An ultrasound imaging probe (204) includes a transducer array (210). The transducer array includes one or more transducer elements (212). The ultrasound imaging probe further includes an illumination component (218) and an optical imaging component (220). The ultrasound imaging probe further includes an elongated housing (302) with a long axis (304). The elongated housing includes a proximal end region (306) affixed to a handle (308) and a distal end region (310) with a tip region (312). The elongated housing houses the transducer array, the illumination component, and the optical imaging component in the distal end region.

A diagnostic imaging catheter is disclosed, which is capable of preventing a solution from an internal space of a hub from flowing into a portion communicating with the internal space of the hub and to which the signal lines such as the optical fiber and the electric signal cable are electrically or optically connected. The optical diagnostic catheter includes a rotatable drive shaft, an elongated sheath configured to be inserted into a biological lumen, a hub that includes a port connected to the sheath for supplying the solution, a connector portion that includes an optical connector accommodated in an internal space of the hub and optically connected to an external optical connector, a first seal portion that prevents the solution from the port from flowing into a first connection portion, and a second seal portion that prevents the solution from the port from flowing into a second connection portion.

An ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a plurality of transducers that transmit ultrasonic waves and a transmission unit that supplies drive signals to the plurality of transducers. An amplitude control voltage generation unit and a transmission circuit unit are connected to a common voltage power supply. An amplitude control voltage generation unit receives an output voltage of the voltage power supply and an attenuation degree setting signal instructing an attenuation degree of the drive signal for each of the transducers for weighting of the drive signal, and generates an amplitude control voltage corresponding to a voltage obtained by attenuating the output voltage by the attenuation degree. The output voltage of the voltage power supply is reduced to a voltage corresponding to the amplitude control voltage, and a drive signal having a predetermined waveform is generated whose amplitude is the voltage after the reduction for each of the transducers.

Disclosed herein is a connector cover configured to be used in an ultrasonic probe connector and an ultrasonic probe assembly. The connector cover includes a case, and a coupling device disposed at one end portion in the case and configured to be coupled to the connector. The coupling device includes a body including a fastening portion configured to be coupled to a connector protrusion provided to protrude from the connector toward a first direction, and a rotating shaft connected to the case and the body, and the connector cover is configured to be coupled to the connector along a second direction.

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic probe are provided which are capable of reducing a leak current even in combined use of a low voltage transmission circuit and a high voltage transmission circuit including a buffer. The ultrasonic probe includes: a high voltage transmission circuit for transmitting a relatively high voltage; a low voltage transmission circuit for transmitting a relatively low voltage; and a transducer for selectively receiving a voltage transmitted from the high voltage transmission circuit and the low voltage transmission circuit. The high voltage transmission circuit includes: a current source for varying a current generated thereby and a current drawn thereby based on a set signal; a buffer for driving the transducer in accordance with the currents generated and drawn by the current source; and an impedance controller connected to an input terminal and an output terminal of the buffer.

Systems and techniques are provided for an event-based ultrasound system. An event-based ultrasound system may include a transducer array, a computing and imaging device, and a connection. The transducer array may include transducer elements and a timing system. The transducer elements may be connected to event-detection circuits. The event-detection circuits may generate events based on the electrical signals of the transducer elements. Data for an event may include an up-down value, a timestamp based on the timing system, and an address of a transducer element. The connection may connect the transducer array to the computing and imaging device. Data for the events generated by the event-detection circuits may be transmitted to the computing and imaging device across the connection.

Disclosed in the application is a handheld three-dimensional ultrasound imaging method, comprising using a handheld ultrasound probe to scan a part to be tested; obtaining a three-dimensional position and angle information corresponding to ultrasound images according to a positioning reference device adapted to be arranged on the part to be tested; obtaining a moving distance and a rotation angle of the handheld ultrasound probe according to a material interference of the localization pattern with the ultrasonic signal; extracting information of the localization pattern from the ultrasound image as positioning information; restoring the ultrasound image to a state without interference from the localization pattern; performing 3D image reconstruction and display of the ultrasound image. The large spatial positioning system in an existing three-dimensional ultrasound imaging system is changed into a portable spatial positioning system that can be used at any time, so that handheld three-dimensional ultrasound imaging can be widely applied.

The disclosed devices, systems and methods measure non-invasive blood pressure in a patient. Energy emissions, such as ultrasound or light, are emitted into tissues of the patient. The emitted energy reflects from various tissues, such as flowing blood and vessels, and can be detected, or received, to generate a reflected energy signal or data. The reflected energy can be processed, such as by using a constitutive equation, to calculate the blood pressure.

Provided are an apparatus and method for blood pressure measurement using an electroacoustic transducer in combination with a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer. The apparatus and method can provide continuous, noninvasive blood pressure monitoring.

An electronic endoscope system includes: an electronic endoscope including, at a distal end portion, an image sensor that captures an image of a living tissue, and an ultrasound probe that applies ultrasonic waves to the living tissue to obtain an echo signal; a captured image processor including an image processing unit that processes an imaging signal output from the image sensor and generates a captured image; and an ultrasonic image processor including an ultrasonic image processing unit that processes the echo signal output from the ultrasound probe and generates an ultrasonic image, a noise detection unit that detects a periodic noise component included in the echo signal and generated at a level equal to or higher than a preset threshold level, and a noise suppression unit that performs processing of suppressing the detected noise component.