Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system to be used over a target area of a subject includes first and second RF coils for receiving an RF signal from the subject. The first RF coil is fixed to a position device and movable over the target area of subject. The second RF coil is larger than the first RF coil and has a larger field of view than the first RF coil. The system further includes an image processing device programmed to process RF signals coupled from the first RF coil and the second RF coil to form an MRI image.

Abstract: Cardiac ablation is monitored to detect hemopericardium by iteratively acquiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data that includes the pericardium, measuring the pericardium by analyzing the sets of MRI data, making a determination that a measurement of the pericardium in consecutive sets of MRI data differ, and responsively to the determination reporting a change in configuration of the pericardium.

Abstract: This document describes a system for determining positioning of an intubation tube in a patient. The system can include a first acoustic sensor configured to be disposed to listen to one of a lung and a stomach of the patient and to provide a first signal. The system includes a signal processing unit, coupled to the first acoustic sensor, configured to analyze spectral components of the first signal and determine whether a frequency of the spectral components of the first signal are characteristic of sounds induced by ventilation via the intubation tube of airflow to the lung or the stomach of the patient.

Abstract: A method for colon screening and collecting data by using Magnetic Particle Imaging wherein an imaging magnetic field is generated with a spatial distribution of the magnetic field strength such that the area of examination in the colon consists of a first sub-area with lower magnetic field strength, where the magnetization of a magnetic particle which was pre-delivered to the colon is not saturated, and a second sub-area with a higher magnetic field strength, where the magnetization of said magnetic particle is saturated. The spatial location of both sub-areas in the area of examination is modified so that the magnetization of said particles changes locally. Signals are acquired and are evaluated to obtain information about the spatial distribution of the signals in the area of examination. The method may be carried out during an entire peristaltic cycle in a colon portion or segment.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store data of a series of slice images associated with a region including a target region of an object, a first rest period specifying unit configured to specify a first rest period based on a change between images of the series of slice images, and a second rest period specifying unit configured to specify a second rest period shorter than the first rest period by tracking the target region on a plurality of slice images corresponding to the specified first rest period or a rest period enlarged from the first rest period.

Abstract: An apparatus for vascular denervation, comprising a catheter configured for delivery into a vessel of a patient. A balloon is mounted on a distal tip of the catheter, the balloon being configured to be inflatable and further configured so that, upon inflation, the balloon adopts a shape that includes a first edge and a second edge that wind around each other in a double helix, the first edge and the second edge being separated from each other by a first crease and a second crease that also wind around each other in a double helix. A first electrode is attached to the balloon and is located to extend along the first edge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum-pump sucker for high-resolution microscopy comprising a sucker body and a transparent plate. The vacuum-pump sucker is designed as a stabilizer for sample stabilization in a clinical optical virtual biopsy system with sub-micron resolution. The sucker is connected with a vacuum pump. As the vacuum pump pumps out air or gas, tissues around the imaged area will be sucked by the sucker and the distance between objective lens and the imaged tissue can be stabilized. In this way, the stability and resolution of the clinical biopsy system can be greatly improved.

Abstract: A system for detecting bone defects includes a dental implant contacting member, at least one electromagnetic source, at least one first magnetic field detecting device, at least one second magnetic field detecting device and a computing device. The dental implant contacting member has a magnetic body. The electromagnetic source is used to generate a variable magnetic field to vibrate the magnetic body. The first magnetic field detecting device is used to detect a magnetic field of the magnetic body and the variable magnetic field, so as to generate first detected data. The second magnetic field detecting device is used to detect the variable magnetic field, so as to generate second detected data. The computing device is used to obtain vibration data based on the difference between the first detected data and the second detected data.

Abstract: The disclosure has an object to provide a medical-data processing device that allows generation of an MIP image suitable for diagnosis. With the medical-data processing device of the disclosure, intensity of a body surface region in three-dimensional space data is adjusted. The body surface region corresponds to a body surface of a stereoscopic image of a subject. Since the intensity of the body surface region is adjusted to be decreased, the maximum intensity is selected from a portion except for the body surface region to generate the MIP image. This prevents the body surface of the subject from appearing upon generating the MIP image. Therefore, the MIP image is obtainable having excellent visibility to the inside of the subject.

Abstract: A system includes acquisition of a first three-dimensional image of a patient volume using a magnetic resonance imaging scanner, acquisition of a second three-dimensional image of the patient volume using cone beam radiation emitted by the linear accelerator, and generation of a radiation treatment plan based on the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A surgical guidance system offering different levels of imaging capability while maintaining the same hand-held convenient small size of light-weight intra-operative probes. The surgical guidance system includes a second detector, typically an imager, located behind the area of surgical interest to form a coincidence guidance system with the hand-held probe. This approach is focused on the detection of positron emitting biomarkers with gamma rays accompanying positron emissions from the radiolabeled nuclei.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for delivering medical fluids to a patient. A data storage device (120) is either separately attached to or incorporated within the structure of a reusable fixture that may be detachably connected to a barrel (111) of a syringe (107). A filling station (110) and an power injector (108) may each include a read-write device (114, 122) that is operable to read the data storage device (120) within its field of view. When the read-write devices (114, 122) are attached to the filing station (110) and the power injector (40), respectively, and when the fixture including the data storage device (120) is attached to the syringe (107), the read-write devices (114, 122) may be operable to store data on and read data from the data storage device (120) associated with the syringe (107). After an injection procedure, the fixture may be detached from the syringe (107) and reused with a new or resterilized syringe (107).

Abstract: Injection systems and related methods including an injection device, an operator interface, and modules to determine operational parameters during an MRA imaging procedure. Such parameters may be used to optimize and/or maximize signal intensity during an MRA imaging procedure. The injection system may include a target in-bloodstream contrast agent concentration determination module that determines a target in-bloodstream contrast agent concentration at least partially based on contrast agent type and MRA imager parameters. The injection system may include a contrast agent injection rate determination module that determines a contrast agent injection rate at least partially based on the target in-bloodstream contrast agent concentration, an initial contrast agent concentration, and a cardiac output rate of a patient to be imaged. The injection system may include a diluent injection rate determination module that determines a diluent injection rate at least partially based on the contrast agent injection rate.

Abstract: A transducer subassembly with combined imaging and therapeutic capabilities is disclosed. The subassembly includes heat sinks that are configured to maintain the transducer at a low operating temperature so that the transducer operates at high efficiency and also can handle a wider range of frequencies. The subassembly is also configured to allow cooling fluid to flow past the transducer element. One heat sink in the subassembly also acts as an acoustic matching layer and another heat sink acts as a backing Alternatively, the second heat sink which acts as a backing is optional. The transducer is configured to transmit at one power level for imaging, and at a second power level for ablating. The transducer may comprise sub-elements transmitting at different power levels. The subassembly may be operated at one power level for imaging and a second power level for ablating.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide for generating a radiographic image and ultrasound image depicting parallel planes of an object under examination and may be used in conjunction with radiographic or ultrasound techniques known to those in the field (e.g., x-ray tomosynthesis, computed tomography ultrasound imaging, etc.). An ultrasound frontend component is configured to transmit ultrasound waves in a direction substantially parallel to a trajectory of radiation. In one example, one or more radiographic images of an object are spatially coincident to one or more ultrasound images of the object in the same position and/or geometric shape/volume, and the images may be combined to generate a combined image depicting features of the ultrasound image (e.g., the sensitivity of the ultrasound image) and features of the radiographic image (e.g., the morphological details of the radiographic image).

Abstract: A non-invasive imaging system, including: a non-invasive imaging scanner; a signal processing unit in communication with the imaging scanner to receive an imaging signal from a subject under observation; and a data storage unit in communication with the signal processing unit, wherein the data storage unit stores template data corresponding to a tissue region of the subject, and wherein the signal processing unit is adapted to generate a surface map to encode a property of a subvolume of the tissue region using the template data.

Abstract: The invention includes imaging catheters having image collectors co-located with radiopaque labels, methods of using the imaging catheters, and systems for locating the position of intravascular images within the body. In some instances, an angiogram is used to determine the precise location of the co-located radiopaque labels, and thus, the position of the intravascular image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating MRI images of the lungs and/or airways of a subject using a medical grade gas mixture comprises between about 20-79% inert perfluorinated gas and oxygen gas. The images are generated using acquired 19F magnetic resonance image (MRI) signal data associated with the perfluorinated gas and oxygen mixture.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is operated to acquire an ultrasound image of a region of the body containing suspect anatomy such as a suspected lesion. A body marker template (104, 106) of the region of the body is displayed on a touchscreen display of the imaging system. The operator records the location of the suspect anatomy by touching a corresponding point on the body marker template displayed on the touchscreen display. The mark (120a, 120b) on the template can be finely adjusted by one or more controls on the imaging system control panel. The body marker template can also record a graphic indicating (120c) the orientation of the ultrasound probe relative to the body when the suspect anatomy was imaged. A report generator produces a report containing both the ultrasound image of the suspect anatomy and the body marker template with the indicated location of the suspect anatomy.

Abstract: A method of optimizing scan parameters for LGE-MRI. At least one cardiac MRI TI scout scan is performed by applying an inversion pulse every predetermined heart beat of a patient. An initial value of an inversion time TIinitial is determined by assessing a set of images generated from the scout scan. A first multiple of a duration between successive indicia of ventricular depolarization is selected, and a relaxation time T1 is determined based on the initial value Tinitial and the first multiple of duration. An optimized inversion time TIoptimal for LGE-MRI is determined based on the relaxation time T1 and a second multiple of a duration between successive indicia of ventricular depolarization. A correction factor is determined based on the optimized inversion time TIoptimal from the initial value of the inversion time TIinitial.