Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for tracking a target tissue during therapy delivery. A system for identifying an anatomical structure and tracking the motion of the anatomical structure using imaging before and during delivery of a therapy to a patient includes an imaging module and a therapy module. In some cases, the imaging module is configured to identify a region of the anatomical structure in an image, and the therapy module is configured to deliver the therapy to a target tissue. A method for imaging during delivery of a therapy includes acquiring an image, identifying a region of an anatomical structure, tracking the region of the anatomical structure, integrating the tracking, generating a unique template library, determining if a pre-existing template matches the results or if the results should be updated as a new template, and delivering the therapy to the target tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a medical imaging apparatus. The medical imaging apparatus includes: a user interface configured to receive an input for setting a region of interest (ROI) in a first medical image and an input for setting first volume rendering properties for the ROI and second volume rendering properties for a remaining region of the first medical image other than the ROI; an image generator configured to generate a second medical image by performing volume rendering on the ROI and the remaining region other than the ROI based on the first and second volume rendering properties, respectively; and a display configured to display the second medical image.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasound system and an image display method of displaying an ultrasound image on an auxiliary display. The ultrasound system generates a three-dimensional (3D) image in a first orientation with respect to ultrasound volume data acquired from an object and displays the 3D image in the first orientation on a display. The ultrasound system also acquires position information and orientation information of an auxiliary display and determines a second orientation based on the acquired position information and orientation information. The ultrasound system then generates a 3D image in the determined second orientation and controls the 3D image in the second orientation to be displayed on the auxiliary display.

Abstract: The presented methods and devices may provide at least one treatment action leading to one or more treatment effects including influencing the tissue to enhance, renew or improve biosynthesis of at least one component of an extracellular matrix. In one embodiment, the methods and devices may provide treatment effects to skin fibroblasts and/or fasciacytes of the patient, influencing the skin fibroblasts and/or fasciacytes to enhance, renew or improve biosynthesis of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. During use, the marker(s) are into a target tissue region, and the probe is placed against the patient's skin to detect and localize the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the localization information from the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus for operating MRI is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a control for operating an MRI scanner to carry out an MRI scan; an input for receiving first and second MRI scans respectively at the beginning and end of a predetermined time interval post contrast administration; a subtraction map former for forming a subtraction map from the first and the second MRI scans by analyzing the scans to distinguish between a population in which contrast clearance from the tissue is slower than contrast accumulation, and a population in which clearance is faster than accumulation; and an output to provide an indication of distribution of the populations. The control is configured to carry out the first scan at least five minutes and no more than twenty minutes post contrast administration and to carry out the second scan such that the predetermined time period is at least twenty minutes.

Abstract: A method of evaluating airway wall density and inflammation including: segmenting a bronchial tree to create an airway wall map; for each branch, taking a set of locations that form the wall of each branch from the map and sampling the value in a virtual non-contrast image of the bronchial tree and, given a set of samples of pre-contrast densities, computing a value to yield a bronchial wall density for each branch to yield density measures; for each branch, taking the set of locations that form the wall of each branch from the map and sampling the value in a contrast agent map of the bronchial tree and, given the set of samples of contrast agent intake, computing a value to yield a bronchial wall uptake for each branch to yield inflammation measures; and using the density and inflammation measures to determine treatment or predict outcome for a patient.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems, including computer-implemented methods for building a lipid core plaque (LCP) cap collagen structural integrity classifier are described. The blood vessel wall is illuminated with near-infrared light. Reflected near-infrared light from the blood vessel wall is received. A reflectance spectrum based on the reflected near-infrared light from the blood vessel wall is determined. Whether the reflectance spectrum is indicative of the presence of an LCP is determined. Collagen structural integrity indicator data associated with the blood vessel wall are determined. The LCP cap collagen structural integrity classifier is generated based on the reflectance spectrum and the collagen structural integrity indicator data.

Abstract: An OCT system for imaging multiple depth positions includes a light source, a sample arm and two or more reference arms. The sample arm propagates light to the object and directs object return light having a first return light beam from a first position and a second return light beam from a second position, the second return light having a dispersion level higher than the first return light beam by a dispersion difference amount. The first and second reference arms produce light beams having substantially the same dispersion as the first and second return light beams, respectively. The optical pathway combines all of the object return light and the reference light beams. An OCT detector measures the resulting interferogram. Imaging information is obtained for both the first position and the second position based on the dispersion difference amount.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for adjusting a table position in a medical data acquisition scanner, image data relating to a body region are generated by operation of the medical data acquisition scanner by running a scanning protocol. The scanning protocol is intended to be used independently of the body region that is mapped. An iso-mode, in which a relative position of the body region relative to the isocenter of the medical data acquisition scanner can be set via the table position in accordance with an optimization criterion, and on a ref-mode, in which the table position is set at a predetermined reference position, are provided.

Abstract: A non-contact blood-pressure measuring device includes: an image acquiring section that acquires a skin image obtained by capturing skin of a user; a pulse-wave timing calculating section that calculates, as a pulse-wave timing, time information indicative of a time at which time-varying luminance in the skin image reaches a peak; a millimeter-wave acquiring section that acquires a signal of a radio wave reflected by the user; a heartbeat timing calculating section that calculates, as a heartbeat timing, time information indicative of a time at which a time-varying distance to the user obtained on the basis of the signal of the radio wave acquired by the millimeter-wave acquiring section reaches a peak; and a blood-pressure determining section that determines blood pressure of the user on the basis of a time difference between the pulse-wave timing and the heartbeat timing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a plurality of ultrasonic wave transmitting sections adapted to transmit an ultrasonic wave as a fundamental wave, and a plurality of ultrasonic wave receiving sections capable of receiving a second-order harmonic wave with respect to the fundamental wave, the plurality of ultrasonic wave transmitting sections and the plurality of ultrasonic wave receiving sections are arranged along an X direction, the plurality of ultrasonic wave receiving sections are arranged at first intervals corresponding to the order of the second-order harmonic wave, the N ultrasonic wave transmitting sections constitute a single transmission channel, and are wired with each other, and the transmission channels are arranged at second intervals each twice as long as the first interval. N is a natural number.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved medical devices equipped with a visualization device for intubation, extubation, ventilation, drug delivery, feeding and continuous remote monitoring of a patient. The present invention also provides methods for rapid and accurate placement of a medical device in a patient and continuous real time monitoring, including a remote monitoring, of the patient after the placement.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance tomograph and a method for tracking a marker in an examination subject by a magnetic resonance tomograph are disclosed. The magnetic resonance tomograph includes a first image recording mode for acquiring the position of the marker. In one act of the method, data for acquiring the position of the marker is recorded with the first image recording mode. In a further act, a position of the marker is determined from the data and a first image with a location-accurate reproduction of the marker is prepared. The recording of the data for acquiring the position of the marker takes place depending on an event.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided with an ultrasound catheter and a controller coupled to the ultrasound catheter. The catheter includes a localizer sensor configured to generate positional information for the ultrasound catheter, and an imaging ultrasound sensor having a restricted field of view. The controller co-registers images from the imaging ultrasound sensor with positional information from the localizer sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring macromolecular proton fraction in a subject are provided. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus applies a magnetic field to a body region on the subject, and radiofrequency modes are applied to the body region as well. Each radiofrequency mode delivers a plurality of radiofrequency pulses separated by time delays, wherein at least one of the radiofrequency modes causes suppression of signal components from an unwanted tissue, and at least one of the radiofrequency modes causes magnetization exchange between water and macromolecules in tissues in the body region. Amplitudes corresponding to magnetic signals received from the body region are measured and macromolecular proton fraction based on the amplitudes can be calculated.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining contrast enhanced perfusion imaging data of at least two vessel regions, one downstream from the other, and at least one tissue of interest, which receives blood from the circulatory system, of a scanned subject. The method further includes determining a blood flow time difference between contrast material peaks of the at least two vessel regions based on the image data. The method further includes determining an absolute perfusion of the tissue of interest based on the image data. The method further includes computing a standardized perfusion value based on the absolute perfusion and the time difference. The method further includes displaying the standardized perfusion value.

Abstract: A connecting device for establishing a data link between a docking device provided at a part of a magnetic resonance scanner, and a patient support, with at least one slot for a local coil, which can be docked to the docking device, has a first data transmission device on the patient support side, which interacts with a second data transmission device on the docking device side in order to establish the data link in the docked state. The data transmission devices each have at least one communication device designed for wireless near field communication.

Abstract: A device may emit a first emission sequence of infrared radiation at a subject, and capture a first reflected sequence of infrared radiation reflected from the subject. The first emission sequence may be compared to the first reflected sequence, and, based on the comparison, a sequence of variations may be determined. The sequence of variations may be compared to a signal pattern stored in a sleep profile for the subject. The subject may be determined to have exhibited a sleep behavior based on the comparison of the sequence of variations to the signal pattern stored in the sleep profile. In response to determining that the subject has exhibited the sleep behavior, the device may capture a second reflected sequence of radiation reflected from the subject. A breathing rate of the subject and/or a heart rate of the subject may be determined based on the second reflected sequence.

Abstract: Still image display of a recent video image of tissue as a reference still image prior to a switch in the mode of illumination of the tissue. The still image is displayed concurrently with live video of the tissue under a different mode of illumination, to facilitate discrimination between healthy and diseased tissue. When a practitioner switches a light source from a “first light” to a “second light”, the second light video may be frozen/captured and displayed as a reference still image as a PIP, and the second light live video is displayed concurrently. The second light can be infrared and/or near infrared light. The second light can include structured light to project a structured light pattern to facilitate structure measurements. The second light source is configured with a numerical aperture greater than the first light source.