Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method includes emitting ultrasonic pulses in different directions and acquiring ultrasonic echo signals from an object, calculating an attenuation rate of the ultrasonic echo signals, correcting the acquired ultrasonic echo signals based on the attenuation rate, and outputting the corrected ultrasonic echo signals as an ultrasonic image.

Abstract: Modules, systems and methods for clearing substances from a living body are disclosed. A module may include an instructions receiver configured to receive wireless transmissions of instructions from a master controller located outside of the body when the module is inside the body; an energy receiver configured to receive wireless transmission of non-destructive energy from the master controller located outside of the body when the module is inside the body; an energy converter configured to convert the non-destructive energy received to destructive energy; and an energy emitter configured to emit the destructive energy.

Abstract: A method for bringing an IVUS and an OCT image into register. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an IVUS image of an area of a lumen; obtaining an OCT image of the same area of the lumen; determining the same asymmetry in each of the IVUS and OCT images; and overlaying the IVUS and OCT images and rotating them with respect to one another until the asymmetry in each of the IVUS and OCT images are in register, and determining the angle of rotation that resulted in the registration. In another aspect, the invention relates to a probe for OCT and IVUS imaging. In one embodiment, the probe includes a sheath having a first end and a second end defining a lumen; a marker that is opaque to light and ultrasound located between the first end and second end; and an IVUS/OCT probe head positioned within the sheath.

Abstract: An aspect of an embodiment of the invention, relates to an imaging capsule for scanning inside a living body with a fail-safe radiation mechanism that prevents the emission of radiation from the imaging capsule until the imaging capsule is instructed to emit radiation and power is available to activate a motor to unblock the emission of radiation. Optionally, when power is not available the imaging capsule automatically, blocks the emission of radiation.

Abstract: Insertable imaging devices, and methods of use thereof in minimally invasive medical procedures, are described. In some embodiments, insertable imaging devices are described that can be introduced and removed from an access port without disturbing or risking damage to internal tissue. In some embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an access port, thereby allowing imaging of internal tissues within the vicinity of the access port, while, for example, enabling manipulation of surgical tools in the surgical field of interest. In other embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an imaging sleeve that is insertable into an access port.

Abstract: A method and system for checking functionality of an ultrasound therapy head. The waveform profile for typical ultrasound reflections for a functional therapy head are stored, and before use of a therapy head, an ultrasound energy burst (700) is sent, and the actual waveform profile of the returned reflections (702) are compared to the stored waveform profiles (706). If the actual profiles are not sufficiently close to the stored profiles, then a first signal (712) may be generated, which may cause the ultrasound therapy device to shut down or may generate a warning. If the actual profiles are sufficiently close to the stored profiles, then operation may continue (714), or a second signal may be produced, permitting operation of the ultrasound therapy device.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound, and in particular, to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound for treating or alleviating eye conditions. The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses that involve an ultrasound device configured for treatment of an eye condition, where the device comprises at least one ultrasound transducer for coupling to at least a portion of an eyelid to supply ultrasound waves to an area proximate to the portion of the eyelid according to treatment parameters, wherein the treatment parameters comprise a treatment frequency and a treatment period.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes a receiving section to receive ultrasound waves from an object and to acquire a receiving signal of each of multiple channels; a beam forming section to adjust a phase of the receiving signal of each of multiple channels and to sum the receiving signals; an image producing section to produce image data to display an ultrasound diagnostic image based on the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section; a transmission target selecting section to select one from at least two of the receiving signal for each of multiple channels, the receiving signals summed by the beam forming section, and the image data as a transmission target; and a transmitting section to transmit the transmission target selected by the transmission target selecting section.

Abstract: In a method and imaging device for ascertaining an absolute scan region on a patient, who is positioned on an examination table, for a subsequent medical imaging examination by operation of the medical imaging device, the height of the patient is ascertained, a relative examination region is ascertained, and the absolute scan region of the patient for the subsequent medical imaging examination is determined in a processor using the patient height and the relative examination region.

Abstract: A surgical evaluation and guidance system for use in extravacular evaluation and guidance of fluid vessel surgeries, includes an optical coherence tomography engine; a vessel probe optically coupled to the optical coherence tomography engine; and a signal processing and display system adapted to communicate with the optical coherence tomography engine to receive imaging signals therefrom. An optical coherence tomography vessel probe for use in extravacular evaluation and guidance of fluid vessel surgeries, includes a probe body having a proximal end and a distal end; an optical relay system disposed within the probe body; and a vessel adapter at least one of attached to or integral with the probe body at the distal end of the probe body, wherein the vessel adapter defines a groove that is configured to accept one of a fluid vessel and a lymphaticovenous vessel.

Abstract: A transmit/receive isolation for an ultrasound system to block a high voltage transmit signal from being propagated to a receiving unit during a transmission period of an ultrasound signal is disclosed. An ultrasound system includes a switching unit coupled to a transmitting unit, a ultrasound probe and a receiving unit. The switching unit includes diode bridges and a switching module having pairs of switches connected to the respective diode bridges, wherein each pair of switches is configured to perform switching between a plus voltage and a minus voltage to forward-bias a corresponding diode bridge to allow a respective receive signal to be propagated to the receiving unit in a first state and to reverse-bias the corresponding diode bridge to block a respective transmit signal to be propagated to the receiving unit in a second state.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus performs transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves for forming focal points used to set sound velocities at predetermined timing such that sound velocities having been set for all of respective segment regions established by dividing a subject are all reset every predetermined number of frames. Owing to this configuration, it becomes possible for the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to suitably reset sound velocities of ultrasonic waves in the subject and also reduce the amount of calculation for resetting sound velocities.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either device within the brain.

Abstract: A membrane assembly for use with a three-dimensional imager to obtain a topographical plantar image of a foot is provided. The assembly includes a support structure having a front end and a rear end elevated relative to the front end, and a flexible membrane suspended from the support structure and configured to receive and support an entire plantar surface of the foot. The membrane defines and encloses an upper portion of an inflatable chamber, and includes a forefoot- and a rearfoot-receiving region respectively adjacent to the front and the rear end of the support structure. The rearfoot-receiving region is under less tension than the forefoot-receiving region. The imager is positionable under the membrane in order to acquire the plantar image when the foot is disposed on the membrane. An apparatus including a membrane assembly and a three-dimensional imager, and a method for imaging a foot are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for implementing a fully quantitative non-injectable contrast proton MRI technique to measure spatial ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) matching and spatial distribution of ventilation and perfusion. In one aspect, a method using MRI to characterize ventilation and perfusion in a lung includes acquiring an MR image of the lung having MR data in a voxel and obtaining a breathing frequency parameter, determining a water density value, a specific ventilation value, and a perfusion value in at least one voxel of the MR image based on the MR data and using the water density value to determine an air content value, and determining a ventilation-perfusion ratio value that is the product of the specific ventilation value, the air content value, the inverse of the perfusion value, and the breathing frequency.

Abstract: A catheter system is disclosed, having a plurality of expandable arms with radiopaque markers at their ends. Once deployed at a patient's valve, a user can obtain a correct 3D localization image for placement of the replacement valve by aligning the radiopaque markers to be substantially equidistant from each other and substantially located in the same plane, relative to the sensor of an X-Ray machine.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a response of a tumor following a chemotherapy process includes the use of a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) driver and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method includes controlling the MRE driver and the MRI system to acquire raw MRE data from the tumor, inverting the raw MRE data to produce an elastogram of the tumor, and determining a response of the tumor to the chemotherapy process from the elastogram.

Abstract: An apparatus for biopsy examination on the breast of a patient, includes: an analysis head including a radiation detection device for detecting X-rays on a detection plane, and a source of X-rays to emit X-rays towards the detector, the source and the detection device being mobile with respect to each other so that they can be placed in a plurality of different working acquisition positions. A biopsy probe can be fixed to a support base includes a needle for extracting a sample of breast tissue and a housing for the needle. The housing is rotatably mounted on the support base to allow modification of the angle of the needle with respect to the breast support surface. A computerized unit is connected to the detector and configured to produce at least one reconstructed image of a cross-section of the breast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining skin health of an area of skin by exposing the area of skin to a first exposure radiation to induce the area of skin to emit a first fluorescent emission, measuring the intensity of the first fluorescent emission, exposing the area of skin to a second exposure radiation to induce the area of skin to emit a second fluorescent emission, measuring the intensity of the second fluorescent emission, calculating a ratio of these intensities, and comparing the ratio to a control ratio.

Abstract: A wearable device includes a detector configured to detect a response signal transmitted from a portion of subsurface vasculature, the response signal being related to binding of a clinically-relevant analyte to functionalized particles present in a lumen of the subsurface vasculature. Program instructions stored in a computer readable medium of the device, and executable by a processor, may cause the device to determine a concentration of the clinically-relevant analyte based on the response signal detected by the detector; determine whether a medical condition is indicated based on at least the concentration of the clinically-relevant analyte; and, in response to a determination that the medical condition is indicated, transmit data representative of the medical condition via the communication interface.