Abstract: Methods to improve autofocus in digital imaging systems, such as digital cameras, are disclosed. Embodiments may include, in response to locking of lens focus on a subject image, determining an initial subject focus distance and an initial attitude, and in response to a request for an exposure, determining a final attitude. Embodiments may also include determining a final target subject distance based on the initial subject focus distance and a focus correction distance, where the focus correction distance is based on the difference between the initial attitude and the final attitude. Embodiments may also include focusing the lens at the final target subject distance. Further embodiments may include after focusing the lens at the final target subject distance, exposing an image. Other embodiments may include determining the initial and final attitude with a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS)-based sensor or other sensor.

Abstract: Voltage level translation for open-drain circuitry is described. A logic isolation circuit includes a first buffer circuit configured for being switched between a first voltage transferable state and a first voltage non-transferable state. A first latch circuit is configured for being switched between a first reset state and a first non-reset state, the first reset state for setting the first latch circuit to a first reset condition. A second buffer circuit and second latch circuit are configured like the first buffer circuit and the first latch circuit. First and second input/output nodes are coupled to receive first and second logic level voltages, respectively. The first logic level voltage and the second logic level voltage are both for a same logic state, but the second logic level voltage is significantly greater than the first logic level voltage.

Abstract: In a conventional semiconductor device, for example, a MOS transistor, there is a problem that a parasitic transistor is prone to be operated due to an impurity concentration in a back gate region and a shape of diffusion thereof. In a semiconductor device of the present invention, for example, a MOS transistor, a P type diffusion layer 5 as the back gate region, and an N type diffusion layer 8 as a drain region, are formed in an N type epitaxial layer 4. In the P type diffusion layer 5, an N type diffusion layer 7 as a source region and a P type diffusion layer 6 are formed. The P type diffusion layer 6 is formed by performing ion implantation twice so as to correspond to a shape of a contact hole 15. Moreover, impurity concentrations in surface and deep portions of the P type diffusion layer 6 are controlled. By use of this structure, a device size is reduced, and an operation of a parasitic NPN transistor is suppressed.

Abstract: A chip is initialized by a power-on reset circuit, after a turned-on power supply has reached a voltage level sufficient for normal chip operation. Logic gating is used to provide a glitch-free trigger signal that prevents erroneous chip re-initialization due to VDD glitches, and to provide a crystal warm-up delay that can be quickly tested without the use of dedicated I/O pins.

Abstract: Disclosed is ultrasonic medical probe (10) connectable to a Doppler signal generator and processor for detecting or measuring blood flow in a vessel. In one embodiment, the distal portion (52) of the probe comprises an outer sheath (17) that includes a malleable shapeable portion (16), such as an annealed stainless steel cannula, to which a transducer head (11) containing one or more ultrasonic transducers (12), is mounted distally. Two wires (14, 15), comprising the electrical conductor (13), extend through the outer sheath from each ultrasonic transducer to a proximal connector (19). The shapeable portion can be contoured before or during a procedure, such as to access the natural spaces within brain to read flow in a cerebral artery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for measuring one or more physical characteristics of material such as tissue using optical radiation. The system can use light that is scattered by a tissue layer to determine, for example, the size of nuclei in the tissue layer to aid in the characterization of the tissue. These methods can include the use of fiber optic devices to deliver and collect light from a tissue region of interest to diagnose, for example, whether the tissue is normal or precancerous.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of body tissue includes a treatment apparatus configured to be inserted into a patient. The treatment apparatus has a distal portion, a distal end, a proximal portion and an axis. An ultrasound transducer is positioned at the distal portion of the treatment apparatus. The ultrasound transducer includes a distal ultrasound energy delivery surface and a proximal ultrasound energy delivery surface. An ultrasound energy attenuator member is positioned adjacent to the proximal ultrasound energy delivery surface and is made of a material to at least partially attenuate ultrasound energy from the proximal ultrasound energy delivery surface.

Abstract: A method of characterizing an adnexal mass is disclosed, the method is effected by (a) obtaining a cross-sectional or projectional image of an examined adnex including the adnexal mass; (b) extracting boundaries of the adnexal mass; and (c) using a first algorithm for quantifying at least one morphological feature of the adnexal mass, thereby providing quantification of the at least one morphological feature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing the chemical composition of vulnerable plaques with an intravascular catheter having a near-infrared light source, a fiber-optic probe, a mechanism for directing the light from the light source into a blood vessel, and detectors for detecting light reflected or scattered by the tissue. The light source may be a tunable laser, and may transmit an incident beam having a wavelength ranging from 1400 to 4100 nm. A computer may be included to receive and process the spectral data in the analysis of the vulnerable plaques. A catheter system may be configured to provide near-IR spectrometric imaging of arteries to non-destructively locate and determine lipid pool and fibrous cap size and composition. Additionally, mediators and cellular components may be also determined that are typically associated with vulnerable plaques which have an increased risk of rupture.

Abstract: The invention includes an eye characteristic measuring apparatus which achieves accurate measurement by taking a difference component with relation with measured data in a reference optical path when optical characteristics of an eye are measured. Specifically the measuring apparatus is provided with a reference optical system separate from a light receiving system. Measurement of eye characteristics can include both aberration of an eye and aberration in the measuring apparatus. In order to achieve high accuracy, the eye characteristic measuring apparatus of the invention substantially removes aberration in strain of the equipment produced after the initial stage and aberration of the equipment caused by deformation due to temperature.

Abstract: A system for planning a surgical operation by using virtual representation of bones and/or a bone joint is disclosed. The system includes at least two reference frames each of which having first and second ends. The first end of each reference frame is configured to be affixed to the bones. The system also includes a plurality of first electromagnetic or acoustic wave emitting devices attached to the second end of each of the reference frames. In addition, the system includes a moveable pointer having first and second ends, wherein the first end is a pointing tip configured to be positioned at a plurality of desired locations of the bones or the bone joint and a plurality of second electromagnetic or acoustic wave emitting devices attached to the second end of the moveable pointer. Furthermore, the system includes a three-dimensional localizer device.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system for imaging ultrasound scatterers, comprising a probe (208) for transmitting ultrasound waves and detecting ultrasound echoes reflected by said ultrasound scatterers, wherein said probe comprises a first group of transducer elements, labeled transmitting group (T), to transmit ultrasound waves, and a distinct second group of transducer elements, labeled receiving group (R), to detect ultrasound echoes reflected by said ultrasound scatterers.

Abstract: The use of any micro-mechanical component in an ultrasound system is disclosed. In particular, the use of micro-relays, micro-switches and inductors in the transducer probe head, in the transducer connector, coupled with the system transducer connector(s) or anywhere else in the system. In an ultrasound system, micro-mechanical components such as micro-fabricated switches, relays and inductors permit impressive size reduction, cost reduction, signal-integrity enhancement and improved operational flexibility.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound applicator includes a frame, ultrasonic emitters mounted on the frame and a bag containing a substantially air-free fluid permanently connected to the frame. The frame, the bag, the fluid within the bag and the emitters constitute a permanently connected unit which can be releasably connected to an ultrasonic actuation apparatus.

Abstract: A method for detecting and localizing a target tissue within the body in the presence of ambient light in which an optical contrast agent is administered and allowed to become functionally localized within a contrast-labeled target tissue to be diagnosed. A light source is optically coupled to a tissue region potentially containing the contrast-labeled target tissue. A gated light detector is optically coupled to the tissue region and arranged to detect light substantially enriched in target signal as compared to ambient light, where the target signal is light that has passed into the contrast-labeled tissue region and been modified by the contrast agent. A computer receives signals from the detector, and passes these signals to memory for accumulation and storage, and to then to image processing engine for determination of the localization and distribution of the contrast agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to assess the compressibility, density, and hematocrit of blood including an optical ultrasound probe clipped onto tubing in which blood is flowing. The probe includes a combination of ultrasound transducers, a light emitting diode, and photodiodes. An indicator medium is injected into the bloodstream of the subject over one or more time points. Ultrasound waves are emitted by a transducer and received by another transducer, and a novel signal-processing unit and a computer with a novel computation scheme process the ultrasound signals to assess the phase shift of ultrasound as it transmitted across the blood stream. Based on the linear relationship between compressibility and density, changes in blood density are calculated from changes in phase shift. The optical part of the probe assesses the hematocrit of blood. Two fluid media are used to calibrate the probe on the relationship between phase shift and density in the factory.

Abstract: Ultrasound methods and apparatus for reducing tissue damage from ischemia by means of insonation through intact skin and/or bone, the insonation preferably promoting thrombolysis, reducing edema and promoting microcirculation, recanalization, increased collateraled interstitial flow and delivery of lytic agents to clots located in supplying arteries as well as nutrients or therapeutic agent to the ischemic tissue. A portion of an organ affected by ischemia or the entire organ is exposed to low frequency low power ultrasound generated by multiple transducers of variable power limits which at least partially surround an organ, preferably at least 90% of a skull surface, for instance. Studies indicate the approach maintains biological tissue function or viability in the setting of reduced perfusion by exposing the tissue or organ to ultrasound energy transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides catheter systems and imaging assemblies using off-aperture electrical connections for ultrasound transducers. In one embodiment, a catheter includes a transducer connection apparatus (10) comprising a washer (12) having a hole (15) therethrough. A transducer element (24) is at least partially disposed within the washer hole. A matching layer (26) is operably attached to the washer and to the transducer element. The washer, transducer element and matching layer provide an electrical connection between the transducer element and the washer. Signals can be sent to and received from the transducer by establishing an electrical connection with the washer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for assessing blood flow in blood vessels, for assessing vascular health, for conducting clinical trials, for screening therapeutic interventions for adverse effects, and for assessing the effects of risk factors, therapies and substances, including therapeutic substances, on blood vessels, especially cerebral blood vessels, all achieved by measuring various parameters of blood flow in one or more vessels and analyzing the results in a defined manner. The relevant parameters of blood flow include mean flow velocity, systolic acceleration, and pulsatility index. By measuring and analyzing these parameters, one can ascertain the vascular health of a particular vessel, multiple vessels and an individual. Such measurements can also determine whether a substance has an effect, either deleterious or advantageous, on vascular health. The present invention further provides an expert system for achieving the above.

Abstract: A method and system for both enhancing drug uptake by application of therapeutic transmissions of acoustic energy and imaging a region for applied therapy with a same transducer and ultrasound system. An ultrasonic image of a field of view is generated while localized delivery of a drug is enhanced with ultrasound energy. Using the same transducer and ultrasound system reduces costs and increases system availability for a broader range of medical practitioners. For example, a single linear array of transducer elements is used for application of both imaging and therapeutic ultrasound. As another example, a transmitter is provided that transmits therapeutic transmissions having substantially equal positive and negative peaks at the face of the transducer and also is operable to transmit imaging acoustic energy. As yet another example, therapeutic pulses of acoustic energy are transmitted to have greater power for heating than imaging, but a mechanical index or pressure comparable to imaging transmissions.