Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument having a shaft and an end effector extending distally from the shaft. The end effector includes a plurality of ultrasound sensors supported about a support ring. The ultrasonic sensors are rotatable between an imaging orientation, wherein, the ultrasound sensors are directed in generally parallel orientations relative to one another for imaging tissue in an imaging mode, and at least one treatment orientation, wherein the ultrasound sensors are directed towards a common focus point for treating tissue in a treatment mode.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for performing a surgical procedure at a target area on a patient's anatomy. Said computer-assisted surgery system includes a robotic device having a plurality of joints and a plurality of actuators and a guide mechanically coupled to said robotic device. Said robotic device is configured to constrain said guide according to a pre-defined virtual geometry with said guide being movable along said pre-defined virtual geometry toward the target area on the patient's anatomy. The computer-assisted surgery system also includes a computer in communication with said robotic device and configured to command said robotic device to operate in one of a first mode in which said guide is manually manipulated by a user or a second mode in which said robotic device operates autonomously.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for performing a surgical procedure on a patient's anatomy includes a robotic device, a guide coupled to the robotic device, and a computer in communication with the robotic device. The computer is configured to command the robotic device to selectively operate in one of a first mode in which the guide is manually moved by a user or a second mode in which the robotic device autonomously moves the guide. In the first mode, the robotic device is controlled by the computer to constrain motion of the guide to a predefined plane while allowing the guide to be manually moved along the pre-defined plane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for modifying a conventional imager to have functional features similar to that of a lock-in camera. Optical mask devices are configured to be coupled to conventional imager sensors and the configuration of the mask devices can be adjusted to acquire image data in rapid succession. One variation of an optical mask device comprises a substrate comprising a pattern of light-blocking and light-transmitting regions and an attachment structure for coupling the optical mask device to the imager. The substrate is configured to adjust the position of the light-blocking regions and light-transmitting regions relative to the light-sensing region of the imager based on a set of one or more predetermined substrate configurations. In some variations, the mask device and/or the imager sensor may be mechanically moved relative to each other based on the set of one or more predetermined substrate configurations.

Abstract: A system for tracking a navigated instrument. The system can include a first elongated instrument and a second elongated instrument. The first elongated instrument can have a first proximal end and a first distal end. The first elongated instrument can be adapted to be positioned relative to an anatomy. The second elongated instrument can move adjacent to the first elongated instrument. The second elongated instrument can have a second proximal end and a second distal end. The system can also include at least one tracking device coupled to the second elongated instrument. When the second elongated instrument is in a first position, the at least one tracking device tracks the first distal end of the first elongated instrument, and when the second elongated instrument is in a second position, the at least one tracking device tracks the second distal end of the second elongated instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to restricting flow through a vascular access site such as an arteriovenous (AV) fistula or a graft using intravascular measurements to guide the procedure. The invention provides systems and methods for using intravascular detection to guide the restriction of flow through an AV fistula or graft. An intravascular instrument such as an imaging catheter or guidewire with measuring capabilities is inserted into a vessel proximal to an access site and used to evaluate the access site, which is banded to obtain healthy flow as indicated by the intravascular instrument. In certain aspects, the invention provides a method for improving a hemodialysis fistula or graft by inserting an intravascular instrument into a vessel proximal to the fistula or graft, making a measurement with the intravascular instrument, and restricting flow through the fistula or graft until the measurement obtains a predetermined value.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and interfaces are described herein for noninvasively determining an optimal coronary sinus branch to cannulate for a medical electrical lead. One exemplary method involves applying an electrode apparatus having a plurality of electrodes to a torso of a patient. One of a right ventricular (RV) lead is introduced to a right ventricle or a right atrial (RA) lead is introduced to a right atrium. Noninvasively ultrasonic energy is introduced to a target tissue selected from a set of target tissues. In response to delivering ultrasonic energy to the cardiac tissue, a processing unit receives a torso-surface potential signal from each of a plurality of electrodes distributed on a torso of a patient for the target tissue. Signals are sensed from one of the RA lead and the RV lead in response to delivering ultrasonic energy. For at least a subset of the plurality of electrodes, calculating, with the processing unit, a torso-surface activation time based on the signal sensed from the electrode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a storage, a comparison function, and an evaluation function. The storage is provided in an ultrasound probe, and stores, in advance, an initial value of transmitting/receiving sensitivity measured with respect to each channel, of the ultrasound probe. The comparison function compares transmitting/receiving sensitivity newly measured with the initial value. The evaluation function evaluates the degree of the deterioration of the ultrasound probe based on a comparison result and a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus configured to display an aortic valve image and an indicator when the aortic valve is in its open-state and/or when the valve is in its closed-state. The indicator is supposed to be in an overlay to the image of the aortic valve, such that a physician can see on the same display image the information needed to advance a guide wire or catheter through the aortic valve of a heart. This may prevent damaging ensures not to damage the aortic valve. The physician receives the relevant information, when the aortic valve is in its open-state and thus being in a state to be passed by the catheter. The information, whether the aortic valve is in its open-state or in its closed-state, corresponds to the systolic phase and the distal phase of the heart, respectively. The information, when the heart is in its systolic phase and when it is in the diastolic phase may be extracted from an ECG measurement.

Abstract: Methods and systems of evaluating cardiac pacing in candidate patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiac resynchronization therapy patients are disclosed. The methods and systems disclosed allow treatments to be personalized to patients by measuring the extent of tissue capture from cardiac pacing under various therapy parameter conditions. Systems and methods of optimizing right ventricle only cardiac pacing are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment comprises a data acquisition unit configured to execute ultrasonic scanning for a tissue region throughout a predetermined period and acquire a plurality of image data respectively corresponding to phases in the predetermined period; a positional information acquisition unit configured to acquire positional information of a region of interest in the tissue region at least one phase in the period by executing tracking processing using at least part of the plurality of image data; a shape information calculation unit configured to calculate shape information corresponding to the region of interest at least one phase in the period by using positional information of the region of interest at the at least one phase; and an output unit configured to output the shape information at the at least one phase.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and devices for providing contrast medium for sonography of structures such as ducts and cavities. The invention provides for creation of detectable acoustic variations between two generated phases of a gas and a liquid to make a contrast medium. Sonography is the primary means of imaging but other conventional detection means may also be employed with the present invention.

Abstract: A method of displaying an ultrasound image includes reading, based on a user's input, the ultrasound image stored in a storage medium; displaying, on a screen, the ultrasound image and TGC information that is matched to the ultrasound image; receiving an input of modifying the TGC information by adjusting a TGC value in the TGC information, the at least one TGC value corresponding to a depth value; and updating the ultrasound image based on the modified TGC information.

Abstract: A method of visualizing a body cavity during a surgical procedure including positioning an elongated body of an angled endoscope in a first position within a body cavity of a patient, rotating the elongated body about a longitudinal axis in response to a command point, capturing a plurality of images with an image capture device positioned within the elongated body as the elongated body is rotated, and generating a panoramic view of the body cavity from the plurality of images. In the first position of the elongated body, a surgical site is within a field of view of the image capture device. The field of view of the image capture device capturing a first volume of the body cavity, including the surgical site, when the angled endoscope is in the first position.

Abstract: A signal processing device according to an embodiment includes adjustment circuitry and processing circuitry. The adjustment circuitry adjusts a received signal based on an echo of an ultrasonic wave transmitted to a subject with gain corresponding to a location at which the echo has been generated. The processing circuitry corrects the received signal that has been adjusted by the adjustment circuitry and calculates an index value relating to attenuation by using the corrected received signal.

Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus includes a touch screen configured to display, on an ultrasound image, a touch recognition region of an object used as a measurement mark; and a controller configured to move the object and the touch recognition region, in response to an input for touching and dragging the touch recognition region, to detect, from a portion of the ultrasound image which corresponds to the touch recognition region, a line formed by connecting points at which a brightness variation of a pixel is greater than a threshold value, and to move the object to a position of the detected line by using coordinates of the detected line.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a robotic arm, a constraint mechanism coupled to the robotic arm, and a computer system configured to control the robotic arm to constrain manual movement of the constraint mechanism to a plane. The computer system is also configured to control the robotic arm to lock the constraint mechanism in a desired pose when the constraint mechanism is moved to the desired pose via manual movement in the plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing shear wave elastography using push and/or detection ultrasound beams that are generated by subsets of the available number of transducer elements in an ultrasound transducer. These techniques provide several advantages over currently available approaches to shear wave elastography, including the ability to use a standard, low frame rate ultrasound imaging system and the ability to measure shear wave speed throughout the entire field-of-view rather than only those regions where the push beams are not generated.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating performance of an ultrasonic transducer includes a transducer assembly having an ultrasonic transducer and an acoustic medium and configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave, a storage unit configured to store a reference signal value which represents the performance of the ultrasonic transducer, and a processing unit configured to control the transducer assembly to emit ultrasonic wave and receive a response (echo) signal thereto to measure a magnitude or energy amount of the response signal, the processing unit comparing a measured value with the reference signal value stored in the storage unit to evaluate the performance of the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Systems, method and devices for detecting, analyzing and treating lesions, such as skin cancer are disclosed. Such a system can include a high-frequency ultrasound imaging device to image a lesion. The system can also include a processor that executes instructions stored in memory to perform operations, and the operations can include receiving a plurality of images of the lesion from the high-frequency ultrasound imaging device, rendering a three dimensional model of the lesion using the plurality of images from the high-frequency ultrasound imaging device and determining a treatment dosimetry based on the three dimensional model of the lesion. The system can also include a radiotherapy device to provide radiotherapy treatment to the lesion, where the radiotherapy treatment is based on the treatment dosimetry.