A novel ultrasound (US) echographic system has been designed and implemented by using state-of-the-art high-tech electronic devices. Main feature of the new system is the achievement of high levels of: 1. Integration (the prototype consists of a single electronic board of small dimensions -18x20cm- to be connected to any host PC through an USB 2.0 interface); 2. Programmability (i.e., capability of adapting to multiple applications, as it can hardly be found in commercially available US systems).
In the UMEDS project, the system has been shown capable of performing automatic micro-embolic signal (MES) detection by using expert system theory. While testing the system on patients subject to cardiovascular surgical treatment, excellent sensitivity and specificity have been achieved.
The high flexibility makes the system suitable in other US applications as, e.g., the early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases through Doppler methods, the characterization of human tissues, the non-destructive testing of materials. Further applications, only requiring the development of dedicated software, could be considered.
The board is easily reproducible (5 prototypes have been built and are currently tested in international laboratories).
The system is of potential interest for all laboratories involved in ultrasound studies, either at research or clinical level.