Physiosonics, Inc.

Allez Physionix, Ltd.

Vuesonix Sensors, Inc.

Telepulse Technologies Corporation

Vuesinx Sensors, Inc.

Kenneth Abend

Elsayed Hesham Attia

Alan R Stein

Borys Umyn

Richard De Francesco

Rodney Barnhart

Wade Darlington

Jack Starrantino

Bernard Harris

Irving Susskind

Provided herein is a method for use in medical applications that permits affordable three-dimensional imaging of blood flow using a low-profile easily-attached transducer pad, real-time blood-flow vector velocity, and long-term unattended Doppler-ultrasound monitoring in spite of motion of the patient or pad. The pad and associated processor collects and Doppler processes ultrasound blood velocity data in a three dimensional region through the use of a planar phased array of piezoelectric elements. The invention locks onto and tracks the points in three-dimensional space that produce the locally maximum blood velocity signals. The integrated coordinates of points acquired by the accurate tracking process is used to form a three-dimensional map of blood vessels and provide a display that can be used to select multiple points of interest for expanded data collection and for long term continuous and unattended blood flow monitoring. The three dimensional map allows for the calculation of vector velocity from measured radial Doppler.

Device and method for mapping and tracking blood flow and determining parameters of blood flow

Provided herein is a method for use in medical applications that permits (1) affordable three-dimensional imaging of blood flow using a low-profile easily-attached transducer pad, (2) real-time blood-flow vector velocity, and (3) long-term unattended Doppler-ultrasound monitoring in spite of motion of the patient or pad. The pad and associated processor collects and Doppler processes ultrasound blood velocity data in a three dimensional region through the use of a planar phased array of piezoelectric elements. The invention locks onto and tracks the points in three-dimensional space that produce the locally maximum blood velocity signals. The integrated coordinates of points acquired by the accurate tracking process is used to form a three-dimensional map of blood vessels and provide a display that can be used to select multiple points of interest for expanded data collection and for long term continuous and unattended blood flow monitoring. The three dimensional map allows for the calculation of vector velocity from measured radial Doppler. A thinned array (greater than half-wavelength element spacing of the transducer array) is used to make a device of the present invention inexpensive and allow the pad to have a low profile (fewer connecting cables for a given spatial resolution). The full aperture is used for transmit and receive so that there is no loss of sensitivity (signal-to-noise ratio) or dynamic range. Utilizing more elements (extending the physical array) without increasing the number of active elements increases the angular field of view. A further increase is obtained by utilizing a convex non-planar surface.

Transmitter patterns for multi beam reception

Ultrasonic acoustic imaging finds many uses, particularly in the field of non-invasive medical testing. Detection of Doppler shifted acoustic frequencies permits observation of flow of a particle-containing liquid, for example, blood flow. In order to see slower moving blood by Doppler ultrasound investigation, as the blood moves from major blood vessels into arterioles and capillaries, it is necessary to lower the pulse repetition frequency. The herein disclosed invention is an interleaving technique that lowers the effective pulse repetition frequency at each probe position without exacting these system penalties.

Pulse interleaving in doppler ultrasound imaging

Dynamic Time Metered Delivery (DTMD) is a unique physical layer communication Method. DTMD uses enhanced time-based techniques to enable and control the flow of more data/Hertz through a variety of transmission media including existing and new copper phone lines, coaxial cable, fiber optic, powerline and wireless RF, Optical and Acoustic, to and from a comprehensive, multi-function customer data gateway. The system measures the transmission parameters as viewed from the 'end of the line' and then sends these numerics back to the source which alters the shape of the basic signal structure such that when received at the far end, it will have maximum recognition attributes against interferers and noise. The present system and method add the adaptivity to the line conditions and set a maximum allowable data rate within the subscribed levels of performance.

Dynamic time metered delivery

A method and associated apparatus are disclosed for determining the location of an effective center of fluid flow in a vessel using an ultrasound apparatus. Ultrasound energy is propagated along an axis of propagation and projects upon the vessel. A Doppler-shifted signal reflected from the fluid in the vessel is received and a set of quantities expressed as a density is derived from the Doppler shifted signal for each of a set of coordinates, the density being a function of the Doppler shift in frequency associated with each of the coordinates. One of a mean, mode or median is calculated for each of the dimensions of the set of coordinates in conjunction with the density associated therewith. This calculation is repeated throughout the field of view of the vessel to define a centerline.

Method and apparatus for determining an ultrasound fluid flow centerline

A method and device are provided for use in medical applications that permit affordable 3D imaging of blood flow using a low profile easily long-term unattended Doppler ultrasound monitoring in spite of motion of the patient or pad. The pad, and associated processor collects, Doppler processes ultrasound blood velocity data in a 3D region through the use of a planar phased array of piezoelectric elements. The invention locks onto, and tracks the points in 3D space that produce the locally maximum blood velocity signals. The integrated coordinates of points acquired by the accurate tracking process is used to form a 3D map of blood vessels, provide a display that can be used to select multiple points of interest for expanded data collection, for long-term continuous, and unattended blood flow monitoring.

A prior application discloses a novel probe geometry that offers a wide field of view in an ultrasonic imaging device. That geometry is referred to as a &ldquo;thinned array&rdquo; of transducer elements. The application discloses an improved probe geometry permitting high-resolution imaging of a large volume of the subject's body. In this improved geometry, the array elements are non-uniform in size and spacing. The probe is intended for use, for example, in a method of determining parameters of blood flow, such as vector velocity, blood flow volume, and Doppler spectral distribution, using sonic energy (ultrasound) and a novel thinned array. Also in a method of tracking blood flow and generating a three dimensional image of blood vessel of interest that has much greater resolution than images produced using heretofore known ultrasound devices and methods.

Ultrasound probe with progressive element sizing

A thinned array of ultrasound transducers includes plural transmitters configured so that each transmitter insonates one segment of a volume at a time and an array of receivers electronically aimed at and dynamically focused upon subsegments of the insonated segment. The spacing between receivers is greater than one-half the transmitted wavelength. Echoes are received in a pattern that is aligned with the insonates segment so that receiver grating lobes nearest the echoes coincide with first transmitter nulls, minimizing the deleterious effects of grating lobes.

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Huntingdon Valley, PA, United States of America

Kenneth Abend