Abstract: A system and a method for improving the quality of ultrasound images. The system comprises a processor being configured to subdivide the ultrasound image, determine a deconvolution factor for the ultrasound image and apply the deconvolution factor to the subdivided ultrasound image, resulting in a restored image.

Abstract: The present application relates to an image registration method, comprising: selecting a registration source image {pi} and a registration target image {qj}; applying a random perturbation to {pi} in accordance with a preset random perturbation control parameter ? so that it is deformed to obtain {pi?}, and obtaining a set of closest points, i.e., {gj?}, on {qj} corresponding to points on {pi?}; performing an iterative operation on {pi?} and {qj?} in accordance with a preset initial coordinate transformation H0 to obtain a coordinate transformation {H1}, 0<I<=L, between {pi?} and {qi?}, and calculating an average distance {E1} corresponding to the coordinate transformation {H1} in accordance with the coordinate transformation {H1}; judging magnitudes of the average distance {E1} and a preset ideal average distance Ex, and terminating the registration when the average distance {E1} is smaller than or equal to the preset ideal average distance.

Abstract: Method for generating a shaped laser pulse in a lithotripter characterized in that if the pulse duration is divided into four intervals of equal length, less than 25% of the energy of the pulse is emitted in the first of those intervals, and in that the maximum intensity of the pulse is first reached in the second, third or fourth time interval, and wherein the intensity reached after the start of the third and/or forth interval is at least once the same as or higher than the maximum intensity reached in the second interval.

Abstract: Systems and methods for salvaging blood cells from an absorbent material are disclosed. In one exemplary aspect, such as system includes a rotatable basin having perforations to allow rinse solution from a stationary basin to reversibly flow therethrough to wash the blood cells from the absorbent material, thereby forming an effluent solution. The system further includes a hemoconcentrator in fluid communication with the stationary basin having first and second fluid outputs for discharging a diluent solution and a blood cell discharge solution from the effluent solution respectively. The blood cells can be salvaged from the blood cell discharge solution. The second fluid output is in fluid communication with the stationary basin for recycling the diluent solution as the rinse solution.

Abstract: System (100, 150, 200) for effecting ischemic necrosis in a foreskin of a penis, including a rigid ring (104, 158, 204), at least one elastic ring (106, 158, 206, 282, 284) and at least one circumferential groove (108), the rigid ring including an inner surface, the inner surface including an inner diameter, and an outer surface, the outer surface including an outer diameter, the elastic ring being configured to substantially fit around a surface of the rigid ring, the circumferential groove being located on a surface of at least one of the rigid ring and the elastic ring, wherein the inner diameter of the rigid ring is at least slightly larger than a diameter of a shaft of the penis, wherein a diameter of the elastic ring in a relaxed state is at least substantially equal to the diameter of the shaft of the penis, wherein the rigid ring is placed around a first surface of the foreskin, wherein the elastic ring is placed around a second surface of the foreskin, the foreskin being placed within the circumferen

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for salvaging red blood cells from patients during a surgical procedure. In one general aspect, a system is described for extracting blood from blood-soaked absorbent surgical materials such as surgical sponges, gauze, tape, and the like. The collected blood and fluids from these materials can be transferred to a cell salvage machine for harvesting viable red blood cells for autotransfusion.

Abstract: The invention provides various compositions, devices, and methods useful for detecting an analyte by colorimetric readout. The compositions and devices include polymers constructed to have pores specifically imprinted to provide for capture of an analyte in the pores; nanoparticles layered on the polymers; and photochromic optical switch molecules coated on the nanoparticles. Capture of the analyte in the pores of the polymer results in a change in the spatial relation of the nanoparticles layered on the polymer, which in turn causes the photochromic optical switch molecules coated thereon to undergo a change in energy state corresponding to a visible change in the optical spectra of the photochromic optical switch molecules.

Abstract: The robotic medical device for monitoring the respiration of a patient and correcting robotic trajectory includes at least one robotic arm; a mechanical ventilator, to which the respiration of a patient is subjected; and a recorder for, on the basis of time, times during mechanical ventilation when the patient is in an original position and a high position. There is also a device for capturing images of an anatomical region of the patient, the triggering of the device being synchronized with the times recorded in the original position and the high position. There is also a device for calculating a three-dimensional displacement vector of the region between the original and high positions and a device for correcting the trajectory of the robotic arm on the basis of a calculated three-dimensional vector.

Abstract: Devices and methods for thermally-mediated treatment of blood vessels to elicit an immune response to cause rapid endothelial growth over at least portions of an implant or stent to prevent adverse events such as restenosis. Devices and methods for thermally-mediated treatment to inhibit contraction of vessels to elicit an immune response to cause rapid endothelial growth over at least portions of a stent to prevent adverse events such as restenosis.

Abstract: Degradable bioprostheses made of collagen-based material having amine-based and ester-based crosslinks are provided, as are methods for their formation and use. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a method of controlling the ratio of amine-based crosslinks to ester-based crosslinks within a collagen-based material to provide a tailorably crosslinked collagen-based material. Some embodiments provide a method of making a degradable bioprosthesis involving controlling crosslinking to afford a degradable bioprosthesis that is partially crosslinked. By controlling the ratio of amine-based to ester-based crosslinks, by controlling the level of crosslinking, or by controlling both of these features, degradable bioprostheses with tailored degradation rates can be synthesized. Some embodiments of degradable bioprostheses have degradation rates that are tailored to allow their use in particular medical applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical instruments and systems for applying energy to tissue. Variations of the systems and methods described herein include ablating, sealing, and extracting tissue with high pressure flows of fluids that in part utilizes a vapor-to-liquid phase change of flow media to apply thermal energy to the tissue.

Abstract: A digital topographic model of the luminal surface is generated by projecting an optical pattern on the luminal surface from the first location within the lumen. At least a portion of the projected pattern is detected from a second location within the lumen which is based apart from the first location. The dimensions of the luminal wall can be measured by triangulation in order to produce the digital topographic model of the body lumen.

Abstract: A prefilled medical injection device with production specific elements is provided as a single use disposable injection device that is optimally suited for mass production through the Blow Fill Seal manufacturing process. The device utilizes a valve and a needle assembly fused to an insert. The valve and the needle assembly are positioned within the insert forming a conduit. The needle assembly is covered with a needle cap that is detachably coupled to protecting the needle assembly from contamination and a user from accidental needle stick. The insert is engaged to the bellows during the BFS manufacturing process and hermetically sealed by a parison layer that covers exterior portion of the insert and the needle cap. The parison layer is formed and trimmed creating exterior features that facilitate the use of the prefilled medical injection.

Abstract: An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy including an inductive heating means to generate a vapor phase media that is used for interstitial, intraluminal, intracavity or topical tissue treatment. In one method, the vapor phase media is propagated from a probe outlet to provide a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue to thereby apply ablative thermal energy delivery.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering energy to lung tissue, for example to cause lung volume reduction by generating a flow of vapor and introducing the flow of vapor into the lung where the vapor delivers thermal energy sufficient to modify lung tissue.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for applying energy to tissue, and more particularly relates to a system for ablating or modifying structures in a body with systems and methods that generate a flow of vapor at a controlled flow rate for applying energy to the body structure

Abstract: An article is provided for the detection of a drug in a liquid medium. The article includes a polymer having pores specifically imprinted to provide for capture of a drug in the pores, nanoparticles, and photochromic optical switch molecules. Capture of the drug in the pores of the polymer results in a change in the spatial relation of the nanoparticles in the polymer, causing the photochromic optical switch molecules to undergo a change in energy state which corresponds to a change in spectra of the photochromic optical switch molecules, thereby providing for detection of the drug.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an intraocular lens with a proofed surface are disclosed. The proofed surface functions as a barrier to fluid diffusion inside the material and within vacuoles. By preventing the interstitial filling of fluid, the formation of spots inside the polymer matrix is inhibited or reduced. The proofed surface of the intraocular lenses is a highly stable re-assembled surface without any coating or grafting.

Abstract: A portable dialysis device that can be continuously worn in and/or on the body of a patient, with a blood chamber in which the patient's blood can be received, a hydraulic chamber which can be filled with a hydraulic fluid and which adjoins the blood chamber, an at least partially flexible delivery membrane which is arranged between the hydraulic chamber and the blood chamber and which, when the hydraulic chamber is filled with hydraulic fluid, is movable in the direction of the blood chamber in such a way as to cause a compression of the blood chamber and therefore an ejection of the blood located therein, a pump for controllable filling and/or emptying of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic chamber, such that blood can in this way be conveyed into the blood chamber and/or out of the latter, a filter membrane which is arranged between the blood chamber and the hydraulic chamber and through which waste substances in the blood can be removed to the hydraulic fluid located in the hydraulic chamber, such that t

Abstract: A surgical instrument for thermally-mediated therapies in targeted tissue volumes and for causing thermal effects in polymer tissue-contacting members. In one embodiment, the instrument has a working end with an interior chamber that is supplied with a biocompatible liquid. An energy source causes a liquid-to-vapor phase change within the interior of the instrument. The vapor phase media then is ejected from the working surface of the instrument, and a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue applies thermal energy substantially equal to the heat of vaporization to ablate tissue. The vapor-to-liquid phase transitions, or internal energy releases, can be provided about thin-film flexible structures for engaging body lumens and cavities. An exemplary embodiment can be used for shrinking, sealing, welding or creating lesions in tissue—while causing limited collateral thermal damage and while totally eliminating electrical current flow in the engaged tissue.