Abstract: MRI-guided robotics offers possibility for physicians to perform interventions remotely on confined anatomy. While the pathological and physiological changes could be visualized by high-contrast volumetric MRI scan during the procedure, robots promise improved navigation with added dexterity and precision. In cardiac catheterization, however, maneuvering a long catheter (1-2 meters) to the desired location and performing the therapy are still challenging. To meet this challenge, this invention presents an MRI-conditional catheter robotic system that integrates intra-op MRI, MR-based tracking units and enhanced visual guidance with catheter manipulation. This system differs fundamentally from existing master/slave catheter manipulation systems, of which the robotic manipulation is still challenging due to the very limited image guidance. This system provides a means of integrating intra-operative MR imaging and tracking to improve the performance of tele-operated robotic catheterization.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating cervical and/or uterine cancers in brachytherapy with an intracavitary brachytherapy applicator. The system comprises a tandem adapted for insertion into a cervix of a patient. An ovoid assembly comprises first and second inflatable ovoids and an ovoid support mechanism. The first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted for insertion within fornices of a patient. First and second retractors are adapted to be coupled to the ovoid assembly. The first retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the bladder of a patient during treatment. The second retractor is adapted to be positioned to retract the rectum of a patient during treatment. The tandem and the first and second inflatable ovoids are adapted to be coupled to a radioactive source to deliver an implant radiation dose suitable for cancer treatment at a cancerous cervical treatment site in a patient.

Abstract: A method of generating ECG reference data for MR image data acquisition includes obtaining an initial ECG dataset from a patient prior to moving the patient into a bore of the MRI device, wherein the initial ECG dataset comprises at least two channels of ECG data. An initial set of R-peaks is identified and an initial R-peak polarity and initial R-R interval are determined. A reference ECG dataset is then obtained from the patient once the patient is in the bore of the MRI device. A reference set of R-peaks is identified in the reference ECG dataset based on the initial R-peak polarity and the initial R-R interval, and R-peak reference data is generated based on the reference set of R-peaks. Acquisition of MR image data from the subject is then triggered using the R-peak reference data.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a disease parameter describing a type of cardiac disease includes a unit for reading input parameters representing 3D myocardial velocity fields with voxel wise 3D velocity information. The velocity vectors represent velocity of a voxel of a region of the heart at a predefined time point or time interval; a velocity vector depicts a voxel wise 3D velocity of the myocardium with different magnitude. A processor applies an algorithm to obtain a rotation parameter and/or strain-rate-tensor representing local curl of the input parameters and local rate of strain at a certain spatial point, at a certain time point or time interval. A processor calculates the disease parameter on the basis of the rotation parameter and strain-rate-tensor, dividing an absolute value of the rotation parameter by an eigenvalue. The disease parameter reflects a proportion to overall deformation of local layer shearing with regard to local pure deformation.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 300) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108) includes a magnetic resonance imaging antenna (113, 113?) comprising having multiple loop antenna elements (114, 114?) with multiple infrared thermometry sensors (115, 115?). The magnetic resonance imaging antenna is configured for being positioned adjacent to an external surface (119) of the subject and at least a portion of the multiple infrared thermometry sensors are directed towards the external surface. The magnetic resonance imaging system further includes a memory (134, 136) containing machine executable instructions (150, 152) and pulse sequence instructions (140).

Abstract: During the delivery of thermal therapy, the measured temperature at each pixel in a cross-sectional temperature slice of a multi-pixel thermal image is compared to a maximum temperature limit. When the measured temperature of a pixel is higher than the maximum temperature limit for a predetermined number of consecutive cross-sectional temperature slices, the pixel is masked if the absolute value of the average difference between the measured temperature at the pixel and the measured temperatures at the pixel's neighbors is greater than a maximum temperature variation. The measured temperature of the masked pixel is ignored in subsequent cross-sectional temperature slices until the delivery of thermal therapy is complete.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for sexual stimulation having a hollow piston (3), a drive cylinder (5), and transmission means (7, 9) for converting a rotational movement of the drive cylinder into an axial movement of the hollow piston, wherein the drive cylinder (5) encloses the hollow piston (3) at least partially.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a functional lateralization of a subject brain is provided. The method includes providing a set of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data acquired during a resting state of a subject, and selecting a plurality of seed voxels associated with locations in hemispheres of a brain of the subject. The method also includes determining a degree of within-hemisphere connectivity for each seed voxel using the fMRI data, determining a degree of cross-hemisphere connectivity for each seed voxel using the fMRI data, and computing an autonomy index for each seed voxel using the degree of within-hemisphere connectivity and the degree of cross-hemisphere connectivity, wherein the autonomy index is indicative of a connectivity asymmetry between the hemispheres. The method further includes generating a report indicative of a specialization profile determined for a region of interest in the brain of the subject.

Abstract: A method for characterizing an anisotropic soft medium (C) including fibers and having an outer surface (1), by observing in different propagation directions, the propagation of a divergent shear wave from a central area (10) in the anisotropic soft medium. A propagation parameter of the shear wave is inferred therefrom in each of the propagation directions, and then a direction of the fibers of the anisotropic soft medium, a rheological elasticity parameter are determined in a direction perpendicular to the fibers and a rheological elasticity parameter in the direction of the fibers.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic-imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires three-dimensional medical image data in which a subject is imaged. The processing circuitry extracts a movable range of a probe based on a structure of the subject shown in the three-dimensional medical image data. The processing circuitry sets a target scan region to be a subject to scanning by the probe based on the extracted movable range. The processing circuitry displays the target scan region in the three-dimensional medical image data.

Abstract: Measuring local speed of sound for ultrasound by inducing ultrasound waves in a subject by focusing an ultrasound beam, using an ultrasound Tx transducer to propagate waves from a focal point to the surface, measuring a time of arrival of the waves using at least three single Rx transducer surface elements, signal traces recorded on individual Rx transducers are evenly sampled in time, an average speed of sound equals an arithmetic mean of local sound-speed values sampled along a wave path, each Rx transducer outputs a separate arrival time of the waves, computing a local speed of sound (ci) of waves from an average speed of sound (cavg) using a computer that receives arrival times, where c avg = 1 N ? ? i = 1 N ? c i , where ci=di/Ts, di is the length a tissue traveled during one sampling period Ts, and using ci to differentiate human disease, or with ultrasound measurements to differentiate degrees of human disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of detecting a tissue property during a laparoscopic surgical procedure with a tissue property sensing device. The method may include positioning a sensing assembly disposed along a distal portion of a tissue property sensing device about target tissue in a body cavity, inflating a bladder to compress and occlude blood flow of the target tissue, sensing a pressure measurement of pressure in the bladder and a light amplitude measurement of light projected through the target tissue, and determining a systolic blood pressure of the target tissue based on the pressure measurement and the light amplitude measurement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may be drawn to wireless afterloaders. Exemplary afterloaders may include a central processing unit, a first complex programmable logic device having a memory, a transceiver operably connected to the complex programmable logic device, wherein the transceiver is configured to wirelessly receive data from a second complex programmable logic device separate from the wireless afterloader, and a battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a stiffness information of a medical instrument used during a minimally invasive interventional procedure in a vascular system of a patient by recording a three-dimensional volume image of the vascular system at least in the intervention region.

Abstract: A Pavlovian conditioned reflex sleep induction kit includes at least one physiological sensor, wherein the at least one physiological sensor is configured to detect at least a physiological parameter of a user and transmit a detection signal to an automatically activated scent diffuser, wherein the automatically activated scent diffuser is configured to receive an electronic activation signal and to diffuse a scent as a function of the electronic activation signal, a control circuit configured to receive the detection signal from the at least one physiological sensor, to ascertain that the user is entering a hypnagogic state, and to transmit the electronic activation signal to the automatically activated scent diffuser, thereby conditioning the user to respond to subsequent sensing of the same scent. For later use, a user-activated scent diffuser is provided, that diffuses the same scent upon activation by a user, to thereby trigger the conditioned reflex to fall asleep.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring one or more physiological parameters of a subject under free-living conditions is provided. The system includes a camera configured to capture and record a video sequence including at least one image frame of at least one region of interest (ROI) of the subject's body. A computer in signal communication with the camera to receive signals transmitted by the camera representative of the video sequence includes a processor configured to process the signals associated with the video sequence recorded by the camera and a display configured to display data associated with the signals.

Abstract: A prosthesis including an implantable component including an LC circuit, wherein a piezoelectric material forms at least a part of the capacitance portion of the LC circuit, the piezoelectric material expands and/or contracts upon the application of a variable magnetic field to the inductor of the LC circuit, the LC circuit has an electrical self-resonance frequency below 20 kHz, and the piezoelectric material forms part of an actuator configured to output a force to tissue of a recipient in which the implantable component is implanted.

Abstract: Various systems are provided for neck radio frequency (RF) coil assemblies for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, a neck RF coil assembly includes a central RF coil array including a first plurality of RF coils configured to cover a neck of a subject to be imaged, an upper RF coil array including a second plurality of RF coils extending upward from the central RF coil array and configured to cover a lower head region of the subject, and a lower RF coil array including a third plurality of RF coils extending downward from the central RF coil array and configured to cover an upper shoulder region of the subject, wherein each RF coil of the first, second, and third pluralities of RF coils comprises a loop portion comprising two distributed capacitance wire conductors encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material.

Abstract: A bariatric clamp may include substrate members overmolded in polymer forming first and second elongated portions, a bight portion having a flexible hinge, one or more inflatable portions disposed at least partially along interior sections of the first and second elongated portions; and a port coupled to at least one of the inflatable portions and configured to adjust inflation of the inflatable portions. The inflatable portions are provided to assist in retaining the clamp in a closed position to partition the stomach and to adjust a pressure of the clamp when partitioning the stomach.

Abstract: Provided is a biopsy apparatus including an ultrasound probe; a biopsy needle located at a side of the ultrasound probe and including an electromagnetic (EM) sensor; a tracker configured to obtain position and movement direction information of the biopsy needle; and a controller configured to receive, from the tracker, the position and movement direction information of the biopsy needle, and to determine an operation mode, based on the position and movement direction information.