Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound imaging method and apparatus suitable for minimally invasive ultrasound diagnostic devices in cardiac ablation monitoring and in tumor ablation monitoring. The present invention proposes an assembly of forward and side-facing transducers and a system of embedded forward and side-facing transducers in apertures on surfaces of the assembly. This provides control of the acoustic properties of the transducer and improved ablation monitoring when the assembly is incorporated in a medical device. FIG.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound imaging method and apparatus suitable for minimally invasive ultrasound diagnostic devices in cardiac ablation monitoring and in tumor ablation monitoring. The present invention proposes an assembly of forward and side-facing transducers and a system of embedded forward and side-facing transducers in apertures on surfaces of the assembly. This provides control of the acoustic properties of the transducer and improved ablation monitoring when the assembly is incorporated in a medical device.

Abstract: The presence of the pull wire ring in the distal end portion leads to limited functionality of the distal end of a steerable medical device. A steerable medical device (1) includes a pull wire ring (100a-e) for imparting a bending movement on the steerable medical device. By providing the pull wire ring (100a-e) with an eccentric recess (105a-f) which defines a passage between a first end face (101) and a second end face (105) of the ring, it becomes possible to guide ancillary elements such as electrical lines, data cables and fiber optics past the pull wire ring (100a-e) further towards the distal end of the steerable medical device. By this measure, functionality of the distal end of the medical device is enhanced without obstructing a main lumen of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interventional apparatus comprising an interventional device with a handle (6). The handle comprises a) a first guide (20, 51) guiding an optical fiber, which is also guided within the interventional device, from a first proximal opening (14) of the handle to a distal portion (21) of the handle, wherein the first guide only has radii of curvature being larger than 10 mm, and b) a second guide (22) for guiding an elongated interventional instrument from a second proximal opening (13) of the handle to the distal portion of the handle. Since the first guide is relatively straight, the optical fiber is substantially not bent or only slightly bent and the likelihood that the interventional instrument and the optical fiber press against each other can be significantly reduced. This allows for an improved accuracy of determining the position of the interventional device by optical shape sensing.

Abstract: A biopsy device for taking a 3D biopsy may comprise an outer sleeve, a hollow main shaft, a biopsy tube and a tube shaft. The hollow main shaft may have a distal end portion with a sideward facing notch, and the main shaft may be adapted to be accommodated within the outer sleeve. The biopsy tube may be provided for receiving cut and thus isolated tissue. A proximal end of the biopsy tube may be releasably attachable to a distal end of the tube shaft so that the biopsy tube is movable together with the tube shaft within the hollow main shaft between a proximal position in which the biopsy tube is not located in the notch, and a distal position in which the biopsy tube is located in the notch.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interventional device (10) including a plurality of signal assemblies, a method of assembling such interventional device (10), an assembling system for such interventional device (10) and a corresponding software product. In order to provide a number of signal assemblies including, for example, ultrasound transducers (40) in an interventional device (10) with a reduced risk of thrombi formation or similar complications a desired flush and smooth surface of a casing (15) of the interventional device (10) is achieved if the signal assemblies are inserted in such a manner that they are urged into their respective positions from inside the casing (15) after such insertion.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound imaging method and apparatus suitable for minimally invasive ultrasound diagnostic devices in cardiac ablation monitoring and in tumor ablation monitoring. The present invention proposes to manufacture a transducers assembly and system on a patterned flexible foil by embedding transducers patches in apertures on the foil surface. This provides great control of the acoustic properties of the transducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound imaging method and apparatus suitable for minimally invasive ultrasound diagnostic devices in cardiac ablation monitoring and in tumor ablation monitoring. The present invention proposes an assembly of forward and side-facing transducers and a system of embedded forward and side-facing transducers in apertures on surfaces of the assembly. This provides control of the acoustic properties of the transducer and improved ablation monitoring when the assembly is incorporated in a medical device.

Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of limited functionality of the distal end of a steerable medical device due to the presence of the pull wire ring in the distal end portion. It relates to a steerable medical device (1) comprising a pull wire ring (100a-e) for imparting a bending movement on the steerable medical device. By providing the pull wire ring (100a-e) with an eccentric recess (105a-f) which defines a passage between a first end face (101) and a second end face (105) of the ring, it becomes possible to guide ancillary elements such as electrical lines, data cables and fiber optics past the pull wire ring (100a-e) further towards the distal end of the steerable medical device. By this measure, functionality of the distal end of the medical device is enhanced without obstructing a main lumen of the device.

Abstract: A biopsy device for taking a 3D biopsy may comprise an outer sleeve, a hollow main shaft, a biopsy tube and a tube shaft. The hollow main shaft may have a distal end portion with a sideward facing notch, and the main shaft may be adapted to be accommodated within the outer sleeve. The biopsy tube may be provided for receiving cut and thus isolated tissue. A proximal end of the biopsy tube may be releasably attachable to a distal end of the tube shaft so that the biopsy tube is movable together with the tube shaft within the hollow main shaft between a proximal position in which the biopsy tube is not located in the notch, and a distal position in which the biopsy tube is located in the notch.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interventional apparatus comprising an interventional device with a handle (6). The handle comprises a) a first guide (20, 51) guiding an optical fiber, which is also guided within the interventional device, from a first proximal opening (14) of the handle to a distal portion (21) of the handle, wherein the first guide only has radii of curvature being larger than 10 mm, and b) a second guide (22) for guiding an elongated interventional instrument from a second proximal opening (13) of the handle to the distal portion of the handle. Since the first guide is relatively straight, the optical fiber is substantially not bent or only slightly bent and the likelihood that the interventional instrument and the optical fiber press against each other can be significantly reduced. This allows for an improved accuracy of determining the position of the interventional device by optical shape sensing.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for fixation of an optical fiber (OSF) with optical shape sensing properties arranged for Optical Shape Sensing. A fixing element preferably with a circular cross section serves to engage with the optical fiber (OSF), and together with an additional fixing arrangement with a straight longitudinal portion arranged for engaging with the associated optical fiber (OSF), a fixation of a section of the optical fiber (OSF) is provided with the optical fiber (OSF) in a straight position. In some embodiments, the clamp mechanism can be implemented by three straight rods (R1, R2, R3) with circular cross section, e.g. with the same diameter being a factor of such as 6.46 times a diameter of the optical fiber (OSF). Hereby an effective fixation and straightening of the optical fiber (OSF) without disturbing strain can be obtained with a clamp mechanism which is easy to assemble and disassemble in practical applications e.g.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for fixation of an optical fiber (OSF) with optical shape sensing properties arranged for Optical Shape Sensing. A fixing element preferably with a circular cross section serves to engage with the optical fiber (OSF), and together with an additional fixing arrangement with a straight longitudinal portion arranged for engaging with the associated optical fiber (OSF), a fixation of a section of the optical fiber (OSF) is provided with the optical fiber (OSF) in a straight position. In some embodiments, the clamp mechanism can be implemented by three straight rods (R1, R2, R3) with circular cross section, e.g. with the same diameter being a factor of such as 6.46 times a diameter of the optical fiber (OSF). Hereby an effective fixation and straightening of the optical fiber (OSF) without disturbing strain can be obtained with a clamp mechanism which is easy to assemble and disassemble in practical applications e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interventional device (10) including a plurality of signal assemblies, a method of assembling such interventional device (10), an assembling system for such interventional device (10) and a corresponding software product. In order to provide a number of signal assemblies including, for example, ultrasound transducers (40) in an interventional device (10) with a reduced risk of thrombi formation or similar complications a desired flush and smooth surface of a casing (15) of the interventional device (10) is achieved if the signal assemblies are inserted in such a manner that they are urged into their respective positions from inside the casing (15) after such insertion.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound imaging method and apparatus suitable for minimally invasive ultrasound diagnostic devices in cardiac ablation monitoring and in tumor ablation monitoring. The present invention proposes to manufacture a transducers assembly and system on a patterned flexible foil by embedding transducers patches in apertures on the foil surface. This provides great control of the acoustic properties of the transducer.

Abstract: Biopsy needles equipped with fibres (20) allow tissue inspection to diagnoses. In order to allow detailed inspection side looking fibres should also be integrated around the needle. These fibres might be embedded in a transparent medium (18) to avoid direct contact of the sharp edges of the fibre to the tissue. A biopsy needle having such embedded fibres as well as a method for manufacturing said biopsy needle, based on curable transparent liquid, is provided by the invention.

Abstract: Assembly (1) and optical player comprising such an assembly. The assembly is provided with a component (4) provided with a sensitive element (6), which component (4) is connected to a base (3). The base (3) comprises an elongated support surface (5) supporting the component (4), such that the component (4) is connected to said support surface (5) only by a side without said sensitive element. The sensitive element is, for example, a mirror.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens system (39) which is suitable for use in an optical scanning device (15) for reading and/or writing an optically scannable record carrier (9). The lens system comprises a first lens or objective lens (45) and a second lens or auxiliary lens (47) which is small in comparison with the first lens and which, in operation, is positioned between the first lens and the record carrier. The lenses are arranged in a lens holder (61). According to the invention, the lens holder (61) and one of the two lenses (45, 47) are manufactured as one integrated part (63) from a transparent synthetic material by means of a moulding process, and the other lens is arranged in the integrated part as a separate component, with a chamber (85) enclosed by the lens holder and the two lenses communicating with the environment of the lens system via an air vent connection (93). The lens system thus comprises only two parts to be assembled, so that the assembling process is considerably simplified.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens system (39) which is suitable for use in an optical scanning device (15) for reading and/or writing an optically scannable record carrier (9). The lens system comprises a first lens or objective lens (45) and a second lens or auxiliary lens (47) which is small in comparison with the first lens and which, in operation, is positioned between the first lens and the record carrier. The lenses are arranged in a lens holder (61).