Abstract: A switching DC converting device includes a switching DC converter and a synchronous clock circuit. The synchronous clock circuit is used to provide a wobbling synchronous clock input for the switching DC converter, and the central frequency of the wobbling synchronous clock avoids the operating frequency of a circuit powered by the switching DC converter.

Abstract: An MR process locates a medical instrument with an attached microcoil in the examination volume of an MR device. The microcoil is part of a resonant circuit matched to the resonant frequency of the MR device and having no external controls. At least two temporally successive high frequency pulses (RF) are generated within the examination volume. After each of the high frequency pulses (RF), frequency-coded MR signals (S1, S2) from the examination volume are recorded. The position of the medical instrument is determined by analyzing the differences between the recorded MR signals (S1, S2).

Abstract: This invention is in the domain of minimally invasive surgery and is a method and apparatus that transforms and displays images of internal organs and tissues taken from internally located imaging devices on external skin. The image displayed on the skin aligns with the actual physical location, orientation, and size of the internal organs and tissues in a way that viewers have the perception that the skin is transparent. This method and apparatus enables surgeons to have the same hand-eye coordination as in an open surgery during a minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical tomographic image generating method including: obtaining signals for a plurality of frames; obtaining respective complex number data by performing Fourier transformation of the signals for the plurality of frames; synthesizing the plurality of frames using the respective complex number data; generating a tomographic image based on the synthesized data. This configuration enables easy enhancement of the image quality in an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment which executes ultrasound scanning over a two-dimensional or three-dimensional region in a subject, includes a cross-section detecting unit which detects an MPR position corresponding to at least one predetermined reference cross-section of the heart by use of at least one volume data obtained by executing ultrasound scanning over the three-dimensional region containing at least a portion of the heart of the subject, an image generating unit which generates an MPR image corresponding to the MPR position, a display unit which displays the MPR image, and an image acquisition unit which executes ultrasound scanning over the two-dimensional region in the subject under the reference of the MPR position to obtain at least one two-dimensional image regarding the two-dimensional region.

Abstract: The number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) can be readily counted without overlooking the existence of ACF to achieve reduced observation time. A fluorescence observation apparatus includes a light source unit inserted into a body cavity of a biological organism and emitting excitation light onto an inner wall of the body cavity; an image acquisition unit that acquires image information by acquiring an image of fluorescence generated when a fluorescent probe whose fluorescence characteristic changes by reacting with a molecule existing in an ACF formed in the inner wall of the body cavity is excited by the excitation light; a position control unit that moves the light source unit and the image acquisition unit relative to the inner wall of the body cavity; and a counting section that counts the number of fluorescence generation sites included in the image acquired by the image acquisition unit.

Abstract: A non-invasive subject-information imaging apparatus according to this invention includes a light generating unit which generates light containing a specific wavelength component, a light irradiation unit which radiates the generated light into a subject, a waveguide unit which guides the light from the light generating unit to the irradiation unit, a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed electroacoustic transducer elements, a transmission/reception unit which transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject by driving the electroacoustic transducer elements, and generates a reception signal from electrical signals converted by electroacoustic transducer elements, and a signal processing unit which generates volume data of a living body function by processing a reception signal corresponding to acoustic waves generated in the subject by light irradiation, and generates volume data of a tissue morphology by processing a reception signal corresponding to echoes generated in the subject upon transmission of the ultras

Abstract: An arrangement quantitatively determines the blood flow within blood vessels through which blood flows in a volume of a tissue defining a surface. Three-dimensional first image data of a first volume portion of the volume is detected and optical second image data is detected continuously in time of a first surface portion of the surface. A calibrating unit of the arrangement calibrates the relative value of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels disposed directly below the first surface portion based on the absolute values of the flow speed and/or of the volumetric flow of the blood. An output unit outputs the absolute values of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels arranged directly below the first surface portion.

Abstract: A multi-modality breast cancer test assembly (20) of the type for detecting the position of potential breast cancer by performing thermography and optical spectroscopy and ultrasound tests (64). A contour recorder (108) takes and stores a contour-shape of the breast and a first contour analysis program (110) analyzes the contour-shape to generate and store a 3D model (112) of the breast having at least one testing coordinate (114) relative to a mass of the breast. At least one diagnostic program (122, 124, 126) initiates the diagnostic tests (60, 62, 64) at the at least one testing coordinate (114) and a data analysis program (128) analyzes the spatial interrelationship of the tests (60, 62, 64) at the testing coordinate (114) to detect the spatial position of a potential breast cancer within the breast.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus for generation of image data based on harmonic wave components of ultrasound reception signals. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a transmission/reception control unit configured to set a plurality of ultrasound transmission/reception directions to an object, an ultrasound probe, a transmission/reception unit, a harmonic wave component extracting unit configured to extract harmonic wave components in the reception signals, a reception signals processing unit, a subtraction unit configured to perform a subtraction between different ultrasound data sets, and an image data generating unit configured to generate the image data based on the subtracted ultrasound data acquired along each of the transmission/reception directions.

Abstract: Techniques for collecting and processing complex OCT data to detect localized motion contrast information with enhanced accuracy and sensitivity are presented. In a preferred embodiment, vector differences between complex OCT signals taken at the same location on the sample are used to detect blood flow in the retina. Additional embodiments involving non-linear intensity weighting of the motion contrast information, normalization of the vector difference amplitudes, and calculating the absolute value of the standard deviation of Doppler signal are described. Image processing techniques to enhance the images resulting from these motion contrast techniques are also presented.

Abstract: An intracardiac catheter for ultrasound guided ablation and EP mapping. Ablation and mapping electrodes 34, 36, 38, 39 are carried on the surface of an outer catheter 30 and an ultrasound array is mounted inside an inner catheter 20. Backloading the inner catheter into the outer catheter provides the ultrasound array in position to image tissue near the surface electrodes. An acoustic coupling fluid is provided between the catheters and a number of the electrodes 34, 38 are positioned directly within the image field of the array.

Abstract: The purpose of the current invention is to provide a bone strength diagnosing device and a bone strength diagnosing method capable of accurately diagnosing a bone strength of a bone. A longitudinal ultrasonic transducer and a transverse ultrasonic transducer radiate ultrasonic waves onto a bone front surface of a tibia from a predetermined angle to generate surface waves that propagate in the bone front surface in a longitudinal direction of the tibia and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, respectively, and receive leaky waves leaking to the side of the soft tissues from the front surface waves. A speed-of-sound calculating module calculates speeds of sound of the surface waves in the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction based on a difference between course lengths of the ultrasonic waves and a difference between propagation times.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.

Abstract: In a method for diagnosing or helping to diagnose a bone tissue condition of a patient, a portion of bone tissue of the patient is irradiated using a light source. The bone tissue may be irradiated in vivo through the skin or via an incision, for example. Alternatively, a biopsy of the bone tissue may be irradiated. Then, spectral content information for light scattered, reflected, or transmitted by the bone tissue is determined, and is used, at least in part, to determine whether the patient has a bone tissue condition.

Abstract: A long-term implantable ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly effected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C.

Abstract: An intracardiac catheter for ultrasound guided ablation and EP mapping. Ablation and mapping electrodes 34, 36, 38, 39 are carried on the surface of an outer catheter 30 and an ultrasound array is mounted inside an inner catheter 20. Backloading the inner catheter into the outer catheter provides the ultrasound array in position to image tissue near the surface electrodes. An acoustic coupling fluid is provided between the catheters and a number of the electrodes 34, 38 are positioned directly within the image field of the array.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a computer-implemented method of triggering optical coherence tomography data collection. The method includes collecting optical coherence tomography data with respect to a vessel using an optical coherence tomography probe disposed in the vessel; determining a clearing radius and a quality value for each frame of optical coherence tomography data collected for the vessel using a computer; determining if a blood clearing state has occurred using at least one clearing radius and at least one quality value; and generating a trigger signal in response to the blood clearing state.

Abstract: An ultrasound treatment head for an apparatus for treating a patient with ultrasound comprises at least one active element for converting an electric signal into ultrasound and a vacuum cup having an upper part and a lower part. The active element is mounted in the upper part and the vacuum cup provides a vacuum chamber with a holding space for a gel pad. The upper part is adapted to act as a spring suspension for the active element to lower the active element into the lower part. The active element is provided with a positioning ring protruding with respect to the active element. This positioning ring determines the location of the gel pad within the holding space.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance methods include modeling magnetic resonance signals obtained from specimens at low and high q-values to obtain parameters and distributions of parameters associated with specimen structure and orientation. In evaluation of brain white matter specimens, diffusion within axons can be modeled based on hindered diffusion parallel to an axis of the axon and restricted diffusion perpendicular to the axis. Diffusion exterior to axons can be modeled as hindered diffusion with differing diffusivities parallel to and perpendicular to the axis. Based on extracted parameters and associated model functions, distributions of specimen properties such as intra and extra-axonal principal diffusivities and the corresponding principal directions can be estimated. Features of the axon diameter distribution can also be estimated using this approach.