Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for controlling the field of view in imaging systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment an imaging system includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for use within an internal structure of a patient, an imaging transducer positioned within the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, an imaging marker positioned to be detectable within a field of view of the imaging transducer, and a controller in communication with the flexible elongate member and configured to adjust a control signal of the flexible elongate member based on the detection of the imaging marker in data received from the flexible elongate member in order to achieve a desired field of view for the imaging transducer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods which enable the stimulation of neurons oriented in all directions within a biological structure using applied magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method for generating an ultrasound image includes receiving an image frame having consecutive ultrasound scan lines obtained using a rotating ultrasound imaging arrangement and determining first and second cross-correlation values for a plurality of the scan lines. For each individual scan line, the first cross-correlation value includes a cross-correlation coefficient between a first subframe of consecutive scan lines including the individual scan line and a second subframe of scan lines shifted from the first subframe by a first integer value. The second correlation value includes a cross-correlation coefficient between the first subframe and a third subframe of scan lines shifted from the first subframe by a second integer value. The method further includes evaluating, individually for multiple scan lines, whether that scan line exhibits non-uniform rotation distortion using at least one of the first and second cross-correlation values. A correction for non-uniform rotation distortion is applied.

Abstract: An iteration method for computing a distribution of one or more properties within an object comprises defining a first mesh of the object, applying an excitation to the object, computing a response of the object to the applied excitation, obtaining a reference response of the object corresponding to the applied excitation, computing a distribution of one or more properties of the object, and updating at least a subset of the nodes of the first mesh to form an updated mesh of the object. The distribution of one or more properties of the object is computed using the computed response, the reference response, and the first mesh. The first mesh includes a plurality of nodes and elements. A connectivity relationship of the subset of the nodes in the updated mesh remains the same as in the first mesh.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the position of an object, such as tracking the position of one or more catheters in a patient's heart cavity are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ultrasonic imaging of an organ in a patient's body through a part of the patient's respiratory tract, including: arranging an ultrasonic imaging device in or on the patient's body; introducing a flexible catheter carrying at least one inflatable member into the respiratory tract; positioning the inflatable member at a predetermined location in the respiratory tract; filling the inflatable member with an ultrasonic transmission fluid through the flexible catheter; and transmitting ultrasonic waves from the imaging device through the transmission fluid in the inflatable member to the organ to be imaged. The inflatable member is positioned in the respiratory tract by manipulating guide means that are attached to or integrated with the flexible catheter. The invention further relates to an ultrasonic imaging system for carrying out this method and to an assembly means for use in such an ultrasonic imaging system.

Abstract: A method for characterizing tissue of a patient, including receiving acoustic data derived from the interaction between the tissue and the acoustic waves irradiating the tissue; generating a morphology rendering of the tissue from the acoustic data, in which the rendering represents at least one biomechanical property of the tissue; determining a prognostic parameter for a region of interest in the rendering, in which the prognostic parameter incorporates the biomechanical property; and analyzing the prognostic parameter to characterize the region of interest. In some embodiment, the method further includes introducing a contrast agent into the tissue; generating a set of enhanced morphology renderings of the tissue after introducing the contrast agent; determining an enhanced prognostic parameter from the enhanced morphology renderings; and analyzing the enhanced prognostic parameter.

Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging device includes an array of light sources configured and arranged to illuminate a target region and an array of ultrasonic transducers between the array of light sources and the target region. The array of transducers may be fixedly coupled to the array of light sources, and the array of ultrasonic transducers may be configured and arranged to receive ultrasound transmissions from the target region.

Abstract: Determining the fluorescence in a layer system, such as the eye. The summary decay behavior of the fluorescence is evaluated. Points of origin of individual fluorescence of the layer system are determined. The time of origin (tci) of each fluorescence in the individual layers of the layer system are determined using layer-specific, time-dependent parameters for the relevant fluorescence. The parameters indicate the time of origin of the fluorescence in the relevant layer. The parameters are used in a model function for calculating the summary decay behavior of the fluorescence.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for analyzing a physiological signal by applying a continuous wavelet transform on the signal and comparing the wavelet transformation to a library of wavelet signatures corresponding to one or more physiological conditions and/or patient conditions. A pulse oximeter system may relate the wavelet transformation with one or more of the wavelet signatures based on filters and/or thresholds, and may determine that the wavelet transformation indicates that the patient of the physiological signal has a physiological condition indicated by the related wavelet signature. In some embodiments, the pulse oximeter system may use previous analyses in a neural network to update the library. Further, non-physiological components of the wavelet transformation may also be identified and removed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of pre-planning a spherical fixed point stereotactic radiosurgery by obtaining an image from a patient having a target, the image comprising coordinates of the actual patient target in 3 dimensions on a first day; planning an optimal stereotactic radiosurgery using the patient's actual target using actual coordinates in 3 dimensions prior to the day of surgery by creating virtual radiosurgical coordinates and plans to maximize target exposure and minimize the patient's waiting time in radiosurgery, thereby allowing evaluation of several plans to maximize plan conformality and safety; and treating the patient based on the virtual stereotactic radiosurgery plans on a second day.

Abstract: A device for radiation therapy implemented with image monitoring has a magnetic resonance device and an exposure device. The magnetic resonance device has a magnet and primarily serves for image monitoring an examination object of a patient in an examination volume of the magnetic resonance device. The exposure is fashioned to be static and serves to expose the examination subject in the examination volume with therapeutic beams. The patient (and therefore the examination subject) are supported by a patient positioning device such that the examination subject can be moved relative to the magnetic resonance device and the exposure device around at least one rotation axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining whether a location of multiple current injecting electrodes has changed are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of aiding in the diagnosis or prediction of degenerative joint disease in a joint of a patient. The method comprises obtaining a test spectrum of Raman scattered radiation from cartilage tissue in the joint, and analyzing the test spectrum, or one or more regions thereof, to assess whether the test spectrum is consistent with the patient having, or subsequently developing, degenerative joint disease in the joint.

Abstract: An intravascular ultrasound catheter system is provided and enables a simplified, economical technique for ultrasound visualization of a blood vessel. The catheter may include a park ablation system for crossing chronic total occlusions and severe stenoses. The catheter is advanceable and is oriented entirely under manual control of the clinician and the application of radiofrequency energy for spark erosion of the stenosis also is controlled manually by the clinician. The system enables the clinician to observe an ultrasound image sufficiently to determine where to orient the ablation electrode so as to reduce the risk of dissection or perforation of the blood vessel. The ultrasound image is generated in response to manual rotation of the catheter and the ablation spark is generated only when the physician is satisfied as to the orientation of the electrode within the vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to enable the complete detection and assessment of electric currents flowing in a conductive medium not only parallel, but also perpendicular to the boundary separating the conducting medium from a non-conducting medium by means of a magnetometer located outside of the conducting medium itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new forward-looking ultrasound device including a local actuator embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention includes an ultrasound transducer element configured to engage with the local actuator and rotate about an axis of rotation at least when the ultrasound transducer element and the local actuator are engaged. Also disclosed are methods of using the same.