Ultrasound imaging image formation

The final step in formation of 3D ultrasound images is to display the data so that the inherent voxel information is communicated accurately. Commonly, simple rotation of the object on the computer monitor provides some 3D effects. To further enhance the 3D outcome of the images, stereoglasses have been applied (Martin et al. 1995 Nelson and Pretorius 1995). Projection of images by optical holography enables the observer to move around the object and examine the spatial relationships from different viewpoints (Baum and Stroke 1975 Koivukangas et al. 1986 Redman et al. 1969). A typical setup of a 3D ultrasound system is shown in Figure 23.2. 

Image formation in medical ultrasound is accomplished by a pulse-echo mechanism in which a thin ultrasound beam is transmitted and the echoes generated by the interaction of that beam with scat-... 

Diagnosis and management of CVD relies on a variety of medical data, such as ECG, ultrasound images, MRI images, CT images, biochemical exams, clinical profiles, and other data, such as patient history. The data that are mentioned above contain a wealth of information that is very useful for the physician but, due to their nonstructured format and the fact that the sources are heterogeneous, their retrieval is neither fast nor accurate. Therefore, semantic interoperability is important. Semantic interoperability can be broadly defined as the ability of one system to receive information from another system and reliably apply its... 

Prompt diagnosis of intra-abdominal infections or of abscess formation elsewhere in the body by liberal use of ultrasound and other imaging techniques should lead to subsequent surgical treatment without delay. Soft tissue infections (superficial and deep) can have a dramatic clinical course. Timely diagnostic imaging and surgical treatment will equally reduce morbidity and mortality. 

Ultrasound (or sonophoresis) is a technology more traditionally associated with the fields of physiotherapy, sports medicine, and medical imaging rather than transdermal dmg delivery. Compared to physiotherapy, where high-frequency energy (1 MHz) is used, in transdermal dmg delivery low-frequency energy (20 kHz region) is applied across the skin. Cavitation, the acoustically induced formation and oscillation of gas bubbles formed because of the mechanical energy supplied, is the most probable... 

This chapter has reviewed the fundamentals of the design of ultrasound scanners with a particular focus on the beam formation process. Different types of image data acquisition methods are described. 

Peyronie s disease is characterized by formation of fibrous tissue plaques within the tunica albuginea causing penile pain, deformity, and shortening. As illustrated in Chapter 7, the diagnosis is based on medical history, autophotography, and a clinical examination with plaque palpation. Ultrasound and other imaging modalities are confirming and allow accurate evaluation of disease extent and assessment of associated erectile dysfunction. 

We advocate ultrasound as the first-choice imaging modality in these patients because it is easily performed and non-invasive. Immediate ultrasonography enables to determine the entity of hematoma and allows detection of the site and the length of the tear of the tunica albuginea (Bertolotto and Pozzi Mucelli 2004). Moreover, ultrasonography permits to exclude the concomitant presence of cav-ernosal artery rupture with formation of an arterial-lacunar fistula. 

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