Abstract: The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to an improved medical imaging device. In one embodiment, an imaging device includes a drive shaft having proximal and distal ends received within the lumen; and an imaging transducer assembly coupled to the distal end of the drive shaft and positioned at the distal portion of the elongate member. The imaging transducer assembly includes one or more imaging transducers formed with a piezoelectric composite plate using photolithography based micromachining.

Abstract: A method and system of computer assistance to the preparation of the reduction of a fracture such that a patient's bony fragments are separated into first and second bone segments, with in bone segments being symmetrical to a third bone element. The method includes the steps of determining a first representation or bone model of the surface of the first bone segment, a second representation, at an initial position, of the second segment, and a third representation of the third bone element; determining by symmetry a fourth representation of the first and second bone segments of the fractured bone in the absence of a fracture, the fourth representation being matched with the first representation; matching the second representation with the fourth representation at a final position; and providing, by an interface element, information representative of the difference between the initial position and the final position.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a blood flow velocity acquiring unit that acquires a flow velocity of the blood flow of an object, a capturing condition setting unit that, on the basis of the flow velocity of the blood flow acquired by the blood flow velocity acquiring unit, sets at least one of a transmitting phase of a transmitted exciting pulse, a transmitting phase of a refocusing pulse, a shift amount of the relative phase difference between the transmitted exciting phase and the refocusing pulse, and an intensity of a gradient pulse in a readout direction as a capturing condition, and a blood flow image capturing unit that creates a blood flow image of the object by performing an imaging scan on the basis of the capturing condition set by the capturing condition setting unit.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system that allows for the easy substitution of imaging elements attached to an anatomical positioning device. One or more imaging elements may be mounted to the anatomical positioning device in such a way that the placement of the imaging elements in relation to the anatomical positioning device and the subject can be easily controlled by the operator.

Abstract: In a probe positioning technology, an optical bioinstrumentation includes a region selecting unit that is used to delineate a region of interest in an anatomical image of a subject, a computing unit that determines a recommended probe position according to the region of interest, a probe position sensor that detects a current probe position, a computing unit that calculates the distance between the recommended probe position and the current probe position, and an alarm device that generates an alarm sound or the like when the distance falls within a predetermined range. Moreover, the optical bioinstrumentation for living body further includes a memory unit in which the probe position is saved together with measurement data.

Abstract: A system and method may determine the orientation of an in-vivo imaging device relative to the earth's gravitation field. Some embodiments may enable indication of specific locations where other methods provide non-satisfactory imaging coverage. The system may include an in-vivo imaging system with a container or shell containing an orientation object. The container may be placed in at least one optical dome or optical field of an in-vivo imaging device, such as an autonomous capsule. The location of the orientation object's image on the in-vivo imaging device imager, as well as size of the image, may be determined as functions of the location of the orientation object inside the container, for each image acquired.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging probe is provided which is capable of capturing “on-the-fly” scanning planes in successive positions of the probe so as to form a volumetric image representation at a real time frame rate. The probe includes a flexible sealing membrane for a coupling fluid. Laterally extending folding portions of the flexible membrane provide fluid isolation and cancellation of parasitic constraining forces normally generated during probe movement.

Abstract: Integrated circuit transmitters allow for ultrasound imaging with both pulsed and continuous waves. High voltage and low voltage switches are integrated onto a same semiconductor chip. The high voltage switches are used for pulsed wave operation, and the low voltage switches are used for continuous wave operation. Power dissipation may be reduced by using low voltage circuits for the continuous wave operation. Both the pulsed and continuous waveforms are output on a common output from the integrated circuit. For continuous wave operation, one or more of the high voltage switches is used to provide a low resistance path to the common output or ground. For pulsed wave operation, one or more of the low voltage switches is used to provide a low resistance path to a common output or ground. A switch used for generating waveforms is also used for forming a low resistance path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for its implementation for referencing or registering a body part in a camera-assisted, medical navigation system, comprising: manually manipulating a light beamer so as to scan a light beam produced thereby across a surface of the body part to sequentially reflect light off the surface of the body part at a plurality of locations; sequentially detecting the light reflected from the surface of the body part at the plurality of locations; determining three-dimensional spatial positions of the plurality of locations based on the detected light; and referencing or registering the body part to medical image data based on the three-dimensional spatial positions of the plurality of locations and surface data determined from the medical image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring fat thickness in a target body part are provided. The apparatus includes a light emitter emitting near infrared rays, an inner reflector having a reflecting plane outside to reflect the near infrared rays emitted by the light emitter, an outer reflector surrounding the inner reflector and having a reflecting plane inside to reflect the near infrared rays emitted by the light emitter, a light receiver receiving light reflected from the target body part in response to the near infrared rays, and a calculator calculating the fat thickness in the target body part using the light received by the light receiver.

Abstract: A typical task assigned for measuring a brain activity signal lasts from 10 to 30 seconds. The frequency band of the Mayer wave noise signal is very close to the frequency bands of brain activity signals, a result, it is difficult to reduce the Mayer wave noise signal using a bandpass filter or a bandcut filter. Light irradiating units and light detecting units for detecting the emitted light that has been passed through or reflected within the tissue are provided. A biological signal measuring unit measures at least one of the pulsation, breathing, blood pressure, and temperature. The relationship between an optical signal obtained by the light detecting unit and a biological signal using non-linear analysis; and a computation for separating the biological noise signal from the optical signal on the basis of the obtained relationship.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic ultrasound stereo imaging is provided. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system operable to scan a body with ultrasound is also operable to generate a three dimensional stereoscopic view of the body. The video processing unit and/or display device create the stereoscopic display.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes image acquisition circuitry, a display, and a processor coupled to the image acquisition circuitry and the display. In addition, a memory is coupled to the processor and stores a user interface program that causes the processor to display a physiological marker on the display, receive a control input directed to the physiological marker; and adjust the physiological marker in response to the control input.

Abstract: A HIFU system is disclosed including a fluid circulation system including a degasser.

Abstract: In order to realize a capsule-type medical device suitable for improving efficiency of wireless transmission/reception using an antenna to increase radiowave power, a capsule-type medical device is configured so as to comprise an image-capturing illumination unit in which an illumination optical system and an image-capturing unit are provided as a function executing unit for executing a predetermined function within a subject to be examined, an RF unit serving as a wireless unit for communicating a signal generated by this image-capturing illumination unit being driven, or a signal for controlling driving of the image-capturing illumination unit with the outside of the subject to be examined wirelessly, and an antenna, which is provided in this RF unit, including a pair of antenna elements formed in a tubular shape for covering the outer circumference of the image-capturing illumination unit.

Abstract: A system for screening breast tissue is disclosed. The system comprises an ultrasound probe and a carrier adapted to support the ultrasound probe and to progressively move the probe over the breast tissue. A pad is employed to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, and a fabric covering is adapted to hold the breast tissue and the pad in place as the probe is moved over the breast tissue.

Abstract: A device, system and method for calculating a size of an object using images acquired by a typically moving imager, for example in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A distance traveled by the moving imager during image capture may be determined, and spatial coordinates of image pixels may be calculated using the distance. The size of the object may be determined, for example, from the spatial coordinates. The moving imager may be in a swallowable capsule, or, for example, an endoscope.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for performing fever triage. At first, a thermal image-detecting unit is used to detect a testee at a time-point and a position so as to form thermal image data. Meanwhile, a visible light image-detecting unit is used to detect the testee at the same time-point and position so as to form visible light image data. Thereafter, thermal image data are analyzed to determine if at least one fever-temperature block thereof is within a predetermined temperature range. Then, the fever-temperature block is analyzed to determine if it is corresponding to the skin portions of the visible light image data. Thereafter, if the result of the previous step is yes, then a warning signal is issued to indicate that the testee has fever.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are described in which spatially compounded images are produced by transmitting ultrasound beams in different directions during a common transmit-receive interval. Echoes are received from the different beam directions and are beamformed by a multiline beamformer to produce differently steered beams of coherent echo signals. The echoes are combined on a spatial basis with echoes from different look directions which correspond to the same spatial location being combined. The resulting spatially compounded image is displayed.

Abstract: A bone strength measuring instrument and method is provided for obtaining thickness values of cortical bone, cancellous bone and tissue in a human body part by applying an ultrasonic wave to a measured portion of the human body. Ultrasonic transmitters and receivers can be positioned in contact with the human body to provide a set thickness for the human body while processing the received signals transmitted through and reflected from the human body portions to determine a first wave higher in speed and a second wave lower in speed. Prior to making the measurements, a preliminary measurement procedure can be utilized to optimize the desired measurement site. An acoustic speed of the second wave in a cancellous bone can be assumed to be constant and transit times can be calculated and respective thickness values of the soft tissue of cortical bone and cancellous bone can be determined to indicate the bone strength.