Abstract: A system for visualization and quantification of ultrasound imaging data according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a display unit, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display unit and to an ultrasound imaging apparatus for generating an image from ultrasound data representative of a bodily structure and fluid flowing within the bodily structure. The processor may be configured to estimate axial and lateral velocity components of the fluid flowing within the bodily structure, determine a plurality of flow directions within the image based on the axial and lateral velocity components, differentially encode the flow directions based on flow direction angle to generate a flow direction map, and cause the display unit to concurrently display the image including the bodily structure overlaid with the flow direction map.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical detector (100) with a low-cost and efficient solution for the imaging lens in the receiver that is configured to better receive optical signals originating from wide viewing angles. The optical detector (100) comprises a ball lens (101), a photodetector (120), and a plurality of lightguides (103). The ball lens (101) comprising a first spherical surface (010) for receiving incoming light and a second spherical surface (020) for exiting incoming light. Each of the plurality of lightguides (103) has a light entry surface (104) and a light exit surface (105). The plurality of light entry surfaces (104) are facing the second spherical surface (020) of the ball lens (101) and the plurality of light exit surfaces (105) are facing the photodetector (120). The photodetector (120) and the plurality of lightguides (103) are arranged around an optical axis (001) of the ball lens (101).

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging systems and methods for generated clutter-reduced images are provided. For example, an ultrasound imaging system can include an array of acoustic elements in communication with a processor. The processor is configured to activate the array to perform a scan sequence to obtain a plurality of signals, identify off-axis signals from the plurality of signals by comparing the right subaperture and the left subaperture, and create a clutter-reduced image based on the comparison. Because off-axis signals are more likely to create image clutter, reducing the influence of off-axis signals on the image can therefore improve the quality of the image. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems, methods, and devices for generating ultrasound images that have reduced or minimized clutter, even for images obtained using arrays that do not satisfy the Nyquist criterion.

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. An ultrasound imaging system, comprising an array of acoustic elements configured to transmit ultrasound energy into an anatomy and to receive ultrasound echoes associated with the anatomy; and a processor circuit in communication with the array of acoustic elements and configured to receive, from the array, ultrasound channel data corresponding to the received ultrasound echoes; normalize the ultrasound channel data by applying a first scaling function to the ultrasound channel data; generate beamformed data by applying a predictive network to the normalized ultrasound channel data; de-normalize the beamformed data by applying a second scaling function to the beamformed data; generate an image of the anatomy from the beamformed data; and output, to a display in communication with the processor circuit, the image of the anatomy.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system produces images with enhanced resolution or contrast by extrapolation of two ultrasound images of different imaging characteristics, such as aperture size, imaging frequency, or degree of image compounding. In order to prevent the display of image artifacts, extrapolation is accompanied by artifact removal and image smoothing.

Abstract: Provided is a system (300) for determining a sweat rate per gland and measuring biomarker concentration. The system comprises an apparatus and a sensor (166). The apparatus receives sweat from the skin and transports the sweat as discrete sweat droplets to the sensor. The sensor senses each of the counted sweat droplets. The system further comprises a processor which counts the number of sensed sweat droplets during a time period. The processor also determines time intervals between consecutive sensed sweat droplets, and receives a measure of the volume of each of the counted sweat droplets. The time intervals and the measure of the volume are then used by the processor to identify sweat burst and rest periods of the sweat gland or glands producing the sweat. This identification process necessarily involves assigning the sweat burst and rest periods to the sweat gland or glands, such that the processor is permitted to determine the number of sweat glands involved in producing the sweat.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus (100) for transporting sweat droplets (112) to a sensor. The apparatus comprises a chamber (102) for filling with sweat. The chamber has an inlet (104) lying adjacent the surface of the skin (106), which inlet permits sweat to enter and fill the chamber. The chamber has an outlet (114) from which a sweat droplet protrudes once the chamber has been filled. The apparatus further comprises a fluid transport assembly which is designed to enable the sweat droplet protruding from the outlet to become detached from the outlet of the chamber. The sweat droplet is subsequently transported by the fluid transport assembly to the sensor. Once the protruding droplet has been released from the outlet, the outlet is made available for a subsequent sweat droplet to protrude therefrom upon further filling of the chamber.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving (402), from a sensor, first data indicative of a concentration of a first substance in sweat secreted from sweat glands of a subject; determining (404) a relationship between (i) a time of occurrence of a characteristic event in relation to the concentration of the first substance in sweat and (ii) a time of occurrence of the characteristic event in relation to the concentration of the first substance in blood; and determining (406), based on the relationship and the received first data, a time window regarding the intake of a second substance by the subject. Another aspect provides an apparatus for carrying out this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) or a tautomer thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5, have the same meaning as that defined in the claims and the description. The present invention also relates to compositions, in particular pharmaceuticals, comprising such compounds, and to uses of such compounds and compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of epilepsy and/or neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A device (1) for determining sweat parameters of a user is provided, which device comprises a microfluidic structure (10) having a collection chamber (16) configured to collect sweat from a first skin area (i), and a sensor (12) configured to determine a sweat parameter from sweat from the first skin area (i). The device also comprises an evaporation control chamber (14), which is connected to the microfluidic structure (10), configured to utilize fluid collected at a second area (ii) to moisten the microfluidic structure (10). The moistening of the microfluidic structure (10) aims to increase the available sweat for the sensor to determine a sweat parameter, by increasing the humidity inside the microfluidic structure (10) and thus, decreasing the evaporation of sweat. A method for determining sweat parameters of a user is also provided.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a system (10) comprising a sweat stimulation device (100) for stimulating sweat generation from sweat glands of a subject, the device comprising: a stimulation element (102) configured to provide modulated stimulation between two non-zero states to the sweat glands through the skin of the subject; and a sensor (104) for measuring data indicative of a characteristic of sweat generated by the sweat glands in response to the stimulation; and a processor (110) configured to receive the measured data from the sensor; compare the measured data with a threshold value; and responsive to determining that the measured data meets or exceeds the threshold value, generate an alert signal.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system has an improved dynamic range control which enables a user to reduce image haze with substantially no effect on bright tissue in the image and without increasing speckle variance. A dynamic range processor processes an input image to produce an approximation image which is a spatially low pass filtered version of the input image. The dynamic range of the approximation image is compressed, and image detail, unaffected by the compression, is added back to produce a dynamically compressed image for display.

Abstract: A system performs a medical procedure in a region of interest of a patient. The system includes an interventional medical device insertable into the region of interest, and a sensor attached to a portion of the interventional device, the sensor being configured to convert an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasound imaging probe to a corresponding electrical radio frequency (RF) signal. The corresponding RF signal is received by a wireless receiver outside the region of interest, enabling determination of a location of the sensor within the region of interest.

Abstract: System (10) for determining a position of an interventional device (11) respective an image plane (12) defined by an ultrasound imaging probe (13). The position is determined based on ultrasound signals transmitted between the ultrasound imaging probe (13) and an ultrasound transducer (15) attached to the interventional device (11). An image reconstruction unit (IRU) provides a reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI). A position determination unit (PDU) computes a position (LAPTOFSmax, ?IPA) of the ultrasound transducer (15) respective the image plane (12). The position determination unit (PDU) indicates the computed position (LAPTOFSmax, ?IPA) in the reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI). The position determination unit (PDU) suppresses the indication of the computed position (LAPTOFSmax, ?IPA) under specified conditions relating to the computed position (LAPTOFSmax, ?IPA) and the ultrasound signals.

Abstract: A tool navigation system employing an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound scanner, an interventional tool, a tool tracker and an image navigator. In operation, the ultrasound probe generates an acoustic image plane for scanning an anatomical region, and the ultrasound scanner generates an ultrasound image of the anatomical region from a scan of the anatomical region. During the scan, the interventional tool is navigated within the anatomical region relative to the acoustic image plane, and the tool tracker a tracks of a position of the interventional tool relative to the acoustic image plane. The image navigator displays a graphical icon within the ultrasound image for illustrating a tracking of the interventional tool relative to the acoustic image plane.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a flexible planar strip with a plurality of layers is described. The flexible planar strip is configured to at least partially encapsulate a medical device. The flexible planar strip includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, and a patterned conductive layer including a sensor electrode disposed on the second dielectric layer. According to one aspect an ultrasound sensor including a piezoelectric polymer. The ultrasound sensor is disposed on the sensor electrode such that a first surface of the ultrasound sensor is in electrical contact with the sensor electrode and such that a second surface of the ultrasound sensor is exposed for making electrical contact with a medical device.

Abstract: A patient monitoring method comprises receiving (103, 109) input data indicative of shivering episodes (52) and sweating episodes (54) of a patient; recording (105, 111) the respective points in time at which the shivering episodes and sweating episodes occur; and generating (115, 117) an output based on an alternating pattern of the shivering episodes and sweating episodes from the recorded respective points in time of the respective shivering and/or episodes. Also disclosed is a computer program product for implementing such a method and a monitoring system (10) arranged to implement such a method.

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 controller for reducing noise in an ultrasound environment includes 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 controlling emission, by an ultrasound probe, of multiple beams each at a different combination of time of emission and angle of emission relative to the ultrasound probe. The process also includes identifying repetitive noise from a first source received with the imaging beams at a sensor on an interventional medical device, including a rate at which the repetitive noise from the first source repeats and times at which the repetitive noise from the first source is received. The process also includes interpolating signals based on the imaging beams received at the sensor to offset the repetitive noise from the first source at the times at which the repetitive noise from the first source is received.

Abstract: In some examples, tissue types in B-mode images may be differentiated by multiparameter imaging and/or other segmentation techniques. The tissue types may be used to assign material properties to voxels of the B-mode image, such as color, translucency, and reflectivity. The material properties may be used to generate a rendered image. In some examples, one or more of the material properties assigned to the voxels may correspond to values of tissue parameters acquired during multiparameter imaging. The rendered image may include data based on both the B-mode image and the multiparameter imaging.