Abstract: A portable vein viewer apparatus may be battery powered and hand-held to reveal patient vasculature information to aid in venipuncture processes. The apparatus comprises a first laser diode emitting infrared light, and a second laser diode emitting only visible wavelengths, wherein vasculature absorbs a portion of the infrared light causing reflection of a contrasted infrared image. A pair of silicon PIN photodiodes, responsive to the contrasted infrared image, causes transmission of a corresponding signal. The signal is processed through circuitry to amplify, sum, and filter the outputted signals, and with the use of an image processing algorithm, the contrasted image is projected onto the patient's skin surface using the second laser diode. Revealed information may comprise vein location, depth, diameter, and degree of certainty of vein locations. Projection of vein images may be a positive or a negative image. Venipuncture needles may be coated to provide visibility in projected images.

Abstract: A system and method for irradiating a medium including irradiating the medium with an electromagnetic wave which is scattered in the medium and modulated in frequency at a position in the medium; obtaining information corresponding to an interference pattern generated by interference between the modulated electromagnetic wave and a reference wave; and generating a phase conjugate wave, based on the obtained information, which irradiates the medium.

Abstract: A method for treating a desired volume of tissue using HIFU or other energy modality to ablate a pattern of elemental treatment volumes each having a volume that is greater than that of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer but smaller than the overall volume of the desired treatment volume. In one embodiment, the pattern of elemental treatment volumes are arranged to form a shell which partially or wholly encapsulates the desired volume of tissue, which then necroses in situ due to effects other than direct HIFU damage (including some combination of ischemia, thermal conduction, inflammation, apoptosis, etc.). The necrosed tissue remains in the body and is subsequently resorbed and/or healed via normal body mechanisms.

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: Velocity of MR-imaged fluid flows is measured. Data representing a measure of distance traveled by flowing fluid appearing in at least two MR images of a subject's tissue taken at different respective imaging times is generated. Data representing at least one fluid velocity measurement of the flowing fluid is generated by calculating at least one instance of distance traveled by the fluid divided by elapsed time during travel based on different respective imaging times. Data representing at least one fluid velocity measurement is then output to at least one of: (a) a display screen, (b) a non-transitory data storage medium, and (c) a remotely located site.

Abstract: A three dimensional imaging system includes a first laser emitting light at a first wavelength, and a scanner for scanning the laser light in a pattern on the target area. A photo detector receives light reflected from the target area as a contrasted vein image, resulting from differential absorption and reflection therein of the first wavelength of light. The intensity of the first laser is incrementally increased, and the photo detector thereby receives a plurality of contrasted vein images, each being at incrementally distinct depths beneath the target skin surface. Image processing is performed on the plurality of vein images to successively layer the veins in the images according to their depth, to create a single processed vein image. A second laser emitting a second wavelength of light is used in combination with the scanner to project the processed vein image onto the target area to overlay the veins therein.

Abstract: An integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus, and associated systems and methods that allow a physician (e.g., a surgeon) to perform laser surgical procedures on an eye structure or a body surface with an integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus disposed at a first (i.e. local) location from a control system disposed at a second (i.e. remote) location, e.g., a physician's office. In some embodiments, communication between the integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus and control system is achieved via the Internet®.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus includes a derivation unit to derive an apparent diffusion coefficient regarding a pixel position for each pixel position included in a region of interest in at least two original images obtained by imaging a same imaging region of a same subject using at least two b-factors that are different from each other, respectively, based on pixel values of each of at least two original images regarding the pixel positions, and a first estimation unit to estimate a pixel value obtained by using a b-factor that is different from the at least two b-factors, regarding each pixel position included in the region of interest, based on the apparent diffusion coefficient derived for each pixel position.

Abstract: When performing image-guided biopsy of an anatomical structure in a patient, a target anatomical patient region containing biopsy target is imaged using both SPECT and XCT concurrently. 3D SPECT and XCT image data is fused to generate a fused 3D reference image that is overlaid on 2D patient image(s) generated during the biopsy procedure to generate an overlay image. The overlay image also includes a planned path or trajectory for a biopsy instrument. The 2D patient images are generated using SPECT and/or XCT, and are updated periodically to show biopsy instrument position and progress.

Abstract: An infrared fiber-optic device is able to monitor esophageal temperature during an ablation/cryoablation procedure over a volume of interest to sense whether the temperature is too high or too low. The device may include a plurality of optical fibers each with a wide angle lens collectively disposed circumferentially and longitudinally to cover the volume of interest, as the particular region over which undesirable temperature may not be known beforehand. In other examples, the device may include an embedded array of infrared sensors extending sufficiently to encompass a volume of interest. The device may be used as part of a feedback control to regulate and stop operation of the ablation/cryoablation procedure to prevent vessel damage.

Abstract: To provide a small-size ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus manufactured at a low cost, which is capable of displaying an optimum image in both the B mode and the color-Doppler mode, without providing a plurality of drive amplifiers of different transmission voltages to each transmission channel. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has multiple display modes. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a probe for transmitting an ultrasonic beam and receiving a reflection wave of the ultrasonic beam reflected from a tissue of a biological body; a low-pass filter for filtering the reflection wave; and an image processing section for performing on the filtered reflection wave an image process corresponding to a selected display mode. The probe transmits an ultrasonic beam which has an amplitude determined according to the selected display mode. The low-pass filter has such a filter characteristic that at least the cutoff frequency varies according to the selected display mode.

Abstract: A method for irradiating a medium includes irradiating the medium with an electromagnetic wave which is scattered in the medium and modulated in frequency at a position in the medium; obtaining information corresponding to an interference pattern generated by interference between the modulated electromagnetic wave and a reference wave; and generating a phase conjugate wave, based on the obtained information, which irradiates the medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which in some implementations a non-contact thermometer determines a temperature of a subject from a carotid source point of the subject.

Abstract: An ultrasonic blood vessel inspecting apparatus provided with a longitudinal cross sectional blood vessel image generating portion configured to generate a longitudinal cross sectional image of a blood vessel located below a skin of a live body, on the basis of reflected wave signals of an ultrasonic wave by using an ultrasonic probe placed on the skin of said live body, includes: an index value calculating portion configured to calculate an index value indicative of a degree of clarity of an image which represents an intima-media complex of said blood vessel and which exists within said longitudinal cross sectional image of the blood vessel.

Abstract: The percutaneous probe, made in MRI-compatible materials, comprises: a body percutaneously inserted into the tissue of a patient's body organ (8) having a region (10) to be analyzed, treated and monitored during a single medical procedure; at least one information collection sensing device (30,33,34); treatment application transducers (30) 360° disposed to emit focused or defocused therapeutic ultra-sound waves. The computerized system comprises a parametrizable command device (50) adapted to simulate then command a generation of the therapeutic ultra-sound waves, and to monitor the treatment by thermal MRI images.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter is described herein for insertion into a cavity such as a blood vessel to facilitate imaging within a vasculature. The catheter comprises an elongate flexible shaft, a capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer, and a sonic reflector. The elongate flexible shaft has a proximate end and a distal end. A capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) is mounted to the shaft near the distal end. The reflector is positioned such that a reflective surface redirects ultrasonic waves to and from the transducer. In other embodiments, the catheter comprises a plurality of cMUT elements and operates without the use of reflectors. In further embodiments, integrated circuitry is incorporated into the design.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of catheter and radiating coil location in a human body and in particular to the determination over time of the location of the tip of a catheter as it is inserted and during its use in the body. In particular when a radiating coil is used in conjunction with a catheter, a coil locating device can be used to determine the distance the coil is from the device and hence its depth in the body of a patient. To assist a clinician using the coil-locating device, a display is provided that shows both a reference image of a part or portion of a body (non-subject body) and an image of the coil located on the display with reference to the reference image. This is achieved by locating the coil-locating device on or over a predetermined landmark on the patient's body.

Abstract: Various methods of use for surface enhanced spectroscopy-active composite nanoparticles (SACN's) are provided. SACN's are submicron-sized particles or labels can be covalently or non-covalently affixed to entities of interest for the purpose of quantification, location, identification, tracking, and diagnosis. The various methods include administering a SACN nanoparticle imaging agent to a patient, scanning the patient using a system that can perform spectral imaging; and generating a spectrum or image of an internal region of the patient. A method, for diagnosing an abnormal pathology as well as a method for labeling an animal with a SACN are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of colorimetric abnormalities within a body lumen includes an image receiver for receiving images from within the body lumen. Also included are a transmitter for transmitting the images to a receiver, and a processor for generating a probability indication of presence of colorimetric abnormalities on comparison of color content of the images and at least one reference value.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a vascular image are disclosed wherein a single composite display simultaneously provides a first view of a patient including an angiogram image and a second view including an intravascular image rendered from information provided by an imaging probe mounted on a distal end of a flexible elongate member. A cursor, having a position derived from image information provided by a radiopaque marker proximate the imaging probe, is displayed within the angiogram image to correlate the position of the imaging probe to a presently displayed intravascular image and thus provide an easily discernable identification of a position within a patient corresponding to a currently displayed intravascular image. The resulting composite display simultaneously provides: an intravascular image that includes information about a vessel that is not available from an angiogram and a current location within a vessel of a source of intravascular image data from which the intravascular image is rendered.