Abstract: A method differentiates a blood vessel from a nonvascular tissue during a minimally invasive surgery using a device. A device may be any penetration sensor device, such as a dilator sensor device, a hollow needle sensor device, or a trocar sensor device, which penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The penetration sensor device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the penetration sensor device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.

Abstract: A fluorescent image acquisition and projection apparatus for real-time visualization of an invisible fluorescent signal is provided. The apparatus visualizes an invisible fluorescent signal generated from a target object (a tissue of a living body, a cell of a living body, or the like) by using a photodetection unit and a projector in real time. The apparatus directly projects a visualized fluorescent signal onto a region of the target object where the invisible fluorescent signal is generated, thereby enabling users to determine and confirm the generation location of the fluorescence with the naked eye.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing quantitative measurements of global glymphatic flow of cerebrospinal fluid (“CSF”) using magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are described. In general, images are obtained from a subject using flow-sensitive MRI techniques that are designed to be particularly sensitive to the glymphatic flow of CSF. Measures of glymphatic flow can be obtained while the subject is in an awake state and again while the subject is in a sleep state. Based on these two measurements, a biomarker that indicates a neurological state or disease can be generated.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (600, 700, 800) including a high intensity focused ultrasound system (602), a signaling device (628) for generating a discomfort signal during the sonication of the sonication volume, and a processor (634) for executing instructions. Execution of the instructions causes the processor to receive (102) a set of sonication points (658, 904). At least one of the set of sonication points is identified as a test location (908, 912). The instructions further cause the processor to perform for each sonication point: determine (106) if it is a test location; perform (108) a test sonication (204, 304, 404, 504) if it is a test location; repeatedly test (110) for the discomfort signal during the test sonication; sonicate (114) the sonication point if it is not a test location or if the discomfort signal was not detected; and abort (112) the sonication if the discomfort signal was detected.

Abstract: An electromagnetic (EM) probe for monitoring one or more biological tissues. The EM probe comprises a cup shaped cavity having an opening and an interior volume, a circumferential flange formed substantially around the cup shaped cavity, in proximity to the opening, at least one layer of a material, for absorbing electromagnetic radiation, applied over at least one of a portion of the circumferential flange and a portion of the outer surface of the cup shaped cavity, and at least one EM radiation element which performs at least one of emitting and capturing EM radiation via the interior volume.

Abstract: Methods and systems for passively detecting stable cavitation and enhancing stable cavitation during sonothrombolysis are provided. The method of passively detecting stable cavitation includes providing a determined level of ultrasonic energy and detecting a scattered level of ultrasonic energy. The system for inducing and passively detecting stable cavitation includes a dual-element annular transducer array configured to provide a fundamental ultrasonic frequency and to detect an ultrasonic frequency that is a derivative of the fundamental frequency. The method of enhancing stable cavitation includes administering a nucleating agent and a thrombolytic agent to a treatment zone, providing a determined level of ultrasonic energy, and detecting a scattered level of ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: In a combined MRI and radiation therapy system, a magnet structure and radiation therapy equipment are provided. The magnet structure comprises a single substantially cylindrical field coil structure comprising a number of superconducting coils joined by a support structure and extending axially of a central region. An outer vacuum chamber encloses the field coil structure in an evacuated volume. A cooling arrangement comprising cooling tubes is in thermal contact with the superconducting coils and receives a cryogen flowing through the cooling tubes. The radiation therapy equipment comprises a gamma radiation source rotatable about an axis of the field coil structure to direct a radiation beam substantially radially through the field coil structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring device (10) comprising a light source (14) for emitting light into a body part (12) of a living being; a light sensor (18) for receiving light (16) including an ambient light component (30) and a measurement light component (32) resulting from interactions of said emitted light with said body part (12) and for generating an output signal (34), wherein a transfer function describes the relation between the output signal (34) and the received light; an ambient light cancellation unit (20) for separating the output signal (34) into a first signal portion (36) corresponding to the ambient light component (30) and a second signal portion (38) corresponding to the measurement light component (32); and an ambient light modulation removal unit (22) for compensating a variation of the ambient light component (30) by demodulating the second signal portion (38) based on the transfer function (f) and the first signal portion (36) to generate a measurement signal (40).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that utilize a ferrofluid-impregnated medium to impart motion to an optical fiber positioned within an imaging probe are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic imaging probe can include a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion; an optical fiber positioned within the housing, the optical fiber configured to receive an imaging light from an imaging light source and guide the imaging light to an optical element positioned within the distal portion of the housing; and an actuator system configured to impart motion to the optical fiber, the actuator system including a ferrofluid-impregnated medium (FIM) and an electrically energizable coil positioned within the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for providing medical imaging data includes generating T2* maps based on T2* data, registering the T2* maps with 3-D anatomical data reconstructed from the medical imaging data, and segmenting the 3-D anatomical data in a region of interest (ROI). The method also includes generating a 3-D anatomic volume of at least the ROI, flattening the 3-D anatomic volume into a 2-D flattened image, and displaying the registered T2* maps on the 2-D flattened image.

Abstract: An optical probe for measuring light signals includes a first optical fiber guiding incoming light, a lens focusing incoming light towards a sample and collecting altered light from the sample, a second optical fiber guiding altered light, a light logging device measuring intensity fluctuations in the incoming light, wherein the light logging device is positioned after the first optical fiber, whereby the light logging device receives a part of the incoming light from the first fiber. The optical probe is normally applied for measuring light signals in vivo, and finds its primary applications within the field of optical spectroscopic measurements, where the light signals measured by the probe are applied in combination with an apparatus wherein light signals are analyzed against its spectral components for instance in Raman, fluorescence, phosphorescence absorption, diffusion and transmission studies.

Abstract: Infrared imaging devices are provided which are configured to implement side-scan infrared imaging for, e.g., medical applications. For example, an imaging device includes a ring-shaped detector element comprising a circular array of infrared detectors configured to detect thermal infrared radiation, and a focusing element configured to focus incident infrared radiation towards the circular array of infrared detectors. The imaging device can be an ingestible imaging device (e.g., swallowable camera) or the imaging device can be implemented as part of an endoscope device, for example.

Abstract: A scanning assembly for a dual-modality automated biological tissue imaging device having first and second compression surfaces is provided. The assembly comprises a housing defining a scanning/compression surface, an ultrasonic transducer mounted within the housing adjacent the scanning surface for movement in a plane parallel to the scanning surface and imaging the tissue through the scanning surface, an X-ray detector mounted within the housing for forming an X-ray image of the tissue based on X-ray radiation passed through the tissue and scanning surface from an X-ray source, and a drive for moving the transducer across the scanning surface so that the transducer generates a plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound tissue images. The housing is hermetically sealed and filled with non-conductive fluid with acoustic impedance resembling that of the tissue. The scanning surface has acoustic impedance resembling that of the tissue and can substantially withstand compression forces applied to the tissue.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing an MRI or ultrasound biomedical image, based on compressed sensing includes exciting a body under examination; acquiring image data from the generated signals, wherein the signals are acquired by pseudo-random undersampling; reconstructing the image using a nonlinear iterative algorithm for minimizing an optimization function containing one or more terms for image data sparsity in one or more predetermined domains with a data fidelity constraint term ensuring fidelity to the acquired image data; wherein two or more sets of image data are acquired from the generated signals, each data set being acquired in a different undersampling scheme and/or a different acquisition mode such as to make expected and unavoidable artifacts incoherent; each of the acquired image data set is multiplied by a correction matrix ?.

Abstract: A device for heating target tissue comprises a housing, an array of ultrasound transducers and a deflector member. The housing includes a tissue contacting surface. The array of ultrasound transducers is mounted within the housing on an array surface shaped so that ultrasound energy from the transducers converges on a target area a predetermined depth from the tissue contacting surface. The deflector member is located at a selected position within a field through which a portion of the ultrasound energy generated will pass on its way to the target area. The deflector member refracts a selected portion of the ultrasound energy to control a distance of separation between the array and a proximal edge of a region at which a level of ultrasound energy exceeds a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: A magnetic-resonance-guided focused ultrasound system may be calibrated by generating ultrasound foci using ultrasound transducers, establishing coordinates of the foci and of magnetic-resonance trackers associated with the transducers, and determining a geometric relationship between the trackers and the transducers.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for in-vivo imaging, for example, using an in-vivo imaging device including an imager a lens and an illumination source, all positioned behind a single viewing window. The in-vivo imaging device may include an element to block light from reaching a point of reflection on the inner surface of the viewing window, thereby preventing the light from being received by the imager.

Abstract: A dental system may trans-illuminate teeth using a light source for producing examination radiation by directing the examination radiation at a tooth to be examined. An optical image of the tooth illuminated by the examination radiation may be acquired. The light source may include a light-guiding and/or light-deflecting element that faces the tooth to be examined being embedded in a transparent. The light-guiding and/or light-deflecting element may be embedded in a transparent, flexible coupling body that is provided to rest on the tooth or the gingiva of the tooth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated therapeutic and imaging catheter. The catheter comprises an inner member defining a guidewire lumen, a balloon assembly, a treatment device mounted about the balloon assembly, and an imaging device. The balloon assembly comprises an inner sleeve surrounding the inner member and a connection medium, wherein the connection medium is disposed between the balloon inner sleeve and the inner member, and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The imaging device is disposed distal to the balloon assembly and is coupled to the connection medium.

Abstract: An insertion detector for monitoring a position of a medical probe relative to a body cavity of a patient, the probe incorporates a proximity sensor that is responsive to a predetermined property of the patient's body. The proximity sensor may include a light emitter and a light detector. When the medical probe is inserted into the body cavity, a light flux between the light emitter and light detector is changed due to either obstruction by the cavity walls or reflection by the patient's skin. A response from the proximity sensor may be used to adjust a temperature measured from the body cavity to correct for errors due to non-insertion or partial insertion of the probe into the body cavity.