Abstract: A transperineal biopsy guide configured for use with an access needle and a transrectal imaging probe. The transperineal biopsy guide may include a mount attachable to the transrectal imaging probe and an upper assembly. The upper assembly may extend from the mount and may include a vertical opening, at least one distal member, and an access needle support structure. The access needle support structure is aligned with the vertical opening and supports the access needle at a plurality of discrete vertical positions within the vertical opening relative to the transrectal imaging probe. The access needle support structure is displaceable relative to the at least one distal member. And the at least one distal member limits distal displacement of the access needle support structure relative to the at least one distal member.

Abstract: This method for imaging in real time the propagation of a mechanical wave in an acoustically propagative medium comprises steps of: a) emitting (1000) a mechanical wave in an acoustically propagative medium, using an acoustic source being placed in an emission region of the acoustically propagative medium, b) measuring (1002) voltage signal waveform values at a reception region, using an acoustic measurement unit; c) calculating (1004) acoustic field values in the acoustically propagative medium, between the emission region and the reception region, using a reconstruction algorithm implemented in a signal processing unit, and the signal waveform values measured during step b) d) generating an image, using an image generation device and using the calculated acoustic field values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating the surface contour of a bone model, a storage medium, and an electronic device. The method comprises: step S101, on the basis of the real-time coordinates of the center of a positioning device acquired by a positioning tracking device, acquiring the real-time coordinate of the tip of a probe moving on the surface of a bone model; and step S102, performing three-dimensional reconstruction on all the real-time coordinates of the tip, so as to obtain a three-dimensional digital model of the surface contour of the bone model.

Abstract: A transperineal biopsy guide configured for use with an access needle and a transrectal imaging probe. The transperineal biopsy guide includes a mount attachable to the transrectal imaging probe and an upper assembly. The upper assembly extending from the mount and including a vertical opening, at least one distal member, and an access needle support structure. The at least one distal member laterally borders the vertical opening and includes a first distal member having a first distal-facing surface. The access needle support structure is aligned with the vertical opening and includes a first passage to receive and support the access needle and a first recess on a proximal-facing side of the access needle support structure. The first recess and the proximal end hub of the access needle including complementary surfaces that interface with each other such that rotation of the access needle within the first passage is inhibited.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating ultrasound imaging directed towards a bone region. An ultrasound imaging device generates a first steered frame and a second steered frame, wherein the first steered frame and the second steered frame are directed towards the bone region at different angles from one another and are superimposed with one another. Parameters of each of the first steered frame and the second steered frame are applied to a cost function that outputs an estimated propagation speed of ultrasound waves to the bone region for optimizing an appearance of the first steered frame and the second steered frame. The ultrasound imaging device is calibrated based on the estimated propagation speed.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an instrument for surgical intervention is provided. The instrument to be calibrated has a tip at a distal end thereof and a navigation array that is spaced from the distal end and is detectable in space. The navigation array has a fixed spatial and angular relationship with the tip. The method comprises the steps of: placing a calibrator on the tip of the instrument such that the tip is positioned within the calibrator at a known displacement from the centre of the calibrator, the calibrator having a circular shape and being detectable as a single point in space; detecting the position of the navigation array and the centre of the calibrator; and determining the position of the centre of the calibrator relative to the navigation array, thereby calibrating the position of the tip of the instrument relative to the navigation array. There is also provided a calibrator for use in such a method.

Abstract: A method includes storing a cloud of points reached by a cutting tool during a first stage of modifying a bone with the cutting tool, generating a surface based on the cloud of points, generating a plan for a second stage of modifying the bone with the cutting tool based on a location or rotation of the surface, and using the plan to assist the cutting tool in executing the second stage of modifying the bone.

Abstract: A medical tracking system includes a percutaneous needle, a localization element and a navigation system is disclosed. The percutaneous needle has an elongate shaft extending between a proximal end portion, which is attached to a handle, and distal end portion that terminates at a distal tip. An inner surface of the elongate shaft defines a working channel that extends from a port at the proximal end portion to the distal tip. The localization element is incorporated into the elongate shaft distal from the handle and proximate the distal end portion. The navigation system is configured for tracking the localization element and to provide a real-time display of a position and orientation of the distal tip relative to an anatomy of a patient.

Abstract: Example access devices, treatment devices, and kits useful in performing treatment under magnetic resonance imaging and related methods are described. An example access device includes an elongate tubular member formed of an MRI compatible material and moveable between a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The elongate tubular member has a central lengthwise axis, a proximal end, a distal end, an axial length, and a main body that defines a circumferential wall, a lumen, a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a main body opening. The main body opening is arranged in a spiral relative to the lengthwise axis and extends circumferentially along the circumferential wall. The main body opening extends along the entire axial length of the elongate tubular member from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: An MLA-OCT imaging catheter (3), which comprises an inner tube (5), an outer tube (4) and a multi-core catheter connector (6), wherein the inner tube (5) comprises an optical fiber bundle (21) and a microlens array (7); a calibration method of the MLA-OCT imaging catheter; an MLA-OCT imaging system; and an imaging method thereof.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for stationary digital chest tomosynthesis (s-DCT) imaging are disclosed. In some aspects, systems include a stationary x-ray source array with an array of x-ray pixels configured to generate x-ray beams at different viewing angles relative to a subject to be imaged that is stationary, a stationary area x-ray detector configured to record x-ray projection images of the subject, a physiological gating apparatus for monitoring at least one physiological signal of the subject and defining a physiological phase and a time window based on the at least one physiological signal, and a computing platform configured to activate the x-ray pixels based on the physiological phase and the time window and upon receipt of the at least one physiological signal from the physiological gating apparatus in order to synchronize x-ray exposure with the at least one physiological signal of the subject.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention introduces a method and system for focusing ultrasonic energy through intervening skull tissue into a target site within a target brain tissue region under the skull, includes a transducer emitter array, a transducer receiver array, a processor receiving echo signals from the receiver to determine correction factors for the transducer elements to compensate for refraction occurring due to intervening tissue. The correction factors may include phase correction factors, and the phases of excitation signals provided to the transducer elements may be calibrated focusing based upon the phase correction factors to focus the ultrasonic energy to the tissue at the target site.

Abstract: A fluid injector system includes a control device operably associated with at least one drive component for use in actuating a plurality of fluid containers in fluid communication with a patient through an administration line. The control device includes at least one processor programmed or configured to enable programming of a diagnostic injection protocol comprising one or more phases according to which at least one of the first and the second fluid containers are selectively actuatable by the at least one drive component to enable injection of at least one of a first fluid and a second fluid into the patient. The control device is further programmed or configured to enable selection and commencement of at least partial preloading into the administration line of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid in accordance with the one or more phases of the diagnostic injection protocol.

Abstract: A device for transperineal biopsy with a movable arm of a robot, comprising: an ultrasound probe being mounted around a first axis; a surgical instrument with a needle, which is movable along a first trajectory; and a moving device comprising at least a first pair of arms facing one another and arranged around a first longitudinal axis of the ultrasound probe so as to move, preferably oscillate, around the axis along a second trajectory, in order to guide and support the needle at a free end of each guide arm; and a connection interface to connect the device to a movable arm of a robot and having an operating module, which comprises a plurality of actuators each to move a respective said ultrasound probe or said guide arms, and a separation module arranged on the operating module and configured to transmit the motion to the ultrasound probe or to the arms.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for identifying and displaying spatial relationships between a seed parcel and other parcels in a patient's brain. A method can include obtaining connectivity data characterizing, for each pair of parcels including a first parcel and a second parcel from a group of parcels, a connectivity metric measuring a relationship between the first and second parcels in the patient's brain, obtaining brain atlas data, identifying a seed parcel from the group of parcels, determining one or more other parcels in the group of parcels having a connectivity metric with the seed parcel that satisfies a threshold connectivity metric condition to provide at least one seed-connected parcel, and for the seed-connected parcel, providing the brain atlas data and an indication of a degree of the connectivity metric between the seed parcel and seed-connected parcel for display as an overlay on a visualization of the brain atlas data.

Abstract: A device for measuring reflected ultrasound and optical signals may include: an optical source; an optical assembly comprising at least one lens, configured to focus reflected optical illumination from a target onto a detector; and an ultrasound transducer aligned to transmit and receive ultrasound radiation co-axially with the reflected optical illumination and wherein the ultrasound transducer at least partially obstructs a path of the reflected optical illumination. An obstruction may be distant from a focal spot of the optical assembly. The device for measuring reflected ultrasound and optical signals may be particularly useful for characterizing fluid behind an ear drum to diagnose otitis media.

Abstract: Abnormalities of blood vessels associated with brains of individuals can be detected by analyzing images that include the brains of the individuals. Blood vessels included in the images can be identified and densities of blood vessels across hemispheres can be determined. Differences between densities of blood vessels in different hemispheres of the brains of the individuals can be used to determine a probability of an abnormality with respect to one or more blood vessels associated with the brains of the individuals. User interfaces can be generated indicating possible abnormalities associated with the brains of the individuals.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring biological information using a radio wave, a technique for acquiring an index related to a setting position of the apparatus with respect to a measurement site is provided.

Abstract: A blood flow measurement device easily measures the blood flow of a user, and includes a first body portion, a second body portion, and a hinge. The first body portion includes a first casing having a first bottom face, a light source that emits near-infrared radiation from the first bottom face to the outside of the first casing, and a first light reception unit that receives the near-infrared radiation from the first bottom face side on the outside of the first casing. The second body portion includes a second casing having a second bottom face, and a second light reception unit that receives the near-infrared radiation from the second bottom face side on the outside of the second casing. The hinge joins the first body portion to the second body portion so as to make an angle formed by the first bottom face and the second bottom face variable.

Abstract: A catheter-based ultrasound imaging system configured to provide a full circumferential 360-degree view around an intra-vascular/intra-cardiac imaging-catheter-head by generating a three-dimensional view of the tissue surrounding the imaging-head over time. The ultrasound imaging system can also provide tissue-state mapping capability. The evaluation of the vasculature and tissue characteristics include path and depth of lesions during cardiac-interventions such as ablation. The ultrasound imaging system comprises a catheter with a static or rotating sensor array tip supporting continuous circumferential rotation around its axis, connected to an ultrasound module and respective processing machinery allowing ultrafast imaging and a rotary motor that translates radial movements around a longitudinal catheter axis through a rotary torque transmitting part to rotate the sensor array-tip.