Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. In one aspect, a method for adjusting a magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment plan with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and an ultrasound system includes: (1) identifying a location in a subject that is to receive treatment; (2) applying pulses of focused ultrasound to the identified location with the ultrasound system in order to modulate a level of naturally occurring hormones; (3) concurrently with applying the pulses of focused ultrasound, acquiring with the MRI system functional image data from the subject; (4) obtaining a series of functional images of the subject using the functional image data, the functional images indicative of the modified neuronal activity; and (5) adjusting one or more parameters of the MRgFUS treatment plan using the reconstructed series of functional images.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.

Abstract: Systems, displays and methods are provided, for performing ultrasound image registration and for using ultrasound images to guide thermal ablation. Registration is carried out by correlating sequential ultrasound images, identifying key frames from the correlation values, identifying periodic change(s) corresponding to breathing and heart beating, and correlating pixels in sequential key frames that have a same phase with respect to the identifying periodic change(s). Based on the registration, the start of ablation is detected, bubbles formed in the ablation procedure are identified and their movements are followed—all using B-mode ultrasound images only. Using the identified bubbles, the thermally damaged tissue region is demarcated and provided in real-time—at an accuracy similar to prior art post-ablation results. Disclosed systems and methods therefore provide the physician with an ultrasound-based way of monitoring thermal ablation in real-time.

Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging method is provided that can prevent the surface of the subject from appearing in an image when a part to be observed at a position deeper than the surface of the subject is imaged. The photoacoustic imaging device includes a unit for outputting pulsed light toward the subject, and generating photoacoustic data by detecting photoacoustic waves emitted from the subject exposed to the light. The photoacoustic imaging device also includes a region detection unit that detects a near-surface region of the subject based on the photoacoustic wave detection signals, and a correcting unit that attenuates (which encompasses removing) information of the near-surface region found by the region detection unit when the part to be observed is displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provides an ultrasonic image analysis system which includes an image collection unit which receives and transmits an ultrasonic waveform and obtains two sets of three-dimensional ultrasonic image data; an image analysis unit which registers the two sets of three-dimensional ultrasonic image data to obtain a registration mapping relationship between the two sets of three-dimensional ultrasonic image data; a user interface unit which responds to a treatment done on the two sets of three-dimensional ultrasonic image data by a user through an external hardware device; an image display unit which displays the two sets of three-dimensional ultrasonic image data according to the registration mapping relationship and a result of the treatment of the user interface unit; and an image store unit for storing the two sets of three-dimensional ultrasonic image data and the registration mapping relationship.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing motion artifacts from functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signals. The method includes: disposing N optodes at a plurality of locations on a scalp, and forming a plurality of channels between the N optodes; calculating a correlation coefficient difference index of a neighbor channel around each receiver optode, and detecting a receiver optode in which a motion artifact has occurred based on the correlation coefficient difference index; and removing motion artifacts based on the detected receiver optode and an arrangement structure of the N optodes.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for diagnosing and treating deep vein thrombosis and other conditions associated with occluded or constricted vessels. According to certain aspects, methods of the invention involve inserting a sensing device into a vessel having a thrombus therein, assessing, with the sensing device, one or more functional parameters within the vessel, determining an interventional therapy for treating the thrombus based on the assessing step; and performing the interventional therapy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes filter processing circuitry and generation circuitry. The filter processing circuitry performs a filter process of removing a still or minute-moving signal on reflected wave signals of an ultrasonic wave transmitted a plurality of times in the same scanning line. The generation circuitry generates reflected wave data through a phasing addition process using reflected wave signal of each channel after the filter process performed by the filter processing circuitry.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. In one aspect, a method for adjusting a magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment plan with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and an ultrasound system includes: (1) identifying a location in a subject that is to receive treatment; (2) applying pulses of focused ultrasound to the identified location with the ultrasound system in order to modulate a level of naturally occurring hormones; (3) concurrently with applying the pulses of focused ultrasound, acquiring with the MRI system functional image data from the subject; (4) obtaining a series of functional images of the subject using the functional image data, the functional images indicative of the modified neuronal activity; and (5) adjusting one or more parameters of the MRgFUS treatment plan using the reconstructed series of functional images.

Abstract: It has been discovered that even mild changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure or intracranial pressure (ICP) can be detected immediately as evidenced by distortions in the ONS surface structure. Further, the changes in the ONS persist after the CSF pressure has returned to normal. The stability of ONS distortions provides a method of detecting transient changes in brain pressure even when the use of the diagnostic ultrasound is delayed. One embodiment provides systems and methods for detecting or diagnosing brain injury by detecting distortions or deformations of the ONS, preferably using ultrasound.

Abstract: A biological information measuring apparatus, a method of acquiring biological information, and a biological information measuring band are provided. The biological information measuring apparatus may emit light beams in a direction, which is actively or passively adjusted, to a region of interest inside a target object, detect the light beams returning from the target object along trajectories different from one another, and select an optimum light beam among the detected light beams.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined radiotherapy and MRI system in which an imaging coil is mounted on a mechanical arm. The position of the imaging coil is thus known and in embodiments can be controlled to prevent collisions with the patient and unfavourable interactions between the imaging coil and the radiation beam.

Abstract: Systems for detecting when catheter electrodes enter into and exit from an introducer are disclosed. In one form, a system detects a relative position of a catheter (comprising a marker band and an electrode) and an introducer (comprising a proximity sensor adapted to sense the marker band), while the catheter and introducer are in a human body. The system may comprise an electronic control unit to analyze signals from the catheter and/or the introducer, to determine whether the catheter electrode is within the introducer; and to disregard data collected from the electrode when that electrode is in the introducer. The sensor may be on the catheter and the sensed element may be on the introducer. The sensed element may comprise one or several marker bands. A marker band may be applied during the manufacture of a medical device or during its use and is any element capable of electromagnetic detection.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices and methods for imaging and aspirating biological material from inside a vessel. In certain embodiments, the invention provides devices that include a body configured to fit within a lumen of a vessel. The body includes an opening. Devices of the invention also include an aspiration channel within the body. The aspiration channel includes a distal end that is connected to the opening. Devices of the invention also include an imaging assembly coupled to the body.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a processor programmed to generate an anatomy image and a number of needle frames at different transmit beam angles. The system analyzes the data in the needle frames and selects segments therein that are identified as likely representing an interventional instrument. Data from one or more needle frames are blended with the data for the anatomy image of the tissue to create a composite image of the tissue and the interventional instrument.

Abstract: A long-term implantable ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly effected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C.