The present invention relates to an apparatus for tracking a position of an interventional device respective an image plane of an ultrasound field. The position includes an out-of-plane distance (Dop). A geometry-providing unit (GPU) includes a plurality of transducer-to-distal-end lengths (Ltde.sub.1 . . . n), each length corresponding to a predetermined distance (Ltde) between a distal end of an interventional device and an ultrasound detector attached to the interventional device, for each of a plurality of interventional device types (T.sub.1 . . . n). An image fusion unit (IFU) receives data indicative of the type (T) of the interventional device being tracked; and based on the type (T): selects from the geometry-providing unit (GPU), a corresponding transducer-to-distal-end length (Ltde); and indicates in a reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI) both the out-of-plane distance (Dop) and the transducer-to-distal-end length (Ltde) for the interventional device within the ultrasound field.

A replaceable attachment for an ultrasound probe includes a ring-like fastening region for fastening the attachment to the ultrasound probe, and a flexible membrane arranged on the fastening region. A first liquid or gel-like contact medium is applied to an inner contact surface of the membrane. The contact surface makes contact with an end face of the ultrasound probe when an attachment is fastened to the ultrasound probe. Before the attachment is fastened, the first contact medium is distributed on the contact surface in such a manner that, in an array region of the contact surface, a quantity of the first contact medium per surface is at least twice as large as in a remaining region of the contact surface. A positioning and extent of the array region is adapted to a positioning and extent of a piezo array of the ultrasound probe.

Provided are a wireless ultrasound probe and an ultrasound imaging apparatus connected with the wireless ultrasound probe. The wireless ultrasound probe includes: a battery; and a charging terminal connector that is coupled to a power supply terminal of the ultrasound imaging apparatus and receives power from the power supply terminal to charge the battery, wherein the charging terminal connector has a unique shape configured to be physically coupled to the power supply terminal.

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.

An ultrasound-imaging system includes an ultrasound probe and a console. The ultrasound probe includes (i) an array of ultrasonic transducers, activated ultrasonic transducers of the array of ultrasonic transducers configured to emit generated ultrasound signals into a patient, receive reflected ultrasound signals from the patient, and convert the reflected ultrasound signals into corresponding electrical signals of the ultrasound signals for processing into an ultrasound image, and (ii) a secondary data collection module. The console includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon logic, when executed by the one or more processors, causes operations that can include: receiving and processing the electrical signals to generate the ultrasound image, receiving secondary data from the secondary data collection module, wherein the secondary data is data other than the electrical signals corresponding to reflected ultrasound signals, and providing a notification to administrator that includes the secondary data.

A method executed at least in part by a computer and comprising responding to an instruction requesting an ultrasound exam by wirelessly communicating with an ultrasound system by transmitting a query signal and receiving a response signal from the ultrasound system. Response can determine whether or not the ultrasound system is configured with at least a suitable transducer for the requested ultrasound exam. The method determines whether or not an operator identified in the response signal is trained to administer the requested ultrasound exam. A schedule signal for the requested ultrasound exam is transmitted. A displayed message indicates progress of the requested ultrasound exam.

An ultrasound wireless probe adapter is presented. The adapter includes a first coupling unit configured to detachably couple the adapter to ultrasound probe assemblies, a second coupling unit configured to wirelessly couple the adapter to a smart device, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to wirelessly communicate with the smart device to accept user inputs, generate and transmit one of excitation signals and control and configuration signals to the ultrasound probe assemblies based on the user inputs and a category of the ultrasound probe assemblies to initiate emission of acoustic signals towards a region of interest in a subject, receive echo signals generated by the ultrasound probe assemblies in response to one of the transmitted excitation signals or the transmitted control and configuration signals, and process received beam signals based on a processing capability of the smart device to generate one of partially-processed image data and fully-processed image data.

A shared-housing ultrasound transducer and machine-vision camera system is disclosed for registering the transducer's x, y, z position in space and pitch, yaw, and roll orientation with respect to an object, such as a patient's body. The position and orientation are correlated with transducer scan data, and scans of the same region of the object are compared in order to reduce ultrasound artifacts and speckles. The system can be extended to interoperative gamma probes or other non-contact sensor probes and medical instruments. Methods are disclosed for computer or remote guiding of a sensor probe or instrument with respect to saved positions and orientations of the sensor probe.

The present invention relates to a lightweight, high resolution portable ultrasound system using components and methods to improve connectivity and ease of use. A preferred embodiment includes an integrated system in which the beamformer control circuitry can be inserted into the host computer as a peripheral or within the processor housing.

An ultrasound imaging system comprising a multi-use electronic display device and an ultrasound imaging device. The multi-use electronic display device is capable of communicating with one or more ultrasound imaging devices and selecting which to connect with based on at least one of previously store information, user input, and information gathered from the ultrasound imaging devices. The multi-use electronic display device may communicate with the ultrasound imaging devices while they are in a low power standby state. This approach reduces the complexity of the pairing process and provides a means for quickly and easily selecting between multiple ultrasound imaging devices.