Abstract: Various stabilizers for supporting a trocar and stylet are disclosed. In some implementations, a stabilizer may include a main portion through which a trocar and stylet may be inserted and supported, and a plurality of stabilizing portions to prevent movement of the stabilizer when the stabilizer is placed on a patient's body.

Abstract: A multi-lumen coupler for fluid transfer with a plurality of attachable members is provided. The multi-lumen coupler allows the attachment and detachment of various members used for fluid transfer to an elongated percutaneous medical article such as a catheter or cannula, during use with a patient.

Abstract: A luer access device (LAD) and a method of attaching the same are provided to create a sterile fluid-flow path. The LAD includes a female luer connector that has an internal female split septum disposed at a proximal end thereof and is coupled to an internal surface of the LAD. A male luer connector is coupled to an external surface of the female split septum. Additionally, a male split septum is disposed within a male luer tip and seals an opening of a distal end of the male luer connector. At least one aperture is disposed through a sidewall of the distal end of the male luer connector. An internal cannula is exposed out of the female luer connector to open the female split septum upon engagement with the male luer connector.

Abstract: The present invention describes a securement device that maintains proper placement of a percutaneous catheter and incorporates a universal fitting for the attachment of various, interchangeable, active and passive technologies. The securement device includes a unique catheter hub that enables attachment of active technology to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring applications of physiologic, anatomic, and other clinically relevant properties or conditions. The securement device also includes a primary semi-flexible polymeric retention member (the “base”) positioned atop, or integrated with, a thin flexible adhesive pad. The adhesive pad has a first surface with an adhesive substrate and a second surface configured to receive the base. The hub is received within the base and a cap is used to secure the hub to the base.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a multi-lumen catheter with self-sealing hub and an attachable extension assembly. In a preferred aspect, the present invention can allows removal of the external fluid connections of an elongated percutaneous medical article, such as a catheter or cannula. The percutaneous medical article suitably contains a distal septum that prevents fluid movement within the intraluminal space of the percutaneous medical article, when the fluid connections are removed. A single-use, disposable extension set of one or more single lumen lines with associated clamp and cap is attached for intraluminal access and removed following clinical use. Retaining the catheter transition allows the catheter to be secured using methods common to the art.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system and method are provided that include user control of certain functions using physical gestures, such as hand motions or the like. The gesture control aspects can include one or more cameras, and a processor configured to detect and recognize gestures corresponding to predetermined commands and to provide signals to execute the commands. A verification switch, such as a foot switch, can be included to improve safety and reliability of the gesture control aspects. This switch can be used to activate the gesture detection aspects and/or to confirm a recognized gesture command prior to its execution.

Abstract: A luer access device (LAD) and a method of attaching the same are provided to create a sterile fluid-flow path. The LAD includes a female luer connector that has an internal female split septum disposed at a proximal end thereof and is coupled to an internal surface of the LAD. A male luer connector is coupled to an external surface of the female split septum. Additionally, a male split septum is disposed within a male luer tip and seals an opening of a distal end of the male luer connector. At least one aperture is disposed through a sidewall of the distal end of the male luer connector. An internal cannula is exposed out of the female luer connector to open the female split septum upon engagement with the male luer connector.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system and method are provided that include user control of certain functions using physical gestures, such as hand motions or the like. The gesture control aspects can include one or more cameras, and a processor configured to detect and recognize gestures corresponding to predetermined commands and to provide signals to execute the commands. A verification switch, such as a foot switch, can be included to improve safety and reliability of the gesture control aspects. This switch can be used to activate the gesture detection aspects and/or to confirm a recognized gesture command prior to its execution.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a multi-lumen catheter with self-sealing hub and an attachable extension assembly. In a preferred aspect, the present invention can allows removal of the external fluid connections of an elongated percutaneous medical article, such as a catheter or cannula. The percutaneous medical article suitably contains a distal septum that prevents fluid movement within the intraluminal space of the percutaneous medical article, when the fluid connections are removed. A single-use, disposable extension set of one or more single lumen lines with associated clamp and cap is attached for intraluminal access and removed following clinical use. Retaining the catheter transition allows the catheter to be secured using methods common to the art.

Abstract: The present invention describes a securement device that maintains proper placement of a percutaneous catheter and incorporates a universal fitting for the attachment of various, interchangeable, active and passive technologies. The securement device includes a unique catheter hub that enables attachment of active technology to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring applications of physiologic, anatomic, and other clinically relevant properties or conditions. The securement device also includes a primary semi-flexible polymeric retention member (the “base”) positioned atop, or integrated with, a thin flexible adhesive pad. The adhesive pad has a first surface with an adhesive substrate and a second surface configured to receive the base. The hub is received within the base and a cap is used to secure the hub to the base.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic pelvis unfolding from 3D computed tomography (CT) images is disclosed. A 3D medical image, such as a 3D CT image, is received. Pelvis anatomy is segmented in the 3D medical image. The 3D medical image is reformatted to visualize an unfolded pelvis based on the segmented pelvis anatomy.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a valve including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the housing defines a first and second nozzle, and the bottom portion of the housing defines an opening. A diaphragm has an open position and a closed position, and the diaphragm is disposed between the top portion of the housing and the bottom portion of the housing. A first fluid flow path between the first nozzle and the second nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. A second fluid flow path between the opening and the first nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. Such a valve can be used for a number of purposes including hemodialysis procedures.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a valve including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the housing defines a first and second nozzle, and the bottom portion of the housing defines an opening. A diaphragm has an open position and a closed position, and the diaphragm is disposed between the top portion of the housing and the bottom portion of the housing. A first fluid flow path between the first nozzle and the second nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. A second fluid flow path between the opening and the first nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the open position. Such a valve can be used for a number of purposes including hemodialysis procedures.

Abstract: Automatic prostate localization in T2-weighted MR images facilitate labor-intensive cancer imaging techniques. Methods and systems to accurately segment the prostate gland in MR images are provided and address large variations in prostate anatomy and disease, intensity inhomogeneities, and artifacts induced by endorectal coils. A center of the prostate is automatically detected with a boosted classifier trained on intensity based multi-level Gaussian Mixture Model Expectation Maximization (GMM-EM) segmentations of the raw MR images. A shape model is used in conjunction with Multi-Label Random Walker (MLRW) to constrain the seeding process within MLRW.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for hemodialysis including a needle access port having a housing defining a septum, wherein the septum is configured for needle access. Generally, the needle access port will have three septa for communication with valves configured to be anastomosed to a large-diameter blood vessel. The valves are in fluid communication with a flow of blood through the large-diameter blood vessel. The device also includes an elongate tube having a first and a second elongate lumen, wherein a first end of the tube is coupled to the needle access port and a second end of the tube is coupled to the valve. The device can be cleaned by injecting a cleaning fluid into a first septum of the needle access port and extracting it though the second septum of the needle access port.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for hemodialysis including a needle access port having a housing defining a septum, wherein the septum is configured for needle access. Generally, the needle access port will have three septa for communication with valves configured to be anastomosed to a large-diameter blood vessel. The valves are in fluid communication with a flow of blood through the large-diameter blood vessel. The device also includes an elongate tube having a first and a second elongate lumen, wherein a first end of the tube is coupled to the needle access port and a second end of the tube is coupled to the valve. The device can be cleaned by injecting a cleaning fluid into a first septum of the needle access port and extracting it though the second septum of the needle access port.

Abstract: Automatic prostate localization in T2-weighted MR images facilitate labor-intensive cancer imaging techniques. Methods and systems to accurately segment the prostate gland in MR images are provided and address large variations in prostate anatomy and disease, intensity inhomogeneities, and artifacts induced by endorectal coils. A center of the prostate is automatically detected with a boosted classifier trained on intensity based multi-level Gaussian Mixture Model Expectation Maximization (GMM-EM) segmentations of the raw MR images. A shape model is used in conjunction with Multi-Label Random Walker (MLRW) to constrain the seeding process within MLRW.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a valve including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the housing defines a first and second nozzle, and the bottom portion of the housing defines an opening. A diaphragm has an open position and a closed position, and the diaphragm is disposed between the top portion of the housing and the bottom portion of the housing. A first fluid flow path between the first nozzle and the second nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. A second fluid flow path between the opening and the first nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. Such a valve can be used for a number of purposes including hemodialysis procedures.