Abstract: The invention relates to an image guided surgery system comprising —a surgical instrument (14), —a tracking system for locating and tracking an object (20) in a surgical environment, the tracking system including a tracking sensor system, in particular a tracking camera system (16); and —a medical navigation system (15) processing tracking data from the tracking system and image data of the object (20), and outputting image data and navigational assistance on a display (13). The instrument (14), the tracking system including the sensor system (16) and the medical navigation system including the display are integrated in one single portable unit (10), or the instrument (14) and the medical navigation system including the display are integrated in one single portable unit (10), while at least the sensor system (34) of the tracking system is arranged at a location near a region of interest determined by the object (20) and the field of surgery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the quality of ultrasound images made up of a combination of multiple sub-images include giving more weight to sub-image information that is more likely to improve a combined image quality. Weighting factor information may be determined from the geometry (e.g., angle or path length) of a location of one or more specific transducer elements relative to a specific point within a region of interest or a region of an image. In some embodiments, any given pixel (or other discrete region of an image) may be formed by combining received echo data in a manner that gives more weight to data that is likely to improve image quality, and/or discounting or ignoring data that is likely to detract from image quality (e.g., by introducing noise or by increasing point spread).

Abstract: Surgical visualization devices are provided which include a substrate having at least one imaging device and a plurality of fasteners coupled thereto for attaching the substrate to patient tissue. Systems and methods utilizing the surgical visualization devices are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is related generally to a method for screening subjects to determine those subjects more likely to develop diabetes by quantization of insulin producing cells. The present invention is also related to the diagnosis of diabetes and related to monitor disease progression or treatment efficacy of candidate drugs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for video rate or near video rate quantitative imaging of tissue physiological and morphological properties from visible/NIR light spectral images obtain rapid multi-spectral reflectance images by illuminating with a series of spectra containing multiple narrow wavelength bands. An iterative light-transport based inversion algorithm may be applied for correcting the intensity of the spectral images from the geometry/coupling effect as well as from the scattering amplitude distortions. The method can produce video rate absorption as well as scattering spectral images that can be further analyzed very rapidly, using matrix-based rapid inversion algorithms to produce more detailed quantitative images containing information relevant to tissue physiology and morphology.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system with pixel oriented processing is provided in which an acoustic signal is generated, echoes from the acoustic signal are received at a plurality of receiving elements to obtain echo signals that are then stored, a given pixel is mapped into a region of the stored signals, the mapped region of the stored echo signals is organized into array for the given pixel after which the array is processed to generate a signal response for the given pixel to obtain acoustic information for the given pixel. The system can be implemented entirely on plug-in cards for a commercial PC motherboard. The system and method can be implemented for pixel-oriented or voxel-oriented image processing and display, eliminating intermediate data computations and enabling extensive use of software processing methods. Advantages include improved acquisition of signal dynamic range, flexible acquisition modes for high frame rate 2D, 3D, and Doppler blood flow imaging.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and method of monitoring a position of a joint. An inertial monitoring unit is configured to be coupled to a portion of a patient, such as a thigh. Another inertial monitoring unit is configured to be attached to another portion of the patient, such as a shank, that is connected to the other portion by a joint, such as a knee. The inertial monitoring units detect motion of their respective portions of the patient and transmit data indicative of this motion. These transmissions may be received by a computer and used to determine an orientation of the joint. The inertial monitoring units may also be coupled to vibration detection units and/or ultrasound modules that provide additional data regarding a condition of the joint.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a beamformer (104) configured to beamform ultrasound signals. The beamformer includes input/output (110) configured to at least receive ultrasound signals. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a first ultrasound probe connector (128) and a second ultrasound probe connector (128). The ultrasound imaging system further includes a switch (134) that concurrently routes ultrasound signals concurrently received via the first ultrasound probe connector and the second ultrasound probe connector to the beamformer, which processes the ultrasound signals.

Abstract: A prone CT breast x-ray imaging system is described that can image a full breast to create a conventional two-dimensional digital image in very high resolution (e.g., ?25 micron pixels). The system is capable of imaging the entire breast in three-dimensional based on multiple projection views from a one-dimensional or two-dimensional detector. Data can be acquired and reconstructed with a limited number of views from limited angles or with conventional cone beam CT algorithms. The resulting three-dimensional image enables the detection and diagnosis of fine micro calcifications and small masses as may be distributed throughout the breast, thus allowing radiologists to make an improved determination of malignancy as opposed to conventional two-dimensional digital mammography. In addition, the injection of intravenous contrast in conjunction with or without pre and post contrast subtraction imaging provides a radiologist with morphologic information on the existing tumor burden in the breast.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for examination and removal of polyps. Using methods and systems of the present disclosure, one can determine whether a polyp is benign or cancerous in situ.

Abstract: A method of recognizing at least one moving anatomical structure using ultrasound data that operates by receiving ultrasound data (100). The ultrasound data comprises Doppler shift information which provides information descriptive of the velocity of at least one anatomical structure. The ultrasound data is first divided into a series of time frames (102). A classification is then assigned to each of the time frames using the Doppler shift information (104). The at least one anatomical structure is then recognized by using the classification of each time frame (106). This is possible, because different anatomical structures produce different patterns in the Doppler shift information.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are provided through which an injector system automates a process of injecting an individual dose from a multiple dose of a radiotracer material. In some embodiments, the injector system includes a first dose calibrator system that receives a multidose vial of a radiotracer, a second dose calibrator system, an injection pump and an intravenous needle. In some embodiments, the first dose calibrator system and the multidose vial have an integrated shape. In some embodiments, the first dose calibrator system includes a pneumatic arm that receives the multidose vial.

Abstract: A CO2 sensor includes: a sensing portion operable to change in color in accordance with a CO2 partial pressure in expiration from at least one of nares and a mouth of a living body; and a mounting member adapted to hold the sensing portion at a position where the expiration from the at least one of the nares and the mouth impinges on the sensing portion.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus, comprising: a plurality of detecting elements which detect an acoustic wave generated from an object irradiated with light and convert the acoustic wave into detection signals; a signal determining unit which determines a detection signal detected by a detecting element which is not in acoustic contact with the object, of the plurality of detecting elements; a signal acquisition unit which generates a corrected detection signal by deleting at least a region which is not based on an acoustic wave generated from the interior of the object, from the determined detection signal; and an image processor which forms image data of the object from a detection signal detected by a detecting element which is in acoustic contact with the object and from the corrected detection signal.

Abstract: A heterogeneous antenna array containing antenna elements of different antenna element sizes interleaved among one another is disclosed. Heterogeneous antenna arrays as disclosed herein can efficiently cover a broad range of frequencies without loss of optimality at higher frequencies. Also disclosed are methods of frequency-domain oriented image reconstruction which are suitable for use with heterogeneous antenna arrays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radar apparatus for detecting a life-sign of a subject, comprising a transmitter system for emitting a transmission electromagnetic beam to the chest and/or the abdomen of a subject, a receiving system for receiving first reflected electromagnetic beam data from the chest and/or the abdomen, and a processor unit for processing the first received beam data retrieving breath activity information. The transmitter system, the receiving system and the processor are further arranged for performing a radar measurement of a superficial artery structure, such as a wrist artery, an ankle artery, a carotid artery and/or the fontanel artery for retrieving heart activity information. Thereto, the a second transmission electromagnetic beam is directed towards the superficial artery structure, the first and the second transmission electromagnetic beam being transmitted from a single radar unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mapping a location of a point within the body is disclosed. A plurality of positional reference nodes are determined, each aligned on a first element. A second element is mapped with reference to the plurality of reference nodes to determine the relative location of a point on the second element.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for imaging a tissue. In one example, a system comprises an adjustable arm, a scanning assembly attached to a first end of the adjustable arm, a counterweight coupled to a second end of the adjustable arm, and a weight adjustment system coupled to the counterweight and configured to modify an effective weight of the scanning assembly.

Abstract: A patient positioning device has an electromagnetically transparent transfer plate for positioning an examination subject, and at least one patient bed. The electromagnetically transparent transfer plate can be disposed on the patient bed for imaging an examination region of the examination subject with a first imaging device. For imaging the examination region of the examination subject with the second imaging device that has an electromagnetic localization device, the electromagnetically transparent transfer plate is disposed above the electromagnetic localization device. An imaging system and a corresponding method for medical imaging make use of such a patient position device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first calculation unit calculates a first feature amount concerning an edge direction in a specific region. A second calculation unit calculates a second feature amount concerning an edge intensity or a brightness value in the specific region. A storage unit stores filter characteristics. The each filter characteristic is associated with a first feature amounts range and a second feature amounts range which ultrasonic images suitable for the each filter characteristic may have. A selection unit selects a filter characteristic corresponding to both the calculated first feature amount and the calculated second feature amount. An image filter unit applies an image filter having the selected filter characteristic.