Abstract: A surgical hardware and software monitoring system and method allows for surgical planning while the patient is available for surgery, for example while the patient is being prepared for surgery so that the system may model the surgical site. In one embodiment, the model may be used to track contemplated surgical procedures and warn the physician regarding possible boundary violations that would indicate an inappropriate location in a surgical procedure. In another embodiment, the monitoring system may track the movement of instruments during the procedure and in reference to the model to enhance observation of the procedure. In a further embodiment the monitoring system can be used to model and track the changes in the surgical site itself.

Abstract: Exemplary systems, devices, methods, apparatus and computer-accessible media for providing and/or utilizing optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) and fluorescence of structures and, e.g., multimodality imaging using OFDI techniques and fluorescence imaging techniques are described. For example, an arrangement can provide at least one electro-magnetic radiation to an anatomical structure. Such exemplary arrangement can include at least one optical core and at least one cladding at least partially surrounding the fiber(s). A region between the optical core(s) and the cladding(s) can have an index that is different from indexes of the optical core(s) and the cladding(s). The arrangement can also include at least one apparatus which is configured to transmit the radiation(s) via the optical core(s) and the cladding(s) to the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A system for optical coherence tomography includes a source of optical radiation, an optical fiber, and a graded index fiber attached to a distal end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber and the graded index fiber are together configured to provide a common path for optical radiation reflected from a reference interface at a distal end of the graded index fiber and from a target.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring system may use photonic signals to determine physiological parameters. The system may vary parameters of a light drive signal used to generate the photonic signal from a light source such that power consumption is reduced or optimized. Parameters may include light intensity, firing rate, duty cycle, other suitable parameters, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system may use information from a first light source to generate a light drive signal for a second light source. In some embodiments, the system may vary parameters in a way substantially synchronous with physiological pulses, for example, cardiac pulses. In some embodiments, the system may vary parameters in response to an external trigger.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connection to a transducer in ultrasound probes are provided. One system includes transducer having a base configured to support thereon an ultrasound transducer array and a plurality of electrical interconnects integrated with the base. The electrical interconnects are configured to connect to the ultrasound transducer array and extend along at least a portion of the base from the ultrasound transducer array.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is configured to execute an imaging mode of alternately executing a continuous wave Doppler mode of acquiring time-series Doppler data by performing continuous wave transmission/reception with respect to an object and a B mode of acquiring tomogram data represented by luminance by transmitting and receiving a pulse wave to and from the object, the apparatus includes a data acquisition unit configured to acquire continuous wave Doppler data and the tomogram data by alternately executing the continuous wave Doppler mode and the B mode while switching the modes, and a display unit configured to simultaneously display Doppler spectrum information generated based on the continuous wave Doppler data and a tomogram generated based on the tomogram data.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a method of producing an ultrasound image capable of accurately determining the boundary of an intima-media complex in an ultrasound image and measuring an intima-media thickness with high precision are provided. A candidate vascular wall boundary point determiner determines one or more candidate vascular wall boundary points based on a sound ray signal extending in a scanning direction in an ultrasound image. A boundary determiner determines a vascular wall boundary point from among the candidate vascular wall boundary points based on a third evaluation value and determines a vascular wall boundary, the third evaluation value being calculated based on a first evaluation value representing accuracy of each of the determined candidate vascular wall boundary points as a vascular wall boundary point and a second evaluation value representing similarity between the sound ray signal and the adjacent sound ray signal.

Abstract: A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes including backing members, a first connector bonded between the backing members and including electrodes spaced from each other in an arrangement direction, a ground connector bonded between the backing members to be spaced from the first connector, and a piezoelectric member electrically connected to the electrodes and the ground connector. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed. The piezoelectric member is joined to the first connector and the ground connector or to first and second connectors and the ground connector via first and second electrode layers instead of using a complicated and laborious soldering operation, thereby enabling easy connection between the piezoelectric member and the connectors while preventing deterioration in performance caused by defective connection therebetween and deterioration in performance of the piezoelectric member caused by heat during manufacture.

Abstract: In ultrasonic imaging, a physically consistent value of blood flow velocity is measured in the vicinity of body tissues. The ultrasound imaging apparatus comprises a shape extraction part for recognizing shape data of biological tissues by using echo signals reflected from a test subject irradiated with ultrasonic waves, a flow velocity distribution acquisition part for detecting blood flow velocities in the vicinity of the tissues from the echo signals, and a velocity determination part for extracting velocity information desired by a tester (objective velocity information). The velocity determination part sets a model of the objective blood flow, and determines a velocity of actually measured velocity distribution consistent with velocity distribution estimated from the model.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to a body of a subject includes a sensor configured to detect and/or measure physiological information from the subject, and a processor coupled to the sensor that is configured to receive and analyze signals produced by the sensor. The processor is configured to change signal analysis frequency and/or sensor interrogation power in response to detecting a change in subject activity, a change in subject stress level, a change in environmental conditions, a change in time, and/or a change in location of the subject.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound system having an enhanced user interface is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a portable ultrasound system can include a hand-held base unit configured to present a graphical user interface that contains a first control area, a second control area, and an active image area. The first control area can have a number of graphical tools that can each be selectively activated by a user's finger. The second control area can include a control area having plurality of controls that can be selectively activated by the user's thumb to select a tool property of a number of tool properties associated with the selected one of the graphical tools. The active image area can display an ultrasound image, and the selected one of the graphical tools can be overlaid onto the image with the user-selected tool property.

Abstract: A circuit for expanding a dynamic range. In one embodiment, the circuit includes: a transducer generating a signal current on an output terminal in response to a physical quantity, the signal current comprising an AC current and a DC current; a dynamic range enhancement circuit having a digital control signal input terminal and producing a variable opposition current in response to a digital signal applied to the digital control signal input terminal; an amplifier; an analog to digital converter in electrical communication with the amplifier; and a digital feedback circuit in communication with the output terminal of the analog to digital converter and in electrical communication with the digital control signal input terminal of the dynamic range enhancement circuit, wherein the opposition current from the dynamic range enhancement circuit is set substantially equal to the DC current portion of the signal current from the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanning assistance apparatus for diagnosis of a breast cancer is provided. The ultrasound scanning assistance apparatus includes a fixing container including a scan surface to scan an ultrasound transducer adapted to diagnose a breast cancer and a soft membrane to contact a surface of a human body; and a buffer fluid controller to control a hydraulic pressure of a buffer fluid filling the fixing container.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method for an extended field of view treatment. The method can include the steps of imaging a region; targeting a region with directed ultrasound energy; monitoring the region; moving the imaging, treatment, and monitoring region while spatially correlating to one or more prior regions via imaging and/or position sensing; continuing the extended field of view treatment; and, achieving an ultrasound induced biological effect in the extended field of view treatment region.

Abstract: A novel contrast mechanism for diagnosing diseased tissue using Ultrasound, Doppler Ultrasonography, Optical Coherence Tomography, or optical Doppler tomography coupled with an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field.

Abstract: Needle deployment and imaging system includes a sheath, an imaging core, and interventional core. The imaging core and interventional core are received in first and second axial passages in the sheath and at least one of said cores will be removable and replaceable within the sheath. The imaging core may be extended from the sheath or be sealed within the first axial passage of the sheath. The interventional core will typically be advanced laterally or axially from a location near the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a transducer array, with an array of transducer elements that transmits an ultrasound signal and receives a set of echoes generated in response to the ultrasound signal traversing a flowing structure. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a beamformer that beamforms the set of echoes, generating a beamformed signal. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a pre-processor that performs basebanding, averaging and decimation of the beamformed signal and determines an autocorrelation of the basebanded, averaged and decimated beamformed signal. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a velocity processor that generates an axial velocity component signal and a lateral velocity component signal based on the autocorrelation. The axial and lateral velocity components indicate a direction and a speed of the flowing structure in the field of view.

Abstract: An ultrasound endoscope, having a cable for connecting the ultrasound endoscope to a driving apparatus, includes an insertion section insertable into a subject, a plurality of transducers provided at a distal end portion, an electrode formed in each of the transducers, a wiring section connected to the electrode to electrically connect the electrode and the cable, and matching circuits, at least one of which is provided at an end of or partway in each of the wiring section. The electrode, the wiring section, and the matching circuits are provided in each of the plurality of transducers. The cable includes a core wire and an insulating layer enwrapping the core wire and functions as a matching section that matches electric impedance of each of the transducers between the plurality of transducers and the driving apparatus by varying a thickness or quality of material of the insulating layer.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring system may use photonic signals to determine physiological parameters. The system may vary parameters of a light drive signal used to generate the photonic signal from a light source such that power consumption is reduced or optimized. Parameters may include light intensity, firing rate, duty cycle, other suitable parameters, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system may use information from a first light source to generate a light drive signal for a second light source. In some embodiments, the system may vary parameters in a way substantially synchronous with physiological pulses, for example, cardiac pulses. In some embodiments, the system may vary parameters in response to an external trigger.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus for producing a fluid stream having plurality of nanoparticles in the fluid stream. The apparatus includes a source configured to provide a fluid stream having a first randomly sized distribution of a plurality of nanoparticles; a flow control zone configured to receive the fluid stream from the source and to control the fluid stream to produce a controlled fluid stream having a selected flow rate; a separation zone configured to receive and to separate the selectively controlled fluid stream into at least one separated fluid stream having a non-randomly sized distribution of nanoparticles; and a collection zone capable of receiving the separated fluid stream according to at least one non-random sized distribution of nanoparticles to produce at least one collected stream. The apparatus is configured for a continuous flow of the fluid stream.