Abstract: A system for enhanced surgical navigation including a computing device and an imaging device. The computing device is configured to import a navigation path to a target using a first data set of computed tomography images previously acquired, display the navigation path on a graphical user interface for navigation to the target and placement of a plurality of markers in tissue proximate the target, and acquire a second data set of computed tomography images including the plurality of markers. The imaging device is configured to capture fluoroscopic data of tissue proximate the plurality of markers. The computing device is further configured to register the fluoroscopic data to the second data set of computed tomography images based on marker position and marker orientation within the fluoroscopic data and marker position and orientation within the second data set of computed tomography images.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced navigation for use during a surgical procedure including planning a navigation path to a target using a first data set of computed tomography images previously acquired; navigating a marker placement device to the target using the navigation path; placing a plurality of markers in tissue proximate the target; acquiring a second data set of computed tomography images including the plurality of markers; planning a second navigation path to a second target using the second data set of computed tomography images; navigating a medical instrument to a second target; capturing fluoroscopic data of tissue proximate the target; and registering the fluoroscopic data to the second data set of computed tomography images based on marker position and orientation within the real-time fluoroscopic data and the second data set of computed tomography images.

Abstract: An imaging device for medical imaging includes a light source device arranged to illuminate a sample under investigation with illumination light, a detector device arranged to collect a plurality of images including at least two sample light images backscattered by the sample in different spectral ranges, and at least one marker light image originating from at least one marker substance in the sample, and a processor device adapted to process the at least two sample light images and create at least one correction component, the processor device further adapted to correct the marker light image using the at least one correction component.

Abstract: A system includes a transducer configured to emit ultrasound in response to receiving an electrical signal from a driving circuit. The transducer includes a first dimension that determines a frequency of the ultrasound and a second dimension that determines an impedance of the transducer. The frequency is independent of the second dimension.

Abstract: A volume is defined in which a control system permits an instrument to move, and the volume is a sum of one volume that is defined by previous movements of the instrument and another volume that is defined by the boundaries of an image capture component.

Abstract: There is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of measuring hardness information of a subject with high time resolution and spatial resolution. The apparatus is provided with a ultrasonic probe 1 and a displacement generation unit 10 configured to displace an inside of a subject and is configured to transmit an ultrasonic beam for displacement detection to a plurality of detection positions of the subject from the ultrasonic probe 1, and to detect a shear wave velocity based on the displacement at the plurality of detection positions in a control unit 3 by using a reflection signal detected in a detection unit 20, thereby outputting hardness information of the subject. The ultrasonic beam for displacement detection is transmitted to one of the plurality of detection positions.

Abstract: A system for identifying an attribute of an implanted medical device, such as an access port is disclosed. In one embodiment, the identification system comprises a marker included with the implanted medical device, wherein the marker relates to an attribute of the implanted medical device. An external detection device is also included, comprising a signal source that emits an incident electromagnetic signal for impingement on the marker of the implanted medical device, a detector that detects a return signal from the marker resulting from impingement of the incident electromagnetic signal, and a user interface for conveying information relating to the attribute based on detection of the return signal. In the case of an implantable access port, for instance, the described system enables information, such as the ability of the port to withstand power injection of fluids therethrough, to be ascertained even after the port has been subcutaneously implanted within the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides biopsy needles configured to maximize tissue sampling yield and further ensure collection of a cohesive unit of sampled tissue. The biopsy needles of the present disclosure provide a distinct tissue collection distal end configured to collect a full core of tissue sample and keep the full core intact. The distal end may include a distinct helical slot extending from an open distal end or a distinct cutting tip forming a coring feature.

Abstract: Endoscopes and wands, useful for near infrared imaging, particularly for medical purposes, have transmitting members that transmit between about 95% and 99.5% of the energy at a wavelength within the infrared spectrum. The wands and endoscopes have at least one channel for transmitting and receiving light in the visible spectrum and at least one channel for transmitting and receiving light in the infrared spectrum.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a method for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device comprising positioning a distal end of an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen adjacent a target site within a vasculature of a patient, and partially deploying an implantable medical device from the distal opening, wherein the implantable medical device includes an expandable fixation element. A portion of the expandable fixation element assumes an expanded position when the implantable medical device is partially deployed from the distal opening. The method including advancing the distal end of the outer sheath within the vasculature with the implantable medical device partially deployed from the distal opening, and monitoring at least one of the vasculature and the portion of the expandable fixation element for deflection to determine when the size of the portion of the expandable fixation element corresponds to the size of the vasculature.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a receiving unit which provides at least some of echo signals with reception delays that vary with ultrasonic transducers and adds each of the echo signals provided with the reception delays to acquire a reception beam includes a predetermined receiving direction and a reception focus and a control unit, the control unit controlling the transmission unit so that a transmission beam including a transmission direction and a transmission focus that are fixed is transmitted, the control unit also controlling the receiving unit by changing patterns of the reception delays and adding the respective patterns to at least some of the echo signals based on the transmission beam including the transmission direction and the transmission focus that are fixed in order to acquire reception beams different in receiving direction and reception focus.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes an imaging data acquiring unit and a blood flow information generating unit. The imaging data acquiring unit acquires imaging data from an imaging region including myocardium, without using a contrast medium, by applying a spatial selective excitation pulse to a region including at least a part of an ascending aorta for distinguishably displaying inflowing blood flowing into the imaging region. The blood flow information generating unit generates blood flow image data based on the imaging data.

Abstract: A mammography device is disclosed. The mammography device includes a container configured to surround the breast and a plurality of optical fibers attached to be directed inward in the container and configured to perform radiation and detection of light. The container has a base member having an opening, a plurality of annular members continuously disposed to come in communication with the opening, and a bottom member disposed inside the annular member spaced the farthest distance from the base member. The annular members and the bottom member are configured to relatively displace the adjacent annular member on the side of the base member or the base member in a communication direction. Some of the plurality of optical fibers is attached to the plurality of annular members.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed which facilitate the rapid, noninvasive and quantitative measurement of the concentration of flavonoid compounds, as well as their isomers and metabolites, in biological tissue such as human skin. Low-intensity, visible-light illumination of intact tissue provides for high spatial resolution, and allows for precise quantification of the flavonoid levels in the tissue. The preferred embodiments make use of a previously unknown, low-oscillator strength, optical absorption transition of flavonoids. This makes it possible to optically excite flavonoids in living human tissue outside the absorption range of other, potentially confounding skin chromophores.

Abstract: In a breast imaging method, magnetic resonance data are acquired of one or both breasts of a subject (16) using a breast coil (20, 20?) coupled with said one or both breasts. The acquiring employs at least four independent channels (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46; 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) per breast. The acquired magnetic resonance data are processed to generate at least one of (i) an image, (ii) a spectrum, and (iii) elasticity data. The at least four independent channels per breast are suitably embodied as a dual breast coil (20) including left breast conductors (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) defining at least four independent left breast acquisition channels (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) and right breast conductors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) defining at least four independent right breast acquisition channels (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an ultrasonic image, a first calculation unit which calculates directions of edges in a local region in the ultrasonic image, sizes of the edges in the local region, and directional uniformity of the edges in the local region, a second calculation unit which calculates a composite coefficient by using the sizes of the edges and the directional uniformity of the edges, a third calculation unit which calculates a filtering coefficient for a region corresponding to the local region based on the composite coefficient, and a filtering unit which performs filtering processing for sharpening or smoothing the ultrasonic image with respect to the ultrasonic image by using the filtering coefficient.

Abstract: A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate physical apertures of ultrasound arrays. The probe can include separate backing plates configured to secure the ultrasound arrays in predetermined positions and orientations relative to one another. Some embodiments of the probe include flex circuit connected to the ultrasound arrays. In additional embodiments, a flex/PC board comprising flex connectors and an array of terminals is connected to the ultrasound arrays. Algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the probe apparatus to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.

Abstract: The system comprises a therapeutic bed, a chamber, a combined head, a motional apparatus, a therapeutic power source, an imaging power source, a vacuum degassor, and a controller. The therapeutic transducer, the imaging transducer, and a rotator, together form the combined head. The combined head may also include an actuator. The rotator and actuator move the imaging transducer relative to the therapeutic transducer. The therapeutic transducer produces high intensity focused ultrasound, and treats target tissue in the body.

Abstract: An electronic catheter stethoscope measures and analyzes acoustic fields and dynamic pressure variations in the gaseous or liquid fluid inside a conventional medical catheter that is positioned in a patient's urologic, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary system. Measurement transducers are installed in a housing connectable to multiple preselected medical catheters. The transducers detect bodily functions that are transmitted to the preselected catheter from within the body. The transducers, housing, electrical interface and signal processing electronics are positioned outside the body.

Abstract: A method for life sign monitoring and associated controller is provided. The method includes: obtaining a video signal, performing an activity modeling on the video signal to provide an activity signal, performing a vital sign extraction on the video signal to provide a vital sign, performing a filtering on the vital sign in view of the activity signal to suppress a correlation between the activity signal and the vital sign, and accordingly providing a filtered vital sign; and, according to the filtered vital sign and whether the activity signal exceeds an activity threshold range, providing a joint decision for categorizing result of life sign monitoring to one of a plurality of predetermined episodes.