Abstract: The method and device of the present invention for ultrasound wound treatment includes a transducer to produce ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer has tip with the distal end (radiation surface). A liquid is directed to the radiation surface throug central orifice or separate tube wherein an directed atomized particle spray of the liquid is created upon contact of the liquid with the radiation surface. The spray directed to the wound from at least 0.1 inches transmits ultrasound waves trough particles and has an irrigation, mechanical cleansing, liquid energizing and bactericide effect.

Abstract: A system for delivery of high dosage of radiation to a targeted spinal area is provided. This is accomplished by a system which provides for precise immobilization and positioning of the treated spinal area during dose planning and treatment via stereotactic radiosurgery. Advantages of the system include convenience to the patient, enhanced efficacy, and reduced risk of radiotoxicity to non-target tissues.

Abstract: An ultrasound image is morphed for perfusion assessment. Various images within a sequence of images or movie clip are mapped to one frame of reference using local warping. Nonlinear local image transformations or other warping based on local estimates of motion are used to interpolate different images to the common reference. The elastic stretching and compression of local image data results in a sequence of images where the same spatial location in each image represents the substantially same spatial location of the imaged tissue. The organ, tissue or region of interest is stationary throughout the sequence of images.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media relating the display of scattering and/or absorption characteristics of an optical medium. For scattering measurements, a Hartmann-Shack calibration image of a measurement system is acquired to define a first plurality of point spread functions. A Hartmann-Shack test image of the medium is acquired to define a second plurality of point spread functions. A shift is determined between the test image and the calibration image. A point spread of each of the second plurality of point spread functions is measured, each of the second plurality of point spread functions including a component due to optical aberration of the medium and a component due to scatter. The component due to optical aberration is determined using the shift. The component due to optical aberration is deconvolved to determine the component due to scatter. A display of the local scattering characteristics is generated using the component due to scatter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating an image of an animate human or non-human animal body or part thereof. The method comprises administering to said body a physiologically tolerable contrast agent comprising a radiation absorbing component and/or a pressure inducing component, exposing said body to radiation, detecting pressure waves generated in said body by said radiation and generating an optoacoustic image therefrom of at least a part of said body containing the administered contrast agent.

Abstract: The present invention is a guide wire imaging device for vascular or non-vascular imaging utilizing optic acoustical methods, which device has a profile of less than 1 mm in diameter. The ultrasound imaging device of the invention comprises a single mode optical fiber with at least one Bragg grating (8), and a piezoelectric or piezo-ceramic jacket (31), which device may achieve omnidirectional (360°) imaging. The imaging guide wire of the invention can function as the guide wire for vascular interventions, can enable real time imaging during balloon inflation, and stent deployment, thus will provide clinical information that is not available when catheter based imaging systems are used. The device of the invention may enable shortened total procedure times, including the fluoroscopy time, will also reduce radiation exposure to the patient, and the operator.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system using a knowledge-based image adjusting device, which enables to obtain the optimal ultrasound image by automatically adjusting image parameters on the basis of pre-stored patient information so that operating procedures required of a system operator are reduced. The ultrasound imaging system comprises a patient information recording medium; a reference image database for storing reference image parameters; a similarity calculation unit for comparing patient information and corresponding reference image parameters and determining the parameter with the highest similarity; and an image adjusting block for selecting a type of probe and automatically adjusting image settings of the selected probe. The ultrasound imaging system further comprises a user input device for inputting and adjusting degrees of freedom parameters.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively assessing fat content in a target organ from an ultrasound visual image is provided. This method includes obtaining an ultrasound visual image of the target organ, setting a target region in the obtained image, measuring a quantified representative gray level of the target region from a gray level distribution of pixels of the target region, and assessing fat content corresponding to the quantified representative gray level of the target region.

Abstract: A method for magnetic resonance imaging is described.

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 matter. 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: An apparatus for registering a series of video images of a spherical or quasi-spherical surface subject to movement relies on projecting at least four diffusely scattering spots of light on the surface in a preferred angular manner, and monitoring the movement of images of the light spots relative to a reference image of the light spots.

Abstract: The control panel of an ultrasound system can swivel about the operator location. In one embodiment this capability is provided by pivoting the control panel about a pivot axis located forward of the center of the control panel, preferably within a few inches of the operator position. In another embodiment the control panel can be moved along a track which is curved about the operator position, and in a further embodiment the control panel is moved by a linkage which simultaneously moves the control panel from side to side and forward.

Abstract: All RF data received by transducers in response to an ultrasonic signal that was transmit-focused on a point along a predetermined scan lines are stored to compute display data for those points of an object that do not necessarily correspond to the pixels of the screen of a display device. For the determination of display data for each pixel point, reflected ultrasonic signals from multiple points around the point of interest are found and used to detect the peak of a waveform constituted by the reflected ultrasonic signals. With this scheme, the distortion due to conventional interpolation used for a limited number of scan lines can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for obtaining electroacoustic images of specimens. One method includes applying an acoustic wave to a specimen and forming an image based on an electroacoustically induced electric field or voltage. In another method, an electric field or voltage is applied to a specimen and an electroacoustically induced acoustic wave is measured to form an image. Apparatus suitable for obtaining electroacoustc images are disclosed as well as methods for distinguishing image contributions from the electroacoustic, thermoacoustic, and Hall effects.

Abstract: A method and system for contrast agent imaging with a catheter transducer is provided. The catheter transducer may comprise an intra-vascular, intra-cardiac or other transducer for insertion into or through a small space. The catheter transducer is inserted within the heart or other portion of a patient. Contrast agents, such as micro-spheres, are injected into the patient. Using the catheter transducer, ultrasonic acoustic energy is transmitted, and reflected energy is received. The reflected energy is responsive to the contrast agents. An image processor generates an image of the tissue and contrast agents as a function of the reflected energy. The image provides an indication of perfusion. Alternatively, the ultrasound system calculates perfusion. By generating intra-vascular images or data, interference from other tissues is avoided. Therefore, the perfusion information obtained may have higher resolution. Images with better resolution better assist doctors in medical diagnosis.

Abstract: In a method for examining a living subject with an imaging method making use of the concentration of a contrast agent having a physical property that is identifiable with the imaging method in a region of interest (ROI) of the subject presented in time-successive images acquired with the imaging method representing quantitative values of the physical property, a histogram of the quantitative values of the physical property in the ROI is produced for each of the individual images, and the contrast agent concentration in the ROI is determined on the basis of the frequency of occurrence of the quantitative values of the physical property in the ROI.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is provided which may be employed in medical applications to radiate an ultrasonic wave for inspecting the interior of a patient's body noninvasively. The ultrasonic probe includes a scan mechanism which consists of a rotating mechanism and a swinging mechanism. The rotating mechanism is designed to rotate a cylindrical holder having installed thereon a piezoelectric element which emits an ultrasonic wave and receives the echo. The swinging mechanism is designed to swing a rotary base which supports the rotating mechanism to swing the cylindrical holder about an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to that of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: The ophthalmological apparatus, in particular a slit lamp apparatus, has an observation unit and an illumination unit, which emits a light beam for eye observation and/or treatment purposes, the areal cross-sectional dimension of which beam can be adjusted by means of an adjustable diaphragm. The diaphragm is designed as a planar light modulator (50) which can be adjusted by a non-mechanical adjusting means and whose local optical properties can be changed and can be changed back again. A radiation impinging on the planar light modulator (50) has impressed on it by the latter a predetermined geometrical cross-sectional dimension or a predetermined areal intensity distribution as image information. This different intensity distribution has the same effect on or in the eye as the mechanical diaphragms used heretofore. A raster-free generation of image elements is achieved whenever a corresponding image is “written” or “impressed” optically e.g.

Abstract: An optical probe for tissue identification includes an elongated body. Optical fibers are located within the elongated body for transmitting light to and from the tissue. Light fluctuation protection is associated with the optical fibers. In one embodiment the light fluctuation protection includes a reflective coating on the optical fibers to reduce stray light. In another embodiment the light fluctuation protection includes a filler with very high absorption located within the elongated body between the optical fibers.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer (108) for use in medical imaging comprises a substrate (300) having first and second surfaces. The substrate (300) includes an aperture (301) extending from the first surface to the second surface. Electronic circuitry (302) is located on the first surface. A diaphragm (304) is positioned at least partially within the aperture (301) and in electrical communication with the electronic circuitry (302). The diaphragm (304) has an arcuate shape, formed by applying a differential pressure, that is a section of a sphere. A binder material (314) is in physical communication with the diaphragm (304) and the substrate (300).