Abstract: InAs based core-shell particles which leads to tunable, narrow emitting semiconductor nanocrystals with a very high quantum yield which can be preserved in physiological buffers with long stability can used for short wavelength infrared (SWIR) imaging. Increased resolution with reduced read time and increased imaging frequency can provide advantages in in vivo applications.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a navigation procedure including a surgical tool, an imaging device, and a computing device. The surgical tool is navigated to a target tissue located in a target area to perform a surgical procedure on the target tissue. The imaging device acquires image data of the target area while the surgical tool is being navigated to the target tissue by automatically traversing back and forth along a path relative to the target area and acquiring image data of the target area while traversing the path. The computing device receives the image data acquired by the imaging device and displays the image data such that the surgical tool can be navigated to the target tissue while simultaneously visualizing a position of the surgical tool relative to the target tissue from multiple perspectives relative to the target area.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound imaging detects a region of interest from ultrasound signals of a first imaging mode received along sensing elements of a transducer probe. The sensed data is analyzed and the system responds to the region of interest detection by switching to a secondary imaging mode with the transducer probe at the same position. The transducer probe indexes to a next scan position and sensing and analysis are repeated at each of a number of indexed scan positions.

Abstract: Described herein are implantable devices configured to emit an electrical pulse. An exemplary implantable device includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive ultrasonic waves that power the implantable device and encode a trigger signal; a first electrode and a second electrode configured to be in electrical communication with a tissue and emit an electrical pulse to the tissue in response to the trigger signal; and an integrated circuit comprising an energy storage circuit. Also described are systems that include one or more implantable device and an interrogator configured to operate the one or more implantable devices. Further described is a closed loop system that includes a first device configured to detect a signal, an interrogator configured to emit a trigger signal in response to the detected signal, and an implantable device configured to emit an electrical pulse in response to receiving the trigger signal.

Abstract: A method of generating a body marker includes detecting a portion corresponding to a shape of an object shown in a medical image from a first body marker by comparing the shape of the object with the first body marker, generating a second body marker in which the portion detected from the first body marker has been emphasized, and outputting the second body marker.

Abstract: An excisional device may comprise an introducer comprising a distal trough portion and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may comprise an axial hand element configured to selectively bow out of and away from the distal trough portion and to retract into the distal trough portion and a helical cutting element wound around the axial band element. A rotating drum may be provided to cause the cutting assembly to selectively rotate, bow and retract according to a mechanically-driven first cutting profile that is defined by a shape of a channel formed in the drum. An optical guidance projector assembly may be coupled to the excisional device and may be configured to visually indicate when a distal portion of the excisional device is aligned with an imaging plane of an imaging probe and in a desired position.

Abstract: A system and method for non-invasively generating a report of cardiac electrical activities of a subject includes determining, using cardiac electrical activation information, equivalent current densities (ECDs). The ECDs are assembled into time-course ECD information and a spectrum of the time-course ECD information is analyzed to determine peaks for spectral characteristics of atrial fibrillation (AF). The spectral characteristics of AF are correlated with potential electrical sources of the AF and a report is generated indicating the potential electrical sources of the AF spatially registered with the medical imaging data.

Abstract: A method is provided for the characterization of a bone tissue with an imaging device, including: acquisition of at least one bone tissue grey scale image at a measurement value (MAS1), of an emission parameter relating to emitted radiation, image analysis measurement: of a measured value (SD1), of a standard deviation of the grey levels; of a measured value (GLA1) of a mean grey level; and of a measured value, of a characterization parameter (H1) of the bone tissue; target calibration, of the measured value (H1) with respect to a target value (GLAtarget), of a predetermined mean grey level for the sensor, the calibration producing a target value (Htarget); fixed calibration of the measured value (SD1) with respect to a fixed value (MASfixed), of the predetermined emission parameter; and determination of a corrected value (Hcorrected), of the value of the characterization parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the position of a surgical tool relative to a target volume inside an animal body according to a pre-plan comprising the steps of i) obtaining a plurality of two-dimensional images of said target volume using imaging means, each 2D-image being represented by an image data slice I(x,y,z); ii) reconstructing from said plurality of image data slices I(x,y,z) a three-dimensional image of said target volume using transformation means, said 3D-image being represented by a volumetric image data array V(x,y,z); iii) displaying said three-dimensional image of said target volume to an user using displaying means.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus images a first object (10), like a tip of a catheter, disposed within a second object, such as a vascular structure of a person. A three-dimensional representation of the second object including a representation of a surface (23) of the second object and the position of the first object relative to the position of the second object are provided. A projection (22) of the first object onto the representation of the surface of the second object is determined and shown to a user like a physician on a display (18). The three-dimensional spatial relationship between the first object and the second object is thereby shown in a way that is very native for the user, i.e. a visualization can be provided, which allows the user to easily and accurately grasp the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A patient support assembly for use in a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanner includes a first and a second patient support structure and a first and a second imaging coil. The patient support assembly provides support for multiple anatomical regions being imaged, improving patient comfort during the procedure. Access to the patient is improved by: providing a flexible coil that wraps around at least one of the anatomical regions 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. The patient support assembly also aligns the two imaging coils to minimize interference between coils during imaging.

Abstract: A method for automated evaluation of motion correction is presented. The method includes identifying one or more regions of interest in each of a plurality of images corresponding to a subject of interest. Furthermore, the method includes selecting valid voxels in each of the one or more regions of interest in each of the plurality of images. The method also includes computing a similarity metric, a dispersion metric, or both the similarity metric and the dispersion metric for each region of interest in each of the plurality of images. Additionally, the method includes generating a similarity map, a dispersion map, or both the similarity map and the dispersion map based on the similarity metrics and the dispersion metrics corresponding to the one or more regions of interest.

Abstract: A non-invasive imaging approach using CEST and MRS may be used to monitor the cleavage of the poly-L-glutamate (PLG) backbone. The cleavage of PLG by cathespsin B can expose exchangeable —NH2 protons in the PLG that are then monitored non-invasively through CEST. The technique can provide direct information on malignant tissue and tumor aggressiveness, and can also be used to monitor treatment.

Abstract: A sensor plaster (116) for the transcutaneous measurement of an organ function, more particularly of a kidney function, is proposed. The sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one flexible carrier element (134) having at least one adhesive surface (138) which can be stuck onto a body surface. Furthermore, the sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one radiation source, more particularly a light source (142), wherein the radiation source is designed to irradiate the body surface with at least one interrogation light (162). Furthermore, the sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one detector (146) designed to detect at least one response light (176) incident from the direction of the body surface.

Abstract: Described herein are implantable devices configured to emit an electrical pulse. An exemplary implantable device includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive ultrasonic waves that power the implantable device and encode a trigger signal; a first electrode and a second electrode configured to be in electrical communication with a tissue and emit an electrical pulse to the tissue in response to the trigger signal; and an integrated circuit comprising an energy storage circuit. Also described are systems that include one or more implantable device and an interrogator configured to operate the one or more implantable devices. Further described is a closed loop system that includes a first device configured to detect a signal, an interrogator configured to emit a trigger signal in response to the detected signal, and an implantable device configured to emit an electrical pulse in response to receiving the trigger signal.

Abstract: Reception beamforming that does not generate discontinuity in the vicinity of the depth of a transmit focus is executed even if reception scanning lines are disposed outside of the irradiation area of a focusing-type transmission beam. The degree of discontinuity showing the discontinuity of reception signals detected by plural ultrasound elements 105 or the degree of discontinuity regarding the discontinuity of the wave fronts of phased signals is detected by a discontinuity extracting unit 113. If there is an area where the degree of discontinuity is larger than a predefined value, a delay time generating unit 114 for discontinuity elimination changes the delay times in the area where the discontinuity is generated.

Abstract: An ultrasound device performs an ultrasound scan to acquire a video clip having images of a portion of a lung. The ultrasound device detects lung sliding in each of the images. The ultrasound device highlights the detected lung sliding in each of the images to generate processed images. The ultrasound device displays at least one of the processed images as one or more of an enhanced B mode image and an enhanced virtual M mode image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) and a corresponding method for thermoacoustic sensing, in particular thermoacoustic imaging, the device (100) comprising: a) an irradiation unit (10) configured to generate electromagnetic and/or particle energy exhibiting a first modulation, the first modulation comprising at least one frequency and to continuously emit the energy towards a target (1), whereby acoustic waves are continuously generated in the target, the acoustic waves exhibiting a second modulation, the second modulation comprising the at least one frequency and/or a harmonic frequency of the at least one frequency; b) a detection unit (20) configured to simultaneously detect the acoustic waves exhibiting the second modulation while the energy exhibiting the first modulation is being continuously emitted towards the target (1); and c) a processing unit (30) configured to determine at least one thermoacoustic value of an amplitude and/or a phase of the second modulation of the acoustic waves at the at l

Abstract: A multi-fluid injector system and methods of operation thereof are presented. One embodiment of such a fluid injector system includes an automatic refill procedure for a fluid injector system comprising a fluid injector and an operably engaged syringe. The procedure includes the step of determining, using an electronic control device operably controlling the fluid injector system, whether a fluid injection procedure involving the syringe is impending. If the electronic control device determines that the fluid injection procedure is not impending, such that the automatic refill will not interfere with the fluid injection procedure, an automatic refill of the syringe is initiated.

Abstract: Systems and methods employing a small gauge steerable catheter including a locatable guide with a sheath, particularly as an enhancement to a bronchoscope. A typical procedure is as follows. The location of a target in a reference coordinate system is detected or imported. The catheter is navigated to the target which tracking the distal tip of the guide in the reference coordinate system. Insertion of the catheter is typically via a working channel of a convention bronchoscope. Once the tip of the catheter is positioned at the target, the guide is withdrawn, leaving the sheath secured in place. The sheath is then used as a guide channel to direct a medical tool to target.