An ultrasound imaging system for guiding a user to acquire ultrasound image data sets that can be analyzed for the presence of atherosclerosis. In one embodiment, the processor is programmed to analyze ultrasound image data for a vessel of interest and to control a user interface that suggests how an operator should move a transducer to acquire ultrasound image data with the vessel of interest in a desired location. The processor stores multiple ultrasound image data sets taken along a length of the vessel of interest to be analyzed for the presence of an atheroma.

Methods and systems for modulation and mapping of brain tissue in a subject using an ultrasound assembly are provided. An exemplary method for modulation uses an ultrasound assembly including a housing and an ultrasound transducer joined to the housing. The method includes securing the housing to the head of the subject with the ultrasound transducer aligned with a region of the brain tissue to target the region of the brain tissue for modulating, and providing focused ultrasound at an acoustic pressure to the targeted region using the ultrasound transducer to induce cavitation proximate the targeted region. The method further includes detecting a cavitation signal magnitude from the induced cavitation corresponding to the acoustic pressure and modulating the targeted region.

For active control of steering, one or more motors integrated into an intra-cardiac echocardiography catheter handle control the bending. Multiple sets of motors may be used to control steering wires anchored at different segments along the catheter, allowing steering with multiple bends in complex patterns controlled by a controller. The handle may be releasably separated into a reusable motor part and a disposable steering wire part so that the more complex and expensive motor part is not discarded and so that the number of motors may be matched to the number of steering wires.

A system for acquiring ultrasound images of internal organs of a human body comprises a scanner and at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU) associated therewith, and electronic components for wired or wireless communication with remote terminals, said system being secured against malicious attacks or interference with the help of hardware, software, or a combination of both.

A Ring-Arrayed Forward-viewing (RAF) ultrasound imaging and administration device combines an ultrasonic (US) US imager including a plurality of single element transducers arranged in a circular frame to define a ring array, and an instrument posture tracking circuit coupled to the ring array for performing RF (radio frequency) data acquisition with the plurality of ring-arrayed transducers. A needle holster is concentrically disposed in the ring array and is adapted to receive and direct an insertion instrument such as a needle, probe or extraction tool along an axis defined by a center of the ring array directed by the concentric needle holster. The tracking circuit includes a processor having instructions for instrument posture tracking and US imaging.

A method includes: determining, by a host device, a predetermined path including a first tilt from which a target anatomical view is available and a second tilt from which the target anatomical view is not available, where the predetermined path has a pivot of fewer than 180 degrees about an anatomical area; instructing, by the host device, an operator to pivot an ultrasound device along the predetermined path by displaying a display on the host device; receiving a first ultrasound image depicting the target anatomical view and a second ultrasound image not depicting the target anatomical view based on ultrasound data collected by the ultrasound device while pivoting along the predetermined path; and identifying that the first ultrasound image depicts the target anatomical view. The predetermined path is determined prior to collecting the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image.

An elastography device includes a probe, to be held against the body of a subject, the probe including a single ultrasound transducer; or a plurality of ultrasound transducers, all ultrasound transducers of the being motionless with respect to each other, and a low frequency vibrator, arranged to induce a displacement of said single ultrasound transducer or plurality of ultrasound transducers towards a tissue to be characterized, and an electronic unit including an electronic circuit, configured to control the single ultrasound transducer or plurality of ultrasound transducers to emit a sequence of ultrasound pulses in the tissue to be characterized, and configured to acquire echo signals received by the single ultrasound transducer or plurality of ultrasound transducers in response to the ultrasound pulses emitted, in order to track how elastic waves travel in the tissue.

Medical tool positioning and control devices, systems, and methods. Handle assemblies that allow a steerable shaft to be steered, while allowing the separate movement of a medical tool. The handle assemblies can allow for rotation and axial movement of the medical tool, and optionally with an actuator disposed distal to a second actuator that controls steering of the steerable shaft.

Arrangements described herein relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods for a disposable kit containing medical items configured for a medical device including a head cradle to support a head of a subject, the disposable kit includes a container that encloses a head cradle pad configured to be affixed to the head cradle, at least one fiducial marker configured to be disposed on a location at the head of the subject, and at least one enclosure configured to cover a portion of the medical device.

A system for allowing a non-skilled user to acquire ultrasound images of internal organs of a human body comprises a scanner, at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU) associated therewith, a processor containing software, and a user interface comprising a display screen and means to accept user's instructions, wherein the software is configured to execute at least one of the following: to produce ultrasound images; to analyze the data; to decide which images are of sufficient quality to be displayed on the display screen; to discard low quality images; to instruct the operator to hold the housing of the scanner in a predetermined manner; to compute the location and attitude of the scanner; to determine if the scanner is being held such that enough pressure is being exerted on the skin to produce an image of sufficient quality; and to effectively provide instructions how to move the scanner correctly in order to obtain satisfactory images.