Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the presence of a respiratory movement in a human or an animal. This method comprises the detection of a movement by a passive infrared detector and the analysis of signals transmitted by this detector. The invention also relates to an apparatus for executing a method of detecting a respiratory movement.

Abstract: Described is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus which includes an ultrasound probe and which generates ultrasound image data sets for displaying an ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus includes a transmitting unit which performs ultrasound scanning for a plurality of times so that a part of or all of scan regions overlap in a plurality of different directions, an image processing unit which generates a plurality of ultrasound image data sets according to the receive signals and an anisotropic aspect evaluation unit which evaluates an anisotropic aspect of ultrasound wave reflection in the subject according to at least either of the ultrasound image data sets and the receive signals. In the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus, the image processing unit generates synthetic image data in which the plurality of ultrasound image data sets are synthesized according to an evaluation result of the anisotropic aspect evaluation unit.

Abstract: The invention provides magnetic resonance imaging methods for detecting cardiac diseases including myocardial fibrosis. Specifically, the invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequence that could be used to perform magnetization transfer (MT) or chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) in the heart.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus includes a detector unit, a patient-receiving region enclosed by the detector unit in a cylindrical manner, and a movement detection unit. The movement detection unit has at least one acceleration sensor unit to detect movement of a patient. the at least one acceleration sensor unit has a fastening element to fasten the at least one acceleration sensor unit to a subregion of the patient relevant to a medical imaging examination.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to devices and methods for MRT imaging with a MRT, where a patient table having the scan subject is moved in at least one direction along at least one displacement path, determination of a quantity representing the SAR effect on the scan subject being carried out at a plurality of positions along the displacement path, a suitable position of the patient table, lying on a displacement path, being determined, at which the MRT imaging of the scan subject imaging region, to be scanned, of the scan subject is subsequently intended to be carried out.

Abstract: An optical system splits light into signal light and reference light and detects interference light between scattered light of signal light from living body and reference light. A scanner performs first scan in which first cross section that intersects interested blood vessel is repeatedly scanned with signal light. An image forming part forms first cross sectional image expressing chronological variation of morphology of first cross section and phase image expressing chronological variation of phase difference based on detection results of interference light acquired during first scan. A blood vessel region specifying part specifies blood vessel region corresponding to interested blood vessel for first cross sectional image and phase image. A blood flow information generator generates blood flow information related to interested blood vessel based on blood vessel region of first cross sectional image and chronological variation of phase difference within blood vessel region of phase image.

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: The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiments includes a display unit, an input unit, and a display control unit. The display unit includes a display area in which a medical image and a menu in relation to the medical image are displayed. The input unit receives input to the display area. The display control unit displays different menus in the display area in accordance with the input received by the input unit.

Abstract: A device for internal ultrasound procedures includes a motor which rotates a drive shaft and an ultrasound transducer. A gearing assembly provides reciprocating rotational motion from a unidirectional motor. A cam assembly provides reciprocating pivotal motion to the transducer. Conductors can attach to the transducer and extend through the drive shaft.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an internal storage unit stores auxiliary diagnostic indication concerning each of examination items in association with a display position of the auxiliary diagnostic indication in a display area where an ultrasonic image is displayed. An image generation unit generates an ultrasonic image concerning an examination item of a scan target based on an echo signal from an ultrasonic probe. A monitor has a display area. A display control unit controls the monitor so as to display specific auxiliary diagnostic indication, of auxiliary diagnostic indication stored in the storage unit, which is associated with an examination item of the scan target, at a specific display position associated with the specific auxiliary diagnostic indication.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method includes receiving a plurality of images of an abdominal region from an image capture device. The method further includes identifying a bowel tissue and a peristaltic portion of the bowel tissue from the plurality of images. The method further includes determining a peristalsis property of the bowel tissue based on the peristaltic portion. The peristalsis property includes at least one of a percentage of the peristaltic portion within the bowel tissue and an amount of peristalsis in the peristaltic portion. The method also includes assessing a health the bowel tissue based on the peristalsis property of the peristaltic portion.

Abstract: A sensing assembly for sensing contact with an object is disclosed. The contact sensing assembly may comprise an elongate tubular body. An electrode may be connected to the elongate tubular body. A vibration element is operatively connected with the electrode and configured to deliver a vibration-inducing signal to induce vibration of the electrode. A sensor is configured to monitor the electrode for a perturbation in the induced vibration. The perturbation results from contact between the electrode and the object.

Abstract: The present invention involves a surgical hardware and software monitoring system and method which allows for surgical planning while the patient is available for surgery, for example while the patient is being prepared for surgery so that the system may model the surgical site. In one embodiment, the model may be used to track contemplated surgical procedures and warn the physician regarding possible boundary violations that would indicate an inappropriate location in a surgical procedure. In another embodiment, the hardware may track the movement of instruments during the procedure and in reference to the model to enhance observation of the procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data processing method for providing variation data which describe a physically-varying anatomical structure, in particular an indiscernible anatomical structure, in particular a non-enhancing tumor, comprising the steps of: providing second image data which describe a second image of a region of an anatomical body, wherein the region includes a second anatomical part which includes the physically-varying anatomical structure; providing first image data which represent a first image of the same region, wherein said same region includes a first anatomical part which does not include the physically-varying anatomical structure or which includes the physically-varying anatomical structure in a different physical state than in the second anatomical part; providing position change data which describe positional changes of corresponding image elements between the first image and the second image, on the basis of the first and second image data; and providing the variation data on

Abstract: The invention provides for medical instrument comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system. Execution of the instruction cause a processor controlling the instrument to: execute a magnetic resonance data processing application thereby providing a plug-in framework, execute a protocol definition interface to load a first selection of the plug-ins into the plug-in framework, acquire the magnetic resonance data by using the pulse sequence data to control the magnetic resonance imaging system; and reconstruct a magnetic resonance image from the magnetic resonance data using the first selection of the plug-ins.

Abstract: An optical probe suitable for medical or dental tomography is switchable between a rotating and non-rotating mode to control interference between source signals and data signals. The probe is suitably constructed in an in-line configuration and uses Faraday rotators which rotate polarization in the same direction in a rotating mode and rotate polarization in opposite directions in a non-rotating mode.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic device including a component specifier. Assume a first direction is a depth direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of a subject, a second direction is a direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first pixel is a pixel at a pixel location N in the second direction, a second pixel is a pixel at a pixel location N+1 in the second direction, and N is a positive integer. The component specifier detects one or more feature lines from the ultrasound image by repeatedly, while incrementing N, linking the first pixel with the second pixel when luminance of the second pixel is high and the second pixel is in close proximity to the first pixel, and specifies which of the one or more feature lines indicates a boundary between components, based on an order in the first direction of the one or more feature lines.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic device 101 is equipped with a probe distance determiner 7 and a screen creator 8. The probe distance determiner 7 analyses a positional relationship between a probe and an area subject to measurement appearing in an ultrasound image, and determines whether or not the analysed positional relationship is appropriate. The screen creator 8 notifies a user of determination results. An appropriate positional relationship is one in which a pixel region having luminance characteristics of a gelatinous medium is present between an element array of an ultrasound probe 102 and the area subject to measurement appearing in the ultrasound image, and in which the distance between the prove and the area subject to measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold across the entire length of the element array.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a transmission/reception unit generates a reception signal. A signal extraction unit extracts a harmonic signal and fundamental wave signal from the reception signal. A calculation unit calculates a feature amount based on values corresponding to the amplitudes of the harmonic signal and fundamental wave signal. An area determination unit determines an area in a scanned area based on the feature amount and a predetermined threshold. A change unit changes the value corresponding to the amplitude of the harmonic signal in the determined area. An image generation unit generates a corrected harmonic image based on the harmonic signal in the scanned area including the determined area having the changed value.

Abstract: A robotic imaging system has at least one robotic imaging arm that includes a free-space optics subsystem. The free-space optics is capable of conveying an excitation light signal through the robotic imaging arm to an optical end effector at the distal end thereof while maintaining coaxial alignment between the optical axis and the robotic skeleton. The free-space optics is also capable of maintaining linear polarization of the light signal.