Abstract: The invention concerns an imaging system to monitor at least one surgical instrument in an operative site inside a volume of the body of an animal, comprising: at least one endoscopic camera to obtain endoscopic data on the operative site, at least one ultrasound imaging device to obtain ultrasound data on the operative site, and a processing device to process the endoscopic and ultrasound data. The imaging system further comprising at least three markers intended to be positioned in the operative site, said markers being mobile relative to the instrument, each marker being adapted to be detected both by the endoscopic camera and by the ultrasound imaging device, so as to permit cross-mapping of the endoscopic and ultrasound data by the processing means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for delivering and controlling thermal therapy to a volume of diseased tissue. Specifically, the invention includes using thermal imaging and other inputs to determine an acoustic (ultrasonic) treatment regime employing interstitial ultrasound applicators to deliver a required therapeutic temperature or thermal dose to the affected region in a body or organ. Various aspects of the treatment that can be controlled include individual transducer element operating power and frequency, as well as the rate of cooling and rotation of the entire applicator.

Abstract: A radiation therapy System comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and a linear accelerator capable of generating a beam of radiation. The linear accelerator is immersed in and oriented with respect to the MRI magnetic field to expose the linear accelerator to magnetic force that directs particles therein along a central axis thereof.

Abstract: The invention relate to the demonstration herein that it is feasible to use a transvaginal NIRS probe to interrogate functioning urological tissues, such as the urethral sphincter, the bladder detrusor muscle, and pelvic floor musculature, to obtain clinically relevant information. The present invention accordingly provides methods and devices for transvaginal monitoring or imaging of the urological tissues, such as the urethral sphincter and/or the bladder, and/or pelvic floor musculature, using NIRS.

Abstract: Mitral valve insufficiency is treated by introducing an expansible device such as a balloon bearing an ultrasonic transducer into the heart so that the transducer is positioned adjacent the mitral annulus but spaced from the mitral annulus, and actuating the transducer to heat the mitral annulus, denature collagen in the annulus and thereby shrink the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a MR tracking method and device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a magnetic resonance tracking method and device, using a magnetic-susceptible object. A magnetic iso-surface induced by the object is selectively excited with a corresponding frequency offset; the magnetic iso-surface is then projected on three axes of a k-space, from which projections the spatial position of the object is calculated.

Abstract: A device for the investigation of an object uses a microwave transmitter, a microwave receiver, a control device and a contrast medium. The microwave transmitter and the microwave receiver are controlled by the control device. In one embodiment, the following steps may be implemented: introduction of the contrast medium into the object under investigation; transmission of a microwave signal into the object under investigation by the microwave transmitter; scattering of the microwave signal by the object under investigation and by the contrast medium; and/or reception of the scattered microwave signal by the microwave receiver.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging typically has excellent spatial resolution, but relatively poor temporal resolution. In contrast, positron emission tomography (PET) typically has excellent temporal resolution, but poor spatial resolution relative to MR. Resultantly, it is advantageous to use combined PET-MR imaging sequences to create hybrid or enhanced images that reap the benefits of both modalities. A contrast agent (80) that includes both a PET tracer (82) and MR contrast enhancement (86) can be used in such a combined modality setting. The contrast agent (80) also includes a targeting system (84) that allows the contrast agent (80) to pool in a region of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying the location of a medical device within a patient's body may be used to localize the fossa ovalis for trans-septal procedures. The systems and methods measure light reflected by tissues encountered by an optical array. An optical array detects characteristic wavelengths of tissues that are different distances from the optical array. The reflectance of different wavelengths of light at different distances from an optical array may be used to identify the types of tissue encountered, including oxygenated blood in the left atrium as detected from the right atrium through the fossa ovalis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing bone structures are provided for characterizing bone structures. In the system and method, one or more 1H NMR or MRI signals associated with a bone structure are obtained. Thereafter one or more signal parameters are computed from the obtained signals, where each of the signal parameters comprising at least one of a relaxation rate constant or a corresponding signal amplitude associated with a component of the obtained signals defined by a T2 value or a range of T2 values. Finally, the mechanical properties or fracture risk for the bone structure are determined based on the computed signal parameters and stored correlation data.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic shock-wave therapy apparatus comprising a variable voltage source and a controller that controls the voltage source for accurate adjustment of the shock wave pressure. The invention, in various embodiments, also includes various methods, optionally closed loop as well as open loop based, for determining the shock pressure while compensating for burnout and or erosion that normally suppress the pressure after some thousands of sparks. This way the effective lifetime of the electrodes is dramatically extended. The control is further used for significantly increasing the effective therapeutic area of the apparatus by adjusting the shock pressure value close to the maximal safe value.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may employ optical sensing techniques for determining a distance between the inserted tube and an anatomical structure, such as a carina. The distance information may provide an indication as to whether or not the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea. The optical techniques may include backscattered intensity measurements.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may employ optical sensing techniques for determining an orientation of the inserted tube in a subject. The orientation information may provide an indication as to whether or not the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea. The optical techniques may include interferometry.

Abstract: A distal tip assembly for an elongate medical device having an axis comprises a shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a wall, and a central lumen extending axially between said proximal end portion and said distal end portion. The distal tip assembly further comprises a position sensor disposed in an outer sleeve such that the sensor can shift relative to the sleeve. The sleeve is disposed at least in part in the wall and is substantially fixed thereto.

Abstract: In a radiographic image capturing apparatus, an object to be examined is compressed and secured between a compression plate and an image capturing base, at a position off-center from a central position of the image capturing base near a subject in a direction along the subject. An opening is defined in the compression plate so as to confront the object to be examined in the off-center position. The radiation source irradiates the object to be examined as well as the opening with radiation from a central angle of the radiation source, which is aligned with a vertical axis of the image capturing base, and which passes through the central position from a predetermined angle that is angularly spaced from the central angle about the central position.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may employ optical sensing techniques for determining a distance between the inserted tube and an anatomical structure, such as a carina. The distance information may provide an indication as to whether or not the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea. The optical techniques may include time of flight techniques.

Abstract: A system and method for treating tissue uses an ultrasound therapy system including an ultrasonic applicator having has at least one transducer element. Steering and focusing of ultrasound beams uses at least one variable focus lens, which may be a fluid focus lens, attached to each transducer element so that focus of the variable focus lens is controlled by a voltage signal. A treatment controller receives input from an imager and controls the voltage applied to the variable focus lens. The treatment controller controls the lens voltage signals, at least partially determined by the input from the imager, and directs an ultrasonic treatment beam emitted by the transducer element. Fine adjustment of the therapy beam is achieved to deliver therapy for various prostate sizes and shapes while avoiding damage to critical structures such as the rectal wall and nerve bundles.

Abstract: In a method for acquiring magnetic resonance signals from a first shoulder or an opposite second shoulder of a patient, a shoulder coil anterior part and a shoulder coil posterior part are provided. A base plate is engageable with a moveable support element connecting the shoulder coil posterior part to the base plate to permit lateral movement and 90 degree rotation of the shoulder coil posterior part. With the base plate beneath the patient, the shoulder coil posterior part is placed below the first shoulder and the shoulder coil anterior part is placed above the first shoulder to permit acquisition of magnetic resonance measurements. To acquire signals from the opposite second shoulder, the shoulder coil posterior part is moved across the base plate to be positioned beneath the second shoulder and is rotated by 90 degrees. The shoulder coil anterior part is placed above the rotated shoulder coil posterior part.

Abstract: In a method for detecting rotational orientation and position tracking of an inductively coupled RF (ICRF) coil using a transmit array system, a conventional body birdcage coil is used, but the quadrature hybrid is eliminated to use the two excitation-channels separately. The transmit array system provides RF excitations such that the body birdcage coil creates linearly polarized and circulating RF pulses instead of a conventional rotational forward polarized excitation. Inductively coupled RF (ICRF) coils can be constructed on catheters for detecting rotational orientation and tracking purposes. The modifications on anatomy and ICRF coil images are different due to the RF excitation scheme such that the ICRF coil can be separated from the anatomy in real-time. After separating the ICRF coil from the anatomy, a color-coded image can be reconstructed, for example.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance system and operating method, a series with a predetermined number of flip angles is established, that begins with a first flip angle that is smaller than the last flip angle of the series, and an arbitrary flip angle is greater than or equal to the preceding flip angle in the series. Respective predetermined regions of k-space are acquired that form first and second magnetic resonance data. Using a gradient echo sequence, each region is acquired during time interval as a series of components respectively with different flip angles in the series of flip angles. Each of the angiography magnetic resonance images has a flip angle range assigned thereto, and is formed by combining respective regions of k-space filled with components of the first and second magnetic resonance data that were acquired in that range.