Rather than trying to automate what an experienced user does, rules designed for processor implementation are used for color flow imaging optimization by an image processor of an ultrasound scanner. By determining a characteristic of a scanned target, a priori information is provided. This a priori information, such as a size of a primary target, is used to select the optimization to be used. Different types of optimization may be used for different characteristics of the primary target. The values for settings may be different for different characteristics.

An ultrasonic imaging system acquires frames of echo data at a high acquisition frame rate using a single mode of acquisition. The echo data is used by three image processors to produce an anatomical image, a mechanical function image, and a hemodynamic image from the same echo data. A display displays an anatomical image, a mechanical function image, and a hemodynamic image simultaneously.

An ultrasound system with a matrix array (500) probe (10) operable in the biplane mode is used to assess stenosis of a blood vessel by simultaneously displaying two color Doppler biplane images (60a, 60b) of the vessel, one a longitudinal cross-sectional view (60a) and the other a transverse cross-sectional view (60b). The two image planes intersect along a Doppler beam line (68) used for PW Doppler. A sample volume graphic (SV) is positioned over the blood vessel at the peak velocity location in one image, then positioned over the blood vessel at the peak velocity location in the other image. As the sample volume location is moved in one image, the plane and/or sample volume location of the other image is adjusted correspondingly. Spectral Doppler data (62) is then acquired and displayed from the sample volume location.

Provided are a method of obtaining a contrast image and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus for performing the method. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: an ultrasound transceiver; a display; and a controller configured to obtain an ultrasound image and a contrast image of an object by using the ultrasound transceiver, determine a region of interest (ROI) in at least one of the ultrasound image and the contrast image, transmit a flash pulse to destroy a contrast agent in the ROI from among regions of the object, image the contrast agent re-introduced into the ROI, and control the display to display the contrast image of the ROI.

Arrangements disclosed herein relate to a disposable probe system for use in an ultrasound system, the probe system includes a disposable probe configured to transmit or receive acoustic energy, and a base included in the ultrasound system. The disposable probe is configured to be removably attached to the base.

An ultrasound system performs duplex colorflow and spectral Doppler imaging, with the spectral Doppler interrogation performed at a sample volume location shown on the colorflow image. The colorflow image is displayed in a color box overlaid on a co-registered B mode image. A color box position and steering angle processor analyzes the spatial Doppler data and automatically sets the color box angle and location over a blood vessel for optimal Doppler sensitivity and accuracy. The processor may also automatically set the flow angle correction cursor in alignment with the direction of flow. In a preferred embodiment these optimization adjustments are made automatically and continuously as a user pauses at points for Doppler measurements along a length of the blood vessel.

An imaging device includes a transducer that includes an array of piezoelectric elements formed on a substrate. Each piezoelectric element includes at least one membrane suspended from the substrate, at least one bottom electrode disposed on the membrane, at least one piezoelectric layer disposed on the bottom electrode, and at least one top electrode disposed on the at least one piezoelectric layer. Adjacent piezoelectric elements are configured to be isolated acoustically from each other. The device is utilized to measure flow or flow along with imaging anatomy.

An ultrasound imaging system includes a transducer array with a plurality of transducer elements configured to repeatedly emit in a predetermined pattern, a first beamformer configured to beamform echo signals received by the transducer array to produce a low resolution line of data for each emission, and a first communication interface configured to wirelessly transmit the low resolution lines of data for each emission in series. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a second communication interface configured to for each emission in series wirelessly receive the transmitted low resolution lines of data, a second beamformer configured to beamform the received low resolution lines of data to produce high resolution ultrasound data, and a velocity processor configured to estimate vector velocity components from the high resolution ultrasound data in a lateral direction and an axial using an autocorrelation algorithm.

An ultrasound signal processing device that generates, for each detection wave, a first complex Doppler signal sequence through quadrature detection of a reception signal sequence; generates tissue velocity data by calculating velocity values for each set of coordinates of observation points in a region of interest from the first complex Doppler signal sequence; generates a second complex Doppler signal sequence by performing clutter removal filter processing on the first complex Doppler signal sequence; generates first velocity data by calculating velocity values for each set of coordinates of the observation points from the second complex Doppler signal sequence; and generates, for each set of coordinates of the observation points, second velocity data based on the first velocity data and the tissue velocity data, and third velocity data by applying a correction to velocity values of the second velocity data that have an absolute value equal to or less than a threshold.

To fasten the examination time in an Ultrasound system in a vascular Exam routine, it is desirable to: automatically position in the best way Color Doppler ROI and/or Sample Gate; select the best Color Doppler/Beamline Steering angle; and set the Doppler Correction angle.

An algorithm is able to process in real time the Doppler Signal to identify the Doppler Area where the most significant flow is present then it analyzes the Shape of such Color Doppler Area identifying the Position and direction of the main Flow.

The vascular Examination routine can be made easier and faster.