Abstract: A method of operating a fluorescent imaging system during an open surgery procedure includes concurrently illuminating a tissue with NIR excitation light and visible light, wherein NIR fluorescent light is emitted from the tissue and collecting the NIR fluorescent light and reflected visible light that is reflected from the tissue. The method also includes blocking at least a portion of the NIR excitation light reflected from the tissue and attenuating the reflected visible light. The method further includes imaging, using a camera, the NIR fluorescent light and the attenuated reflected visible light.

Abstract: A computing device for tracking surgical imaging devices stores a preoperative image of patient tissue registered to a frame of reference of a tracking system; and receives, from a first imaging device, a first intraoperative image of a first region of the tissue, with a finer resolution than the preoperative image. The computing device receives a position of the first imaging device from the tracking system, and registers the first intraoperative image with the frame of reference. The computing device receives, from a second imaging device, a second intraoperative image of a second region of the patient tissue, with a finer resolution than the first intraoperative image. The computing device registers the second intraoperative image to the first intraoperative image; and controls a display to present the preoperative image overlaid with the first intraoperative image, and the first intraoperative image overlaid with the second intraoperative image.

Abstract: A finger insert for use with a nailfold imaging device includes a housing to receive the user's finger and an immersion substance (e.g., immersion oil), and a deformable pad that holds the user's finger in place during imaging, as well as prevent bubble formation in the substance. The housing includes a transparent wall to facilitate imaging of the finger. The transparent wall includes multiple angled portions that prevent or reduce contact between the nailfold and the wall, to ensure sufficient blood flow through the nailfold region for imaging.

Abstract: An imaging system and method include a medical device (102) having a tracking element (106) mounted thereon. An array (109) of transducers is spaced apart from one another for exchanging energy in a subject between tracking element and the array of transducers. A trilateration module (104) is configured to interpret signals sensed between tracking element and the array of transducers to compute times of flight of signals associated with the transducers in the array such that a position of tracking element is determined in at least two dimensions to locate a position of the medical device in a visual image.

Abstract: Various embodiments for providing remote delivery and monitoring of health care are provided. In one embodiment, a portable apparatus for orthopedic monitoring of a patient is provided and comprises: a housing adapted for one of positioning adjacent to and positioning within an orthopedic cast; a diagnostic biomedical device integrated into the housing, wherein the diagnostic biomedical device is adapted for obtaining an orthopedic image of a portion of the patient treated with the orthopedic cast; and a wireless communications interface coupled to the diagnostic biomedical device, wherein the wireless communications interface is adapted to upload the orthopedic image to a remote server to be viewed by a medical professional.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of pulmonary conditions, including a device having an end effector sized and shaped to contact a nerve component on the exterior of a bronchial segment and apply energy to that nerve component.

Abstract: A hyperspectral facial analysis system and method for personalized health scoring to assess the risk that a person has a disease. Embodiments capture images in multiple spectral bands, such as visible, infrared, and ultraviolet, and analyze these images to generate multiple health metrics, such as pallor, temperature, sweat, and chromophores. These metrics may be combined into an overall health score that may be used for screening. Image analysis may focus on the area under the eyes, where skin is thinnest. Images may be compared to a reference population to identify anomalous values, so that health scoring automatically adjusts for local conditions. Pallor may be calculated based on hue and saturation of visible light images. Temperature may be calculated based on infrared image intensity. Sweat may be calculated using cross-polarized images to identify specular highlights. Chromophores may be calculated by comparing frequency domain ultraviolet images to those of the reference population.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical instrument (200) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (202) and a high-intensity focused ultrasound system (204) with an electronically controllable and a mechanically controllable focus.

Abstract: Systems, catheter and methods for treating Atrial Fibrillation (AF) are provided, which are configure to illuminate a heart tissue having a lesion site; obtain a mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH) fluorescence intensity from the illuminated heart tissue along a first line across the lesion site; create a 2-dimensional (2D) map of the depth of the lesion site along the first line based on the NADH fluorescence intensity; and determine a depth of the lesion site at a selected point along the first line from the 2D map, wherein a lower NADH fluorescence intensity corresponds to a greater depth in the lesion site and a higher NADH fluorescence intensity corresponds to an unablated tissue. The process may be repeated to create a 3 dimensional map of the depth of the lesion.

Abstract: Devices, systems and/or methods for monitoring and/or stimulating osteogenesis use sensor data from a target site of a bone to produce a quantitative output that can be used to determine the healing rate of the patient, when the bone at the target has fully consolidated and/or to direct further treatment of the patient.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed for diagnosis generating a first tomographic image and a second tomographic image inside a lumen of a measurement subject body by using an ultrasound signal which is transmitted and received by a first transmitting and receiving unit and an optical signal which is transmitted and received by a second transmitting and receiving unit in a case where a transmitting and receiving unit in which the first transmitting and receiving unit performing transmission and reception of the ultrasound signal and the second transmitting and receiving unit performing transmission and reception of the optical signal are disposed moves in an axial direction while rotating in the lumen of the measurement subject body.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for thermal therapy in a male prostate patient. The apparatus includes a long tubular element that is to be inserted into a patient's urethra so that a first tip end of it reaches up into the patient's diseased prostate. The elongated portion includes a narrow cylindrical tube within which an ultrasonic array is disposed along the long axis of the cylinder. Fluid is pumped into and out of a treatment zone of said patient as needed to control a temperature of a region in said treatment zone. A motorized driver is used to controllably rotate said elongated portion and the ultrasound array therein about the long axis of the apparatus so as to deliver acoustic energy to said diseased tissue. Various control and monitoring components may be used in conjunction with the present apparatus to design, control, and terminate the therapy.

Abstract: Systems and methods of reconstructing photoacoustic imaging data corresponding to a brain of a subject through a skull of a subject utilizing a reconstruction method that incorporates a spatial model of one or more acoustic properties of the brain and skull of the subject derived from an adjunct imaging dataset.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for determining an estimated pulse wave velocity of an artery of a subject. Embodiment methods may include applying a series of counter pressures, measuring a first parameter related to pulse wave velocity, estimating a second parameter in a model, and determining the estimated pulse wave velocity. The counter pressures may be applied at a set location on the subject over the artery with a pressure device. Each of the counter pressures may be different from one another, applied at the set location, and between zero and a diastolic pressure of the subject. The first parameter may be measured when each of the series of counter pressures is applied. The model may establish a relationship of the first parameter measured to each of the series of counter pressures. The estimated pulse wave velocity may be determined based on the second parameter estimated in the model.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a flexible planar strip (40) including a plurality of layers. The strip is configured to at least partially encapsulate a medical device. The strip includes a first dielectric layer (10), a conductive shield layer (12) disposed on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer (14) formed on the conductive shield layer; and a patterned conductive layer including a sensor electrode (26), a hub electrode (28) and a trace (18) connecting the sensor electrode and the hub electrode.

Abstract: A pressure sensing guidewire includes a distal end and a proximal end. The guidewire includes a tubular member having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The guidewire includes an optical pressure sensor disposed within the distal portion of the tubular member, and a polymer fiber optic cable extending proximally from the optical pressure sensor. The optical pressure sensor is located at a position that is about 3 centimeters or less from the distal end of the pressure sensing guidewire.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first set of image data representing passageways at a first cyclical motion state, receiving a second set of image data representing the passageways at a second cyclical motion state, receiving pose data for points describing a shape of an instrument, and comparing the shape of the instrument to the first and second sets of image data. The comparing includes assigning match scores to the sets of image data by comparing each to the shape of the instrument and determining a selected set of image data that matches the shape. The method further includes identifying a phase of a cyclical anatomical motion, generating a command signal indicating an intended movement of the instrument, adjusting the command signal to include an instruction for a cyclical instrument motion of the instrument based on the phase of the cyclical anatomical motion, and causing the intended movement of the instrument.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound image producer which produces an ultrasound image from reception data based on a predetermined set sound speed, a reception data image producer which produces a reception data image representing a luminance image of an ultrasonic echo wavefront from the reception data corresponding to a predetermined range on at least one scan line in the ultrasound image, a sound speed determination unit configured to determine an optimum sound speed based on ultrasound images respectively produced by the ultrasound image producer while changing the predetermined set sound speed, and a controller which makes an ultrasound image for diagnosis produced by the ultrasound image producer and the reception data image produced by the reception data image producer be displayed simultaneously on a display unit based on the optimum sound speed determined by the sound speed determination unit.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic imaging device is provided having a transmitter configured to provide an electromagnetic transmit signal (e.g. a continuous sinusoidal signal) to an object being imaged. The transmit signal is a modulated continuous-wave signal based on a carrier frequency signal fc modulated at a modulation frequency at or near fm. The detector is further configured to receive an acoustic signal from the object being imaged, and is responsive to acoustic frequencies at or near 2fm. A non-linear thermoacoustic effect in the object being imaged generates the acoustic signal from the object being imaged. Spectroscopic maps could be generated and imaged object could be analyzed. The device enhances signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed image and reduces the requirement of peak power in thermoacoustic imaging systems. In addition, the generated pressure of the imaged object is separated from microwave leakage and feedthrough in frequency through the nonlinear thermoacoustic effect.

Abstract: An array emitter including a plurality of emitting portions can be used to individually emit selected energy, such as x-ray radiation, from the emitter ray rather than powering or emitting radiation from all portions of the emitter array. According, providing a plurality of cells within an emitter array, and selectively emitting x-rays from individual cells can allow for selection of which cells to emit x-rays from to acquire selected image data. A process is disclosed for selecting, including automatically, which portions to power to emit energy.