An intravascular sensor device can be used to guide treatment of a diseased blood vessel in the body of a patient. In some examples, the intravascular sensor device includes a pressure sensor and an ultrasound transducer. The intravascular sensor device is used to measure a pressure within the diseased blood vessel and acquire an ultrasound image of the diseased blood vessel. The pressure may be measured during hyperemic blood flow that is caused by a pharmacologic vasodilator drug. The measured pressure can be used to calculate a fractional flow reserve value. The ultrasound image can be used to determine a physical dimension of the blood vessel, such as cross-sectional area. The fractional flow reserve value and physical dimensions of the blood vessel can be used to optimize patient treatment.

An intravascular sensor device can be used to guide treatment of a diseased blood vessel in the body of a patient. In some examples, the intravascular sensor device includes a pressure sensor and an ultrasound transducer. The intravascular sensor device is used to measure a pressure within the diseased blood vessel and acquire an ultrasound image of the diseased blood vessel. The pressure may be measured during hyperemic blood flow that is caused by a pharmacologic vasodilator drug. The measured pressure can be used to calculate a fractional flow reserve value. The ultrasound image can be used to determine a physical dimension of the blood vessel, such as cross-sectional area. The fractional flow reserve value and physical dimensions of the blood vessel can be used to optimize patient treatment.

Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate obtaining two dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, using two or more ultrasound imaging modes or modalities, to generate 2D multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) images and/or to generate a three-dimensional (3D) mpUS image. The different ultrasound imaging modes acquire images in a common frame of reference during a single procedure to facilitate their registration. The mpUS images (i.e., 2D or 3D) may be used for enhanced and/or automated detection of one or more suspicious regions. After identifying one or more suspicious regions, the mpUS images may be utilized with a real-time image to guide biopsy or therapy the region(s). All these processes may be performed in a single medical procedure.

Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate obtaining two dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, using two or more ultrasound imaging modes or modalities, to generate 2D multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) images and/or to generate a three-dimensional (3D) mpUS image. The different ultrasound imaging modes acquire images in a common frame of reference during a single procedure to facilitate their registration. The mpUS images (i.e., 2D or 3D) may be used for enhanced and/or automated detection of one or more suspicious regions. After identifying one or more suspicious regions, the mpUS images may be utilized with a real-time image to guide biopsy or therapy the region(s). All these processes may be performed in a single medical procedure.

Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate obtaining two dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, using two or more ultrasound imaging modes or modalities, to generate 2D multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) images and/or to generate a three-dimensional (3D) mpUS image. The different ultrasound imaging modes acquire images in a common frame of reference during a single procedure to facilitate their registration. The mpUS images (i.e., 2D or 3D) may be used for enhanced and/or automated detection of one or more suspicious regions. After identifying one or more suspicious regions, the mpUS images may be utilized with a real-time image to guide biopsy or therapy the region(s). All these processes may be performed in a single medical procedure.

A photoacoustic image evaluation apparatus includes a processor configured to acquire a first photoacoustic image generated at a first point in time and a second photoacoustic image generated at a second point in time before the first point in time, the first and second photoacoustic images being photoacoustic images generated by detecting photoacoustic waves generated inside a subject, who has been subjected to blood vessel regeneration treatment, by emission of light into the subject; acquire a blood vessel regeneration index, which indicates a state of a blood vessel by the regeneration treatment, based on a difference between a blood vessel included in the first photoacoustic image and a blood vessel included in the second photoacoustic image; and display the blood vessel regeneration index on a display.

A photoacoustic image evaluation apparatus includes a processor configured to acquire a first photoacoustic image generated at a first point in time and a second photoacoustic image generated at a second point in time before the first point in time, the first and second photoacoustic images being photoacoustic images generated by detecting photoacoustic waves generated inside a subject, who has been subjected to blood vessel regeneration treatment, by emission of light into the subject; acquire a blood vessel regeneration index, which indicates a state of a blood vessel by the regeneration treatment, based on a difference between a blood vessel included in the first photoacoustic image and a blood vessel included in the second photoacoustic image; and display the blood vessel regeneration index on a display.

An apparatus for assessing the severity of stenosis in a blood vessel includes an elongate body including a distal portion and a centering assembly. The centering assembly is actuatable to selectively center the elongate body in the vessel. A pressure sensor is disposed adjacent the centering assembly and is configured to detect fluid pressure in the vessel. A processing system receives the measured pressure from the pressure sensor, receives data representing the cross-sectional area of the vessel, receives data representing the size of the distal portion, calculates a offset correlation based on the size of the distal portion and based on the size of the vessel, and calculates a fractional flow reserve (FFR) for the vessel as an index of stenosis severity taking into account the offset correlation and the measured fluid pressure from the pressure sensor.

Disclosed are systems and methods using ultrasound to predict if a patient's cardiac stroke volume will increase with a fluid bolus. Ultrasound measures are taken before administering a fluid bolus, including measurement of the left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT VTI), and venous measurements of the internal jugular vein. Data collected from such ultrasound scan is then used to predict the patient's cardiac volume response in the event that a fluid bolus is administered to that patient.

Color Doppler imaging with line artifact reduction is provided in multi-beam scanning. Doppler estimates representing the same spatial location but calculated from spatially distinctive transmit beam groups are combined through weighted linear interpolation. Methods of calculating the linear interpolation weights are provided based on geometric relationships and optimization functions. Complete overlapping and superposition among receive beams in the interpolation region are not required. Partial interpolation among the receive beams, where only the estimates of the outer receive scan lines may overlap and be interpolated while estimates for scan lines closer to the transmit scan line are not interpolated, allowing for more rapid frame rate.