BARRY BENSON GOLDBERG
Medical Practice in Conshohocken, PA

6302845, Oct 16, 2001

Mar 19, 1999

9/272764

William Tao Shi - Haddonfield NJ
Flemming Forsberg - Philadelphia PA
Barry B. Goldberg - Conshohocken PA
Joel S. Raichlen - Bryn Mawr PA

Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia PA

A61B 800

600438

The present invention relates to the use of diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents to accomplish noninvasive subharmonic aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) in the cavity of the heart, in other organs, and in major blood vessels. Diagnostic ultrasound provides noninvasive, real-time cross-sectional images and parameter estimations without ionizing radiation and without the disadvantages and risks of invasive methods of imaging and measurement. SHAPE is a non-invasive, direct, and accurate method for pressure estimation utilizing sub-harmonic or ultraharmonic signals from contrast agents. In light of the advantages of diagnostic ultrasound, SHAPE provides an economical alternative, a safe avenue, and an earlier timetable for assessing the clinical condition of patients, especially critically ill patients.

5833615, Nov 10, 1998

May 9, 1997

8/853967

Yunqiu Wu - Cherry Hill NJ
Flemming Forsberg - Philadelphia PA
Barry Goldberg - Conshohocken PA

Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia PA

A61B 800

600458

The present invention relates generally to an ultrasound system and method, and more particularly to an excitation enhanced ultrasound system and method. The system employs at least one excitation signal as a "flashlight" for exciting ultrasonic microbubbles contained in an ultrasound contrast agent. The system further employs at least one ultrasound imaging signal for imaging structures and blood flow within an object. The excitation signal excites and expands the microbubbles which increase the amount of returned ultrasound imaging signals scattered and returned by an object. This process increases the signal to noise ratio of the returning imaging signal sufficiently to provide exciter weighted imaging, blood pool imaging, and harmonic imaging, facilitating improved diagnostic ultrasound and therapeutic ultrasound.