Abstract: A contrast imaging method based on a wide beam and a method for extracting a perfusion time-intensity curve (TIC) are provided to increase contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) through the contrast imaging method based on the wide beam via a pulse inversion microbubble wavelet transform sum squared differences decorrelation (PIWSSD). An auto adaptive analysis method about rapidly and accurately extracting a TIC tendency of the contrast imaging method based on the wide beam is also provided to overcome limitations of a decrease in the CTR of the contrast imaging based on the wide beam and a decrease in SCR of the perfusion TIC. The present invention plays an important role in effectively reducing an ultrasound contrast imaging acoustic power and a contrast microbubble perfusion concentration, reducing potential threat to human body, acquiring a contrast image with the high CTR, and accurately evaluating and diagnosing blood perfusion.

Abstract: A subject information acquisition apparatus comprises a casing in which a transmissive member capable of transmitting acoustic waves and laser beams therethrough is provided; a light irradiating unit disposed inside the casing so as to irradiate a subject with laser beams with the transmissive member interposed; an acoustic wave probe disposed inside the casing so as to receive acoustic waves with the transmissive member interposed; and a scanning mechanism disposed inside the casing so as to move the light irradiating unit and the acoustic wave probe in relation to the casing, wherein the casing is configured to be movable on the subject.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing properties of an object or entity utilize non-resistive contact sensors alone or in combination with other sensors. The sensor data is utilized for detecting and visualizing properties of one or more biological or non-biological objects or entities.

Abstract: A system and method includes acquisition of a first at least two two-dimensional images of a body, generation of a first three-dimensional image based on the first at least two two-dimensional images, acquisition of a second at least two two-dimensional images of the body, generation of a second three-dimensional image based on the second at least two two-dimensional images, determination of a difference between the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, determination of a region of interest based on the difference, replacement of first voxels of the region of interest of the first three-dimensional image with second voxels of the region of interest of the second three-dimensional image to generate a first updated three-dimensional image, and display of the first updated three-dimensional image.

Abstract: The probe includes a probe body that includes an internal empty space and is configured to be inserted into a coelom; an energy source module that is disposed in the probe body, and configured to emit an energy beam; first and second view windows that are provided at an end portion of the probe body, have different fields of view, and are configured to transmit the emitted energy beam; and a path changing unit that is disposed in the probe body, and configured to change a traveling path of the emitted energy beam to travel to one of the first view window and the second view window.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for imaging a patient in an MRI system. This includes a frame, and at least one assembly that includes an earpiece positioner connected to a reference position on the frame, a first lockable joint on the positioner; and an earpiece connected to a patient-proximal end of the positioner by a second joint, wherein the first earpiece is moveably positioned to a selected pitch angle, a selected yaw angle, and a selected one of a plurality of distances relative to the reference position on the frame. The first lockable joint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the first earpiece at the selected pitch and yaw angles, and at the selected one of the plurality of distances, relative to the reference position. Optionally a second substantially similar earpiece and assembly are provided. The earpiece(s) optionally include audio transducer(s) and/or RF coil(s).

Abstract: A sensor attachment for use with three dimensional ultrasound mapping devices is presented. According to the invention, one or more sensors are attached to specific locations on the body, such as the nipple and sternum, the inventive sensor attachments enabling accurate recording of target information, including location and size; the present invention especially helpful in subsequent and comparative examinations. A method of use is also presented.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tomography system for gathering measurement data pertaining to a human head includes an image chamber unit, a control system, and a housing. The image chamber unit includes an antenna assembly defining a horizontally-oriented imaging chamber and including an array of antennas arranged around the imaging chamber. The antennas include at least some transmitting antennas and some receiving antennas. The control system causes the transmitting antennas to transmit a low power electromagnetic field that is received by the receiving antennas after passing through a patient's head in the imaging chamber. A data tensor is produced that may be inversed to reconstruct a 3D distribution of dielectric properties within the head and to create an image. The housing at least partially contains the antenna assembly and has a front entry opening into the imaging chamber. The head is inserted horizontally through the front entry opening and into the imaging chamber.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tomography system for gathering measurement data pertaining to a human head includes an image chamber unit, a control system, and a housing. The image chamber unit includes an antenna assembly defining a horizontally-oriented imaging chamber and including an array of antennas arranged around the imaging chamber. The antennas include at least some transmitting antennas and some receiving antennas. The control system causes the transmitting antennas to transmit a low power electromagnetic field that is received by the receiving antennas after passing through a patient's head in the imaging chamber. A data tensor is produced that may be inversed to reconstruct a 3D distribution of dielectric properties within the head and to create an image. The housing at least partially contains the antenna assembly and has a front entry opening into the imaging chamber. The head is inserted horizontally through the front entry opening and into the imaging chamber.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus that generates an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound signal obtained by receiving ultrasound reflected by a contrast medium in a target region of a subject to which the contrast medium is administered includes a measuring section configured to measure predetermined measurement items related to administration of the contrast medium, an image quality setting changing section configured to change an image quality setting of the ultrasound image from one to another of a first image quality setting suitable for observing how the contrast medium flows into the target region and a second image quality setting suitable for observing how the contrast medium is retained in the target region, and a control section configured to control setting changing operation by the image quality setting changing section based on a measurement result of the measuring section.

Abstract: A side-fire ultrasonic probe includes an alignment feature that, when used to connect the probe with a needle guide for intra-cavity medical procedures, enables alignment of a needle in an imaging plane of an ultrasonic transducer. The alignment feature is configured such that alignment of the needle within the imaging plane is accomplished when a protective sheath is disposed between the alignment feature and the needle guide. This configuration can be used with high frequency ultrasonic arrays having frequency distributions centered at about 20 MHz, and for medical procedures, such as biopsying organs or other bodily intra-cavity structures, and delivering intra-cavity therapies.

Abstract: Methods for registering a three-dimensional model of a body volume to a real-time indication of a sensor position that involve analyzing scanned and sensed voxels and using parameters or thresholds to identify said voxels as being either tissue or intraluminal fluid. Those voxels identified as fluid are then used to construct a real-time sensed three-dimensional model of the lumen which is then compared to a similarly constructed, but previously scanned model to establish and update registration.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for assisting or performing an image-guided prostate procedure are disclosed. A needle assembly includes a needle guide, a needle device, a position sensor and additional features. The position sensor allows for the tracking of the needle assembly. A method for performing image-guided prostate procedures includes pre-operative procedures and intra-operative procedures. The pre-operative procedures include imaging studies to model the prostate and identify targets. The pre-operative procedures models are used during a prostate procedure to track the target and the devices used for the procedure. A system for performing image-guided procedures includes the needle assembly and other components.

Abstract: Disclosed are an ultrasonic diagnostic instrument and a manufacturing method thereof. The ultrasonic diagnostic instrument includes a matching layer, at least one transducer provided at a lower surface of the matching layer to generate ultrasonic waves, a first acoustic absorption layer provided at a lower surface of the transducer to transmit an ultrasonic wave generation signal to the transducer, a controller provided at a lower surface of the first acoustic absorption layer to control operation of the transducer, the controller having a recess formed in a lower surface thereof, and a second acoustic absorption layer provided at a lower surface of the controller and having an insert formed at an upper surface thereof, the insert corresponding to the recess of the controller.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging method and apparatus, multiple diagnostic scans are obtained of an examination subject during an imaging session. An initial reference scan of the subject is obtained at the beginning of the session and, as the session proceeds, an automatic determination is made before each diagnostic scan is obtained as to whether the immediately preceding reference scan is still valid, primarily be checking whether an amount of patient movement has occurred that renders the immediately preceding reference scan invalid. Either a new reference scan is obtained before the next diagnostic scan, or, if still valid, the immediately preceding reference scan is used for the next diagnostic scan.

Abstract: A subject information acquisition device includes an elastic wave receiving unit configured to receive elastic waves generated inside a subject and output a reception signal; and a signal processing unit configured to acquire subject information in an interest region of the subject, on the basis of the reception signal. In measurement states, the elastic wave receiving unit receives elastic waves and outputs reception signals corresponding to the measurement states. The signal processing unit corrects the reception signals by weighting factors based on measurement parameters in the measurement states, and acquires corrected reception signals in the interest region corresponding to the measurement states. The signal processing unit acquires the subject information in the interest region, on the basis of the sum of the corrected reception signals and the sum of the weighting factors.

Abstract: A method for cardiac motion estimation includes: receiving a set of echocardiographic images of a heart, the echocardiographic images including B-mode ultrasonic images and Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) images; and calculating, by the image processing machine, a motion field representing the motion of the heart using the B-mode ultrasonic images and applying a velocity constraint from the TDI images. A system for cardiac motion estimation, includes: an imaging device configured to acquire a set of echocardiographic images of a heart, the echocardiographic images including B-mode ultrasonic images and TDI images; a data storage device in communication with the imaging device and configured to store the set of echocardiographic images; an image processing machine in communication with the data storage device and configured to calculate a motion field representing the motion of the heart using the B-mode ultrasonic images and applying a velocity constraint from the TDI images.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for the detection of cancerous tissue by analyzing blocks of pixels in a thermal image of a region of exposed skin tissue. In one embodiment, matrices are received which have been derived from vectors of temperature values associated with pixels in blocks of pixels which have been isolated from a plurality of thermal images of both cancerous and non-cancerous tissue. The vectors are rearranged to form matrices. A thermal image of a subject is received. Blocks of pixels which reside within a region of exposed skin tissue are identified and isolated. For each identified pixel block, an image vector comprising temperature values associated with these pixels is formed. The vector is provided to a classifier which uses the matrices to classify tissue associated with this block of pixels as being either cancerous or non-cancerous tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring material properties of a medium includes producing a multi-directional wave field in the medium and detecting, with a detection system capable of detecting wave fields propagating in a medium, the multi-directional wave field in at least two spatial dimensions over at least one time instance. The system and method also include determining a lowest wave speed, calculating at least one of wave speed and material properties of the medium, and generating a report indicating the at least one of wave speed and material properties of the medium.

Abstract: A method for optoacoustic imaging of a tissue mass after treating the skin overlying a portion of a tissue being imaged to improve optical clarity is presented. In an embodiment, the method involves optoacoustic imaging after first applying a carrier agent such as hyaluronic acid to the skin surface and applying a clearing agent to the skin. A method of temporarily reducing optical scattering (opacity) of skin for diagnostic purposes is also presented. In an embodiment, the method involves applying a liquid comprising at least one of: polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, to the skin, the skin having been pretreated with hyaluronic acid.