fat metabolizes. Additionally the mechanical action of ultrasound physically breaks fat cell clusters and stretches the fibrous bonds. Mechanical action will also enhance lymphatic drainage, stimulating the evacuation of fat decay products.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprise an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object and receive a response signal reflected from the object, an image generator configured to create an ultrasound image of the object based on a first ultrasound signal and a first response signal and a controller configured to control transmission order and transmission intervals of the ultrasound signal and estimate a position of the ultrasonic probe based on a second ultrasound signal and a second response signal.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the current position of the ultrasonic probe is estimated using an ultrasound signal transmitted for creation of an ultrasound image without attachment of an extra sensor, so the position of the ultrasonic probe may be estimated more economically and effectively.

Methods for ultrasonically imaging a heterogeneous 3D-cell population without physically probing are provided. The method can comprises: pulsing ultrasound waves having a wave frequency of about 10 MHz to about 2 GHz through a lens rod, wherein the lens rod focuses the ultrasound waves onto the cell population via a concave lens-head (e.g., comprising sapphire), and wherein the cell population is positioned on the reflective surface such that the ultrasound waves are reflected back to the lens-head; receiving the reflected waves through the lens head and the lens rod at a signal receiver; scanning the lens-head across multiple points in the x,y plane; and at each point in the x,y plane, moving the lens-head in a z-direction such that a signal is received at multiple intervals in the z-direction for each point in the x,y plane.

A system and method for acoustically measuring a curved object are described. A flexible sheet is provided with an array of acoustic transducers. The flexible sheet is wrapped around the curved object such that the acoustic transducers acoustically contact the curved object. The acoustic transducers are used to generate and/or measure acoustic waves at variable locations depending on a shape of the curved object. Spatial coordinates of the acoustic transducers are determined while the flexible sheet is wrapped around the curved object. In particular, the spatial coordinates are determined based on respective subsets of travel times used to calculate respective wave directions of the acoustic waves arriving at respective subarrays from a common origin, e.g. scattering element inside the curved object.

Provided is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including an ultrasonic probe configured to receive a first ultrasonic signal and a second ultrasonic signal corresponding an object; and an image processor configured to obtain second ultrasonic volume data based on the second ultrasonic signal and relationship information between first information and second information, configured to apply the relationship information to the second ultrasonic volume data and configured to obtain a second ultrasonic cross-sectional image from the second ultrasonic volume data based on the relationship information, where the first information comprises a first position and a first direction corresponding to a position and a direction of the ultrasonic probe receiving the first ultrasonic signal and the second information comprises a second position and a second direction corresponding to a position and a direction of the ultrasonic probe receiving the second ultrasonic signal.