Abstract: A hybrid medical imaging system comprises a nuclear medicine imaging subsystem for capturing an image of a target region of a subject, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subsystem for capturing an MRI image of the target region based on at least one MRI parameter and processing structure communicating with the subsystems. The processing structure processes the MRI image to estimate attenuation within the target region and uses the estimated attenuation to correct the image captured by the nuclear medicine imaging subsystem.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus, such as including a processor circuit, can be used to construct a first image of a plane parallel to the surface of an ultrasonic imaging transducer, the plane corresponding to a locus at a specified depth within a first region of tissue. The apparatus can obtain information about a location of a vessel in the first image, then obtain, from a second region of tissue, imaging information corresponding to loci in planes parallel to the surface of the transducer, the planes at depths automatically determined at least in part using the obtained information about the location of the vessel in the first image. In an example, the apparatus can automatically determine an adjusted depth corresponding to the location of the vessel in the second region, and construct a second image of a plane corresponding to the adjusted depth within the tissue.

Abstract: An improved motion-sensitization driven equilibrium (iMSDE) sequence based upon an MLEV-4 sequence is used for black-blood vessel wall imaging. The MSDE pulse pattern that is used us a preparation sequence for other procedures employed to acquire images has been modified to produce the iMSDE sequence by the addition of a second 180 degree refocusing pulse and two motion sensitization gradients. The iMSDE sequence thus includes a group of four radio frequency (RF) pulses, as well as additional magnetic gradient pulses that are not included in the conventional MSDE sequence. Computer simulations indicate that this new pulse sequence is substantially more immune to local B1 inhomogeneity than conventional sequences. In vivo experiments have demonstrated significant signal improvement at high first-order moments (m1) conditions compared to the traditional MSDE sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method where the ultrasound transducer position registration is automated, calculates the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to the predetermined anatomical reference points (AR) and can store the information on demand. The graphic interface associated with the ultrasound image allows for the instant display of selected targets position coordinates relative to anatomical reference points, in the ultrasound images. This system would significantly reduce the ultrasound examination time, by eliminating the time consuming manual labeling of images and speeding up the target finding at subsequent examinations, enhance correlation capability with other diagnostic imaging modalities like CT scans, MRI, mammograms, decrease human errors and fatigue, provide an easy, uniform, method of communicating the target position among healthcare providers.

Abstract: An ultrasonic observation apparatus includes: a region of interest setting unit capable of setting information on a region of interest; a focus point calculation unit that divides the region of interest into a plurality of partial regions of interest according to the number of focus points in the region of interest, calculates a focus point in each of the partial regions of interest, and determines a transmission timing according to calculation results; a transmitting and receiving unit that performs a transmission-and-reception of an ultrasonic wave which is focused on the focus point; a frequency analysis unit that calculates a plurality of frequency spectra by analyzing the received ultrasonic wave with reference to the focus point; a feature data extracting unit that approximates the frequency spectra to extract feature data thereof; and an image processing unit that generates display image data based on the feature data.

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: The invention provides a method for adjusting the calibration of a tracked ultrasound device using the measured difference between two sets of fiducial markings in two relative positions of a tracker and an scan head of the device. The invention also provides a trackable ultrasound device that enables repeatable attachment of a tracker to a scan head, thus preserving an initial calibration between the tracker and the scan head. Furthermore, the invention provides a calibration jig that can be used to repeatably attach a tracker to an ultrasound scan head or to measure the difference between two relative positions of a tracker and a scan head.

Abstract: Method and related apparatuses are described for performing automated ultrasound mammography with reduced nipple shadow effects. The breast is compressed in a direction generally toward the chest wall of the patient with one side of a compressive member which is preferably a membrane. The breast is scanned with an ultrasonic transducer array positioned in acoustic communication with the other side of the membrane. Beamsteering is used. The signals from the beamsteered energy are combined to generate one or more compound images having a reduced nipple shadow effect. An acoustic couplant is preferably applied between the breast and the membrane. The images of the sub-nipple region are also preferably enhanced by making comparisons with reference areas of the breast in areas away from the nipple shadow effected area. The images are preferably displayed to a user, either automatically or upon receiving a preference from the user.

Abstract: Ultrasound vibrometry is employed to determine the amount of bony in-growth (i.e., osteointegration) into a surgically implanted prosthetic component (or conversely, the degree of implant looseness). While specifically developed for assessing osteointegration for total ankle replacements, the technique has broader application to any joint arthroplasty device. With respect to ankle arthroplasty, a vibration is induced in a patient's ankle in a range of frequencies. A Doppler ultrasound unit scans the ankle, with an imaging plane focused on an implant surface. The vibrations input into the ankle are sinusoidal frequencies, in a range from 80-500 Hz. At a frequency determined to best facilitate vibration of the ankle (e.g., a resonant frequency), the output signal from the Doppler ultrasound is Fourier transformed so that the frequency components of the output signal can be observed. These output Fourier signatures have been shown to correspond to a graded response of implant osteointegration (or looseness).

Abstract: A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views, for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical, the method being tailored to a specific body structure and optimized with respect to the information gained about the body structure and based on modeling body-structure, based on its geometry and anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure.

Abstract: A system for an automatic noninvasive screening for diabetes and pre-diabetes using a device to take at least one image of a patient's eye, executing non-transitory instructions executable on a processor for analyzing the image and displaying an indication if the patient has diabetes.

Abstract: For the generation of a magnetic resonance (MR) image of a predetermined volume segment of a living subject, a tracking factor is determined for each of different regions of the volume segment, from which the position of the respective region can be determined depending on a position of a moving area of the subject. MR image data of the volume segment are acquired for different positions of the moving area. The position of the moving area is calculated depending on the position and the tracking factor of the respective region, and the MR image data of the respective region are reconstructed using the MR image data of the volume segment corresponding to the calculated position of the moving area. The MR image of the predetermined volume segment is generated as a combination of the constructed MR image data of the regions.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including oscillation elements configured to transmit toward and receive from a region of a subject, a receiving delay setting unit configured to divide the oscillation elements into oscillation element groups and set a common delay to oscillation elements included in each of the oscillation element groups in accordance with an imaging condition, an adding unit configured to add received signals transmitted from the oscillation elements in accordance with the delay set by the received delay setting unit, and an image generating unit configured to generate image data in accordance with received signal added by adding unit.

Abstract: An ablation system is provided that includes an ablating device and a probe. The probe is configured to be positioned in close proximity to a region of non-targeted tissue proximate an ablation site of targeted tissue. The probe includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, with a handle disposed at the proximal end thereof and a tissue protecting apparatus disposed at the distal end thereof. The ablating device includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends, with a handle mounted at the proximal end thereof and an ablation element mounted at the distal end thereof. The ablation element includes an ultrasound transducer and an inflatable balloon surrounding the ultrasound transducer. The balloon includes a layer of gel disposed on its outer surface.

Abstract: An ultrasound endoscope includes: a bending portion; a distal end rigid portion which is located on a distal end side with respect to the bending portion; and a connection portion making up the distal end rigid portion, for connecting the ultrasound observation section with the bending portion, wherein the connection portion is inclined with respect to a central axis of the bending portion, an interface between the connection portion and the bending portion is perpendicular to the central axis, and the connection portion has a swept shape which is obtained by making a cross-section of the interface slide in a direction perpendicular to the central axis while keeping the perpendicularity along a straight line intersecting with the central axis.

Abstract: Determining a shape of a medical device to be implanted into a subject produces an image including a defective portion and a non-defective portion of a surface of a tissue of interest included in the subject. The tissue of interest is segmented within the image. A template, representing a normative shape of an external anatomical surface of the tissue of interest, is superimposed to span the defective portion. An external shape of an implant, is determined as a function of respective shapes of the defective portion as seen in the template, for repairing the defective portion.

Abstract: A patient mountable robot includes a four link mechanism, three actuators, and a first robot base. The mechanism includes four links that form a closed loop structure. The four links include a base link that includes a spherical joint. The mechanism provides two rotational degrees of freedom about the spherical joint for a needle that is configured to pass through the spherical joint. A first actuator is attached to the mechanism and moves the mechanism to provide the first of the two rotational degrees of freedom. A second actuator is attached to the mechanism and moves the mechanism to provide the second of the two rotational degrees of freedom. The base link of the mechanism passes through the first robot base. A third actuator is attached to the first robot base and linearly translates the base link so that a translational degree of freedom is provided for the needle.

Abstract: A system including a sensor and a device coupled to the sensor. The sensor is configured to detect in Animalia tissue (i) a first electromagnetic radiation extinction dominated by absorption of a first wavelength and (ii) a second electromagnetic radiation extinction dominated by scattering of a second wavelength. The device is configured to aid in diagnosing at least one of infiltration and extravasation in the Animalia tissue based on the first and second electromagnetic radiation extinctions detected by the sensor.

Abstract: Image data can be obtained with an imaging device. A location of the imaging device relative to a subject can be determined. A location of an instrument can be tracked relative to the subject using a tracking system. Also, the tracked location of the instrument can be illustrated relative to the image data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a scan section for executing a navigator sequence which transmits an RF pulse to a subject to obtain each magnetic resonance signal as navigator data. Upon execution of the navigator sequence, the scan section excites both a navigator area having two regions from which intensities of different navigator data signals are obtained, the two regions containing a body-moved region of the subject, and a region different from the two regions simultaneously, and transmits the RF pulse in such a manner that the phase of navigator data obtained from the different region differs from the phase of at least one region of navigator data obtained from the two regions.