Abstract: An analysis system comprises an endoscope 10 insertable into the vessel and a Raman analysis apparatus 40. An insert cable 54 of the Raman analysis apparatus 40 is inserted into a channel 10a of the endoscope 10. An excitation optical fiber 60 and a bundle 70A of a plural number of light receivingoptical fibers 70 are received in the insert cable 54. A transparent small piece 63 having a film-like excitation optical filter 64 is abutted against the distal end of the fiber 60. A transparent plate 71 having a film-like light reciving optical filter 72 is abutted against the distal end of fibers bundle 70A. The plate 71 has a center hole 71a and the piece 63 is fitted into the hole 71a.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a medical device through voice commands is provided that includes an input unit, such as a microphone, for receiving a voice command identifying a function associated with one of a diagnostic and interventional procedure. The system also includes a control module for directing a medical device to perform the function based on the voice command. The system includes a voice decoder that decodes the voice command into a basic signal, and a protocol translator that converts the basic signal into a signal code associated with the voice command. The control module also includes a processing unit. The control module receives the signal code and the processing unit directs the medical device to perform the function designated by the signal code.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system comprises an ultrasound machine and a computer coupled to the ultrasound machine. A memory is coupled to the computer and includes computer instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to generate an icon representing the surgical instrument with a tip and the surgical instrument's trajectory and to overlay the icon on a real-time ultrasound image having an image plane, such that when the surgical instrument crosses the ultrasound image plane the format of the surgical instrument's trajectory is changed to represent the surgical instrument's crossing of the ultrasound image's plane. The system also comprises a localizer coupled to the ultrasound machine, and a display coupled to the computer for displaying the generated icon superimposed on the real-time image.

Abstract: A system and method of mapping irregularities of hard tissue. The method includes repeatedly transmitting ultra-sonic energy towards the hard tissue at a first angle of incidence, registering the origin of transmission if an echo-reflection the hard tissue is received, defining the origin of transmission in six degrees of freedom, calculating position co-ordinates for a point causing the echo-reflection and changing the origin of transmission. The method further includes compiling position co-ordinates to generate a map of the irregularities in the surface of the hard tissue. The system includes at least one ultrasonic transducer, a central processing unit and a position locator and adjustment mechanism operably connectable and configured to accomplish the disclosed method.

Abstract: Contrast agent imaging uses spread spectrum coding. The contrast-to-tissue ratio and signal-to-noise ratio for contrast agent imaging is improved by transmitting a waveform with pulses at two or more frequencies. In one embodiment, signals received at an intermodulation frequency responsive to the two transmitted frequencies are isolated and used for imaging. As a result of the differences in responses of contrast agent and tissue to the frequency transitions between pulses, information from contrast agent with minimal influence from tissue is identified. In another embodiment, two waveforms with pulses at two or more frequencies are sequentially transmitted.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging arrangement performs tentative scanning of ultrasound to the inside of a living body with delay time corresponding to average sonic velocity, calculates delay time error in a delay time error detecting circuit by using received signals from each channel to which delay control has been performed in a digital delay circuit, compares in a delay time comparing unit the calculated data with a plurality of delay time error data corresponding to various sonic velocities using sound velocity as the parameter stored before hand in a sound velocity-derived delay time error storing unit, selects among those sonic velocities the one matching the delay time error data with a sonic velocity selecting unit, and calculates the sonic velocity within the living body. The calculated sonic velocity is fed back to CPU, and the delay data on the delay applied in the ultrasonic scanning is provided to a delay circuit.

Abstract: A catheter system for delivering ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises a tubular body. The tubular body has a proximal end, a distal end and an energy delivery section positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. The catheter system further comprises an inner core configured for insertion into the tubular body. The inner core has an outer surface and comprises an electrically conductive core material. The catheter system further comprises a plurality of ultrasound radiating members positioned on the outer surface of the inner core. The ultrasound radiating members are electrically connected to the electrically conductive core material. The catheter system further comprises an electrically conductive tube-shaped member disposed over the inner core and over the ultrasound radiating members positioned thereon.

Abstract: A method and processing device are presented for reconstructing an absorption and/or scattering image of a region of interest inside a scattering medium. A mathematical model is provided being representative of a relation between the distribution of the intensity and phase of electromagnetic radiation components scattered from a medium and a certain attenuation factor, which is function of spatial variations of scattering and absorption coefficients of the medium. The mathematical is used for processing a map of distribution of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation components scattered from known locations within the region of interest, thereby producing a halftone pattern of the region of interest.

Abstract: A remote palpation technique in breast imaging involves the use of multiple applications of radiation force in rapid succession throughout a two-dimensional plane in the target tissue medium (10), and combination of the small, two-dimensional displacement maps from each force location into a single, larger remote palpation image (block 43). Apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods provide for ultrasound imaging through the use of a dynamic non-linear post-beamforming filter (e.g., based on a pth-order Volterra model) capable of separating the linear and non-linear components of image data. A coefficient identification algorithm for deriving coefficients for filter is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of the female breast with a casing, a thermooptical foil, a cooling box, a thermostat, an illuminating system, a digital camera, a clamping device, a contact producing device, a timing system and a release mechanism for automatic release of the digital camera.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using ultrasound augmented with microbubbles, thrombolytic drugs or other agents for clot lysis wherein at least one ultrasound transducer generates a plurality of acoustic signals and time, amplitude, phase and frequency modulation of the signals provide more uniform power delivery with fewer gaps in the ultrasound field. Interference patterns from one or multiple transducers are constantly shifted in position. A phased array of transducers may generate a beam that is swept over the area to be treated. In another embodiment, an array of transducers may generate ultrasound at a number of slightly varying frequencies to produce an interference pattern that sweeps in and out through the targeted tissue. A single array may be used to produce both effects simultaneously or separately.

Abstract: A mapping catheter is positioned in a heart chamber, and active electrode sites are activated to impose an electric field within the chamber. The blood volume and wall motion modulates the electric field, which is detected by passive electrode sites on the preferred catheter. Electrophysiology measurements, as well as geometry measurements, are taken from the passive electrodes and used to display a map of intrinsic heart activity.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer having a transducer housing and a horn provided at the distal end of the transducer housing, an ultrasound transmission member, a sonic connector that is connected to the horn and the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member, and a catheter knob having a proximal end that is coupled to the distal end of the transducer housing. The catheter knob has a proximal bore that houses the sonic connector. The system also includes a nesting piece that is retained inside the proximal bore of the catheter knob. The nesting piece can be moved from a first position where the sonic connector is received inside the nesting piece to a second position where the sonic connector is separated from the nesting piece when ultrasound energy is being propagated through the ultrasound transmission member.

Abstract: An ultrasound radiation device comprises a piezoelectric substrate, an interdigital arrangement of two comb-shaped electrodes formed on an upper end surface of the piezoelectric substrate, a counter electrode formed on a lower end surface of the piezoelectric substrate, an interdigital transducer formed on said upper end surface of said piezoelectric substrate, and an amplifier between one of the two comb-shaped electrodes and the interdigital transducer. If an electric signal is applied between the counter electrode and one of the two comb-shaped electrodes, a longitudinal wave composed of the main lobe and grating lobes is radiated into a material in contact with the counter electrode, as well as a Lamb wave is excited in the piezoelectric substrate. The Lamb wave is detected as a delayed electric signal at the interdigital transducer. The delayed electric signal is amplified by the amplifier, and used as an input electric signal again.

Abstract: Medical image processing is adaptively optimized in response to selective types of changes or motion. Adaptive optimization is applied in response to limited types of motion or at a controlled time. For example, one type of change, such as change due to heart motion or breathing motion, is distinguished from a different type of change, such as change due to repositioning of an imaging plane within a patient. Imaging parameters are adaptively optimized in response to changes of one type independent of or with minimized contribution from changes of the different type. For example, change due to repositioning of the image plane is detected while accounting for heart motion or breathing motion. Imaging parameters are adaptively optimized once the change due to anatomical motion is removed or accounted for and after detecting a change in an imaging plane position. Any of various adaptive optimizations may be responsive to the identification of one type of change from another type of change.

Abstract: A system for delivery of a medium having ultrasound contrast enhancement agents therein to a patient includes a pressurizing device for pressurizing the medium, a fluid path connecting the pressurizing device to the patient and a concentration sensor in communication with the fluid path. The concentration of the contrast enhancement agents is measured by the concentration sensor during injection of the medium into the patient to assist in controlling the delivery system and/or an imaging procedure.

Abstract: A multimodality imaging system including a plurality of imaging systems, and at least one rail upon which at least one of the imaging systems is slidingly mounted.

Abstract: An ultrasonic occupant detection and classification system transmits an ultrasonic signal and receives a composite signal containing interference created between the transmitted ultrasonic signal and a reflection of that signal from a moving occupant. A signal component of the received, composite signal is extracted by amplitude demodulation and bandpass filtered to derive a frequency characteristic that is compared to stored frequency data; and the derived and stored data are compared to identify frequencies characteristic of respiration and/or other movements characteristic of living beings.

Abstract: A system for screening cellular tissue, in particular breast tissue. The system comprises an ultrasound probe that is capable of generating image data representing images of cellular tissue, one or more sensors to determine the probe's location, an image viewer, a pad, which is ultrasonically conductive and placed over the patient's nipple, and a fabric covering is placed over the breast tissue to be scanned. The pad has different ultrasonic characteristics than the cellular tissue to be scanned. The fabric covering includes an ultrasonic coupling agent and is used to hold the breast tissue in place. The fabric of the covering and the coupling agent transmit ultrasonic energy with minimal interference. The ultrasound probe is scanned over the tissue, and the one or more sensors are employed to determine the probe's location. The images representing the scanned tissue are displayed by a viewer which is capable of providing a rapid sequential display of the images.