Abstract: Acoustic signal transmission couplants for use in tomographic, large aperture ultrasound imaging and therapeutic ultrasound are described that couple acoustic signal transducers to body structures for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. The acoustic signal transmission couplants can conform to the receiving medium (e.g., skin) of the subject such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the transducer. In one aspect, an acoustic coupling medium includes a hydrogel including polymerizable material that form a network structured to entrap an aqueous fluid inside the hydrogel. The hydrogel is structured to conform to the receiving body, and the acoustic coupling medium is operable to conduct acoustic signals between acoustic signal transducer elements and a receiving medium when the hydrogel is in contact with the receiving body such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the acoustic signal transducer elements.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance device includes a radiofrequency unit that includes a radiofrequency antenna, at least one radiofrequency line and at least one radiofrequency injection point. Radiofrequency signals are transferred to the radiofrequency antenna by the at least one radiofrequency line and are coupled into the radiofrequency antenna at the at least one radiofrequency injection point. The magnetic resonance device also includes a patient receiving zone that is at least partially enclosed by the radiofrequency antenna, and a motion detection unit for detecting a movement of a patient that may be positioned within the patient receiving zone. At least one radiofrequency line includes at least one injection element by which at least one motion detection signal of the motion detection unit is coupled into the radiofrequency line.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for identifying a vessel of a subject comprises: an ultrasound probe configured to simultaneously acquire a sequence of ultrasound blood flow data frames (such as a sequence of ultrasound Doppler data frames) and a sequence of ultrasound B-mode data frames of a region of interest including the vessel over a predetermined time period; a blood flow region selecting unit configured to select a blood flow region in the sequence of blood flow data frames; and a vessel segmenting unit configured to segment the vessel in at least one frame of the sequence of ultrasound B-mode data frames based on the selected blood flow region. Since there is no need to manually place any seed point for vessel segmentation any more, the user dependency is reduced and a fast measurement is made possible.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus including: an image processor configured to acquire ultrasound data of an object; a controller configured to generate a wearable signal carrying information corresponding to a difference between the acquired ultrasound data and reference ultrasound data; and a communication module configured to transmit the wearable signal to a wearable device. The wearable signal is acquired by comparing the ultrasound data with the reference ultrasound data and includes information about the difference between the ultrasound data and the reference ultrasound data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating tissue for abnormal glucose uptake within a region of interest within a patient. A PET scanner obtains PET imagery including the region of interest and at least part of the liver. An SUV calculator calculates a first set of SUVs representing the region of interest and a second set SUVs representing the liver from the set of at least one PET image. A standardization component calculates a correction value as a function of the second set of SUVs and applies the correction value to either a decision threshold associated with the region of interest or the first set of SUVs. A diagnosis component compares the first set of SUVs to the decision threshold to determine if the glucose uptake within the region of interest is abnormal. A display provides the determination to a user.

Abstract: A device and an according method for multispectral optoacoustic imaging of an object is provided comprising: an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the object with electromagnetic radiation at two or more different irradiation wavelengths the electromagnetic radiation having a time-varying intensity; a detection unit configured to detect acoustic waves generated in the object upon irradiating the object with the electromagnetic radiation at the different irradiation wavelengths; and a processing unit configured to reconstruct images of the object based on the detected acoustic waves generated in the object at each of the irradiation wavelengths and to determine a spatial distribution of at least one first concentration value, which relates to a concentration of at least one electromagnetic radiation absorber in the object.

Abstract: A photoacoustic measurement device having a puncture needle, where the puncture needle 14 is a hollow needle that has an opening formed at a tip thereof. The puncture needle 14 includes a puncture needle body 31 and a light guide 32. The light guide 32 extends in a longitudinal direction of the puncture needle body. The light guide 32 emits light at least in part to the puncture needle body 31 while guiding light emitted from a light source toward the tip of the puncture needle body.

Abstract: A sensor device for EIT imaging comprises an electrode array for measuring an impedance distribution, with at least one sensor for determining spatial orientation of the electrode array coupled to the electrode array. An EIT imaging instrument is connectable to a sensor for determining spatial orientation of a test person, and optionally in addition connectable to a sensor for gathering information on electrical and/or acoustic activity and/or a sensor for gathering information on dilation. A computing device is connected or integrated for adjusting impedance data based on spatial data, which spatial data describe the spatial orientation of a test subject. An EIT imaging method for measuring an impedance distribution and adjusting said measured impedance distribution comprises measuring impedance distribution by using an impedance distribution measuring device comprising an electrode array, and transforming the measured impedance distribution into EIT images.

Abstract: A hybrid tomograph that includes a chamber for examining an object, a TOF-PET tomograph and an MRI tomograph. The MRI tomograph has a magnet for producing a magnetic field and a receiving-transmitting coil. The TOF-PET tomograph has polymer scintillation strips to transmit scintillation photons outside the magnet of the MRI tomograph and outside the chamber of the hybrid TOF-PET/MRI tomograph. The polymer scintillation strips are arranged circumferentially inside the magnetic field produced by the magnet of the MRI tomograph. Photoelectric converters for converting light signals from the polymer scintillation strips to electrical signals are arranged outside the magnet of the MRI tomograph and outside the chamber of the hybrid TOF-PET/MRI tomograph.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods using two, three or more pigtails for precisely imaging an aortic valve complex with minimal contrast and/or for advancing an instrument, such as a wire, or device, such as a transcatheter valve, across an aortic valve. These devices, systems and methods may be used to diagnose and/or treat patients with aortic stenosis, other valvular heart disease or other cardiovascular or non cardiovascular disease, facilitating precise contrast or drug or device delivery, precise pressure measurement and/or precise drainage or sampling.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating to a target site in a patient is provided. The system includes an extended working channel and a tool usable with an electromagnetic navigation system. In particular, the extended working channel and the tool contain an electromagnetic sensor configured to provide location information within a patient of the extended working channel and the tool to the electromagnetic navigation system. The distance from the tool and the target site can then be determined and displayed to a clinician on a display device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving image data, receiving surgical procedure data, and generating an operation plan. The image data is associated with anatomical structures in a nasal cavity of a patient. The image data and the surgical procedure data are received through a computing system. The act of generating an operation plan includes identifying a path for a surgical instrument in accordance with the image data and in accordance with the surgical procedure data. The act of generating the operation plan is performed through a computing system. The act of generating an operation plan further includes generating one or more instructional images depicting the identified path for the surgical instrument in a depiction of anatomical structures in the nasal cavity of the patient.

Abstract: A framework for facilitating visualization, including localizing at least one anatomical structure of interest in image data. The structure of interest is then highlighted by reformatting the image data by mapping landmarks associated with the structure of interest to corresponding points along a contour of a geometric shape and warping the image data based on the mapped landmarks. The resulting reformatted image data is rendered for display to a user.

Abstract: Continuously transmitting, with a transducer array, an ultrasound signal in one direction beamforming, with a beamformer, an echo signal received by the transducer array using on a predetermined apodization function, wherein the echo signal is generated in response to an interaction of the ultrasound signal with flowing structure estimating, with a velocity processor, a vector velocity of the flow, including velocity components, as a function of depth and time from the beamformed echo signals using transverse oscillation vector velocity estimation, generating, with a measurement processor, a quantitative measurement from the velocity components, and visually displaying, with a display monitor, the quantitative measurement.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe; a display; an image processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the image processor, perform operations. The operations includes acquiring ultrasound data about an object; generating an ultrasound image, based on the acquired ultrasound data; generating a first marker for a first object of interest (OOI) which is not included in the generated ultrasound image; displaying the generated ultrasound image and a map image representing a viewing point corresponding to the ultrasound image, a viewing direction, a region that a virtual ray reaches, and a position of the first OOI; and marking the first marker to correspond to the position of the first OOI on the ultrasound image and the map image.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling k-space is provided that substantially simplifies the demands placed on the clinician to select and balance the tradeoffs of a particular selected sampling methodology. In particular, the present invention provides particularly advantageous sampling methodologies that simplify the selection of a particular k-space sampling methodology and, furthermore, the tradeoffs within a particular sampling methodology.

Abstract: Various methods of performing ultrasound contrast assisted therapy are provided. One such method includes delivering a plurality of microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents to a target area and disrupting the microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents by delivering tone bursts of ultrasound to the target area. The oscillation of the microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents can be achieved by delivering ultrasound tone bursts of greater than 5 acoustic cycles with a pulse repetition frequency of between 0.01 and 20 Hz, with pressure greater than 0.3 MPa.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for utilizing an MRI image and real-time an ultrasound images to guide and/or restrict the movement of an ultrasound probe in position for collecting a biopsy core. A real-time ultrasound image is acquired and fused with pre-operative imaging modalities, such as an MRI image, to provide a three-dimensional model of the prostate. A multi-link robotic arm is provided with an end-effector and an ultrasound probe mounted thereto. Sensor information is used to track the ultrasound probe position with respect to the 3D model. The robotic arm allows for the implementation of a virtual remote center of motion (VRCM) about the transrectal probe tip, an adjustable compliant mode for the physician triggered movement of probe, a restrictive trajectory of joints of the robotic arm and active locking for stationary imaging of the prostate.

Abstract: A rectal near infrared (NIR) scanning polarization imaging system uses NIR Photonic Prostatoscopy Analyzer (NIRPPA) for prostate cancer detection using light. The NIRPPA consists of a portable rectal NIR scanning polarization imaging unit and an optical fiber-based rectal probe capable of recording sets of 2D images of a prostate through rectum at different wavelengths and depths and obtaining a three dimensional (3D) image of the prostate and 3D locations of abnormal tissue inside the prostate. Diode lasers/light emission diodes (LEDs) with selected emitting wavelengths are used in the NIR spectral range from 650 nm to 2,400 nm corresponding to the four tissue optical windows (#I, 650 nm-950 nm; #II, 1,100 nm-1,350 nm; #III, 1,600 nm-1,870 nm; and #IV, 2,100 nm-2,300 nm). The fingerprint absorptions of water (H2O), Oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) in the prostate are used as native biomarkers for prostate cancer detection.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (200, 300, 400, 500) determines the concentration distribution of sonically dispersive elements (606, 2001) within a subject (306, 604, 1004), wherein the medical apparatus comprises: a memory (212) for storing machine executable instructions (224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 318) and a processor (206) for executing the machine executable instructions. Execution of the instructions cause the processor to: receive (100) shear wave data (214) descriptive of the propagation of shear waves (310, 608, 1118) within the subject for at least two frequencies; determine (102) a mechanical property (316, 618, 620) of the subject using the shear wave data at each of the at least two frequencies; determine (104) a power law relationship (218, 702) between the at least two frequencies and the mechanical property; and determine (106) the concentration distribution of the sonically dispersive elements within the subject using the power law relationship and calibration data (222, 704, 800).