Abstract: A method (100) and system (1) for diagnosing reflux disease in an individual (3). The method (100) comprises: administering (110) an oral dose (17) of tracer in to the individual; capturing (120), with a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanner (5), data representative of multiple image frames (21) of the individual in areas of interest (23) that include the pharynx (25) and oesophagus (27), wherein the data representative of multiple image frames (21) are captured over time after administration of the oral dose; and determining (130) one or more trend(s) in tracer activity over time in the areas of interest (23) based on the data representative of multiple image frames (21), wherein the trend(s) in tracer activity over time is indicative of a reflux disease.

Abstract: A device (10) for performing an amyloid assessment includes a radiation detector assembly (12) including at least one radiation detector (14). At least one electronic processor (20) is programmed to: detect radiation counts over a data acquisition time interval using the radiation detector assembly; compute at least one current count metric from the detected radiation counts; store the at least one current count metric associated with a current test date in a non-transitory storage medium (26); and determine an amyloid metric based on a comparison of the at least one current count metric with a count metric stored in the non-transitory storage medium associated with an earlier test date.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (102) includes a touch screen user interface (122) and a touch screen controller (148). The touch screen user interface includes a touch panel (124). The touch panel includes a plurality of different clusters (510-522) of controls including a first cluster (512) in first sub-region and with a tactile control and one or more other cluster (510 and 514-522) in one or more other different sub-regions and with soft controls. The touch screen controller visually renders the one or more other clusters in the one or more different sub-regions spatially arranged with respect to each other based on a predetermined control cluster configuration for the touch screen user interface. The one or more other clusters include controls that correspond to different groupings of ultrasound imaging operations of the ultrasound imaging system.

Abstract: An interventional device includes an elongate member configured to be inserted into a body of a patient, the elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, a sensing element disposed at the distal portion of the elongate member and configured to obtain measurement data associated with a body lumen; a stiffening mechanism coupled to the elongate member and configured to change the stiffness of the elongate member during a medical procedure. Associated devices, systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods and storage mediums for performing medical procedure (e.g., needle guidance, ablation, biopsy, etc.) planning and/or performance, and/or for performing visualization and manipulation of registration result(s), are provided. Examples of applications for such devices, systems, methods and storage mediums include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, lesions and tumors, and such devices, systems, methods and storage mediums may be used for radiotherapy applications (e.g., to determine whether to place seed(s) for radiotherapy).

Abstract: A puncture adapter of an embodiment holds a puncture needle and is attached to an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic probe group. The puncture adapter has a puncture bracket that can be fixed to the ultrasonic probe and a puncture needle guide that is attached to the puncture bracket. The puncture bracket is not fixed to the ultrasonic probe when the puncture needle guide is not attached. The puncture bracket is fixed to the ultrasonic probe when the puncture needle guide is attached.

Abstract: A surgical frame and a radiation-mitigation system are provided. The surgical frame can be capable of reconfiguration before, during, or after surgery, and can include a main beam that can be rotated, raised/lowered, and tilted upwardly/downwardly to afford positioning and repositioning of a patient supported thereon. Furthermore, use of imaging techniques to facilitate imaging of anatomical structures of a patient before, during, and after surgery can be desirous. An emitter of such imaging techniques can be positioned under the main beam of the surgical frame. The radiation-mitigation system can serve to intercept/block and mitigate at least some of the scatter of the electromagnetic radiation from the emitter.

Abstract: A template grid which attaches to an ultrasound stepper of a transrectal ultrasound unit providing transperineal guidance and support through adjustable angle apertures allowing for accurate targeting of a medical implant such as a needle to its intended target such as for purposes of perirectal spacer placement. The rotational apertures allow for free adjustable changes in the trajectory of a medial implant such as a needle to its intended target while providing stability and support to the medical implant itself. The template grid, in addition, contains fixed apertures for placement of a medical implant such as a needle into the substance of the prostate gland positioned to avoid inadvertent passage through the urethra and rectum.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. The lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker is configured to change when transitioning between the insertion orientation and the anchored orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A biopsy marker having a spring-loaded anchor. The biopsy marker includes an insertion orientation and an anchored orientation. In the insertion orientation, the biopsy marker is manipulated under force to reduce the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the marker. In the anchored orientation, the biopsy marker is released and free to actively spring into a configuration in which the lateral span/cross-sectional area is greater than the lateral span/cross-sectional area of the biopsy marker when in the insertion orientation. In an embodiment, the spring-loaded anchor is configured to spring about a predefined rotational axis. An embodiment of the biopsy marker may be comprised of a single wire construction.

Abstract: A transient elastography probe includes a probe body; an ultrasound transducer configured to generate an ultrasound beam along an axis, the ultrasound beam being generated from a face of the ultrasound transducer; a vibrator located inside the probe body and arranged so as to induce a movement of the ultrasound transducer along a predefined axis; the ultrasound transducer being mounted on the vibrator so that the predefined axis and the axis of the ultrasound beam coincide with each other, and a sealing membrane hugging the outer contours of the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: An optical scanning imaging/projection apparatus includes a light source that outputs illumination light and projection light in the visible range, an optical scanner that scans the illumination light and the projection light, which are output from the light source, along a predetermined scanning trajectory, a switch that switches the output from the light source so that the illumination light and the projection light are alternately output, an optical detector that detects observation light generated by a subject irradiated with the illumination light, a storage that stores data in which an intensity of the detected observation light detected is associated with information indicating a detection position on the scanning trajectory, and a projection light controller that controls, on the basis of the data stored in the storage unit, an intensity of the projection light to be applied to each position on the scanning trajectory.

Abstract: A system for spatially mapping neurons in brain tissue is disclosed which includes a source of light configured to be shone on a subject at a first wavelength causing emission of light at a second wavelength from generating calcium when one or more neurons are firing, an optical filter configured to allow passage of light having the second wavelength, an image capture device configured to capture images of the brain tissue at the second wavelength, and a processor with software configured to establish a spatial model for localizing one or more neurons where captured images are used to iteratively adjust parameters of the model to thereby minimize error between generated and captured images.

Abstract: An imaging probe is covered with a stiff sheath, which allows the imaging probe to move while the stiff sheath remains in a substantially fixed location for at least a portion of the surgical procedure while the probe moves within the stiff sheath. The stiff sheath may comprise sufficient stiffness to resist deformation as the imaging probe moves along an internal channel of the sheath. The sheath can be sized and shaped in many ways and may comprise one or more openings to allow fluid to move within the channel in which the probe is located.

Abstract: A localization tool for localizing and marking a nodule of a patient includes a magnetic portion for locating a magnetic fiducial marker disposed in or adjacent the nodule, and an electrocautery element for marking the nodule or tissue adjacent the nodule upon locating the magnetic fiducial marker.

Abstract: A system for providing navigational guidance to a sonographer acquiring images is disclosed. The system may provide haptic feedback to the sonographer. The haptic feedback may be provided through an ultrasonic probe or a separate device. Haptic feedback may include vibrations or other sensations provided to the sonographer. The system may analyze acquired images and determine the location of acquisition and compare it to a desired image and a location for obtaining the desired image. The system may calculate the location for obtaining the desired image based, at least in part, on the acquired image. The system may then provide the haptic feedback to guide the sonographer to move the ultrasonic probe to the location to acquire the desired image.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a flexible instrument (20) including a lumen (22). A plurality of shape or strain sensing optical fibers (14, 16, 18) is integrated in the flexible instrument in the lumen and extends over a length of the flexible instrument. The plurality of optical fibers is configured to measure movement relative to one another to sense a change in distance between the plurality of optical fibers to detect a state of a reconfigurable portion (24) of the flexible instrument.

Abstract: A system for detecting blood velocity within a blood vessel includes a piezoelectric transducer supported on a ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate supports the piezoelectric transducer at a fixed angle of incidence that is greater than 0° and less than 90°. The ceramic substrate is formed of steatite ceramic and is configured to couple an ultrasonic signal emitted by the transducer to skin underlying the substrate.

Abstract: An imaging system may include an imaging detector to capture an image of human tissue and a compression paddle situated apart from the imaging detector to compress the human tissue between the compression paddle and the imaging detector. A force sensor may generate a force signal indicating a measure of force applied superior to the human tissue. A movement detection circuit may filter a movement signal from the force signal indicating a measure of movement of the compressed human tissue. A movement analysis module may determine that the movement signal is beyond a movement threshold. An image correction module to perform a corrective action based upon the determination that the movement signal is beyond a movement threshold.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for placing a catheter in a vasculature of a patient. The system includes a system console with a tip location mode and an ultrasound mode viewable on a display, a magnetic assembly emanating a magnetic field, a tip location sensor designed to sense the magnetic field, and an ultrasound probe for ultrasonically imaging an internal portion of the patient. The magnetic field may provide magnetic field information for locating the magnetic assembly relative to the tip location sensor. The tip location sensor is designed to communicate the magnetic field information to the system console. The system console is designed to display an icon representative of a location of the magnetic assembly relative to the tip location sensor in the tip location mode.