Abstract: Methods for processing two-dimensional ultrasound images from an intracardiac ultrasound imaging catheter provide improved image quality and enable generating three-dimensional composite images of the heart. Two-dimensional ultrasound images are obtained and stored in conjunction with correlating information, such as time or an electrocardiogram. Images related to particular conditions or configurations of the heart can be processed in combination to reduce image noise and increase resolution. Images may be processed to recognize structure edges, and the location of structure edges used to generate cartoon rendered images of the structure. Structure locations may be averaged over several images to remove noise, distortions and blurring from movement.

Abstract: Orientation is automatically identified in medical diagnostic ultrasound image. An area or volume based process, such as region shrinking or using locations associated with flow or tissue structure, determines a direction or orientation. Real-time imaging in B-mode and/or flow mode may be enhanced based on the direction or orientation.

Abstract: A treating device according to the present invention comprises: a transmitting member for transmitting energy, for treating living body tissue, to the living body tissue; an outer sheath through which the transmitting member is passed; and a grasping section supported at the tip end portion of the outer sheath so as to be capable of turning with respect to the transmitting member, which allows the living body tissue to be grasped against the transmitting member. With such an arrangement, curved portions are formed on each of the transmitting member and the grasping section such that the transmitting member and the grasping section are in close contact. Furthermore, an edge portion is provided to a tip end portion of the transmitting member, at the side of the transmitting member in the direction toward which the grasping section heads, at the time of the grasping section turning on the turning axis toward the transmitting member so as to close.

Abstract: A non-invasive (having sufficiently small diameter so as not to give much pain to a subject) ultrasonic ultrasound probe of high spatial resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio, an ultrasonograph using the probe, and an ultrasonography are provided. The ultrasound probe is inserted into the tissue under examination and transmits an ultrasonic wave.

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 spark 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: The invention relates to a shock wave therapy device with a shock wave source for the emission of a shock wave and an ultrasound unit for obtaining image information by means of the emission and reception of ultrasound, whereby the ultrasound unit is provided for the reception of reflected or scattered components of the shock wave for obtaining image information. In addition, the invention relates to a method for obtaining image information for shock wave therapy with the steps: a) emitting ultrasound using an ultrasound unit, b) receiving the reflections of the emitted ultrasound using the ultrasound unit for obtaining image information, c) emitting a shock wave using a shock wave source and d) receiving reflected or scattered components of the shock wave using the ultrasound unit for obtaining image information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fast 3D ultrasound imaging. The method comprises data acquisition, desired data selection, data smoothing, table construction, ray casting, table look-up, ray synthesis and final result output. The apparatus comprises an acquisition module, a table look-up module, a synthesis module and an output module. The present invention can avoid a huge amount of unnecessary reconstruction calculations by smoothing preprocessing and constructing the reconstruction table and the gradient table as well as transforming coordinates of the points where necessary. The present invention has greater practical applicability, because the existing imaging technology demands that the radius for rotating the probe be identical to the radius of the probe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an acoustic, piezoelectric, electric, electro-mechanical or pneumatically driven surface drum driver, in mechanical engagement with a biopsy or acupuncture needle device and a method for its use for diagnosis of small e.g. 100 microns, tumors via the production of magnetic resonance elastographic images (MRE), without artifact production, in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. In a second embodiment, the invention is directed toward an acoustically, pneumatically, piezoelectrically, electrically and/or electro-mechanically driven acupuncture needle, useful for simulating manual single-needle acupuncture treatments via a non-manually manipulated acupuncture needle; and further to a device and process for determination, using twin pneumatically driven surface drivers, of organ stiffness, e.g. brain stiffness, which can be quantified so as to be useful in elucidating and quantifying brain cognitive state, e.g.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning a tool positioned on a moveable arm with a location or an object of interest on a body surface. Some methods comprise using one or more cameras and identifying position offsets of the location or the object of interest from the one or more cameras. Some methods comprise using at least two cameras and rectifying the images from the first and the second cameras. A variety of different tools and assemblies may be located on the moveable arm for performing various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that take advantage of the ability of the moveable arm to rapidly and precisely position the respective tool or assembly at desired locations on a skin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-invasive, safer alternative to current lipoplasty procedures. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a multi-channel system that focuses the low mega Hertz ultrasound at user selectable depths, where fat cells are to be emulsified. The system has independent user control of the main emulsifying property, cavitation, and thermal heating, which can independently be used for skin tightening. One part of the system is a handheld transducer, in shape similar to a typical small diagnostic ultrasound transducer. The other part of the system includes a transmitter with internal tracking of procedure time and with a disabling feature.

Abstract: A marker delivery device is described which has an obturator with an elongated shaft, an inner lumen, a proximal end, and a substantially sealed distal end. One or more tissue markers are deployed within the inner lumen of the elongated shaft of the obturator. Preferably, the tissue marker(s) is disposed within an inner lumen of a marker delivery tube which is disposed within the inner lumen of the elongated shaft of the obturator. The marker delivery tube has an opening for discharging the tissue markers into a body (e.g. biopsy) cavity. The distal tip of the marker delivery tube is configured to penetrate the substantially sealed distal end of the obturator so that tissue markers can be delivered while the obturator is in place within the body. Preferably, the obturator includes a detectable element capable of producing a relatively significant image signature during MRI.

Abstract: A method for generation of an image exposure of the heart of an examination subject with an imaging medical examination apparatus in particular a magnetic resonance apparatus, the image exposure requiring preparation includes the steps of: preparation of the heart in a heart position that is relevant for the image acquisition and determination of the associated heart position, determination of at least one current heart position in the further course of the heart cycle, comparison of the determined current heart position with the heart position relevant for the image acquisition, and given correlation of the current heart position and the heart position relevant for the image acquisition, starting the image acquisition through a control device of the imaging medical examination apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for displaying a tissue containing a fluorescent dye at least in sections. It is proposed for the purpose of simplification to record the tissue with a number of cameras from different observation angles while omitting a beam splitter, and subsequently to produce a joint superimposed overall image.

Abstract: A method of determining the total body fat of a person comprising measuring a subcutaneous fat thickness at four points on the person's body, located in the right anterior part of the left mid-thigh, in the left anterior part of the right mid-thigh, in the right dorsal part navel level and in the left dorsal part at navel level, respectively, and determining a first estimate of the person's total body fat as a function of these measurements.

Abstract: A method for minimizing tracking system interference caused by a motor driven ultrasonic imaging device is disclosed herein. The method includes providing an ultrasonic imaging device adapted to obtain a generally real time three-dimensional image. The ultrasonic imaging device includes a motor configured to rotate a transducer array within a catheter housing. The method for minimizing tracking system interference also includes estimating a noise signal produced by the motor, selecting a tracking system signal strength and/or frequency adapted to minimize a tracking system interference, and implementing a field generator to produce a tracking system signal at the selected tracking system signal strength and/or frequency.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determination of positron-emission measurement information about a body area which is affected by at least one periodic movement process of an examination object during the course of positron-emission tomography. In at least one embodiment, the method includes a positron-emission measurement being carried out in the body area to be examined of the examination object in order to determine functional positron-emission measurement information, and recording, at the same time as the positron-emission measurement, anatomical measurement information about the body area to be examined is recorded, restricted to one recording plane, for at least one measurement time period, using an anatomical imaging method with high time resolution, in particular using a computed-tomography method.

Abstract: A reference condition generation unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates a reference delay condition and a reference amplitude condition for determining delay time and amplitude of a driving pulse to be supplied to a transducer element at the time of non-simultaneous and parallel reception. A transmission condition generation unit generates a transmission delay condition and a transmission amplitude condition for determining delay time and amplitude of a driving pulse to be supplied to a transducer element at the time of simultaneous and parallel reception, on the basis of the reference delay condition and the reference amplitude condition. A transmission unit sets the delay time and the driving amplitude of the driving pulse to be supplied to a plurality of adjacent transducer elements selected by an element selection unit among the transducer elements arranged in an ultrasonic probe, on the basis of the transmission delay condition and the transmission amplitude condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving the resolution and quality of an image formed by signals from an array of receivers. Multiple receivers introduce variations in arrival times that can be less than the period of an operating signal, and also less than the period associated with a sampling operation. Thus, multiple receivers allow sampling of fine features of reflected signals that would be considered beyond the resolution associated with the operating signal. Use of multiple receivers also provides an effective sampling rate that is greater than the sampling rate of an individual receiver. Similar advantages can be obtained using multiple transmitters. Such advantageous features can be used to obtain high resolution images of objects in a medium in applications such as ultrasound imaging. Sub-Nyquist sampling is discussed. Accounting for the effects of refraction on pathlengths as a signal passes between two regions of different sound speed allows improved calculation of focus distances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for improving the accuracy of the measurement of the osteoporosis condition of the human body parts especially bones using more than three parameters, viz., the broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) quantity, the velocity of ultrasound (SOS) in the bone, the broadband ultrasonic back scattering (BUB) intensity, and the Width of received maximum (WORM) values are calculated from received ultrasound signals. The accuracy of each measured diagnostic parameter is improved by measuring the tissue thickness and the squish amount in the coupling pad instead of assuming constant thickness for the tissue. The several operating modes of the device are controlled and the frequency and the timing of the emitted ultrasounds signals are adjusted by using a field programmable gate array. The error generated in the measurement of the bone mineral density due to the variation in the anatomy and the size of the foot, is removed by using a removable footpad.

Abstract: Volumes of interest may be defined, within a three-dimensional brain image, for each of three orthogonal directions. Measures, which may, for example, be energy or entropy measures, are determined for slices of the volumes of interest in the three directions. The volume of interest corresponding to the sagittal direction is then identified. The slice, among the slices in the volume of interest corresponding to the identified sagittal direction, having the optical measure is used to define a first estimate of the mid-sagittal plane. The first estimate of the mid-sagittal plane may then be used to build an input to an optimization technique, which operates until a convergence criterion is satisfied, at which point a final estimate of the mid-sagittal plane may be produced.