Abstract: A fiber scanning optical probe including: an optical fiber; an actuator that drives the optical fiber in two directions; and an asymmetric structure that is disposed at one end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus which diagnoses an ultrasound probe having an array of a plurality of ultrasound transducing elements on the basis of how the ultrasound probe receives reflected ultrasound waves from a test object placed to face the ultrasound probe, includes a part which detects a posture of the ultrasound probe with respect to the test object by comparing reflected ultrasound signals received by at least some of the plurality of ultrasound transducing elements, and a presenting part which presents information based on the detected posture.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer for use in intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging systems including a single crystal composite (SCC) layer is provided. The transducer has a front electrode on a side of the SCC layer; and a back electrode on the opposite side of the SCC layer. The SCC layer may have a dish shape including pillars made of a single crystal piezo-electric material embedded in a polymer matrix. Also provided is an ultrasound transducer as above, with the back electrode split into two electrodes electrically decoupled from one another. A method of forming an ultrasound transducer as above is also provided. An IVUS imaging system is provided, including an ultrasound transducer rotationally disposed within an elongate member; an actuator; and a control system controlling activation of the ultrasound transducer to facilitate imaging.

Abstract: A method of measuring propagation of a shear wave by using an ultrasound transducer includes generating a shear wave inside the object, setting a region of interest (ROI) on which propagation of the shear wave is to be observed, and determining a position of a second focus on which ultrasound signals are to be directed to obtain information about the ROI, irradiating the ultrasound signals toward the second focus, and receiving echo signals reflected from the ROI.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus which diagnoses an ultrasound probe having an array of a plurality of ultrasound transducing elements on the basis of how the ultrasound probe receives reflected ultrasound waves from a test object placed to face the ultrasound probe, includes a part which detects a posture of the ultrasound probe with respect to the test object by comparing reflected ultrasound signals received by at least some of the plurality of ultrasound transducing elements, and a presenting part which presents information based on the detected posture.

Abstract: Systems to facilitate MRI-guided procedures are configured to generate proximity alerts for an MRI-guided procedure associated with at least one target site and/or at least one avoid zone.

Abstract: Methods and sensor delivery devices for monitoring a fluid pressure within a vascular structure, the devices including an elongated sheath sized for sliding along a guidewire, a sensor assembly including a fiber optic sensor, a housing surrounding the sensor, a first cavity between the distal end of the sensor and a distal aperture of the housing, a filler extending from at least the distal end of the housing distally and tapering inward toward the outer surface of the sheath, a second cavity in the filler with an opening at the outer surface of the filler and adjoining the distal aperture of the housing, and an optical fiber. The sensor delivery device may also include an outer layer that partially covers the second cavity with an aperture over the opening of the second cavity.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus which diagnoses an ultrasound probe having an array of a plurality of ultrasound transducing elements on the basis of how the ultrasound probe receives reflected ultrasound waves from a test object placed to face the ultrasound probe, includes a part which detects a posture of the ultrasound probe with respect to the test object by comparing reflected ultrasound signals received by at least some of the plurality of ultrasound transducing elements, and a presenting part which presents information based on the detected posture.

Abstract: Systems and methods of frequency-domain photoacoustic imaging are provided utilizing an ultrasonic phased array probe and intensity modulated optical excitation with coding to improve signal-to-noise ratio. Embodiments employ frequency-domain photoacoustic imaging methodologies such as the photoacoustic radar, coupled with a multi-element ultrasonic sensor array to deliver spatially-resolved correlation images of photoacoustic sources, which may be employed to image optical heterogeneities within tissue-like scattering media.

Abstract: A method for classifying a lesion in an MRI includes acquiring a pre-contrast MR image. A magnetic contrast agent is administered. A set of post-contrast MR images are acquired. The acquired pre-contrast and post-contrast MR images are displayed. A manually entered value is received for a size of a lesion manually identified within the pre-contrast and post-contrast MR images. A manually entered value for an absorption/washout profile is received of the manually identified lesion. A risk of malignancy for the manually identified lesion is automatically determined based on the received size value and absorption/washout profile.

Abstract: A method for determining electrical conduction path information in a chamber wall of a ventricle of a patient is provided. A three-dimensional magnetic resonance image data set is recorded showing the ventricles using a recording technology which allows an assignment of an electrical conductivity to a voxel based on the magnetic resonance image dataset. The chamber wall is segmented in the magnetic resonance image dataset. Conductivity determined from the image data is assigned to sub-regions of the chamber wall corresponding to individual voxels of the magnetic resonance image dataset. A model of the chamber wall is created as a function of the conductivities and segmentation. A conduction path information item is determined describing an electrical conduction path running from a start point to a destination point through the chamber wall in the model.

Abstract: An external stylus provides an impulse to correct mal-alignments of the Atlas (C1). The placement and direction of the impulse is guided by the analysis of a plurality precisely placed or acquired tomographic images, preferably MRI images.

Abstract: Intrabody MRI-compatible medical devices with a rigid stylet body with opposing distal and proximal ends with a wall enclosing at least one cavity extending therebetween. The stylet body has first and second laterally spaced apart and opposing external longitudinally extending recessed surfaces and at least one pair of transversely spaced apart apertures extending through the wall and at least one conductor having a length that extends through the cavity then exits the cavity to define at least one external loop extending between the distal end of the stylet body and the pair of transversely spaced apart apertures. First and second legs of each loop snugly abut a respective first and second recessed surface of the stylet body to thereby cooperate with the stylet body to define a substantially cylindrical shape. The at least one conductor with the at least one loop is configured to act as an MRI antenna.

Abstract: An image generation system is provided, the system generating an ultrasound image and a photo-acoustic image of an object and including a dual-wavelength laser source, an optical filter, and an optical-based ultrasound sensor. The laser source generates a first laser pulse with a first wavelength or a second laser pulse with a second wavelength. The optical filter almost completely absorbs the energy of the first laser pulse and by the photo-acoustic effect, generates and transmits an ultrasound to the object so the object scatters and reflects the ultrasound. The second laser pulse almost completely penetrates the optical filter and is transmitted to the object so the object absorbs the energy of the second laser pulse, generates and sends a photo-acoustic signal. The optical-based ultrasound sensor receives the ultrasound and the photo-acoustic signal to generate the ultrasound image and the photo-acoustic image of the object.

Abstract: An MRI-compatible base is configured to support an MRI-compatible head support frame. The base is configured to be secured to a gantry associated with an MRI scanner, and to extend across a width of the gantry. The base allows the head support frame to be moved to any of a plurality of locations across the width of the gantry, and allows the head support frame to rotate about two orthogonal axes so as to be positioned at any of a plurality of angles relative to the gantry.

Abstract: A subject information acquiring apparatus includes a subject-holding member which holds a subject and a probe unit having a transducer which receives acoustic waves from the subject through the subject-holding member, a housing which accommodates the transducer, and a matching liquid-holding member configured to hold a matching liquid between the transducer and the subject-holding member, the probe unit being allowed to move relative to the subject-holding member. The probe unit has a guide which introduces the matching liquid to the subject-holding member, the matching liquid having been spilled from a space defined by the matching liquid-holding member, the transducer, and the subject-holding member onto the upper surface of the hosing and then flowed from the upper surface of the housing.