Abstract: A method of reconstructing time-varying position of individual radioactive point sources directly from Positron Emission Tomography (PET) measurements is provided that includes using a PET scanner to acquire list-mode coincidence events of a moving radioactive point source, using an appropriately programmed computer to model a trajectory of the moving radioactive point source as a 3D function of a temporal variable, then apply an optimization procedure to find the trajectory that minimizes a distance between the trajectory and the recorded list-mode coincidence events, and using the PET scanner to output a real time position of the radioactive point source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for super-resolution ultrasound imaging using a windowed and generalized TR-MUSIC algorithm that divides the imaging region into overlapping sub-regions and applies the TR-MUSIC algorithm to the windowed backscattered ultrasound signals corresponding to each sub-region. The algorithm is also structured to account for the ultrasound attenuation in the medium and the finite-size effects of ultrasound transducer elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for super-resolution ultrasound imaging using a windowed and generalized TR-MUSIC algorithm that divides the imaging region into overlapping sub-regions and applies the TR-MUSIC algorithm to the windowed backscattered ultrasound signals corresponding to each sub-region. The algorithm is also structured to account for the ultrasound attenuation in the medium and the finite-size effects of ultrasound transducer elements. A modified TR-MUSIC imaging algorithm is used to account for ultrasound scattering from both density and compressibility contrasts. The phase response of ultrasound transducer elements is accounted for in a PC-MUSIC system.

Abstract: An elongate device, such as a catheter, for interventional MRI has one or more passive LC-circuits attached to its distal tip portion for position tracking. The LC-circuits includes an inductor winding and a three-dimensional “trench” capacitor. The LC-circuits are integrated in a piece of silicon. Optical fibers may be included in the device for optical probing of tissue surrounding the distal tip portion.

Abstract: Provided are an ultra-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance device and an ultra-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance measuring method. The method includes applying a first measurement bias magnetic field corresponding to an excitation frequency of a coherent biomagnetic field generated in association with the electrophysiological activity of human body organs, applying a second measurement bias magnetic field having the same direction as the first measurement bias magnetic field and having a different magnitude than the first measurement bias magnetic field, and measuring a magnetic resonance signal generated in the human body by using magnetic field measuring means.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to detect degenerative processes and abnormalities in soft tissues at high spatial resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio and short scanning times, based on quantitative tissue properties. These methods might provide a useful tool to detect and assess abnormalities in soft tissues and to monitor disease progression.

Abstract: A system and method to determine a disease activity as a single value by way of optical measurements in order to facilitate an analysis of a current disease status and a future course of disease, thus assisting a doctor's diagnosis or decision on a therapy. A blood perfusion is varied in an area of interest, the area of interest is irradiated with light of at least two wavelengths, an intensity of light reflected and/or transmitted by the area of interest is detected, features are derived from detected intensity curves of at least two predetermined wavelengths under at least two different perfusion conditions, and the disease activity is determined using these features.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus including a displacement calculating section that measures displacement of a subject based on an ultrasound signal, an elastic-image generating section that generates an elastic image based on the measured displacement, a memory section that stores generated one or more elastic images, a determination-region setting section that sets a proper-image determination region for proper image determination in the elastic image according to a size of an ROI, a characteristic calculating section that calculates a region characteristic of the proper-image determination region, and a proper-image determining section that determines based on the region characteristic whether the elastic image is a proper image.

Abstract: Apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for ultrasound imaging of patient anatomy are provided. An example system for ultrasound imaging of patient anatomy includes an ultrasound probe and a probe interface device. An example ultrasound probe includes a handle, an elongate member coupled to the handle and a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers coupled to the elongate member. The ultrasound transducers emit ultrasound when activated. An example probe interface device is communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe. The example probe interface device is configured to activate at least one of the ultrasound transducers and to receive data corresponding to ultrasonic waves captured by a plurality of the ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: A contrast liquid injector has a controller that calculates a necessary volume of the contrast medium based on a read out necessary dose of effective component per unit weight, weight of the subject, and concentration of the effective component. The injection rate of a base-operation condition is changed based on the calculated necessary volume of the contrast medium, wherein the predetermined injection time is unchanged, for all volumes of the contrast medium, when making the injection pattern, whereby a timing of an optimum concentration of the contrast medium will be substantially unchanged for all volumes of the contrast medium.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic scanner is provided which includes a transmitting and receiving unit that transmits two kinds of ultrasonic waves with inverted phases to each of a plurality of scanning lines and receives first and second echo signals corresponding to the two kinds of ultrasonic waves from one scanning line to another, a first adder that obtains a third echo signal by adding up the first and second echo signals for each scanning line, a first signal generating unit that generates a first processed signal from the first echo signal and a second processed signal from the third echo signal, a second adder that generates a third processed signal from the first and second processed signals, an image processor that generates an ultrasonic image from the third processed signal, and an display monitor that displays the ultrasonic image.

Abstract: A method, including capturing, from an imaging system, a three-dimensional (3D) image of a body cavity, and using the captured 3D image to construct a simulated surface of the body cavity. A probe having a location sensor is inserted into the body cavity, and in response to multiple location measurements received from the location sensor, multiple positions are mapped within respective regions of the body cavity so as to generate respective mapped regions of the simulated surface. Based on the simulated surface and the respective mapped regions, one or more unmapped regions of the simulated surface are delineated, and the simulated surface of the body cavity is configured to indicate the delineated unmapped regions.

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.

Abstract: A photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus is provided. The photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus includes a movement restriction unit that selectively restricts a location movement of a user input unit that receives an input signal from a user for a light irradiation unit to irradiate light, based on a location of a contact detection unit that detects whether a probe contacts a subject to be imaged.

Abstract: The method of determining the open/closed switch moment of an artery of interest under a changing pressure comprises: detecting a first Doppler ultrasound signal from the blood flow in the artery of interest using a first Doppler ultrasound transducer, which is placed on the artery of interest in one limb which is provided with a cuff that is capable of being inflated or deflated to provide the changing pressure to the artery of interest; detecting a second Doppler ultrasound signal from the blood flow in a reference artery using a second Doppler ultrasound transducer, the reference artery being in any one of the other three limbs; deriving a third signal from the first Doppler ultrasound signal and the second Doppler ultrasound signal, the third signal indicating the degree of synchronism between the first Doppler ultrasound signal and the second Doppler ultrasound signal; and out-putting a fourth signal to indicate the artery of interest is closed or reopened at the moment when the third signal satisfies a

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic equipment is equipped with an ultrasound probe which transmits an ultrasound wave toward an inner part of a subject and receives the ultrasound wave reflected with a particle body in the subject and acquires a received signal to displays internal body information in the subject based on the received signal. The ultrasound diagnostic equipment includes: an acquisition section to acquire the received signal for each of ultrasound waves of which frequencies differ; an intensity ratio calculation section to calculate an intensity ratio of the ultrasound wave for each of frequencies; and a display section to display the information on the intensity ratio.

Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus for facilitating ultrasound-assisted needle placement for drug delivery includes an ultrasound probe cover adapted to receive an ultrasound probe, the cover comprising a first wall and a needle guide associated with the first wall, the needle guide comprising an element adapted to guide a needle into a patient adjacent the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for detecting a position within a body are provided. A dipole that is free to rotate or oscillate within a capsule is inserted at a target location within the body. The dipole can be either electric or magnetic, and the dipole rotates or oscillates within the capsule when an alternating or rotating electric or magnetic field is applied in the vicinity of the dipole. Ultrasound energy is impinged upon the target location and a position of the dipole is determined based on detected ultrasound reflections.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for detection of localized hydrogen peroxide within tissue by introducing a catalase-containing material into at location of interest, positioning an ultrasound transducer over the location, and generating an ultrasound image to detect microbubbles, where the presence of microbubbles indicate the presence of localized hydrogen peroxide. The catalase-coated surface may be the inner surface of a microtube, on the surface of or incorporated within a nanosphere or microsphere, or an implantable device.

Abstract: Systems for detecting when catheter electrodes enter and exit an introducer are disclosed. In one form, a system detects a relative position of a catheter (comprising a marker band and an electrode) and an introducer (comprising a proximity sensor adapted to sense the marker band), while the catheter and introducer are in a human body. The system may comprise an electronic control unit to analyze signals from the catheter and/or the introducer, to determine whether the catheter electrode is within the introducer; and to disregard data collected from the electrode when that electrode is in the introducer. The sensor may be on the catheter and the sensed element may be on the introducer. The sensed element may comprise one or several marker bands. A marker band may be applied during the manufacture of a medical device or during its use and is any element capable of electromagnetic detection.