Abstract: A system and method for detecting an area of interest such as a pulmonary embolism in a structure of interest such as a vessel tree or airway tree are provided. The method comprises: segmenting image data of the structure of interest; and rendering two-dimensional images based on a function of the image data and the segmented image data within slabs defined by the segmented image data.

Abstract: A method for the automated segmentation of in vivo image data is disclosed. A region of carotid artery in a number of patients was imaged using MRI. Histological data for each imaged region was then obtained, identifying various atherosclerotic plaque components in the imaged region. A portion of the histological data, and the image data, was used to generate PDFs based on image intensity, and on morphological data (local wall thickness and distance from lumen). The remaining data was used to validate the method. A plurality of MRI images were taken at various weightings, and the images were registered and normalized. The lumen and outer wall boundary were identified. The PDFs were combined in a Bayesian analysis with the intensity and morphological data to calculate the likelihood that each pixel corresponded to each of four plaque components. A contour algorithm was applied to generate contours segmenting the images by composition.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for calculating an optimum surgical trajectory or path for displacing a surgical instrument through the interior of the body of a patient. Upon obtaining a volumetric scan of a patient, such as a CT scan, the surgeon can identify and assign weight values indicating a preference on whether an anatomical area be utilized in plotting an optimum instrument trajectory. Upon providing a starting and destination point for a surgical instrument, an optimum surgical trajectory can be determined in essentially real time and graphically presented to the surgeon by superimposing the proposed trajectory upon the patient's volumetric scan. Furthermore, the system and method is interactive, allowing the surgeon to deviate from the proposed optimum path if desired and choose another path. In response, the system will determine and present, in essentially real time, a new optimum trajectory based on the current location of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A system configured to provide feedback regarding fluid parameters in the skin and/or compartments of an individual to facilitate early diagnosis of skin wounds and compartment syndromes.

Abstract: In a method for automatically selecting a region of interest covering a heated area, in the context of high intensity focused ultrasonic technology during acquisition of magnetic resonance data, phase data of a scanned area are acquired, and a heated area is identified in the scanned area according to the phase data acquired. An image is reconstructed and displayed, and in the displayed image a region of interest covering the heated area is automatically demarcated according to a predetermined size of said region of interest that covers and is larger than the heated area. The method causes the heated area to be automatically and completely included in the region of interest; and eliminates the instability of a manual selection of the region of interest.

Abstract: Portable optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices including at least one mirror configured to scan at least two directions are provided. The portable OCT devices are configured to provide a portable interface to a sample that can be aligned to the sample without repositioning the sample. Related systems are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is a rotating tip catheter-imaging probe where electromagnetic energy is delivered to the distal end of a catheter and converted to mechanical energy using a light drive apparatus. The mechanical energy is then used to rotate a mirror that redirects light in fixed pattern on a sample. The rotating element of the light drive apparatus contains vanes, which rotate about an axis and positioned with bearings to minimize friction. A chamber encompasses the rotating element and is set to a vacuum pressure. The rotational speed of the catheter tip can be controlled by varying the optical power delivered to the vanes, the vacuum pressure in the chamber, or by a braking mechanism applied to the rotating element. The vanes may be shaped in a particular geometry to increase forces on the vanes from thermally driven gas flow.

Abstract: Systems for highly efficient, in-vivo collection of modulated infra-red light are presented. Specifically, these devices are arranged in an important format with a view to integration with a wristwatch or other wearable device. An optical aperture of large surface area, specially distributed in an annular ring, receives radiation having been modulated in a tissue test site by blood flow. Radiation received about the annular aperture is redirected by a blazed grating or similar optical element at near perpendicular angles, into a radially distributed, condensing light pipe array and further toward a common axis. Radiation converges on the axis, thus increasing the energy density of the collected signal, before it is further directed via a conic element to a detector such as a photodiode. In some versions, these highly specialized optical paths may be formed into a single element of inexpensive plastic or other rigid substrate.