Abstract: An apparatus for use in performing imaging a region of a patient's body including a first imaging system for acquiring first imaging information including a first region of interest using a first imaging modality, a second imaging system for acquiring second imaging information including a second region of interest using a second imaging modality, a first drive system for selectively moving at least a portion of one of the first and second imaging systems relative to an imaging reference frame, wherein the first drive system is operative to move one of the first and second imaging systems independent of movement of the other of the first and second imaging systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for mounting variously configured medical imaging probes for imaging applications. In one aspect, a holding device allows for interfacing/holding most conventional ultrasound probes such that the probes may be attached to a positioning device using a common interface. As ultrasound probes come in various sizes and lengths, the device may adjust to different lengths, widths and shapes of different probes. Hence, the device may work in a substantially universal manner while securely holding probes with little wobble or other problems.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in performing imaging a region of a patient's body including a first imaging system for acquiring first imaging information including a first region of interest using a first imaging modality, a second imaging system for acquiring second imaging information including a second region of interest using a second imaging modality, a first drive system for selectively moving at least a portion of one of the first and second imaging systems relative to an imaging reference frame, wherein the first drive system is operative to move one of the first and second imaging systems independent of movement of the other of the first and second imaging systems.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for mounting variously configured medical imaging probes for imaging applications. In one aspect, a holding device allows for interfacing/holding most conventional ultrasound probes such that the probes may be attached to a positioning device using a common interface. As ultrasound probes come in various sizes and lengths, the device may adjust to different lengths, widths and shapes of different probes. Hence, the device may work in a substantially universal manner while securely holding probes with little wobble or other problems.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for registering medical images to reduce movement between the images. In one arrangement, a hierarchical image registration is performed where regions of the largest differences between images are identified and utilized to drive the deformation of one of the images. Such regions are identified in one arrangement by determining intensities and gradient magnitudes for corresponding regions of the images. In another arrangement, a multi-resolution registration strategy is applied.

Abstract: An automated method for evaluating image data taken over a sequence of image frames to determine a contour of a left ventricle (LV). The sequence of image frames are converted to digital data that identify a gray scale value for each pixel in each image frame. An initial LV region is estimated based upon training data parameters derived from processing manually drawn contours of the LV in the hearts of other individuals, corresponding to the sequence of image frames being analyzed. Prior to producing the initial estimate, the location of the aortic valve in the sequence of image frames for the patient is determined to serve as a reference. The data derived frown the contours of the LVs for the other hearts are rotated and translated relative to this reference to insure that the training data information corresponds to the position and orientation of the LV being analyzed.