Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: A computerized method of generating a map of myelin tissue of a brain is described. In addition sub-maps of different myelin contents can be imaged. The method uses a simulation model comprising at least two interacting tissue compartments.

Abstract: An apparatus (500, 600) comprising an ultrasound transducer element (300) for generating an ultrasonic beam (302) through a target zone (308, 538). The ultrasonic beam has an ultrasound frequency. The apparatus comprises a magnetic resonance system (502) with a resonant frequency modulator (542, 544, 516) for modulating a magnetic resonance frequency relative to a magnetic resonance of molecules in the target zone at the ultrasound frequency. Instructions cause a processor to repeatedly generate (100, 204) first gradient commands (562) which cause a magnetic field gradient coil to generate a first gradient magnetic field (710, 810) through the target zone. The gradient magnetic field has field lines directed in a first direction (304). The processor repeatedly modulates (102, 206) the magnetic resonance frequency at the ultrasound frequency, generates (104, 208) ultrasound commands (566), acquires (106, 210) magnetic resonance data from the target zone, and generates (108, 212) second gradient commands (564).

Abstract: A system includes a handpiece configured to generate vibratory energy and a generator coupled to the handpiece. The generator includes a processing device and a memory device having encoded thereon computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processing device to perform functions including applying a first tuning signal to the handpiece. The first tuning signal has a first variable frequency within a predetermined frequency range. The functions further include detecting a first parameter and a second parameter of the ultrasonic handpiece in response to the first tuning signal, comparing the first parameter to the second parameter, and applying a second tuning signal to the ultrasonic handpiece. The second tuning signal has a second variable frequency within the predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting the depth, flow rate, and other properties of regions of blood flow in biological tissue by illuminating the biological tissue with beams of coherent light and detecting responsively emitted light. This includes detecting lights emitted from the tissue having a plurality of respective different exposure times. The relationship between the intensity of the received light and the exposure times is determined and used to determine the depth, flow velocity, or other properties of regions of flow within the biological tissue. This can include determining a spatial and/or temporal contrast of the received light intensity. Determining the depth of a region of flow can include comparing determined properties of light received from the tissue at two different polarizations. Determining the depth of a region of flow can include comparing determined properties of light received from the tissue at two different locations.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (300, 400, 500, 600) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (302). The medical apparatus further comprises a memory (332) storing machine readable instructions (352, 354, 356, 358, 470, 472, 474) for execution by a processor (326). Execution of the instructions causes the processor to acquire (100, 202) spectroscopic magnetic resonance data (334). Execution of the instructions further cause the processor to calculate (102, 204) a calibration thermal map (336) using the spectroscopic magnetic resonance data. Execution of the instructions further causes the processor to acquire (104, 206) baseline magnetic resonance thermometry data (338). Execution of the instructions further causes the processor to repeatedly acquire (106, 212) magnetic resonance thermometry data (340).

Abstract: A photoelectric type pulse signal measuring method includes, obtaining a main-path light signal transmitted by a photoelectric transmitter and reflected back from a surface of skin having an artery underneath, obtaining at least one auxiliary-path light signal receiving an ambient light signal, and based on the at least one auxiliary-path light signal, adaptively filtering an ambient light interference from the main-path light signal and obtaining an adaptive filtration result; or obtaining at least one auxiliary-path light signal transmitted by the same photoelectric transmitter and reflected back from a surface of skin without any artery underneath, and based on the auxiliary-path light signal, adaptively filtering a motion interference from the main-path light signal; then extracting a pulse signal from the adaptive filtration result. The present invention can simply and effectively eliminate the ambient light interference or motion interference upon photoelectric pulse signal measurement.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deactivating renal nerves extending along a renal artery of a mammalian subject to treat hypertension and related conditions. An ultrasonic transducer (30) is inserted into the renal artery (10) as, for example, by advancing the distal end of a catheter (18) bearing the transducer into the renal artery. The ultrasonic transducer emits unfocused ultrasound so as to heat tissues throughout a relatively large impact volume (11) as, for example, at least about 0.5 cm3 encompassing the renal artery to a temperature sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction but insufficient to cause rapid ablation or necrosis of the tissues. The treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual renal nerves.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring oxygen level of an environment. The method comprises receiving at least one image of the environment comprising plurality of users from a capturing device. Then, at least one region of interest of each of the plurality of users is detected in the at least one image. A video plethysmographic waveform is generated by analyzing the at least one region of interest. Further, Peripheral Capillary Oxygen Saturation (SPO2) based on the video plethysmographic waveform is determined. Thereafter, oxygen level of the environment is determined by averaging the SPO2 level of each of the plurality of users. The determined oxygen level of the environment is compared with predefined oxygen level of the environment and an appropriate action is performed based on the comparison.

Abstract: High-speed three-dimensional reconstruction of elasticity data is obtained by acquiring a sparse set of data in planes sharing a common axis line and angularly arrayed about the axis line. The axis line may be an RF ablation probe and the reconstruction may enforce a circumferential smoothness in the reconstruction about the probe, as is compatible with an ablation volume.

Abstract: There is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of measuring hardness information of a subject with high time resolution and spatial resolution. The apparatus is provided with a ultrasonic probe 1 and a displacement generation unit 10 configured to displace an inside of a subject and is configured to transmit an ultrasonic beam for displacement detection to a plurality of detection positions of the subject from the ultrasonic probe 1, and to detect a shear wave velocity based on the displacement at the plurality of detection positions in a control unit 3 by using a reflection signal detected in a detection unit 20, thereby outputting hardness information of the subject. The ultrasonic beam for displacement detection is transmitted to one of the plurality of detection positions.

Abstract: A photoacoustic wave induced in a subject to be examined by illumination of the subject to be examined with light is detected. A first photoacoustic image corresponding to a frequency component less than or equal to a predetermined frequency and a second photoacoustic image corresponding to a frequency component higher than a predetermined frequency are generated based on a detection signal of the detected photoacoustic wave. The first photoacoustic image and the second photoacoustic image are combined together by placing, on a pixel in the first photoacoustic image the pixel value of which is less than or equal to a threshold, a pixel in the second photoacoustic image corresponding to the pixel in the first photoacoustic image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic handpiece includes a horn and a transducer system. The transducer system is configured to detect a first pressure applied to at least a first portion of the transducer system, transmit a signal associated with the first pressure, and generate ultrasonic vibratory energy. The first pressure is associated with a second pressure applied to the horn.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement apparatus includes a reception processing unit, a harmonic processing unit, a signal processing unit and an image generation unit. The reception processing unit is configured to receive, as a received signal, an ultrasonic echo corresponding to an ultrasonic wave transmitted toward a subject. The harmonic processing unit is configured to extract a harmonic component of the ultrasonic echo from the received signal. The signal processing unit is configured to add a weighting to the harmonic component by using a weight that varies depending on a value of the harmonic component. The image generation unit is configured to generate an image based on a signal to which the weighting has been added.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method employs hardware and/or software to monitor values indicative of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) saturation for each channel as a function of depth. Any of a number of actions may be performed based on the monitored values. For example, analog amplification or TGC may be adjusted to enhance the use of a dynamic range of ADCs while reducing or eliminating ADC saturation. A TGC profile may be adjusted. An alert may be provided. A power consumption may be adjusted.

Abstract: Modules, systems and methods for clearing substances from a living body are disclosed. A module may include an instructions receiver configured to receive wireless transmissions of instructions from a master controller located outside of the body when the module is inside the body; an energy receiver configured to receive wireless transmission of non-destructive energy from the master controller located outside of the body when the module is inside the body; an energy converter configured to convert the non-destructive energy received to destructive energy; and an energy emitter configured to emit the destructive energy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method includes emitting ultrasonic pulses in different directions and acquiring ultrasonic echo signals from an object, calculating an attenuation rate of the ultrasonic echo signals, correcting the acquired ultrasonic echo signals based on the attenuation rate, and outputting the corrected ultrasonic echo signals as an ultrasonic image.

Abstract: A surgical evaluation and guidance system for use in extravacular evaluation and guidance of fluid vessel surgeries, includes an optical coherence tomography engine; a vessel probe optically coupled to the optical coherence tomography engine; and a signal processing and display system adapted to communicate with the optical coherence tomography engine to receive imaging signals therefrom. An optical coherence tomography vessel probe for use in extravacular evaluation and guidance of fluid vessel surgeries, includes a probe body having a proximal end and a distal end; an optical relay system disposed within the probe body; and a vessel adapter at least one of attached to or integral with the probe body at the distal end of the probe body, wherein the vessel adapter defines a groove that is configured to accept one of a fluid vessel and a lymphaticovenous vessel.

Abstract: A membrane assembly for use with a three-dimensional imager to obtain a topographical plantar image of a foot is provided. The assembly includes a support structure having a front end and a rear end elevated relative to the front end, and a flexible membrane suspended from the support structure and configured to receive and support an entire plantar surface of the foot. The membrane defines and encloses an upper portion of an inflatable chamber, and includes a forefoot- and a rearfoot-receiving region respectively adjacent to the front and the rear end of the support structure. The rearfoot-receiving region is under less tension than the forefoot-receiving region. The imager is positionable under the membrane in order to acquire the plantar image when the foot is disposed on the membrane. An apparatus including a membrane assembly and a three-dimensional imager, and a method for imaging a foot are also provided.