Abstract: A system and method for adaptive imaging include a shape sensing system (115, 117) coupled to an interventional device (102) to measure spatial characteristics of the interventional device in a subject. An image module (130) is configured to receive the spatial characteristics and generate one or more control signals in accordance with the spatial characteristics. An imaging device (110) is configured to image the subject in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having control unit for fetching a plurality of image data and obtaining an image by a calculation. The control unit performs an unwrap processing to a plurality of regions for removing a main value of a phase rotation amount so as to obtain a distribution diagram of a phase rotation amount caused by magnetostatic unevenness, obtains a plurality of evaluation values based on the phase value between a plurality of regions, selects a desired evaluation value based on the phase value from the plurality of evaluation values, and adjusts the phase values between the regions in accordance with the desired evaluation value.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method to measure an organ wall weight and mass. When the organ is a bladder, a bladder weight (UEBW) is determined using three-dimensional ultrasound imaging that is acquired using a hand-held or machine controlled ultrasound transceiver. The infravesical region of the bladder is delineated on this 3D data set to enable the calculation of urine volume and the bladder surface area. The outer anterior wall of the bladder is delineated to enable the calculation of the bladder wall thickness (BWT). The UEBW is calculated as a product of the bladder surface area, the bladder wall thickness, and the bladder wall specific gravity.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue that separates a first body cavity from a second body cavity of a patient includes a catheter having a longitudinally extending catheter lumen and adapted to provide access to the first body cavity. A framing member has a collapsed condition in which the framing member is adapted for insertion into the first body cavity through the catheter lumen and an expanded condition in which the framing member is adapted for placement within the first body cavity. The framing member has a framing member body. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. At least one target wire is attached to at least one target point. At least a portion of the target wire extends through the catheter lumen. The target wire is substantially spaced apart from the framing member body. A method of using the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe which transmits/receives an ultrasound wave with respect to a subject to be diagnosed, an ultrasound wave transmit section which transmits an ultrasound wave for driving the ultrasound probe, a pressing section which applies an external pressure to the subject, a displacement measuring section which obtains two tomographic image data different in time series from a reflected echo signal received from the ultrasound probe and measures a displacement of each part in the subject based on the two tomographic image data, an image generating section which generates an elastic image from elasticity information based on the displacement of each part measured by the displacement measuring section, and a display section which displays the generated elastic image. Further, a pressing decision section decides whether or not the pressing operation by the pressing section is proper.

Abstract: A system to allow registration of a patient to image space is disclosed. The registration can be performed without touching a plurality of fiducial points on the patient or in the image data. The registration process can eliminate manual steps of image to patient registration and image to image registration.

Abstract: Methods, systems and probes communicate signals from a transducer for imaging or connection with an imaging system. Beamforming-related electronics are positioned in the connector housing of the transducer probe assembly. For example, analog-to-digital converters are positioned in the connector housing. Power is provided through connection with the ultrasound imaging system. Fans or other heat-dissipating structures are also positioned within the connector housing. Other beamformer electronics, such as delays and sums, are positioned in the imaging system, partly in the connector housing or entirely in the connector housing. Since the analog-to-digital converters are provided in the connector housing, partial digital beam forming may be provided in the transducer probe assembly. The length of the transducer cables is held constant to avoid interference and transmission line effects due to line-length variation.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonic detection and localization of contrast agent microbubbles wherein the decision as to whether or not the received ultrasonic signals indicate the presence of a single microbubble or a small microbubble population is made by analyzing the projections of the spectra of said received ultrasonic signals in multidimensional spaces, and by comparing such projections with the projections in said multidimensional spaces of sample control signals corresponding to known conditions of presence and/or absence of single microbubbles and/or small microbubble populations.

Abstract: A system for controlling a medical device in a patient. A display system displays an image of a volume of the patient in a virtual three-dimensional space. A stylus is controllable to actuate a virtual element in the virtual space. A navigation system controls the medical device in the patient volume based on a position of the actuated virtual element. This inherently three-dimensional interface allows a physician to actuate the medical device more intuitively than possible using a two-dimensional interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for an ultrasonic examination of a deformable object, particularly, the breast. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus capable of performing an ultrasonic examination by moving an ultrasonic probe while maintaining the position and shape of a deformable object to be inspected. That is, the present invention relates to an apparatus capable of performing an effective ultrasonic by scanning an entire deformable object such as the breast at one time using a movable ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a medical procedure or treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be relatively unobtrusive and operate during radiation without the use of externally extending power cords or lead wires.

Abstract: A needle-guide device, particularly for ultrasound probes, or the like, comprising a base body constructed and arranged for connection to the probe and at least one elongated guide hole for receiving a needle-like surgical tool, characterized in that said needle-guide device is made of at least two removably connectable parts, which are shaped in such a manner that each of them forms complementary parts of the peripheral delimiting wall of the elongated guide hole for the surgical tool, which peripheral wall parts complete each other when said two parts of the needle-guide device are connected, thereby forming an elongated guide hole for guiding the needle with a 360° covering delimiting wall.

Abstract: An imaging transducer assembly is combined with a sensor of a medical positioning system, forming a transducer/sensor assembly. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a coil proximally coupled with the imaging transducer. A cable having first and second wires are proximally coupled to the coil. A non-conductive potting layer is wrapped around the coil. Traces are formed in the non-conductive potting layer that are used to electrically couple the imaging transducer with the first and second wires of the cable.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an ear canal from optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan data of an ear comprises extracting frame numbers and line numbers of interference intensities corresponding to one or more markers on an OCT scan guide, receiving reference frame numbers and lines numbers for one or more markers, determining a starting position and direction for the OCT ear scan from the ear scan marker frame and line numbers and the reference marker frame and line numbers, for each scan line, finding a pixel number of a maximum interference intensity value, and determining an offset distance of said pixel from said scan guide, and reconstructing a surface of the ear canal from the distance offset data.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treating manufactured components using microwave energy and microwave susceptor material. Heat treating medium such as eutectic salts may be employed. A fluidized bed introduces process gases which may include carburizing or nitriding gases The process may be operated in a batch mode or continuous process mode. A microwave heating probe may be used to restart a frozen eutectic salt bath.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assessing tissue characteristics such as the dimensions and volume of an osteolytic lesion are disclosed. The apparatus may utilize ultrasound to provide visual and volumetric feedback related to a lesion or other tissue. Further the apparatus may be utilized to determine whether the lesion has been completely removed and filled with the appropriate amount of graft material.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes an ultrasound wave transmit/receive surface coming into contact with a contact surface of a subject, an ultrasound wave transmit/receive section which transmits an ultrasound wave to the subject via the ultrasound wave transmit/receive surface and the contact surface and receives an ultrasound wave reflected in the subject, and a pressing mechanism for performing a pressing operation for applying a pressure to the contact surface perpendicularly to the ultrasound wave transmit/receive surface via the ultrasound wave transmit/receive surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic volume data acquisition using ultrasound generates image data in a scanning and imaging process known as coherent aperture combining beamforming (CAC-BF). The CAC-BF technique can be applied in an azimuth dimension and/or an elevation dimension, to form an ultrasound image line, image plane, or image data cube. Several innovations relating to the design and ordering of shots and efficient weighting algorithms that address various performance issues associated with B-mode and other modes such as Doppler, and harmonic imaging are disclosed. The invention has significant advantages over other synthetic aperture imaging techniques and conventional imaging techniques by supporting higher resolution, larger volumes and/or shorter acquisition times than comparative techniques, using similar system hardware complexity.

Abstract: A real time radiation treatment planning system for use in effecting radiation therapy of a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body. A processor is provided with a three-dimensional imaging algorithm and a three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm for at least the specific organs within the anatomical portion and the needles. The processor converts the image data into a three-dimensional image of the anatomical portion using at least one single or multi-objective anatomy based genetic optimization algorithm. The processor determines in real time the optimal number and position of the hollow needles, the position of the energy emitting source within each hollow needle and the dwell times of the energy emitting source at each position. For post planning purposes, the processor determines, based on three-dimensional image information in real time, the real needle positions and the dwell times of the energy emitting source for each position.