Abstract: An ultrasound imaging probe includes an ultrasound transducer assembly configured to obtain imaging data associated with a body of a patient; a chassis (304) fixedly secured to the ultrasound transducer assembly; a plurality of heat spreader members (430, 440) positioned around the chassis and configured to provide a thermal path for heat generated by the ultrasound transducer assembly while obtaining the imaging data, wherein the plurality of heat spreader members is movably coupled to the chassis; and a housing (510, 520) positioned around the plurality of heat spreader members, wherein the plurality of heat spreader members is configured to move relative to the chassis when the housing is positioned around the plurality of heat spreader members.

Abstract: Systems and methods for histotripsy and immunotherapy are provided. In some embodiments, histotripsy can be applied to a target tissue volume to lyse and solubilize the target tissue volume to release tumor antigens. In some embodiments, an immune response of the treatment can be evaluated. In other embodiments, an immune therapy can be applied after applying the histotripsy. In one embodiment, the lysed and solubilized cells can be extracted from the tissue. The extracted cells can be used to create immune therapies, including vaccines.

Abstract: An exemplary photodetector system includes a plurality of photodetectors connected in parallel and a processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of photodetectors. The processor is configured to receive an accumulated output from the plurality of photodetectors. The accumulated output represents an accumulation of respective outputs from each of the plurality of photodetectors detecting photons during a predetermined measurement time period that occurs in response to a light pulse being directed toward a target within a body. The processor is further configured to determine, based on the accumulated output, a temporal distribution of photons detected by the plurality of photodetectors, and generate, based on the temporal distribution of photons, a histogram representing a light pulse response of the target within the body.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and an output device. The processor is configured to: (a) receive electrical signals indicative of measured positions of (i) one or more chest position sensors attached externally to a chest of a patient, and (ii) one or more back position sensors attached externally to a back of the patient; (b) compare between (i) a first shift between the measured positions and respective predefined positions of the one or more chest position sensors, and (ii) a second shift between the measured positions and respective predefined positions of the one or more back position sensors; and (c) produce an alert in response to detecting a discrepancy between the first and second shifts. The output device is configured to output the alert to a user.

Abstract: An optoacoustic sensor is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation and to detect acoustic waves, and a contact element is configured to be brought into contact with the object, the contact element being spaced from the optoacoustic sensor and being transparent to the electromagnetic radiation and the acoustic waves. Further, a scanning unit is configured to cause a movement of the optoacoustic sensor relative to the contact element, and a sealing element is configured to seal a space between the contact element and the optoacoustic sensor. The sealed space contains an acoustic coupling medium. At least a part of the sealing element is flexible to allow for the movement of the optoacoustic sensor relative to the contact element. Further, the optoacoustic sensor comprises a focused ultrasonic transducer configured to detect the acoustic waves generated in the object, the ultrasonic transducer having an axis of symmetry, and a light-emitting element configured to emit the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring perfusion using transmission laser speckle imaging are provided. The apparatus comprises a coherent light source and a detector configured to measure transmitted light associated with an unfocused image at one or more locations. The coherent light source and detector are positioned in a transmission geometry. The apparatus further comprises means for securing the coherent light source and the detector to the tissue sample in a fixed transmission geometry relative to the tissue sample. The apparatus may further comprise at least one processor to receive information from the detector and process detected variations in transmitted light intensity to determine a single metric of perfusion. The method may comprise the steps transilluminating a tissue sample with coherent light, recording spatial and/or temporal variations in the transmitted light signal, determining speckle contrast value(s), and computing a metric of perfusion.

Abstract: Methods and system are described for multi-modal, multi-parametric, non-invasive, and real-time assessment of cervical tissue through a multi-modal probe device for use within a vaginal canal and an associated imaging system to assess a risk of preterm delivery of an expectant mother. The multi-modal system may include ultrasound (US) imaging, viscoelastic (VE) imaging, and/or photoacoustic (PA) imaging of the cervical issue to determine cervical biomarker information indicative of parameters including, but not limited to, a collagen to water ratio such that a more water dominant ratio is indicative of a risk of preterm delivery.

Abstract: A method of guiding an interventional instrument within a patient anatomy comprises processing a target location within the patient anatomy and receiving a position for a tip portion of an interventional instrument at a first location within the patient anatomy. The method also comprises determining a three-dimensional distance between the first location and the target location and displaying a symbol representing the target location and a symbol representing the tip portion of the interventional instrument.

Abstract: A therapy apparatus for treating tissue by emission of focused ultrasound waves, including: a creation surface of a pressure field of focused ultrasound waves divided into at least N sectors having segments of asymmetrical concave curve with centres of curvature; centres of curvature asymmetrical to the extent where the centres of curvature are situated at different distances from the plane of symmetry or from at least one of the axis of symmetry and at different depths taken according to the axis of symmetry; the individual axes intersecting between the focal zones and the creation surface or beyond the focal zones such that the beams originating from the sectors intersect to create a focal coverage zone which is off-axis relative to the plane of symmetry or to the axis of symmetry; the sectors of this creation surface creating energy deposit zones with profiles corresponding to the focal coverage zones.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a medical device is disclosed. The medical (imaging) device comprises a housing configured for handheld use, a transducer array, a display coupled to the housing, a plurality of sensors distributed about a periphery of the housing and configured to detect when a hand of an operator is positioned around the housing, and a computing device disposed within the housing, wherein the computing device is in communication with the transducer array, the display, and the sensors. The computing device is operable to: monitor the sensors, determine whether a reading from a first sensor at a first edge of the periphery of the housing exceeds a threshold, set the first edge as a primary edge based at least in part on the reading from the first sensor, and orient the display such that the primary edge is at the bottom of the display.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for navigating a tool inside a luminal network. An exemplary method includes receiving image data of a patient's chest, identifying the patient's lungs, determining locations of a luminal network in the patient's lungs, identifying a target location in the patient's lungs, generating a pathway to the target location, generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the patient's lungs, the 3D model showing the luminal network in the patient's lungs and the pathway to the target location, determining a location of a tool based on an electromagnetic (EM) sensor included in the tool as the tool is navigated within the patient's chest, displaying a view of the 3D model showing the determined location of the tool, receiving cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image data of the patient's chest, updating the 3D model based on the CBCT image data, and displaying a view of the updated 3D model.

Abstract: A catheter-based imaging apparatus comprises a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end. An optical emitter is configured to emit optical excitation signals from a distal portion of the catheter. One or more ultrasound transducers are configured for: (a) transmission of acoustic excitation signals from the distal portion of the catheter; and (b) detection of ultrasound response signals from an object of interest at or near to the distal portion of the catheter at frequencies which include a lower receive frequency at least as low as 10 MHz and a higher receive frequency at least as high as 35 MHz. The one or more ultrasound transducers are thereby configured to detect response signals comprising photoacoustic response signals from the object of interest at the lower receive frequency and high resolution imaging signals from the object of interest at the higher receive frequency.

Abstract: A system is provided in the present disclosure. The system may acquire a first set of echo signals and a second set of echo signals relating to a subject. The first and the second set may be generated by using an MR scanner to execute a first acquisition and a second acquisition on the subject, respectively. The first acquisition may include at least a first repetition and a second repetition with different repetition times. Each of the first and second repetitions may have a first flip angle. The second acquisition may include at least a third repetition and a fourth repetition with different repetition times. Each of the third repetition and the fourth repetition may have a second flip angle different from the first flip angle. The system may also perform a measurement on the subject based on at least one of the first set or the second set.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes: a probe configured to transmit ultrasound signals to an object and receive echo signals corresponding to the ultrasound signals; a display; and at least one processor configured to detect a reference region of a medical tool inserted into the object in an ultrasound image generated based on the echo signals, control the display to display at least one distance-indicating line arranged with respect to the reference region in the ultrasound image, and update a position of the at least one distance-indicating line according to movement of the medical tool.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to a medical system that includes a robotically controllable field generator and an instrument guide. The instrument guide may guide a percutaneously insertable instrument along an insertion axis. The instrument guide may also be positioned on an electromagnetic (EM) field generator, where the EM field generator can generate an EM field. A first robotic arm may be coupled to the EM field generator and it may move the EM field generator and the instrument guide. The system then determines: an EM target positioned within a patient, and a registration that maps positions within an EM coordinate frame associated with the EM field to positions within a robotic coordinate frame. The system may also determine, based on the registration, a position of the EM target within the robotic coordinate frame. Based on the position of the EM target within the robotic coordinate frame, move the first robotic arm may move to align the insertion axis of the instrument guide with the EM target.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe has a transduction layer in which a plurality of transducers are placed, a backing layer provided at a rear side of the transduction layer with a wiring layer therebetween, and a plurality of heat dissipation members provided in the backing layer. The plurality of heat dissipation members extend in a line form in the backing layer, and are placed with an aligned direction of extension. An area occupancy percentage of the heat dissipation member at a center region of the backing layer is larger than that at an outer side of the center region. The center region is not positioned at ends of the cross section intersecting the direction of extension of the heat dissipation member, includes a center of gravity of the cross section, and occupies an area less than or equal to a half of an area of the cross section.

Abstract: A single marker for use in recording either of two different characters, an “R” or an “L,” on an x-ray image, corresponding to the “left” or “right” side exposure area of the anatomical part(s) of a patient. The marker consists of four embodiments, a base marker, a swivel marker, a hinge marker, or a slider marker, which selectively indicate either the “R” or “L” exposure area of the patient. In addition, the marker also glows in the dark to facilitate usage in poorly lit areas and includes a radiopaque frame within its base to help the x-ray technician confirm that the technician is not viewing image artifacts.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device includes an ultrasound transducer module disposed within a housing and a flowable acoustic damping material disposed on at least one surface located within an interior of the housing. The flowable acoustic damping material may be a Teflon™-containing gel material, in contact with at least one internal surface of the imaging device to provide acoustic damping.

Abstract: A catheter calibration system includes a calibration chamber, a receiver and a processor. The calibration chamber is configured to generate a calibration magnetic field that oscillates at a first frequency. The calibration chamber includes a cavity for inserting a distal end of a catheter having one or more magnetic-field sensors. The receiver is configured to be connected to the catheter, to receive from the catheter one or more signals, which are generated by the one or more magnetic-field sensors in response to the calibration magnetic field, and to convert the one or more signals into one or more respective intermediate frequency (IF) signals having a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency. The processor is configured to receive the one or more IF signals from the receiver and to calculate catheter navigation calibration data from the one or more IF signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a uterus OCT catheter, comprising: a catheter body; the catheter body comprises an outer sleeve, an OCT imaging catheter and a Luer connector; the outer sleeve is provided with an exit window; the reflecting surface of the reflecting prism in the OCT imaging catheter faces the exit window. The present invention further provides a uterus OCT equipment with pull-back function, comprising a pull-back device and the catheter body, the pull-back device comprises a first housing, a driving connector, a fixing sleeve and a catheter fixing tube. The invention adopts the way that the outer sleeve wraps the OCT imaging catheter to increase the overall strength and diameter; a pull-back device is adopted, the pull-back process is stable and in uniform speed, and can effectively prevent complications during human operation and damage to human tissue during pull-back process.