Abstract: Non-invasive measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP), for example mean ICP. A probe adjacent the head emits energy, such as ultrasound, and receives reflected signals. A processing unit derives ICP waveform from the signals. A pressure mechanism applies external pressure intermittently to outer surface of the head and incrementally increases the external pressure. The processing unit is configured to detect a decrease in amplitude of the ICP waveform (occurring in some embodiments only after an intermediate period of ICRS compensation), the processing unit configured to determine the ICP of the person from a sum of applied external pressures from a time of the initial value A1 until a final value at which the amplitude remains stable with additional increase in applied external pressure. In some cases, the final value is earlier than that but the processing unit extrapolates the sum to when the amplitude remains stable with additional increases in pressure.

Abstract: Techniques for imaging protocol translation are described herein. The techniques may include data indicating a protocol for image capture of a first imaging device. The protocol includes parameters. The techniques may include translating the protocol of the first imaging device for use at a second imaging device by determining adjustments to be made to one or more of the parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) comprising: —an image processor (34) configured to receive at least one set of volume data resulting from a three-dimensional ultrasound scan of a body (12) and to provide corresponding display data, —an anatomy detector (38) configured to detect a position and orientation of an anatomical object of interest within the at least one set of volume data, —a slice generator (40) for generating a plurality of two-dimensional slices from the at least one set of volume data, wherein said slice generator (40) is configured to define respective slice locations based on the results of the anatomy detector for the anatomical object of interest so as to obtain a set of two-dimensional standard views of the anatomical object of interest, wherein the slice generator (40) is further configured to define for each two-dimensional standard view which anatomical features of the anatomical object of interest are expected to be contained, and —an evaluation unit (

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting microbubbles in a vessel of an affected part, comprising aggregates the microbubbles, acquiring phase-contrast magnetic resonance images and analyzing the phase-contrast magnetic resonance images. Thus, we can detect or monitor the size and location of the microbubbles in vessels of any part of body.

Abstract: An ultrasound inspection apparatus of the present invention includes: a probe provided with a plurality of elements; a transmitter configured to transmit the ultrasonic beam to an inspection object using the probe; a receiver configured to receive an ultrasonic echo signal from the inspection object; a sound velocity determiner configured to determine a sound velocity value inside the inspection object; and an element data processing section configured to generate a piece of second element data from at least two pieces of first element data using the sound velocity value, the piece of second element data corresponding to any of the at least two pieces of first element data, the sound velocity determiner being configured to obtain an optimum sound velocity value by optimizing the sound velocity value which is used when the piece of second element data is created in the element data processing section.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, kits and methods for forming a marker element including, in aspects, a tube having a longitudinal direction, a base element received in a first end of the tube, a wire receiving portion at a second end of the tube, a force applicator receivable within the second end of the tube, the force applicator being configured to apply force to a received wire in the longitudinal direction of the tube to deformably compress the received wire to a selected length relative to the longitudinal direction of the tube. Also disclosed is a marker delivery device having a tube, a marker element preformed within the tube, and an actuator element receivable in the tube to move the marker element from the tube into a tissue site.

Abstract: A digital representation of a waveform is generated based on signals received during a recording period. The received signals include a digital clock signal providing a determined number of clock pulses during the recording period, a plurality of binary digital signals defining, for each clock pulse of the determined number of clock pulses, a waveform state associated with the clock pulse. A digital representation of the waveform is generated and stored. The waveform has a duration based on the recording period and a profile based on the defined waveform states associated with the clock pulses of the determined number of clock pulses.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which quantifies regurgitant flow through a mitral valve. A flow quantification processor (34) in the ultrasound system produces a mathematical model of a flow velocity field proximal to a regurgitant orifice. The velocity field model produces values of velocity vectors directed toward the regurgitant orifice. These modeled values are modified for the effects of ultrasound physics and ultrasound system operation to produce expected velocity values. The expected velocity values are compared with actual Doppler velocities measured by the ultrasound system, and the differences accumulated to a mean square error which is used to adjust parameters of the model such as the orifice location and flow velocities. When this iterative processing converges with a desired comparison, parameters derived from the finally adjusted model are used to calculate the true orifice location, flow rate, and volume flow.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system acquire data to create a 3D mesh representing a 3D object. The method, apparatus, and system acquire image data of the 3D object using an imaging probe that includes illumination and detection capability. A light source operates to illuminate the 3D object for reflection and/or trans-illumination imaging, and a detection assembly receives image reflection and/or trans-illumination image data. The reflectance and trans-illumination image data collected by the detection assembly are co-registered with a previously acquired 3D mesh using data from a tracking system monitoring the position of the probe, displayed in real-time, and optionally saved.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for detecting retinopathy is provided. The system comprises an image input module configured to receive one or more fundus images. Further, the system comprises a pre-processing module configured to apply one or more transformations to the one or more received fundus images. Furthermore, the system comprises a feature extraction module configured to extract one or more features from the one or more transformed images using one or more Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Also, the system comprises a prediction module configured to determine stage of retinopathy by classifying the one or more extracted features using pre-stored features, wherein the pre-stored features are extracted from one or more training fundus images by the one or more CNNs and further wherein each pre-stored feature corresponds to a class which is associated with a predetermined stage of retinopathy.

Abstract: Biomedical images of both anatomical structure and real-time changes in neuronal, metabolic, positional, and vascular function in humans and animals is described. Ultra-wideband (UWB) pulse or square wave generators and electrical samplers, implemented using integrated circuits are used to make arrays of miniaturized microwave modules that are placed around the portion of interest in the body or head, allowing images to be made through either time-domain transmission of these pulsed waves through the body, or time domain reflectivity of the waves from internal structures, or their combination. Signal processing separate and extract the time-varying functional information from the static structural image data. The time-varying functional information from certain brain regions can be interpreted in order to control prosthetics, Brain-Machine-Interfaces and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking an interventional tool based on a spatial alignment of two or more acoustic sensors relative to the interventional tool include operating an acoustic imaging device to generate an acoustic image plane, and operating each acoustic sensor to output a composite acoustic sensing waveform derived from an acoustic sensing of the acoustic beam array. Each composite acoustic sensing waveform can include a plurality of acoustic beam sensing waveforms. The system and method can further include operating a tracking workstation to track a position of the interventional tool relative to the acoustic image plane derived from a waveform profile analysis of the composite acoustic sensing waveforms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing remote expert feedback to an operator of an ultrasound imaging machine. The remote feedback consists of graphical icons that are dragged and dropped onto a video stream of the patient being scanned or the ultrasound image being captured and shared in real-time with the local operator to help improve their scanning technique.

Abstract: An object is to accurately calculate an index indicating a probability of an event occurring to a patient in the future. A mortality risk calculation unit acquires a heart/mediastinum ratio (H/M ratio), obtained by administering a heart function diagnostic medicine to a first subject, from subject data stored in a subject data storage unit, and calculates an index indicating a probability of a predetermined event occurring to the first subject by substituting the H/M ratio acquired from the subject data storage unit into a function defined in accordance with a history of occurrences of the predetermined event to a plurality of second subjects.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for illuminating and imaging tissue is provided. In one version, the method includes illuminating a volume of a tissue with photons from a three-dimensional array of optical emitters inserted into the tissue. In another version, the method includes detecting photons from a volume of a tissue using a three-dimensional array of optical detectors inserted into the tissue. A probe device for illuminating tissue and/or detecting photons emitted from tissue includes elongated microsized probes containing optical emitters and optical detectors in a three dimensional array.

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter or other medical device has a shaft extruded with two layers. The outer layer is relatively thick and contains gas bubbles sufficient to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound observation but with a density that allows material within the catheter to be viewed by the eye. The inner layer is relatively thin and is free of bubbles so that it provides a smooth bore to the catheter.

Abstract: A force-sensing tip assembly for a catheter comprises a tip shell, an acoustic transducer, a first target, and a first spring. The tip shell is for joining to the catheter. The acoustic transducer is disposed within the tip shell and is capable of generating an acoustic ping. The first target is spaced from the acoustic transducer within the tip shell. The first spring is in the tip shell and configured to allow a relative position between the acoustic transducer and the first target to change over a range. The first target is shaped and positioned to reflect at least a portion of the acoustic ping back to the acoustic transducer as a first echo over at least a portion of the range.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods that can be used to obtain objective pressure measurements in a body cavity using one or more monitoring bladders mounted on a catheter. The monitoring bladders may be adapted to connect or be connected to a system capable of providing objective pressure measurements indicative of the compressive forces acting on the one or more monitoring bladder in the body cavity. The body cavity may include, for example, the rectum, esophagus, stomach, intestine, colon, reproductive tract, urethra, oronasopharnygeal tract, etc.

Abstract: A guidewire introducable into a bodily lumen having an obstruction therein is provided. An introducer needle is advanced through tissue and into the bodily lumen. A guidewire is advanced through the introducer and into the lumen. The guidewire is advanced further through the lumen until an atraumatic distal tip of the guidewire encounters an obstruction the distal tip cannot pass in a straight forward manner. The distal tip is pressed against the obstruction such that a flexible segment proximal of the distal tip forms a loop distal of the distal tip. The guidewire is advanced further through the lumen such that the loop of the flexible segment is pushed past the obstruction and the distal tip is pulled distally past the obstruction. A greater diameter guidewire extension can be coupled to the back end of the guidewire, providing function as a larger diameter guidewire.

Abstract: A stimulation device includes an adapter component to increase the usability of the stimulation device. The adapter may be a bipolar adapter arranged to connect to the housing of the stimulation device. The adapter may include a clip having a first channel configured to receive an operative element therein and a second channel having a return operative element therein. The return operative element is in electrical communication with an electrical circuit of said stimulation control device. Alternatively, the adapter may be a percutaneous adapter comprising a connector configured to connect to an operative element of a stimulation device and a lead wire connected to the connector. A needle may be connected to the lead wire to deliver a electrical stimulation signal to a target tissue located beneath the skin of a subject patient.