Siemens Medical Solutions Usa, Inc.

Roee Lazebnik

Liexiang Fan

Paul Donald Freiburger

John Benson

Kevin Michael Sekins

Caroline Maleke

Tissue density is quantified using shear wave information in medical ultrasound scanning. Measurements of the tissue reaction to shear waves indicate tissue density. For example, shear wave velocity is linked with density using clinical study information. The shear wave velocity in a region, over the entire tissue, or at various locations is used to determine a corresponding density or densities. The tissue density information is used for categorization, estimation of disease risk, imaging, diagnosis, or other uses. The tissue may be breast tissue or other tissue.

Tissue density quantification using shear wave information in medical ultrasound scanning

Information layering is provided in medical imaging. Two or more types of information are provided in one image. A three-dimensional surface is formed for two-dimensional scanning and/or imaging. The depth or third dimension is mapped to one type of data. Variation in values of this type of data causes variation in the surface away from flat. Data of another type is mapped to the surface, such that each location having a color or gray scale value based on the other type and a depth based on the one type. The surface is rendered using three-dimensional rendering to show the depth information even though both types of data represent a scanned plane. Stereoscopic viewing may allow the user to better visualize the depth information.

Depth-based information layering in medical diagnostic ultrasound

Frame rate and/or line density are controlled in contrast agent medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging. The number of lines scanned per second (e.g., frame rate and/or line density) is set based on the differences in contrast agent response. Where the contrast agent response is changing rapidly, more frequent scanning and/or denser scanning is performed. Where the contrast agent response is not changing or changing slowly, less frequent scanning and/or less dense scanning is performed. By linking the number of scan lines per second of the scanning adaptively with the contrast agent response, the destruction of contrast agents may be reduced while providing information when needed for diagnosis.

Optimization of lines per second for medical diagnostic ultrasound contrast agent imaging

Path visualization for medical procedures is provided. Different paths are presented to the user. The paths may be ranked, such as determining a cost associated with using each path. The cost may be determined from different sources of data, such as from elasticity and flow ultrasound data. The user may view the options and make an informed choice for the path to use for biopsy or other procedure.

Path parametric visualization in medical diagnostic ultrasound

A viscoelastic property of tissue is measured in vivo. To collect more information and/or estimate viscosity, shear modulus, and/or other shear characteristics, an amplitude and phase modulated waveform is transmitted to the tissue. The displacement caused by the waveform over time includes displacements associated with response to different frequencies. By examining the displacement in the frequency domain, one or more viscoelastic properties may be calculated for different frequencies. The frequency response may indicate the health of the tissue.

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Roee Lazebnik