Abstract: Provided are a photoacoustic probe and photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus. The photoacoustic probe includes a light irradiation unit for irradiating first light that is used for photoacoustic imaging on an object and an indicator for providing information about whether the first light is irradiated by using the first light.

Abstract: A method for automated classification of curve patterns associated with dynamic image data of a lesion in a subject in order to determine characteristics of the lesion. The method comprising the steps of loading the image data into an electronic memory means, producing a plot of signal intensity profile, converting the signal intensity profile into a contrast enhancement profile, detecting a reference enhancement profile having a highly positive slope over an initial enhancement period followed by a decreasing profile portion, deriving signature curve types based on the reference enhancement profile, classifying an enhancement curve for each pixel in a selected ROI into one of the derived signature curve types using all available time points and displaying a grid-plot of the classified enhancement curves for all pixels in the selected ROI, wherein the overall display of curves and heterogeneity provides visual indication of the characteristics of the lesion.

Abstract: A new and/or novel image analysis technique for quantitative assessment of motion-based testing for injury in a patient using universally available and affordable devices and techniques is provided and disclosed. A video of a test being performed can be processed to track the motion of markers and/or bodily landmarks in two or more dimensions to quantitatively describe motion, thereby removing the subjective aspects typically associated with motion-based testing. In an example, the pivot shift test is a commonly used test for evaluating rotational instability of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee. The pivot shift test's subjective grading scale can be quantified and refined using image analysis techniques.

Abstract: A method for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of a stimulation area of medical interest, combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for visualization of the response of, for example neurons, is disclosed. An ultra-thin magnetic resonance coil, MR coil, positioned in the immediate vicinity over an area where the response of, for example neurons, is to be detected, and preferably sandwiched between the TMS coil and the area, provides an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. The TMS can be performed directly through the MR coil. A great deal of flexibility in the number of the TMS and MR coils in use and their spatial arrangement is provided. A corresponding system for the TMS/fMRI studies is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a health status of a subject. The system comprises: a medical device implantable in the subject and having a passage or compartment through which blood flows through; a sensor device embedded at or near a surface of said passage within said medical device for generating signals suitable for measuring a Doppler shift effect occurring within said passage; and a control device coupled to said sensor device for measuring a liquid blood flow rate within said passage based on sensor generated signals outputs. The embedded sensor device comprises a first piezo-electric element configured to generate an acoustic excitation signal and a second piezo-electric element configured to receive said acoustic excitation signal. The second piezo-electric element emits a signal responsive to said acoustic excitation signal. Control device in real time compares a generated output signal with the input excitation signal to determine a Doppler frequency shift measurement.

Abstract: Provided are: an ultrasound probe with excellent characteristic stability; and ultrasound equipment that uses the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe has an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving element provided with a substrate, an insulating film formed on the substrate, a cavity formed between the substrate and the insulating film, and a pair of electrodes disposed parallel to the substrate so as to sandwich the cavity. The ultrasound probe is characterized in that the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving element has a beam part with a multilayer structure formed by laminating films made of materials different in stress, the beam part being disposed on the electrode distant from the substrate out of the pair of electrodes, and the beam part is formed by laminating a film that applies tensile stress and a film that applies compressive stress.

Abstract: A method for bringing an IVUS and an OCT image into register. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an IVUS image of an area of a lumen; obtaining an OCT image of the same area of the lumen; determining the same asymmetry in each of the IVUS and OCT images; and overlaying the IVUS and OCT images and rotating them with respect to one another until the asymmetry in each of the IVUS and OCT images are in register, and determining the angle of rotation that resulted in the registration. In another aspect, the invention relates to a probe for OCT and IVUS imaging. In one embodiment, the probe includes a sheath having a first end and a second end defining a lumen; a marker that is opaque to light and ultrasound located between the first end and second end; and an IVUS/OCT probe head positioned within the sheath.

Abstract: Insertable imaging devices, and methods of use thereof in minimally invasive medical procedures, are described. In some embodiments, insertable imaging devices are described that can be introduced and removed from an access port without disturbing or risking damage to internal tissue. In some embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an access port, thereby allowing imaging of internal tissues within the vicinity of the access port, while, for example, enabling manipulation of surgical tools in the surgical field of interest. In other embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an imaging sleeve that is insertable into an access port.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes a receiving section to receive ultrasound waves from an object and to acquire a receiving signal of each of multiple channels; a beam forming section to adjust a phase of the receiving signal of each of multiple channels and to sum the receiving signals; an image producing section to produce image data to display an ultrasound diagnostic image based on the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section; a transmission target selecting section to select one from at least two of the receiving signal for each of multiple channels, the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section, and the image data as a transmission target; and a transmitting section to transmit the transmission target selected by the transmission target selecting section.

Abstract: In a method and imaging device for ascertaining an absolute scan region on a patient, who is positioned on an examination table, for a subsequent medical imaging examination by operation of the medical imaging device, the height of the patient is ascertained, a relative examination region is ascertained, and the absolute scan region of the patient for the subsequent medical imaging examination is determined in a processor using the patient height and the relative examination region.

Abstract: A transmit/receive isolation for an ultrasound system to block a high voltage transmit signal from being propagated to a receiving unit during a transmission period of an ultrasound signal is disclosed. An ultrasound system includes a switching unit coupled to a transmitting unit, a ultrasound probe and a receiving unit. The switching unit includes diode bridges and a switching module having pairs of switches connected to the respective diode bridges, wherein each pair of switches is configured to perform switching between a plus voltage and a minus voltage to forward-bias a corresponding diode bridge to allow a respective receive signal to be propagated to the receiving unit in a first state and to reverse-bias the corresponding diode bridge to block a respective transmit signal to be propagated to the receiving unit in a second state.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a response of a tumor following a chemotherapy process includes the use of a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) driver and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method includes controlling the MRE driver and the MRI system to acquire raw MRE data from the tumor, inverting the raw MRE data to produce an elastogram of the tumor, and determining a response of the tumor to the chemotherapy process from the elastogram.

Abstract: An apparatus for biopsy examination on the breast of a patient, includes: an analysis head including a radiation detection device for detecting X-rays on a detection plane, and a source of X-rays to emit X-rays towards the detector, the source and the detection device being mobile with respect to each other so that they can be placed in a plurality of different working acquisition positions. A biopsy probe can be fixed to a support base includes a needle for extracting a sample of breast tissue and a housing for the needle. The housing is rotatably mounted on the support base to allow modification of the angle of the needle with respect to the breast support surface. A computerized unit is connected to the detector and configured to produce at least one reconstructed image of a cross-section of the breast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining skin health of an area of skin by exposing the area of skin to a first exposure radiation to induce the area of skin to emit a first fluorescent emission, measuring the intensity of the first fluorescent emission, exposing the area of skin to a second exposure radiation to induce the area of skin to emit a second fluorescent emission, measuring the intensity of the second fluorescent emission, calculating a ratio of these intensities, and comparing the ratio to a control ratio.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a velocity of a moving object such as a body or a stream. The object is irradiated in a non-collinear configuration with multiple ultrasound waves overlapping in a region-of-interest (ROI) of the object. An response wave, resulting from the non-linear interaction among the incident waves and the object, is detected and the frequency variations of the response wave are determined. Data representing a Doppler-shift of this frequency is further determined and processed to calculate the velocity of the moving object.

Abstract: The claimed method and system uses a hand-held based optical process to image large tissue volumes using a flexible probe head, increased data acquisition using multi-source illumination and multi-detector sensing, and tomographic reconstruction of sub-surface structures of a target object using ultrasonic tracking facilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a model based positioning system that includes a positioning device having at least one transmitter configured to be in a tracking environment, e.g. inserted into a body, a receiver having a plurality of receiver elements arranged outside the tracking environment, a control unit configured to measure amplitude and/or phase information of a signal transmitted from the at least one transmitter and received at each receiving element, and a memory unit for storing a model for each receiving element. The control unit is also configured to estimate the position P of the positioning device by comparing the model for each receiving element with the measured received signal for each receiving element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces audio Doppler from detected Doppler signals. The Doppler signals are detected in a band of frequencies which corresponds to the velocity of blood flow signals, and Doppler information is displayed based on the detected band of frequencies. The audio Doppler system produces Doppler audio in a frequency band which is shifted in pitch from the detected band of frequencies. The operator of the ultrasound system is provided with a user control by which the degree of pitch shifting can be controlled. The ultrasound system displays Doppler blood flow velocities referenced to a transmit Doppler frequency f0, with the audio Doppler being shifted in pitch from the frequencies corresponding to the blood flow velocities.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit, a scan performing unit and a blood flow image generating unit. The imaging condition setting unit sets a sequence accompanying application of a motion probing gradient pulse as an imaging condition. The scan performing unit performs an imaging scan according to the sequence. The blood flow image generating unit generates a blood flow image based on data acquired by the imaging scan.

Abstract: Radiotherapy apparatus comprises a source of radiation mounted on a chassis, that is rotatable about a rotation axis and the source being adapted to emit a beam of radiation along a beam axis; a patient support, moveable along a translation axis; a set of magnetic coils located on either side of the beam, for establishing a magnetic field along a first direction; the translation axis, the rotation axis, and the first direction being substantially parallel; and further comprising a multi-leaf collimator fixed in its orientation with respect to the source of radiation, the multi-leaf collimator comprising a plurality of elongate leaves disposed with their longitudinal directions substantially aligned with the first direction and movable in that direction between a withdrawn position in which the leaf lies outside the beam, an extended position in which the leaf projects across the beam.