Abstract: The present invention provides a method MRI imaging. By applying a time modulation to the contrast enhancement of an MRI contrast agent, the method according to the invention leads to images with improved signal-to-noise ratio in the contrast-enhanced areas, strongly suppressed unwanted signal in the unenhanced areas, and reduced artefacts, such as motion artefacts.

Abstract: A tissue marking system is configured to mark a tissue sample. The tissue marking system includes an actuator portion movable between an actuated position and a non-actuated position and a jaw portion coupled to the actuator portion and movable between an open position and a closed position in response to movement of the actuator portion from the actuated position to the non-actuated position. The jaw portion includes a first tooth and a second tooth configured to engage the tissue sample when the jaw portion moves from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An automated medical system comprises a first instrument assembly including a first ultrasound transducer having a first transducer field of view that transmits and receives ultrasound signals in imaging planes disposed circumferentially about a guide instrument, and a second instrument assembly including a second ultrasound transducer having a second transducer field of view coupled to one of a second flexible guide instrument and a working instrument. A computing system is operatively coupled to the respective first and second transducers and configured to determine a relative spatial orientation of the respective first and second transducers based at least in part on detecting a signal transmitted by one of the first and second transducers and received by the other of the first and second transducers, the received signal having an amplitude indicating the receiving one of the transducers is in the field of view of the transmitting one of the transducers.

Abstract: One or more techniques are provided for determining the overall motion of an organ of interest relative to a viewer or imager. Motion data is acquired for the organ of interest and/or for one or more proximate organs using sensor-based and/or image data-based techniques. The sensor-based techniques may include electrical and non-electrical techniques. The image data-based techniques may include both pre-acquisition and acquisition image data. The motion data for the organ of interest and proximate organs may be used to determine one or more quiescent periods corresponding to intervals of minimal motion for the organ of interest and the proximate organs, which may be used to determine one or more gating points that may be used retrospectively, as well as one or more motion compensation factors that may be used to reduce motion-related artifacts during processing and reconstruction of the acquired image data.

Abstract: The present invention provides low profile intravascular ultrasound catheters adapted to access sites within the patient's body through narrow blood vessels, e.g., the radial artery. In an embodiment, a low profile catheter comprises an catheter sheath, a short guidewire receiver attached to the distal end of the catheter sheath, and a telescope assembly at the proximal end. The catheter sheath comprises a main portion and a tapered portion for increased flexibility toward the distal end of the catheter. In one embodiment, a rotatable and translatable imaging core is received within the catheter sheath for ultrasound imaging. A short guidewire receiver is used to allow the imaging core to be advanced farther distally with respect to the distal end of the catheter. In an embodiment, the catheter sheath extends through a portion of the telescope assembly to provide enhanced support of the imaging core within the telescope assembly.

Abstract: A method for converting digital images of an actuated breast into an accurate description of breast surface motion from a digital image-based elasto-tomography system comprises the steps of artificially placing a high density of fiducial markers on the breast surface, whereby the fiducial markers have different qualities and are placed in different proportions according to their quality; utilizing motion invariant properties of the fiducial markers to form a global motion invariant signature; tracking the markers on the actuated breast surface from image to image in each digital camera using the global motion invariant signature; and using the cameras calibration to measure the breast surface motion.

Abstract: A pre-acquired reference image, a currently picked-up ultrasonic image, and position information indicating a relation between a position of the ultrasonic probe when the reference image was picked-up and a current position of the ultrasonic probe are displayed on a display portion as navigation information. Also, when the following diagnosis image is to be acquired, probe movement information, specifying a position or the like to which the ultrasonic probe has to be moved, is displayed on the display portion as the navigation information.

Abstract: An untethered ultrasound imaging system having selectable command control and wireless component connection and image transmission. Ultrasound data collected by the ultrasound system can be augmented with additional sensor data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for an object in change includes an MRI system having a first channel which produces images of the object using alternate lines of k-space applied along each of the two phase encoding directions and a computer which combines the individual images into a composite 3D image. The MRI system acquires alternate lines of temporally resolved data along each phase encoding direction. A method for imaging an object in change includes producing an individual image of the object with a first channel of an MRI system using alternate lines of k-space applied for each phase encoding direction, producing an individual image of the object with at least a second channel of the MRI system by acquiring alternate lines of temporally resolved data using alternate lines of k-space, and combining the individual images into a composite 3D image of the object with a computer of the MRI system.

Abstract: Described is a robust electrocardiogram (ECG) ordering technique of k-space for breath hold contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) that acquires the central part of k-space in a motion-free portion of diastole and fills in from the periphery of k-space at all other times. To make maximal use of the contrast enhancement, data is acquired continuously even when the ECG signal is lost. The ECG signal is monitored in real time. The ECG ordering technique allows a flexible acquisition matrix and is robust against ECG signal imperfections. The ECG ordering technique allows thoracic and pulmonary magnetic resonance angiography with a higher resolution when compared to the conventional gated sequence.

Abstract: An electrode for use on a medical device is disclosed. The electrode may have a main body of electrically conductive material extending along an axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The body may be configured to emit electrical energy in accordance with a predefined diagnostic or therapeutic function. The body may have a groove disposed over an outermost surface of the body. The electrode may also include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking coil disposed in said groove. The MRI tracking coil may comprise electrically insulated wire, for example. A catheter including an electrode, as well as a method for determining the location of an electrode, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protected resonating sensor may include at least one resonating sensor unit. Each sensor unit has one or more vibratable members. The protected sensor includes a compliant member that forms part of one or more chambers. A first side of the compliant member may be exposed to a medium in a measurement environment. The sensor unit may be any resonating sensor unit having a resonance frequency that depends on the value of a physical variable in a measurement environment. The protected sensor includes a substantially non-compressible medium disposed within the chamber(s). The substantially non-compressible medium may be a liquid or a gel. When the medium is a liquid, the chamber is sealed. When the medium is a gel, the chamber may be sealed or non-sealed. The medium is in contact the vibratable member(s) and with a second side of the compliant member. The medium may have a low vapor pressure.

Abstract: A digital ultrasound beam former for ultrasound imaging, that can be configured by a control processor to process the signals from ultrasound transducer arrays with variable number of elements at variable sampling frequencies, where the lowest sampling frequency allows for the highest number of array elements. The maximal number of array elements is reduced in the inverse proportion to the sampling frequency. The beam former can be operated both in a RF-sampling mode and a quadrature mode. Parallel coupling of transmit/receive circuits for each element allow adaption of the receive Noise Figure and transmit drive capabilities to variations in the electrical impedance of the array elements.

Abstract: Systems for the stabilization of visualization catheters are described herein which facilitate the deployment and retraction of an imaging hood from a catheter. Such systems may include a deployment catheter and an imaging hood having one or more structural elements which may be integrated or advanced into the hood independently of the hood itself. Moreover, additional features such as rapid exchange ports may be integrated along the hood or along the catheter proximal to the hood to facilitate intravascular procedures and treatments.

Abstract: Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is equipped with an ultrasonic probe that transmits/receives ultrasound to/from an examined body, a probe position sensor that detects the position and the direction of the ultrasonic probe, an image generator that generates image data based upon the output of the ultrasonic probe, a probe position sensor that detects the position and the direction of a puncture probe inserted into the examined body, a display image generator that generates the data of a display image in which the end position of the puncture probe is fixed to a specific position in an image display area according to the position and the direction of the ultrasonic probe and the position and the direction of the puncture probe based upon the image data and a display for displaying the display image in the image display area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe methods of determining the occlusion of body lumens and apparatuses for doing so. In one particular embodiment, the occlusion of the fallopian tubes by an intrafallopian contraceptive device may be confirmed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (also known as stimulated acoustic emission hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography). In these embodiments a contrast agent containing microbubbles is used.

Abstract: A method for coloring of voxel and image data processing and visualization system That consists of providing an intensity function for each one of the voxels, and mapping of each one of the intensity functions to at least first and second color coordinates of a color continuum to provide a color for each one of the voxels.

Abstract: A system for focusing ultrasonic energy through intervening tissue into a target site within a tissue region includes a transducer array including transducer element, an imager for imaging the tissue region, a processor receiving images from the imager to determine boundaries between different tissue types within the intervening tissue and generate correction factors for the transducer elements to compensate for refraction occurring at the boundaries between the tissue types and/or for variations in speed of sound. A controller is coupled to the processor and the transducer array to receive the correction factors and provide excitation signals to the transducer elements based upon the correction factors. The correction factors may include phase and/or amplitude correction factors, and the phases and/or amplitudes of excitation signals provided to the transducer elements may be adjusted based upon the phase correction factors to focus the ultrasonic energy to treat tissue at the target site.

Abstract: Methods for displaying a vessel with the aid of intravascular ultrasound images and current location and cycle information provided by detectors and sensors. A sequence of intravascular ultrasound images are stored and indexed-by location and by heartbeat and breathing phase. During a subsequent medical intervention, ultrasound images that correspond to the current phase and location of an object of interest such as a catheter can be selected and displayed on a monitor in real time along with an x-ray image of the vessel, the display showing the geometric position of the ultrasound images with reference to the x-ray image.

Abstract: Provided are methods for diagnosing the presence, type, or severity of a dementia in a human subject. The methods involve using a computer-based system to assess impairment of certain cognitive and motor functions that are indicative of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.