Abstract: A method for magnetic tracking of a flexible catheter device or another flexible elongated device, the method comprising: receiving by a host server a plurality of sensed values of a local magnetic field, sensed by a respective plurality of sensors, wherein the host server is optionally included in a controller of the sensors, the sensors are located along a flexible tube of a device, wherein the sensed values are at least partially due to at least one alternating magnetic field generated by at least one magnetic field generator, the source amplitude and frequency of each generated magnetic field are given to the host server; and calculating by the host server, based on the sensed magnetic field values and the given source amplitude and frequency of each generated magnetic field, a localization of the flexible tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for multimodal imaging during a medical procedure using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Raman optical imaging which involves administering an MRI imaging contrast agent that a chemical structure having charge-transfer electronic transitions. The tissue is imaged using and MRI device and the tissue is illuminated with excitation light that has spectral components that are approximately tuned close to one of the charge-transfer electronic transitions thereby producing enhanced Raman optical signals which are analyzed to produce Raman imaging data followed by registering the MRI and Raman imaging data. The present disclosure also provides a method for ionizing laser plumes through atmospheric pressure chemical ionization.

Abstract: A system for characterizing tissue includes a probe that delivers a continuous and periodic mechanical vibration to a tissue of a subject; an ultrasound emitter that emits a sequence of ultrasound shots and an ultrasound receiver that receives corresponding echo signals to track how the tissue is moved by the periodic mechanical vibration delivered to the tissue; and a control module programmed to provide homogeneity information to an operator of the system, the homogeneity information being determined from at least some of the echo signals and being representative of the ability of the tissue to transmit elastic waves and of the homogeneity of the tissue with respect to the propagation of elastic waves.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blood flow measurement apparatus using Doppler ultrasound.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for identifying a health disorder based on a temperature asymmetry estimation. A system may include a thermal camera configured to detect thermal images of an inspected body part and a reference body part, which may be contralateral to the inspected body part. The system may further include an optical camera configured to detect optical images of the inspected body part and the reference body part. The system may further include a remote mobile device having a mobile processor programmed to control the thermal camera to detect the thermal images and the optical camera to detect the optical images. The system may further include remote server having a diagnostic processor programmed to determine that a functional disorder or inflammation of the inspected body part has occurred by analyzing the thermal images and the optical images.

Abstract: The position and orientation of an ultrasound probe is tracked in three dimensions to provide highly-accurate three-dimensional bone surface images that can be used for anatomical assessment and/or procedure guidance. The position and orientation of a therapy applicator can be tracked in three dimensions to provide feedback to align the projected path of the therapy applicator with a desired path for the therapy applicator or to provide feedback to align the potential therapy field of a therapy applicator with a target anatomical site. The three-dimensional bone surface images can be fit to a three-dimensional model of the anatomical site to provide or display additional information to the user to improve the accuracy of the anatomical assessment and/or procedure guidance.

Abstract: A method of processing cardiac ultrasound data for determining information about a mechanical wave in the heart. The method comprises receiving data representative of a time series of three-dimensional data frames, generated from ultrasound signals from a human or animal heart, each frame comprising a set of voxels, each voxel value representing an acceleration component of a respective location in the heart at a common time. The method also comprises identifying, for each voxel, a frame of the series in which the voxel value is at a maximum. A three-dimensional time-propagation data set is generated by assigning each voxel a value representative of the time of the respective frame in the time series for which the corresponding voxel is at a maximum. The method then comprises generating data representative of a three-dimensional velocity vector field by calculating time derivatives from the three-dimensional time-propagation data set.

Abstract: A method and ultrasound imaging system for performing an ultrasound examination. The method and system includes entering a workflow and displaying a plurality of graphical icons positioned on a graphical model. The method and system includes selecting a first anatomical zone, acquiring a first image, and saving and associating the first image with the first anatomical zone. The method and system includes saving and associating a first clinical finding with the first anatomical zone. The method and system includes selecting a second anatomical zone, acquiring a second image, and saving and associating the second image with the second anatomical zone. The method and system includes saving and associating a second clinical finding with the second anatomical zone. The method and system include displaying an examination overview including the first image, the first clinical finding, the second image, and the second clinical finding.

Abstract: Disclosed in the application is a handheld three-dimensional ultrasound imaging system and method, comprising a handheld ultrasound probe, used for scanning and obtaining an ultrasound image; a display, control and processing terminal, connected to the handheld ultrasound probe wiredly or wirelessly. The handheld ultrasound imaging system and method of the application further comprises: a handheld three-dimensional spatial positioning system, connected to the handheld ultrasound probe, moving with the movement of the handheld ultrasound probe, connected to the display, control and processing terminal wiredly or wirelessly, and used for independently positioning the three-dimensional position of the handheld ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus, and a sensor arrangement for acquiring at least one item of patient movement information during a medical imaging examination, have at least one sensor element and a support apparatus, with the at least one sensor element arranged on the support apparatus. The support apparatus has a positioning element for positioning the support apparatus and at least one strut-like support element on which the at least one sensor element is removably arranged.

Abstract: An application running in a mobile device displays an ultrasound image obtained by a connected ultrasound scanner. A button is displayed on the device, which, when activated, automatically connects the device to a remote reviewer in a virtual videoconferencing room, without the operator of the scanner needing to input user credentials. Upon activating the button, or otherwise triggering the request for a review, pre-stored login credentials are automatically retrieved and used for connecting the operator to the room. The remote reviewer may be connected to the room upon accepting the request for review, without having to input user credentials, which are pre-stored and automatically retrieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to instruments and methods that provide one or more stimulations with multiple fibers and multiple imaging implants inserted in a subject for capturing images from one or more regions of the subject's brain. The microendoscope can include a single spatial light modulator or multiple spatial light modulators, a furcated imaging fiber bundle with multiple fibers, multi-implants coupled to a subject for multi-implant patterned brain imaging and stimulation. Both the single spatial light modulator and multiple spatial light modulators are capable to project optical patterns to different imaging fibers and thereby stimulate multiple regions of the brain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for measuring a concentration of a contrast agent using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The method includes acquiring pre- and post-contrast data from a volume of a subject, where the pre-contrast data is acquired before a contrast agent is administered and the post-contrast data is acquired after the contrast agent is administered. Pre- and post-contrast resonance frequency maps are then computed, where the pre-contrast frequency map is based on one or more pre-contrast resonance frequency values, and the post-contrast resonance frequency map is based on one or more post-contrast resonance frequency values. The pre- and post-contrast frequency maps are then used to generate a resonance frequency change map that is subsequently used to generate a contrast agent concentration map that indicates a concentration of the contrast agent that was present at each voxel in the volume at the second time.

Abstract: By identifying locations of contrast agent response, an intensity-based metric of contrast agent signal is used to control a duration of microbubble destruction with a medical ultrasound scanner. Feedback from motion of the transducer may be used to indicate when a user perceives enough destruction. A combination of both an intensity-based metric and transducer motion may be used to control the duration of bursting.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of documenting breast tissue in an area of interest in a subject in need thereof using automated breast ultrasound. The methods comprise using surface markers that can clearly identify the area of interest in a resulting 3-D image without introducing artifacts that obscure the tissue intended for examination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical probe tracking system includes a first probe, a magnetic field generator to generate a magnetic field, and processing circuitry to measure first electrical currents between body surface electrodes and first probe electrodes, receive magnetic position signals from a magnetic field sensor of a second probe, compute first position coordinates of the first probe in a first coordinate frame responsively to distribution of the first electrical currents, render an initial 3D representation of the first probe in the first coordinate frame and then compute a current-position map with respect to a second coordinate frame defined by the magnetic field generator, find a transformation between the first and second coordinate frames, apply the transformation to the first position coordinates yielding second position coordinates, and render a modified 3D representation of the first probe according to the second position coordinates in the second coordinate frame.

Abstract: Where a flexible tool includes a tool body with a flexible portion, a distal end and a first optical fiber within the flexible portion, shape sensing can be achieved with increased accuracy by inserting or otherwise including a second optical fiber within the flexible portion. The increased accuracy can be achieved when the second optical fiber has a diameter larger than that of the first optical fiber. Once the shape of the flexible tool has been determined using at least the second optical fiber, the first optical fiber can be used for subsequent shape sensing. This may be particularly applicable where the tool includes an instrument such as an optical imaging device inserted in a channel of the tool, where not all of the width of the channel is occupied by functional components behind the operable end of the instrument.

Abstract: A tissue positioning system for contouring a patient tissue volume includes an axially displaceable interface having a surface configured to engage a breast or other tissue volume. A low pressure source applies a partial low pressure to the surface of the displaceable interface to secure the tissue volume to the surface, and the axially displaceable interface is biased to pull and contour the tissue volume when the tissue volume is secured to the surface. The axially displaceable interface is typically mounted on a telescoping support and the biasing is provided by the same low pressure used to secure the tissue volume.

Abstract: Reference data relating to a portion of a patient anatomy during patient motion can be acquired from a magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI) to develop a patient motion library. During a time of interest, tracking data is acquired that can be related to the reference data. Partial volumetric data is acquired during the time of interest and at approximately the same time as the acquisition of the tracking data. A volumetric image of patient anatomy that represents a particular motion state can be constructed from the acquired partial volumetric data and acquired tracking data.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe arrangement comprises a holder for application to a surface, a housing mounted over the holder and a probe carrier. The housing has an inner guide surface which comprises a portion of a sphere and the probe carrier comprises a disc having an outer guide surface around the outer rim of the disc which comprises a portion of sphere. The probe carrier is slidable within the housing with the inner and outer guide surfaces in contact. An ultrasound probe is carried by the probe carrier and makes contact with the surface, e.g. skin. This arrangement enables the probe to be held in a desired orientation so that a clinician can work hands-free. The disc design enables different probe designs to be used with the same basic holder and housing design.