Abstract: Provided is a technique for evaluating properties of a membranous tissue or a surface of the tissue in a biological body by ultrasonic waves. A method of the invention includes setting one or more measurement points on a surface of the biological tissue to be inspected; measuring, in a state in which an elastic wave propagates to the biological tissue, at least a surface wave of the elastic wave by measuring a displacement of the biological tissue at the measurement point by using an ultrasonic wave; and calculating an index value indicating physical properties of the biological tissue by using the measured displacement.

Abstract: For shear wave imaging with ultrasound, the apparent pulse repetition frequency is increased by combining displacements from different lateral locations. Different combinations based on different shear wave velocities and corresponding time shifts and/or attenuations and corresponding scalings are tested to find a smooth displacement profile for the combination. Once the smooth displacement profile is found, the corresponding shear wave velocity is estimated or determined.

Abstract: The invention provides various methods for imaging a subject's cardiovascular system. The imaging method may be used to provide a diagnosis or prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases in the subject, without contrast agents or radioactive tracers, and further generating a Gaussian Mixture Model to obtain a reference value of a normal myocardium.

Abstract: An acoustic imaging system responsive to an acoustic wave emitted from an object is disclosed. The system detects a deflection angle of an electromagnetic probe beam as it passes through a coupling element. The coupling element also couples the acoustic wave emitted from the object to an acoustic detector. The probe beam deflection angle is related to an angle of propagation of the acoustic wave through the coupling element. A filtering unit is configured to remove components of the signal from the acoustic detector that are outside of a range of angles, thereby improving the angular resolution of the acoustic detector. The acoustic wave may be generated by an acoustic source, such as an ultrasound transmitter, or an electromagnetic source such as a laser.

Abstract: A medical device containing a sensor, a motor, one or more plates, and a control unit, for treating diabetes. The medical device vibrates the pancreas thereby improving blood and secretory hormone circulation and enhancing the production of insulin.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting the placement of a catheter within the body of a patient through the use of an ultrasound imaging system are disclosed. In particular, the systems and methods described herein enable a clinician to determine, prior to insertion of the medical device, how much of the device will be disposed within the vessel, thus enabling the clinician to choose a catheter with suitable length. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system for assisting with placement of the medical device comprises a console, a probe for producing an image of a target location, and a processor. The processor provides to a user proximity information relating to the anticipated proximity of the medical device to the target location prior to insertion of the medical device. A display is included for depicting the image, target location depth, and the proximity information of the medical device to the target location.

Abstract: A photoacoustic measurement apparatus includes: a main light source; a sub-light source; a light guide member that guides the light which has been emitted from the main light source and the sub-light source and has been incident on a base end to a leading end; an insert of which at least a leading end portion is inserted into a subject and which includes at least the leading end of the light guide member and a light absorption member that absorbs the pulsed laser light, and generates photoacoustic waves; and a photoacoustic wave detection unit that detects the photoacoustic waves. The photoacoustic measurement apparatus has, as an operation mode, a failure detection mode that drives the sub-light source and detects a failure of a photoacoustic wave generation unit including the light guide member and the light absorption member.

Abstract: A method and ultrasound imaging system includes displaying a plurality of steps of a workflow on a touchscreen, graphically indicating one of the plurality of steps in the workflow, displaying a text instruction describing the one of the steps in the workflow on the touchscreen at the same time as displaying the plurality of steps, and displaying an ultrasound image on the main display at the same time as displaying the plurality of steps and the text description on the touchscreen. The method and system includes implementing the step described in the text instruction on the ultrasound image displayed on a main display.

Abstract: A system for navigating to a target, the system comprising an extended working channel having a lumen extending therethrough for receiving a tool, a computing device including a memory and at least one processor, a plurality of images stored in the memory, a program stored in the memory that, when executed by the at least one processor, presents a user interface. The user interface including, at least one image of the plurality of images depicting the target and a progression of the extended working channel through the airway, a probability treatment zone defining a probability distribution of a trajectory of the tool once deployed beyond an opening of the extended working channel displayed in the at least one image. The user interface is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A method of visualizing a body cavity during a surgical procedure including positioning an elongated body of an angled endoscope in a first position within a body cavity of a patient, rotating the elongated body about a longitudinal axis in response to a command point, capturing a plurality of images with an image capture device positioned within the elongated body as the elongated body is rotated, and generating a panoramic view of the body cavity from the plurality of images. In the first position of the elongated body, a surgical site is within a field of view of the image capture device. The field of view of the image capture device capturing a first volume of the body cavity, including the surgical site, when the angled endoscope is in the first position.

Abstract: Provided is a non-invasive system and method of determining pennation angle and/or fascicle length based on image processing. An ultrasound scan image is processed to facilitate distinguishing of muscle fiber and tendon. The processed ultrasound scan image is then analyzed. The pennation angle and/or fascicle length is determined based on the analysis. An example method includes receiving an ultrasound scan image of at least a portion of a skin layer as disposed above one or more additional tissue layers, the image provided by a plurality of pixels. The method continues by introducing noise into the pixels of the image and thresholding the pixels of the image to provide a binary image having a plurality of structural elements of different sizes. The method continues with morphing the structural elements of the binary image to remove small structural elements and connect large structural elements.