Introduction
Since most traditional ultrasound scanners are closed systems, their possible use for research purposes is limited. Usually, in such systems, you cannot install custom software and hardware or control ultrasound with your custom software.
TELEMED manufactures ultrasound scanners (beamformers) that are connected to usual computers with Windows (8/10/11) operating system using a USB 2.0/3.0 port. This means that on the same computer, you can install not only the usual ultrasound software (like TELEMED "Echo Wave II") but also your custom software that can control both the ultrasound scanner and your custom hardware or other equipment for experiments.
Below are listed the basic features of TELEMED software and hardware that may be useful for scientific research in industry, medicine, and other fields.
TELEMED manufactures ultrasound scanners (beamformers) that are connected to usual computers with Windows (8/10/11) operating system using a USB 2.0/3.0 port. This means that on the same computer, you can install not only the usual ultrasound software (like TELEMED "Echo Wave II") but also your custom software that can control both the ultrasound scanner and your custom hardware or other equipment for experiments.
Below are listed the basic features of TELEMED software and hardware that may be useful for scientific research in industry, medicine, and other fields.
"Echo Wave II" Ultrasound Scanning Software
Although "Echo Wave II" software is mainly used for traditional ultrasound examinations in hospitals and clinics, it also has some features that can be used for research.
For example, if you need to scan many images, measure the same distance, area, or other parameter on them, save this data, and further process these measurements using other software, you can save images or reports in an XLSX (Excel) file and then use its "Data" sheet with measurement results.
From an external application, you can also invoke "Echo Wave II" freeze/run, save files, load file commands, and change patient information. These actions can be done by sending appropriate command strings using Windows WM_COPYDATA messages. For the list of supported WM_COPYDATA commands, please check the "Echo Wave II" User Manual section "Software control using the command line".
If for some applications you need to save recorded ultrasound cine to separate frames, you can do this by simply selecting "PNG multiple images" (or BMP, JPG) file format in the "Echo Wave II" "Cine Save As" dialog.
For some advanced research, one beamformer may not be enough. In such cases, on the same computer, you can connect two beamformers with identical probes and record using both beamformers at the same time, but, for example, at different scanning planes. Such recoding requires starting two "Echo Wave II" instances and configuring them appropriately. Please request "Echo Wave II Advanced Configuration Manual" if you want to use two beamformers and software in such a scenario. In order to freeze or run ultrasound in both beamformers, you can use either the on-probe freeze button feature (if the beamformer supports it).
For more advanced research, you may want to write your own custom ultrasound scanning software and not rely on "Echo Wave II". In such cases you can request Usgfw2 Software Development Kit (SDK).
For example, if you need to scan many images, measure the same distance, area, or other parameter on them, save this data, and further process these measurements using other software, you can save images or reports in an XLSX (Excel) file and then use its "Data" sheet with measurement results.
From an external application, you can also invoke "Echo Wave II" freeze/run, save files, load file commands, and change patient information. These actions can be done by sending appropriate command strings using Windows WM_COPYDATA messages. For the list of supported WM_COPYDATA commands, please check the "Echo Wave II" User Manual section "Software control using the command line".
If for some applications you need to save recorded ultrasound cine to separate frames, you can do this by simply selecting "PNG multiple images" (or BMP, JPG) file format in the "Echo Wave II" "Cine Save As" dialog.
For some advanced research, one beamformer may not be enough. In such cases, on the same computer, you can connect two beamformers with identical probes and record using both beamformers at the same time, but, for example, at different scanning planes. Such recoding requires starting two "Echo Wave II" instances and configuring them appropriately. Please request "Echo Wave II Advanced Configuration Manual" if you want to use two beamformers and software in such a scenario. In order to freeze or run ultrasound in both beamformers, you can use either the on-probe freeze button feature (if the beamformer supports it).
For more advanced research, you may want to write your own custom ultrasound scanning software and not rely on "Echo Wave II". In such cases you can request Usgfw2 Software Development Kit (SDK).
"Ultrasonography for Windows II" Software Development Kit (SDK)
If in your research you need more control over ultrasound, want to access not only ultrasound frames but also scan-lines of each frame, or just want to write your custom ultrasound scanning software, then you can use the Usgfw2 SDK. It is distributed for free after signing the NDA agreement.
The SDK contains a sample code that demonstrates how to access ultrasound data and control ultrasound scanners in different scanning modes. For high-level programming, C#, VB, Delphi, C++, or other programming languages that support COM can be used. Access to low level ultrasound data requires knowledge of C++, COM, and DirectShow.
The SDK contains a sample code that demonstrates how to access ultrasound data and control ultrasound scanners in different scanning modes. For high-level programming, C#, VB, Delphi, C++, or other programming languages that support COM can be used. Access to low level ultrasound data requires knowledge of C++, COM, and DirectShow.