Abstract: There is provided an object information acquiring apparatus that includes: an optical system forming light from a light source; an emission end emitting the light; a diffuser panel diffusing the emitted light; a spacer defining a distance between the diffuser panel and an object; a receiver receiving an acoustic wave generated from the object to which the light is emitted; and a processor acquiring information on inside of the object on the basis of the acoustic wave.

Abstract: A method of determining a temperature of a patient includes determining a temperature associated with a measurement site of the patient with a temperature device, and without contacting the patient with the device. The method also includes estimating a temperature of the patient based at least in part on the temperature associated with the measurement site. The temperature device includes a sensing element configured to determine the temperature associated with the measurement site, an imaging device, and a controller configured to estimate the temperature of the patient based on the temperature associated with the measurement site.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an ultrasound scanner equipped with an image data processing unit that can perform adaptive parameter optimization during image formation and processing. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises a channel data memory to store channel data obtained by digitizing ultrasound image data produced by an image scan; an image data processor configured to process the stored channel data in the memory to reconstruct an ultrasound image for each of a plurality of trial values of at least one parameter to be optimized; and a parameter optimization unit configured to evaluate an image quality of the reconstructed ultrasound image for each trial value of the at least one parameter, and to determine the optimized value of the at least one parameter based on the evaluated image quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to means for determining the spatial configuration of a biological body (P) on a surface, particularly on the surface of a patient support (150). One embodiment of these means is a sensor system (110) that can be applied to a patient support (150) and that comprises a plurality of sensor units (111), wherein each of these sensor units (111) has an adjacent sensitive zone (112) in which the presence of a biological body (P) induces a detection signal. The sensor unit may particularly comprise a microwave coil (111).

Abstract: There are provided an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus management system and a method of controlling the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus management system. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus management system may include a diagnosis unit including an acoustic module and a connecting unit of the diagnosis unit; a rearrangement unit including a connecting unit for rearrangement in which the connecting unit of the diagnosis unit is docked and a power supply unit for rearrangement; a detecting unit configured to measure a capacitance of the acoustic module; and a control unit configured to control such that the power supply unit for rearrangement applies a voltage for rearrangement to the acoustic module when the measured capacitance is a predetermined value or less.

Abstract: A matrix array probe including a transducer array and integrated circuitry coupled to the transducer elements dissipates heat generated by the array and integrated circuitry through the cover of the transducer probe. A pump in the probe connector pumps fluid through a closed loop system including inbound an outbound fluid conduits in the cable. The fluid conduits in the cable are separated by the cable electrical conductors for the probe. The heat transfer in the probe is done by a heat exchanger in the transducer backing block. Additional cooling may be provided by metal to metal contact with a chiller in the ultrasound system.

Abstract: A body-cavity-insertion-type probe wherein an electronic circuit board is provided via a relay board on a back surface side of an oscillator unit. A backing member is joined to a center region of a back surface of the electronic circuit board. A wiring sheet is joined to a peripheral region of the back surface. A rear wing and a front wing of the wiring sheet surround a backing case, and a right wing and a left wing of an exhaust heat sheet protrude outward via two slits formed in a heat dissipation shell and are fixed on an outer surface of the heat dissipation shell. Heat generated by the electronic circuit board is transmitted to the heat dissipation shell via the exhaust heat sheet or the backing case, and heat is dissipated by the heat dissipation shell as a whole.

Abstract: A method including determining a cerebral ischemia region of a patient based on a magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging of the patient; determining a DWI gray scale distribution parameter in a region with low ADC values in the magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging; and judging whether the DWI in the region with low ADC values in the magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging and the ADC values in the region with low ADC values in the magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging are mismatched according to the DWI gray scale distribution parameter in the region with low ADC values in the magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging is disclosed. The method provides a more scientific and objective basis for making a decision on whether the acute cerebral ischemia patient should be treated with thrombolysis, thereby improving a cure rate of the cerebral ischemia patient.

Abstract: A matrix array probe including a transducer array and integrated circuitry coupled to the transducer elements dissipates heat generated by the array and integrated circuitry through the cover of the transducer probe. A pump in the probe connector pumps fluid through a closed loop system including inbound an outbound fluid conduits in the cable. The fluid conduits in the cable are separated by the cable electrical conductors for the probe. The heat transfer in the probe is done by a heat exchanger in the probe spaceframe or transducer stack backing block and may use a Peltier device. Additional cooling may be provided by metal to metal contact with a chiller in the ultrasound system.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.

Abstract: Skin monitoring device for application near the skin includes a processing circuit and at least one photosensor configured to detect at least one approximate wavelength of light reflected and/or emitted by the skin. A signal receiving circuit receives signals from the photosensor.

Abstract: Cosmetic method and apparatus are provided that can provide cooling and/or freezing of skin tissue proximal to the skin surface to generate an appearance of lightening or reduced pigmentation in the skin. The skin can be cooled to a temperature of less than about ?5 degrees Celsius for a duration of about one minute or less, using a cooled surface that is at least 3 cm in width. A cooling arrangement can be provided to provide controlled heat removal from the skin tissue being treated. A sensor can optionally be provided to detect freezing of tissue proximal to the cooled surface.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring prosthetic or orthotic slip is presented. An optical sensor device is attached to the prosthesis or orthosis and measures the amount of relative motion between the prosthetic socket and the residual limb surface or between the orthosis and the affected body part. The sensor device is comprised of an optical sensor, a light source, a processing unit and a power source contained within a housing. A system for measuring multidirectional prosthetic or orthotic slip using the sensor device and automatically adjusting the fit of the prosthetic based on a determined threshold is also presented.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image display apparatus is provided. The ultrasonic image display apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe configured to move while in contact with a test object and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from the test object to obtain echo signals from a three-dimensional region of the test object, a parameter calculation section configured to calculate a parameter related to a moving velocity of the ultrasonic probe, a data generation section configured to generate data based on the echo signals of a plurality of frames, by selecting the frames in accordance with the parameter calculated by the parameter calculation section so that the echo signals of the frames used for generating the data are acquired within a required range, and a display section configured to display an ultrasonic image generated based on the data.

Abstract: Imaging, testing and/or analysis of subjects are facilitated with a capillary-access approach. According to an example embodiment, a capillary is implanted into a specimen and adapted to accept an optical probe to facilitate optical access into the specimen. In some applications, the capillary is implanted for use over time, with one or more different probes being inserted into the capillary at different times, while the capillary is implanted. Certain applications involve capillary implantation over weeks, months or longer. Other applications are directed to the passage of fluid to and/or from a sample via the capillary. Still other applications are directed to the passage of electrical information between the sample and an external arrangement, via an implanted capillary.

Abstract: Provided are a method for simultaneously detecting fluorescence and Raman signals for multiple fluorescence and Raman signal targets, and a medical imaging device for simultaneously detecting multiple targets using the method. The method includes: injecting at least one marker particle comprising Raman markers and receptors into the body of an animal, which can be a human; irradiating a laser beam onto the body of the animal; and detecting the optical signals emitted by the marker particle after the irradiation of the laser beam separately as fluorescence signals and Raman signals. The simultaneous detection of multiple targets may be performed even without scanning optical signals emitted by the marker particle individually with different optical fibers. As an examination may be performed by injecting surface-enhanced Raman marker particles, weak Raman signals may be augmented so as to obtain a more accurate diagnosis result in real time.

Abstract: A low power ultrasound system for use in sonography applications, including vascular imaging, is disclosed. The low power ultrasound system includes a base unit having an image processor and a display. An ultrasound probe is operably connected to the base unit. The probe includes a head portion including an array of crystal transducers. A plurality of pulser/receiver modules that cause the transducers to emit ultrasonic transmit pulses are also included in the probe. The pulser/receiver modules are further configured to receive analog signals relating to ultrasonic echo receive pulses detected by the transducers. The probe includes a singular low noise amplifier that amplifies the analog signals, and an analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog signals to a digital signal. A wireless interface is included for enabling the digital signal to be wirelessly transmitted from the probe to the image processor of the base unit.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for bonding body tissue includes a shank and first and second tool elements which are movable relative to each other and include a respective electrode. The electrodes define a minimum distance from each other, are opposed to each other and face each other in an approximating position of the tool elements. The first tool element is arranged or formed at the distal end of the shank, so that a mechanical load of anastomoses of body tissue parts produced by current flow is minimized when removing the surgical instrument. The second tool element is adapted to be brought from an operating position, in which it can be brought into the approximating position, into a removing position, in which a peripheral withdrawing line defined by the electrode of the second tool element is shorter than a peripheral approximating line defined by the electrode in the approximating position.

Abstract: An optical force sensing element for microsurgical instruments and methods measures force F in three orthogonal directions and includes a monolithic cylinder structure, a cylindrical surface and a top surface that absorbs and transmits the force F. Three punch-like notches, all being parallel to the y-direction, are spaced apart along the z-axis and form two blades between the first and second notch and between the second and the third notch. Three channels parallel to the z-axis extend from the bottom surface to the top surface and cross the first notch while bypassing the other two notches. Three optical fibers, each fixed in one of the three channels, all entering the structure from the bottom surface, cross the first notch and end at or near the top surface while being interrupted in the first notch and forming two surfaces of each fiber that define a Fabry-Perot interferometric cavity.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic method, system and related equipment particularly adapted to diagnose disorders of the blood circulation serving the head and neck, and especially the brain. A preferred use of the system is early, rapid, accurate, diagnosis of stroke, especially whether the stroke is due to blockage of a blood vessel or leakage from the blood vessel.