Abstract: Enhanced ultrasound imaging apparatus and associated methods of work flow are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of ultrasound scanning includes receiving a first dataset representing ultrasonic scanning of a target anatomy of a patient in a two-dimensional mode and generating a two-dimensional ultrasound image of the scanned target anatomy based on the received first dataset. The method also includes receiving an input defining at least one of an A-plane, a B-plane, and a C-plane on the displayed two-dimensional ultrasound image. Thereafter, a second dataset representing ultrasonic scanning of the target anatomy in a three-dimensional mode is received and an additional ultrasound image along a plane orthogonal to the two-dimensional ultrasound image of the target anatomy is generated based on (1) the three-dimensional scanning and (2) the input defining at least one of the A-plane, the B-plane, and the C-plane.

Abstract: Cavity and sentinel lymph node marking devices, marker delivery devices, and methods are disclosed. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammography, echogenic, or other noninvasive imaging techniques. A composition and method are disclosed for locating the sentinel lymph node in a mammalian body to determine if cancerous cells have spread thereto. The composition is preferably a fluid composition consisting of a carrier fluid and some type of contrast agent; alternatively, the contrast agent may itself be a fluid and therefore not need a separate carrier fluid. This composition is capable of (1) deposition in or around a lesion and migration to and accumulation in the associated sentinel node, and (2) remote detection via any number of noninvasive techniques.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method includes acquiring motion data for a region-of-interest (ROI). The system and method includes calculating a quality parameter based on the motion data, wherein the quality parameter represents an amount of unwanted motion in the ROI. The system and method includes performing an action based on the quality parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe which transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject, receives ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of the ultrasonic waves on the subject and outputs ultrasound image signals includes a case having a grip portion set therein and functional units disposed in the case. The functional units include an ultrasonic wave-generating unit, at least one integrated circuit board and a battery. The battery disposed in the case at a position corresponding to the grip portion ensures the safety of operators from heat generated in the at least one integrated circuit board and the like.

Abstract: Annotations of medical images may be generated using one or more lexicons so that terminology is consistent across multiple exams, users, facilities, etc. Measurements of lesions may be provided using a bilinear measurement tool that allows easier bilinear measurements. Disease assessment models may be selected and applied as measurements are acquired in order to provide immediate determination of disease staging according to one or more selected assessment models.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for producing and identifying characteristic (“crescent shaped”) regions indicative of an atherectomy plaque within a vessel, and systems and devices adapted to take advantage of this characteristic region.

Abstract: A method of using a shielding device with an applicator includes inserting the distal portion of the shielding device to a treatment site of a patient, the shield being made of plastic, imaging the treatment site, planning treatment of the treatment site based on the imaging, setting up the patient for treatment, imaging the treatment site, removing the distal portion of the shielding device from the treatment site, exchanging the shield made of plastic with a shield made of tungsten, inserting the distal portion of the shielding device to the treatment site, the shield being made of tungsten, imaging the treatment site, and performing the treatment.

Abstract: An in vivo apparatus includes a flexible shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery relative to a percutaneous access location. An energy guide apparatus is provided at the distal end of the shaft and dimensioned for deployment within the renal artery. An ex vivo apparatus includes an arrangement configured to localize the energy guide apparatus within the renal artery, and an energy source configured to direct ablative energy to target tissue located a predetermined distance from the localized energy guide apparatus. The target tissue includes perivascular renal nerve tissue adjacent the renal artery.

Abstract: A method for tracking a position of a sensor includes generating a periodic magnetic field in a vicinity of the sensor, the field having a positive polarity phase and a negative polarity phase with respective constant positive and negative amplitudes. First and second field measurement signals are produced responsively to the magnetic field at the sensor during the positive and negative polarity phases, respectively. The position of the sensor is determined responsively to the first and second field measurement signals.

Abstract: Real-time, enhanced imaging of remote areas, too minute for CT imaging, is made possible through a probe having a radiopaque tip as well as radiopaque volume markers. When deployed, the markers outline the space containing the tip such that both the tip and the volume containing the tip are viewable on a fluoroscope. This device may be used in conjunction with or independently of 3-D volumes created from CT scans and 3-D tip sensors.

Abstract: A probe for insertion into a living body includes a sheath configured to be inserted into a living body, and a shaft positioned in the sheath. The shaft includes a tip portion configured to obtain diagnostic data at a distal portion thereof. The sheath includes a resin layer or a metal layer of at least one layer, and wherein the resin layer or the metal layer includes a spiral-shaped slit which is continuous from a distal portion to a proximal portion. The spiral-shaped slit includes a distal slit portion having the highest slit density, a middle slit portion which is continuous with the distal slit portion and which also has a lower slit density than the distal slit portion, and a proximal slit portion which is continuous with the middle slit portion and which also has a higher slit density than the middle slit portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermometer for determining the temperature of an animal's ear drum. The thermometer includes a probe, an infrared-radiation detector adapted to receive infrared radiation emitted by the ear drum, and devices that help determine the probe's position in the ear canal so as to optimize the infrared radiation received from the ear drum, and to minimize the infrared radiation received from other ear parts. A method of using the thermometer is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus is configured as follows. Namely, the apparatus includes a first unit configured to generate a first transmission wave for acquisition of a first image with a higher priority on sensitivity than on resolution, a second unit configured to generate a second transmission wave for acquisition of a second image with a higher priority on resolution than on sensitivity, an analysis unit configured to perform multiresolution analysis based on predetermined transform processing on the first image and the second image, a filter unit configured to perform predetermined filter operation for corresponding coefficients of the first image and the second image for each coefficient of each resolution acquired by the analysis unit, and an inverse transform unit configured to generate a composite image of the first image and the second image by performing inverse transform processing of transform processing by the analysis unit.

Abstract: A receiver for determining the location of a marker that is excited with an exciting waveform. A sensing array having coils is used to sense magnetic flux from the resonating marker. The coils provide inputs to the receiver. The receiver includes a correlation processor for analyzing the inputs in a coherent manner. Further, the receiver is adapted to tune to the resonant frequency of a marker.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon (40) is provided with a plurality of scoring elements (44) extending along the balloon (40). Within the scoring element (44) there are provided channels or lumens (36) extending therethrough. The channels or lumens (36) provide for Rayleigh scattering of ultrasonic waves directed to the balloon (40), thereby being visible by imaging devices. The channels or lumens (36) provide visibility of the balloon (40) during medical procedures, both when the balloon (40) is in a deflated, wrapped, condition and also when the balloon (40) is inflated. It is not necessary to use contrast media to fill the balloon (40).

Abstract: A system and method for improved imaging is disclosed. An exemplary system provides a peripheral ultrasound system connected to a host computer with a plug-and-play interface such as a USB. An exemplary system utilizes a dedicated graphics processing unit such as a graphics card to analyze data obtained from a region of interest to produce an image on one or more output units for the user's viewing. Based on the image displayed on the output units, the user can determine the velocity of the moving tissue and fluid. The system of the present invention can be used to produce a Doppler color flow map or for power Doppler imaging.

Abstract: A method of dilating a paranasal sinus ostium of a patient, which includes inserting a catheter having at least one balloon into a sinus ostium having an ostial wall, inflating the balloon by supplying fluid thereto such that the balloon exerts a force on the ostial wall, determining at least one parameter of the balloon, establishing an amount the balloon can be inflated without fracturing the sinus ostium based at least in part on the determined parameter of the balloon, and dilating the sinus ostium by inflating the balloon to an amount that does not exceed the established amount.

Abstract: A system and method of use for a probe is disclosed that includes a self-expanding housing constructed to permit fluid flow therethrough and constructed for insertion into a subject to be imaged. A plurality of RF coils is attached to the housing to acquire MR data.

Abstract: A surgical site is simultaneously illuminated by less than all the visible color components that make up visible white light, and a fluorescence excitation illumination component by an illuminator in a minimally invasive surgical system. An image capture system acquires an image for each of the visible color components illuminating the surgical site and a fluorescence image, which is excited by the fluorescence excitation component from the illuminator. The minimally invasive surgical system uses the acquired images to generate a background black and white image of the surgical site. The acquired fluorescence image is superimposed on the background black and white image, and is highlighted in a selected color, e.g., green. The background black and white image with the superimposed highlighted fluorescence image is displayed for a user of the system. The highlighted fluorescence image identifies tissue of clinical interest.

Abstract: A system and a method of using dual-energy absoptiometry to estimate visceral fat metrics and display results, preferably as related to normative data. The process involves deriving x-ray measurements for respective pixel positions related to a two-dimensional projection image of a body slice containing visceral fat as well as subcutaneous fat; at least some of the measurements being dual-energy x-ray measurements, processing the measurements to derive estimates of metrics related to the visceral fat in the slice; and using the resulting estimates.