Abstract: Surgical devices and methods for utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) to monitor and control tissue sealing are disclosed. The surgical device includes an end effector assembly that includes first and second jaw members that are movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position. An OCT system, at least a portion of which is incorporated into the end effector assembly, is configured to sense properties of the tissue, e.g., the structural density of the tissue, disposed between the first and second jaw members. A tissue-sealing energy source may be disposed within at least one of the jaw members and may provide tissue-sealing energy to tissue disposed between the jaw members. A controller, which is coupled to the OCT system and the tissue-sealing energy source, controls the tissue-sealing energy generated by the tissue-sealing energy source based on the properties of the tissue sensed by the OCT system.

Abstract: Biological tissue such as skeletal and cardiac muscle can be imaged by using an objective-based probe in the tissue and scanning at a sufficiently fast rate to mitigate motion artifacts due to physiological motion. According to one example embodiment, such a probe is part of a system that is capable of reverse-direction high-resolution imaging without needing to stain or otherwise introduce a foreign element used to generate or otherwise increase the sensed light. The probe can include a light generator for generating light pulses that are directed towards structures located within the thick tissue. The system can additionally include aspects that lessen adverse image-quality degradation. Further, the system can additionally be constructed as a hand-held device.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for non-contact detection and/or imaging and/or monitoring target subsurface tissue of at least one of human or animal anatomy. The system applies a first optical excitation signal to an outer tissue surface at a first location on the anatomy, which excites the target subsurface tissue to produce acoustic signals which are transmitted to an outer tissue surface of the anatomy. A gel-like, impedance matching and signal converting (IMASC) material layer is applied to the outer tissue surface at a second location on the anatomy. The IMASC material layer contains material elements which are able to influence characteristics of an optical signal impinging and reflected from the IMASC material, in accordance with acoustic signals that have been reflected from the target subsurface tissue, and which propagate into the IMASC material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for determining an orientation and position of a capsule inserted into the body of a patient. A magnetic field is applied to an area of the patient where the capsule is located. Sensor data, including inertial data from an inertial sensor and magnetic field data indicative of the applied magnetic field as detected by at least one magnetic field sensor, is wirelessly received from the capsule. An orientation angle of the capsule is determined based at least in part on the inertial data. The magnetic field data is compared to known characteristics of the applied magnetic field and a location of the capsule is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: An imaging system includes radiation source (106) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region and a portion of a subject therein and a detector array (114) that detects radiation that traverses the examination region and the portion of the subject therein and generates a signal indicative thereof. A volume scan parameter recommender (120) recommends at least one spectral scan parameter value for a volume scan of the portion of the subject based on a spectral decomposition of first and second 2D projections acquired by the radiation source and detector array. The first and second 2D projections have different spectral characteristics. A console (122) employs the recommended at least one spectral scan parameter value to perform the volume scan of the portion of the subject.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for three-dimensional location of the disposition of a sensor coil in a subject including are disclosed. The systems include an array of three or more quadruplet drive coil sets, where each quadruplet drive coil set include at least four discrete drive coils, at least one moveable sensor coil configured to provide one or more sensor coil response signals, a first system component providing AC drive signals to energize the discrete drive coils, a second system component for receiving the one or more sensor coil response signals from the at least one moveable sensor coil, and a processor configured to determine a sensor coil disposition of the at least one moveable sensor coil in the subject relative to the quadruplet drive coil sets based on the one or more sensor coil response signals.

Abstract: A system and a method of using dual-energy absoptiometry to estimate visceral fat metrics and display results, preferably as related to normative data. The process involves deriving x-ray measurements for respective pixel positions related to a two-dimensional projection image of a body slice containing visceral fat as well as subcutaneous fat; at least some of the measurements being dual-energy x-ray measurements, processing the measurements to derive estimates of metrics related to the visceral fat in the slice; and using the resulting estimates.

Abstract: During normal and reverse swings of a transducer main body, an engagement accuracy is ensured to reduce generation of vibration and noise. An ultrasonic transducer includes: a coupling swingably and loosely fitted between one end portion of an output shaft of a power source that swings the transducer main body and the transducer main body, and a flywheel swingably and loosely fitted to another end portion of an output shaft of the power source, ensuring the reduced vibration and noise from the transducer main body.

Abstract: A method includes: obtaining, by an apparatus, instantaneous images from an optical heart activity sensor, wherein the instantaneous images characterize a heart activity data of a user; obtaining information about spatial shifts of a measuring area of the optical heart activity sensor in relation to a body tissue of the user; determining effect of the spatial shifts in the instantaneous images based on the information about the spatial shifts; enhancing the instantaneous images by decreasing the effect of the spatial shifts in the instantaneous images; and processing the enhanced instantaneous images into the heart activity data of the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. It concerns an oscillation applicator for MR rheology. It is an object of the invention to provide an oscillation applicator without restrictions regarding the usability for certain body regions. According to the invention, the oscillation applicator comprises at least one transducer which generates a reciprocating motion at a given frequency and a belt (19) mechanically coupled to the transducer, which belt (19) is designed to be wrapped around a patient's body (10). Moreover, the invention relates to a MR device (1) and to a method of MR imaging.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system and method for manipulating medical device operating parameters, stored in a hierarchical organization, at different levels of granularity. The method can include receiving, at a processor, first user input selecting an operating parameter of a medical device from a medical device user interface displayed at a display system. The method may include presenting, at the display system, a parameter presentation prompted by the operating parameter selection. In various embodiments, a plurality of setting values each corresponding to a different hierarchical level of the operating parameter is presented in the parameter presentation. The method may include receiving, at the processor, second user input manipulating a value of one of the setting values presented in the parameter presentation. The method can also include storing, at storage, the value of the manipulated setting value.

Abstract: A tracking and navigation system is provided. The system includes an imaging or treatment device, a tracker device, and a fiducial marker. At least part of the imaging or treatment device is movable relative to a patient. The tracker device is mounted on the imaging or treatment device and is movable therewith relative to the patient. The fiducial marker may be fixed relative to the patient to define a patient coordinate system. The fiducial marker is detectable by the tracker device to substantially maintain registration between the tracker device and the patient coordinate system. A tracking and navigation kit including the tracker device and at least one fiducial marker may also be provided, for example, for retrofitting to existing imaging or treatment devices.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to one embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe, an image generating processor, a monitor, a database, and a calibration information generation processor. The image generating processor generates an ultrasonic image, based on an echo signal obtained through the ultrasonic probe. The monitor displays the ultrasonic image. The database stores image data including the ultrasonic image displayed on a screen of the monitor. The calibration information generation processor generates calibration information including a conversion value for performing a predetermined measurement with respect to the ultrasonic image included in the image data, based on the database storing image data including the ultrasonic image displayed on a screen of the monitor, and a positional relationship between at least one scale mark existing in the image data and the ultrasonic image.

Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging apparatus in which an examination object is situated, information is detected indicating that at least one image of the examination object is to be created by the medical device. Next, a selection of an examination sequence is made from multiple stored, predefined examination sequences, and subsequently a detection occurs as to the step in the selected examination sequence at which the medical device is currently operating. Thereafter, a specification of the next step to be undertaken from the selected examination sequence is presented to a person operating the medical imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a probe, a holster, and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. The probe includes a needle and a hollow cutter. The tissue sample holder includes a housing having a plurality of chambers that are configured to receive a plurality of strips connected by at least one flexible member. The flexible member is configured to permit the strips to pivot relative to each other such that the strips can shift between a flat configuration and a arcuate configuration. The tissue sample holder is rotatable to successively index each chamber to the cutter lumen such that tissue samples may be collected in the strips. The strips may be removed from the tissue sample holder and placed in a tissue sample holder container for imaging of tissue samples.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating high quality, high frame rate images in a handheld or hand-carried ultrasonic imaging machine. The apparatus includes an image enhancer to reduce speckle noise and improve the compressibility of the resulting image. This approach reduces the required hardware and power consumption to satisfy the physical space, power, and limited processing power of a handheld probe and enables high quality images to be transmitted efficiently over low-bandwidth connections.

Abstract: A data processing device is disclosed for extracting a desired vital signal containing a physiological information component from sensor data that includes time-dependent first sensor data comprising the physiological information component and at least one motion artifact component, and that includes time-dependent second sensor data that is indicative of a position, a velocity or an acceleration of the sensed region as a function of time. A decomposition unit decomposes the second sensor data into at least two components of decomposed sensor data and, based on the decomposed second sensor data, provides at least two different sets of motion reference data in at least two different motion reference data channels. An artifact removal unit determines the vital signal formed from a linear combination of the first sensor data and the motion reference data of at least one two of the motion reference data channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hood for an ultrasonic endoscope and an ultrasonic endoscope that prevent a body wall from getting into close contact with an observation window at a time such as when an ultrasonic transducer is brought into close contact with the body wall. In a hood for an ultrasonic endoscope to be attached to the ultrasonic endoscope, a notch is formed at a front edge of the hood, and a front edge corner at an observation window side along the notch is provided as an eaves-shaped part. The eaves-shaped part protrudes in front of the observation window, and when an ultrasonic transducer is brought into close contact with the body wall, the eaves-shaped part lies between the body wall and the observation window, thereby preventing the body wall from getting into close contact with the observation window.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe with transducers, memory storing probe identification information and binary state generation unit generating a binary electrical state corresponding to a probe identifier, probe identifier conversion unit converting the electrical state into the probe identifier, read unit reading the probe identification information from the memory, determination unit determining consistency between the probe identifier after conversion and the probe identification information read from the memory, and warning output unit outputting a predetermined warning if the probe identifier is inconsistent with the probe identification information.

Abstract: Embodiments associated with combined magnetic resonance angiography and perfusion (MRAP) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting are described. One example apparatus repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The apparatus includes a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. The apparatus includes an MRAP logic that simultaneously performs MR angiography and produces quantitative perfusion maps. A multi-factor MR bio-imaging panel is produced from a combination of the data provided by the MRAP and NMR fingerprinting. Diagnoses may be made from the multi-factor MR bio-imaging panel.