Abstract: The invention generally relates to intravascular imaging system and particularly to processing in multimodal systems. The invention provides an imaging system that splits incoming image data into two signals and performs the same processing step on each of the split signals. The system can then send the two signals down two processing pathways. Methods include receiving an analog image signal, transmitting the received signal to a processing system, splitting the signal to produce a first image signal and a second image signal, and performing a processing operation on the first image signal and the second image signal. The first and second signal include substantially the same information as one another.

Abstract: In performing aperture synthesis according to an ultrasound imaging apparatus, the amount of spatial change of amplification factors of phasing signals at respective receive phasing points are reduced, and a high-quality image is obtained. In a receive beamformer that generates an inter-transmission weight in accordance with a phasing range, and performs aperture synthesis processing, the inter-transmission weight being generated is applied to the receive phasing points within the phasing range obtained through transmission and reception, and the inter-transmission synthesis is performed. The inter-transmission weight is generated in such a manner that a variation form of the amplification factor between adjacent receive phasing points is smoothed and a difference of the amplification factor is reduced, as to each receive phasing point after the inter-transmission synthesis is performed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described which guide a surgeon in performing a reconstructive or cosmetic procedure. The apparatus and methods utilize three dimensional presentations of the target surgical site incorporating one or more virtual surgical guides which help attain proper alignment and orientation of the post surgical outcome.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a device or needle placement system including a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, and an ultrasound transducer element attached to the distal end of the needle. The system also includes a needle constraining assembly configured to receive and constrain the needle to only rotational degrees of freedom within a range of angular motion. The system further includes a needle sensor system incorporated into the constraining assembly to sense an angular orientation of the needle with the range of angular motion. The system also includes an ultrasound data processor configured to communicate with the transducer element to receive ultrasound detection signals and communicate with the needle sensor system to receive needle angular orientation signals. Based on the ultrasound detection and the needle angular orientation signals, the ultrasound data processor can calculate synthetic aperture ultrasound images.

Abstract: A bladder volume detection device, the device comprising a sound transmitter and at least one receiver the device configured to ping the bladder with an acoustic signal having a resonant frequency of up to about 20 k Hz generated with said transmitter.

Abstract: To provide a blood flow sensor in which a fluctuation of measurement results is suppressed during measurement of the blood flow volume. A probe portion is provided with a sensor portion which has a laser diode generating laser light, a photodiode receiving light, and a sensor housing having a contact surface contacting a subject and which irradiates a subject with the laser light generated by the laser diode through the contact surface, receives reflected light from the subject in the photodiode, and outputs a signal relating to the received light amount, a holding portion holding the sensor housing so as to be movable in an up-and-down direction crossing the contact surface, and a coil spring absorbing and transmitting external force applied to the holding portion to the sensor portion.

Abstract: A system for detection of optically anisotropic tissue is provided. The system comprises an optical source, an optical detector, a processing unit and a probe. The probe has a shaft with a longitudinal axis and a front end, and a plurality of optical fibers; wherein an end of each of the optical fibers is arranged at the front end of the shaft, and at least one of the optical fibers is a source optical fiber adapted to transmit optical radiation emitted from the optical source to a tissue adjacent to the front end of the shaft. Another one of the optical fibers is a detector optical fiber adapted to transmit optical radiation reflected from the tissue to the optical detector, so that an optical path through the tissue is defined, wherein the optical paths differ from each other with respect to their spatial orientation, and wherein the optical paths cross each other.

Abstract: Tissue localization devices and methods of localizing tissue using tissue localization devices are disclosed. The tissue localization device can comprise a handle comprising a delivery control, a delivery needle extending out from the handle, and a localization element within the delivery needle. The localization element can be deployed out of the delivery needle or retracted back into the delivery needle when the delivery control is translated in a first direction or a second direction, respectively. The localization element can be coupled to a flexible tracking wire.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes detection circuitry and processing circuitry. The detection circuitry detects a release state of an ultrasonic probe in an active state. The processing circuitry, when the detection circuitry detects the release state of the ultrasonic probe during activation of a control mode of generating a first image based on an output from the ultrasonic probe, displaying a second image different from the first image, and displaying the first image with a predetermined opacity on the second image, perform one of control to display the second image without generating the first image, control to display the second image without displaying the first image while generating the first image, and control to generate the first image, display the second image, and display, on the second image, the first image with an opacity lower than the predetermined opacity.

Abstract: A system (200) includes a first imaging system (201) that utilizes first radiation to image an interior region of interest of a subject, including a first agent in the region of interest and a second imaging system (218) that utilizes second radiation to image a second agent in the region of interest, wherein an output of the second imaging system is used to trigger the first imaging system to scan the region of interest, including the first agent in the region of interest.

Abstract: A medical imaging system for identifying a target structure (TS), e.g. a tumor, in a biological tissue. A hyperspectral camera system is used for imaging a surface area (A1) of the tissue (BT), e.g. with a limited spectral resolution, but enough to allow identification of suspicious areas where the target structure (TS) may be, e.g. such areas can be visually indicated on a display to the operator. A probe (PR), e.g. an optical surface probe, is used to provide probe measurement of a smaller surface area (A2) of the tissue, but with more information indicative of the target structure. The probe is selected to provide a higher specificity with respect to identification of the target structure than the hyperspectral camera (HSC). The hyperspectral processing algorithm (PP) is then calibrated based on probe measurement data performed within the suspicious areas, thus providing a calibrated hyperspectral processing algorithm resulting in images with an enhanced sensitivity to identify the target structure.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a rapid exchange configuration that reduces the profile of a catheter riding on a guidewire and minimizes guidewire resistance. According to certain embodiments, a body of the catheter includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion defines a guidewire lumen and includes a guidewire exit port being open in an proximal direction and leading to the guidewire lumen. A proximal section of the guidewire lumen is straight.

Abstract: Tissue localization devices and methods of localizing tissue using tissue localization devices are disclosed. The tissue localization device can comprise a handle comprising a delivery control, a delivery needle extending out from the handle, and a localization element within the delivery needle. The localization element can be deployed out of the delivery needle or retracted back into the delivery needle when the delivery control is translated in a first direction or a second direction, respectively. The localization element can be coupled to a flexible tracking wire.

Abstract: Disclosed are an imaging system (10) or an interventional tool, such as a catheter (20), having a first ultrasound transducer array (23) and a second ultrasound transducer array (21) spaced by a fixed distance (D) from each other; wherein both arrays may be used to generate diagnostic images; and a processing arrangement (31, 32) to process a first sensor signal indicative of the first array imaging a reference location (X) at a first point in time, and to process a second sensor signal indicative of the second array imaging the reference location at a second point in time; and determine a translation (pullback) speed of the catheter from the set distance and the difference between the first point in time and the second point in time. Alternatively, a catheter may be provided comprising an ultrasound transducer array at a distal end of the catheter, and two pressure sensors for determining the translation speed.

Abstract: Devices and systems as described herein is configured to sense a signal, such as a signal from an individual. In some embodiments, a signal is a magnetic field. In some embodiments, a source of a signal is an individual's organ, such as a heart muscle. A device or system, in some embodiments, comprises one or more sensors, such as an array of sensors configured to sense the signal. A device or system, in some embodiments, comprises a shield or portion thereof to reduce noise and enhance signal collection.

Abstract: An image guided autonomous needle insertion device including a delivery system, a path planner, an image processor, and a human machine interface. The system also includes an ultrasound probe in communication with a frame grabber, a percutaneous insertion device, and at least a first actuator for moving the percutaneous insertion device within a first degree of freedom and a second actuator for moving the percutaneous insertion device within a second degree of freedom. Each actuator has a corresponding position sensor for detecting its location with respect to a target. The system can further comprise an image processor for removing noise and segmenting the ultrasound images to highlight potential targets.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire an undersampled spectrum in a k-space and a reconstruction unit configured to generate a target image based on the undersampled spectrum, wherein the reconstruction unit includes: a first sub-reconstruction unit configured to perform initial reconstruction on data corresponding to unsampled positions in the k-space by using a Split Bregman algorithm or approximate sparse coding; a second sub-reconstruction unit configured to decompose the initially reconstructed spectrum in the k-space into multiple frequency bands to thereby generate a plurality of individual spectra and perform dictionary learning reconstruction on images respectively corresponding to the decomposed multiple frequency bands by alternating sparse approximation and reconstructing of measured frequencies; and an image generator configured to generate a target image by merging together the reconstructed images respectively corresponding

Abstract: Without using any approximated wave front propagation model, appropriate delay times are set for received signals to obtain phased signals for both the inside and outside of irradiation area of transmission beam. A reception beamformer comprises a wave front propagation calculator 121 that obtains times until ultrasonic waves transmitted from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arrive at a reception focus by calculation, and a delay time extractor 122 that calculates delay times for the reception focus on the basis of distribution of the arrival times of the ultrasonic waves for each of the plurality of the ultrasonic transducers obtained by the wave front propagation calculator 121. Therefore, even if the wave front that arrives at the reception focus has a complicated shape, it is not necessary to approximate the wave front, and phasing addition can be performed with appropriate delay times obtained from times until the ultrasonic waves arrive at the reception focus.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for performing image guided interventional and surgical procedures, including various procedures to treat sinusitis and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, ears, nose or throat.

Abstract: A light emitting unit emits light including first light and second light. A light receiving unit outputs a signal of a level in accordance with intensity of incoming light. A first optical sensor is configured to outputs a first signal of a level in accordance with intensity of the first light entering the light receiving unit. A second optical sensor outputs a second signal of a level in accordance with intensity of the second light entering the light receiving unit. Based on the second signal, a controller determines whether or not the living body information sensor and a surface of the living body are in close contact with each other. The controller generates the information related to the living body based on the first signal obtained when the living body information sensor and the surface of the living body are in close contact with each other.