Abstract: Provided are methods to measure and or monitor consciousness in a subject, including analyzing brain activity with weighted symbolic mutual information (wSMI) and/or Kolgomorov symbolic complexity (KSC). In addition, methods and apparatus to administer a stimulus and/or a medicament to a subject according to their consciousness level which has been determined using the method described herein are also provided.

Abstract: Enhanced ultrasound imaging apparatus and associated methods of work flow are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of ultrasound scanning includes receiving a first dataset representing ultrasonic scanning of a target anatomy of a patient in a two-dimensional mode and generating a two-dimensional ultrasound image of the scanned target anatomy based on the received first dataset. The method also includes accepting a definition of at least one of a sagittal plane, a transverse plane, and a coronal plane on the displayed two-dimensional ultrasound image. Thereafter, a second dataset representing ultrasonic scanning of the target anatomy in a three-dimensional mode is received and an ultrasound image at the coronal plane of the target anatomy is generated based on (1) the three-dimensional scanning and (2) the accepted definition of at least one of the sagittal plane, the transverse plane, and the coronal plane.

Abstract: In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, the method of determining the sound velocity, and the program recorded in a recording medium, a probe is made transmit an ultrasonic beam a plurality of times so as to form a predetermined transmission focus point, an analog element signal output by the probe is A/D converted into the first element data, the second element data corresponding to any one of a plurality of the first element data is generated, and the second element data is used to determine the sound velocity in an inspection object, whereby the sound velocity of the ultrasonic waves in the inspection object can be accurately determined without decreasing the frame rate.

Abstract: A method for imaging an object by ultrasound elastography through continuous vibration of the ultrasound transducer is taught. An actuator directly in contact with the ultrasound transducer continuously vibrates the transducer in an axial direction, inducing shear waves in the tissue and allowing for real-time shear wave imaging. Axial motion of the transducer contaminates the shear wave images of the tissue, and must be suppressed. Therefore, several methods for correcting for shear wave artifact caused by the motion of the transducer are additionally taught.

Abstract: A system for providing video analysis and motion augmentation, particularly in the context of telemedicine applications is disclosed. In particular, the system may utilize cameras and other devices to detect macro and micro changes and movements of a being so as to assist in the detection of an anomaly associated with the being. After detecting the anomaly based on the detected macro and micro changes and movements, the system may transmit an alert identifying the anomaly and formulate a proposed request for interaction with the being. The request for interaction may be transmitted to the being, and information obtained in response to the request for interaction may be utilized by the system to assist in the determination of a diagnosis of a condition of the being. The process may be repeated as necessary until the diagnosis is confirmed and enough information associated with the being is obtained.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for determining a physiological activity signal in a subject using various movement sensors that each transmit a temporal movement signal, a physiological reference signal is determined from the various movement signals that best depicts a physiological movement of the subject, the movement sensor that generates the physiological reference signal is identified as a physiological reference sensor, at least one physiological addition signal is determined from the temporal movement signals that is similar to the physiological reference signal up to a limit, and the physiological reference signal and the at least one addition signal are added to form the physiological activity signal.

Abstract: Radiotherapy apparatus comprises a source of radiation mounted on a chassis, the chassis being rotatable about a rotation axis and the source being adapted to emit a beam of radiation along a beam axis that intersects with the rotation 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 at the point of intersection, spaced from that point 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.

Abstract: A system for tracking a bone-altering tool in computer-assisted surgery, comprising a first trackable reference secured to a first bone, with a first frame of reference being associated with the first trackable reference. A bone-altering tool is securable to the first bone in a secured configuration. Sensors track the trackable reference for position and orientation. A position/orientation calculator is connected to the sensor device to calculate a position and orientation of the first frame of reference. An alteration parameter calculator is associated with the position/orientation calculator to determine a position and orientation of the bone-altering tool in the secured configuration as a function of the position and orientation of the first frame of reference and of the secured configuration. A method for tracking tools using the tracking of a bone is provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasound transducer, an evaluation value acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The evaluation value acquisition unit obtains an evaluation value for evaluating the function of tissue including a predetermined site based on biological information acquired for a predetermined period of time by the ultrasound transducer. The determination unit determines whether the function of the tissue is abnormal based on the evaluation value. The output unit outputs information based on a result of determination by the determination unit.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for ocular ultrasound are provided having therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications. In one aspect, an ocular probe is disclosed that is uniquely configured for use in the eye on the basis of shape and frequency. The ocular probe may be multi-functional, providing sensor, optical or other functionality in additional to ultrasound energy.

Abstract: A phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) system and method employing a Hybrid One- and Two-sided Flow Encoding Only (HOTFEO) acquisition scheme for accurate blood flow and velocity measurements of three-directional-velocity-encoding PC-MRI.

Abstract: The invention includes a device and a method for hybrid optoacoustic and ultrasonographic imaging of an object. The device comprises: an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the object with electromagnetic radiation; first transducer elements configured to detect ultrasound waves generated in the object upon irradiating the object with the electromagnetic radiation; second transducer elements configured to detect ultrasound waves reflected and/or transmitted by the object; a surface comprising at least one first surface segment, on which the first transducer elements are arranged, and at least one second surface segment, on which the second transducer elements are arranged. The first surface segment and/or the second surface segment have a curved shape. The first transducer elements have a first size and pitch and second transducer elements have a second size and pitch, wherein the first pitch and second pitch are different and/or the first size and second size are different.

Abstract: A method of performing a transperineal biopsy procedure including sliding a displacement member of a biopsy guide relative to a guide member of the biopsy guide such that the displacement member is proximate the perineal access site of the patient. The guide member may be secured to the ultrasound probe, and the guide member may include a pair of guide rails each having a planar top surface. The displacement member may include a platform having a planar bottom surface and at least one needle receiving port for guiding a needle, wherein the planar bottom surface of the platform opposes the planar top surfaces of the pair of guide rails during the sliding of the displacement member relative to the guide member. The method may further include inserting a needle into the perineal access site of the patient.

Abstract: A biopsy guide for use in guiding a needle in a transperineal prostate biopsy procedure. The biopsy guide may include a guide member and a displacement member. The guide member may operably couple with the transrectal probe and include a guide body including a distal end, a proximal end, a length, a first guide member extending the length, and a second guide member extending the length, wherein a portion of the first and second guide members overhangs the transrectal probe when coupled thereto. The displacement member may be supported by the guide member and may include a central vertically extending member having a plurality of needle receiving ports therein, and a planar member coupled to the central vertically extending member and having a planar bottom surface that is configured to slide on the first and second planar top surfaces of the first and second guide members, respectively.

Abstract: A transperineal biopsy guide including a guide member and a displacement member supported by the guide member. The guide member may be configured to operably couple with the transrectal probe and may include a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, and a length extending along a longitudinal axis between the distal and proximal ends. The displacement member may be configured to support the access needle and displace the access needle along at least a portion of the length of the guide member between the distal and proximal ends. The access needle may extend into the subcutaneous tissue when the access needle is displaced to the distal end.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging probe (101) includes a communications interface (107), including one or more ports (200-205), corresponding to one or more different communication protocols, for communication with ultrasound consoles. The probe (101) also includes a controller (106) that configures the probe (101) for communication with an ultrasound console (102) over a port (200-205) based on a communication between the communications interface (107) and a communications interface (110) of the console (102).

Abstract: Various types of sub-preset conditions corresponding to a selected mother preset condition are read out from a preset condition storage unit which stores at least a plurality of mother preset conditions set concerning image data acquisition conditions and various types of sub-preset conditions set by updating all or some of the image data acquisition conditions included in each of the mother preset conditions. A sub-preset condition suitable for ultrasonic examination on the object is selected from the readout various types of sub-preset conditions. An image data acquisition condition is initialized based on the selected mother preset condition with respect to each unit related to generation of the image data. The image data acquisition condition is updated by using the selected sub-preset condition. Image data is generated based on a reception signal in ultrasonic transmission/reception using the updated image data acquisition condition.

Abstract: Methods and sensor delivery devices for monitoring a fluid pressure within a vascular structure, the devices including an elongated sheath sized for sliding along a guidewire, a sensor assembly including a fiber optic sensor, a housing surrounding the sensor, a first cavity between the distal end of the sensor and a distal aperture of the housing, a filler extending from at least the distal end of the housing distally and tapering inward toward the outer surface of the sheath, a second cavity in the filler with an opening at the outer surface of the filler and adjoining the distal aperture of the housing, and an optical fiber. The sensor delivery device may also include an outer layer that partially covers the second cavity with an aperture over the opening of the second cavity.

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 method and system for calculating a volume of resected tissue from a stream of intraoperative images is disclosed. A stream of 2D/2.5D intraoperative images of resected tissue of a patient is received. The 2D/2.5D intraoperative images in the stream are acquired at different angles with respect to the resected tissue. A resected tissue surface is segmented in each of the 2D/2.5D intraoperative images. The segmented resected tissue surfaces are stitched to generate a 3D point cloud representation of the resected tissue surface. A 3D mesh representation of the resected tissue surface is generated from the 3D point cloud representation of the resected tissue surface. The volume of the resected tissue is calculated from the 3D mesh representation of the resected tissue surface.