Abstract: An MRI prep scan acquires plural sets of echo signals at a plurality of cardiac time phases which are mutually different from each other for each slice and used to generate a plurality of respectively corresponding prep images. Reference information is acquired and displayed for determining a first cardiac time phase and a second cardiac time phase on the basis of the prep images. The first and second cardiac time phases are set in response to an operator's specification. An imaging scan section for acquiring imaging echo signals by performing an imaging scan is performed upon each of the first and second cardiac time phases to acquire imaging echo signals. A first image is generated based on an echo signal of the first cardiac time phase and a second image is generated based on an echo signal of the second cardiac time phase. A differential image is acquired by calculating a difference between the first image and the second image.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for producing registered images of a body lumen are provided. The system includes a first imaging device having an imager positioned at a distal end thereof, said first imaging device configured to produce a first image of a body cavity; and an imaging system, including a second imaging device having an imager positioned at a distal end thereof and configured to be positioned approximate to said imager of said first imaging device within said body cavity and configured to produce a second image; an elongated member configured to contain said second imaging device; and at least one marker configured to produce registration information in the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (1100) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system and an interventional device (300) comprising a shaft (302, 1014, 1120). The medical apparatus further comprises a toroidal magnetic resonance fiducial marker (306, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1122) attached to the shaft. The shaft passes through a center point (610, 810, 908, 1006) of the fiducial marker. The medical apparatus further comprises machine executable instructions (1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158) for execution by a processor. The instructions cause the processor to acquire (100, 200) magnetic resonance data, to reconstruct (102, 202) a magnetic resonance image (1142), and to receive (104, 204) the selection of a target volume (1118, 1144, 1168). The instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly: acquire (106, 206) magnetic resonance location data (1146) from the fiducial marker and render (108, 212) a view (1148, 1162) indicating the position of the shaft relative to the target zone.

Abstract: A biopsy needle has a central axis and includes one or more sensing regions, each sensing region formed by a plurality of sensing optical fibers located over a particular extent of said central axis and inside the outer shell of the needle. The sensing optical fibers are coupled to a wavelength interrogator. A steerable catheter has a central axis and outer shell, the outer shell coupled to a plurality of optical fibers in sensing regions and actuation regions, the sensing regions formed over particular extents of the central axis by bonding gratings to the inner surface of the outer shell, and the actuation regions formed by coupling optical energy into shape memory alloys bonded to the outer shell.

Abstract: Catheterization is carried out by inserting a probe into a cavity in a body of a subject. The probe has a contact force, a transmitter, a receiver, and an ultrasound transducer in its distal segment, After navigating the probe into contact with a target in a wall of the cavity, using the contact force sensor a desired contact force is established and maintained between the probe and the target. Responsively to readings by the receiver of signals from the transmitter, the distal end of the probe is oriented orthogonally to the target.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic method utilizing an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasound probe, including controlling operations of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus on the basis of an instruction signal input from an operator and displaying, in response to an operation by the operator, a plurality of first body marks on a first display screen at a time, each of the first body marks being different from each other in a body pattern which is a patterning of a body part seen in a predetermined direction, and being further superimposed on by a probe mark which indicates a position and a direction on the body pattern which the ultrasound probe is put.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting biometrics using a life detecting radar are disclosed. Life detecting radars can include transmit antennas configured to transmit continuous microwave (“CW”) radio signals that reflect back upon making contact with various objects. The signal can be systematically varied in frequency to provide a signal that is essentially continuous with short gaps between transmissions at different frequencies. The reflected return signals are received by one or more receive antennas and processed to detect one or more targets. The received signal can include a static (i.e. constant phase) signal corresponding to reflections from objects that do not move. The received signal can also include a phase varying signal that corresponds to reflections from a living target having measurable biometrics including (but not limited to) breathing patterns and heartbeats. Clutter can be removed and the remaining portions of the received signal are analyzed for target detection.

Abstract: A computerized bone motion tracking system according to one exemplary embodiment is configured to: provide a non-invasive means for accurate measurement and tracking of the motion of a bone using a volumetric ultrasound transducer and a three dimensional position measurement system; provide relative measurements of one bone relative to another bone of a joint; decompose relative joint motion into specific components; and measure joint instability and range of motion.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in which an ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward a subject by an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound image is generated by a diagnostic apparatus body based on reception data thus obtained and an examination is performed based on the ultrasound image, including a display unit on which a plurality of examination portions corresponding to a series of examinations relating to ultrasound diagnosis are displayed in an order of time series in a single screen at a time, and a controller which highlights an examination portion corresponding to an examination being executed among the plurality of examination portions in the display unit, in which each of the plurality of examination portions is displayed as a body mark which indicates an examination position by the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for three dimensional imaging of tissue. Systems and methods of the invention receive a three dimensional data set and display a series of coaxial longitudinal images (i.e., each rotationally offset from another around an axis) in sequence, creating a video effect as if the view were scrolling around the tissue.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a tracking system architecture for tracking surgical tools in a surgical field. The system architecture is integrated into a mask placed directly on the face of the patient. The system can combine multiple imaging and range finding technologies for tracking the eye and the surgical instrumentation. The system can be used to generate a three dimensional scene for use during the surgical procedure. Additionally, the system can incorporate a modular design to account for variable anatomy. The system described is for eye surgery applications. However, the system could also be used for other procedures such as cochlear implant or craniotomy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data processing method of determining at least one operating parameter of a medical imaging device, the method being executed by a computer and comprising the following steps: a) acquiring entity geometry data comprising entity geometry information describing a geometry of a corporeal entity to be considered in a medical procedure; b) acquiring imaging device operability data comprising imaging device operability information describing a mode of operation of the medical imaging device; c) determining, based on the entity geometry data and the imaging device operability data, operating parameter data comprising operating parameter information describing a value of at least one operating parameter of the medical imaging device.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for assisting cartilage diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and includes the steps of acquiring 3D osteocartilaginous parameters by using multimodal 3D tracked devices; incorporating these parameters into a volumic anatomic osteocartilaginous model from which a bone tracking virtual real-time environment is built; three-dimensionally computing an osteocartilaginous quality score from this multiparametric 3D osteocartilaginous model; providing real-time navigation in this 3D virtual environment in order to make ongoing therapeutic assessments and adjustments; and updating steps 1 to 3 according to the performed therapy. It will be appreciated that the above steps are compatible with arthroscopic procedures involving cartilage.

Abstract: A method for chemical exchange saturation transfer (“CEST”) imaging that is more insensitive to off-resonance and magnetization transfer effects than other CEST methods is provided. Sn general, three different images are obtained: one obtained with radio frequency (“RF”) saturation about a labeling frequency, one obtained with RF saturation about a reference frequency, and one obtained with RF saturation about both the labeling and reference frequencies. This method, termed saturation with frequency alternating radiofrequency irradiation (“SAFARI”), is also very robust to magnetic field inhomogeneities. The three images, referred to as a labeled image, reference image, and dual frequency image, are selectively combined to produce an image of the subject in which CEST contrast is present, but errors arising from off-resonance and magnetization transfer effects are substantially suppressed.

Abstract: A cardiac defibrillator comprises electrical wires or terminals (24) connected with or configured to connect with defibrillation electrode pads (22), and an electrical circuit (32, 32a, 32b) including an electrical storage element (52) and a piezoelectric transformer (50) arranged to charge the electrical storage element to a voltage effective for delivering a cardiac defibrillation shock. The electrical circuit is configured to discharge the electrical storage element across the electrical wires or terminals to deliver a cardiac defibrillation shock to the electrical wires or terminals.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably coupling an ultrasound probe with an extremity comprises a housing adapted to substantially surround the extremity. The housing comprises a first opening adapted to receive the ultrasound probe and position the probe in contact with the extremity.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer cover (100) includes a base (202), including an acoustically transmissive membrane (110) with first and second opposing sides. The cover further includes walls (204, 206) protruding from the base in a same direction away from the first side of the base, forming a cavity about the acoustically transmissive membrane with a geometry that conforms to a geometry of a probe head of an ultrasound apparatus housing a transducer array and a corresponding acoustic window. The cover further includes an acoustically transmissive adhesive (108) disposed on the membrane in the cavity, wherein the acoustically transmissive adhesive maintains the cover on the ultrasound apparatus in response to installing the cover on the ultrasound apparatus.

Abstract: A system for early warning of health status decline includes at least one energy emitter configured to emit energy onto a field-of-view that contains an individual, and at least one energy sensor configured to capture reflected energy from within the field-of-view. A spatial measurement module calculates spatial measurements of a surface portion of the body of the individual when the individual is either stationary or moving about in real-time, based on data from the energy sensor. A comparator module detects deviations in measurements from baseline values indicative of a deterioration in health status of the individual.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (1100) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system and an interventional device (300) comprising a shaft (302, 1014, 1120). The medical apparatus further comprises a toroidal magnetic resonance fiducial marker (306, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1122) attached to the shaft. The shaft passes through a center point (610, 810, 908, 1006) of the fiducial marker. The medical apparatus further comprises machine executable instructions (1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158) for execution by a processor. The instructions cause the processor to acquire (100, 200) magnetic resonance data, to reconstruct (102, 202) a magnetic resonance image (1142), and to receive (104, 204) the selection of a target volume (1118, 1144, 1168). The instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly: acquire (106, 206) magnetic resonance location data (1146) from the fiducial marker and render (108, 212) a view (1148, 1162) indicating the position of the shaft relative to the target zone.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method comprises applying a radio frequency excitation in an examination region (14), measuring a magnetic resonance signal generated by the applied radio frequency excitation in a subject (16) in the examination region, monitoring a radio frequency parameter during the applying, and evaluating subject safety based on the monitoring. A magnetic resonance safety monitor (40) comprises an analyzer (42, 44, 46, 50) configured to (i) receive a radio frequency signal during magnetic resonance excitation, (ii) extract a radio frequency parameter from the received radio frequency signal, and (iii) evaluate subject safety based on the extracted radio frequency parameter, and a remediation module (54) configured to perform a remediation of the magnetic resonance excitation responsive to the evaluation (iii) indicating a potentially unsafe condition.