Abstract: A medical image diagnosis system according to one embodiment includes a gantry, a couch, a reflecting plate, and a processing circuitry. The gantry is for medical imaging having a bore. The couch movably supports a top plate. The reflecting plate reflects an image output from an image output device. The processing circuitry, in a first case where the image is shown to an observer not through the reflecting plate, outputs a first image signal relating to a first image to the image output device. While in a second case where the image is shown to the observer through the reflecting plate, The processing circuitry outputs a second image signal relating to a second image to the image output device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to combined angiography and perfusion using radial imaging and arterial spin labeling.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses for generating a magnetic field for tracking of a target object. Such an apparatus may include a localized magnetic field transmitter that generates a magnetic field and exhibits minimal X-ray absorption when used in proximity to a fluoroscopic imaging system, for example.

Abstract: Provided are an ultra-low field nuclear magnetic resonance device and a method for measuring an ultra-low field nuclear resonance image. The ultra-low field nuclear magnetic resonance device includes an AC power supply configured to supply a current to a measurement target in such a manner the current flows to the measurement target, magnetic field measurement means disposed adjacent to the measurement target, and measurement bias magnetic field generation means configured to apply a measurement bias magnetic field corresponding to a proton magnetic resonance frequency of the measurement target. A vibration frequency of the AC power supply matches the proton magnetic resonance frequency of the measurement target, and the magnetic field measurement means measures a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from the measurement target.

Abstract: An ultrasound system including an ultrasound machine and an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe includes an ultrasound transducer, ultrasound circuitry, a six degree of freedom (6-DOF) sensor, and a probe housing. The probe housing encases the ultrasound transducer and the 6-DOF sensor. By embedding motion-sensing technology directly within the housing of the ultrasound transducer, the position and orientation of the ultrasound probe can be tracked in an automated manner in relation to an indicator mark on the ultrasound screen. This allows assisting technologies to mitigate human error that arises from misalignment of the transducer indicator.

Abstract: A catheter including a monitoring body and a pair of markers disposed on the monitoring body, each marker of the pair of markers encircling the monitoring body, wherein the pair of markers are configured to indicate, through their appearance from a given point of view, an orientation of the monitoring body.

Abstract: A guidewire, consisting of a hollow tube, containing a longitudinal lumen and having a spiral channel cut into the tube, and having a distal end. The guidewire has an elongate flexible core positioned within the longitudinal lumen. The guidewire also has a conductive coil, wound around the core at a location within the lumen in proximity to the distal end, that is coupled to output a signal in response to a magnetic field applied to the guidewire.

Abstract: A steering adjustment for a needle visualization ultrasound system includes a needle, an ultrasound interface and one or more processing electronics. The ultrasound interface receives ultrasound imaging information from a first set of ultrasound firings. The processing electronics are coupled to the ultrasound interface. The processing electronics utilize the information from the first set of firings and identify the angle of the needle and the optimized steering frame angle. The processing electronics are further configured to cause a second set of firings. The second set of firings are configured for the identified needle angle and steering frame angle. The processing electronics are further configured to utilize the ultrasound information from the second set of firings to adaptively and dynamically enhance the visualization of the needle.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for a trackable suction tool for surgical use. The tracked suction tool includes a tubular handle with a main tube and an entrance tube extending from the main tube, a flattened section of the main tube with a suction-regulating orifice, a tip connected to the main tube distal end and a tracking mechanism connected to a handle proximal end. A method is provided for tracking the position of a tracked suction device including attaching a tip to a handle in one of a plurality of fixed positions, attaching a tracking mechanism to the handle in one of a plurality of fixed positions, calibrating the position of the tip with a positional tracking system using the tracking mechanism, positioning the tracking markers in view of the positional tracking system and tracking a position of the distal end of the tip of the suction device.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve tissue classification in MRI images. In particular it is an object of the invention to improve the classification of bone and air in MRI images. This object is achieved by a method for tissue classification in a region of interest in a magnetic resonance (MR) image comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region represents air and the second region represents bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasound irradiation of a body part (208) includes a first ultrasound transducer (216), and a second ultrasound transducer (212) mounted oppositely, and is configured: a) such that at least two ultrasound receiving elements, for determining a relative orientation of the first to the second transducer, are attached to the first transducer; b) for a beam, from the first transducer, causing cavitation, and/or bubble destruction of systemically circulating microbubbles, within the body part; or c) both with the attached elements and for the causing. The apparatus registers, with said first transducer, the second transducer, by using as a reference respectively the features a) and/or b).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media relate to generate an integrated image based on strain data and elastic model. The method may include determining, by a processor, a range of probe positions for placement of an ultrasound probe with respect to a patient based on strain data, the range of positions including a first position, a second position, and one or more positions there between. The method may also include acquiring 3D TRUS images of the patient at each of the one or more positions of the range and generating a patient specific biomechanical model based on the 3D TRUS images. The method may further include integrating the patient specific biomechanical model, the 3D TRUS images and MR images to generate an integrated image of the prostate. The methods, systems, and computer readable media can improve efficiency and accuracy of 3D TRUS and MR image registration, e.g., for image-guided interventions.

Abstract: Systems and methods of transmitting heat out a medical imaging device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a medical imaging device includes a housing having electronics and a heat sink. The heat sink is positioned near a first end of the housing, a groove that is configured to receive at least a portion of an operator's hand is positioned at a second end of the housing. A heat pipe in the housing extends from the electronics toward the first end of the housing and is configured to transfer heat produced by the electronics toward the heat sink and away from the groove.

Abstract: The present invention provides a removable optical imaging device cap for use with a near infrared (NIR) light optical imaging device for detecting intracranial hematoma.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes filter coefficient acquiring circuitry configured to, based on a result of a principal component analysis using first data strings that are sets of data generated based on echo signals caused by transmission of ultrasound waves on the same scan line, obtain a filter coefficient that suppresses clutter components; deriving circuitry configured to use the filter coefficient to obtain, from target data strings contained in a region of interest among the first data strings, a second data string that is a set of data derived from echo signals based on a moving body present in the region of interest, and derive waveform information indicating temporal changes of the moving body by performing a frequency analysis on the second data string; and control circuitry configured to generate a waveform information image based on the wave information and cause a monitor to display the waveform information image.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a blood pressure information of a subject is disclosed. The monitoring apparatus comprises an ultrasound transducer for emitting ultrasound waves to a volume of the subject that includes a blood vessel and for receiving ultrasound waves from said volume of the subject, and for providing a first signal on the basis of ultrasound waves received from the volume of the subject. A light source is included for emitting light to the subject and a light sensor is included for detecting light received from the subject and for providing a second signal on the basis of the light received from a skin of the subject.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for MR image reconstruction, an image reconstruction algorithm is used that operates on one calibration matrix that is formed by reorganizing a number of individual, undersampled k-space data sets respectively acquired by multiple reception coils in a parallel MR data acquisition from a subject exhibiting motion. The motion causes the k-space data sets to exhibit errors. In order to use the calibration matrix in the reconstruction algorithm, it is subjected to an iterative rank reduction procedure in which, in each iteration, a residual is calculated for each data point that represents how poorly, due to motion-induced corruptions, that data point satisfies the low rank constraint, and non-satisfying data points are removed from the data point for the next iteration. The resulting low rank matrix at the end of the iterations is then used to produce images with fewer motion-induced errors.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound apparatus with improved heat dissipation and methods for providing same. The ultrasound apparatus may have a housing that encloses a transducer array and at least one integrated circuit (IC) for driving the transducer array during operation. The housing may have an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the housing can be made substantially of metal. A post is disposed between the at least one IC and the interior surface of the housing. The post can be coupled directly to the interior surface of the housing so that heat generated from the at least one IC is transferred via the post to the housing and dissipated via the exterior surface.

Abstract: An automated system for selecting patient breast laterality is provided. A position sensor system using force or image sensors is coupled to a scanning bed or seated-type apparatus. Regardless of the size and weight of the patient, the position of patient at the time of scan will not be centered with respect to the center of the scanner. This relative difference in the position will be sensed as a difference in the transducer signal of an image sensor when comparing the right- and left-hand sides of the field of view or will be sensed as a difference in voltage when comparing the right and left-hand side outputs of a circuit using force or pressure sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for in-vivo assessment of the location and extent of blood flow stasis regions inside a cardiac chamber or blood vessel and systems for performing the methods. The disclosure provides methods for assessing risk of intracardiac or intravascular thrombus or of embolism originating in a cardiac chamber or vessel, and methods for assessing the need for and/or optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy.