Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, an image generation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The image generation unit generates image data from a reflected wave received from the ultrasonic probe. The display unit displays the image data. The ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of temperature sensors that measure the temperature of the ultrasonic probe and a switching circuit that is connected to the respective temperature sensors and switches connection to any one of the temperature sensors to a valid state to output data from the temperature sensors to a temperature detector. The control unit includes an instruction unit that instructs the switching circuit to switch connection to any one of the temperature sensors to a valid state at a predetermined time interval and a determination unit that determines whether a temperature measured by the temperature detector is within a set temperature range.

Abstract: A monitoring device can be configured to facilitate intra-tissue inspection of a probe at a target region, the monitoring device comprising a housing and a transducer coupled to and at least partially located within the housing. The transducer comprises a longitudinal transducer array aligned to scan a longitudinal cross-section of the target region and a transverse transducer array aligned to scan a transverse cross-section of the target region. The longitudinal transducer array is configured to detect a probe point depth of a probe point of the probe along the longitudinal cross-section. The longitudinal transducer array is also configured to send to a processor longitudinal data about the scan of the longitudinal cross-section to track movement of the probe point based upon at least the longitudinal data and determine the probe point depth based upon at least the longitudinal data.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus includes: a frequency analysis unit that analyzes a frequency of the ultrasound signal to calculate frequency spectra according to a reception depth and a reception direction of the ultrasound signal; an optimal attenuation rate setting unit configured to: calculate features of the frequency spectra; perform attenuation correction on the features of the frequency spectra for eliminating influence of attenuation of the ultrasound wave, using attenuation rate candidate values providing different attenuation characteristics which are attenuation characteristics in propagating the ultrasound wave through the observation target, thereby to calculate corrected features of the frequency spectra for each of the attenuation rate candidate values; and set an optimal attenuation rate to the observation target from among the attenuation rate candidate values, based on the corrected features; and an attenuation rate image data generation unit that generates attenuation rate image data f

Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The system can automatically adjust setup configuration and an imaging operation based on subject shape estimation information.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide efficacious pain management therapies based on delivery of physical medicine(s) via computer-implemented systems. Patient information comprising patient pain symptoms, patient physiological measurements, patient demographics, and other information is received at a pain therapy device. The patient information is compared with pain analytics data compiled on a plurality of individuals to determine a personalized pain management therapy. The personalized pain management therapy is applied via a combination of thermoceuticals, electroceuticals, ultrasound, and several other forms of physical medicine. Sensors coupled to the pain therapy device measure changes in physiological data resulting from the pain management therapy. The personalized pain management therapy can be adjusted based on the changes in the physiological data and/or patient feedback.

Abstract: Through the measurement and interpretation of the pixels of grayscale digital thermographic images of abnormalities of the skin and its subcutaneous tissue, early intervention and treatment of abnormalities of the skin and its subcutaneous tissue are possible, thereby assisting clinicians in making significant impacts on prevention and treatment.

Abstract: A catheter having a sensor at a distal end thereof, useable to detect and create signals from an electromagnetic field. The sensor is constructed and arranged to leave a lumen of the catheter open such that it may be used to pass instruments therethrough once a target location has been reached.

Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided. The medical navigation system includes a computing device having a processor coupled to a memory, a wireless communication component and a display for displaying an image. The medical navigation system further includes a sensor module attached to a medical device. The sensor module includes a housing for housing components of the sensor module and for attaching to the medical device, a processor housed in the housing, a memory coupled to the processor, a wireless communication component coupled to the processor, a battery coupled to the processor, and a sensor coupled to the processor. The sensor generates a signal to be transmitted wirelessly via the sensor module wireless communication component and receivable by the computing device wireless communication component, the signal representing movement of the medical device.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention relates to processes for using renally excretable optical agents to detect one or more tissues of the renal system of a surgical patient. In certain aspects, the invention relates to a kit including a biocompatible composition containing one or more optical agents and instructions for using the optical agent(s) in a process of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are actuation transmission lines used for robotic systems, for example, MRI guided robots, for image-guided robot-assisted surgical and medical intervention procedures. This actuation transmission lines may include any of the following: one or more sections of a flexible channel; one or more sections of a rigid channel in a connecting relationship with the one or more sections of a flexible channel; solid media disposed inside the channel; one or more mechanical links in contact with the solid media inside the channel electronically or mechanically linked to a power source; a fine-tuning module disposed in the flexible channel; and one or more media motion sensors.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic system includes a portable ultrasound diagnostic device and an extended docking device to which the portable ultrasound diagnostic device is detachably mounted, wherein at least one of probes and channels are extended when the portable ultrasound diagnostic device is mounted to the extended docking device. Also, the ultrasound diagnostic system may further include an indoor ultrasound diagnostic device including a portable docking part, and the portable ultrasound diagnostic device may include a cart-based docking part and be connected to the indoor ultrasound diagnostic device. The ultrasound diagnostic system may enhance portability of the portable ultrasound diagnostic device and simultaneously achieves superior ultrasound diagnostic performance and quality also in the portable ultrasound diagnostic device through extension of the probes, signal channels, diagnostic items, or diagnostic performance, as occasion demands.

Abstract: In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic wave transmitter/receiver transmits and receives an ultrasonic beam to a subject to generate reception data; the delay correction unit corrects a delay time of the reception data to align a phase of the reception data; the reception aperture level setting unit sets two or more reception aperture levels of reception data from reception data after correction of the delay time; the image producer produces ultrasound images corresponding to the set reception aperture levels, by performing phase matching addition on the reception data after correction of the delay time; and the image quality determination unit determines image qualities of the ultrasound images corresponding to the set reception aperture levels and selects an ultrasound image having a predetermined image quality.

Abstract: Described herein is an implantable device having a sensor configured to detect an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, strain, or a pressure; and an ultrasonic transducer with a length of about 5 mm or less in the longest dimension, configured to receive current modulated based on the analyte amount, the pH, the temperature, or the pressure detected by the sensor, and emit an ultrasonic backscatter based on the received current. The implantable device can be implanted in a subject, such as an animal or a plant. Also described herein are systems including one or more implantable devices and an interrogator comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to the one or more implantable devices or receive ultrasonic backscatter from the one or more implantable devices. Also described are methods of detecting an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, a strain, or a pressure.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a vibration plate, a first electrode, a piezoelectric body, and a second electrode. The first electrode is laminated on the vibration plate, that has a length along a surface of the vibration plate in a first direction, and that has a width Wbe along the surface of the vibration plate in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The width Wbe is not more than the length. The piezoelectric body is laminated on the first electrode and has a width Wpz in the second direction. The second electrode is laminated on the piezoelectric body. A ratio Wbe/Wpz between the width Wbe of the first electrode and the width Wpz of the piezoelectric body is not less than 0.1 and not more than 0.8.

Abstract: An ultrasound unit includes: ultrasound elements each including a plurality of ultrasound cells formed on a substrate including a semiconductor, the plurality of ultrasound cells each including an upper electrode having a ground potential and a lower electrode to which a drive signal is applied, the upper electrode and the lower electrode being arranged facing each other via a cavity and thereby forming a first capacitor; a package member in which the plurality of ultrasound elements are disposed, the package member having a ground potential; and an insulation member disposed between the package member and each of the ultrasound elements. A second capacitor is formed as a result of the insulation member serving as a gap, and a capacity of a third capacitor serially connected to the second capacitor is smaller than a capacity of the second capacitor.

Abstract: One or more reflectance modifying agent (RMA) such as a pigmented cosmetic agent is applied selectively and precisely with a controlled spray to human skin according to local skin reflectance or texture attributes. One embodiment uses digital control based on the analysis of camera images. Another embodiment, utilizes a calibrated scanning device comprising a plurality of LEDs and photo diode sensors to correct reflectance readings to compensate for device distance and orientation relative to the skin. Ranges of desired RMA application parameters of high luminance RMA, selectively applied to middle spatial frequency features, at low opacity or application density are each significantly different from conventional cosmetic practice. The ranges are complementary and the use of all three techniques in combination provides a surprisingly effective result which preserves natural beauty while applying a minimum amount of cosmetic agent.

Abstract: Provided is a catheter that is manufacturable in a simplified fashion. The catheter 1 includes: a catheter tube 11 including a tip-flexible part 11A that has an inner tube (first tube 61) and a plurality of divided tube members 620 to 625 that are disposed on outer circumference of the inner tube and independent of each other; one or a plurality of metal rings disposed in the tip-flexible part 11A; one or a plurality of temperature sensors disposed corresponding to the one or the plurality of metal rings; and a handle 12 attached at a base end of the catheter tube 11. A rate of a thickness of the metal ring to an outer diameter of the metal ring is 7.5% or greater. The metal ring and the plurality of divided tube members 621 to 625 are both so disposed in the tip-flexible part 11A as to be fitted on an outer circumferential surface of the inner tube side by side in an axial direction of the catheter tube 11.

Abstract: A patient support structure for use in a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanner includes a base and a first and a second arm pivotally connected to the base. The patient support structure supports an anatomical region being imaged and positions an antenna array around the anatomical region. Access to the patient is improved by: providing a flexible coil that wraps around the anatomical region being imaged, providing a support structure open to the anterior region of the anatomical region being imaged, and providing a support structure that may be opened and closed about the anatomical region being imaged.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for obtaining at least one bodily function measurement are presented. A mobile device includes an outer body sized to be portable for user, a processor contained within the outer body, and a plurality of sensors physically coupled to the outer body. The sensors are configured to obtain a first measurement indicative of blood volume and a second measurement indicative of heart electrical activity in response to a user action. A blood pressure measurement is determined based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The sensors also include electrodes where a portion of a user's body positioned between the electrodes completes a circuit and a measurement to provide at least one measure of impedance associated with the user's body. A hydration level measurement is determined based on the measure of impedance.

Abstract: A reference foil comprises an unsymmetric marker foil device which advantageously includes spatially separated pieces of a marker material foil in unsymmetric arrangement and/or at least one unsymmetric integral piece of the marker material foil. The reference foil and a carrier device for the same may be used for example in image-guided surgery.