Abstract: A method of generating a visual representation of a complex medical diagnosis includes receiving a first signal corresponding to a measurement of a patient biological condition. A second signal corresponding to a measurement of a patient performance condition is also received. The first and second signals are processed and a visual representation of a diagnostic assessment is generated. The diagnostic assessment is based at least in part on the patient biological condition and the patient performance condition. The visual representation is marked with the measurement of the patient biological condition and the measurement of the patient performance condition.

Abstract: A method for processing breast tissue image data includes processing the image data to generate a set of image slices collectively depicting the patient's breast; for each image slice, applying one or more filters associated with a plurality of multi-level feature modules, each configured to represent and recognize an assigned characteristic or feature of a high-dimensional object; generating at each multi-level feature module a feature map depicting regions of the image slice having the assigned feature; combining the feature maps generated from the plurality of multi-level feature modules into a combined image object map indicating a probability that the high-dimensional object is present at a particular location of the image slice; and creating a 2D synthesized image identifying one or more high-dimensional objects based at least in part on object maps generated for a plurality of image slices.

Abstract: An x-ray breast imaging system comprising a compression paddle in which the compression paddle comprises a front wall and a bottom wall. The front wall is configured to be adjacent and face a chest wall of a patient during imaging and the bottom wall configured to be adjacent a length of a top of a compressed breast. The bottom wall extends away from the patient's chest wall, wherein the bottom wall comprises a first portion and a second portion such that the second portion is between the front wall and the first portion. The first portion is generally non-coplanar to the second portion, wherein the compression paddle is movable along a craniocaudal axis. The x-ray breast imaging system also comprises a non-rigid jacket releasably secured to the compression paddle, the non-rigid jacket positioned between the compression paddle and the patient.

Abstract: Radiographic imaging techniques include the use of an exposure sequence having a plurality of specimen exposure windows. The plurality of specimen exposure windows have a total exposure time period that satisfies a desired exposure time. The plurality of exposure frames resulting from the plurality of specimen exposure windows are summed to form an output frame. The output frame is provided as output.

Abstract: A breast support platform for an x-ray imaging system includes a housing having a compression plate and a front wall, and a heating system disposed at least partially within the housing. The heating system is configured to heat at least a portion of the compression plate, at least a portion of the front wall, or at least a portion of the compression plate and the front wall. In an example, the heating system includes a transparent conducting film coupled to an inner surface of the housing. In another example, the heating system includes a blower disposed at least partially within the housing, and the blower is configured to channel hot air across an inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: Breast securement devices for imaging systems are provided. The securement device can include a breast tray configured to support a patient's breast. In one example, one or more walls extend from the breast tray to receive the patient's breast. In another example, a pair of arms pivotably extend at least partially over the breast tray to receive the patient's breast therebetween. In still another example, a membrane covers the breast tray and the patient's breast and selectively couples to the breast tray via a suction force. In yet another example, a paddle includes a plurality of flexible fingers that contour to the patient's breast, or includes an array of pins that independently slide within of the paddle and contour to the patient's breast, or includes a bladder having non-Newtonian fluid. Additionally or alternatively, a sling may receive the patient's breast and support the breast from below.

Abstract: An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spaced apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.

Abstract: Disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as localization markers during a surgical procedure. Adaptation includes incorporation of materials detectable under ultrasound during surgery, as well as features for co-registration with image guidance or other real-time imaging technologies during surgery. Such biopsy markers, when used as localization markers, improve patient comfort and reduce challenges in surgical coordination and surgery time. Additional disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as monitoring and/or detection apparatuses, Localization of an implanted marker may be done with ultrasound technology. Ultrasound image data is analyzed to identify the implanted marker. A distance to the marker or a lesion may be determined and displayed. The determined distance may be a distance between the ultrasound probe and the marker or lesion, a distance between the marker or lesion and an incision instrument, and/or a distance between the ultrasound probe and the incision instrument.

Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.

Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for performing mammography, such as utilizing tomosynthesis in combination with breast biopsy.

Abstract: While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects a leading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for the long-term, real-time active monitoring of a wireless implant. In aspects, a wireless biosensor may be implanted in a breast biopsy cavity. The biosensor may detect biochemical parameter data of the breast biopsy cavity and the human body. The biosensor may transmit the detected biochemical parameter data in real-time to a surveillance system wirelessly coupled to the biosensor. The surveillance system may then facilitate the evaluation of the biochemical parameter data. In examples, the evaluation may comprise detecting trends in a tumor's microenvironment, monitoring the progress of a treatment, or adjusting a treatment to tailor a personalized treatment.

Abstract: A real-time fluoroscopic imaging system includes a collimator and a detector which are rotationally movable independent of the support assembly, e.g., c-arm, to which they are mounted. Rotational movement of the collimator and the detector are coordinated such that the orientation of the detector with respect to the collimator does not change. The collimator may include a geared flange member to facilitate rotation, and may be a single molded piece formed of a plastic such as tungsten polymer material. The system may also include a plurality of interchangeable collimators characterized by different shapes. A display is provided to present an image to an operator, and image orientation logic displays a target anatomy in a selected orientation regardless of orientation of the target anatomy relative to the detector, and regardless of rotation of the detector.

Abstract: A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a separately formed unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube, such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein an outer diameter of the distal tip member is greater than an outer diameter of the inner tube.

Abstract: A surgical stapler, a cartridge for a surgical stapler, a cutting mechanism for a surgical stapler, and a method of applying surgical staples in a patient are disclosed herein. The stapler may have an anvil movably coupled to a support jaw between a clamped configuration and a closed configuration. The cartridge may be configured to fit within an envelope diameter and to removably house a plurality of B-form staples, at least one of the plurality of B-form staples having a base length and a leg length, the leg length at least 53% of the envelope diameter. The cartridge may have slots shaped to house at least a second one of the plurality of staples at an angle oblique to the first one of the plurality of staples.

Abstract: A laparoscopic tissue suturing instrument comprises a shaft and a tissue grasper coupled to the shaft. The tissue grasper defines a tissue receiving gap and defining a shuttling element retention cavity. The instrument further comprises a suture shuttling element configured for being removably retained at least partially within the shuttling element retention cavity, and a needle having a needle shaft, a shuttling element coupler disposed at a distal end of the needle shaft, and a shuttling element release mechanism disposed on the needle shaft proximal to the shuttling element coupler. The instrument further comprises a shuttling element retainer mechanism adjacent to the shuttling element retention cavity.

Abstract: A method of ablating a target body tissue, such as uterine endometrial lining tissue, includes applying an agent comprising HAuCl4 to the target body tissue, wherein the HAuCl4 has a molecular size greater than 50 microns, and removing the agent comprising HAuCl4 from the target tissue after ablation of the target tissue begins.

Abstract: A compression arm device for compressing a breast in an imaging system with a compression paddle. The compression arm device includes a drive for moving the compression paddle towards the breast such that the drive provides a variable resistance during a contact of the compression paddle with the breast.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for personalized breast imaging. In aspects, a first set of patient attributes may be collected. The first set of patient attributes may relate to, or be used to determine, for example, breast size, breast thickness, and/or three-dimensional (3D) breast shape. The first set of patient attributes may be used to customize image acquisition parameters for the patient. A second set of patient attributes may also be collected. The second set of patient attributes may relate to, or be used to determine, for example, breast elasticity and breast density. The second set of patient attributes may be used to customize breast compression parameters for the patient. The customized image acquisition parameters and breast compression parameters may then be used to perform one or more procedures (e.g., an imaging procedure, a biopsy procedure, etc.) on the patient's breast.

Abstract: A method of imaging a breast of a patient using an imaging system includes applying, with a first component of the imaging system, a compressive force to the breast. A second component of the imaging system is positioned in a start position. The imaging system sends a first guidance signal to the patient. An imaging procedure of the breast is performed with the second component of the imaging system. Subsequent to performing the imaging procedure, a second guidance signal is sent to the patient.