Abstract: A dynamic magnetic resonance angiography, MRA, method, comprising: acquiring, by an MR scanning device, a multi-contrast magnetic resonance, MR, sequence of a portion of a body; identifying, by a processing circuit, blood vessels of the portion by identifying blood of the portion based on predetermined characteristic of blood and the multi-contrast MR sequence; generating, by the processing circuit, a first MRA image frame and a second MRA image frame, based on the multi-contrast MR sequence, respectively visualising a first part and a second part of the identified blood vessels; generating, by the processing circuit, a dynamic MRA image for visualising a dynamic blood flow through a part of the portion, based on the first and second MRA image frame.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing at least one of an image or a map of a subject includes controlling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to perform a pulse sequence that includes a phase increment of an RF pulse selected to induce a phase difference between two echoes at different echo times (TE). The method also includes controlling the MRI system to acquire MR data corresponding to at least the two echoes at different TEs, deriving a static magnetic field (B0) map of the MRI system using the MR data corresponding to the two echoes, and using the B0 map and MR data from at least one of the two echoes, generate a map of T2 of the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent a calcified region of a body. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The apparatus further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the calcified region adjacent the balloon. The shock wave generator includes a plurality of shock wave sources distributed within the balloon.

Abstract: An MRI system and method for generating MR images is provided. An MR signals acquisition unit is configured to generate a main magnetic field, orienting the magnetization of blood within a subject, and first inversion/non-inversion RF pulses such that predetermined sequences of blood boli with inverted/non-inverted magnetization are generated. First inversion/non-inversion MR signals can be acquired, which are caused by the influence on the magnetization by the first inversion/non-inversion RF pulses. MR images may be generated by an image generation unit based on imaging MR signals, acquired after the sequences of inverted and non-inverted blood boli have been flowed from the first region to the part to be imaged, and the predetermined sequences. An evaluation unit is configured to evaluate the inverting of the magnetization in the first region based on the first inversion and/or non-inversion MR signals.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described including a medical device subassembly including a magnetic feature. Systems include such a catheter adapter subassembly or needle subassembly or guidewire introducer subassembly and a wire including a magnetic feature, and relative movement of the catheter adapter subassembly or needle subassembly or guidewire introducer subassembly and the wire can be determined using a magnetometer.

Abstract: A depth sensing dilator system for dilating a penetration in a tissue plane includes an elongate flexible body, having a proximal end and a distal end. The body has a tapered dilator segment, and at least a first electrode on a distal end of the body. The system includes a processor and a user interface output device. The processor is configured to send a first signal to the output device when a change in impedance at the first electrode indicates that the first electrode has reached a predetermined relationship with the tissue plane.

Abstract: An intraoral scanner (90) is disclosed for use with a dental optical coherence tomography system. The scanner has a scanning reflector that is energizable to direct a scanning beam in a raster pattern toward a sample (S) surface. The scanning reflector is further to direct a reflected beam from the sample surface toward a detector (60). The scanning reflector is calibrated to direct the scanning and reflected beams in an open-loop control mode. A dental optical coherence tomography system and a method for calibration of a scanning reflector are also disclosed.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for endoscopically-assisted percutaneous medical procedures. A method can include inserting a first medical instrument having an elongated shaft and a first position sensor into a treatment region of a patient through a natural orifice of the patient. A first position of the first medical instrument within the treatment region can be determined with the first position sensor. A target location can be defined within the treatment region that is distanced from the determined first position. A second medical instrument can be percutaneously guided toward the target location. The method can be performed on a robotically-enabled medical system.

Abstract: An endovascular apparatus can comprise an array of emitters configured to emit light at a predetermined wavelength and an array of sensors configured to detect light emitted by the emitters and reflected off a surface. The device can be configured to be inserted into a stent within a blood vessel of a patient and the device can be configured to detect the location of a branch blood vessel based on the reflected light detected by the array of sensors. Some devices detect light through a stent wall from an emitter positioned in the branch vessel. Some devices include fiber optics or phototransistors for receiving light from the emitter. Some devices include a fenestration former and a guidewire director along with the light receivers all in one endovascular device.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical instrument (100, 400, 500, 600, 900, 1000, 1100. 1200, 1400) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system. The medical instrument comprises: a radio frequency system (116) configured for sending and receiving radio frequency signals to acquire magnetic resonance imaging data (302). The radio frequency system is configured for connecting to a magnetic resonance imaging antenna (114). The medical instrument further comprises a subject support (120) configured for supporting at least a portion of a subject (118) in an imaging zone (108) of the magnetic resonance imaging system. The subject support comprises an antenna connector (124) configured for connecting to the magnetic resonance imaging antenna. The radiofrequency system is configured for connecting to the magnetic resonance imaging antenna via the antenna connector.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating ultrasound at the tip of an intravascular catheter. This may be used for the treatment of vascular occlusions, including chronic total occlusions (CTOs) and thrombotic occlusions (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, stroke, myocardial infarction). For instance, the systems and methods may be used to induce cavitation to enhance the enzymatic degradation of a vascular occlusion. In some configurations, the approach employs a hollow cylindrical transducer, electrically stimulated in the radial direction at a frequency corresponding to the length mode excitation, thereby projecting ultrasound forwards past the catheter tip. This design overcomes electrical impedance issues for the generation of low frequencies with a smaller diameter transducer capable of negotiating a coronary artery. The hole within the transducer may accommodate a guidewire to facilitate its placement adjacent to the proximal portion of the occlusion.

Abstract: It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Abstract: An interventional medical device, and method of manufacturing the same, is provided to reduce risk to the patient of a fracture of the interventional medical device. At least one portion of the interventional medical device that is subject to fracture and migration within a patient is identified. A membrane is applied over each portion of the interventional medical device that is subject to fracture and migration, such that any fractured portion of the interventional medical device is tied together by the membrane.

Abstract: A method for generating a perfusion weighted image using arterial spin labeling (ASL) with segmented acquisitions includes dividing an anatomical area of interest into a plurality of slices and performing a multi-band (MB) echo planar imaging (EPI) acquisition process using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire a control image dataset representative of the plurality of slices using a central-to-peripheral or peripheral-to-central slice acquisition order. An ASL preparation process is performed using the MRI system to magnetically label protons in arterial blood water in an area upstream from the anatomical area of interest. Following a post-labeling delay time period, the MB EPI acquisition process is performed to a labeled image dataset corresponding to the slices using the central-to-peripheral or peripheral-to-central slice acquisition order. A perfusion weighted image of the anatomical area is generated by subtracting the labeled image dataset from the control image dataset.

Abstract: A magnetic marker for use in locating tissue for surgery includes a casing and two to five magnetic elements arranged in a row. The two or more magnetic elements are separated from each other by an isolating material. The magnetic marker may be non-bio-absorbable. This means that the magnetic marker is invariable as it does not decay over time. This invariability ensures that on the basis of the signal measured by a magnetometer device a distance between a probe of the magnetometer device and the magnetic marker can be determined.

Abstract: Tracked mobile x-ray imaging equipment is used to produce single or stereo long calibrated views of the anatomy of a patient on the operating table. The system estimates the position and orientation of the anatomical planes, virtually places measurement grids over these reference planes, and transforms any radiographic views taking by the x-ray imaging system onto these calibrated planes. The system may apply information about the depth of the anatomy to remove parallax artifacts. This system enables displaying and evaluation of the entire radiographic length of the anatomical planes using a mobile x-ray equipment. It also provides a platform for overlaying the real time x-ray images taken during operation with radiographic images of the patient or schematic of the surgical plan developed before the surgery for quick evaluation of a surgical plan.

Abstract: A method for determining movement of an object to be imaged in a medical imaging method which includes at least one Magnetic Resonance Imaging, wherein the method comprises the following steps determining first coefficients of a mathematical transformation based on first navigator data of the object, wherein the first navigator data are recorded by a magnetic resonance tomograph (100) using a first spherical Lissajous navigator in the k-space with kr<0.2/cm, preferably kr<0.15/cm, and particularly preferably kr<0.1/cm, wherein kr represents the absolute value of the wave vector k.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides methods and systems for navigating among display panels and graphical elements of a user interface of a medical imaging system via controls of a handheld imaging device. In one embodiment, the current disclosure provides for a method comprising, in response to an operator of the medical imaging system adjusting one or more controls arranged on a control handle of a handheld ultrasound device of the medical imaging system, adjusting a focus of a user interface (UI) of the medical imaging system among a plurality of graphical control elements displayed in the UI; and in response to the operator selecting a graphical control element of the plurality of graphical control elements at a location of the focus of the UI via the one or more controls, executing an action of the medical imaging system associated with the selected graphical control element.

Abstract: An illustrative optical measurement system includes a light source configured to emit light directed at a target, an array of photodetectors configured to detect photons of the light after the light is scattered by the target, and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to measure a noise level of a photodetector included in the array of photodetectors and determine that the noise level meets a predetermined threshold. The processing unit is further configured to prevent, based on the determining that the noise level meets the predetermined threshold, an output of the photodetector from being used in generating a histogram based on a temporal distribution of photons detected by the array of photodetectors.

Abstract: A phantom calibration body (110) for a method for determining at least one quantitative diffusion parameter extracted for characterization of a tissue being suspicious to a tumorous modification in magnetic resonance imaging is disclosed, wherein the phantom calibration body (110) is designed for being characterized during characterization of the tissue by the magnetic resonance imaging. Herein, the phantom calibration body (110) comprises a first compartment (112) having a first cross-section, the first compartment (112) being filled with a first solution comprising a calibration substance having a first concentration; and a second compartment (114) having a second cross-section, the second cross-section having at least two different partitions with differing diameters, wherein the second compartment (114) is filled with a second solution comprising the calibration substance having a second concentration, the second concentration differing from the first concentration.