Abstract: Systems and methods for locating lesions in a prostate or other organ during a first intervention session, and for using that lesion location information during a second intervention session are presented. A module for detecting and reporting the position of a prostate in real time is disclosed. The module comprises a sensor which detects and electronic signal. An image registration system for mapping first-session 3D model information to a second-session 3D model is also presented, as is a prostate modeling facilitation tool which comprises a set of predefined 3D models of the prostate.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring system may process a physiological signal such a photoplethysmograph signal from a subject. The system may determine physiological information, such as a physiological rate, from the physiological signal. The system may use search techniques and qualification techniques to determine one or more initialization parameters. The initialization parameters may be used to calculate and qualify a physiological rate. The system may use signal conditioning to reduce noise in the physiological signal and to improve the determination of physiological information. The system may use qualification techniques to confirm determined physiological parameters. The system may also use autocorrelation techniques, cross-correlation techniques, fast start techniques, and/or reference waveforms when processing the physiological signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a method for detecting spinal abnormalities using magnet resonance imaging. The method comprises positioning a patient in an upright posture in an imaging volume of a magnet resonance imaging magnet with the spine of the patient adjacent to an antenna and capturing magnetic resonance imaging signals from a first portion of the patient's spine using the antenna with the patient positioned in a first position. The method may further comprise adjusting the patient position along a substantially vertical direction to a second position and capturing magnetic resonance imaging signals from a second portion of the patient's spine using the antenna with the patient positioned in the second position.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for estimating velocity of flow within an ultrasound dataset. A sample volume gate is defined on a two-dimensional (2D) image. The 2D image is based on an ultrasonic dataset. Spectral Doppler velocity estimates of flow are detected within the sample volume gate in first and second dimensions that are orthogonal with respect to each other. A true velocity estimate of the flow within the sample volume gate is determined based on the Doppler velocity estimates.

Abstract: A method for non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (“MRA”) that has a short scan time and is insensitive to patient motion is provided. More particularly, the method provides significant arterial conspicuity and substantial venous signal suppression. A two-dimensional single shot acquisition is employed and timed to occur a specific time period after the occurrence of an R-wave in a contemporaneously recorded electrocardiogram. In this manner, k-space data is acquired that is substantially insensitive to variations in arterial flow velocity, or heart rate, and that further substantially suppresses unwanted venous signal in a prescribed imaging slice.

Abstract: A low intensity shockwaves (LISW) system includes a support surface for a patient to sit upon, a shockwave generating device including focusing apparatus operative to focus shockwaves generated by the shockwave generating device to a target, and an organ interface member on the support surface operative to direct the shockwaves to a peritoneum or penile shaft of the patient when the patient sits upon the support surface.

Abstract: A system and method of ultrasound imaging, the system including a laparoscopic surgical instrument including at least one ultrasound transducer, and a processor adapted to receive acoustic data from the ultrasound transducer and process the acoustic data from the ultrasound transducer to produce a graphical representation of the acoustic data, the graphical representation depicting echoic attributes of tissue substantially axially aligned with a transmission path of the at least one ultrasound transducer, and the distance of at least one tissue type having different echoic attributes from surrounding tissue form a distal tip of the laparoscopic surgical instrument.

Abstract: A marker deployment tool may comprise a marker cannula having a lateral deployment aperture, a push rod slidably disposed within the marker cannula and a scalloped tip coupled to the distal end of the marker cannula. The scalloped tip may have a push rod recess configured to receive a portion of the distal end of the push rod such that the push rod does not appreciably extend out of the lateral deployment aperture when the push rod is actuated distally. The marker deployment tool may further comprise a magnet at or near the distal end. This magnet may be used in combination with a magnet or plurality of magnets disposed about an access chamber in a tissue sample holder to assist the user in aligning the marker deployment tool. The access chamber in the tissue sample holder may also include a valve, two valves, or a removable plug.

Abstract: Navigational imaging system and method for use in branched luminal structure. Flexible, spatially steerable probe is equipped with forward- and side-imaging mutually complementing means to enable sub-surface imaging, quantitative determination of probe's positioning with respect to anatomical identifiers of structure, forming 3D image of structure in a volume defined by the imaging means, and positioning of probe in registration with a 3D coordinate system that is independent from the structure. Method includes determining anatomical identifiers of luminal structure branches based on 3D and sub-surface images, assigning such identifiers as fiducial points, and correlating the determined identifiers with those obtained from anatomical model to select target branch for further steering the probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method for detecting a target region of altered stiffness is provided. The method comprises delivering at least one reference pulse to the target region to detect an initial position of the target region, delivering a first pushing pulse having a first value of a variable parameter to a target region to displace the target region to a first displaced position, delivering a first tracking pulse to detect the first displaced position of the target region, delivering a second pushing pulse having a second value of the variable parameter to the target region to displace the target region to a second displaced position, and delivering a second tracking pulse to detect the second displaced position of the target region. An ultrasound imaging system for detecting a region of altered stiffness is also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image generator, a detector, and a controller. The processor is configured to acquire two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in a scan range formed of a plurality of scan lines, from two-dimensional or three-dimensional echo data collected through ultrasound transmission/reception performed in the scan range. The image processor is configured to generate blood flow images in time sequence from the two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in the scan range. The detector is configured to detect movement information in time sequence of speckles in a preset two-dimensional or three-dimensional region of interest, among the blood flow images in time sequence. The controller is configured to control a predetermined display to display movement information data that is data based on the movement information in time sequence.

Abstract: A subject observation apparatus of the invention includes: a light-emitting section for emitting a light to a subject; an optical modulation section for detecting a scattering angle of a return light from the subject and performing optical modulation on the return light in accordance with the scattering angle; and a signal output section for generating a signal to show a state of light scattering in the subject based on the light subjected to the optical modulation by the optical modulation section, and outputting the generated signal.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a medical device within a body is provided. The method includes transmitting from the medical device an acoustic signal; receiving with the medical device a reflected acoustic signal; advancing the medical device based on a first algorithm, the first algorithm including a first weighting factor and a first feature extracted from the reflected acoustic signal; determining a first location of the medical device based on the first algorithm; and moving the medical device to a second location based on a second algorithm, the second algorithm based on the determined first location and including at least one of a second weighting factor and a second feature extracted from the reflected acoustic signal. Also disclosed are systems and devices for performing the methods described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring movement and breathing of two or more subjects occupying common bedding. Particularly, the invention relates to a method for monitoring movement of subjects located in a common bedding, the method comprising the steps of: —imaging the bedding by an optical sensor; —performing a motion estimation by producing motion vectors indicating the local displacement of corresponding image blocks between consecutive images, or images that are several frames apart, received from said optical sensor; —calculating motion clusters by measuring spatial and temporal correlations of the motion vectors; —segmenting the calculated motion clusters by assignment of each motion cluster to a corresponding subject, wherein the assignment of the motion clusters to the corresponding subject is based on the spatial and/or temporal similarity of the motion clusters among each other and on previous segmentation results.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, electrosurgical systems are provided generally including at least one energy-delivery device for delivering energy to tissue when inserted or embedded within tissue. The energy-delivery device can be a tissue ablation device, such as an ablation probe, needle, etc. for ablating tissue as commonly known in the art. The electrosurgical systems include at least one structure and/or operational characteristic for enhancing ultrasonic visibility of the energy-delivery devices within tissue during ultrasonography.

Abstract: A clinical apparatus includes a storage to store strain data, strain rate data, or acceleration data measured in a ROI (region of interest); and a data processor to calculate a stress, a stress tensor, a stress tensor component, an inertia, a mean normal stress, a pressure, a mechanical source, an elastic constant, a visco elastic constant, a viscosity, or a density of an arbitrary point within the ROI. The data processor calculates the stress, the stress tensor, the stress tensor component, the inertia, the mean normal stress, the pressure, or the mechanical source based on an equation representing a relation between (i) the stress, the stress tensor, the stress tensor component, the inertia, the mean normal stress, the pressure, or the mechanical source, (ii) the elastic constant, the visco elastic constant, the viscosity, or the density, and (iii) the measured strain data, the strain rate data, or the acceleration data.

Abstract: Optical methods, devices, and systems for noninvasively detecting transient surface displacements in a neuron are disclosed. Methods, devices, and systems provided may employ a phase-sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer. In addition, surface displacements due to action potential propagation in neural tissues may be detected in some embodiments using back-reflected light. According to some embodiments, exogenous chemicals or reflect ion coatings are not required. Transient neural surface displacement of less then 1 nm in amplitude and 1 ms in duration may be detected and may be generally coincident with action potential arrival to the optical measurement site. The systems and methods may be used for noninvasive detection of various neuropathies such as retinal neuropathies. They may also be useful in detecting the effects of various pharmacological agents.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing measurements in an artery includes a Doppler catheter, comprising a Doppler transducer and a wire connected to the Doppler transducer; and an elongated catheter body having a conduit therein for housing the wire of the Doppler catheter. The body has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the wire is movable in the conduit relative to the catheter body so that the Doppler transducer and the wire are capable of being threaded into said conduit at the proximal end after the distal end of the catheter has been inserted into the artery, until the Doppler transducer emerges outside the conduit at the distal end of said body for performing ultrasound measurements in the artery. Another embodiment employs at least an additional side transducer for measuring the cross-sectional dimension of the artery useful for computing blood flow.

Abstract: A method of determining fractional flow reserve (FFR) in a blood vessel having stenosis includes injecting fluid into the blood vessel upstream of the stenosis using a power fluid injector, measuring pressure drop across the stenosis, and calculating FFR from measured pressure drop. The injected fluid may comprise a contrast medium. Further actions may include placing a pressure sensor proximal of the stenosis, injecting fluid into the blood vessel upstream of the stenosis using the power fluid injector, and measuring pressure in the blood vessel proximal of the stenosis. The pressure sensor may then be repositioned to a position distal of the stenosis, fluid may be reinjected into the blood vessel upstream of the stenosis using the power fluid injector, and pressure may be measured in the blood vessel distal of the stenosis.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for the treatment of adipose tissue. The methods comprise application of ultrasound energy to a region of adipose tissue, and the apparatuses comprise at least one source of ultrasound energy configured to direct ultrasound energy through a skin surface into the subcutaneous adipose tissue. In one embodiment, a pressure gradient is created in the region generating relative movement between fat cell constituents having different densities. In another embodiment, a protrusion of skin and underlying adipose tissue containing is formed and ultrasound energy is radiated into the adipose tissue in the protrusion. In another embodiment, an RF electric field is generated inside a region of adipose tissue together with the ultrasound energy.