Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining ischemic status. The method comprises acquiring magnetic resonance diffusion tensor matrices and obtaining a relative decrease of diffusion magnitude due to the ischemic status from the magnetic resonance diffusion tensor matrices. The invention also relates to a method for assessing stroke onset time. The method comprises acquiring magnetic resonance diffusion tensor matrices and obtaining a relative decrease of pure anisotropy due to stroke from the magnetic resonance diffusion tensor matrices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous intravenous needle insertion are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for autonomous intravenous insertion include a robot arm, one or more sensors pivotally attached to the robot arm for gathering information about potential insertion sites in a subject arm, a medical device pivotally attached to the robot arm, and a controller in communication with the sensors and the robot arm, wherein the controller receives the information from the sensors about potential insertion sites, and the controller selects a target insertion site and directs the robot arm to insert the medical device into the target insertion site.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including acquiring 3D image data of a targeted skeletal portion within a body of a subject, and a 2D radiographic image of the targeted skeletal portion. A machine-learning engine is used to generate machine-learning data based on (i) the 3D image data of the targeted skeletal portion, (ii) a database of 2D projection images generated from the 3D image data, and (iii) respective values of one or more viewing parameters corresponding to each 2D projection image. A computer processor receives the machine-learning data, receives the 2D radiographic image of the targeted skeletal portion, and registers the 2D radiographic image to the 3D image data by using the machine-learning data to find a 2D projection from the 3D image data that matches the 2D radiographic image of the targeted skeletal portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media related to detection in video of surgical instrumental deviations from surgical planes are disclosed. The methods may include receiving video frames from a surgical video feed. The frames are analyzed to identify a surgical instrument. The frames are evaluated with the identified surgical instrument to ascertain an interface area corresponding to a location of an interaction between the identified surgical instrument and tissue. Stored data is accessed characterizing a surgical plane corresponding to the interaction, and the stored data is used to determine whether the interface area is outside of the surgical plane. An out-of-surgical plane signal is outputted indicating a deviation from the surgical plane by the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the angular direction of energy emitted from a plurality of energy delivery devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of rods, each rod mechanically coupled to one of the energy delivery devices, to a stationary plate, and to a moveable plate. The stationary plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a first rotatable joint that is mechanically coupled to each rod. The moveable plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a second rotatable joint, the second rotatable joint slidingly engaging a portion of the respective rod. The angle of each rod changes when the moveable plate is moved in any direction with respect to the stationary plate. Changing the rod angle changes the angular direction of the energy emitted from the energy delivery devices such that the energy passes through an intended focal position.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to transformative shape-memory polymer tissue cavity markers and corresponding systems and deployment methods. In one embodiment, a tissue cavity marker for delivery to a tissue cavity via a minimally invasive surgical incision includes a transformative body having a first three-dimensional shape in a permanent state and a second three-dimensional shape different from the first three-dimensional shape in a temporary state, the transformative body comprising a shape-memory polymer material and being automatically transformable between the temporary state for delivery to a tissue cavity and the permanent state for residence within the tissue cavity by application of a stimulus; and at least one radiopaque marker coupled to the transformative body.

Abstract: A medical system comprises an image capture probe having a camera at the probe tip; a sensor system; and a processor configured to: receive an image from the camera when the probe is located within an anatomic region; identify a probe tip position based on information received from the sensor system; identify a tissue structure in the image; define a subregion of a model of the anatomic region, the subregion surrounding the probe tip and including a plurality of virtual tissue structures—a first set of virtual tissue structures is distal of the probe tip; compare the tissue structure to a portion of the plurality of virtual tissue structures to identify a best matched virtual tissue structure; and register the image to the model based on identification of the best matched virtual tissue structure to identify a virtual probe position for the probe tip with respect to the model.

Abstract: A 3D navigation system and methods for enhancing feedback during a medical procedure, involving: an optical imaging system having an optical assembly comprising movable zoom optics and movable focus optics, a zoom actuator for positioning the zoom optics, a focus actuator for positioning the focus optics, a controller for controlling the zoom actuator and the focus actuator in response to received control input, at least one detector for capturing an image of at least one of a target and an obstacle, the at least one detector operable with the optical assembly, and a proprioception feature operable with the optical imaging system for generating a 3D perception, the proprioception feature comprising a communication feature for providing 3D information, the 3D information comprising real-time depth information in relation to real-time planar information within an interrogation volume.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to medical devices and methods of assembling medical devices, such as MRI-compatible interventional wireguides. An example of a wireguide includes a series of individual segments, a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of spacers. Each segment in the series of individual segments has a first end and a second end. Each connector of the plurality of connectors joins adjacent segments in the series of individual segments to one another such that a first end of a first segment and a second end of a second segment in the series of individual segments are attached to a connector of the plurality of connectors. A spacer of the plurality of spacers is disposed between each pair of adjacent segments in the series of individual segments. Each of the segments in the series of individual segments is electrically insulated from an adjacent segment in the series of individual segments.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing blood flow include: an ocular lens; a light source; a digital video camera; a biosensor; a trigger; and a computer. The ocular lens is for viewing a fundus of an eye. The light source is for illuminating the fundus. The digital video camera is for imaging the fundus. The biosensor is for sensing a pulse waveform. The computer is configured for: recording input frames and pulse waveform data in response to an input from the trigger; defining a low-pass frequency and a high-pass frequency from the pulse waveform data; stabilizing the input frames; enhancing contrast of the input frames; separating the input frames into sub-channels; conducting eulerian video magnification for color amplification using the inputs of image sampling rate, the low-pass frequency, the high-pass frequency, and an amplification factor; reconstructing the sub-channels into output frames; and combining the output frames with the input frames.

Abstract: An implantable magnetic marker comprising at least one piece of a large Barkhausen jump material (LBJ) containing at least one loop. The coiled marker is deployed to mark a tissue site in the body for subsequent surgery, and a magnetic detection system with a handheld probe excites the marker above or below the switching field required for bistable switching of the marker causing a harmonic response to be generated in a bistable or sub-bistable mode that allows the marker to be detected and localised.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and systems are provided for the imaging of cavity/tissue lesions, including without limitation cavity/tissue malignant lesions, e.g. cancers of the skin, mouth, colon, digestive system cervix, bladder, lung, etc.

Abstract: Extracorporeal motion (130) relative to a medical subject being imaged is detected, through the imaging or from motion detectors on the imaging probe, and either backed out of the medical images so that it can be determined whether lung sliding exists or measured to determine whether lung sliding detection is to be suspended due to excessive extracorporeal motion. Image sub-regions (164, 168) corresponding to respective ones of the images are selected for image-to-image comparison such that the selected sub-regions contain only body tissue that is, with respect to imaging depth in the acquiring of the images, shallower than an anatomical landmark within the images. Based on a result of the comparing, lung sliding detection that entails examining image data deeper than the landmark may be initialized.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, assemblies, and methods for generating exciter signals, for example, to activate a remotely located tag. The systems, devices, assemblies, and methods find use in a variety of application including medical applications for the locating of a tag in a subject.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography device includes a base with a detection end and a mounting end, a movable base and a second drive mechanism. An optical imaging catheter is pivotally connected to the detection end. The optical imaging catheter is provided with an imaging end and a connecting end. The connecting end is detachably connected to the detection end, and the connecting end is provided with a first connecting part. The movable base is provided with a fiber optic rotary joint, a hollow shaft and a first drive mechanism. The end of the hollow shaft is provided with a second connecting part. When the movable base moves toward the detection end, the second connecting part is configured to be connected to the first connecting part so that the optical imaging catheter is coupled with the hollow shaft. The device is capable of manually or automatically connecting the optical imaging catheter.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure provides methods for identifying a disease in an epithelial tissue of a subject. Methods for identifying a disease in an epithelial tissue comprise the generation of a depth profile of the epithelial tissue using signals generated from the tissue by pulses of light directed towards a surface of the epithelial tissue. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides apparatuses consistent with the methods herein.

Abstract: Accuracy degradation due to a signal loss is reduced, and susceptibility is calculated with high accuracy where, by using an MRI, at least one echo is acquired where spatial magnetic field inhomogeneity is reflected, and a complex image is calculated from the acquired echo. Three masks are calculated from the calculated complex image; a low-signal region mask representing a low signal region, a first high-signal region mask representing a high signal and high fat content region, and a second high-signal region mask representing a high signal and low fat content region. In calculating a susceptibility image from a frequency image or a magnetic field image generated from the complex image, the susceptibility image is obtained under the constraint that a region defined by the low-signal region is set as a background and the susceptibility of the region defined by the second high-signal region mask is set to a specific value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe for heating, internally, an ultrasonically absorbent target medium, the probe comprising: at least one piezoelectric transducer (21) having a front face (212) intended to be positioned facing the target medium and a back face (211) opposite the front face (212), the transducer being able to emit at least one primary wave emanating from its front face and at least one secondary wave emanating from its back face, the probe being noteworthy in that it furthermore comprises: a reflector (24) facing the back face (211) of the transducer (21), the reflector (24) being suitable for reflecting the secondary wave emitted by the transducer (21); and a cooling-fluid layer (25) between the transducer (21) and the reflector (24).

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging methods and apparatus that allow for multiple modes of imaging using a single ultrasound transducer having a plurality of transducer elements. In an embodiment, there is provided an ultrasound imaging machine that is: operable in a first imaging mode in which the plurality of transducer elements are activated; and operable in a second imaging mode different from the first imaging mode, and in the second imaging mode, a subset of the plurality of transducer elements are activated so that ultrasound signals are steered from the subset of the plurality of transducer elements, where any remaining transducer elements of the plurality of transducer elements not part of the subset are inactive when operating in the second imaging mode.

Abstract: MRI techniques provide robust imaging in the presence of inhomogeneity in the B1 (RF) and/or B0 magnetic fields. The techniques include using a magnetization prep sequence that includes an adiabatic half passage (AHP) followed by a spin-lock pulse, followed by a reverse AHP, after which a data acquisition sequence can be applied. The AHP and reverse AHP can have amplitude and frequency modulated to sweep through a region of frequency space. The RF amplitude of the AHP and reverse AHP can be designed to be equal to the spin-lock amplitude. Quantification of a magnetization relaxation parameter (e.g., T1rho) can use a modified relaxation model that accounts for relaxation effects during the reverse AHP. A dual-acquisition technique in which the reverse AHP of the second magnetization prep sequence has opposite frequency modulation to the reverse AHP of the first magnetization prep sequence can also be used.