Abstract: A conductor-less, shape-able, surgical lighting system and methods for use in surgical applications in which a medical clinician, once having established a surgical site, can shape the lighting system to selectively illuminate desired volumes of the surgical site. The system includes preselected lengths of an elongate light emitting member formed of a transparent elastomer matrix material having a glass transition temperature of lower than or substantially equal to room temperature to render the elongate light emitting member bendable and shape-able. Embedded in the transparent elastomer matrix material are particles of a transparent material having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the matrix material dispersed in the elastomer matrix material so that light coupled into the elongate light emitting member is scattered and refracted out of the elongate light emitting member along its length. One end of the elongate light emitting member is coupled with a light source.

Abstract: An interventional instrument (30) having ultrasound sensors (S1, S2, S3, S4, . . . ) is tracked using an ultrasound imaging device (10) that acquires and displays a 2D ultrasound image of a visualization plane (18), and performs 2D ultrasound sweeps for a range of plane angles (?) obtained by rotating the ultrasound probe (12) and encompassing the visualization plane angle. For each ultrasound sensor, an optimal plane is found based on its emitted signal strength over the range of plane angles, and the ultrasound sensor is located in its optimal plane by analyzing the sensor signal as a function of the timing of the beams fired by the ultrasound probe. These locations in their respective optimal planes are transformed to a 3D reference space using a transform (42) parameterized by plane angle, and a visual indicator is displayed of spatial information (T, L) for the interventional instrument generated from the locations of the one or more ultrasound sensors in the 3D reference space.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an illumination device for illuminating a target. A surgical microscope receives light from the target, the surgical microscope comprising at least one optical output port at which at least a portion of the received light is provided as an output from the surgical microscope. A tunable filter receives the portion of the received light provided as the output from the surgical microscope, the tunable filter being tunable to pass a filtered portion of the received light, the filtered portion of the received light having a plurality of wavelengths selected by the tunable filter and provided as output from the tunable filter. A high-resolution, broad-bandwidth electronic camera receives the light of a plurality of wavelengths selected by the tunable filter, the electronic camera converting the light of a plurality of wavelengths selected by the tunable filter to a plurality of electrical signals. A processor processes the plurality of electrical signals to form an image of the target.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasound probe, an imaging section that images the subject on the basis of a reception signal output from the ultrasound probe to generate an ultrasound image, an image analysis section that performs image analysis using the ultrasound image, a movement detection sensor that detects and outputs a movement of the ultrasound probe as a detection signal, a movement amount calculation section that calculates a movement amount of the ultrasound probe in a case where an imaging inspection portion that is currently being imaged among a plurality of inspection portions of the subject is inspected, using the detection signal output from the movement detection sensor, and a portion discrimination section that discriminates the imaging inspection portion on the basis of an image analysis result in the image analysis section and the movement amount calculated by the movement amount calculation section.

Abstract: A method for postural independent location of targets in diagnostic images acquired by multimodal acquisitions, compensating for deformation of soft tissues due to changing posture, includes generating a transition of a digital image of the inside of a target region from a first to a second position by correlating the position of markers placed on the external surface of the target region in a digital image of the inside of the target region and in a digital representation of the external surface of the target region acquired by optically scanning the external surface; and at a later time registering the diagnostic image of the inside of the target region, transitioned into the second position, with a diagnostic image of the same target region acquired with the target region in the second position by matching a second representation of the external surface of the target region in the second position without markers with the diagnostic image of the inside of the target region transitioned into the second posit

Abstract: An ultrasound probe and ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that achieve high transmission/reception sensitivity and wide frequency band are provided. The ultrasound probe includes a pMUT array in which a plurality of pMUTs are arranged. The pMUTs include first pMUTs for ultrasound transmission and pMUTs for ultrasound wave reception having a structure different from that of the first pMUTs. The cell region of each first pMUT and the cell region of each second pMUT are separated from each other in the ultrasound wave radiation plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for remotely controlling a main processing console of an ultrasound system. In various embodiments, an ultrasound remote controller can be used to remotely control a main processing console of an ultrasound system. The ultrasound remote controller can include a user interface controller configured to provide one or more ultrasound control functions to a user remote from the main processing console. The control functions can be used to remotely control operation of the main console. Further, the user interface controller can be configured to receive input for the one or more ultrasound control functions from the user. The ultrasound remote controller can include a communication interface configured to transmit operational instructions to the main processing console for remotely controlling the operation of the main processing console through the ultrasound remote controller based on the user input for the one or more ultrasound control functions.

Abstract: Coupler assemblies and methods are disclosed as the coupler assemblies may be used with a catheter. An exemplary coupler assembly includes a spherical linkage coupler for a catheter. The coupler comprises a first cylinder portion for connecting to a structure, and a second cylinder portion for connecting to a distal end of a body of the catheter. The coupler also comprises a spherical linkage including at least two link arms. Each of the two link arms are connected on one end to the first cylinder portion and on the other end to the second cylinder portion. The two link arms connect a portion of the structure to the distal end of the catheter and enable the structure to move relative to the distal end of the catheter in response to an external force exerted on the structure.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe contains an array transducer coupled to a digital microbeamformer. The digital microbeamformer is capable of producing delayed echo signals which are a delayed by a fraction of a clock cycle of received digital echo signals. The fractional delay is produced by an FIR filter which conserves power by weighting digital echo signals without the use of digital multipliers.

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.

Abstract: A system for providing a perspective for a virtual image includes an intraoperative imaging system (110) having a transducer (146) configured to generate an image data set for a region. A shape sensing enabled device (102) is configured to have at least a portion of the shape sensing enabled device positioned relative to the region. The shape sensing enabled device has a coordinate system registered with a coordinate system of the intraoperative imaging system. An image generation module (148) is configured to render a virtual image (152) of at least a portion of the region using the image data set wherein the virtual image includes a vantage point relative to a position on the shape sensing enabled device.

Abstract: A magnetic guide device for intraoral radiography is described. The magnetic guide device comprises a metal rod having a first rod end and a second rod end. The magnetic guide device further comprises a ring slidably attached to the metal rod between the first rod end and the second rod end. The magnetic guide device further comprises a plurality of magnetic attachments. The magnetic guide device further comprises a rectangular collimator attached to the ring by the magnetic attachments. The magnetic guide device further comprises a CMOS sensor. The magnetic guide device further comprises a metal fork having a fork handle slidably attached to the metal rod between the CMOS sensor and the first rod end. The metal fork is configured to hold the CMOS sensor during an intraoral radiography procedure.

Abstract: An input device is to input a shape of a measurement target is response to a signal transmitted from a stylus pen, to determine positional relation between a position of a marker and a shape of the measurement target. The marker is attached to the measurement target and detectable by a cerebral-function measuring device. The input device includes a controller, and a display unit. The controller is configured to generate a screen in which a three dimensional shape of the measurement target and a guide of a position to be acquired next with the stylus pen are superimposed. The display unit is configured to display the screen generated by the controller, on a display portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tracking a position of an interventional device respective an image plane of an ultrasound field. The position includes an out-of-plane distance (Dop). A geometry-providing unit (GPU) includes a plurality of transducer-to-distal-end lengths (Ltde1 . . . n), each length corresponding to a predetermined distance (Ltde) between a distal end of an interventional device and an ultrasound detector attached to the interventional device, for each of a plurality of interventional device types (T1 . . . n). An image fusion unit (IFU) receives data indicative of the type (T) of the interventional device being tracked; and based on the type (T): selects from the geometry-providing unit (GPU), a corresponding transducer-to-distal-end length (Ltde); and indicates in a reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI) both the out-of-plane distance (Dop) and the transducer-to-distal-end length (Ltde) for the interventional device within the ultrasound field.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a PET image of the scan volume based on one or more PET sub-images is provided. The method may include determining a scan volume of a subject supported by a scan table; dividing the scan volume into one or more scan regions; for each scan region of the one or more scan regions, determining whether there is a physiological motion in the scan region; generating, based on a result of the determination, a PET sub-image of the scan region based on first PET data of the scan region acquired in a first mode or based, at least in part, on second PET data of the scan region acquired in a second mode; and generating a PET image of the scan volume based on one or more PET sub-images.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system may be used to perform a surgical procedure. Providing guidance for the robotic surgical system includes integrating a Point of View (PoV) surgical drill with a camera to capture a PoV image of a surgical area of a subject patient; displaying an image of the surgical area, based on a viewing angle of the PoV surgical drill, thus enabling the surgeon to operate on the surgical area using the PoV surgical drill. The PoV surgical drill operates based on the surgeon's control of a guidance drill. The content of the images may change based on a change in the viewing angle of the PoV surgical drill.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an image acquisition unit 3 that generates an ultrasound image, an image recognition unit 9 that performs image recognition for the ultrasound image to calculate recognition scores, an index value calculation unit 10 that calculates index values of a plurality of parts on the basis of the recognition scores calculated for a predetermined number of ultrasound images, an order decision unit 11 that decides a determination order in which part determination is performed for the plurality of parts on the basis of the index values, and a part determination unit 12 that determines an imaging part of a subject on the basis of the recognition scores calculated according to the determination order.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging probe (204) includes a transducer array (210). The transducer array includes one or more transducer elements (212). The ultrasound imaging probe further includes an illumination component (218) and an optical imaging component (220). The ultrasound imaging probe further includes an elongated housing (302) with a long axis (304). The elongated housing includes a proximal end region (306) affixed to a handle (308) and a distal end region (310) with a tip region (312). The elongated housing houses the transducer array, the illumination component, and the optical imaging component in the distal end region.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method includes acquiring ultrasound image data of an object while translating the ultrasound probe, where the ultrasound probe includes a scanning surface. The ultrasound imaging system and method includes displaying an acquisition view during the process of acquiring the panoramic ultrasound data. The ultrasound imaging system and method includes automatically determining acoustic contact of the scanning surface with the object while acquiring the panoramic ultrasound data and displaying a color-coded indicator at the same time as the acquisition view, where the color-coded indicator represents the acoustic contact of the scanning surface in real-time during the process of acquiring the panoramic ultrasound data.

Abstract: A method for performing a surgical procedure includes generating, by a computing device, an anatomical map of a patient from a plurality of images; positioning a trocar obturator adjacent to the patient; calculating, by the computing device, a projected path of the trocar obturator; overlaying, by the computing device, the projected path of the trocar obturator with the anatomical map of the patient; and displaying the projected path of the trocar obturator and the anatomical map of the patient on a display device to define an augmented image.