Abstract: Tissue localization devices and methods of localizing tissue using tissue localization devices are disclosed. The tissue localization device can comprise a handle comprising a delivery control, a delivery needle extending out from the handle, and a localization element within the delivery needle. The localization element can be deployed out of the delivery needle or retracted back into the delivery needle when the delivery control is translated in a first direction or a second direction, respectively. The localization element can be coupled to a flexible tracking wire.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring images of objects distributed within a specimen affixed to a surface of a slide, the specimen having an uneven height relative to the slide surface using a camera having an objective lens with an optical axis that forms a non-orthogonal angle with the surface of the slide, the method including acquiring a first plurality of images of a first linear portion of the specimen; evaluating a focus of objects within the linear portion of the specimen captured in the first plurality of images; and acquiring a second plurality of images of the first linear portion or of a second linear portion of the specimen different from the first, wherein a height of the objective lens relative to the slide surface is varied during acquisition of the second plurality of images based on the evaluated focus of the objects captured in the first plurality of images.

Abstract: While performing a tomosynthesis procedure, the breast of a patient is compressed between two compression elements to create an imaging condition. Foam is secured to the rigid substrate of a one of the compression elements. The patient's chest wall is aligned with the leading edge surface of the foam. The inner side of the breast is disposed proximate the lateral edge surface of the foam and the outer side of the breast is disposed proximate the outer lateral edge surface of the foam. A mid-plane is disposed between the inner and outer lateral edge surfaces of the foam. An interface connects a leading edge surface of the foam and compressive surfaces. A portion of the leading edge surface which is aligned with the mid-plane is incompletely compressed.

Abstract: The technology relates to a methods and systems for improving medical imaging procedures. An example method includes receiving a first set of quality metrics for a plurality of medical images acquired at a first imaging facility; receiving a second set of quality metrics for a second plurality of medical images acquired at a second imaging facility; comparing the first set of quality metrics to the second set of quality metrics; based on the comparison of the first set of quality metrics to the second set of quality metrics, generating a benchmark for at least one metric in the first set of quality metrics and the second set of quality metrics; generating facility data based on the generated benchmark and the first set of quality metrics; and sending the facility data to the first imaging facility.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.

Abstract: A real-time fluoroscopic imaging system includes a collimator and a detector which are rotationally movable independent of the support assembly, e.g., c-arm, to which they are mounted. Rotational movement of the collimator and the detector are coordinated such that the orientation of the detector with respect to the collimator does not change. The collimator may include a geared flange member to facilitate rotation, and may be a single molded piece formed of a plastic such as tungsten polymer material. The system may also include a plurality of interchangeable collimators characterized by different shapes. A display is provided to present an image to an operator, and image orientation logic displays a target anatomy in a selected orientation regardless of orientation of the target anatomy relative to the detector, and regardless of rotation of the detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for x-ray imaging a patient's breast in combinations of dual-energy, single-energy, mammography and tomosynthesis modes that facilitate screening for and diagnosis of breast abnormalities, particularly breast abnormalities characterized by abnormal vascularity.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a dynamic self-learning medical image network system, wherein the method includes receiving, from a first node initial user interaction data pertaining to one or more user interactions with the one or more initially obtained medical images; training a deep learning algorithm based at least in part on the initial user interaction data received from the node; and transmitting an instance of the trained deep learning algorithm to the first node and/or to one or more additional nodes, wherein at each respective node to which the instance of the trained deep learning algorithm is transmitted, the trained deep learning algorithm is applied to respective one or more subsequently obtained medical images in order to obtain a result.

Abstract: A method for processing breast tissue image data includes processing the image data to generate a set of image slices collectively depicting the patient's breast; for each image slice, applying one or more filters associated with a plurality of multi-level feature modules, each configured to represent and recognize an assigned characteristic or feature of a high-dimensional object; generating at each multi-level feature module a feature map depicting regions of the image slice having the assigned feature; combining the feature maps generated from the plurality of multi-level feature modules into a combined image object map indicating a probability that the high-dimensional object is present at a particular location of the image slice; and creating a 2D synthesized image identifying one or more high-dimensional objects based at least in part on object maps generated for a plurality of image slices.

Abstract: A method for operating a fluid management system includes automatically detecting an unstable condition in the system, which may include detecting a large change in the supply fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), detecting a large change in the waste fluid amount (indicative of a bag change), or detecting a large difference between the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the weight data and the amount of fluid dispensed as measured by the flow data (indicative of a blockage in the supply tubing). The method further includes adjusting the operating mode of the system during the unstable condition, which may include switching to using flow data rather than weight data to track the fluid deficit during a supply bag exchange, halting operation of an outflow pump during a waste container exchange, and/or halting operation of the system during a blockage in the supply tubing.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a housing having a vacuum port, a cutter hub and attached cutter being slidably mounted in the housing so that the cutter hub and cutter are movable between a proximal, armed position, and a distal, fired position. A sealed cutter spring well with a cutter firing spring seated therein is disposed within the housing, wherein a proximal end of the cutter hub comprises a movable distal wall of the spring well so that proximal movement of the cutter hub compresses the cutter firing spring. A vacuum lumen is in communication with each of the vacuum port and spring well. A cutter arming valve assembly having a valve member is disposed in the vacuum lumen and selectively configurable to place the spring well in communication with the vacuum port for arming the cutter, or with atmosphere for firing the cutter.

Abstract: A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (“DXA”) system includes an x-ray source assembly comprising a source carriage to move the x-ray source assembly along a scan path, the scan path comprising an active scan portion and a reference measurement portion. A detector assembly including a detector carriage to move the detector assembly with the source assembly and to collect scan data at active scan portions. A support structure supporting the source and detector assemblies. A calibration controller coupled a calibration element having a known x-ray attenuation value and configured position the calibration element between the source and detector assemblies during the reference measurement portion and to remove the calibration element from between the source and detector assemblies during the active scan portion. A processing unit operable to compare the reference measurement against an expected reference value to identify a variance and to selectively trigger an action in response to the variance.

Abstract: Tissue localization devices and methods of localizing tissue using tissue localization devices are disclosed. The tissue localization device can comprise a handle comprising a delivery control, a delivery needle extending out from the handle, and a localization element within the delivery needle. The localization element can be deployed out of the delivery needle or retracted back into the delivery needle when the delivery control is translated in a first direction or a second direction, respectively. The localization element can be coupled to a flexible tracking wire.

Abstract: A method of compressing a breast of a patient with a breast imaging system includes obtaining an x-ray area of the breast of the patient. The x-ray area of the breast is compared to a data set, and a target force is based at least in part on the comparison is identified. A compressive force is applied to the breast, and is based at least in part on the target force. The breast is imaged with the breast imaging system.

Abstract: Techniques for patient positioning quality assurance prior to mammographic image acquisition are described. A system may include an x-ray source configured to expose human tissue to radiation. An x-ray detector module may be configured to detect the radiation and generate a pre-diagnostic image of the human tissue. A position analysis module may be configured to receive the pre-diagnostic image and determine whether the human tissue is positioned correctly based upon one or more predefined positioning criteria. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be configured to store the results of the positional analysis module determination. A display may be configured to display the determination of the position analysis module within a user interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A transvaginal stimulation device comprises a probe body sized to fit entirely within a vaginal cavity of a female patient. The probe body has a stimulating side defined by a length and a width of the probe body. The transvaginal stimulation device further comprises a pair of electrodes disposed on the stimulating side of the probe body and laterally spaced from each other. A method for treating stress urinary incontinence in a female patient comprises inserting the intravaginal device into a vaginal cavity of the female patient, positioning the pair of electrodes against an anterior wall of the vagina of the female patient, and conveying stimulation energy between the pair of electrodes to stimulate at least one muscle of a urethral sphincter muscle of the female patient without substantially stimulating pelvic floor muscles of the female patient.

Abstract: A medical device includes a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a shaft body extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the shaft body having a longitudinal axis; a first blade fixedly coupled to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the first blade has a first rectilinear planar surface; a second blade in contact with the first blade, wherein the second blade has a second rectilinear planar surface, and wherein the second blade is configured to move in a reciprocating manner in opposite directions that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft body; and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft, the first blade, and the second blade are sized for insertion into a patient.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, processing, storing, and displaying x-ray mammograms Mp tomosynthesis images Tr representative of breast slices, and x-ray tomosynthesis projection images Tp taken at different angles to a breast, where the Tr images are reconstructed from Tp images.

Abstract: Intrauterine devices and methods for facilitating deployment thereof using a bumper are disclosed. In one embodiment, an intrauterine device comprises a structure including a first central support member and a deployment mechanism coupled to the first central support member. The intrauterine device further comprises a bumper positioned at a distal end of a second central support member and at a more distal position relative to a distal end of the structure so as to prevent the distal end of the structure from contacting the fundus of the uterus of a patient during deployment of the deployment mechanism. In another embodiment, the intrauterine device comprises a bumper coupled to the deployment mechanism and configured to move from a more distal to a more proximal position relative to a distal end of the structure.