Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and/or using radio frequency (“RF”) pulses for in-vivo MRI applications, where the RF pulses are robust against errors due to physiological motion of organs during the respiratory cycle. For example, RF pulses are designed based on multi-channel B1+ maps correlated to different positions of the respiratory cycle.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for sensing coupling of an ultrasound source to a target and for providing a constant average output of power from an ultrasound source. The systems and methods can include a frequency sweep function. The systems and methods can also include receiving reflected energy from an acoustic window and determining a feedback using the reflected energy. The systems and methods can also include comparing the feedback with a threshold level and using the comparison to determine if the ultrasound source is coupled with a target.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system and method for placing a catheter in a patient body. The system may include a system console having a display, a tip location sensor operably connected to the system console and placed onto a body of a patient. The tip location sensor may be designed to sense a magnetic field of a first medical device. The system may also include an ECG tip confirmation component operably connected to the system console via the tip location sensor, and an ultrasound probe operably connected to the system console, the ultrasound probe including one or more magnetic sensors designed to sense a magnetic field of a second medical device different from the first medical device. The system may further include a processor associated with the console designed to utilize data relating to the magnetic field of the second medical device to determine a position and/or orientation thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering apparatus (15) for filtering an ultrasound signal, which is influenced by an electrical unit and comprises a first part including information about an object (4) from which the ultrasound signal has been received and a second part not comprising information about the object. A correction signal determination unit (17) determines a correction signal being indicative of the influence of the electrical unit on the ultrasound signal from the second part of the ultrasound signal and a correction unit (18) corrects the first part of the ultrasound signal based on the determined correction signal for filtering the influence of the electrical unit out of the ultrasound signal. Since the correction signal is indicative of the influence of the electrical unit, wherein the correction signal is used for correcting the ultrasound signal, unwanted interference visible in the unfiltered ultrasound signal can be filtered out.

Abstract: Medical apparatus are disclosed for optoacoustic monitoring of an indwelling unit of the apparatus, where the indwelling unit includes one or more optical components capable of directing pulsed light into an overlying tissue. The apparatus also include one or more acoustic components in contact with an exterior surface of the tissue to detect induced pressure waves producing an acoustic output analyzed with an optoacoustic unit to monitor and confirm proper placement of the indwelling unit. Methods for using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ultrasound image processing method and ultrasound diagnostic device using the method, the method including: acquiring frame signals generated at different time points; generating, by using the frame signals, a first motion map composed of pixel areas each having a motion, the motion indicating an inter-frame signal change and calculated from corresponding pixel areas of the frame signals; holding a second motion map and creating a third motion map by performing a calculation using motions in the first and second motion maps; and adding emphasis to a frame signal by using the third motion map and generating an ultrasound image from the frame signal. In the method, after the calculation using motions, the third motion map is held in place of the second motion map.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (“OCT”) system that includes a planarizing transparent material is provided. The OCT system comprises: an OCT probe comprising: a body having a distal end and a proximal end; a positioner adapter located at the proximal end; a connector to an OCT analysis device, the connector located at the proximal end; and, an OCT scan lens located at the distal end; and, a transparent material configured to planarize tissue at a scan plane of the OCT scan lens.

Abstract: Systems are provided for detecting the flow of blood in vasculature by illuminating the blood with a source of coherent illumination and detecting one or more time-varying properties of a light speckle pattern that results from the scattering of the coherent illumination by tissue and blood. The movement of blood cells and other light-scattering elements in the blood causes transient, short-duration changes in the speckle pattern. High-frequency sampling or other high-bandwidth processing of a detected intensity at one or more points in the speckle pattern could be used to determine the flow of blood in the vasculature. Such flow-measuring systems are also presented as wearable devices that can be operated to detect the flow in vasculature of a wearer. Systems and methods provided herein can additionally be applied to measure flow in other scattering fluid media, for example in a scattering industrial, medical, pharmaceutical, or environmental fluid.

Abstract: A matrix array probe including a transducer array and integrated circuitry coupled to the transducer elements dissipates heat generated by the array and integrated circuitry through the cover of the transducer probe. A pump in the probe connector pumps fluid through a closed loop system including inbound an outbound fluid conduits in the cable. The fluid conduits in the cable are separated by the cable electrical conductors for the probe. The heat transfer in the probe is done by a heat exchanger in the transducer backing block. Additional cooling may be provided by metal to metal contact with a chiller in the ultrasound system.

Abstract: A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological tissue biopsy device including a body extending in a longitudinal direction, an outer needle installed to be connected to one side of the body and be extended in a longitudinal direction and including a first tube having a hollow portion formed therein and a second tube disposed in a direction parallel to the first tube to guide a hemostatic substance, an inner needle provided inside the first tube and extending in a longitudinal direction, and a sliding means provided in the body and installed to be connected to one end of the inner needle so as to enable the inner needle to move forward and backward. Here, the sliding means causes the inner needle to move a predetermined distance from the hollow portion of the first tube and be inserted into a target site.

Abstract: A method of MR imaging a moving portion of a body includes detecting a motion signal from the body while continuously subjecting the moving portion of the body to one or more preparation RF pulses; subjecting the moving portion of the body to an imaging sequence including an excitation RF pulse and switched magnetic field gradients, wherein the imaging sequence is triggered by the detected motion signal; acquiring MR signals from the moving portion of the body; and reconstructing an MR image from the acquired MR signals.

Abstract: In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is an exemplary system, method and computer-accessible for determining a characteristic(s) of a tissue(s), that can include, for example, receiving magnetic resonance imaging information regarding the tissue(s) including a time-intensity curve(s) of the tissue(s) based on a contrast agent(s) concentration, actively encoding a part of the time-intensity curve(s) with a magnetic resonance relaxation property(s) of the tissue(s) by varying a magnetic resonance imaging scan parameter(s) to generate encoded data during magnetic resonance data acquisition, and determining the tissue characteristic(s) based on the encoded data.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to intravascular introduction of the catheter. The ultrasound probe includes user input controls for controlling use of the ultrasound probe in an ultrasound mode and use of the tip location sensor in a tip location mode. In another embodiment, ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart.

Abstract: An optimized press-fit between a resected bone and an articular implant may, for instance, reduce undesirable qualities, including excess micromotion, stress transmission, and/or strain. By taking into account heterogeneous bone properties, the parameters of a bone resection can be determined as to optimize the press-fit between a resected bone and an articular implant. An optimized press-fit is obtained by determining ideal engagement characteristics corresponding to the fit between the fixation features of an articular implant and a bone. Then, taking into account a bone's heterogeneous properties, the parameters of a bone resection that would substantially achieve the determined ideal engagement characteristics are determined.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to intravascular ultrasound imaging and to systems and methods to improve line density and image quality. The invention provides an intravascular imaging system that uses a clock device to provide a set of trigger signals for each revolution of the imaging catheter and capture various patterns of scan lines for each set of trigger signals. The system can be operated to capture two scan lines of data for each trigger signal thereby doubling scan line density compared to existing systems. The clock device can be provided by hardware, such as a rotary encoder, that is configured to define a maximum number of trigger signals that the module can provide per rotation of the catheter.

Abstract: A tool for inserting a marker into tissue at a biopsy site includes an elongate plunger having a blind bore. A plunger rod has a proximal end received within and secured to the blind bore so that the plunger rod moves conjointly with the plunger and a spring is secured to the distal end of the plunger rod. A cannula has a lumen that receives a distal end of the plunger rod and a crimp is formed in the cannula near its distal end. The cannula has a side exit port where a marker is ejected from the lumen. A ramp is formed in communication with the side exit port and the ramp has a preselected slope that controls the angle at which the marker is ejected. The marker is ejected from the side exit port into tissue when the spring unloads abruptly as the marker clears the crimp.

Abstract: An ultrasound system performs duplex colorflow and spectral Doppler imaging, with the spectral Doppler interrogation performed at a sample volume location shown on the colorflow image. The colorflow image is displayed in a color box overlaid on a co-registered B mode image. A color box position and steering angle processor analyzes the spatial Doppler data and automatically sets the color box angle and location over a blood vessel for optimal Doppler sensitivity and accuracy. The processor may also automatically set the flow angle correction cursor in alignment with the direction of flow. In a preferred embodiment these optimization adjustments are made automatically and continuously as a user pauses at points for Doppler measurements along a length of the blood vessel.

Abstract: Delivery systems, and methods using the same, having an ultrasound viewing window for improved imaging and a needle for ablation treatment of target tissues. In an embodiment, the target tissue is a fibroid within a female's uterus. In an embodiment, the delivery system includes a rigid shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial passage extending through the rigid shaft. In an embodiment, the axial passage is configured for removably receiving the ultrasound imaging insert having an ultrasound array disposed a distal portion.

Abstract: A medical imaging probe (102) for contact with an imaging subject includes an indicium placement apparatus for, while the probe is in contact, selectively performing an instance of marking the subject so as to record a position of the probe. The device may further include a feedback module for determining whether an orientation, with respect to a the mark, that currently exists for a medical imaging probe of the device meets a criterion of proximity to a predetermined orientation. Responsive to the determination that the criterion is met, a quantitative evaluation may be made automatically and without need for user intervention, via live imaging via the probe, of a lesion that was, prior to the determination, specifically identified for the evaluation. Change, such as growth (116), in the lesion, like a brain lesion, may thereby be tracked over consistent sequential imaging acquisitions, such as through ultrasound.