Abstract: Improved ultrasound imaging devices and methods of operating the devices that minimize grating lobe artifacts in an ultrasound image are provided. For example, an ultrasound imaging system analyzes the ultrasound data at different frequency bands and generates a grating-lobe-minimized image based on minimum signals identified for each pixel among the plurality of frequency ranges. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound transducer array configured to obtain ultrasound data, and a processor in communication with the ultrasound transducer array. The processor is configured to receive the ultrasound data, generate an ultrasound image based on a first frequency range of the ultrasound data, generate a grating-lobe-minimized ultrasound image based on a plurality of second frequency ranges of the ultrasound data, combine the ultrasound image and the grating-lobe-minimized ultrasound image to generate a combined ultrasound image, and output the combined ultrasound image to a display.

Abstract: This invention is a wearable device or system for optical analysis of breast tissue which be embodied in a “smart bra” or an insert which is placed into the cup of a conventional bra. This device or system has light emitters which transmit light into breast tissue and light receivers which receive the light after it has been transmitted through the breast tissue. It also has expandable chambers which gently compress a breast to reduce light diffusion and improve optical scanning of breast tissue.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes generator coils to generate respective magnetic fields, a catheter including a distal end, which includes magnetic coil sensors to output electrical signals based on detection of the respective magnetic fields, and processing circuitry to receive the electrical signals from the magnetic coil sensors, select at least one of magnetic fields having a magnetic field gradient as a function of at least one of the received electrical signals, compute a difference between magnetic field magnitudes of the at least one selected magnetic field detected by the first magnetic coil sensor and the second magnetic coil sensor as a function of the electrical signals, and compute a dimension of the distal end, based on the difference between the magnetic field magnitudes of the at least one selected magnetic field and the magnetic field gradient of the at least one selected magnetic field.

Abstract: A patient monitoring sensor having a communication interface, through which the patient monitoring sensor can communicate with a monitor is provided. The patient monitoring sensor includes a light-emitting diode (LED) communicatively coupled to the communication interface and a detector, communicatively coupled to the communication interface, capable of detecting light. The patient monitoring sensor includes an optically absorptive material at least partially between the LED and the detector to reduce or prevent shunting of light to the detector.

Abstract: Improved acoustic neurostimulation is provided by having two or more acoustic transducers generate an acoustic interference pattern in a region of a patient being treated. The apparatus has at least two operating modes it can switch between. A first operating mode has the transducers driven at the same frequency. A second operating mode has the transducers driven at different frequencies. Full control of the acoustic transducers allows the acoustic interference pattern to be varied electronically at will.

Abstract: An ear thermometer capable of identifying an infrared transmittance of a probe cover is provided and includes an ear thermometer body, a probe, and a plurality of activation elements. The probe is disposed on the ear thermometer body. A closed end of the probe cover is used for infrared transmittance, and the probe cover has different infrared transmittances according to a thickness variation thereof. The activation elements are disposed on the ear thermometer body and configured to detect the infrared transmittance of the probe cover. Each of the activation elements includes an ON state and an OFF state so that the activation elements are arranged to form different sensor combinations, which respectively correspond to different infrared transmittances, and any two of the different sensor combinations have the two corresponding infrared transmittances that are different from one another.

Abstract: Devices and systems used to ablate tissue of a tumor using laser energy are disclosed. The devices and systems include a laser probe and a magnetic resonance (MR) safe temperature probe. The MR safe temperature probe includes an optical sensor. A bone anchor fixture separates the laser probe and the MR safe temperature probe to prevent interference in the MR safe temperature probe data. Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) thermometry is used to model a temperature of a pixel of an MR image located adjacent the optical sensor. The modeled pixel temperature and the measured temperature are compared and monitored. Exceeding a threshold difference value causes an intervening action to occur.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for revascularization assessment. The methods can in some cases include one or more of the steps of measuring blood perfusion as a function of time to obtain time series data, mathematically transforming the time series data into a power spectrum, calculating at least one parameter of the power spectrum within a specific frequency range, and using the at least one calculated parameter as a discriminator for the first population and the second population.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, systems, and methods for reducing signal noise in endoscopic rotational imaging. Many embodiments include an elongate member that includes an impedance matching network disposed between a proximal imaging core and a distal imaging core. In many such embodiments, the elongate member may connect a controller at the proximal end and include a rotational transducer at the distal end. In various embodiments, the proximal and distal imaging cores may include a plurality of insulated conductors disposed within a shield (e.g., a shielded twisted pair (STP)). In various such embodiments, the insulated conductors may be utilized to communicate differential signals between the controller and the rotational imaging transducer. In some embodiments, the insulated conductors in the proximal imaging core may have a larger diameter than the insulated conductors in the distal imaging core.

Abstract: There is provided an ultrasonic endoscope, in which bending of a signal cable at a time of assembling a distal end portion is alleviated and the signal cable is prevented from being disconnected, and a manufacturing method thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an intuitive display of one or more anatomical objects are provided. One or more 3D medical images of one or more anatomical objects of a patient are received. Correspondences between the one or more 3D medical images and points on a 2D map representing the one or more anatomical objects are determined. The 2D map is updated with patient information extracted from the one or more 3D medical images. The updated 2D map with the determined correspondences is output.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires a parameter relating to a predetermined imaging mode, the parameter including at least information on an instruction for executing transmit aperture synthesis, and determines a scanning condition for executing the transmit aperture synthesis together with step-alternating scan based on the parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope includes: an ultrasonic transducer having an ultrasonic vibrator; a distal end portion body disposed continuously with a proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer; an erecting base housing portion that is disposed in the distal end portion body and has an opening which opens toward one side in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the distal end portion body; a treatment tool lead-out port that communicates with the inside of the erecting base housing portion; an erecting base that is disposed in the inside of the erecting base housing portion and changes a lead out direction of a treatment tool led out from the treatment tool lead-out port; and a cleaning communication hole that is formed in a wall surface on a side opposite to a side where the opening of the erecting base housing portion is disposed and communicates with an outside.

Abstract: This optical measurement system 100 is provided with a plurality of optical measurement units 1 and a control device 2 that controls the optical measurement unit. The control device includes a communication unit 24 that obtains specific state information 30 on whether or not the optical measurement unit is in a measurable state by communication for each of a plurality of optical measurement units, a display unit 25 that collectively displays the obtained state information for each of the plurality of optical measurement units, and a control unit 21 that controls a plurality of optical measurement units so that a simultaneous measurement is performed.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for wearable device vital signs monitoring are provided. An apparatus system includes a remote device, and a wearable device in communication with the remote device. The wearable device includes a polychromatic light source, a spectral sensor, a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions executable by the processor. The wearable device is configured to illuminate, via the polychromatic light source, a perfused tissue of the body of the patient, receive, via the spectral sensor, a resultant signal from the body of the patient, and determine a spectral property of the resultant signal. The wearable device may then determine a vital sign of the patient based, at least in part, on a lookup table and the spectral property of the resultant signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope includes: an ultrasonic transducer having an ultrasonic vibrator; a distal end portion body disposed continuously with a proximal end side of the ultrasonic transducer; an erecting base housing portion that is disposed in the distal end portion body and has an opening which opens toward one side in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the distal end portion body; a treatment tool lead-out port that communicates with the inside of the erecting base housing portion; an erecting base that is disposed in the inside of the erecting base housing portion and changes a lead out direction of a treatment tool led out from the treatment tool lead-out port; and a cleaning communication hole that is formed in a wall surface on a side opposite to a side where the opening of the erecting base housing portion is disposed and communicates with an outside.

Abstract: This invention is a smart bra for optical scanning of breast tissue which has light emitters which transmit light into breast tissue, light receivers which receive the light after it has been transmitted through the breast tissue, and expandable components which selectively move light emitters and/or receivers closer to the surface of a breast where there are air gaps.

Abstract: An intravascular imaging device is provided. In one embodiment, the intravascular imaging device includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a conductor extending between the proximal and distal portions of the flexible elongate member; an imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the imaging assembly including: a flex circuit including a body and a tab extending therefrom, the tab having a conductive portion coupled to the conductor; and a support member around which the flex circuit is disposed, the support member including a shelf on which tab is positioned.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to generate high frequency shock waves in a controlled manner. The generated shock waves can be delivered to certain cellular structures of a patient for use in medical and/or aesthetic therapeutic applications. The shock waves can be configured to impose sufficient mechanical stress to the targeted cells of the tissue to rupture the targeted cells. Embodiments of the apparatuses and methods of the present invention provide targeted rupturing of specific cells without damaging side effects such as cavitation or thermal degradation of surrounding non-targeted cells.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method for providing image data of a hollow organ. The method includes applying a first contrast agent to a lumen of the hollow organ, to obtain a contrast agent filling of the lumen; applying a second contrast agent to a blood vessel system, the blood vessel system supplying a wall of the hollow organ, the second contrast agent having a different absorption spectrum than the first contrast agent; generating spectrally resolved computed tomography data of an examination area, the examination area including the hollow organ; calculating first image data indicative of a presence of the first contrast agent and second image data indicative of a presence of the second contrast agent by applying a material separation algorithm onto the spectrally resolved computed tomography data; and providing the image data of the hollow organ including the first image data and the second image data.