Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating the location of a wave source based upon low frequency measurements acquired using multiple receivers. In one aspect, a method for estimating an end range of a radiation beam delivered to a target is provided. The method includes controlling a radiation treatment system to deliver a radiation beam inducing at least one low frequency thermoacoustic wave inside a target, and detecting, using receivers positioned about the target, sonic signals corresponding to the at least one low frequency thermoacoustic wave. The method also includes analyzing the sonic signals to determine differences in times-of-flight associated with different receivers, and estimating an end range of the radiation beam by correlating the differences in times-of-flight. The method further includes generating a report indicative of the end range of the radiation beam.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of evaluating a vascular system of a patient, are provided. In some instances, the method includes obtaining external imaging data associated with the heart; obtaining cardiac test data associated with the heart; generating a three-dimensional graphical representation of the heart using the external imaging data and the cardiac test data; and outputting the graphical representation of the heart to a display device, wherein the graphical representation of the heart includes a graphical representation of the cardiac test data. Corresponding systems and devices are also provided.

Abstract: The present application relates to an ultrasound fusion imaging method and an ultrasound fusion image navigation system. The ultrasound fusion imaging method includes a selection step, a registration step and a fusion step. The selection step is for selecting at least one ultrasound image from at least one previously stored piece of ultrasound video data according to an input instruction. The ultrasound video data includes an ultrasound image obtained by acquiring a target object in at least one plane and position indicating information corresponding to the ultrasound image. The registration step is for registering the selected at least one ultrasound image with a modality image. The registration process uses the location of the position indicating information of the at least one ultrasound image. The fusion step is for fusing the registered ultrasound image with the modality image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of imaging an imaging region (7) employ an acoustic transducer array (10?) to produce image data for the imaging region (7), wherein there are one or more obstructions (15-1, 15-2, 15-3) between the acoustic transducer array (10?) and at least a portion (5) of the imaging region (7). One or more processors exploit redundancy in transmit/receive pair paths among the acoustic transducers in the acoustic transducer array (10?) to compensate for missing image data of the imaging region (7) due to the one or more obstructions (15-1, 15-2, 15-3), and produce an image of the imaging region (7) from the compensated image data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is gated to acquire images at different phases of a physiological cycle such as the heartbeat. At each successive heart cycle a trigger actuates the acquisition of a continuous sequence of images, starting at a particular phase of the heart cycle and ending when the next heart cycle begins. Multiple triggers are used, each starting at a different phase of the heart cycle and each acquiring images at uniform temporal spacing. After the first trigger is used a sequence of images has been captured which are temporally evenly spaced over the heart cycle, and as successive triggers are used uniform temporal spacing is maintained as the heart cycle is filled in with additional images for replay of an image loop of phase re-ordered images at a high frame rate of display.

Abstract: Aspects described herein disclose devices, systems, and methods for use in contexts such as minimally invasive surgery (MIS). A device is provided herein having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and an ultrasound transducer may be disposed within the distal portion and configured to scan tissue and identify certain portions of a patent's anatomy during the scanning process. The results of the detection may be presented to an operator of the device aurally and/or visually, such as in a 3-D volumetric image. By scanning the tissue, identifying the anatomy, and presenting the results to an operator, unnecessary damage to elements of the patients anatomy may be avoided or lessened. In some aspects, multiple transducers may be positioned on the device to increase the scanning range and/or scanning accuracy of the device. The device may provide an inner channel for the passage of surgical tools while scanning tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with an endoluminal data-acquisition device that acquires a set of endoluminal data-points of a lumen of a subject's body at respective locations inside the lumen, a second endoluminal device, and a display configured to display images. At least one processor includes location-association functionality that associates a given data point acquired by the endoluminal data-acquisition device with a given location within the lumen. Location-determination functionality determines, by means of image processing, in an extraluminal image of the second endoluminal device, a current location of at least a portion of the second endoluminal device. Display-driving functionality drives the display to display an indication of the endoluminal data point associated with the location, in response to determining that the portion of the second device is currently at the location. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.

Abstract: A delivery system for local drug delivery to a target site of internal body tissue is provided. The delivery system comprises a source electrode adapted to be positioned proximate to a target site of internal body tissue. A counter electrode is in electrical communication with the source electrode, and is configured to cooperate with the source electrode to form a localized electric field proximate to the target site. A reservoir is configured to be disposed such that the reservoir is capable of interacting with the localized electric field. The reservoir is configured to carry a cargo capable of being delivered to the target site when exposed to the localized electric field. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus associated with predicting colorectal cancer tumor invasiveness are described. One example apparatus includes a set of circuits, and a data store that stores radiological images of tissue demonstrating colorectal cancer. The set of circuits includes a circumferential resection margin (CRM) prediction circuit that generates a CRM probability score for a diagnostic radiological image, an image acquisition circuit that acquires a diagnostic radiological image of a region of tissue demonstrating colorectal cancer pathology and that provides the diagnostic radiological image to the CRM prediction circuit, and a training circuit that trains the CRM prediction circuit to quantify chemoradiation response in the region of tissue represented in the diagnostic radiological image. The training circuit trains the CRM prediction circuit using a set of composite images.

Abstract: A system for insertion of a surgical tool along a trajectory to a target region in a patient's tissues, under the guidance of ultrasound imaging. The system includes a hand-held robot to whose base the probe of an ultrasound system is rigidly connected. The activated platform of the hand held robot carries a surgical tool guide. The alignment of the tool guide defines the trajectory which the tool takes within the subject's body. The position of the target region seen on the ultrasound display, can be recorded, and the robot coordinate frame of reference registered thereto. The system aligns the pose of the robot such that the surgical tool is aimed directly at the target region, independently of motion of the ultrasound probe and its associated robot. An inertial measurement unit can be incorporated to provide back-up positional information if the image of the lesion is lost.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patients heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.

Abstract: A method includes transitioning, via a micro-processor, an ultrasound imaging system (100) running in a first mode (128), in which a first location and a first orientation of an elongate needle (106) of an instrument (102) at a surface (111) of an object (110) is determined based on a first signal from a tracking device (112) at least on the instrument, to a second different mode, in which a second location and a second orientation of the needle within the object is determined based on an ultrasound image representing the object, in response to determining the needle penetrated the surface of the object, wherein a beam steering angle with which the ultrasound image is acquired is determined based on the first location and the first orientation of the needle, and displaying the ultrasound image.

Abstract: A method of imaging motion of an organ that changes volume in a patient including the steps of monitoring change in volume of the organ, and recording multiple in vivo images of the organ, wherein the change of organ volume between the images is constant or of some other predetermined value.

Abstract: A probe cap for use with an ultrasound probe including a head portion and an acoustic surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe cap includes a body that defines a cavity sized for releasably receiving the head portion of the probe therein. The probe cap body further defines a hole that is proximate the acoustic surface of the head portion. A compliant spacer component is disposed in the hole. The spacer component can include a hydrogel and provides an acoustic path between the acoustic surface and a tissue surface of a patient. The spacer component includes a skin contact surface that defines a concavity and is deformable against the tissue surface. Additional embodiments disclose various probe cap and accompanying needle guide designs for use in assisting a clinician with ultrasound probe use and needle insertion into a patient.

Abstract: A system and method for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape. A variable angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs transmission ultrasound to a subject according to a drive signal, a puncture needle being inserted in the subject, and which outputs a received signal obtained by receiving reflected ultrasound from the subject. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus further includes an image generation unit which generates ultrasound image data for each frame, a display unit which displays an ultrasound image, an evaluation information generation unit which generates movement evaluation information indicating movement evaluation between frames, a puncture needle position detection unit which detects a position of a tip of the puncture needle on a basis of the movement evaluation information, a highlighting unit which highlights display of a tip image in the ultrasound image and a speed calculation unit which calculates moving speed of the tip of the puncture needle.

Abstract: A system and methods for molecular breast imaging (MBI) using pixelated gamma cameras provide easier patient positioning and biopsy access using compression paddles and movable gamma cameras. The paddles and cameras can be curved to better conform to the breast shape. A variable-angle slant-hole collimator is provided to assist in stereotactic imaging for biopsy guidance. Methods for performing an MBI screening or diagnostic examination and guiding a biopsy with stereotactic MBI are provided.

Abstract: A detection and identification system of instruments for use with a surgical navigation system is described. The navigation system contains an instrument assembly containing a coil (of a receiver) having an interior space, an instrument configured to be removably coupled to the coil, and a prong affixed to the instrument and configured to be at least partially disposed within the interior space of the coil when the instrument is coupled to the coil, where the prong has a length corresponding to physical dimensions of the instrument. The navigation system can also contain a transmitter located within the body of a patient.

Abstract: A method for measuring a mean visco-elasticity value for a soft material uses a single probe carrying at least one transducer. At least one burst of mechanical vibrations is induced in a constraint zone in order to generate internal shear waves in the tissue propagating from the constraint zone into the tissue. The transient tissue displacements are measured with a transducer in at least one first measurement zone in the tissue, the first measurement zone being located away from the constraint zone. A mean visco-elasticity of the region of the tissue situated between the constraint zone and the first measurement zone is estimated from the measured transient tissue displacements of the tissue in the first measurement zone.