Abstract: An input function indicative of a time-activity curve in pulmonary arterial plasma is produced from a series of PET image frames in lieu of manual blood sampling. Two manually acquired blood samples are input along with pixel values of a blood pool region of interest (ROI) in the PET image frames into a two-parameter model of the ROI's time-activity curve. In an iterative process the model converges to accurately indicate the amount of 18F-FDG tracer in the arterial blood. Pulmonary uptake of the tracer is assessed with the PET image frames and the calculated input function.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for displaying a hollow space in an object under investigation, wherein the hollow space has an access point and a target point for a surgical instrument which can be introduced at least partially into the hollow space, and wherein a three dimensional image data set of a section of the hollow space having the access point and/or the target point is determined and spatially displayed. By highlighting the access point and/or the target point in the spatial display of the hollow space section it is possible to make a method available which provides the surgical staff with improved guidance in the object under investigation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound catheter comprising a device arranged in the area of the catheter tip for ultra-sound image recording, with at least one lumen routed into the area of the catheter tip open at this end and ending adjacent to the ultrasound image recording device for issuing an ultrasound contrast means being provided.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object. More specifically, an imaging system enabling depth sectioned fluorescence imaging in a turbid medium, such as human or animal tissue, to substantially minimize the excitation radiation from reaching the detection beam path. The imaging system includes an arrangement of the excitation radiation source wherein the optical axis of the source is inclined relative to the optical axis of the camera, the optical plane of the source and the optical plane of the object are subject to a Scheimpflug condition, and the angle of inclination of the source is selected such that the excitation radiation incident upon the object is reflected to minimize excitation radiation from reaching the detection beam path.

Abstract: An ultrasound machine is configured for developing new modes for obtaining images or other useful information from ultrasound signals. The machine has a data processor configured to control a transmit circuit to generate ultrasound signals. Echo signals are received and digitized to yield RF data that is stored in a memory accessible to the data processor. A user can operate design mode application software to change the manner in which the RF data is processed to yield images or other useful information. New modes can be developed rapidly. The data processor may comprise a conventional personal computer equipped with suitable interfaces. An ultrasound machine may include and use a floating point processor for processing ultrasound signals.

Abstract: A medical device may include a micro-machined substrate, at least one thermo-electric assembly associated with the substrate, and a cooling system configured to configured to remove heat from the a region of the substrate proximal the substrate. According to various aspects, a method of clearing plaque from a blood vessel may include implanting a micro-device in the blood vessel, wherein the micro-device may include at least one ultrasonic transducer, and operably controlling the micro-device to emit high frequency ultrasonic waves for breaking up said plaque.

Abstract: A multi-mode medical device system and method of performing an interventional procedure. The multi-mode medical device system can be capable of MR internal imaging and of being tracked using an MRI system. The multi-mode medical device system can include a medical device, and an electrical circuit coupled to the medical device and electrically coupled to the MRI system. The electrical circuit can include a tracking device configured to transmit a signal to the MRI system indicative of the position of the tracking device relative to a roadmap image, and an imaging device electrically coupled to the tracking device and configured to internally image anatomical structures from the point of view of the medical device. The imaging device can be further configured to be visualized using MR imaging. Tracking the tracking device and internally imaging with the imaging device can be performed in a single pass of the multi-mode medical device system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for real-time tracking of a target in a human body. In one embodiment of the invention, positron emission marker may be implanted into a target, the positron emission marker having a low activity positron isotope. In one embodiment, annihilation gamma rays associated with the low activity positron isotope may be detected using a plurality of position-sensitive detectors. In another embodiment, the target may be tracked in real-time based on a position of the positron emission marker.

Abstract: In a method for diagnosing functional lung illnesses, image exposures of the lungs are obtained at various phase points in time of the respiration of a subject, such as at maximum inhalation and maximum expiration, and the image exposures are segmented and at least two of the image exposures are compared on a segment-by-segment basis to identify a change in tissue density between the compared segments, as an indicator of lung functioning.

Abstract: A novel MRI contrast technique enables to observe tissue properties not observable by previously known MRI methods. A difference between two disclosed pulse sequences is used to measure magnetization exchange time between water molecules and macromolecules such as proteins, thereby producing a measure highly sensitive to tissue changes resulting from coagulation, yet relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuations. This result is applied to an imaging method and provides direct visualization of the effects of surgical thermal ablation procedures.

Abstract: A system and methods for providing an access to a cochlea of a living subject. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises the steps of operating a surgical instrument towards a region of interest of the living subject for opening an access to the cochlea of the living subject from the lateral edge of the skull of the living subject to the cochlea of the living subject, and intra-operatively monitoring at least a part of the surgical instrument so that the surgical instrument is operated substantially along a predetermined path.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes a transducer which is pivotally mounted inside a fluid chamber for scanning a region outside the probe as the transducer is oscillated. A volume compensation balloon is attached to the fluid chamber and is partially filled with acoustic fluid at nominal (room) temperatures. The balloon is made of a high performance thermoplastic which enables the balloon to have a very thin wall. The thin wall is highly compliant as the volume of the fluid inside the balloon changes, and remains so at low temperatures of transport and use. The thin wall exhibits a low permeability to the acoustic fluid. The balloon is formed of a non elastic material and exhibits good thermal stability and high burst strength.

Abstract: An ultrasonograph comprising a probe (10) for transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave to/from a subject, a transmitting section (12) for supplying a drive signal to the probe (10), a receiving section (12) for receiving a reflection echo signal outputted from the probe (10), image constructing sections (17, 19, 21) for reconstructing a diagnosis image from the received reflection echo signal, a displaying section (25) for displaying the reconstructed diagnosis image, and a control section for controlling the other sections, wherein the rise of temperature of the probe (10) is suppressed by adequately judging whether the probe (10) is left in the air or not. The ultrasonograph further comprises a judging section (22) for judging from diagnosis image information whether or not the probe (10) is left in the air.

Abstract: A method and system are described for generating a signal indicative of an intravascular image received at least partly via a light transducer and invoking circuitry for passing the generated signal out of a subject's body.

Abstract: Fixtures for immobilizing a patient during magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: In vivio deep brain medical probe systems include: (a) an NMRI compatible cannula comprising a plurality of concentric axially extending tubes with a receiving bore; and (b) an elongate antenna member with a conductor and an insulating layer configured to slidably advance through cannula bore to define an MRI receive antenna.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object, including: a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state; a removable phosphor plate assembly adapted to respond to ionizing radiation by emitting visible light; first imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image; second imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode, different from the first imaging mode, to capture a second image; and third imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a third imaging mode, different from the first and second imaging modes, to capture a third image, wherein the first imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and is selected from the group: x-ray mode and low energy radio isotope mode; the second imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and a high energy radio isotope mode, and the third imaging mode is selected from the group: bright-field mode, fluorescence mode and luminescence mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a subject animal. The method comprises the steps of treating the animal with an x-ray contrast agent and an imaging agent; supporting the animal in an immobilized state on a support member; acquiring an x-ray anatomical image of the animal; acquiring an optical, dark-field image of the animal; and registering the x-ray anatomical image and the optical image, whereby features of the optical image can be observed in relation to features of the anatomical image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes plural ultrasonic transducers, a catheter signal detection unit and a position detection unit. The plural ultrasonic transducers are arrayed two-dimensionally for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an object. The catheter signal detection unit is configured to acquire a reception signal of a frequency modulated continuous wave from reception signals from at least three of the plural ultrasonic transducers. The frequency modulated continuous wave is transmitted from a catheter inserted in the object. The position detection unit is configured to detect a position of the catheter based on the acquired reception signal of the frequency modulated continuous wave.

Abstract: There are provided a function image display method and device capable of performing analysis of biological function information by acquiring from a single image, information obtained from a tomogram and information obtained from a plurality of function images without need of observing the plurality of function images and the tomogram by successively moving the eye line, and easily making judgment about the danger degree of the biological function abnormality. A plurality of function images each displayed by a unique and arbitrary gradation color scale are combined with an arbitrary weight or an image obtained by calculating the inter-function images is displayed or these are combined with the tomogram with an arbitrary weight. Furthermore, an operator can arbitrarily set and modify the range to which weight is applied, the range for displaying the gradation color scale, and the range to be combined.