Abstract: A controller for maintaining alignment of X-Ray imagery and ultrasound imagery includes a memory that stores instructions, and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes receiving data from an X-Ray system used to perform X-Ray imaging, and receiving data from an ultrasound imaging probe used to perform ultrasound imaging. The process executed by the controller also includes registering imagery based on X-Rays to imagery from the ultrasound imaging probe based on an X-Ray image of the ultrasound imaging probe among the imagery based on X-Rays, and detecting, from the data from the ultrasound imaging probe, movement of the ultrasound imaging probe.

Abstract: A method of forming an image of a region of interest using a pulse-echo imaging device is described. The method includes the steps of generating a pulse using the pulse-echo imaging device, causing the pulse to be incident on the region of interest to generate a reflected echo, receiving the reflected echo in the pulse-echo imaging device, comparing a measure of frequency content of the reflected echo to the transmitted pulse, and frequency shifted replicas of the transmitted pulse, wherein each is associated with a unique label, selecting a label based on the comparison, and generating an image incorporating the selected label.

Abstract: A device for imaging within a body of a patient is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a flexible elongate member that can be inserted into the body of the patient. The device also has an imaging assembly that is disposed at and extending a length of a distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly may include an array of imaging elements that may have an outward surface and an inward surface. The imaging assembly may further include an integrated circuit adjacent to the inward surface of the array of imaging elements. The device may further include a conductive plate adjacent to and extending at least a portion of a length of the imaging assembly. The conductive plate may receive heat generated by at least one of the array of imaging elements or the integrated circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a needle guide includes a guide element including a hollow body having a first opening at a first end, a second opening at a second end, and an interior space defined by an inner wall of the body that extends from the first opening to the second opening, wherein the second opening is smaller than the first opening and is configured to receive a needle having a tip that is to be positioned within a target site of a patient, and wherein the body includes a radiopaque material at the second opening that can be viewed during real-time medical imaging to facilitate placement and insertion of the needle.

Abstract: In general, devices, systems, and methods for multi-source imaging are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical system is provided that includes a first imaging device configured to gather first images for visualization of a surgical target, a second imaging device configured to gather second images that enhance the visualization of the surgical target, and a controller configured to cause a display device to show a single view of the surgical target that is a cooperation of the first and second images. The first imaging device has a different point of view of the surgical site than the second imaging device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ultrasound systems and methods for sustained spatial attention. For example, an ultrasound system can include a console and an ultrasound probe. A display of the console can be configured to display ultrasound images and one or more still or moving images of a procedural field. The ultrasound probe can include a camera integrated into the ultrasound probe for recording the one-or-more still or moving images of the procedural field with a depth of field including a distal end of a probe head and a field of view including a spatial region about the probe head. With the one-or-more still or moving images displayed along with the ultrasound images, a clinician need not switch his or her spatial attention between spatial regions such as the procedural field and the display quite as frequently as with existing ultrasound systems, thereby sustaining spatial attention in one or more spatial regions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultrasound system for accessing a vasculature of a patient. The ultrasound system is configured to depict an enhanced ultrasound image of a subcutaneous portion of the patient including an icon surrounding a target vessel depicted on the display. The icon indicates to a clinician the target vessel is within range of a percentage vessel occupancy or vessel purchase length depending on a size of cannula or angle of insertion. The icon can also indicate blood flow strength, vessel type, or vessel deformation. The enhanced image can further include cannula trajectory guidelines and visual alerts for the clinician if the cannula tip can potentially backwall the vessel. Additional icons can indicate obstructions disposed on the cannula trajectory.

Abstract: A perfusion imaging processing method comprising collecting a plurality of digital images comprising sequential B-Mode micro-ultrasound reflectivity data, calculating decorrelation trends of autocorrelated data to determine blood flow and perfusion level, reducing the noise content in the data using the decorrelation trends, and/or forming a visual representation based on the decorrelation trends. The present system and method provides an ultrasonic imaging system and method which provides perfusion data without requiring the use of an injected contrast agent.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer unit includes: a plurality of units each of which includes a piezoelectric element group, a wiring substrate that includes a plurality of wiring lines that are electrically connected to piezoelectric elements included in the piezoelectric element group, and a cable group that is electrically connected to the wiring lines included in the wiring substrate, that extends in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of each of the piezoelectric elements included in the piezoelectric element group, and that is formed into a helical shape; an outer surface support that supports, by using an outer surface of the outer surface support, the piezoelectric element group included in each of the plurality of units; and an inner surface support that supports an inner surface of the outer surface support. Cable groups included in the plurality of units constitute a multiple helical structure.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system is disclosed. The ultrasonic imaging system comprises an ultrasonic catheter having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The ultrasonic imaging system includes an ultrasonic transducer array disposed within the distal end of the ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic transducer array comprises a plurality of transducer array elements arranged on a substrate. Further, a catheter shaft is connected at one end to a handle assembly and at other end to the ultrasonic transducer array. The catheter shaft houses an electronic flex cable which is in communication with at least one signal trace, and is configured to direct each of the plurality of transducer array elements to transmit and receive ultrasound beams, receive at least one signal from the plurality of transducer array elements, and construct at least one image of at least a portion of the heart based on the at least one signal.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe 11 includes a transducer array in which a plurality of transducers are arranged, and a housing 12 in which the transducer array is accommodated. The housing 12 has a grip portion 13 that extends in a determined direction, and a transducer array accommodation portion 14 that is connected to one end portion of the grip portion 13 in an extension direction and accommodates the transducer array. A probe support surface 13B that extends along the extension direction is defined in a surface on the other end portion side of the grip portion 13 in the extension direction. In a case where the ultrasound probe is placed on a flat placing surface with the probe support surface 13B being brought into contact with the placing surface, the ultrasound probe is in such a posture that a surface of the housing 12 in a portion positioned on the transducer array accommodation portion 14 side with respect to the probe support surface 13B is separated from the placing surface.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for medical imaging. In one embodiment, a method for an interventional imaging procedure comprises identifying a medical device during insertion of the medical device within a subject based on live images of the insertion, extrapolating a trajectory of the medical device during the insertion in real-time based on the live images of the insertion, and displaying the extrapolated trajectory of the medical device on the live images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic element includes at least one cMUT provided to a substrate, wherein the cMUT includes a first electrode provided to the substrate, a frame member having a cavity, a second electrode disposed to face the first electrode with the cavity interposed between the second electrode and the first electrode, and a protective layer covering the second electrode, a length of the cavity in an X axis direction being longer than a width of the cavity in a Y axis direction, the protective layer having a convex region extending in the X axis direction, a width of the convex region in the Y axis direction varying.

Abstract: The present application provides an ultrasound probe comprising a housing that includes a coupling interface having a sinusoidal geometry. The housing is formed by a first body (300) and a second body having opposite and corresponding sinusoidal geometries. The first body includes a first proximal portion (105) and a first distal portion (107). The first proximal portion comprises a first sinusoidal shape (326). The second body includes a second proximal portion and a second distal portion. The second proximal portion comprises an opposite second sinusoidal shape. The first body and the second body are coupled to form a handle having a sinusoidal interface. Further, the first distal portion and the second distal portion form a head portion at which the ultrasound transducer assembly is disposed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for thermally conductive shock absorbers for medical imaging probes. An example medical imaging probe may have, at least, a transducer disposed underneath a contact surface of the medical imaging probe, with the transducer configured to transmit and receive signals based on a medical imaging technique; a support structure disposed underneath the transducer; and a thermally conductive shock absorber (TCSA) layer disposed between the transducer and the support structure, with the thermally conductive shock absorber (TCSA) layer is configured to facilitate both of thermal transfer in a direction from the contact surface into the support structure, and absorbing at least a portion of impact force applied to at least the contact surface. The support structure may include a heat sink.

Abstract: A system (502) includes an elongate ultrasound imaging probe (504) with a long axis and a top side that extends along the long axis. The elongate ultrasound imaging probe includes an elongate tubular handle (606; 1606), a head (1608), an elongate tubular shaft (608; 1610) between the elongate tubular handle and the head, and a transducer array (514) disposed in the head and configured to transmit in a sagittal plane, which is a plane that cuts through the long axis of the elongate tubular shaft, only in a direction extending out from the top side. The elongate tubular handle is both not centered on the elongate tubular shaft and not shifted down in the sagittal plane away from the top.

Abstract: A wearable, open and adjustable MRI head coil system having an assembly of support members, panels, or portions defining one or more access openings. The support members, panels, or portions can support, house, or otherwise include radiofrequency receiver antennae or imaging coils such that the assembly is positionable or wearable by a patient for MRI scanning. The radiofrequency receiver antennae or imaging coils, and other devices can be simultaneously in contact with a patient's head, thereby enabling use during diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical or other interventional procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acoustic window (1) suitable for implantation at an opening in a patient's skull (4), said acoustic window (1) being intended to cooperate with an external ultrasound probe (2) for the emission of ultrasound waves through the acoustic window (1), remarkable in that the acoustic window comprises a plate (11) including a plurality of through-holes (12), the distance (P) of the through-holes (12) being less than twice the wavelength of the ultrasound waves emitted by the external ultrasound probe (2).

Abstract: The invention refers to a system (100) for affecting a subject and a method for operating the system comprising a medical device like a biopsy gun (130) set in a first state in which it is not able to affect the subject based on a trigger signal or in a second state in which it is able to affect the subject based on the trigger signal, wherein the state is set based on a provided location of the medical device, i.e., for instance, is set based on the distance of the medical device to a target region. The location of the medical device is provided by a location providing unit (140) comprising, for instance, an imaging unit like an ultrasound system (142). Thus, unintended, possible dangerous injuries of the patient are prevented and the safety of the patient during the interventional procedure is increased.

Abstract: An optical system comprises a multicore fiber comprising at least two cores of which each core comprises at least one Fiber Bragg Grating. The optical system also comprises a force transducing element being bendable in one or more directions and being fixed to the multicore fiber so as to transduce force applied to the force transducing element to the multicore fiber, resulting into a bending and/or compression and/or tension of the multicore fiber. The multicore fiber is connectable or connected to a measurement system for optically measuring the response of at least one Fiber Bragg Grating, for each of at least 2 cores of the multicore fiber, as a result of the multicore fiber bending and/or compression and/or tension for deriving a characteristic of the force acting on the position of the force transducing element of the optical system.