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 ultrasound observation apparatus includes: a B-mode image generation unit; a region selection information input unit; a region-of-interest setting unit configured to set a region of interest of an ultrasound image to be subjected to processing suitable for an operation mode selected, in accordance with the input, from a plurality of operation modes for detecting a selected one of a plurality of pieces of characteristic biological information, by calculation using a region-of-interest setting method previously associated with the operation mode, based on a desired region selected in the region selection information; and a mode image composition unit configured to generate a mode composite image in which an operation mode image presented in two dimensions additional information obtained by performing processing suitable for the operation mode selected in accordance with the input on the region of interest is superimposed on a B-mode image generated by the B-mode image generation unit.

Abstract: An ultrasound-assisted wound cleanser in the form of a handheld device includes an integrated vibration motor, an integrated ultrasound generator, an integrated energy source for the vibration motor and the ultrasound generator, and a replaceable cleansing attachment which can be driven by the vibration motor for abrasively removing wound coatings. The cleansing attachment has an acoustic transducer which is designed to convert the electric oscillations generated by the ultrasound generator into sound waves, a device for reinforcing and/or distributing and/or transferring the ultrasound waves, and bristles and/or lamellas for the abrasive removal. Further, a method for cleansing wounds includes moving a cleansing attachment with bristles for abrasively removing wound coatings by a vibration motor. The cleansing attachment is oscillated by an ultrasound generator, and the oscillations for supporting the removal of wound coatings are transmitted into the wound via a transmission medium.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for evaluating a vessel of a patient, and in particular the hemodynamic impact of a stenosis within the vessel of a patient. Proximal and distal pressure measurements are made using first and second instrument while the first instrument is moved longitudinally in the vessel and the second instrument remains in a fixed position. A series of pressure ratio values are calculated, and a pressure ratio curve is generated. The pressure ratio curve may be output to a display. One or more stepped change in the pressure ratio curve are identified using an Automatic Step Detection algorithm. An image is obtained showing the position of the first instrument within the vessel that corresponds to the identified stepped change. The image is registered to the identified stepped change in the pressure ratio curve. The image may be output to the display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for performing EEG source localization. One of the methods includes obtaining brain data comprising: EEG data comprising respective channel data corresponding to each of a plurality of electrodes of an EEG sensor, and fMRI data comprising respective voxel data corresponding to each of a plurality of voxels; identifying, in a three-dimensional coordinate system, a respective location for each electrode; generating, using the respective identified locations of each electrode, data representing a location in the three-dimensional coordinate system of each voxel; determining, for each electrode, a region of interest in the three-dimensional coordinate system; and identifying, for each electrode, one or more corresponding parcellations in the brain of the subject, wherein each parcellation that corresponds to an electrode at least partially overlaps with the region of interest of the electrode.

Abstract: A method and system for deep learning based cardiac electrophysiological model personalization is disclosed. Electrophysiological measurements of a patient, such as an ECG trace, are received. A computational cardiac electrophysiology model is personalized by calculating patient-specific values for a parameter of the computational cardiac electrophysiology model based at least on the electrophysiological measurements of the patient using a trained deep neural network (DNN). The parameter of the computational cardiac electrophysiology model corresponds to a spatially varying electrical cardiac tissue property.

Abstract: A 3D model of AC electrical conductivity (at a given frequency) of an anatomic volume can be created by obtaining two MRI images of the anatomic volume, where the two images have different repetition times. Then, for each voxel in the anatomic volume, a ratio IR of the intensity of the corresponding voxels in the two MRI images is calculated. This calculated IR is then mapped into a corresponding voxel of a 3D model of AC electrical conductivity at the given frequency. The given frequency is below 1 MHz (e.g., 200 kHz). In some embodiments, the 3D model of AC electrical conductivity at the given frequency is used to determine the positions for the electrodes in TTFields (Tumor Treating Fields) treatment.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to techniques for neuromodulation that include applying energy (e.g., ultrasound energy) into an internal tissue to cause tissue displacement and identifying that the tissue displacement has occurred. In one embodiment, the presence of tissue displacement is associated with a desired therapeutic or physiological outcome, such as a change in a molecule of interest.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for correcting the mismatch between computed tomography (CT) scan and positron emission tomography (PET) scan modalities caused by patient respiration by selecting PET image slices aligned with the phase and amplitude in which the CT was acquired PET image slices so they are aligned with the phase and amplitude in which the CT scan was acquired.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for non-contact vital sign acquisition. Information can be provided regarding vibrations of a target using a radar signal such as, e.g., non-contact vital sign measurement. Examples include estimation of heart rate, change in heart rate, respiration rate, and/or change in respiration rate, for a human or other animal. Implementations can produce one or both rates of vibration and/or change in one or both rates of vibration for a target other than an animal or human experiencing two vibrations at the same time, such as a motor, a vehicle incorporating a motor, or another physical object. Some implementations can estimate the respiration movement in the radar baseband output signal. The estimated respiration signal can then be subtracted from radar signals in the time domain and, optionally, can be further enhanced using digital signal processing techniques, to produce an estimate of the heartbeat pulses.

Abstract: A patient table comprises: a curved base plate, a support face arranged over the curved base plate's concave side, a planar table top removable placed over the support face surface and the planar table top having a flat support surface opposite form the support face; the planar table top being contiguous to the support face. In particular in the patient table assembly with longitudinal sides (a) longitudinal groove(s) are provided along one or both the longitudinal sides in the flat support surface and at the longitudinal groove(s) indentations, in particular notches, are provided in the flat support surface and transverse to the groove(s).

Abstract: Certain aspects of the invention provide a system and a method for treating an epileptic condition or a tumor of the brain. In one embodiment, the method of treating the epileptic condition includes acquiring inter- and post-ictal imaging profiles and from the brain of the patient and determining an ictal propagation pathway based on the profiles. A volume of cortical activation is determined for each of a plurality of virtual electrode placement positions based on the ictal propagation pathway and the virtual electrode placement position. An electrode is implanted at a position selected from the plurality of virtual electrode placement positions, based on the volume of cortical activation at the implantation position. An electrical pulse is delivered from the electrode, where the electrical pulse is of a magnitude and duration effective to at least reduce the epileptic seizure.

Abstract: An optical source sweeps a source light over an optical wavelength range. An interferometer splits the source light into sample light and reference light, delivers the sample light into an anatomical structure, such that the sample light is scattered by the anatomical structure, resulting in physiological-encoded signal light that exits the anatomical structure, and combines the signal light and the reference light into an interference light pattern having an array of spatial components and a plurality of oscillation frequency components. An optical detector array detects intensity values of the array of spatial components.

Abstract: An interventional therapy system may include at least one catheter configured for insertion within an object of interest (OOI); and at least one controller which configured to: obtain a reference image dataset including a plurality of image slices which form a three-dimensional image of the OOI; define restricted areas (RAs) within the reference image dataset; determine location constraints for the at least one catheter in accordance with at least one of planned catheter intersection points, a peripheral boundary of the OOI and the RAs defined in the reference dataset; determine at least one of a position and an orientation of the distal end of the at least one catheter; and/or determine a planned trajectory for the at least one catheter in accordance with the determined at least one position and orientation for the at least one catheter and the location constraints.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating micrometastases in a tissue region of a subject are described. The methods include administering to the subject a detectably effective amount of a tumor-targeted photoactivatable immunoconjugate; allowing a sufficient amount of time for the tumor-targeted photoactivatable immunoconjugate to enter micrometastases in the tissue region; illuminating the tumor-targeted photoactivatable immunoconjugate; obtaining an image of the tissue region of the subject using a fluorescent imaging device, and evaluating the micrometastases in the tissue region by conducting algorithmic analysis of the image. Methods of treating micrometastases in a tissue region of a subject are also described.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic propagation member used in contact with a test target, wherein a surface of the ultrasonic propagation member contacting the test target has a shape conforming to a surface of the test target, or an ultrasonic propagation member having at least two surfaces, wherein hardness of one surface and hardness of another surface are different.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine (NM) multi-head imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, plural detector units mounted to the gantry, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is operably coupled to at least one of the detector units, and configured to acquire, via the detector units, imaging information. The imaging information includes edge information and interior information. The edge information corresponds to a contour boundary of tissue and the interior information corresponds to an intermediate portion of the tissue. The least one processor is configured to control the detector units to acquire a proportionally larger amount of imaging information for the contour boundary than for the intermediate portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for implanting a localization wire, wherein the apparatus exhibits a ready configuration and a relaxed configuration, includes a handle having a slot and a cannula disposed within the handle and having an insertion tip and a projection configured to selectively enter the slot. The cannula is movable between a ready configuration and a relaxed configuration. A localization wire is disposed within the cannula. An actuator is configured to retract the cannula into the handle.

Abstract: MRI-guided robotics offers possibility for physicians to perform interventions remotely on confined anatomy. While the pathological and physiological changes could be visualized by high-contrast volumetric MRI scan during the procedure, robots promise improved navigation with added dexterity and precision. In cardiac catheterization, however, maneuvering a long catheter (1-2 meters) to the desired location and performing the therapy are still challenging. To meet this challenge, this invention presents an MRI-conditional catheter robotic system that integrates intra-op MRI, MR-based tracking units and enhanced visual guidance with catheter manipulation. This system differs fundamentally from existing master/slave catheter manipulation systems, of which the robotic manipulation is still challenging due to the very limited image guidance. This system provides a means of integrating intra-operative MR imaging and tracking to improve the performance of tele-operated robotic catheterization.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 300) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108) includes a magnetic resonance imaging antenna (113, 113?) comprising having multiple loop antenna elements (114, 114?) with multiple infrared thermometry sensors (115, 115?). The magnetic resonance imaging antenna is configured for being positioned adjacent to an external surface (119) of the subject and at least a portion of the multiple infrared thermometry sensors are directed towards the external surface. The magnetic resonance imaging system further includes a memory (134, 136) containing machine executable instructions (150, 152) and pulse sequence instructions (140).