Abstract: Provided is a surgery assistance system to perform relatively fast and accurate alignment between three-dimensional surface shape data acquired by measurement using a three-dimensional surface shape scanner and three-dimensional internal shape data acquired in advance, even when the position of the patient and the surface shape of the skin of the patient change during the surgery. A surgery assistance system (1) includes a three-dimensional surface shape scanner (20) for acquiring three-dimensional surface shape data by measuring a three-dimensional surface shape of a patient (60) and a computing device (40) for processing the data from the three-dimensional surface shape scanner. The computing device stores therein three-dimensional internal shape data of the patient that is acquired in advance by measurement using a three-dimensional tomography scanner (30).

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a virtual electrode (VE) on a coronary sinus (CS) catheter in a fluoroscopic image sequence is disclosed. User inputs indicating locations of CS catheter electrodes and a location of a VE are received. A catheter electrode model and a VE part model is initialized in a first frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence. The VE is tracked by detecting electrode position candidates and catheter body point candidates in the subsequent frames of the fluoroscopic image sequence using respective trained detectors, tracking the catheter electrode model in the subsequent frames based on the detected electrode position candidates, generating VE part hypotheses in the subsequent frames based on detection of the most proximal electrode (MPE) in each subsequent frame, calculating a probability score for each of the VE part hypotheses, and selecting an VE part hypothesis with the highest probability score.

Abstract: Medical devices that are visible by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and optionally, other imaging techniques, are described. In some embodiments, a medical device adapted for insertion into the body includes an elongated shaft and an electrically conductive path extending spirally about a portion of the shaft. The conductive path is capable of being connected to a current source. The medical device can further include one or more contrast agents (such as MRI contrast agents, radiopaque materials, and/or ultrasound visible materials), which can be arranged in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: In a method for temperature control in MR-guided administration of ultrasound, ultrasound therapy is administered to a patient at an in vivo site by emitting focused ultrasound into the site at multiple foci with a multi-focus ultrasound therapy device. The temperature is monitored in a localized region of an examination subject in which the site is located during the therapy in real-time by MR thermometry. From the MR thermometry, characteristics of the temperature distribution in the monitored region of the examination subject are automatically identified. Temperature control is implemented by regulating the energy output of the ultrasound therapy device, according to a rapidly converging master equation.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint, particularly a human knee. The methods include converting an image such as an MRI to a three dimensional map of the cartilage. The cartilage map can be correlated to a movement pattern of the joint to assess the affect of movement on cartilage wear. Changes in the thickness of cartilage over time can be determined so that therapies can be provided. Information on thickness of cartilage and curvature of cartilage or subchondral bone can be used to plan therapy. Information on movement pattern can be used to plan therapy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing ultrasonic image signals is disclosed. The method involves receiving a plurality of input sample values representing reflected sound waves in a ultrasonic system, exponentiating each input sample to produce a plurality of respective exponentiated sample values, conditioning the exponentiated sample values to produce conditioned exponentiated sample values for receipt by an imageformer, and causing the imageformer to produce an image representing the ultrasonic sound waves in response to the conditioned exponentiated sample values.

Abstract: A method of imaging, including receiving radioactive radiation from a body; reconstructing a 3D SPECT image of a distribution of radiation in at least one voxel of said body; and reconstructing a dynamic change in radiation in said voxel, as an updated image, at a rate of faster than one change per 5 minutes, wherein said reconstructed image is a clinically useful image including a resolution of 10 mm or better for a voxel volume of at least 5 cm in diameter and a contrast to background ratio of radiation of at least 2:1.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance device has a patient bed able to be automatically moved by means of a drive apparatus into a patient chamber, as well as a magnet arrangement for creating a magnetic field in the interior of the patient chamber. The drive apparatus is operated so as to move the patient bed at a speed determined as a function of the distribution of the magnetic field in the direction of movement of the patient bed.

Abstract: A system and method for a medical intervention procedure within a cardiac chamber having an imaging system to obtain image data of the cardiac chamber and to create a 3D model from that image data, an interventional system to register the 3D model with a real-time image of the cardiac chamber and to display the 3D model, and an interventional tool positioned in the cardiac chamber to be displayed upon the interventional system and to be navigated in real-time over the registered 3D model. Preferably, the method and system also includes a storage medium to store the 3D model and wherein the interventional system receives the stored 3D model to register with the real-time image of the cardiac chamber.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer software product for analyzing medical images, including obtaining image data representative of a plurality of medical images of the abnormality, each medical image corresponding to an image of the abnormality acquired at a different time relative to a time of administration of a contrast medium, each medical image including a predetermined number of voxels; partitioning each medical image into at least two groups based on the obtained image data, wherein each group corresponds to a subset of the predetermined number of voxels, and each group is associated with a temporal image pattern in the plurality of medical images; selecting, from among the temporal patterns, an enhancement temporal pattern as representative of the abnormality; and determining, based on the selected temporal pattern, a medical state of the abnormality.

Abstract: An indicator element of a percutaneous needle guide for a medical scanning device includes a pointer for pointing to a percutaneous needle entry site on an epidermis of a body, when the guide is attached to the device and the device is positioned over the epidermis for scanning. A user may orient and insert a needle into the entry site according to the direction of the pointer, by just viewing the pointer, without the needle being constrained by the pointer. The guide may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the indicator element with respect to the device, when the guide is attached to the device; the adjustment mechanism moves the indicator element, without changing an orientation of the pointer, in a direction approximately parallel to a plane that is approximately tangent with an apex of the device transducer surface and approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device.

Abstract: In a method for representation of the heart in a magnetic resonance system at least one MR overview image of the heart is acquired. An image plane with a predetermined position relative to the magnetic resonance system is selected for this overview image. The acquired MR overview image is displayed and a number of marking points are established in the displayed overview image. Further image planes for representation of the heart are calculated using some of the established marking points. Further MR images are acquired in the calculated image planes.

Abstract: System and method for ganged ultrasound scanners is described. The described system includes a plurality of ultrasound scanners configured as a network and at least one connector for connecting a single ultrasound probe to the plurality of ultrasound scanners. The connector is configured to provide communication between the plurality of ultrasound scanners and the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: The primary objective of the present method and apparatus is to provide a portable and new diagnosis system for quickly and reliably examining tissue conditions. The method uses the most advance miniaturized micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) for generating a rapid variable optical delay line capable of generating wideband terahertz pulses. The method detects and analyzes cancerous tissues by comparing a plurality of spectrum resolved images of suspected tissue without applying harmful agents into the tissue to facilitate interaction with illumination sources. The method employs non-evasive, real time terahertz imaging systems and techniques to diagnose tissue for detecting the presence of cancer. A map showing, which tissue is healthy and which is cancerous can aid in the accurate removal of cancerous tissue.

Abstract: A process and system acquiring both ultrasound and MRI data from a patient in an MRI scanner and using one to automatically guide or improve the other. The ultrasound data can track the motion of an organ such as a cardiac artery or the diaphragm and the resulting motion information can automatically guide MRI data acquisition to keep the imaging volume at the organ or interest, or can be used to accept or reject MRI data in the process of forming an MRI image, based on whether the organ of interest was within an acceptable range of positions. Conversely, the MRI unit can guide the ultrasound data acquisition so it is properly timed or otherwise controlled in accordance with MRI data acquisition.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an inserted unit for being inserted into a celomic cavity of a body and having therein at least one channel, and an ultrasonic treatment apparatus including a transmitting member that transmits an ultrasonic wave produced by an ultrasonic vibrator, and a treatment unit provided on a distal end of the transmitting member and for being inserted, together with the transmitting member, into the channel. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus is arranged within the channel by positioning a distal end of the treatment unit within a field of vision of the endoscope.

Abstract: A method and system for determination and mapping the quantity of chromophores having a distinct spectrum attached to moving objects in an spectrally rich environment that may include multiple chromophores attached to stationary objects. Au area of interest is imaged at different times and different wavelengths, and the spectral properties of the chromophores attached to the moving objects are separated from the stationary spectral properties of the background, followed by spectral analysis of the moving objects to determine their quantity. Application to the retinal vasculature is illustrated, showing the imaging, analyzing and quantifying of the oxygen saturation of retinal blood, resolved for the different vascular compartments, including capillaries, arterioles, venules, arteries, and veins.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe to be inserted into a body cavity internally contains an ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic observation apparatus to which the ultrasonic probe is connected outputs transmit signals in a pulse shape. A cabinet of the ultrasonic observation apparatus is connected to a ground of a secondary circuit and is insulated is direct current from the ground of a patient circuit. The secondary circuit has a timing generating circuit generating timing signals for generating the transmit signals. An insulating circuit insulates the timing signals from the secondary circuit and transmits the timing signals to the patient circuit. The patient circuit has a transmit signal generating circuit generating the transmit signals in synchronization with the inputted timing signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analysis apparatus for analyzing the skin, the which includes an ultrasound probe arranged to analyze the skin along an axis and a vibrator arranged to emit at least one shear wave to a region of the skin extending about the axis. The ultrasound probe is arranged to detect displacements induced in the skin by the propagation of the shear wave.

Abstract: A computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system comprises an image sensor and a light source. The image sensor is configured to sense an image of an area associated with an orthopaedic surgical site and has a field of view. The light source projects light distinct from any ambient lighting onto the area in a pattern visually indicative of at least a portion of the field of view. An associated method is disclosed.