Abstract: An elongated medical catheter includes a marker band with sidebands. The elongated medical catheter and the marker band have a radiopacity being different from the radiopacity of the sidebands.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a sensor on a subject. In some embodiments, the system includes an instrument holder, the instrument holder being configured to be secured to a subject, and to hold an instrument temporarily.

Abstract: The Biomechanical Integrity Score and its five components are calculated as a result of vaginal tactile probe insertion, elevation, rotation, Valsalva maneuver, voluntary pelvic muscle contraction, reflex contraction, and relaxation while the probe is in contact with vaginal walls for a comprehensive biomechanical characterization of the pelvic floor. The probe is equipped with a plurality of tactile sensors recording various static and dynamic pressure patterns during a vaginal examination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image-based guidance for facilitating navigation of tubular networks. A region of interest in three-dimensional image data may first be segmented. An endoscopic instrument may be detected in two-dimensional intraoperative image data of the region of interest. A centerline of the detected endoscopic instrument may then be determined. The endoscopic instrument and the centerline may be backprojected to generate a three-dimensional backprojected volume. A device path of the endoscopic instrument may be generated based at least in part on the three-dimensional backprojected volume and the three-dimensional image data.

Abstract: A system and method enabling the receipt of image data of a patient, identification of one or more locations within the image data depicting symptoms of COPD, analyzing airways and vasculature proximate the identified locations; planning a pathway to the one or more locations, navigating an extended working channel to one of the locations, positioning a microwave ablation catheter proximate the location, and energizing the microwave ablation catheter to treat the locations depicting symptoms of COPD.

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an intraluminal ultrasound imaging system includes a patient interface module (PIM) in communication with an intraluminal imaging device comprising an ultrasound imaging component, the PIM comprising a processing component configured to detect information associated with the intraluminal imaging device; and determine a waveform characteristic for ultrasound wave emissions at the ultrasound imaging component based on the detected information; and a trigger signal generation component in communication with the processing component and configured to generate a trigger signal based on the determined waveform characteristic to control the ultrasound wave emissions at the ultrasound imaging component.

Abstract: The system includes an instrument for determining the anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological properties of a body segment that includes one or more force sensitive probes is provided. A human operator actuates one or more force sensitive probes, wherein the force sensitive probes are positioned at the surface of the body segment. The operator pushes on the force sensitive probes with varying force applied on the body segment to measure tissue deflection forces. The instrument may include one or more of gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers capable of measuring changes in tissue deflection caused by the force sensitive probes relative to a grounded reference frame in 3-D space, wherein the tissue deflection force data and the change in tissue deflection data are used to compute segment tissue viscoelastic properties. The instrument may also be untethered or wireless.

Abstract: A method of operating a shape sensing apparatus comprises receiving shape data from a first shape sensor. The first shape sensor includes a first plurality of optical cores extending between a first section and a second section of an elongated optical fiber. The method further comprises receiving shape data from a second shape sensor. The second shape sensor includes a second plurality of optical cores extending between the first and second sections of the elongated optical fiber. The method further comprises determining a shape of the elongated optical fiber between the first and second sections by combining the shape data from the first and second shape sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an ultrasound treatment system. In some embodiments, the system includes a removable transducer module having an ultrasound transducer. In some embodiments, the system can include a hand wand and a control module that is coupled to the hand wand and has a graphical user interface for controlling the removable transducer module, and an interface coupling the hand wand to the control module. The interface may provide power to the hand wand or may transfer a signal from the hand wand to the control module. In some embodiments, the treatment system may be used in cosmetic procedures on at least a portion of a face, head, neck, and/or other part of a patient.

Abstract: A method for quantifying viscoelasticity of a medium includes: obtaining a position-time graph of vibration propagation after the medium is subjected to a vibration excitation, determining an angle with maximum signal energy in the position-time graph by using angle projection, where the angle with the maximum signal energy corresponds to a slope of the position-time graph and the slope of the position-time graph is the propagation velocity of the vibration in the medium. Since the propagation velocity of the vibration in the medium is related to the viscoelasticity of the medium, a viscoelasticity parameter of the medium can be quantitatively calculated after the slope of the position-time graph is obtained. The method does not need to select a feature point from the position-time graph to calculate the slope of the position-time graph, and can efficiently and accurately quantifies viscoelasticity of the medium.

Abstract: A method includes, using a processor, identifying a septum and a Left Atrium Appendage (LAA) of a heart of a patient in an anatomical map of at least part of the heart. An entry surface over which a medical device is defined on the anatomical map, which is to be delivered via a sheath that penetrates the septum, is to engage with the LAA. A normal to the entry surface is calculated. A plurality of curves is calculated that each (i) have one end that is tangent to the normal, (ii) have a second end touching the septum, and (iii) comply with specified mechanical properties of the sheath. Multiple candidate locations on the septum are derived from the curves, for transseptal puncture with the sheath. The multiple candidate locations are presented to a user.

Abstract: An imaging device capable of acquiring images of an internal structure of a living body highly accurately in a wide range. An imaging device has a first housing to which a proximal portion of an outer sheath is fixed, with a drive shaft for driving a imaging unit and an inner sheath extending through the first housing, and a second housing to which a proximal portion of the inner sheath is fixed and which holds the drive shaft rotatably therein. The first housing has a first port held in fluid communication with an inner lumen of the outer sheath, and the second housing is movable toward and away from the first housing. The imaging device also includes a first gap between the inner sheath and the outer sheath and a second gap between the inner sheath and the drive shaft.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a drive unit connected with an ultrasound element or an image sensor element, and an image processing unit that sequentially generates two-dimensional images of an organ, a blood vessel, or a medical instrument, based on information which is acquired by the ultrasound element or the image sensor element, and that generates a three-dimensional image based on the two-dimensional image. The image processing unit includes a storage unit that stores position correspondence information and/or image correspondence information, and a control unit that determines a position inside the three-dimensional image corresponding to a current position of the ultrasound element or the image sensor element, based on the position correspondence information or the image correspondence information, and that generates display information in real time, in which the determined position inside the three-dimensional image is identified and displayed inside the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: An automated three dimensional mapping and display system for a diagnostic ultrasound system is presented. According to the invention, ultrasound probe position registration is automated, the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to selected anatomical references is calculated, and specified information is stored on command. The system, during real time ultrasound scanning, enables the ultrasound probe position and orientation to be continuously displayed over a body or body part diagram, thereby facilitating scanning and images interpretation of stored information. The system can then record single or multiple ultrasound free hand two-dimensional (also “2D”) frames in a video sequence (clip) or cine loop wherein multiple 2D frames of one or more video sequences corresponding to a scanned volume can be reconstructed in three-dimensional (also “3D”) volume images corresponding to the scanned region, using known 3D reconstruction algorithms.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed to facilitate intra-operative procedures and planning. A method can include storing tracking data in memory, the tracking data being generated by a tracking system to represent a location of an object in a tracking coordinate system of the tracking system. The method can also include storing a patient-specific implicit model in memory, the patient-specific implicit model being generated based on image data acquired for the patient to define geometry of an anatomical structure of the patient. The method can also include registering the tracking data and the patient-specific implicit model in a common three-dimensional coordinate system. The method can also include generating an output visualization representing a location of the object relative to the geometry of the anatomical structure of the patient in the common coordinate system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for surface scanning in medical imaging is provided. The surface scanning apparatus comprises an image source, a first optical fiber bundle comprising first optical fibers having proximal ends and distal ends, and a first optical coupler for coupling an image from the image source into the proximal ends of the first optical fibers, wherein the first optical coupler comprises a plurality of lens elements including a first lens element and a second lens element, each of the plurality of lens elements comprising a primary surface facing a distal end of the first optical coupler, and a secondary surface facing a proximal end of the first optical coupler.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for diffusion weighted imaging using phantoms are disclosed herein. An example phantom may include a reference member disposed within a housing, the reference member having a rod-like shape extending parallel to a long axis of the housing, the reference member formed from a material comprising a plurality of microchannels arranged longitudinally along at least a portion of the rod-like shape, and at least a portion of the housing may be formed to emulate a shape of a human torso.

Abstract: The wearable article 200 comprises a sensing component. The electronics module 100 is removably coupled to the wearable article 200. The electronics module comprises a housing and a processor disposed within the housing 101. An interface element 121, 123 interfaces with the sensing component so as to receive signals from the sensing component and provide the same to the processor. A sensor 105 is disposed within the housing 101. The sensor 105 monitors a property of the environment external to the electronics module 100 through the housing 101. The housing 101 is constructed such that the sensor 105 has line of sight through the housing 101.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for evaluating a vessel and tracking progression of an intravascular procedure are disclosed. In an embodiment, a medical system is disclosed. One embodiment of the medical system comprises a medical processing unit in communication with an intravascular device configured to obtain intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) data and with an external ultrasound device configured to obtain external ultrasound data. The medical processing unit is configured to receive the IVUS data from the intravascular device, wherein the intravascular device is positioned proximate to an aneurysm, receive the external ultrasound data from the external ultrasound device, wherein the external ultrasound device is positioned to image the aneurysm, and track progression of a coil embolization of the aneurysm based on the IVUS data and the external ultrasound data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to assess effectiveness of an endovascular aneurysm coiling procedure. A system is provided that can include a flow sensing element supported by a structure that can position and retain the sensing element within the aneurysm. A computer in communication with the sensing element can detect a measurement of fluid flow entering the aneurysm based on data obtained by the sensing element after positioning the structure and element within an aneurysm. A wire segment can pass through the elongate member and form a coil in the aneurysm as the wire segment is passed through the elongate member. The sensing element can provide fluid flow measurements from within the aneurysm after the elongate member is removed from the vasculature.