Abstract: A method for characterizing tissue of a patient, including receiving acoustic data derived from the interaction between the tissue and the acoustic waves irradiating the tissue; generating a morphology rendering of the tissue from the acoustic data, in which the rendering represents at least one biomechanical property of the tissue; determining a prognostic parameter for a region of interest in the rendering, in which the prognostic parameter incorporates the biomechanical property; and analyzing the prognostic parameter to characterize the region of interest. In some embodiment, the method further includes introducing a contrast agent into the tissue; generating a set of enhanced morphology renderings of the tissue after introducing the contrast agent; determining an enhanced prognostic parameter from the enhanced morphology renderings; and analyzing the enhanced prognostic parameter.

Abstract: A method is described for estimating skin thickness over an implanted magnet. A plane is defined that is perpendicular to the skin of a patient over an implanted magnet and characterized by x- and y-axis coordinates. The magnetic field strength of the implanted magnet is measured using an array of magnetic sensors on the skin of the patient. From the measured magnetic field strength, at least one x-axis coordinate in the plane is determined for at least one y-axis zero position on the array where a y-axis component of the measured magnetic field strength is zero. From that, a y-axis coordinate of the at least one y-axis zero is calculated as a function of the at least one x-axis coordinate, such that the y-axis coordinate represents thickness of the skin over the implanted magnet.

Abstract: What is provided are methods of analyzing at least one image of the anterior segment of an eye and for selecting an intraocular lens (IOL). The methods may include detecting at least one image from an anterior segment of the eye; identifying a location of a reference structure on the eye using a plurality of points of a landmark on the anterior segment of the eye; and calculating at least one quantitative dimension of the anterior segment of the eye using the reference structure. The newly identified landmarks and quantifiable dimensions improve the characterization of the anterior segment in order to better predict the position and movement of the intraocular lens. The improved methods for analyzing the imaging of the anterior segment of the eye allows for improvements in the refractive outcomes of cataract surgery, glaucoma procedures, refractive outcomes, and other eye-related diseases.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable media, and methods are described for assessing physiological condition of spinal intervertebral discs in a quantitative manner using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data A simple, objective, continuous measurement of disc health or degeneration/pathology is provided, using routinely acquired or other digital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. The measurement includes calculation of a value based on one or more ratios from signal-based measurements of spinal disc structures or regions, which can be obtained either through manual tracing or automated through programming of image analysis software. The measurement can be implemented by a computer and/or stored on a computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: A method for characterising a mechanical property of a material. The method comprises the steps of providing the material having a deformable portion and providing a device having an optical element that is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic ultrasonic wave generating device. The present invention includes: a rotating motor; an ultrasonic wave generating unit being provided with a transducer generating ultrasonic waves; and a focus rotation movement unit moving the focus of the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generating unit in a circle on the same plane by receiving a transmission of rotational force of the rotating motor. The present invention enables: the focus of ultrasonic waves to be moved in the circle having a constant radius at a uniform depth under the skin; and energy to be applied uniformly and evenly within the movement radius, thereby enabling enhancement of therapeutic performance.

Abstract: To obtain an absorption distribution from a detected signal with a practical device. Light is applied to a subject, and a photoacoustic signal generated in the subjectA photoacoustic is detected. From the detected photoacoustic signal, a light differential waveform, which is a differential waveform of a temporal waveform of the light applied to the subject, is deconvolved. As a result of this deconvolution, an absorption distribution is obtained.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for radiosurgical treatment of moving tissues of the heart, including acquiring at least one volume of the tissue and acquiring at least one ultrasound data set, image or volume of the tissue using an ultrasound transducer disposed at a position. A similarity measure is computed between the ultrasound image or volume and the acquired volume or a simulated ultrasound data set, image or volume. A robot is configured in response to the similarity measure and the position of the transducer, and a radiation beam is fired from the configured robot.

Abstract: A transmitting beamformer performs convergence transmission that forms a transmission focus of an ultrasonic beam in a subject. A receiving beamformer comprises a virtual sound source method-based delay amount calculation part that obtains delay amount of a received signal with regarding the transmission focus as a virtual sound source, and a correction operation part that corrects the delay amount obtained by the virtual sound source method-based delay amount calculation part depending on position of imaging point. Delay amounts can be thereby obtained with good accuracy for imaging points in a wide area.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image signals during scanning a region of interest.

Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, particularly a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a tip chamber, within which is an ultrasound transducer mounted on a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and an implement for pivoting the transducer. Examples of such an implement are a linear motor, a shaft or filament, and the pivot mechanism may be biased to return to a base position when the implement is not pivoting the transducer. In other embodiments, a mirror reflecting ultrasound signals from the transducer may be rotated and/or pivoted, using similar mechanisms.

Abstract: A Histotripsy therapy system is provided that can include any number of features. In some embodiments, the system includes a high voltage power supply, a pulse generator electrically coupled to at least one signal switching amplifier, at least one matching network electrically coupled to the signal switching amplifier(s), and an ultrasound transducer having at least one transducer element. The Histotripsy therapy system can further include an ultrasound Doppler imaging system. The Doppler imaging system and the Histotripsy therapy system can be synchronized to enable color Doppler acquisition of the fractionation of tissue during Histotripsy therapy. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: There is disclosed a patient table for NMR mammography comprising a test subject for and two openings with are intended for inserting a breast in each case, coils being present in the immediate vicinity thereof, characterised in that in the region of an opening, below the table, a band (3) is attached, which is guided medially inwardly from the outside of the table or of the test subject, here surrounds the breast cranially or caudally, and then runs from the medial side, bearing against the breast for caudal or cranial contact with the breast, the ends of the band (13) being guided laterally outwardly, where they run adjacent to one another.

Abstract: Catheter apparatus comprises a coaxial cable having proximal and distal ends. The cable includes a hollow center conductor, an outer conductor and an electrically insulating layer between the conductors. An antenna is at the distal end of the cable, and a diplexer is connected to the cable, the diplexer including a transmit path for connecting the antenna to a transmitter which transmits first frequency signals and a receive path for connecting the antenna to a receiver which detects second frequency signals the diplexer isolating the signals on the two paths from one another. A transmission line connects the cable to the diplexer, the transmission line having a segment with a tubular inner conductor one end of which is connected to the center conductor and a second end of which is adapted for connection to a coolant source, the center and inner conductors forming a continuous coolant pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article or an interface having a distribution of a first partially spherical indentation and at least a second partially spherical indentation contained within the first indentation to form a multi-component or “compound” shape that is referred to as a “compound” or “nested” dimples or indentations. These compound dimples or indentions may be concentric and are etched or otherwise formed into a surface or interface of an article to enhance the ultrasonic imaging. Exemplary articles may be needles of the type used to conduct nerve blocks or the interface may be the surface of such a needle, cannula, catheter, catheter tip or similar article.

Abstract: A method for forming a contrast pulse sequence ultrasound image using a pulse width modulation scheme and an ultrasound system using the same are disclosed. The ultrasound system generates at least three kinds of mutually different pulses having a same amplitude, and sequentially transmits at least three kinds of transmission signals corresponding to the at least three kinds of mutually different pulses to an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer transmits at least three kinds of ultrasound signals to a target object by sequentially generating the at least three kinds of ultrasound signals based on the at least three kinds of transmission signals. The ultrasound transducer generates at least three kinds of reception signals by sequentially receiving at least three kinds of echo signals reflected from the target object. The ultrasound system forms a contrast pulse sequence ultrasound image by eliminating a linear component from the at least three kinds of reception signals.

Abstract: Embodiments related to medical imaging devices including rigid imaging tips and their methods of use for identifying abnormal tissue within a surgical bed are disclosed.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a skeletal method utilizing electromagnetic waves to be utilized at least in one of skeletal actuation, skeletal detection and skeletal therapy. In the method is performed at least one of first and second method steps, where in the first method step is generated by means of electromagnetic waves at least one mechanical wave in at least one generation location into the skeleton through soft tissue. In the second method step is detected by means of electromagnetic waves skeletal vibrations due to at least one mechanical wave, is recorded the detected at least one mechanical wave in at least one recording location to form mechanical wave information, and distance of said at least one recording location from said at least one generation location is known, and further in the second method step is determined skeletal properties based on at least one recorded signal.

Abstract: A specialized ultrasound machine tailored for use by traditional birth attendants provides an ultrasound transducer configuration adapted to work with the traditional sweeping motion of the attendant's hands over the patient's abdomen. Automatic analysis of various obstetrical conditions is performed without the need for the user to view or interpret standard ultrasound images. This machine analysis is used to provide real-time guidance in the acquisition of data by the user greatly reducing the required operator skill.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a partial skull replacement consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a method of monitoring biological tissues within a skull using the partial skull replacement. The method of monitoring using the partial skull replacement of the present invention has a minimal influence on intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid flow as compared to a conventional cranial window technique using glass, and, by way of visualizing biological tissues within a skull with enhanced clarity, is expected to be usefully employed as a method of monitoring biological tissues within the skull.