Abstract: A treatment device comprising a cavity to receive body tissue, the cavity comprising a side wall, a closed end wall and an opening to admit tissue, and at least four ultrasonic transducers disposed to transmit ultrasound into the cavity.

Abstract: An image-guided system and method for performing needle biopsy on a moving lung nodule of a body is provided. CT images of the lung nodule are obtained to generate a motion model, based on which an optimal needle advancing path is determined. The motion of the lung nodule and the motion of a fiducial marker attached to the body are correlated. The motion of the fiducial marker is tracked and monitored by a camera to determine a position of the lung nodule based on the correlation. A time for advancing the needle is determined based on a motion attribute of the reference. The needle is advanced by a robotic needle manipulator at the predetermined time along the path to accomplish the needle placement.

Abstract: A method of optimizing scan parameters for LGE-MRI. At least one cardiac MRI TI scout scan is performed by applying an inversion pulse every predetermined heartbeat of a patient. An initial value of an inversion time TIinitial is determined by assessing a set of images generated from the scout scan. A first multiple of a duration between successive indicia of ventricular depolarization is selected, and a relaxation time T1 is determined based on the initial value Tinitial and the first multiple of duration. An optimized inversion time TIoptimal for LGE-MRI is determined based on the relaxation time T1 and a second multiple of a duration between successive indicia of ventricular depolarization. A correction factor is determined based on the optimized inversion time TIoptimal from the initial value of the inversion time TIinitial.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes one or more connector terminals, which are connected to wiring extending from the connector and are coupled to interconnect with corresponding connector terminals in a mating connector. An active shielding circuit is mounted adjacent to the connector terminals and is configured to sense a first magnetic field in a vicinity of the electrical connector and to generate, based on the sensed magnetic field, a second magnetic field that reduces interference induced in the wiring and the connector terminals by the first magnetic field.

Abstract: A device including a focused ultrasound probe, a first balloon, and a second balloon. The first balloon can be located at least partially inside the second balloon. The inner balloon can be configured to act as a fluid interface, a mechanism for cooling, and a mechanism for changing tissue depth of a focal point of the probe. The second balloon can be filed with a thermosensitive hydrogel configured to turn from a fluid at room temperature to a gel at physiologic temperatures. The first and second balloons can be configured to create a fluid interface between the probe and targeted tissue of a patient.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a medical device to be localized, comprising: a) acquiring main position data comprising reference structure position information which describes the position of a reference structure in a global coordinate system, the main position data having been gathered by a main detection device; b) acquiring supplement position data comprising relative position information which describes the position of the medical device relative to the position of the reference structure in a reference coordinate system, the supplement position data having been gathered by a supplement detection device; c) determining, based on the relative position information and the reference structure position information, medical device position data comprising medical device position information which describes the position of the medical device in the global coordinate system.

Abstract: A method for tracking movement of a movable portion of an interventional device disposed within a natural or artificial body opening is provided. In particular, image data of fiducials is acquired and therefrom an initial position of an interventional device movable portion with respect to a given coordinate system is determined. Next, real time position data from the encoders is acquired as the movable portion is moved from the initial position, and a displaced position from the initial position is determined. From this acquired information, a position of the movable portion in the coordinate system is determined using both the initial position as determined from the image data and the real time displaced position as determined from the encoders.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a medical device is appropriate for implanting into a cardiovascular conduit of a patient is disclosed comprising imaging a first section of the conduit of the patient into which the medical device is to be implanted during a first expanded state occurring at a first portion of a heart rhythm; reimaging the first section of the conduit of the patient during a first contracted state occurring at a second portion of the heart rhythm; deriving, from the imaging and the reimaging, dimensional characteristics of the first section of the conduit; and determining whether the medical device is appropriate for implantation in the first section of conduit based on the derived dimensional characteristics. The first section of the conduit includes a sizing device providing a selected radial force on the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring or verifying the position of a medical implant located in an anatomical body part(s) and/or structure(s) relative to the body part(s) and/or structure(s) or specific points, landmarks or planes of the same, wherein a device is provided which has an at least partially known or previously determined geometry or at least partially known dimensions and is connected to the medical implant; positional or landmark information regarding the anatomical body part(s) and/or structure(s) is acquired; the position of the medical implant is calculated using a navigation system and a reference structure which is or can be connected to the device; and the calculated position of the medical implant is related to or compared with the acquired positional or landmark information regarding the anatomical body part(s) and/or structure(s) in order to measure or verify the position of the medical implant within or relative to the anatomical body part(s) and/or structure(s).

Abstract: Method and system fiducials contained in removable a device for use in guided radiation therapy treatment. One embodiment includes an active marker configured to be pre-loaded into a catheter for removeably implanting in the tissue of a patient. Another embodiment of the implantable device includes a stability element coupled to the marker and further coupled to an explant line. In some embodiments, the stability element is configured to hold the marker at a fixed location within the catheter (e.g., known location) with respect to a target in the tissue. In other embodiments, the explant line has a first portion coupled to the marker and/or the stability element and a second portion configured to be at least proximate to the dermis of the patient.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rectal coil for magnetic resonance tomography, with a coil for transmitting and/or receiving magnetic resonance tomography electromagnetic signals, an inflatable balloon for securing or positioning the coil in the intestine and a shaft by means of which the coil and balloon are connected and which is used to introduce the rectal coil into the rectum, the coil being attached outside the balloon.

Abstract: A system provides guidance information for guiding sequencing and acquisition of medical images of objects by obtaining first imaging configuration information of a first object and second imaging configuration information of a second object. The system classifies the first imaging configuration information into, changing information indicating a difference between the first and second imaging configuration and unchanging information indicating no difference between the first and second imaging configuration, by comparing the first imaging configuration information and the second imaging configuration information. The system outputs the changing information as guide information for imaging the second object.

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 (104, 106) 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 (120 a, 120 b) 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 (120 c) 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: 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: An optical device is described that may be used as a microscope system for real-time, three-dimensional optical imaging. The device includes a miniature, fiber optic, intra-vital probe microscope that uses a dual-axes confocal architecture to allow for vertical scanning perpendicular to a surface of the sample (e.g., a tissue surface). The optical device can use off-axis illumination and collection of light to achieve sub-cellular resolution with deep tissue penetration. The optical device may be used as part of an integrated molecular imaging strategy using fluorescence-labeled peptides to detect cell surface targets that are up-regulated by the epithelium and/or endothelium of colon and breast tumors in small animal models of cancer.

Abstract: A device may include a three-dimensional image sensor configured to scan an area including a closed or partially closed container, an output display, and a controller. The controller may be configured to: recognize an instrument that is detected by the three-dimensional image sensor, where a first section of the instrument is located inside of the container and a second section of the instrument is located outside of the container, and represent, on the output display, three-dimensional positions and orientations of the instrument, where a first position and a first orientation of the first section of the instrument is inferred from a second position and a second orientation of the second section of the instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for monitoring a position of a distal end of a tube with respect to a blood vessel of a mammal. The system comprises a source for generating an outgoing beam of electromagnetic radiation having a predefined electromagnetic spectrum. The system furthermore comprises a guideway for guiding the outgoing beam to the distal end, and for guiding an incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation reflected by surroundings of the distal end in response to said outgoing beam to a measurement arrangement, which is arranged for measuring a parameter associated with an electromagnetic spectrum of the incoming beam. The system furthermore comprises a comparator arrangement for comparing said parameter with a reference parameter associated with a reference electromagnetic spectrum representing a predefined location of the distal end inside the mammal.

Abstract: Changes in electrical stimulation therapy delivered via a medical device are coordinated with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans. In one example, a medical device delivers electrical stimulation therapy to a patient in an MRI unit, where the medical device is configured to cycle electrical stimulation therapy between a plurality of stimulation states. An indication that the medical device will cycle the electrical stimulation therapy or has cycled the electrical stimulation therapy while the patient is in the MRI unit or being imaged by the MRI unit is generated, and an MRI scan of the patient via an MRI workstation is initiated based on the indication. In another example, a medical device detects activation of an MRI scan and automatically switches stimulation states based upon the detection of the MRI scan, such that the scan is associated with a particular stimulation state.

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

Abstract: A medical luminaire for photodynamic diagnosis. The medical luminaire including: a broad-band lamp for generating broad-band background light; a semiconductor lamp for generating short-wave excitation light, wherein the semiconductor lamp comprises a laser diode, the light from which is fed alternatively or additionally into a light path of the broad-band lamp, and a light fiber bundle for transporting the light, wherein the excitation light is transported in a partial bundle.