Abstract: A method comprises registering a robotic system with a patient based on first image data of the patient generated by a first modality to form a registered system, determining, within the registered system, a location for placing an electrode on the patient based on an area of interest for the patient, and causing the robotic system to place the electrode at the location on the patient.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system is configured to interface with a dual frequency ultrasound transducer having one or more low frequency ultrasound arrays and one or more high frequency ultrasound arrays. The imaging system produces driving pulses for both the high frequency ultrasound array and the low frequency ultrasound imaging array. Analog echo signals are processed to produce a low frequency ultrasound image and a high frequency ultrasound image that are simultaneously displayed. Tissue shown in the high frequency ultrasound image is a portion of the tissue shown in the low frequency ultrasound image.

Abstract: Described here are systems and method for using ultrasound to localize a medical device to which an active ultrasound element that can transmits ultrasound energy is attached. Doppler signal data of the medical device are acquired while the active element is transmitting acoustic energy, and the Doppler signal data are processed to detect symmetric Doppler shifts associated with the active element. The systems and methods described in the present disclosure enable tracking and display of one or more locations on or associated with the medical device.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for navigating a tool inside a luminal network. An exemplary method includes receiving image data of a patient's chest, identifying the patient's lungs, determining locations of a luminal network in the patient's lungs, identifying a target location in the patient's lungs, generating a pathway to the target location, generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the patient's lungs, the 3D model showing the luminal network in the patient's lungs and the pathway to the target location, determining a location of a tool based on an electromagnetic (EM) sensor included in the tool as the tool is navigated within the patient's chest, displaying a view of the 3D model showing the determined location of the tool, receiving cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image data of the patient's chest, updating the 3D model based on the CBCT image data, and displaying a view of the updated 3D model.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for imaging a needle using an ultrasound imager. In one example, a method may include receiving a target path or a target area of a needle, and adjusting a steering angle of an ultrasound beam emitted from an ultrasound probe based on the target path or the target area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic probe that acquires an ultrasonic image to diagnose or treat an object using a needle. The ultrasonic probe includes a case, a needle inserted into an object in the vicinity of the case, and a needle guide detachably mounted on the case to guide the needle, wherein the needle guide includes a base including a guide part configured such that the needle is inserted therein, and a support member configured to be movable along the guide part to support movement of the needle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of examining fetal hearts includes obtaining ultrasound data of a fetal heart to generate fetal heart images, displaying different marked sample images of a fetal heart and at respective cardiac phases, each marking a different feature of a fetal heart at a respective marked location, and sequentially presenting one of the different marked sample images to a user along with one of the fetal heart images that is a similar view. As each of the different marked sample images is sequentially presented, a user is prompted to mark the different feature in a respective fetal heart image based on its marked location to create a plurality of marked fetal heart images, and a geometric model of the heart is generated based on the marked fetal heart images, from which fetal echocardiography views can be extracted. The fetal echocardiography views of the fetal heart are displayed.

Abstract: An exemplary tissue detection and location identification apparatus can include, for example, a first electrically conductive layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding a lumen, an insulating layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding the first electrically conductive layer, and a second electrically conductive layer circumferentially surrounding the insulating layer, where the insulating layer can electrically isolate the first electrically conductive layer from the second electrically conductive layer. A further insulating layer can be included which can at least partially surrounding the second electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A tissue detection and location identification apparatus can include, a first electrically conductive layer surrounding a lumen, an insulating layer surrounding the first electrically conductive layer, and a second electrically conductive layer circumferentially surrounding the insulating layer, where the insulating layer can electrically isolate the first electrically conductive layer from the second electrically conductive layer. A further insulating layer can surround the second electrically conductive layer. The first electrically conductive layer, the insulating layer, and the second electrically conductive layer can form a structure which has a first side and a second side disposed opposite to the first side with respect to the lumen, where the first side can be longer than the second side thereby forming a sharp pointed end via the first side at a distal-most portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating ultrasound imaging directed towards a bone region. An ultrasound imaging device generates a first steered frame and a second steered frame, wherein the first steered frame and the second steered frame are directed towards the bone region at different angles from one another and are superimposed with one another. Parameters of each of the first steered frame and the second steered frame are applied to a cost function that outputs an estimated propagation speed of ultrasound waves to the bone region for optimizing an appearance of the first steered frame and the second steered frame. The ultrasound imaging device is calibrated based on the estimated propagation speed.

Abstract: A device for transperineal biopsy with a movable arm of a robot, comprising: an ultrasound probe being mounted around a first axis; a surgical instrument with a needle, which is movable along a first trajectory; and a moving device comprising at least a first pair of arms facing one another and arranged around a first longitudinal axis of the ultrasound probe so as to move, preferably oscillate, around the axis along a second trajectory, in order to guide and support the needle at a free end of each guide arm; and a connection interface to connect the device to a movable arm of a robot and having an operating module, which comprises a plurality of actuators each to move a respective said ultrasound probe or said guide arms, and a separation module arranged on the operating module and configured to transmit the motion to the ultrasound probe or to the arms.

Abstract: A method for categorizing whole-breast density is disclosed. The method includes the steps of exposing breast tissue to an acoustic signal; measuring a distribution of an acoustic parameter by analyzing the acoustic signal; and obtaining a measure of whole-breast density from said measuring step. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for identifying and displaying spatial relationships between a seed parcel and other parcels in a patient's brain. A method can include obtaining connectivity data characterizing, for each pair of parcels including a first parcel and a second parcel from a group of parcels, a connectivity metric measuring a relationship between the first and second parcels in the patient's brain, obtaining brain atlas data, identifying a seed parcel from the group of parcels, determining one or more other parcels in the group of parcels having a connectivity metric with the seed parcel that satisfies a threshold connectivity metric condition to provide at least one seed-connected parcel, and for the seed-connected parcel, providing the brain atlas data and an indication of a degree of the connectivity metric between the seed parcel and seed-connected parcel for display as an overlay on a visualization of the brain atlas data.

Abstract: A catheter-based ultrasound imaging system configured to provide a full circumferential 360-degree view around an intra-vascular/intra-cardiac imaging-catheter-head by generating a three-dimensional view of the tissue surrounding the imaging-head over time. The ultrasound imaging system can also provide tissue-state mapping capability. The evaluation of the vasculature and tissue characteristics include path and depth of lesions during cardiac-interventions such as ablation. The ultrasound imaging system comprises a catheter with a static or rotating sensor array tip supporting continuous circumferential rotation around its axis, connected to an ultrasound module and respective processing machinery allowing ultrafast imaging and a rotary motor that translates radial movements around a longitudinal catheter axis through a rotary torque transmitting part to rotate the sensor array-tip.

Abstract: A system for MR Elastography of a sample, including ultrasound gel to sheath the sample, a vessel to accept the flow of the sample sheathed in ultrasound gel, a sensor array adapted to capture an ultrasound measurement and an MR measurement, wherein the sensor array including an ultrasound transmitter and an ultrasound receiver, and the sensor array is coupled to the vessel, and the vessel is capable of mechanical conductance between the ultrasound transducers, and the ultrasound gel, and a pump to create a pressure based flow of ultrasound fluid through the vessel and move the sample in proximity to the sensor array for capture of MR and ultrasound measurements of the sample as the sheathed sample passes by the sensor array.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods and storage mediums for optical imaging medical devices, and methods and storage mediums for use with same, for viewing, controlling, updating, and emphasizing one or more imaging modalities and/or for constructing or reconstructing 2D and/or 3D structure(s) are provided herein. One or more embodiments provide at least one intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI), method, device, apparatus, system, or storage medium to comprehend information, including, but not limited to, molecular structure of a vessel, and to provide an ability to manipulate the vessel information and/or to construct or reconstruct 2D and/or 3D structure(s) of the vessel to improve or maximize accuracy in one or more images. In addition to controlling one or more imaging modalities, the GUI may operate for one or more applications, including, but not limited to, expansion/underexpansion (e.g., for a stent) and/or apposition/malapposition (e.g., for a stent), co-registration, and imaging.

Abstract: A device for adjusting biopsy angles and a biopsy needle guide are provided. The device for adjusting biopsy angles comprises an angle fixing base and a needle guiding base, the needle guiding base being rotatably connected with the angle fixing base at their first ends, the needle guiding base having a needle tract for guiding a biopsy needle, wherein an U-shaped limiting assembly formed on one side of the needle guiding base surrounds a angle fixing sheet extending from the angle fixing base at their second ends, and a positioning adjuster mounted on the U-shaped limiting assembly is movably engaged with positioning holes on the angle fixing sheet so as to be inserted into the positioning holes or be released out of the positioning holes. The needle guiding base can be rotated at a large angle to disengage from the angle fixing sheet, and is convenient for cleaning.

Abstract: Methods and systems providing guidance for operation of a biopsy needle based on ultrasonic imaging. Ultrasonic waves are emitted and detected by a ultrasonic transducer to generate image data. A biopsy needle is identified within the generated image data, and the biopsy needle may be in a pre-fire configuration. Based on the identification of the biopsy needle, the methods and systems may determine a predicted location of the biopsy needle based at least in part on biopsy needle properties. The predicted location of the biopsy needle may be the predicated location of the biopsy needle in its post-fire configuration. At least one indicator may be displayed indicating the determined predicted location.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound data processing includes transmitting an ultrasound excitation signal from each element of a transducer array and receiving a response signal from each element of a transducer array. Each response signal corresponds to a respective channel. Each response signal is sampled at one or more time points in the response signal to create a plurality of samples, each sample corresponding to a channel and a time point. The samples are divided into at least two groups. Response signals from the first group are beamformed and response signals from the second group are beamformed separately. The process is repeated over multiple data frames. The beamformed signals of each group are correlated over the multiple data frames and beamformed signals having a lower degree of correlation or negative correlation are selectively attenuated. An image output is generated from the correlation output.

Abstract: A tomography convergence-type oral scanner includes an oral scanning unit comprising a projector including a first light source for generating visible light, and a camera for generating image data by receiving the visible light reflected from a tooth; an optical tomography scanning unit comprising an OCT body including a second light source that has a different wavelength from the first light source and generates a measurement light incident on the tooth, a beam splitter for splitting the measurement light into a reference light and a measurement light, a reference mirror that reflects the reference light, and a photodetector for detecting an interference light, and an OCT scan probe including a collimator for converting the measurement light into a parallel light and a MEMS mirror for reflecting the converted parallel light; and a dichroic mirror for transmitting the visible light and reflecting the parallel light, thereby irradiating a tooth to be measured.