Abstract: Uptake of hypoxia-sensitive PET tracers is dependent on tissue transport properties, specifically, distribution volume. Variability in tissue transport properties reduces the sensitivity of static PET imaging to hypoxia. When tissue transport (vd) effects are substantial, correlations between the two methods of determining hypoxic fractions are greatly reduced—that is, trapping rates k3 are only modestly correlated with tumour-to-blood ratio (TBR). In other words, the usefulness of dynamic- and static-PET based hypoxia surrogates, trapping rate k3 and TBR, in determining hypoxic fractions is reduced in regions where diffusive equilibrium is achieved slowly. A process is provided for quantifying hypoxic fractions using a novel biomarker for hypoxia, hypoxia-sensitive tracer binding rate kb, based on PET imaging data. The same formalism can be applied to model the kinetics of non-binding CT and MT contrast agents, giving histopathological information about the imaged tissue.

Abstract: A system for differentiating between magnetic field distortion and physical movement in a hybrid magnetic and impedance tracking system can comprise a first drive patch and a second drive patch configured to generate an electrical field within the body for locating an electrode on the medical device, a magnetic localization system configured to generate a magnetic field, a magnetic sensor configured to receive signals from the magnetic localization system, and an electronic control unit configured to receive location data from the impedance localization system and magnetic sensor location data from the magnetic localization system. The electronic control circuit can be configured to detect a location change of the magnetic sensor and use the drive patch location data and magnetic sensor location data to determine whether the detected location change of the magnetic sensor is caused by a magnetic field distortion or a physical movement of the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an intravascular imaging assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a stacked structure (415) having a plurality of sacrificial material layers disposed between a plurality of ultrasound material layers in an alternating pattern; dicing the stacked structure (420) to form a plurality of elongated strips, each comprising an array of ultrasound elements defined by the plurality of ultrasound material layers and spacers defined by the plurality of sacrificial material layers; coupling a first elongated strip (430) of the plurality of elongated strips to a flexible circuit substrate; and removing the spacers (435) of the first elongated strip from the flexible circuit substrate.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a method of processing an ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a display configured to display a moving image consisting of a plurality of ultrasound images that are played back according to a time order together with at least one icon, corresponding to at least one piece of change information for changing a display of at least one of the plurality of ultrasound images, in association with the time order.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic inductive sensing system for sensing electromagnetic signals emitted from a body in response to electromagnetic excitation signals applied to the body. The electromagnetic signals are generated and sensed by the same loop resonator which comprises a single-turn loop antenna and a tuning capacitor. The loop antenna of the resonator and a signal generation means for exciting the resonator to generate excitation signals are together configured so as to optimize the value of a ratio between the radial frequency of the generated electromagnetic excitation signals and a reference frequency of the antenna, where the reference frequency is the frequency for which one wavelength of the generated excitation signals (waves) matches the circumferential length of the antenna. This ratio, which corresponds to a normalized radial frequency of the generated excitation signals, is maintained between a value of 0.025 and 0.50.

Abstract: Methods and systems of computing parameter values of one or more model parameters are described. The model models structural and dielectric properties of a structure in a human or an animal body. An exemplary method includes: accessing voltage measurements made at different places in the vicinity of the structure by one or more in-body field sensing electrodes in response to currents applied to one or more field supplying electrodes; and computing the parameter values by adjusting the parameter values to fit predicted voltage values to the accessed voltage measurements, wherein the predicted voltage values are predicted from the model for the currents applied to the field supplying in-body electrodes.

Abstract: Diagnostic apparatus includes a plurality of antennas, which are configured to be disposed at different, respective locations on a thorax of a living body so as to direct radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves from different, respective directions toward a heart in the body and to output RF signals responsively to the waves that are scattered from the heart. Processing circuitry is configured to process the RF signals over time so as to provide a multi-dimensional measurement of a movement of the heart.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a body cavity shape of a subject is reconstructed based on intrabody measurements of at least one property of an electromagnetic field by an intrabody probe (for example, a catheter probe) moving within a plurality of electrical fields intersecting the body cavity. In some embodiments, the electrical fields are generated at least in part from electrodes positioned in close proximity, for example, within 1 cm, of the body cavity. In some embodiments, the body cavity is a chamber of a heart (for example, a left atrium or left ventricle), and the electrodes used to generate the electrical field are positioned in the coronary sinus, a large vein occupying the groove between the left atrium and left ventricle. In some embodiments, known distances between measuring electrodes are used in guiding reconstruction, potentially overcoming difficulties of reconstruction from measurements of non-linear electrical fields.

Abstract: A method for automatically selecting a calculation depth range upon measuring a property of a viscoelastic medium, the depth range being selected from P possible ranges, includes calculating, from the ultrasound signal acquired using a probe for elastography, the property of the viscoelastic medium in at least one of the P depth ranges as well as the distance between the probe and the wall of the viscoelastic medium; determining the validity of at least one of the P calculation depth ranges; determining the validity of the calculation of the property of the viscoelastic medium over the valid calculation depth range or ranges; selecting, from the values of the property of the viscoelastic medium the calculation of which is valid at the valid depth ranges, a depth range fulfilling a selection criterion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating planar cuts on a bone are provided utilizing one or more cutting guides assembled to a plurality of bone pins, where the bone pins are inserted on the bone coincident with one or more virtual pin planes defined relative to one or more of the planar cuts. Alignment guides are also disclosed herein that aid in the creation of pilot holes for receiving a cutting block in a desired position and orientation (POSE). An articulating surgical device actively positions the bone pins coincident with the virtual plane to ensure the cutting guides, when assembled to the pins, aligns one or more guide slots in the desired POSE to create the planar cuts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hyperspectral analysis of cardiac tissue are provided. In some embodiments, a method for visualizing ablation lesions includes illuminating at one or more illumination wavelengths a surface of tissue having an ablation lesion; collecting a spectral data set comprising spectral images of the illuminated tissue acquired at multiple spectral bands each at one or more acquisition wavelengths; distinguishing between the ablation lesion and an unablated tissue based on one or more spectral differences between the ablation lesion and unablated tissue; and creating a composite image of the tissue showing the ablation lesion and the unablated tissue.

Abstract: A system for operating third party proprietary software on a medical monitoring device operating native proprietary software and a system for obtaining compatible third party proprietary software for operation on the monitoring device.

Abstract: The apparatus is adapted to detect a tool based on a 3D image obtained by a 3D ultrasound imaging system. The apparatus comprises an image processing unit, which includes a tool detection module configured to perform a tool detection procedure. The tool detection procedure involves identifying a shadow of the tool in the 3D image and calculating the position of a “tool plane section” of the 3D image in which the entire length of the tool is represented.

Abstract: An intravascular imaging device (102) is provided. In some embodiments, the intravascular imaging device includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion; and an imaging assembly (110) disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the imaging assembly including a flex circuit (214) positioned directly around the flexible elongate member. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular imaging device includes obtaining a flex circuit including a first layer having a plurality of transducers and a second layer having an acoustic backing material; and positioning the flex circuit directly around a distal portion of a flexible elongate member.

Abstract: Embodiments can relate to a method for detecting a physiological condition by generating a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) contrast image comprising a T1 weighted (T1W) image/T2 weighted (T2W) ratio. Embodiments can further include using the T1W/T2W ratio to identify changes in substantia nigra pars compacta within a region of the brain.

Abstract: A fluorescent solution is disclosed for use in a hydraulic or diesel fluid to facilitate detection of injection of the hydraulic of diesel fluid into a human. The fluorescent solution includes a fluorescent dye and a stabilizing agent. The stabilizing agent may be a surfactant. A hydraulic fluid mixture is also disclosed which includes a fluorescent solution and a hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to the localization of an introducer sheath relative to an intravascular catheter. Further embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the visualization of the introducer sheath on a graphical user interface of a navigation system.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes ultrasound imaging systems and methods that may be used to image, for example, breast tissue. An ultrasound imaging system according to one embodiment may include a probe, a sensor attached to the probe and operatively associated with a position tracking system, a processor configured to receive probe position data from the position tracking system. The user interface may be configured to provide instructions for placement of the probe at a plurality of anatomical landmarks of a selected breast of the subject and receive user input to record the spatial location of the probe at each of the plurality of anatomical landmarks. The processor may be configured to determine a scan area based on the spatial location of the probe at each of the plurality of anatomical landmarks and generate a scan pattern for the selected breast. The processor may be further configured to monitor movement of the probe.

Abstract: A device for cancer screening and triage using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system integrated with optical imaging probe is provided. Endoscopic OCT images are generated using the OCT system having a helical probe. The images are further analyzed to generate a depth resolved intensity OCT signal to classify the region of tissue into variable grades of dysplasia to guide the physician's biopsy or resection.

Abstract: Methods and devices for both imaging and treating uterine fibroid tumors in one real-time system are provided. One minimally invasive method comprises introducing a sheath into a uterus and determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath. Upon identification, a portion of the sheath is steered to position at least one treatment needle at the determined location. The needle is then anchored in uterine tissue and the fibroid treated with the needle.