Methods and apparatus for using ultrasound with contrast agent

A method for producing an ultrasound image of a contrast agent infused target, the method comprising the steps of:

• producing first and second target zones, the first target zones having a higher concentration of contrast agent than the second target zones;
• and
• forming an ultrasound image of the target, wherein the first and second target zones in the ultrasound image have different ultrasonic responses.

A method for producing an ultrasound image of a contrast agent infused target, the method comprising the steps of:

• subjecting the target to an ultrasound flash capable of producing a plurality of first and second target zones, the first and second target zones being stripes, the first target zones having a higher concentration of contrast agent than the second target zones;
• and
• forming an ultrasound image of the target, wherein the first target zones appear substantially brighter than the second target zones in the ultrasound image.

A method for producing an ultrasound image of a contrast agent infused target, the method comprising the steps of:

• subjecting the target to an ultrasound flash capable of producing a plurality of first and second target zones, the first and second target zones being stripes, the first target zones having a higher concentration of contrast agent than the second target zones;
• forming an ultrasound image of the target, wherein the first target zones appear brighter than the second target zones in the ultrasound image;
• and measuring a width of at least one of the stripes to detect movement of the target.

A method for producing an ultrasound image of a contrast agent infused target, the method comprising the steps of:

• subjecting the target to an ultrasound flash capable of producing a plurality of first and second target zones, the first and second target zones being stripes, the first target zones having a higher concentration of contrast agent than the second target zones;
• forming an ultrasound image of the target, wherein the first target zones appear brighter than the second target zones in the ultrasound image;
• and comparing, over time, a brightness of at least one of the second target zones with a brightness of at least one of the first target zones.

An ultrasound imaging system including:

• a front-end controller (FEC), wherein the FEC controls a transducer to selectively radiate, within a single frame, a first beam position at a first energy and a second beam position at a second energy.

A front-end controller (FEC) for use in a medical imaging system wherein the FEC controls a transducer to selectively radiate, in a single frame, a first beam position at a first energy and a second beam position at a second energy.

An ultrasound system in which beam positions of a transducer are arranged to produce first and second transmission regions, wherein no beams are in the first transmission regions and at least one beam is in each of the second transmission regions.