Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus includes an image generator configured to scan an object to obtain an ultrasound image; a neural network configured to generate a virtual ultrasound image based on matching medical images of different modalities; an image converting part configured to convert a medical image of a different modality, previously obtained by scanning the object, into the virtual ultrasound image by using the neural network; and a matching part configured to determine a position of a virtual probe based on the ultrasound image and the virtual ultrasound image, and configured to match the ultrasound image with the medical image that corresponds to the determined position of the virtual probe.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for modeling brain dynamics in normal and diseased states.

Abstract: A system for collecting data for assessment of cardiovascular function includes a plurality of monitoring devices coupled to different respective body parts. Each monitoring device is configured to measure a respective signal at the respective body part in response to cardiovascular activity. The respective signal includes a cardiovascular component attributable to the cardiovascular activity and an artifact component not attributable to the cardiovascular activity. When the monitoring devices measure the respective signals simultaneously over a same time period, the cardiovascular components are correlated, and the artifact components are not correlated.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating to a target using fluoroscopic-based three dimensional volumetric data generated from two dimensional fluoroscopic images, including a catheter guide assembly including a sensor, an electromagnetic field generator, a fluoroscopic imaging device to acquire a fluoroscopic video of a target area about a plurality of angles relative to the target area, and a computing device. The computing device is configured to receive previously acquired CT data, determine the location of the sensor based on the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field generator, generate a three dimensional rendering of the target area based on the acquired fluoroscopic video, receive a selection of the catheter guide assembly in the generated three dimensional rendering, and register the generated three dimensional rendering of the target area with the previously acquired CT data to correct the position of the catheter guide assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are instruments and methods for acquiring co-registered orthogonal fluorescence and photoacoustic volumetric projections of an interrogated object. In an embodiment, an instrument includes an imaging tank filled with a liquid coupling medium. An object positioning mechanism is configured to position the interrogated object inside the coupling medium and to rotate the interrogated object. An optical excitation unit that is fixed with respect to the tank is configured to induce both fluorescence and photoacoustic responses inside the interrogated object using the same optical excitation spectrum and the same irradiation pattern at the surface of the interrogated object. An array of unfocused photoacoustic transducers is fixed with respect to the tank, and each element of the array is configured to detect photoacoustic signals generated inside the interrogated object.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for registering a luminal network to a 3D model of the luminal network. An example method comprises generating a 3D model of a luminal network, identifying a target within the 3D model, determining locations of a plurality of carinas in the luminal network proximate the target, displaying guidance for navigating a location sensor within the luminal network, tracking the location of the location sensor, comparing the tracked locations of the location sensor and the portions of the 3D model representative of open space, displaying guidance for navigating the location sensor a predetermined distance into each lumen originating at the plurality of carinas proximate the target, tracking the location of the location sensor while the location sensor is navigated into each lumen, and updating the registration of the 3D model with the luminal network based on the tracked locations of the location sensor.

Abstract: A system for constructing fluoroscopic-based three-dimensional volumetric data of a target area within a patient from two-dimensional fluoroscopic images including a structure of markers, a fluoroscopic imaging device configured to acquire a sequence of images of the target area and of the structure of markers, and a computing device. The computing device is configured to estimate a pose of the fluoroscopic imaging device for at least a plurality of images of the sequence of images based on detection of a possible and most probable projection of the structure of markers as a whole on each image of the plurality of images. The computing device is further configured to construct fluoroscopic-based three-dimensional volumetric data of the target area based on the estimated poses of the fluoroscopic imaging device.

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses systems and methods for identifying biomarkers that can help with the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment choices of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Diffusion based magnetic resonance imaging can often fail for patients with a neurodegenerative disease because parameters fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and radial diffusivity are based on simple models that can fail in the presence of neurodegeneration, such as demyelination. The present disclosure discusses systems and methods that enhance dMRI images and enable tractography to be performed on images of a damaged nervous system. The damaged tracks identified by the present system can be used as a biomarker for the assessment of patients. In some implementations, the biomarkers are converted into clinical scales that can be used to compare patients to one another or over time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound elastography system and method for providing a strain image of an anatomical site. The system comprises a signal processing unit (103) configured to receive a time-varying ultrasound signal from an ultrasound probe (101) having at least one transducer element, to determine axial motion data based on the time-varying ultrasound signal, the axial motion data indicating a relative axial motion between the ultrasound probe and the anatomical site in an axial direction (y), and to determine a lateral variation of the axial motion in a lateral direction (x) based on the axial motion data. The system further comprises a display unit (105) configured to display a strain image (200) of the anatomical site based on strain image data which is determined based on the axial motion data, and to display an indication of lateral variation of a quality of the strain image based on the lateral variation of the axial motion.

Abstract: A multiple aperture ultrasound imaging system may be configured to store raw, un-beamformed echo data. Stored echo data may be retrieved and re-beamformed using modified parameters in order to enhance the image or to reveal information that was not visible or not discernible in an original image. Raw echo data may also be transmitted over a network and beamformed by a remote device that is not physically proximate to the probe performing imaging. Such systems may allow physicians or other practitioners to manipulate echo data as though they were imaging the patient directly, even without the patient being present. Many unique diagnostic opportunities are made possible by such systems and methods.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe includes a first diffuse reflectance spectroscopy fiber, a second diffuse reflectance spectroscopy fiber, and a temperature sensor at a distal end of a temperature sensor fiber. Other embodiments further include a treatment fiber for delivering a high optical power density of light to a tumor and a dosimetry fiber for monitoring the light flux of the treatment fiber. Other embodiments utilize an image-guidance step in a method of using the fiber optic probe.

Abstract: A radio frequency applicator comprises an open-ended, hollow waveguide having an aperture therein. A solid insert is positioned within the waveguide. The solid insert has a recess formed therein that is aligned with the aperture. Filler material is provided between facing surfaces of the waveguide and the insert to fill gaps therebetween. A radio frequency (RF) source extends through the aperture and into the recess and is configured to generate RF energy pulses.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic endoscope in which the position of an ultrasonic oscillator can be easily adjusted with respect to a surgical-tool guide opening provided to a leading end part body of an insertion unit, and a method of manufacturing the ultrasonic endoscope. According to the present invention, an ultrasonic oscillator can be positioned with respect to and temporarily fixed to an ultrasonic-oscillator housing part by using spacers and or protrusions. With this configuration, in an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention, the position of the ultrasonic oscillator can be adjusted with respect to the ultrasonic-oscillator housing part by using the spacers or the protrusions. Accordingly, the position of the ultrasonic oscillator can be adjusted with respect to a surgical-tool guide opening provided to a distal end part body of an insertion unit.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing fluoroscopic-based three dimensional volumetric data from two dimensional fluoroscopic images including a computing device configured to facilitate navigation of a medical device to a target area within a patient and a fluoroscopic imaging device configured to acquire a fluoroscopic video of the target area about a plurality of angles relative to the target area. The computing device is configured to determine a pose of the fluoroscopic imaging device for each frame of the fluoroscopic video and to construct fluoroscopic-based three dimensional volumetric data of the target area in which soft tissue objects are visible using a fast iterative three dimensional construction algorithm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and tools for tool tracking using image-derived data from one or more tool-located references features. In some embodiments, a medical system includes a tool having a distal end that is insertable into a patient body, an image capture device insertable into the patient body so that the image capture device captures an image of at least a portion of a two-dimensional marker at least partially surrounding a portion of the tool, and a processor coupled to the image capture device and configured to determine a pose of the tool by processing the image.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one cardiac tissue. The method comprises a) intercepting a plurality of reflections of an electromagnetic (EM) radiation reflected from at least one cardiac tissue of a patient in a plurality of EM radiation sessions, b) computing a mechanical tracing indicative of at least one mechanical property of said at least one cardiac tissue according to said plurality of reflections, c) analyzing said mechanical tracing so as to detect a presence or an absence of a physiological condition, and d) outputting said analysis.

Abstract: A personal skin lesion scanner system that can facilitate early detection of changes in the appearance of a user's skin is described. The system includes a handheld device for home use, to record images of a user's skin, and software for analyzing the images. The system can automatically detect changes in the user's skin, such as changes in the size, shape, or color of a skin lesion, and alert the user if any changes are detected.

Abstract: An ultrasound signal processor uses an excitation generator to cause displacement of a tympanic membrane while a series of ultrasound pulses are applied to the tympanic membrane. Phase differences between a transmitted signal and received signal are examined to determine the movement of the tympanic membrane in response to the applied excitation. An examination of the phase response of the tympanic membrane provides a determination as to whether the fluid type behind the tympanic membrane is one of: no fluid, serum fluid, or purulent fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a medical imaging apparatus including a scanner configured to scan an object, an image generator configured to generate a monitoring image to monitor variations in brightness of a region of interest (ROI) of the object, a controller configured to determine a peak of brightness in the monitoring image, and a user interface configured to display the monitoring image and an indicator of the determined peak, and a method of controlling the same. According to the medical imaging apparatus and the method of controlling the same, over-injection of a contrast agent into the object may be prevented while a medical image is acquired, and an image may be obtained when the contrast agent is in an optimum state in consideration of various environmental factors. Accordingly, lesions and diseases may be more accurately determined and interpreted by using the medical image.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel imaging-based biomarkers for characterizing the structure or function of a human or animal brain. These biomarkers can be a weighted confluency sum score (WCSS) or a percent shielding by brain lesions (SbBL). Methods implementing these biomarkers are also disclosed.