Abstract: A mechanically rotating intravascular ultrasound probe relates to the technical field of medical devices, and aims to provide a forward-looking mechanically rotating intravascular ultrasound probe having a small volume, a high image resolution and good imaging stability. The intravascular ultrasound probe includes a catheter, an ultrasonic transducer disposed at a front end of a cavity of the catheter and a driving apparatus that drives the ultrasonic transducer to rotate mechanically. The driving apparatus is a micro motor disposed in the cavity of the catheter, including a rotor and a stator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic imaging probe for imaging a medium (10), comprising two types of transducers, characterized in that the first type of transducer(s) (1) is dedicated to ultrasonic imaging of the medium (10), and the second type of transducer(s) (2) is dedicated to generating a stress producing at least one transient modification of the imaged medium (10), both types of transducer(s) (1, 2) being able to operate at least in a so-called coupled mode where the first type of transducer(s) (1) operates in a synchronized way with the second type of transducer(s) (2) so as to image the time course of the transient modification of the medium (10).

Abstract: Provided is a method of marking a diffusion boundary of medicine, the method performed by an ultrasound apparatus and including operations of obtaining first B mode image data and first Doppler data about a target object to which the medicine is injected; detecting a first area of the target object from which the first Doppler data is obtained; determining a first diffusion boundary of the medicine, based on the first area; and marking the first diffusion boundary of the medicine on a B mode image that is generated by using the first B mode image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spatial dimension determination device for determining a spatial dimension of a target element like a vessel within an object (9), for instance, within a person. Movement parameters describing a movement of an introduction element (4) moved by a moving unit (2) like a robot and several images showing the introduction element are used for determining a dimensional relation between an image dimension and a real dimension. A further image showing the target element is provided, wherein a real dimension of the target element is determined based on an image dimension of the target element in the further image and based on the determined dimensional relation. An unknown real physical dimension of a target element within the object can therefore accurately be determined from an image of the target element by using, inter alia, the movement parameters.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at a predetermined first angular separation greater than a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of a target object, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner. The method can include identifying a position of the interventional device in real time for each pair of the projections, using back-projection of images of the interventional device from the respective pair of projections. The method can include superimposing an image of the interventional device on a 3-D image of an anatomical region at an identified position of the interventional device.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a color ultrasound system and a method and a device thereof for obtaining beam-forming line data. The method comprises: a processor sending a control command according to a currently triggered color ultrasonograph mode; the processor receiving the digital ultrasonic echo signal data obtained according to the control command, wherein the digital ultrasonic echo signal data is a digital signal obtained by performing analog-to-digital conversion on an analog ultrasonic echo signal; and the processor performing beam-forming processing on the digital ultrasonic echo signal data to obtain corresponding beam-forming line data. With the disclosure, the color ultrasound system hardware is simple in design and flexible, and resource conservation and cost reduction are achieved during technical update.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy can include acquiring a plurality of pairs of projections of an interventional device using CT fluoroscopy. Each pair of the projections can be obtained at a predetermined first angular separation greater than a second angular separation used for a full dose CT scan of a target object, by rotating a gantry of a CT scanner. The method can include identifying a position of the interventional device in real time for each pair of the projections, using back-projection of images of the interventional device from the respective pair of projections. The method can include superimposing an image of the interventional device on a 3-D image of an anatomical region at an identified position of the interventional device.

Abstract: Viscosity is included in the quantification by an ultrasound imaging system. The log of a spectrum of displacement as a function of time is determined for each of various locations subjected to a shear or other wave. Solving using the log as a function of location provides the complex wavenumber. Various viscoelastic parameters, such as loss modulus and storage modulus, are determined from the complex wavenumber.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a system and method for determining cardiac events. The system and method include using an imaging modality to obtain a cardiac image of the subject. The image is then used to determine the subject's systolic, post-systolic, and early diastolic strain peaks. Additionally, a strain rate index (SRI) value is computed for the subject using the systolic, post-systolic, and early diastolic strain peaks. The SRI value can then be used to determine a level of risk of cardiac failure. Further, a likelihood of atrial fibrillation can also be determined. The SRI value and risk of cardiac event can then be used to create a treatment plan for the subject, if necessary.

Abstract: A marking device according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a handle, a cannula having a cannula distal end and slidably mounted to the handle, and a stylet having a stylet distal end and slidably mounted to the handle in the cannula. The stylet distal end is spaced proximally of the cannula distal end to form a marker recess that receives an imaging marker. The marking device further comprises an actuator operably coupled to the cannula to effect retraction of the cannula into the handle following implantation of the imaging marker. The imaging marker can be implanted by advancing the stylet relative to the cannula to eject the imaging marker from the marker recess, or the cannula can be retracted relative to the stylet to expose the imaging marker.

Abstract: A marking device includes a handle defining a hollow interior, and a delivery assembly slidably mounted to the handle. The delivery assembly includes a cannula, a stylet assembly, an imaging marker, and an actuator. The cannula has a cannula distal end with a marker recess. The imaging marker is disposed within the marker recess. The actuator is operably coupled to the delivery assembly and is operable to transition the delivery assembly through at least three configurations: a first configuration characterized in that the cannula is positioned in an extended position and the stylet assembly is positioned in a ready position; a second configuration characterized in that the cannula is positioned in the extended position and the stylet assembly is positioned in an implant position; and a third configuration characterized in that the cannula is positioned in the retracted cannula position and the stylet is retracted into the handle.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a robot-assisted ultrasound system includes a first ultrasound probe, a robot comprising a manipulator arm having a tool end, and a second ultrasound probe attached to the tool end of the manipulator arm. The robot-assisted ultrasound system further includes a robot control system configured to control at least one of a position or a pose of the second ultrasound probe based on a contemporaneous position and pose of the first ultrasound probe, and an ultrasound processing and display system configured to communicate with at least one of the first and second ultrasound probes to receive and display an ultrasound image based on the first and second ultrasound probes acting in conjunction with each other.

Abstract: A syringe for injecting contrast injection media into a patient. An inlet valve system associated with the syringe, the inlet valve system operable with a contrast injection media having any viscosity within the range of about 1 cP to about 30 cP. An inlet valve system associated with the syringe, the inlet valve system including a valve member having a density of less than or equal to 1 gram per cubic centimeter. A contrast injector system with such a syringe.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting metal disturbance during a medical procedure includes a probe having an insertion tube, a joint and a joint sensor, contained within the probe, for sensing a position of the insertion tube. The joint sensor has first and second subassemblies that are magnetic transducers. A processor is used for measuring force using the joint sensor, and has a threshold field value stored therein. The processor compares a sensed field value to the threshold field value and identifies a presence metal when the sensed field value is greater than the threshold field value.

Abstract: A method for imaging an anatomical structure on a display, including acquiring an initial spatial representation of the anatomical structure and positioning an instrument in proximity to the anatomical structure. The method further includes determining a location of the instrument, and generating, in response to the location, an image of a part of the anatomical structure. The method includes appending the image to the initial spatial representation to display a combined spatial representation.

Abstract: A method of photoplethysmography includes processing a signal based on at least one signal from at least one sensor arranged to capture light from a living subject to extract information on a characteristic of a periodic biological phenomenon. At least one of the signals from at least one sensor is obtained via sensing radiation as to a peak in an absorption spectrum of water.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus, a camera, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive image data from the camera and to determine at least one of pulmonary and circulatory characteristics of a patient supported on the patient support apparatus.

Abstract: A subject support (114) of an imaging system (100) includes a tabletop (124) that supports a subject or object in an examination region of the imaging system, a base (116), including a mechanical linear actuator (118), and a coupling (128) that mechanically couples the tabletop and the linear mechanical actuator such that the linear mechanical actuator translates the tabletop with respect to the examination region. The coupling rotates in two directions and translates in two directions, thereby providing four degrees of freedom, compensating for at least one of machining inaccuracies or misalignment of the linear mechanical actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to tomographic imaging device (1). The device (1) comprises a radiation detector (3) for measuring radiation traveling through an object to be imaged, the radiation detector (3) being configured to measure radiation only at a plurality of selected sampling positions on a curved track around an axis (z). A planning unit (12) is configured to determine the selected sampling positions on the basis of an estimated contour (44; 53) of the object (21) in a plane (x-y) substantially perpendicular to the axis (z). Further, the invention relates to a method for operating the device (1). The invention is particularly applicable in computed tomography imaging.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires first data in which a tissue of interest has higher signal intensity than a background and second data in which the tissue of interest has lower signal intensity than the background, with regard to images of the same region of the same subject, and a generation unit that generates, on the basis of the first data and the second data, third data in which the contrast of the tissue of interest to the background is higher than those in the first and second data.