Abstract: An iterative method of computing time delay values for ultrasound receive beamforming. Sensing signals are generated by transducer elements in a transducer array which detect reflected sound waves from a target tissue region for a time sample (n) for a first focal point and at a later time sample (n+1) for a second focal point. Respective time delays are calculated for time sample (n) for sensing signals received from the transducer elements for focusing the reflected sound waves from the first focal point. For the later time sample (n+1), respective time delays are calculated for the sensing signals received from the transducer elements for focusing the reflected sound waves from the second focal point, wherein the respective time delays for time sample (n+1) are computed iteratively from the respective time delays for time sample (n).

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a magnetic source includes measuring a magnetic field generated by the magnetic source and determining components of the three-dimensional magnetic flux density of the magnetic field at a plurality of points in space based on such measurement. The method also includes estimating a position of the magnetic source and determining components of a theoretical three-dimensional magnetic flux density at the plurality of points in space based on the estimated position. The position of the magnetic source may then be determined by minimizing the difference between the components of the measured and corresponding theoretical three-dimensional magnetic flux density components.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting electromechanical wave propagation within a body structure of a patient in a series of image frames representing movement the body structure. Image data is acquired comprising a series of image frames corresponding to the movement of a body structure. A correlation calculation is performed on the image frames to generate a displacement map representing the relative displacement between the first and second image frames. A video is generated comprising a series of displacement maps. The parameters of movement of the body structure are detected by analysis of the displacement maps. The image acquisition may detect the movement of the body structure without inducing such movement.

Abstract: A method (50) for quantitative 3D contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) analysis includes acquiring (54) an initial pair of ultrasound contrast and tissue images of an anatomy. A region of interest (ROI) or volume of interest (VOI) is established (56) in the initial acquired tissue image, which becomes the baseline tissue image. The established ROI/VOI is automatically registered (58) from the initial tissue image to the initial contrast image, which becomes a baseline contrast image. Quantitative analysis is performed (60) on the ROI/VOI of the baseline contrast image. The method further includes acquiring (62) a next ultrasound contrast and tissue image pair, corresponding to an i th current contrast and tissue image pair.

Abstract: A technique for obtaining information regarding a state of periodontal tissue involves deriving a substantially whole curve measure of similarity of an observed bandshape of an isolated spectral component attributed to water within the infrared region. Subtle variations in the bandshape of the water bands have been found to correlate with inflammatory periodontal diseases and using whole curve measures such as weighted integrals or measure of fit parameters these variations can be detected and used to classify periodontal tissues.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for automated tracker-driven image selection. The method includes determining a location of a tracked device and automatically sorting an image set based at least in part on the location of the tracked device.

Abstract: A non-invasive optical sensor which uses the motion signal to calculate the physiological characteristic being measured. For pulse oximetry, a least squares or a ratio-of-ratios technique can be applied to the motion signal itself. This is made possible by selecting a site on the patient where variations in motion produce signals of two wavelengths which are sufficiently correlated. In particular, it has been determined that a sensor placed on a nail, in particular a thumbnail, exhibits the characteristics of having the red and infrared signals correlated when used for pulse oximetry, and the resulting signals correlate to arterial oxygen saturation.

Abstract: An endovascular access and guidance system has an elongate body with a proximal end and a distal end; a non-imaging ultrasound transducer on the elongate body configured to provide in vivo non-image based ultrasound information of the vasculature of the patient; an endovascular electrogram lead on the elongate body in a position that, when the elongate body is in the vasculature, the endovascular electrogram lead electrical sensing segment provides an in vivo electrogram signal of the patient; a processor configured to receive and process a signal from the non-imaging ultrasound transducer and a signal from the endovascular electrogram lead; and an output device configured to display a result of information processed by the processor.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis system and a centesis support controlling method by which positions and directions of a centesis needle traveling to a target region can accurately and easily be determined, including an MPR image data generating unit which generates target image data by setting a prescribed target MPR plane on volume data acquired through 3D scan over a 3D volume including a target region; a centesis needle MPR plane setting unit which generates centesis needle data indicating position and directions of the centesis needle, based on the acquired volume data; a crossing angle detection unit which detects a crossing angle between the target MPR plane and the centesis needle MPR plane including the centesis needle data; and a needling support data generating unit which generates needling support data by composing the target image data and the centesis needle data overlapped with centesis needle image data based on the detected crossing angle.

Abstract: A number of improvements are provided relating to computer aided surgery. The improvement relates to both the methods used during computer aided surgery and the devices used during such procedures. Some of the improvement relate to controlling the selection of which data to display during a procedure and/or how the data is displayed to aid the surgeon. Other improvements relate to the structure of the tools used during a procedure and how the tools can be controlled automatically to improve the efficiency of the procedure. Still other improvements relate to methods of providing feedback during a procedure to improve either the efficiency or quality, or both, for a procedure.

Abstract: Medical examination or treatment device, in particular x-ray or CT device, comprising a control device controlling the operation of one or a number of device elements, as well as at least one mobile control element assigned to the control device, the control element communicating wirelessly with the control device for operating the examination or treatment device to issue control signals, with a detector element for detecting an item of information which can be read out or sent by a control element assigned to the control device during a movement of the control element from the room containing the medical examination or treatment device, the room communicating with the control device which disables the control operation as a function of the detection result.

Abstract: An imaging system, including (1) a CT scanner configured to scan an object arranged on a patient pallet; (2) a PET scanner, including a first detector portion, including first detector elements, arranged circumferentially around the patient pallet, the first detector portion having a predetermined axial extent and transaxially subtending less than 360 degrees with respect to a central axis of the scanner; and a second detector portion, including second detector elements, arranged separately from and opposing the first detector portion, wherein the second detector elements are of a different type than the first detector elements, and the second detector portion is configured to be movable radially and circumferentially around the object; and (3) an acquisition subsystem configured to acquire first event data from the first detector portion and to acquire second event data from the second detector portion.

Abstract: One or more markers or sensors are positioned in the vasculature of a patient to facilitate determining the location, configuration, and/or orientation of a vessel or certain aspects thereof (e.g., a branch vessel), determining the location, configuration and/or orientation of a endovascular devices prior to and during prosthesis deployment as well as the relative position of portions of the vasculature and devices, generating an image of a virtual model of a portion of one or more vessels (e.g., branch vessels) or devices, and/or formation of one or more openings in a tubular prosthesis in situ to allow branch vessel perfusion when the prosthesis is placed over one or more branch vessels in a patient (e.g., when an aortic abdominal artery stent-graft is fixed to the aorta superior to the renal artery ostia).

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated surgical navigational and neuromonitoring system having automated surgical assistance and control. The integrated system provides real-time introperative assistance to a surgeon or other user. The integrated system can also automatically control neuromonitoring based on a position of a neuromonitoring probe.

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transmitting and receiving system for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a object to be examined 10, an elasticity image capturing system for capturing an elasticity image related to body tissue of the object to be examined on the basis of a signal output from the ultrasound transmitting and receiving system, and a controlling and displaying system for capturing the elasticity image. The elasticity image capturing system obtains compression data related to the compression state of the object to be examined 10, determines the compression state of the body tissue on the basis of the compression data, and includes a compression direction and range evaluation unit 115 as a compression state evaluating means for reflecting the determination result to the elasticity image. In this way, more accurate diagnosis by objectively and quantitatively grasping the compression state of the body tissue is possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the three-dimensional movement of a patient positioned on a table between an X-ray source and an image receiver of an X-ray imaging apparatus is presented. The apparatus has an X-ray source positioned opposite an image receiver, the X-ray source and the image receiver being driven in rotation about an axis. The method and apparatus has the following operation: radio-opaque markers are placed on the patient's body; at least one first radiographic image of the patient is taken for a first determined fixed position of the imaging apparatus; at least one second radiographic image of the patient is taken for a second determined fixed position; and a matrix of the three-dimensional movement of the patient is determined on the basis of the two-dimensional movements of the markers in the radiographic images, the X-ray source constituting a fixed reference frame.

Abstract: A dynamic ultrasound image catheter includes a catheter body with an acoustic window on the distal end, an ultrasound phased array transducer assembly configured to rotate within the acoustic window through an angle of rotation, an acoustic coupling fluid filling a gap between the transducer array and the acoustic window, and a drive motor at the proximal end of the catheter body that is configured to rotate the transducer array. The drive motor may transmit a rotational force to the ultrasound phased array transducer by a drive wire or by tension wires coupled to drive spools. A system processor coupled to the drive motor controls rotation of the transducer array and estimates the angular orientation of the transducer array. By taking ultrasound images at increments through the angle of rotation, the dynamic ultrasound image catheter can obtain images spanning a volume which can be processed to generate three-dimensional composite images.

Abstract: A tomographic system displays plural tomographic images, a relative distance between the tomographic images, whereby the operator can see the displayed data of the relative distances between tomographic images and the length of the treatment device instantaneously, and can therefore determine the insert position or the treatment device for the subject efficiently.

Abstract: A method, system, and related computer program products for processing and displaying dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) information are described. A plurality of instances of an MRI volume of the body part acquired at a respective plurality of sample times subsequent to an administration of a tracer is processed to determine a plurality of pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters characterizing a mathematical model-based relationship between a plasma tracer concentration and a total tracer concentration within the body part. For one preferred embodiment, computation of the PK parameters is performed according to a generalized signal model such that computation can be carried out in real time during an interactive viewer session, with required reference regions being selectable and optionally re-selectable by the viewer without requiring extensive waiting times for PK parameter computation. Associated user interfaces and computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithms are also provided.

Abstract: Various compositions, methods, and devices are provided that use fluorescent nanoparticles, which can function as markers, indicators, and light sources. The fluorescent nanoparticles can be formed from a fluorophore core surrounded by a biocompatible shell, such as a silica shell. In one embodiment, the fluorescent nanoparticles can be delivered to tissue to mark the tissue, enable identification and location of the tissue, and/or illuminate an area surrounding the tissue. In another embodiment, the fluorescent nanoparticles can be used on a device or implant to locate the device or implant in the body, indicate an orientation of the device or implant, and/or illuminate an area surrounding the device or implant. The fluorescent nanoparticles can also be used to provide a therapeutic effect.