Abstract: A cervix probe is equipped with a tactile sensor array and an ultrasound transducer and configured for simultaneous acquisition of stress data and ultrasound strain data for the same sector of the cervix. Acquired and recorded stress and strain data are transmitted to a data processor for calculating cervix elasticity and cervix length, followed by calculating a probability of spontaneous preterm delivery using a clinically validated predictive model.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus (1) includes a time phase search period specifying unit (16) that specifies a time phase search period in each heartbeat period on the basis of Doppler data; and a frame specifying unit (12) that specifies at least one of B-mode data of a frame with a maximum diameter of a blood vessel or B-mode data of a frame with a minimum diameter of the blood vessel in each heartbeat period by analyzing the B-mode data of a plurality of frames in the time phase search period specified by the time phase search period specifying unit (16).

Abstract: A cervical probe, equipped with both a tactile sensor array and an ultrasound transducer array, is engineered for the simultaneous acquisition of stress and ultrasound strain data from cervical sectors, as well as for the measurement of cervical length. The collected stress and strain data from various cervical sectors are transmitted to a data processor. This processor calculates cervical elasticity using a strain-to-stress ratio. Subsequently, the arithmetic mean of the stress-to-strain ratios is compared with a predetermined cutoff value, and the measured cervical length is evaluated against another predetermined value, to predict preterm birth during gestational weeks 24-28.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus (1) includes a B-mode processing unit (6) that generates a B-mode image in which at least a blood vessel is imaged based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject; a display device (9) that displays the B-mode image; a vascular wall detection unit (10) that detects a vascular wall based on the B-mode image; a gate setting unit (11) that sets a Doppler gate in the blood vessel on the B-mode image; a Doppler processing unit (7) that acquires Doppler data in the Doppler gate; a blood flow velocity calculation unit (13) that calculates a blood flow velocity based on the Doppler data; and a blood flow rate measurement unit (12) that measures a blood flow rate based on the detected vascular wall and the calculated blood flow velocity, in which the blood flow rate is automatically measured based on a fixed start trigger.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a distal end body positioned at a distal end of an insertion portion; and a first built-in component and a second built-in component each having a distal end portion housed in the distal end body. The distal end body includes: a first housing portion that extends along a first direction and houses the distal end portion of the first built-in component; a first opening portion communicating with the first housing portion and being open in at least a second direction; a second housing portion that communicates with the first housing portion, extends along the first direction at a position shifted in a third direction, and houses the distal end portion of the second built-in component; and a second opening portion communicating with the second housing portion and be open in at least the second direction.

Abstract: A cervical probe, outfitted with a tactile sensor array and an ultrasound transducer, is designed for simultaneous collection of stress and ultrasound strain data from the same cervical sector. The gathered stress and strain data from multiple cervical sectors are sent to a data processor, which calculates cervical elasticity as a strain-to-stress ratio. Subsequently, an average stress-to-strain ratio is compared to a predetermined cutoff value to predict preterm birth at 24-28 gestational weeks.

Abstract: A method for selecting a seed region for use in a seed-based cortical functional mapping method includes providing at least one RSN map of at least one subject, each of the at least one RSN maps comprising a plurality of functional voxels within a brain of each of the at least one subjects, each functional voxel of the plurality of functional voxels associated with a probability of membership in an RSN. A subset of the functional voxels characterizing a contiguous region is selected as the seed region, each functional voxel of the seed region having a probability of membership in the RSN above a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for monitoring blood vessels, the method including using a system for monitoring blood vessel functionality to look, listen and feel blood vessel functionality by imaging a patient's body to obtain blood vessel geometry, imaging a patient body to obtain a shape of a location of the patient's body using image analysis, and analyzing vibrations of the patient's body at a location of the patient's body which includes the blood vessels. A method for monitoring blood vessel functionality, the method including illuminating one or more blood vessels through a patient's skin, capturing at least one image of the blood vessels, analyzing the at least one image, and calculating a parameter associated with blood vessel functionality based upon the image analysis. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A system comprises an imaging device for imaging within a body of a patient. The imaging device comprises a flexible elongate member and an imaging assembly disposed at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly comprises an array of imaging elements and a plurality of electronic components configured to perform an electrical function associated with imaging within the body of the patient using the array of imaging elements. Each of the plurality of electronic components is radiopaque such that the plurality of electronic components comprises a radiopaque pattern at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. A method of imaging within a patient body comprises receiving a radiographic image representative of an ultrasound imaging device positioned within the patient body and determining an orientation of the ultrasound imaging device using a radiopaque pattern of a plurality of electronic components in the radiographic image.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining a global confidence index for a 2D ultrasound image extracted from a 3D ultrasound volume, wherein the global confidence index indicates the suitability of the 2D ultrasound image for medical measurements. The method comprises obtaining a 3D ultrasound volume of a subject and extracting a set of at least one 2D ultrasound image from the 3D ultrasound volume. A set of geometrical indicators are then obtained with a first neural network, wherein each geometrical indicator indicates geometrical features of the anatomy of the subject. The set of 2D ultrasound images are then processed with a second neural network, wherein the output of the second neural network is a set of anatomical indicators and wherein the anatomical indicators indicate at least the presence of anatomical landmarks. A global confidence index is then determined for each one of the set of 2D ultrasound images based on the geometrical indicators and the anatomical indicators.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing guidance to a user on where to arrange an object of interest in an operating room. The method includes obtaining a spatial pose of an item arranged within the operating room and obtaining a requirement on a spatial relationship between an object of interest and the item. The method also includes determining (a) a first spatial portion in which the object of interest is recommended to be arranged, the first spatial portion being larger than the object of interest, and/or (b) a second spatial portion in which the object of interest is not allowed to be arranged. Moreover, the method includes triggering display of a visualization of the first and/or second spatial portion to guide a user on where to arrange the first object of interest in the operating room.

Abstract: Provided is a bladder monitoring apparatus including: an ultrasonic sensor module including an ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave toward a front wall of a bladder and receive the reflected ultrasonic wave; a control module configured to measure a passage time interval, calculate distance information, and calculate a volume of the bladder from the distance information and configuration information; and an output module configured to output the bladder volume calculated by the control module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a member used in a navigation system. The navigation system can determine the identification of an instrument via an input. The input can be substantially automatic when an instrument is introduced into the navigation system field or assembly.

Abstract: Medical devices include an elongate tubular shaft having a first and opposite second end; an electrical component located proximate the first end; a plurality of electrical conductors extending through the shaft and in electrical communication with the electrical component; and an interposer element mechanically and electrically coupling electrical conductors to the electrical component. The interposer element includes a backing element defining a longitudinal axis thereof and having a first and opposite second end portion. The first end portion having a forward edge defined by a center forward edge portion and first and second lateral forward edge portions on opposite sides thereof. The first and second lateral forward edge portions angularly extend relative to the center forward edge portion. The forward edge being shaped to facilitate, during assembly of the medical device, advancement of the interposer element through the elongate shaft with electrical conductors pre-attached to the interposer element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for visualizing a sub-dermal structure. The method involves illuminating an imaged area of interest (AOI) including sub-dermal regions thereof with near-infrared (NIR) light. The NIR light is passed through a first optical system for controlling at least one of spectral and polarization properties thereof prior to illuminating the imaged AOI. One or more desired optical components of an optical signal reflected back from the imaged area of interest is detected, which represent specific portions of the sub-dermal regions where specific anatomical structure of interest is present. The desired optical components represent a vein visualization signal representing only a portion of the reflected optical signal that falls within a sub-range of intensities, relative to intensities of a remainder of the reflected optical signal. The sub-range of intensities assist in visualizing a vascular structure below a skin layer of a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating blood pressure includes: a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor configured to measure a PPG signal from an object; a force sensor configured to measure a force signal acting between the object and the PPG sensor; and a processor configured to (i) divide a predetermined blood pressure range into a plurality of classes, (ii) input the measured PPG signal and the measured force signal into a blood pressure estimation model to obtain the probability values for each of the classes, and (iii) estimate blood pressure based on the obtained probability values for the respective classes.

Abstract: A replaceable attachment for an ultrasound probe includes a ring-like fastening region for fastening the attachment to the ultrasound probe, and a flexible membrane arranged on the fastening region. A first liquid or gel-like contact medium is applied to an inner contact surface of the membrane. The contact surface makes contact with an end face of the ultrasound probe when an attachment is fastened to the ultrasound probe. Before the attachment is fastened, the first contact medium is distributed on the contact surface in such a manner that, in an array region of the contact surface, a quantity of the first contact medium per surface is at least twice as large as in a remaining region of the contact surface. A positioning and extent of the array region is adapted to a positioning and extent of a piezo array of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A detection probe, a transmission apparatus, and a detection device are provided. The detection probe includes a housing, a detection mechanism, a driving mechanism, and a rope transmission mechanism. The housing defines an accommodation space. The detection mechanism is arranged on one end of the housing, and is configured to perform a detection function. The driving mechanism is arranged in the accommodation space, and is configured to output a force. The rope transmission mechanism is arranged in the accommodation space, and includes a rope set and a tension member. One end of the rope set is connected to the driving mechanism, and other end of the rope set is connected to the detection mechanism. The tension member is connected to the rope set, and is configured to apply a force to one end of the rope set away from the detection mechanism.

Abstract: A diffuse optical tomography (DOT) system for generating a functional image of a lesion region of a subject includes a source subsystem configured to generate optical waves, a probe coupled to the source subsystem and configured to emit the optical waves generated by the source subsystem toward the lesion region and to detect optical waves reflected by the lesion region, a detection subsystem configured to convert the optical waves detected by the probe to digital signals, and a computing device including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that program the processor to receive the digital signals sent from the detection subsystem, calculate an initial estimate of the functional image by solving an inverse optimization problem with a shape-regularized Fast Iterative Shrinkage-Thresholding algorithm (FISTA), reconstruct the functional image iteratively using a Finite Difference Method (FDM) or a Finite Element Method (FEM), and display the functional image.

Abstract: A detection probe, a transmission device, and a detection instrument. The detection probe includes a housing defining a receiving space, a detection mechanism disposed on an end of the housing and configured to perform a detection function, a drive mechanism disposed in the receiving space and configured to output power, a rope transmission mechanism disposed in the receiving space and including a rope connected to the driving mechanism and the detection mechanism respectively and a reversing assembly including at least two reversing pulley groups arranged along an extension path of the rope, and a gear transmission mechanism disposed in the receiving space and connected to the driving mechanism and the rope transmission mechanism respectively, so as to receive the power output by the driving mechanism and transmit the power to the rope transmission mechanism.