Abstract: A method differentiates a blood vessel from a nonvascular tissue during a minimally invasive surgery using a device. A device may be any penetration sensor device, such as a dilator sensor device, a hollow needle sensor device, or a trocar sensor device, which penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The penetration sensor device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the penetration sensor device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.

Abstract: A device for generating composite images of dynamically changing surgical anatomy includes circuitry configured to receive, from an endoscopic imaging device, endoscopic image data. The circuitry is configured to receive, from a tomographic imaging device, intra-operative tomographic image data. The circuitry is configured to receive, from a tracking device, spatial tracking data corresponding to the endoscopic imaging device and the tomographic imaging device. The circuitry is configured to generate real-time dynamically changing composite image data by overlaying, based on the spatial tracking data, the intra-operative tomographic image data on the endoscopic image data. The circuitry is configured to output the composite image data to a display.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring muscle sarcomere length are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method comprises illuminating a set of muscle fibers with electromagnetic radiation, measuring an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation as reflected from the muscle fibers, the measuring occurring as a function of wavelength, determining wavelengths corresponding to maximums of reflected intensity, and correlating the determined wavelengths with respective muscle sarcomere lengths. In an embodiment, a system comprises an illumination source system for illuminating the set of muscle fibers with electromagnetic radiation, and an analyzer for measuring the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation as reflected from the muscle fibers.

Abstract: In a method of treating a patient having diffuse plaque and/or a plaque mass associated with Peyronie's disease in a penile region, a battery of tests is performed to quantify an initial state of parameters associated with Peyronie's disease in the patient. Low intensity shock wave therapy is applied to the plaque mass in the penile region, thereby softening the plaque mass and disrupting any calcification in the plaque mass. Carbon dioxide is injected into the plaque mass. The battery of tests is repeated to quantify a current state of parameters associated with Peyronie's disease in the patient and the current state is compared to the initial state. The aforementioned treatment steps are repeated until the current state differs from the initial state by at least a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A magnetoencephalography (MEG) measuring apparatus and an MEG measuring method. The MEG measuring apparatus includes a superconducting helmet having an inward brim, a sensor-equipped helmet disposed inside the superconducting helmet, a pick-up coil disposed inside the sensor-equipped helmet, and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) sensor mounted on the sensor-equipped helmet and connected to the pick-up coil.

Abstract: In a method for computing MR images of an examination object that performs a cyclic movement, MR signals are detected over at least two cycles of the cyclic movement. In each of these cycles, data for multiple MR images are recorded. Over these cycles, a magnetization of the examination object that influences the MR images approaches a state of equilibrium in a second of these cycles is closer to the state of equilibrium than in a first of these cycles. Movement information for various movement phases of the cyclic movement of the examination object is determined using the MR images from the second cycle, with movement information of the examination object determined for each of the various movement phases. Movement correction of the examination object is carried out in the MR images of the first cycle using the movement information determined in the second cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for measuring tissue deformation during an invasive medical procedure. A device is provided comprising a flexible fiber having a proximal end and a distal end; at least one sensor embedded in the flexible fiber; a rigid mount having a transverse opening for the flexible fiber; a mechanism for inserting the flexible fiber into a tissue; a detector for receiving information from the sensor; and a tracking system for receiving information from the detector to calculate the sensor location.

Abstract: A method of imaging living tissue is provided. The method includes introducing a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer into living tissue; and obtaining an image of the living tissue by photoacoustic imaging. Use of a photoacoustic contrast agent comprising or consisting of a photosensitizer in photoacoustic imaging is also provided.

Abstract: Provided according to embodiments of the invention are photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, systems and accessories, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments of the invention, the PPG sensors include a clip body that includes a first end portion and a second end portion; a flex circuit attached or adjacent to the clip body, and an elastomeric sleeve that envelops (1) at least part of the first end portion and at least part of the flex circuit attached or adjacent thereto; or (2) at least part of the second end portion and at least part of the flex circuit attached or adjacent thereto.

Abstract: Methods for screening for therapies against autism spectrum disorders and methods for determining whether a subject would be responsive to a therapy against an autism spectrum disorder are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a human patient includes emitting ultrasound energy from an ultrasound transducer positioned remotely from target tissue of the patient. The ultrasound transducer is positioned at a desired location relative to the patient and target tissue using location and imaging techniques. The method further includes focusing the ultrasound energy such that one or more focal points are directed to the target tissue of the patient and ablating the target tissue at each focal point. The target tissue is ablated via the focused ultrasound energy without ablating non-target tissue through which the ultrasound energy passes between the ultrasound transducer and the one or more focal points.

Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for performing mammography, such as utilizing tomosynthesis in combination with breast biopsy.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a muscle abnormality. The method may include acquiring image data associated with a plurality of muscles in an area of interest of a living subject and generating a data model for the plurality of muscles based on the image data. The method further includes calculating the volume and/or length of one of the plurality of muscles based on the data model, and determining if the volume and/or length for the muscle, as calculated, deviates from volume and/or length associated with a healthy muscle. If it is determined that the volume and/or length for the muscle deviates from the volume and/or length associated with a healthy muscle, a muscle abnormality can be identified based on the deviation.

Abstract: A method of computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging includes: obtaining perfusion data by using a CT device to scan a present perfusion subject; performing calculations of the perfusion data by using two perfusion calculation methods to obtain perfusion parameters of each of said two perfusion calculation methods as initial perfusion parameters of each of said two perfusion calculation methods; performing calculations by using the initial perfusion parameters based on weights of said two perfusion calculation methods to obtain target perfusion parameters; and forming a target perfusion image of the present perfusion subject according to the target perfusion parameters.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is operated to acquire an ultrasound image of a region of the body containing suspect anatomy such as a suspected lesion. A body marker template of the region of the body is displayed on a touchscreen display of the imaging system. The operator records the location of the suspect anatomy by touching a corresponding point on the body marker template displayed on the touchscreen display. The mark on the template can be finely adjusted by one or more controls on the imaging system control panel. The body marker template can also record a graphic indicating the orientation of the ultrasound probe relative to the body when the suspect anatomy was imaged. A report generator produces a report containing both the ultrasound image of the suspect anatomy and the body marker template with the indicated location of the suspect anatomy.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a motion correction for PET data acquired by a PET system from a volume segment of an examination object. The method includes acquisition of MR data within the volume segment by the magnetic resonance system; and determination of a motion model of a motion within the volume segment as a function of the MR data. The motion model, as a function of a respective motion state of the motion, provides a correction specification for PET data which is acquired during this motion state. During acquisition of the MR data, specific MR data is acquired in the center of the k-space or of a straight-line segment which passes through the center of the k-space. The MR data determined is converted by a mathematical function into one value, as a function of which the respective motion state is determined.

Abstract: A sensing catheter having an outer flexible sheath and a distal section containing a sensing system having a sensing means, a radiant energy providing means and radiation transmitting means, preferably all housed within a fluid channel.

Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a radiation source (108) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region and imageable drug eluting beads in tissue of interest located therein, a spectral detector array (110) detects radiation traversing the examination region and generates a signal indicative thereof, spectral processing circuitry (117) that spectrally resolves the signal based on a plurality of thresholds (122), and a reconstructor (128) that generates spectral volumetric image data corresponding the imageable drug eluting beads based on the spectrally resolved signal.

Abstract: An intravascular measurement system is provided. The system includes a catheter having a plurality of visible markers on a proximal portion that are proportional to a plurality of radiopaque markers on a distal portion. In at least one aspect, the system includes an imaging device adjacent the distal end.

Abstract: An apparatus (300, 400, 500) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (302), the magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: a magnet (306) adapted for generating a magnetic field for orientating the magnetic spins of nuclei of a subject (310) located within an imaging volume (308); a radio frequency transceiver (320) adapted for acquiring magnetic resonance data (346) using a radio frequency coil (318); a computer system (336) comprising a processor (338), wherein the computer system is adapted for controlling the apparatus; and a memory (342, 344) containing machine readable instructions (354, 356, 358, 360, 362), wherein execution of the instructions cause the processor to perform the steps of: acquiring (100, 204) magnetic resonance data using the magnetic resonance imaging system, wherein the magnetic resonance data comprises transverse relaxometry data, and calculating (102, 206) the temperature of the subject within a temperature measurement volume (332) in accordance with the transverse relaxo