Abstract: Methods and devices for three-dimensional navigation of magnetic nanoparticles are provided. A method can comprise introducing high-anisotropy magnetic nanoparticles to a mammal and directing the high-anisotropy magnetic nanoparticles towards a target region of the mammal. Direction control is achieved by subjecting the high-anisotropy magnetic nanoparticles to an alternating signal comprising a uniform magnetic field pulse having a strength greater than a coercivity of the high-anisotropy magnetic nanoparticles and a magnetic gradient pulse having a highest strength that is less than the coercivity of the high-anisotropy magnetic nanoparticles and a location of a lowest strength at the target region of the mammal, and the direction of the uniform magnetic field pulse being in an opposite direction of the magnetic gradient pulse.

Abstract: A device for detection of internal bleeding in a patient's body is provided. An optical interface for transmitting IR light through an area of a skin of a patient and to collect IR light from the area of the skin, is provided. In some embodiments the optical interface includes one or more delivery components and one or more collection components. The delivery component includes a plurality of first optical channels configured to transmit the IR light through a plurality of respective first sub-areas on the area of the skin, into an internal layer of the body. The collection component includes a plurality of second optical channels, configured to collect IR light from a plurality of respective second sub-areas on the area of the skin.

Abstract: The invention provides for medical instrument (200, 300) comprising a medical imaging system (202, 302) for acquiring medical image data (236) from an imaging zone (204) and a treatment system (206, 322) for depositing energy into a treatment zone (208). A processor executing instructions receives (100) a selection of a reference location and one or more anatomical references.

Abstract: A system for performing a surgical procedure includes a bronchoscope, monitoring equipment coupled to the bronchoscope, a tracking system, a positioning assembly, and a biopsy tool. The biopsy tool includes an elongated flexible body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a biopsy member formed on the distal end of the elongated flexible body. The biopsy member includes a tissue-receiving portion defining an opening including sharpened edges. The sharpened edges are disposed on the interior perimeter of the opening and are capable of cutting tissue. A biopsy tool is also provided.

Abstract: An elongate medical device includes a sensor configured to detect one or more characteristics of an electromagnetic field in which the device is disposed. The sensor includes an electrically-insulative substrate, rectangular in shape, and a patterned, conductive trace disposed on the substrate. The patterned trace includes a plurality of diagonal sections parallel to one another, arranged with a relatively low pitch. The substrate is wrapped into a cylindrical shape thereby forming a three-dimensional spiral capable of functioning as a micro-electromagnetic sensor. A medical positioning system is responsive to the signal from the sensor to determine a position and/or orientation of the sensor.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus is used that includes: an ultrasound probe that receives an acoustic wave propagating from an object and outputs an electric signal; and a processor that generates an image of the inside of the object, using the electric signal. The processor creates a frequency distribution of pixel values included in a region of interest including a point of interest in the image, classifies the point of interest on the basis of the shape of the frequency distribution and the position of the point of interest in the frequency distribution, and determines a pixel value of the point of interest on the basis of a classification result of the point of interest.

Abstract: A system for providing scanning medium for scanning a volume of tissue comprising: an inner chamber that contains the scanning medium; a transducer mounted to the inner chamber and configured to move along a motion path, with the inner chamber, in scanning the volume of tissue; an outer chamber concentrically aligned about the inner chamber to guide the inner chamber along the motion path; a piston module defining a base surface within the inner chamber, the piston module comprising a medium inlet and a medium outlet for adjusting an amount of the scanning medium within the inner chamber; a detection subsystem coupled to the base surface of the piston module; and an actuator comprising a stationary portion mounted to the piston module and a moving portion coupled to the inner chamber and configured to produce motion of the inner chamber along the motion path.

Abstract: An array transducer probe has transducer elements arranged in adjacent patches (62, 64, 66) of groups of transducer elements. A microbeamformer in the probe is coupled to the elements of the array to transmit ultrasound beams and delay echo signals received by the transducer elements. In a standard configuration the elements of each patch (62, 64, 66) are coupled to the summing node (72, 74, 76) of that patch. The elements of each patch may also be coupled to the summing nodes of one or more adjacent patches. For multiline (4?, 6?) reception some of the elements of the active aperture are coupled to the summing node of one patch, and other elements of the active aperture are coupled to the summing node of another patch. This coupling provides at least two different patch signals to channels (82, 84) of a system beamformer for multiline processing.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, a signal processing method, and a recording medium capable of appropriately superimposing data and obtaining high quality images when correcting data by superimposing a plurality of data. A transmission frequency of an ultrasonic beam is set according to a processing condition in a data processor, and second element data is generated using a plurality of first element data obtained by transmitting the ultrasonic beam at the transmission frequency.

Abstract: Transurethral ultrasound treatment system and methods that provide targeted treatment zones outside urethra via an applicator with multiple sectors, a urethral cooling balloon, and bladder positioning balloon for directed application in muscle tissue. In one embodiment, the system and methods are configured to generate thermal lesions via simultaneous sonication or activation of two separate sectors from a tubular device, with an inactive zone directed toward vaginal wall or nerves.

Abstract: A method includes performing a contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of tissue of interest of a subject, with an imaging system having a radiation source and a detector array, in which a peak contrast enhancement of the tissue of interest, a full range of motion of the tissue of interest, and an entire volume of interest of the tissue of interest are concurrently imaged during a single rotation of the radiation source and the detector array of the imaging system over an entire or a predetermined sub-portion of a breathing cycle.

Abstract: A converting circuitry convert position information on at least one of an ultrasonic probe and a scan area, used in a past ultrasonic scan, into first position information based on a predetermined coordinate system. The converting circuitry further convert position information on at least one of ultrasonic probe and a scan position, used in a current ultrasonic scan, into second position information based on the predetermined coordinate system. The display circuitry determine the position of a first marker, which represents at least one of the ultrasonic probe and scanning area used in a past ultrasonic scan, and a second marker, which represents at least one of the ultrasonic probe and scanning area used in a current ultrasonic scan, based on first position information and second position information, and display the first and second markers.

Abstract: A head frame for a medical patient includes support for a probe and a neck support. The frame wraps around the head of the patient and can be used in the supine position. The support may include a probe holder slidable under the head and configured to contact or engage the neck support. In some embodiments, conformal shaping to the head and/or neck of the patient, the frame's rigid construction, the alignment of the optionally separable holder to the neck support, the weight of the head, or a combination thereof serve to keep the distal tip of the ultrasound probe in place against the temporal region of the head without need for attaching the frame to the head as by straps, which may provide an arrangement robust against patient/vehicle movement in an emergency medical services setting.

Abstract: A method of detecting subject respiratory motion and non-respiratory motion includes: transmitting a transmitted signal toward a subject, the transmitted signal being an ultrasound wave, the transmitted signal reflecting off the subject to produce a reflected signal; receiving the reflected signal and converting a form of the reflected signal from ultrasound wave to electrical; comparing the reflected signal to at least a first reference signal to determine at least a first reference phase signal indicative of a first phase difference between the first reference signal and the reflected signal, the at least a first reference signal being associated with the transmitted signal; and analyzing the first reference phase signal for respiratory motion of the subject and non-respiratory motion, the non-respiratory motion including at least one of non-respiratory motion of the subject or motion of an entity other than the subject.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient'vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to intravascular introduction of the catheter. The ultrasound probe includes user input controls for controlling use of the ultrasound probe in an ultrasound mode and use of the tip location sensor in a tip location mode. In another embodiment, ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart.

Abstract: An image guided navigation system for navigating a region of a patient includes an imaging device, a tracking device, a controller, and a display. The imaging device generates images of the region of a patient. The tracking device tracks the location of the instrument in a region of the patient. The controller superimposes an icon representative of the instrument onto the images generated from the imaging device based upon the location of the instrument. The display displays the image with the superimposed instrument. The images and a registration process may be synchronized to a physiological event. The controller may also provide and automatically identify an optimized site to navigate the instrument to.

Abstract: A single transducer element that is capable of oscillation at a plurality of natural resonant frequencies may be used in an ultrasonic imaging catheter assembly including a catheter body configured to be inserted and guided through the vascular system of a living being, a lumen and a rotatable imaging core adapted to pass through the lumen, the imaging core including a flexible drive-shaft. Because the transducer element is capable of oscillation at a plurality of natural resonant frequencies, a user can switch from one frequency to another in order to improve the depth of field or resolution without having to switch out the catheter or imaging core.

Abstract: A motor driver for an ultrasound system is provided. The ultrasound system includes a transmitter and receiver, both communicatively coupled to a transducer array of an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound system further includes a digital motor driver for controlling movement of the transducer array.

Abstract: A high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation of tissue using minimally invasive medical procedures is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing tissue healing may include an image capture device and a reference color marker of a predetermined color. A processing unit may be in communication with the image capture device, and be configured to receive image data from the image capture device. The image data may include image of a tissue site and the reference color marker. At least one image parameter may be adjusted based on at least a portion of the image of the reference color marker to normalize the image data. The normalized image data may be presented to a clinician.