Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating tissue for abnormal glucose uptake within a region of interest within a patient. A PET scanner obtains PET imagery including the region of interest and at least part of the liver. An SUV calculator calculates a first set of SUVs representing the region of interest and a second set SUVs representing the liver from the set of at least one PET image. A standardization component calculates a correction value as a function of the second set of SUVs and applies the correction value to either a decision threshold associated with the region of interest or the first set of SUVs. A diagnosis component compares the first set of SUVs to the decision threshold to determine if the glucose uptake within the region of interest is abnormal. A display provides the determination to a user.

Abstract: A tissue resection device includes an elongate shaft having a ceramic working end with a window and a wire-like electrode. A motor oscillates the electrode back and forth in an arc between opposing sides of the window. The working end is engaged against a tissue surface while radiofrequency current is delivered to the wire-like electrode to cut tissue received within the window. A negative pressure source may be connected to the window through an interior passageway in the elongate shaft to extract cut tissue from the working end.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for inserting and using, dermal interstitial sensors in, for example, an analyte monitoring system. The present invention permits the proper positioning of a cannula tip and/or sensor(s) within the reticular dermis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for clinical practice of medical imaging on patients with metal-containing devices, such as implanted cardiac devices. In particular, Disclosed herein are methods and systems for improved late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) MRI for assessing myocardial viability for patients with implanted cardiac devices, i.e., cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators.

Abstract: For Doppler imaging in ultrasound, a single parameter is formed from both power and velocity. In any combination function, a derivative of velocity and/or velocity are combined with power. The resulting value is used to look-up a color from a one-dimensional color map.

Abstract: A modular stimulus applicator system and method are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of wirelessly controlled stimulus pods, anchored to a patient's body, and configured to deliver stimulus to the patient's body. The stimulus can be heat, vibration, or electrical stimulus, or any combination thereof. The stimulus pods are controlled by a control station that can include a user-interface through which the patient can control application of the stimulus.

Abstract: A device and an according method for multispectral optoacoustic imaging of an object is provided comprising: an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the object with electromagnetic radiation at two or more different irradiation wavelengths the electromagnetic radiation having a time-varying intensity; a detection unit configured to detect acoustic waves generated in the object upon irradiating the object with the electromagnetic radiation at the different irradiation wavelengths; and a processing unit configured to reconstruct images of the object based on the detected acoustic waves generated in the object at each of the irradiation wavelengths and to determine a spatial distribution of at least one first concentration value, which relates to a concentration of at least one electromagnetic radiation absorber in the object.

Abstract: An elongated shaft assembly includes a rotatable inner cutting sleeve and a non-rotating outer sleeve. A window of the inner cutting sleeve is selectively rotatable within an opening of the non-rotating outer sleeve to cut tissue with a sharpened cutting blade when rotated in a first rotational direction and to cut tissue with an electrode when rotated in a second rotational direction.

Abstract: A catheter tip-end rotation angle detection apparatus includes a catheter rotation angle detecting unit that detects a rotation angle of a catheter in an operator's hand, an image processing unit that extracts a catheter tip-end region from an x-ray fluoroscopic image of a first x-ray fluoroscopic capturing unit, a catheter tip-end rotation angle calculation unit that calculates an offset angle between an operator's hand-side rotation angle and a catheter tip-end rotation angle, from a fluoroscopic image captured at an action time of rotating the catheter by one turn, based on an angle at which a catheter tip-end region becomes a straight line in the image processing unit, and that calculates a catheter tip-end rotation angle based on the offset angle and the operator's hand-side rotation angle, during a catheter manipulation time, and an output unit that outputs the calculated catheter tip-end rotation angle.

Abstract: A photoacoustic measurement device having a puncture needle, where the puncture needle 14 is a hollow needle that has an opening formed at a tip thereof. The puncture needle 14 includes a puncture needle body 31 and a light guide 32. The light guide 32 extends in a longitudinal direction of the puncture needle body. The light guide 32 emits light at least in part to the puncture needle body 31 while guiding light emitted from a light source toward the tip of the puncture needle body.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.

Abstract: A sensor device for EIT imaging comprises an electrode array for measuring an impedance distribution, with at least one sensor for determining spatial orientation of the electrode array coupled to the electrode array. An EIT imaging instrument is connectable to a sensor for determining spatial orientation of a test person, and optionally in addition connectable to a sensor for gathering information on electrical and/or acoustic activity and/or a sensor for gathering information on dilation. A computing device is connected or integrated for adjusting impedance data based on spatial data, which spatial data describe the spatial orientation of a test subject. An EIT imaging method for measuring an impedance distribution and adjusting said measured impedance distribution comprises measuring impedance distribution by using an impedance distribution measuring device comprising an electrode array, and transforming the measured impedance distribution into EIT images.

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasound image of a region of interest (ROI) of a body is formed by transmitting into the ROI at least a first and a second ultrasound pulse, in which the second pulse is phase-shifted relative to the first pulse by an amount other than 0 or a multiple of 180 degrees. Discretized receive signals from the pulses are interleaved to form a resultant operating signal that is detected and beamformed as the operating signal.

Abstract: A hybrid tomograph that includes a chamber for examining an object, a TOF-PET tomograph and an MRI tomograph. The MRI tomograph has a magnet for producing a magnetic field and a receiving-transmitting coil. The TOF-PET tomograph has polymer scintillation strips to transmit scintillation photons outside the magnet of the MRI tomograph and outside the chamber of the hybrid TOF-PET/MRI tomograph. The polymer scintillation strips are arranged circumferentially inside the magnetic field produced by the magnet of the MRI tomograph. Photoelectric converters for converting light signals from the polymer scintillation strips to electrical signals are arranged outside the magnet of the MRI tomograph and outside the chamber of the hybrid TOF-PET/MRI tomograph.

Abstract: A method of generating a 3-D patient-specific bone model, the method comprising: (a) acquiring a plurality of raw radiofrequency (“RF”) signals from an A-mode ultrasound scan of a patient's bone at a plurality of locations using an ultrasound probe that comprises a transducer array; (b) tracking the acquiring of the plurality of raw RF signals in 3-D space and generating corresponding tracking data; (c) transforming each of the plurality of raw RF signals into an envelope comprising a plurality of peaks by applying an envelope detection algorithm to each of the plurality of raw RF signals, each peak corresponding with a tissue interface echo; (d) identifying a bone echo from the tissue interface echoes of each of the plurality of raw RF signals to comprise a plurality of bone echoes by selecting the last peak having a normalized envelope amplitude above a preset threshold, wherein the envelope amplitude is normalized with respect to a maximum peak existing in the envelope; (e) determining a 2-D bone contour f

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods using two, three or more pigtails for precisely imaging an aortic valve complex with minimal contrast and/or for advancing an instrument, such as a wire, or device, such as a transcatheter valve, across an aortic valve. These devices, systems and methods may be used to diagnose and/or treat patients with aortic stenosis, other valvular heart disease or other cardiovascular or non cardiovascular disease, facilitating precise contrast or drug or device delivery, precise pressure measurement and/or precise drainage or sampling.

Abstract: A method of using a cryotherapeutic system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes advancing an elongate shaft of a catheter toward a treatment location within a body lumen of a human patient and directing a flow of refrigerant toward a cryotherapeutic element at a distal end portion of the shaft. The directed refrigerant is expanded to cause cooling within a balloon of the cryotherapeutic element. The pressure within the balloon is monitored and its rate of change calculated. The rate of change is then processed using different feedback loops during different monitoring windows of a treatment cycle. The individual feedback loops include an upper and a lower threshold and are configured to cause the flow of refrigerant to the cryotherapeutic element to stop if the rate of change falls outside a range between the upper and the lower threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various aspects of imaging systems, including permeable and impermeable barriers separating liquid compartments, one of which contains the object to be imaged and the other an ultrasonic transducer, a fluidic bearing between a transducer carriage and guide supporting the carriage, a linear motor for the carriage, and a location sensing device for the carriage.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating to a target site in a patient is provided. The system includes an extended working channel and a tool usable with an electromagnetic navigation system. In particular, the extended working channel and the tool contain an electromagnetic sensor configured to provide location information within a patient of the extended working channel and the tool to the electromagnetic navigation system. The distance from the tool and the target site can then be determined and displayed to a clinician on a display device.

Abstract: A method for non-contrast enhanced 4D time resolved dynamic magnetic resonance angiography using arterial spin labeling of blood water as an endogenous tracer and a multiphase balanced steady state free precession readout is presented. Imaging can be accelerated with dynamic golden angle radial acquisitions and k-space weighted imaging contrast (KWIC) image reconstruction and it can be used with parallel imaging techniques. Quantitative tracer kinetic models can be formed allowing cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow and mean transit time to be estimated. Vascular compliance can also be assessed using 4D dMRA by synchronizing dMRA acquisitions with the systolic and diastolic phases of the cardiac cycle.