Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing ablated tissue are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system for imaging tissue comprising: a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end; an inflatable balloon disposed about the distal end of the catheter; and an optical housing extending from the distal end of the catheter into the balloon, the optical housing being configured to position inside the balloon a light source for illuminating a tissue outside the balloon and a camera for imaging the illuminated tissue.

Abstract: A handheld ultrasound device comprises a plurality of components configured to provide decreased size, weight, complexity and power consumption. The handheld ultrasound device may comprise an ultrasound transducer and an analog to digital (“A/D”) converter coupled to the ultrasound transducer. A processor comprising a beamformer can be coupled to the A/D converter and configured to selectively store a plurality of signals from the A/D converter in a memory of the processor. The beamformer can be configured to implement and compress a flag table in place of a delay table. These improvements can decrease the amount of memory used to generate ultrasound images, which can decrease the size weight and power consumption of the handheld ultrasound device.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for imaging.

Abstract: An optimization methodology is employed to match vibratory inhaler devices having certain characteristics to the particular anatomical and acoustic properties of a patient's vocal tract, in order to achieve the most effective dispersion of a dry powder medicament using inspiratory effort of a user of the inhaler. In embodiments, optimization involves employing one or more measurements of acoustic frequency spectrum properties as well as one or more anatomical/geometric measurements of the structures comprising the particular patient's mouth, pharynx, and upper respiratory tract and matching a vibratory inhalation device that corresponds thereto.

Abstract: A method is for providing a medical image of a patient, acquired via a computed tomography apparatus. An embodiment of the method includes acquiring first projection data of a first measurement region; acquiring second projection data of a second measurement region; registering a reference image to the at least one respiration-correlated image of the patient, wherein the reference image corresponds to the at least one functional image of the patient or is reconstructed under a second reconstruction rule from the second projection data, to produce a deformation model; applying the deformation model to the at least one functional image of the patient; combining the at least one functional image of the patient, deformed by the applying of the deformation model, with the at least one respiration-correlated image of the patient, to produce the medical image of the patient; and providing the medical image of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking a target volume, e.g., tumor, in real-time during radiation treatment are provided. The system includes a memory to store a pre-acquired 3D image of the anatomy of interest in a first reference frame and a processor, operative coupled with the memory, to receive, from an ultrasound probe, a set-up ultrasound image of the anatomy of interest in a second reference frame. The processor further to establish a transformation between the first and second reference frames by registering the set-up ultrasound image with the pre-acquired 3D image and receive, from the ultrasound probe, an intrafraction ultrasound image of the anatomy of interest. The processor further to register the intrafraction ultrasound image with the set-up ultrasound image and track motion of the anatomy of interest based on the registered intrafraction ultrasound image.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and method for motion tracking of a subject in medical brain imaging. The method comprises providing a light projector and a first camera; projecting a first pattern sequence (S1) onto a surface region of the subject with the light projector, wherein the subject is positioned in a scanner borehole of a medical scanner, the first pattern sequence comprising a first primary pattern (P1,1) and/or a first secondary pattern (P1,2); detecting the projected first pattern sequence (S1?) with the first camera; determining a second pattern sequence (S2) comprising a second primary pattern (P2,1) based on the detected first pattern sequence (S1?); projecting the second pattern sequence (S2) onto a surface region of the subject with the light projector; detecting the projected second pattern sequence (S2?) with the first camera; and determining motion tracking parameters based on the detected second pattern sequence (S2?).

Abstract: The embodiments disclose an ultrasound system comprising: a probe configured to obtain ultrasound data relating to a scanning region including at least part of a pleural interface of a lung; and a data analyzer, configured to automatically detect information for determining lung sliding and/or lung point using one or more cross correlation maps derived from the data. The embodiments also disclose a method thereof.

Abstract: Method for scanning for second object on or within first object starts by receiving information on first object and second object. Task lists are generated that include at least one task action based on information on first object and second object. Based on task lists, beamer is then signaled to generate and send first signal to first probe unit to perform first beam firing. Receiver processes first data signal from first probe unit that is then analyzed to determine if first object is identified using processed first data signal. Upon determination that first object is identified, based on task list, beamer is signaled to generate and send second signal to second probe unit to perform second beam firing. Receiver processes second data signal from second probe unit that is then analyzed to determine if second object is identified using processed second data signal. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A biopsy and therapy device comprising: a needling unit for holding and inserting a biopsy needle; an imaging module comprising an ultrasound probe and an actuator for moving the probe in a reciprocal action; a first arcuate slide; a second arcuate slide in sliding engagement with the first arcuate slide and a linkage to which the first arcuate slide is mounted; said linkage arranged to move the first and second arcuate slides within a vertical plane; said needling unit mounted to said arcuate slide wherein the first and second arcuate slides are mounted perpendicular to each other so as to rotate the needling unit about respective first and second principal axes.

Abstract: A control console includes a first input control operable by an operator and outside of a field of view of the operator, a display within the field of view of the operator, and a first image capture device. The first image capture device acquires a first image of a physical environment surrounding the first input control and at least part of the first input control. The first image is output on the display. In some embodiments, a second image of a work site may also be displayed, so that the operator can locate and operate the first input control while continuously viewing the second image of the work site.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for active noise cancellation for a subject placed in a scanning bore of a medical imaging apparatus. The system may be directed to perform operations including detecting first noise signals by a first array of noise detection units disposed in the scanning bore, at least part of the first noise signals resulting from an operation of gradient coils of the medical imaging apparatus. The system may also be directed to perform operations including detecting, by a second array of noise detection units, second noise signals near a target position associated with the subject. The system may further be directed to perform operations including determining anti-noise signals based on the first noise signals, the second noise signals and excitation signals used for the operation of the medical imaging apparatus.

Abstract: Electrophysiology mapping and visualization systems are described herein where such devices may be used to visualize tissue regions as well as map the electrophysiological activity of the tissue. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. A position of the catheter and/or hood may be tracked and the hood may also be used to detect the electrophysiological activity of the visualized tissue for mapping.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either within the brain. Once positioned at a desired location, the obturator is removed, leaving a distal end of the outer sheath adjacent an area of interest, and creating a working corridor. Interrogation of the area of interest may be performed to evaluate a disorder and/or abnormality, as well as evaluate treatment regimes. Interventional devices may also be introduced to the area of interest, as well as a variety of treatments.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media for image management in image-guided medical procedures. Some embodiments herein allow a physician to use multiple instruments for a surgery and simultaneously provide image-guidance data for those instruments. Various embodiments disclosed herein provide information to physicians about procedures they are performing, the devices (such as ablation needles, ultrasound transducers or probes, scalpels, cauterizers, etc.) they are using during the procedure, the relative emplacements or poses of these devices, prediction information for those devices, and other information. Some embodiments provide useful information about 3D data sets and allow the operator to control the presentation of regions of interest. Additionally, some embodiments provide for quick calibration of surgical instruments or attachments for surgical instruments.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media for image guided surgery. The systems herein allow a physician to use multiple instruments for a surgery and simultaneously provide image-guidance data for those instruments. Various embodiments disclosed herein provide information to physicians about procedures they are performing, the devices (such as ablation needles, ultrasound wands or probes, scalpels, cauterizers, etc.) they are using during the procedure, the relative emplacements or poses of these devices, prediction information for those devices, and other information. Some embodiments provide useful information about 3D data sets. Additionally, some embodiments provide for quickly calibratable surgical instruments or attachments for surgical instruments.

Abstract: The invention provides for a system for in vivo real time measurement of NADH recovery kinetics, comprising: 1) a specific pulse sequence to non-destructively, yet effectively, photobleach NADH for measurement of NADH recovery kinetics; 2) illumination light parameters to acquire NADH fluorescence before and after photobleaching, without causing fluorescence bleaching artifacts, for measurement of NADH recovery kinetics; and 3) configurations for devices capable of photobleaching NADH by at least 10% within tissues for effective measurement of NADH recovery kinetics in tissues within a living subject or excised tissues and organs.

Abstract: A fluorescent imaging device includes a light source unit including a first light source for radiating excitation light, a second light source for radiating visible illumination light, and a third light source for radiating non-visible light, an imager being configured to capture a fluorescent image, a visible image, and a non-visible image, and a tracking processor that is operable to perform moving-body tracking for a region of interest that is set in an image based on at least the non-visible image.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical imaging system (700) comprising: a memory (734) for storing machine executable instructions (740), a display (732) for rendering a user interface (800), and a processor (730). Execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to receive (1000) three dimensional medical image data (746) descriptive of a region of interest (709) of a subject (718). The region of interest comprises a spine (200). Execution of the machine executable instructions further causes the processor to receive (1002) a set of spinal coordinate systems (748) each descriptive of a location and an orientation of spinal vertebrae in the three dimensional medical image data. The set of spinal coordinate systems further comprises a set of spine centerline positions (102) each positioned on a spine centerline (108).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasound therapy device using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and a control method thereof. The ultrasound therapy device comprises: an array type HIFU converter having a plurality of HIFU conversion elements; and a control unit for performing a control to treat tissues in a focusing area by selecting and driving some of the HIFU conversion elements of the array type HIFU converter and irradiating ultrasound signals to an object through the driven active conversion elements to generate heat energy, wherein, after an elapse of a predetermined time period, the control unit drives a combination of other conversion elements as new active conversion elements in replacement of the active conversion elements.