Abstract: A method of tracking the position and orientation of an ultrasound beam emitted from an ultrasound probe. The method includes the steps of storing a model of the visible object in a memory of an optical tracking system; calculating the position and orientation of the visible object; and calculating the position and orientation of the ultrasound beam by applying a known geometric relationship to the deduced position and orientation of the visible object.

Abstract: An ultrasonic puncture needle according to the present invention comprises a sheath for being inserted into a treatment tool insertion channel of an ultrasonic endoscope, and a needle tube for being inserted into tissue within the body cavity through the sheath, which includes multiple staggered-array doughnut-shaped recesses over a predetermined range on the surface of the tip portion of the needle tube from the portion near the tip thereof.

Abstract: An optical guide for a biopsy needle includes a light projector for producing a line image on a patient's skin surface, wherein the light projector is adapted for mounting on an ultrasound transducer such that the line image corresponds with an intersection of the transducer ultrasound plane with the skin surface.

Abstract: An instrument guide is described for mounting an invasive instrument such as a biopsy needle to an imaging probe, controlling its position, monitoring its position, and/or predictively displaying its position on a user display of the medical imaging system. A plurality of substantially rigid segments are hingeably connected to the probe, to an instrument handle, and to each other such that movement of the biopsy needle is restricted to within the imaged plane. However, substantial freedom of movement within the imaged plane is provided such that the instrument may be inserted into the patient over a wide range of angles. In one preferred embodiment, angle detectors are provided at each segment intersection and measurements provided for computing and displaying the instrument position and orientation on the user display. The instrument guide/position monitor is preferably made with low-cost components such that it is disposable after a single use.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system having an ultrasound transducer (10) which provides ultrasound images (33), a computer to process the ultrasound information and to render the ultrasound image (33) correctly positioned and scaled for display on a flat panel monitor (29) which has a display size similar to the actual physical size of the ultrasound image (33). A half silvered mirror (30) redirects the image (33) so that the user (32) perceives the image (33) as if it occupied the actual physical location of the structures (34, 35) appearing in the image (33). An illumination (22) unit projects onto a patient (13) a line of light (3) that is within the imaging plane (4) projected by the ultrasound transducer (10) into the patient (13). Alternatively a video camera may be used to display a guide line (15) that is coplanar with the imaging plane (4). A mechanical mount (16) combines the transducer (10), monitor (29), mirror (30), and source of illumination (22) or video camera in a correct geometrical alignment.

Abstract: A method is provided for delivering a drug to a selected tissue region within a patient's body with a catheter having a deployable puncturing element, a drug delivery element and an orientation element on a distal portion thereof. The distal portion of the catheter is percutaneously introduced into a blood vessel, and directed endovascularly to a vessel location adjacent to the selected tissue region. The puncturing element is oriented towards the selected tissue region, and deployed to access the selected tissue region. A drug is delivered with the drug delivery element to the selected tissue region.

Abstract: A hand-held ultrasound system includes integrated electronics within an ergonomic housing. The electronics includes control circuitry, beamforming and circuitry transducer drive circuitry. The electronics communicate with a host computer using an industry standard high speed serial bus. The ultrasonic imaging system is operable on a standard, commercially available, user computing device without specific hardware modifications, and is adapted to interface with an external application without modification to the ultrasonic imaging system to allow a user to gather ultrasonic data on a standard user computing device such as a PC, and employ the data so gathered via an independent external application without requiring a custom system, expensive hardware modifications, or system rebuilds.

Abstract: Featured is a device that provides a mechanism for imaging structure and/or tissue of a surgical site during and after performing a microsurgical procedure such as ophthalmic surgical procedures. Also featured are methods and systems related thereto. In the imaging method of the present invention using such a device includes positioning a high frequency ultrasonic signal transmitting and receiving apparatus imaging mechanism in close proximity to the area to be scanned/imaged (e.g., surgical site), so that the high frequency ultrasonic signal penetrates the tissue/structure of the surgical site being scanned. The reflected ultrasonic signals, are processed so as to yield high quality/high resolution images of the scanned tissue/structure. Further, the high resolution images are evaluated by the surgeon during the procedure to determine if the surgical approach should be adjusted.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for internal examination of human and other subjects employing special catheters and biopsy wires, in combination with sonographic or fluoroscopic transducers, to provide unprecedented accuracy, economy, and efficiency in internal examination, diagnosis, biopsy, and surgical removal of lesions, tumors, polyps, etc. from bodies. In one aspect the invention provides an apparatus for use in combination with a sonographic transducer for examination and performing biopsies within a vaginal and uterine chamber of a human female and other bodies, whereby the apparatus is comprised of a substantially tubular catheter and any of a wide variety of biopsy devices adapted for disposition on or within the catheter. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of using sonographic or fluoroscopic imaging in combination with the apparatus to examine the cavities under study and to guide the apparatus during a biopsy procedure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to determine the speed of sedimentation of blood and other parameters connected thereto, said method being carried out by detecting the development over time of the optical density, or absorbance, of a sample of blood, said sample being sent in the form of a flow inside a capillary container (12), said detection being made in correspondence with a point of said capillary container (12) and the relative data acquired being processed to obtain said speed of sedimentation and said connected parameters, said method providing to instantly interrupt the flow of the blood sample flowing inside said capillary container (12), in order to determine a thickening of the red cells in said blood sample and their consequent sedimentation, said detection being made substantially simultaneously with said instant interruption.

Abstract: A needle guide system for a medical imaging instrument comprises a needle guide assembly (1, 2) and a mounting assembly (3, 4, optionally 5) for attaching the needle guide assembly to a transducer, the mounting assembly comprising self-destroying means effective on dismounting. The mounting assembly comprises an attaching clip (4) mountable on a transducer directly or via an adapter (5), and a locking clip (3) mountable on the attaching clip from which it can be dismounted easily only by breaking indications of fracture comprised by the attaching clip. The needle guide assembly (1, 2) comprises a revolver (1) capable of receiving needles of varying diameter and a journal clip (2) by which it is mounted on the locking clip (3).

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for cannulation of blood vessels. The apparatus comprises a sensor assembly including two linear transducer arrays oriented perpendicular to each other to form a “T” shape, to provide substantially simultaneous ultrasound images of at least one blood vessel in a portion of a patient's body in two perpendicular planes. The apparatus may also include one or more Doppler transducer elements to transmit and receive one or more Doppler beams at an incident angle beneath one of the transducer arrays and in alignment therewith to determine blood flow direction and velocity within the at least one blood vessel. The sensor assembly may be disposed within an elongated, flexible, protective sheath and secured to a graphically marked cover to facilitate orientation of the sensor assembly on the patient and guidance of a needle towards a desired target vessel during the cannulation procedure.

Abstract: A method for video assistance for ultrasound guided needle biopsy of a patient, includes the steps of obtaining an ultrasound image of said patient in an ultrasound imaging plane by way of a transducer head; obtaining a body surface video image of said patient including an area wherein said ultrasound imaging plane intersects said body surface, by way of a video camera mounted on said transducer head and having an optical axis lying in said ultrasound imaging plane such that said ultrasound imaging plane corresponds to a line in said video image; and overlaying graphic markers onto said video image for indicating said ultrasound imaging plane as a line of possible entry points for needle biopsy.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for imaging and mapping various structures located at a target area within a patient's lumen using conventional IVUS technology. The mapped images are used to accurately determine and control the location of the device within the lumen relative to the target area and/or target site. Once the drug delivery device is properly positioned within the lumen, additional ultrasonic images are generated and used to control the position and depth of penetration of a retractable needle of the device. Needle position can be precisely determined, both in relationship to the device as well as the target site for drug delivery. This allows accurate delivery of drug to the target site and, thus, enhanced treatment capabilities.

Abstract: Method and surgical instrument for treating prostate tissue including a surgical instrument having a main body, a needle deployment port, a needle, first and second handles and a lockout release mechanism to limit needle extension. Additionally, a kit includes the surgical instrument, together with a cystoscope, and optionally a syringe and reservoir of ethanol. The method includes needle-less injection and visualizing the ethanol injection by delivering both an echogenic agent and ethanol either by needle or needle-less injection or by providing an ultrasonically visible marker near the tip of the ethanol delivery cannula. The method also includes extending the needle transversely of the instrument housing using a link assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivery of genes, enzymes and biological agents to tissue cells, including a method and apparatus wherein treatment fluids, including genes, enzymes and biological agents, are injected into a target area of a body providing selective attachment to the specific target cells without affecting normal tissue cells. The method is used to treat prostate cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, bladder cancer, stomach, lung, colon, and brain cancer, etc. A hollow core needle is inserted into a body, the needle being visually guided by a selected imaging technique. A first embodiment utilizes an endoscopic instrument, wherein a probe is inserted into the body, guided by the endoscope to the vicinity of the target area. The hollow core needle is guided to the vicinity by a channel through the probe. A needle adjustment apparatus is used to extend or retract the needle and adjust needle tip orientation toward a target area.

Abstract: The device (1) is provided for introducing an elastic indwelling cannula (15) with a rigid puncture cannula located therein, into a blood vessel of a human or animal body. It comprises holders (8, 13) for the cannulas (9, 15) to be introduced as well as a locating means for locating the vessel and for aligning the cannulas (9, 15) to the vessel. The holders (8, 13) are in each case fastened on the device by way of a guide (10) and displaceably mounted in the introduction direction as well as in the counter direction. They may be traversed electromotorically independently of one another along the guides. The control of the electromotors is effected in dependence on the signals of the locating means so that the complete introduction procedure may be automatically controlled up to the retraction of the puncture cannula.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems wherein a penetrating catheter or other penetrating device is used to penetrate into a target blood vessel, and wherein the target vessel is dilated prior to the penetration so as to improve the imaging, aiming at and/or penetration into the target vessel. In one embodiment, a tissue penetrating catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which it is positioned to a target vessel comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel and a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target vessel when properly aimed. An imaging transducer may be fixedly mounted on or within the penetrating catheter to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target vessel can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of epidural surgery is provided that improves visibility in the epidural space of a patient for more effectively conducting therapeutic surgery therein. The method includes the steps of distending a portion of the epidural space of a patient by filling the portion of the epidural space with a fluid supplied from a catheter and positioning a portion of an optical scope in the distended portion of the epidural space by inserting the optical scope through the same catheter that supplies the distending fluid to thereby provide a visual image of the epidural space.

Abstract: A needle guidance device for use with an ultrasound transducer is made up of a frame for housing the transducer, a needle guide unit which has a sleeve in line with an ultrasound beam and two arms which affix the frame to the needle guide unit.

Abstract: A needle guide for use in imaging analysis, such as ultrasound analysis, is provided having a mounting base secured to the imaging instrument. A needle guide is configured to be removably secured to the pivoting portion of the mounting base. The needle guide has a rotational needle retainer member that is configured to retain a needle by securing the needle within a slot on the needle guide.

Abstract: A radially scanning, annular ultrasonic oscillator array is provided in a tip body of an endoscope so as to be arranged about the longitudinal axis of the tip body. A first treatment tool projection port is provided in the tip body and opens at a location longitudinally forward from a location where the annular ultrasonic oscillator array is provided. A second treatment tool projection port is provided to the tip body and opens at a location longitudinally rearward from the location where the annular ultrasonic oscillator array is provided.

Abstract: Described herein is a catheter method and apparatus for the guided intraluminal bypass of a coronary occlusion. A method is described employing an intraluminally operable catheter shaft including an optionally steerable working element, combined with an extraluminally operable locator including an imaging device, to selectively direct the working element to create a fluid path from the artery proximal to the occlusion into the vein and further from the vein back into the artery distal to the occlusion, to perfuse myocardium distal to the occlusion. Methods are described for creating a fluid path from the artery proximal to the occlusion into an adjacent vein and thereafter either stent grafting the fluid path to the vein, directing arterial blood distally within the vein, or stenting the fluid path and occluding the vein proximal thereto, in either case arterializing the venous system distal to the stent or stent graft. A catheter shaft is described for creating and perfusing the fluid path.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe of the present invention comprises a rod-like grip section constituting a rear section of the probe, a rod-like insertion section constituting a forward section of the probe and having a piezoelectric element array at a forward end and a slot structure formed parallel to an axis of the grip section. A centesis instrument is put on the slot. This specific arrangement allows the axis of the centesis instrument to be less displaced relative to the axis of the probe, so that the centesis instrument is not unsteady relative to the probe. Further, the centesis instrument ensures readier attachment and detachment to and from the probe simply by putting a body of the instrument on the probe.