Abstract: A robotic 5D ultrasound system and method, for use in a computer integrated surgical system, wherein 3D ultrasonic image data is integrated over time with strain (i.e., elasticity) image data. By integrating the ultrasound image data and the strain image data, the present invention is capable of accurately identifying a target tissue in surrounding tissue; segmenting, monitoring and tracking the target tissue during the surgical procedure; and facilitating proper planning and execution of the surgical procedure, even where the surgical environment is noisy and the target tissue is isoechoic.

Abstract: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.

Abstract: System for registering a first image with a second image, the system including a first medical positioning system for detecting a first position and orientation of the body of a patient, a second medical positioning system for detecting a second position and orientation of the body, and a registering module coupled with a second imager and with the second medical positioning system, the first medical positioning system being associated with and coupled with a first imager, the first imager acquiring the first image from the body, the first imager producing the first image by associating the first image with the first position and orientation, the second medical positioning system being associated with and coupled with the second imager, the second imager acquiring the second image and associating the second image with the second position and orientation, the registering module registering the first image with the second image, according to the first position and orientation and the second position and orienta

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system in which the scan head either includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field subarray beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. When used with second stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images can be generated.

Abstract: A Catheter Guidance Control and Imaging (CGCI) system whereby a magnetic tip attached to a surgical tool is detected, displayed and influenced positionally so as to allow diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to be performed is described. The tools that can be so equipped include catheters, guidewires, and secondary tools such as lasers and balloons. The magnetic tip performs two functions. First, it allows the position and orientation of the tip to be determined by using a radar system such as, for example, a radar range finder or radar imaging system. Incorporating the radar system allows the CGCI apparatus to detect accurately the position, orientation and rotation of the surgical tool embedded in a patient during surgery. In one embodiment, the image generated by the radar is displayed with the operating room imagery equipment such as, for example, X-ray, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, MRI, CAT-Scan, PET-Scan, etc.

Abstract: A combination catheter enables performing an angiogram and an angioplasty (and repetitions of one or both) with the same catheter instrument, without removal from and re-insertion into an artery until the procedure is completed.

Abstract: A method of generating images of a portion of a body includes introducing a contrast agent into the body, generating a first set of image data using radiation at a first energy level after the contrast agent is introduced into the body, generating a second set of image data using radiation at a second energy level after the contrast agent is introduced into the body, and creating a volumetric composite image using the first and the second sets of image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods which partition ultrasound signal processing between an ultrasound system main processing unit and transducer assembly are shown. A particular division of signal processing functionality disposed in the main processing unit and the transducer assembly may be selected to provide a desired weight balance, a desired level of processing for data communication between the main processing unit and the transducer assembly, etcetera. Battery capacity may additionally or alternatively be partitioned between the main processing unit and the transducer assembly.

Abstract: Tissue imaging and extraction systems are described herein. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Additionally, the extraction system can include features or instruments for procedures such as clearing blood clots, emboli, and other debris which may be present in a body lumen. Other variations may also be used for facilitating trans-septal access across tissue regions as well as for balancing body fluids during a procedure.

Abstract: Tissue visualization and manipulation systems are described herein. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Additionally, any number of therapeutic tools can also be passed through the deployment catheter and into the imaging hood for treating the tissue region of interest.

Abstract: A computer system and a computer-implemented method are provided for interactively displaying a three-dimensional rendering of a structure having a lumen and for indicating regions of abnormal wall structure. A three-dimensional volume of data is formed from a series of two-dimensional images representing at least one physical property associated with the three-dimensional structure. An isosurface of a selected region of interest is created by a computer from the volume of data based on a selected value or values of a physical property representing the selected region of interest. A wireframe model of the isosurface is generated by the computer wherein the wireframe model includes a plurality of vertices. The vertices are then grouped into populations of contiguous vertices having a characteristic indicating abnormal wall structure by the computer. The wireframe model is then rendered by the computer in an interactive three-dimensional display to indicate the populations of abnormal wall structure.

Abstract: A system for imaging tissue during ultrasound therapy treatments is described. The system has a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer, video display and controller. The controller has two receive paths for detecting cavitation and boiling in present during an ultrasound therapy treatment, and representing the two visually on a display.

Abstract: An optical system for examination of biological tissue includes a light source, a light detector, optics and electronics. The light source generates a light beam to be transmitted to the biological tissue spaced apart from the source. The light detector is located away (i.e., in a non-contact position) from the examined biological tissue and is constructed to detect light that has migrated in the examined biological tissue. The electronics controls the light source and the light detector, and a system separates the reflected photons (e.g., directly reflected or scattered from the surface or superficial photons, i.e., “noise” photons) from the photons that have migrated in the examined biological tissue. This system prevents detection of the “noise” photons by the light detector or, after detection, eliminates the “noise” photons in the detected optical data used for tissue examination.

Abstract: A method for neural current imaging. Electromagnetic fields produced unknown distribution of unknown sources in the body is sensed at a plurality of remote locations. The inverse problem is solved to produce a first fuzzy “image” of the sources. In addition, a standard imaging method, such as MRI, is used to independently image the body, to obtain a second fuzzy image of the sources. Additional independently obtained fuzzy images may also be provided. All or a selected subset of the images are pooled as components to form an enhanced image with greater resolution or clarity than the component images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for percutaneous and/or minimally invasive implantation of a construct. The construct may be implanted using a navigation system for planning and execution of a procedure. A plurality of portions of the construct may be interconnected using locations and paths determined and navigated with the navigation system.

Abstract: An invasive device having an inductive coupling element. One embodiment of the invasive device includes a plurality of receive coils inductively coupled to a communicating coil. The receive coils are selectively tuned and detuned to receive MR signals for providing coordinate information used for device tracking. A second embodiment of the invasive device includes a receive coil having a plurality of winding elements separated from each other by different distances. A method of rapidly acquiring both the invasive device orientation and position information to dynamically adapt MR scan planes to continuously follow the invasive device relative to a target is provided. The target-navigation technique automatically defines the MR scan plane and a time domain multiplexing technique is applied for MR imaging and device tracking. Using these techniques, the acquired MR images shows both the invasive device and the target tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a housing, adapted for placement on tissue of a subject, and a plurality of transducers, disposed at respective locations with respect to the housing, and configured to transmit energy towards each other, in a plane defined by the housing.

Abstract: An ultrasonographic apparatus in which the S/N ratio of a compound image is improved operates by combining a plurality of reception beam signals from probes arranged at different positions relative to a sample, converting the combined ultrasonic beam into a luminance signal, and displaying the luminance signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus for diagnosis and therapy is provided with plural ultrasound probes for generating ultrasound waves for phase shift, diagnosis, and therapy. A first control part causes phase shift in a nano droplet ultrasound contrast agent, while a second control part detects the phase shift of the nano droplet ultrasound contrast agent using ultrasound echo detected by an echo detection device. A difference calculation device calculates a difference of the detected phase shift over time, and a positioning device determines a target position where the difference is produced. A third control part is also provided for exposing a decided target area to the ultrasound waves for therapy.

Abstract: A system and method for CT guided instrument targeting including a radiolucent instrument driver; a robot and a control box. The robot includes a robotic module that positions the radiolucent driver about two directions coincident a predetermined point. The control device is connected to the robot and the radiolucent instrument driver. The control driver sends a robot control signal to the robot that causes the robotic module to place the radiolucent instrument driver in a desired orientation with respect to the predetermined point. After the radiolucent instrument driver is in the desired orientation, the control device sends a driver control signal to the radiolucent instrument driver that causes the radiolucent driver to insert a medical instrument or device through the predetermined point to a location proximate a target point in a patient.