Abstract: For a radio frequency (RF) receiver system (1) for providing magnetic resonance (MR) information from an examination space of a MR imaging system, a solution for increasing the dynamic range of the radio frequency (RF) receiver system (1) for a better imaging performance shall be created. A sigma delta ADC of the RF receiver system operates in single-bit mode with an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit used to control the DAC feedback strength thereby extending the dynamic range of the receiver to match the MRI signal. The present invention also refers to a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, a method A method for extending the dynamic range of a radio frequency (RF) receiver system, a software package for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, a software package for upgrading a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system and a computer program product.

Abstract: A method (300) for determining a brushing angle of an oral care device (10) is provided. The method includes the steps of: generating (310), by a controller (30) of the oral care device, a drive signal to move a drive train (24) and produce a motion of a bristle field (18) of the oral care device; measuring (320), via a sensor (28), force applied by a user to the bristle field of the oral care device; and determining (330), by the controller of the oral care device, a brushing angle of the bristle field relative to a surface of the user's oral cavity based at least in part on the generated drive signal and the measured force to the bristle field.

Abstract: A hair-cutting unit with rotatable cutting elements for use in a shaving device has hair entry slits of which at least a side surface facing in a direction generally opposite to a direction of rotation of the cutting elements, has a relatively flat and oblique intermediate segment between an upper segment forming a curved transition to the outer surface of the annular wall and a lower segment which serves for catching hairs and urging these into an upright position for achieving a close shave. Within a relatively broad range of shaving pressures, the pleat of skin bulging into a hair-cutting slit contacts a portion or at most all of the intermediate segment. Because the intermediate segment is relatively flat, changes in the extent of skin penetration in response to changes in shaving pressure are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A training data modification system (TDM) for machine learning and related methods. The system comprises a data modifier (DM) configured to perform a modification operation to modify medical training X-ray imagery of a patient. The modification operation causes image structures in the modified medical training imagery. The image structure is representative of a property of i) a medical procedure, ii) an image acquisition operation by an X-ray-based medical imaging apparatus (IA), iii) an anatomy of the patient.

Abstract: A method (700) for localizing inflammation within a user's mouth using an oral care device (10), comprising the steps of: (i) emitting (720) light by one or more light emitters (42) of the oral care device; (ii) detecting (730), by a light detector (40) of the oral care device, reflectance from a surface at each of a plurality of locations within the user's mouth to generate reflectance data for each of the plurality of locations; (iii) determining (750), by the controller, for the plurality of locations, whether gingiva at that location is inflamed; and (iv) providing (760), via a user interface (46) of the oral care device, information to the user regarding the inflamed location or locations.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical instrument (100, 300, 400, 500, 600) comprising a camera system (102, 102?, 102?) for imaging a portion (418) of a subject (108) reposing on a subject support (106). The medical instrument further comprises a display system (104) for rendering a position feedback indicator (130, 900). The display system is configured such that the position feedback indicator is visible to the subject when the subject is reposing on the subject support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound system (10) comprising a first non-invasive ultrasound probe (14) configured to acquire first ultrasound data having a first field of view; a second invasive ultrasound probe (16) configured to acquire second ultrasound data having a second field of view which is different from the first field of view; a tracking unit (30) configured to determine tracking data comprising a position and orientation of the first non-invasive ultrasound probe (14) relative to the second invasive ultrasound probe (16); and a registration unit (32) configured to register the second field of view into the first field of view based on the tracking data.

Abstract: Improved ultrasound imaging devices and methods of operating the devices that minimize grating lobe artifacts in an ultrasound image are provided. For example, an ultrasound imaging system analyzes the ultrasound data at different frequency bands and generates a grating-lobe-minimized image based on minimum signals identified for each pixel among the plurality of frequency ranges. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound transducer array configured to obtain ultrasound data, and a processor in communication with the ultrasound transducer array. The processor is configured to receive the ultrasound data, generate an ultrasound image based on a first frequency range of the ultrasound data, generate a grating-lobe-minimized ultrasound image based on a plurality of second frequency ranges of the ultrasound data, combine the ultrasound image and the grating-lobe-minimized ultrasound image to generate a combined ultrasound image, and output the combined ultrasound image to a display.

Abstract: An acoustic imaging apparatus and method receive a sensor signal from a passive sensor disposed on a surface of an intervention device which is disposed in an area of interest, wherein the passive sensor is located at a fixed distance from the tip of the intervention device. A processor is configured to ascertain an estimated range of locations of the tip of the intervention device in an image plane by using the sensor signal and an estimated effective distance, projected onto the image plane, from the passive sensor to the tip of the intervention device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to guidance during a medical intervention. In order to provide an improved navigation support with a facilitated setup, a system (10) for navigation support is provided. An image data input (12) receives a plurality of acquired 2D X-ray images of a subject's body from different angles. A set of markers, which are visible in X-ray images and which are detectable by a navigation system, is assigned to the subject. A marker detecting arrangement (16) is provided that detects a current spatial location of the markers assigned to the subject. A data processor (14) reconstructs a 3D volume of the subject based on the plurality of 2D X-ray images. At least a part of the markers is arranged outside the volume covered by the reconstructed 3D volume of the subject, while the markers are visible in the 2D X-ray images.

Abstract: A device for positioning of an X-ray imaging system. The device comprises a processor configured to obtain 3D image data of a spine region of interest of a subject comprising a spine structure. The processor is further configured to select at least one vertebra of the spine structure as target vertebra; segment the target vertebra in the 3D image data including identifying at least one anatomic feature of the target vertebra; define a position of a predetermined reference line based on a spatial arrangement of the at least one anatomic feature; determine a target viewing direction of the X-ray imaging system based on the predetermined reference line; and provide the target viewing direction for the X-ray imaging system.

Abstract: A partitioning component (210) for dividing a feeding bottle (110) into two sections: one (125) associated with a container (120) part of the bottle and one (115) associated with a teat part (110) of the bottle. The partition allows for at least partial retention of liquid in the teat part even when the bottle is tipped in a horizontal position, the more natural position for feeding a user such as a baby or toddler. To enable flow of fluid between the two sections, the partitioning component comprises a passageway arrangement (215) which comprises one or more openings (225) and the passageway arrangement configured to enable flow of both liquid and air across the partition in different directions. This allows liquid to pass in, and air to pass out, of the teat section (115) during filling of the teat.

Abstract: User feedback on acquisition of ultrasound data may be provided to a user. The feedback may indicate a quality of the acquisition and/or the reliability of the measurements calculated from the ultrasound data, for example, the volume flow measurements calculated from Doppler data. Various quality factors such as a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), motion, Doppler angle, vessel size, vessel depth, and/or variance in velocity values may be determined to provide an indication of quality of the acquisition. The quality factors may be provided individually or in combination. In some examples, one or more quantitative values of the quality factors may be provided. In some examples, one or more qualitative indications of the quality of the acquisition may be provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes ultrasound imaging systems and methods configured to identify lung abnormalities by determining a uniformity characteristic of a region of interest within ultrasound image frames. Systems can include an ultrasound transducer configured to acquire echoes responsive to ultrasound pulses transmitted toward a pulmonary target region. A processor coupled with the transducer may be configured to generate an image frame from the acquired echoes and determine a uniformity characteristic of the region of interest below a pleural line in the image frame. The processor may also be configured to determine a presence or absence of a lung abnormality, e.g., lung consolidation, within the region of interest based on a value of the uniformity characteristic. If a lung abnormality has been determined to be present, the processor can generate an indicator of the same, which may be displayed on a user interface in communication with the processor.

Abstract: A handheld personal care device having one or more light emitting elements and one or more light receiving elements is disclosed. Each of the light receiving elements is configured to receive light and output a respective measurement signal representing measurements of the received light. The handheld personal care device also has a control unit to estimate a position and/or an orientation of the device relative to a subject. The light emitting elements and the light receiving elements are arranged on the device such that, depending on the position and/or the orientation of the device relative to the subject, at least one of the light receiving elements can receive light emitted by at least one of light emitting elements and reflected by a reflective surface in the environment of the subject. The control unit estimates the position and/or the orientation of the device relative to the subject based on an analysis of the respective measurement signals of the light receiving elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of a body (10) of a patient positioned in an examination volume of an MR device (1). It is an object of the invention to provide a method that enables geometrically correct MR-only radiation therapy planning at minimum scan times.