Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for optical imaging medical devices, such as, but not limited to, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), single mode OCT, and/or multi-modal OCT apparatuses and systems, and methods and storage mediums for use with same, for triggering auto-pullback, including for devices or systems using blood clearing, are provided herein. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, capsules and needles (e.g., a biopsy needle). Techniques provided herein also improve processing and imaging efficiency while achieving images that are more precise.

Abstract: A sterile bag for covering medical equipment comprises: a barrier section, a flexible body section, and an attaching section. The flexible body section has a tubular shape extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end. The barrier section is coupled to the proximal end, and the attaching section is formed at the distal end of the flexible body section. The barrier section is a rigid or semirigid component which attaches the sterile bag to a sterile component or to an unsterile component of the medical equipment in a pleaded or folded state. The flexible body section is configured to be deployed over the unsterile component so as to enclose within the inner surface thereof the unsterile component. The unsterile component is connectable to the sterile component through the central opening of the barrier section.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for detecting and guiding optical connection(s) using one or more imaging modalities are provided herein. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, capsules and needles (e.g., a biopsy needle). Devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums may include or involve a method, such as, but not limited to, for guiding and/or determining status of engagement and/or disengagement of one or more optical connections. A device, system, method, or storage medium may detect, monitor, and/or guide a probe/catheter to minimize, reduce, and/or avoid engagement and disengagement failures and to have a robust means of determining status of probe/catheter engagement to an apparatus or system.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for performing self-diagnosis using one or more imaging modalities are provided herein. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, capsules and needles (e.g., a biopsy needle). Devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums may include or involve a method, such as, but not limited to, for determining status or health (such as optical health) of a rotary joint of an apparatus/system and/or of the apparatus/system. A device, system, method, or storage medium may perform self-diagnosis or diagnosis to minimize, reduce, and/or avoid optical failures, rotary joint failures, or apparatus/system failures and to have a robust method(s) of determining the health of the rotary joint and/or the apparatus or system.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to medical imaging systems that instantly and/or automatically detect borders. Embodiments of the invention provide an imaging system that automatically detects a border at a location within a vessel in response only to navigational input moving the image to that location. In some embodiments, systems and methods of the invention operate such that when a doctor moves an imaging catheter to a new location with in tissue, the system essentially instantly finds, and optionally displays, the border(s), calculates an occlusion, or both.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating fluorescence data in a multimodality image acquired from a vessel imaged by an imaging catheter. A fluorescence signal acquired by a first modality is calibrated by applying a first calibration factor based on a lumen distance and/or radiation angle from the catheter to the vessel wall. If a parameter of the calibrated fluorescence signal is different from a predetermined condition, a user is prompted to manually select a lumen boundary and/or a region of interest (ROI) on the image of the vessel. An optical attenuation property of the selected boundary and/or ROI is calculated based on backscattered radiation collected by a second modality, and the fluorescence signal is further calibrated by applying a second calibration factor based on the optical attenuation property.

Abstract: A fiber optics polarization controller comprises: an optical fiber and multiple polarization stages. A first stage comprises: a motor having a hollow shaft spanning from a proximal end to a distal end along a rotational axis; and a fiber paddle affixed to and adapted to rotate with the hollow shaft. The fiber paddle has a ring-shaped body with two openings arranged opposite to each other around the ring-shaped body. A first opening of the fiber paddle is connected to the distal end of the hallow shaft substantially collinear with the rotational axis of the motor. The optical fiber is arranged spanning through the hollow shaft, entering the fiber paddle through the first opening, following around the ring-shaped body to form a fiber loop, and exiting the ring-shaped body through the second opening. A second stage is arranged in series with the first stage.

Abstract: A fiber optics polarization controller comprises: an optical fiber and multiple polarization stages. A first stage comprises: a motor having a hollow shaft spanning from a proximal end to a distal end along a rotational axis; and a fiber paddle affixed to and adapted to rotate with the hollow shaft. The fiber paddle has a ring-shaped body with two openings arranged opposite to each other around the ring-shaped body. A first opening of the fiber paddle is connected to the distal end of the hallow shaft substantially collinear with the rotational axis of the motor. The optical fiber is arranged spanning through the hollow shaft, entering the fiber paddle through the first opening, following around the ring-shaped body to form a fiber loop, and exiting the ring-shaped body through the second opening. A second stage is arranged in series with the first stage.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods perform operations that include the following: obtaining a reflectance-detection signal from a back-reflected-light detector, wherein the back-reflected-light detector is configured to detect back-reflected excitation light and generate the reflectance-detection signal based on the back-reflected excitation light; determining whether blood clearance has been achieved based on the reflectance-detection signal; and issuing a clearance indicator in response to determining that blood clearance has been achieved.

Abstract: A sterile bag for covering medical equipment comprises: a barrier section, a flexible body section, and an attaching section. The flexible body section has a tubular shape extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end. The barrier section is coupled to the proximal end, and the attaching section is formed at the distal end of the flexible body section. The barrier section is a rigid or semirigid component which attaches the sterile bag to a sterile component or to an unsterile component of the medical equipment in a pleaded or folded state. The flexible body section is configured to be deployed over the unsterile component so as to enclose within the inner surface thereof the unsterile component. The unsterile component is connectable to the sterile component through the central opening of the barrier section.

Abstract: A method for processing an intravascular image including a plurality of image frames acquired during a pullback of an imaging catheter inserted into a vessel. The method includes obtaining positions of lumen borders detected in the intravascular image and positions of stent-struts detected in the intravascular image. Determining, at different positions in a range, a stent expansion value of the stent implanted in the vessel, based on the first information and the second information, wherein each image frame from image frames in which stent-struts are detected corresponds to a different position along the range. The method may also include displaying an image including positions of lumen borders and positions of the stent-struts detected and a first indicator indicating a level along the range, of the stent expansion value, with the image.

Abstract: System, apparatus, and methods for controlling a motor by using servo-to-edge direction feedback are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus comprises: a fiber optic rotary junction (FORJ) having a rotatable portion; a motor to rotate the rotatable portion; a connector to connect the rotatable portion to a rotatable fiber of an imaging probe; a sensor positioned in close proximity to a target and configured to output a signal indicative of which one of at least two distinguishable regions of the target is proximal to the sensor; and a controller configured to control the rotational direction of the motor based on the sensor signal. In one embodiment, the motor is a servo-motor, and the rotation of the motor and/or rotatable portion is controlled by a servo-loop to change the rotation direction of the motor back-and-forth around a predetermined rotational position without the use of an encoder.

Abstract: A sterile bag for covering medical equipment comprises: a barrier section, a flexible body section, and an attaching section. The flexible body section has a tubular shape extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end. The barrier section is coupled to the proximal end, and the attaching section is formed at the distal end of the flexible body section. The barrier section is a rigid or semirigid component which attaches the sterile bag to a sterile component or to an unsterile component of the medical equipment in a pleaded or folded state. The flexible body section is configured to be deployed over the unsterile component so as to enclose within the inner surface thereof the unsterile component. The unsterile component is connectable to the sterile component through the central opening of the barrier section.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods and storage mediums for performing common path optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a controlled reference signal and efficient geometric coupling are provided. Examples of such applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes (e.g., common path probes), common path catheters, common path capsules and common path needles (e.g., a biopsy needle). Preferably, the OCT devices, systems methods and storage mediums include or involve a reference reflection or a reference plane that is at least one of: (i) disposed in the collimation field or path; and (ii) is perpendicular (or normal) or substantially perpendicular (or substantially normal) to light propagation.

Abstract: An imaging catheter assembly comprising a catheter comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and an imaging element within the tubular body; a sheath comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; and a tubular body extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the tubular body having an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the tubular body of the sheath at least partially defines a conduit for conveying a fluid to the distal end of the sheath, and wherein the sheath is movable such that the distal end of the sheath is positionable relative to the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to medical imaging systems that instantly and/or automatically detect borders. Embodiments of the invention provide an imaging system that automatically detects a border at a location within a vessel in response only to navigational input moving the image to that location. In some embodiments, systems and methods of the invention operate such that when a doctor moves an imaging catheter to a new location with in tissue, the system essentially instantly finds, and optionally displays, the border(s), calculates an occlusion, or both.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having proximal and distal portions; a rotatable drive cable disposed within the elongate member, the drive cable being connectable to a mechanism to which torque can be applied; and a control assembly mechanically coupled to the drive cable, and configured to disengage the mechanism from the drive cable when the applied torque exceeds a predetermined level, wherein disengagement of the mechanism from the drive cable causes rotation of the drive cable to stop or withdrawal of the drive cable.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to medical imaging systems that instantly and/or automatically detect borders. Embodiments of the invention provide an imaging system that automatically detects a border at a location within a vessel in response only to navigational input moving the image to that location. In some embodiments, systems and methods of the invention operate such that when a doctor moves an imaging catheter to a new location with in tissue, the system essentially instantly finds, and optionally displays, the border(s), calculates an occlusion, or both.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for optical imaging medical devices, such as, but not limited to, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), single mode OCT, and/or multi-modal OCT apparatuses and systems, and methods and storage mediums for use with same, for triggering auto-pullback, including for devices or systems using blood clearing, are provided herein. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, capsules and needles (e.g., a biopsy needle). Techniques provided herein also improve processing and imaging efficiency while achieving images that are more precise.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums for performing image synchronization using one or more imaging modalities are provided herein. Examples of applications include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, for Gastro-intestinal, cardio and/or ophthalmic applications, and being obtained via one or more optical instruments, such as, but not limited to, optical probes, catheters, capsules and needles (e.g., a biopsy needle). Devices, systems, methods, and storage mediums may include or involve a method, such as, but not limited to, for performing image synchronization.