Systems and methods of transmitting heat away from an ultrasound probe are disclosed within. In one embodiment, a handheld ultrasound probe includes a transducer, electronics configured to drive the transducer, and a housing surrounding the transducer assembly and the electronics. A slot extending from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing and can allow air to pass adjacent transducer and the electronics. The slot can be sized to inhibit accessibility of an operator's finger to an inner surface of slot.

A deep finger ultrasonic sensor device includes an array of ultrasonic transducers and an array controller configured to control activation of ultrasonic transducers of the array of ultrasonic transducers during an imaging operation for capturing a depth image of a finger, where the depth image includes a plurality of features inside the finger. The array controller is configured to control transmission of ultrasonic signals and receipt of reflected ultrasonic signals during the imaging operation, where the reflected ultrasonic signals are utilized in generating the depth image of the finger.

In a photoacoustic image generation apparatus and an operation method of the photoacoustic image generation apparatus, all positions of an insert during puncture can be accurately grasped on an image after an examination. A photoacoustic image generation apparatus includes a photoacoustic image generation unit that generates a photoacoustic image based on a detection signal acquired by detecting a photoacoustic wave emitted from a tip portion of an insert inserted into a subject using acoustic wave detection means, and a control unit that causes a storage unit to store position information of the tip portion of a puncture needle on the photoacoustic image in response to a predetermined trigger during a step of collecting a cell of the subject at the tip portion of the puncture needle in cytology.

Method for scanning for second object on or within first object starts by receiving information on first object and second object. Task lists are generated that include at least one task action based on information on first object and second object. Based on task lists, beamer is then signaled to generate and send first signal to first probe unit to perform first beam firing. Receiver processes first data signal from first probe unit that is then analyzed to determine if first object is identified using processed first data signal. Upon determination that first object is identified, based on task list, beamer is signaled to generate and send second signal to second probe unit to perform second beam firing. Receiver processes second data signal from second probe unit that is then analyzed to determine if second object is identified using processed second data signal. Other embodiments are described.

Method for scanning for second object on or within first object starts by receiving information on first object and second object. Task lists are generated that include at least one task action based on information on first object and second object. Based on task lists, beamer is then signaled to generate and send first signal to first probe unit to perform first beam firing. Receiver processes first data signal from first probe unit that is then analyzed to determine if first object is identified using processed first data signal. Upon determination that first object is identified, based on task list, beamer is signaled to generate and send second signal to second probe unit to perform second beam firing. Receiver processes second data signal from second probe unit that is then analyzed to determine if second object is identified using processed second data signal. Other embodiments are described.

A system for tracking an instrument with ultrasound includes a probe (122) for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy and a transducer (130) associated with the probe and configured to move with the probe during use. A medical instrument (102) includes a sensor (120) configured to respond to the ultrasonic energy received from the probe. A control module (124) is stored in memory and configured to interpret the ultrasonic energy received from the probe and the sensor to determine a three dimensional location of the medical instrument and to inject a signal to the probe from the transducer to highlight a position of the sensor in an image.

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 steerable multi-plane ultrasound imaging system (MPUIS) for steering a plurality of intersecting image planes (PL.sub.1 . . . n) of a beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (BUIP) based on ultrasound signals transmitted between the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (BUIP) and an ultrasound transducer (S) disposed within a field of view (FOV) of the probe (BUIP). An ultrasound tracking system (UTS) causes the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (BUIP) to adjust an orientation of the first image plane (PL.sub.1) such that a first image plane passes through a position (POS) of the ultrasound transducer (S) by maximizing a magnitude of ultrasound signals transmitted between the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (BUIP) and the ultrasound transducer (S). An orientation of a second image plane (PL.sub.2) is adjusted such that an intersection (AZ) between the first image plane and the second image plane passes through the position of the ultrasound transducer (S).

According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe and processing circuitry. The ultrasonic probe is configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire an optical image of a subject housed in a housing unit containing a medium. The processing circuitry is configured to estimate state information of the subject from the optical image. The processing circuitry is configured to set a scan condition of ultrasonic scanning for the subject based on the state information.

Systems and methods of transmitting heat away from an ultrasound probe are disclosed within. In one embodiment, a handheld ultrasound probe includes a transducer, electronics configured to drive the transducer, and a housing surrounding the transducer assembly and the electronics. A slot extending from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing and can allow air to pass adjacent transducer and the electronics. The slot can be sized to inhibit accessibility of an operator’s finger to an inner surface of slot.