Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system includes a graphical user interface that provides visually intuitive feedback to a user to assist the user in properly aligning an ultrasound scanner to a desired acquisition state. In addition to providing pose information, the feedback may direct the user as to a target contact force applied by the ultrasound scanner to a surface undergoing a scan.

Abstract: A needle guide includes an attachment means for attachment to an imaging probe that forms an image of an area, a fixed part, and a movable part movable at an angle. The movable part includes one or more needle guide elements that receive a needle in a guiding manner, and at least one rotation sensor to measure the angular rotation of the movable part. A method for determining the position of a needle attached to the needle guide relative to the imaging probe is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a driving unit, a nonlinear component extracting unit, a first image data generating unit, a second image data generating unit and a control unit. The driving unit drives an ultrasonic transducer to transmit an ultrasonic wave to a subject. The nonlinear component extracting unit extracts a nonlinear component corresponding to the ultrasonic wave from a reception signal received by the ultrasonic transducer. The first image data generating unit generates a first image data based on the nonlinear component. The second image data generating unit generates a second image data based on the reception signal. The control unit arbitrarily distributes a sound output for transmission in a definite period of time to a first ultrasonic transmission for generating the first image data and a second ultrasonic transmission for generating the second image data.

Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for locating the parathyroid. In one aspect, temporal variation among a plurality of images is evaluated and at least one image is enhanced according to the temporal variation. The image may be enhanced to one or both of reduce conspicuity of the thyroid gland and enhance conspicuity of the parathyroid gland. Some of the plurality of images may be adjusted in order to align representations of a target portions. Adjustments may be based locations of one or more organs or one or more artificial markers affixed to a living body in the plurality of images. A local positioning system (LPS), GPS, or other locating system may be used to position a living body, align the plurality of images, or to guide the positioning of objects relative to the living body. An elastomeric gel marker for imaging applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method includes acquiring motion data from a motion sensing system on a probe while acquiring ultrasound data with the probe. The system and method includes acquiring probe motion data with a motion sensing system, acquiring probe position data with a position sensing system and calculating a drift compensation using the probe motion data and the probe position data.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for sensing coupling of an ultrasound source to a target and for providing a constant average output of power from an ultrasound source. The systems and methods can include a frequency sweep function. The systems and methods can also include receiving reflected energy from an acoustic window and determining a feedback using the reflected energy. The systems and methods can also include comparing the feedback with a threshold level and using the comparison to determine if the ultrasound source is coupled with a target.

Abstract: Enhanced ultrasound imaging apparatus and associated methods of work flow are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of ultrasound scanning includes receiving a first dataset representing ultrasonic scanning of a target anatomy of a patient in a two-dimensional mode and generating a two-dimensional ultrasound image of the scanned target anatomy based on the received first dataset. The method also includes receiving an input defining at least one of an A-plane, a B-plane, and a C-plane on the displayed two-dimensional ultrasound image. Thereafter, a second dataset representing ultrasonic scanning of the target anatomy in a three-dimensional mode is received and an additional ultrasound image along a plane orthogonal to the two-dimensional ultrasound image of the target anatomy is generated based on (1) the three-dimensional scanning and (2) the input defining at least one of the A-plane, the B-plane, and the C-plane.

Abstract: The present invention deals with discrimination of malignant tissue from normal and benign tissue in a single patient on the basis of optical spectroscopic measurements. Starting from spectroscopic measurements in normal tissue, reference values are obtained for the normal class. With spectroscopic measurements in other tissues data points can be assigned to new class(es) when the spectral characteristics fall outside a threshold defining the reference class. Thresholds between different classes can also be defined. Finding (the transition to) malignant tissue is based on comparing the spectroscopic values to the classification threshold discriminating normal and benign versus malignant tissue. Thus, the basis of normal spectroscopic measurements is tuned to the individual patient characteristic. Discriminating the normal plus benign and malignant from that reference is more efficient compared to the reference of the all patient database.

Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle or other medical component into the body of a patient is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the detectable characteristic sensed by the sensors to determine a position and/or orientation of the needle in three spatial dimensions. In yet another embodiment, systems and methods for determining the length of the needle to be guided by the guidance system are disclosed.

Abstract: Cavity and sentinel lymph node marking devices, marker delivery devices, and methods are disclosed. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammography, echogenic, or other noninvasive imaging techniques. A composition and method are disclosed for locating the sentinel lymph node in a mammalian body to determine if cancerous cells have spread thereto. The composition is preferably a fluid composition consisting of a carrier fluid and some type of contrast agent; alternatively, the contrast agent may itself be a fluid and therefore not need a separate carrier fluid. This composition is capable of (1) deposition in or around a lesion and migration to and accumulation in the associated sentinel node, and (2) remote detection via any number of noninvasive techniques.

Abstract: A sensing insert device (100) is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device (100) can be temporary or permanent. The sensing module (200) is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module (200) comprises one or more sensing assemblages (2302), electronic circuitry (307), an antenna (2302), and communication circuitry (320). The sensing assemblages (2302) are between a top plate (1502) and a bottom plate (1504) in a sensing platform (121). The bottom plate (1504) is supported by a ledge (1708) on an interior surface of a sidewall (1716) of a housing (1706). A cap (1702) couples to top plate (1502). The sensing assemblage (2302) includes one of a piezo-resistive sensor, MEMS sensor, strain gauge, or mechanical sensor when a force, pressure, or load is applied to the top plate (1502).

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the location of target regions in imaging applications are generally described. Certain embodiments relate to devices and/or methods for image-guided identification of suitable regions at which to insert needles, catheters, and the like. Such systems and methods can be used in association with a variety of imaging technologies, including ultrasound imaging. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein can be used in association with hand-held ultrasound imaging devices.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device includes a jig and multiple wires. The jig includes a center member and coil-separating blocks. The coil-separating blocks protrude from the center member and are separated from each other to provide a coil channels. Each of the wires is wrapped on the jig, around the center member, and in one of the coil channels to form one of a multiple coils. Each of the coils is configured to connect to an electromagnetic navigation system and generate respective electromagnetic fields to be emitted relative to a subject.

Abstract: Treatment targets such as tumors or lesions, located within an anatomical region that undergoes motion (which may be periodic with cycle P) are tracked. A 4D mathematical model may be established for the non-rigid motion and deformation of the anatomical region, from a set of CT or other 3D images. The 4D mathematical model relates the 3D locations of part(s) of the anatomical region with the targets being tracked, as a function of the position in time within P. Using non-rigid image registration between pre-operative and intra-operative images, the position of the target and/or other part(s) of the anatomical region may be determined.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a Doppler image of tissue which is captured using an ultrasonic wave. The method includes: transmitting an ultrasonic signal to a target object such that a plurality of ensembles are formed and receiving an ultrasonic response signal from the target object. The method further includes filtering the received ultrasonic response signal by using a variable filter and estimating a frequency of the received ultrasonic response signal based on the filtered data. Thereafter, the Doppler image of the tissue based on the estimated frequency can be generated.

Abstract: The imaging system can comprise a plurality of elongated rails, a scanhead assembly, and a small animal mount assembly. The scanhead assembly is selectively mounted onto a first rail and is constructed and arranged for movement in a linear bi-directional manner along the longitudinal axis of the first rail. The small-animal mount assembly is selectively mounted onto a second rail and is constructed and arranged for movement in a linear bi-directional manner along the longitudinal axis of the second rail. The second rail being mounted relative to the first rail such that the longitudinal axis of the second rail is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first rail. The imaging system can also comprise a needle injection assembly that is selectively mounted onto the third rail and is constructed and arranged for movement in a linear bi-directional manner along the longitudinal axis of the third rail.

Abstract: A method of determining a temperature of a patient includes measuring a first temperature of the patient with a temperature device, and measuring a second temperature of the patient. The method also includes determining a temperature value indicative of a core temperature of the patient based on at least one of the first and second temperatures.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to generate at least one two-dimensional color blood flow map that combines X and Y encoded primary and secondary peak data of 1-dimensional Inverse Fourier Transform images to visually indicate (i) anterior/posterior and right/left directional components of respective feeding arteries using defined colors and (ii) brightness to indicate an amount of blood flow associated with each voxel, with increased brightness associated with increased blood flow.

Abstract: Information associated with shear calculation is also displayed in ultrasound shear wave imaging. More information than just a shear wave image is provided for diagnosis. Information about the quality or variables used to determine shear is also displayed. This additional information may assist the user in determining whether the shear information indicates tissue characteristics or unreliable shear calculation.