In a method for imaging display of a spatially fixed subject with a primary (wave) radiation directed onto the subject, particularly ultrasound, whereby the imaging display ensues with the echo signals received by an echo signal receiver on the basis of the transit time and/or amplitude thereof with reference to a subject axis directed in the spatial direction of the primary radiation, the subject is located between the primary radiation transmitter/echo signal receiver and a reference surface aligned perpendicular to the spatial direction of the primary radiation and that reflects the primary radiation as an echo signal more strongly than other regions of the subject situated in the field of presentation. The average or expected transit time and/or amplitude of an echo signal of primary radiation passing through the subject that is reflected from the reference surface and received by the primary radiation transmitter/echo signal receiver is calculated or predetermined as reference echo signal. The transit time and/or amplitude of an echo signal of the primary radiation passing through the subject reflected from the reference surface and received by the primary radiation transmitter/echo signal receiver is calculated. The deviation of echo signal reflected by the reference surface compared to the reference signal is evaluated.

A synthetic four sides boundary scanner array is provided for an ultrasound mammography system. Projector and hydrophone elements are alternately disposed on the four array sides for stepped movement along the four sides during a scan of a breast volume. Electric signals generated by the hydrophone elements are processed to provide image data for displaying the breast volume. A breast scan is performed within the time between a patient's heartbeats.

A synthetic four sided boundary scanner has an electronically switched line array of transducer elements of transducer element on each side of a boundary array scanner, in an ultrasound mammography system. Projector and hydrophone elements are alternately provided in the four line arrays for randomized paired switching operation during a scan of a breast subvolume. Electric signals generated by the hydrophone elements are processed to provide image data for the whole breast volume after sequenced scanning of the breast subvolumes is completed. A breast scan is performed in a sequence of periods within the time between a patient's heartbeats, with synchronization enabled by a heart monitor.

The shape and position of objects in space can be reconstructed from at least two projections of these objects as obtained by transmission of waves influenced by their passage through said objects. The method includes determining for each point of the projections the distance traversed through an object by each ray derived from each of the sources, in determining the volume which contains the object and the rays which are derived from the at least two sources and pass through said object, in plotting the distances traversed by the rays within the object from external limits of the volume containing the object to define a first space which is located within the object, then in plotting the distances from the external limits of the first space to define a second space which is necessarily located outside the object but within the initial volume, and so forth.

An ultrasonic imaging system and method are shown which includes a transducer (10) for pulse insonification of an object (12) and for receiving echo signals from within the object. Echo signals are converted to electrical signals at the transducer (10) and the electrical signals are supplied to a signal processor (28). Processor (28) includes an envelope detector (38) and integrator (40) for integrating the detected output. Echo signals obtained from a first range zone (Z1) at the focal point (F) are processed by processor (28) and supplied to a hold circuit (50) to provide a reflection pixel signal value which is dependent upon reflectivity at the focal point. Echo signals obtained from a second range zone (Z2) opposite the focal point (F) also are processed by processor (28) and supplied to a hold circuit (52) to provide a transmission pixel signal value which is dependent upon attenuation of ultrasonic waves at the focal point (F). The reflection and transmission pixel signal values from hold circuits (50) and (52) are supplied as inputs to generator (60) for generation of combined image data for a combined image which is a function of both reflection and transmission image data. A combined image is displayed at display (64).