Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of cryotherapy. In particular, the present disclosure relates to cryotherapy catheters and systems that utilize a detachable expandable member to prevent or significantly inhibit cryogen gases from accumulating and progressing distally beyond a specific region within a body lumen.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods for measuring a size of a body lumen. A method may comprise: (a) inserting a balloon comprising a circumference, a proximal end, and a distal end into the body lumen, wherein the balloon is at least partially compliant; (b) introducing an inflation fluid into the balloon inside the body lumen until a point in time where the circumference of the balloon engages an inner wall of the body lumen; (c) measuring an amount of the inflation fluid introduced into the balloon; and (d) determining the size of the body lumen based at least in part upon a total amount of inflation fluid introduced into the balloon at a point in time. In various embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to apparatuses for measuring an inner diameter of a body lumen.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to cryosurgery apparatuses and systems for and methods of treatment of distal lung tissue or lesions, and more particularly to guided cryogenic delivery to a distal treatment area within lung tissue via a low-profile, high pressure, closed-tipped catheter or probe configured to pass through a working channel of a bronchoscope and extend to a distal region of the lung.

Abstract: Cryosurgery systems, delivery apparatus and methods that provide for the application of cryogen to a treatment area via a low-profile, low pressure, closed-tipped probe. Cryogen is circulated through the probe, and vented to outside of the body, optionally under vacuum pressure, which contributes to increased cryogen throughput.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of cryoablation. In particular, the present disclosure relates to cryoablation systems (e.g., cryospray systems, cryogenic ablation, cryosurgery systems etc.) that prevent or significantly inhibit cryospray gases from accumulating and progression distally beyond a specific region within a body lumen.

Abstract: A system (100) includes an elongate instrument (102) having a long axis (104). The elongate instrument includes a first end portion (106; 202) along the long axis. The elongate instrument further includes a second end portion (108; 208) along the long axis, opposing the first end portion. The elongate instrument further includes an annular location determining device (118) disposed to surround a perimeter of a surface (122; 210) of a sub-region (124; 212) of the first end portion about the long axis. The annular location determining device generates a signal indicative of a three dimensional location of the annular location determining device, which indicates of a three dimensional location of the first end portion.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining real-time imaging data of at least a sub-portion of an object and a region of interest therein. The method further includes displaying the real-time imaging data as the real-time imaging is obtained. The method further includes tracking extraction of a sample from the region of interest by an extraction device based on the real-time imaging data. The method further includes identifying an extraction location for the extracted sample based on the tracking and the real-time imaging data and generating a signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A subject target tissue specific template device (300) that includes a block of material (302) and a plurality of apertures (310) in the material. An aperture of the plurality of apertures is located in the block of material at a location that corresponds to an area of interest identified in an image of an anatomical region of interest of a subject and transferred to an image of block of material with no aperture, which is geometrically aligned with the image of the anatomical region of interest of the subject. A method includes aligning, with a computing system, an image of anatomical tissue of interest with an image of a grid, marking at least one area of interest of tissue of interest within the image of tissue of interest, transferring the marking to the image of the grid, and saving the image of a grid with the marking as a file in an electronic format.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are described for inspecting an object, such as a tire. The system comprises a radiation imaging system configured to examine the object via radiation to generate a radiation image depicting an interior aspect of the object and a machine vision system configured to measure visible light and/or infrared wavelengths to generate a vision image depicting an exterior aspect of the object. The radiation image and the vision image may be correlated to facilitate an inspection of the object which includes an inspection of the exterior aspect as well as the interior aspect.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining real-time imaging data of a least a sub-portion of an object and a region of interest therein. The method further includes displaying the real-time imaging data as the real-time imaging is obtained. The method further includes tracking extraction of a sample from the region of interest by an extraction device based on the real-time imaging data. The method further includes identifying an extraction location for the extracted sample based on the tracking and the real-time imaging data and generating a signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A diffraction system configured to generate a diffraction signature based upon an angular disbursement of radiation is provided. In some embodiments, the diffraction system comprises a radiation source comprising a radiographic isotope configured to natural emit radiation due to decay. In some embodiment, the diffraction system is part of an object identification system that comprises one or more other radiation imaging modalities, such as a CT system and/or a line-scan system. By way of example, the one or more other radiation imaging modalities may perform an initial examination of an object to generate data indicative of the object. The data can be analyzed to identify an item of interest within the object, which can subsequently be examined by the diffraction system to generate a diffraction signature of the item. The diffraction signature of the item can be compared to known diffraction signatures of know items to characterize the item.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for use with an endoscope. Certain embodiments of the invention include a single, large fluid source and pump installed upon an operator console, in combination with a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a proximal connector of the imaging endoscope, multiple fluid sources that feed a common fluid channel that are pressurized by a common pump, multiple fluid sources that feed dedicated fluid channels that are pressurized by dedicated pumps, and a small fluid reservoir and pump installed within a handheld manual controller of the imaging endoscope. The fluid delivery endoscopic systems of the present invention provide the user with the flexibility of changing fluids either in advance of a procedure or on-the-fly as needed, instead of relying on fixed fluid sources only.

Abstract: A method concurrently evaluates multiple different disease states of a subject with a single multi-channel micro-channel device. The method includes obtaining a bio-sample of the subject. The method further includes concurrently processing a first sub-portion of the bio-sample in a first channel and a second different sub-portion of the bio-sample in a second different channel of the device. The method further includes performing a first comparison of a first result of the processing of the first sub-portion with a first disease profile corresponding to the first disease and a second comparison of a second result of the processing of the second sub-portion with a second disease profile corresponding to the second disease. The method further includes generating a signal indicating a presence or absence of the first disease and a presence or absence of the second disease respectively in response to the first comparison and the second comparison.

Abstract: The respiration rate of a patient may be measured by sensing respiration motion using two MEMS devices, and by processing a respiration signal produced by processing the outputs of the two MEMS devices. Some embodiments dispose two accelerometers around a patient's abdomen and determine respiratory motion from the difference between the outputs of the two accelerometers. Other embodiments dispose two non-identical accelerometers at substantially the same location on the patient's body, such that each of the accelerometers is exposed to the same respiratory motion, and determine respiratory motion from the difference between the outputs of the two accelerometers.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide for examining an object (e.g., a tumor in a patient) and subsequently treating the object. The examination and treatment generally occur very close to one another in time, with the patient remaining on a support article (e.g., on a bed or in a chair) during both the examination and the treatment. In this way, a position of the tumor and/or orientation of the tumor relative to the patient is substantially fixed during both the examination and the treatment. In one embodiment, a support article is configured to rotate during the examination and/or treatment. In this way, the object can be examined (e.g., and volumetric data related to the object can be acquired) and/or treated without moving portions of the imaging and/or treatment apparatus, for example.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are described herein for cleaning a portion of a radiographic examination apparatus whereon debris may accumulate. Typically, the portion being cleaned is within a scanning field of the radiographic examination device (e.g., within a portion of the radiographic examination device through which radiation traverses). Activation of a cleaning mechanism, or a portion thereof, may be timed to miss radiation emitted during a scan, and thus not interfere with a scan. Also, the cleaning mechanism, or a portion thereof, may be located so as to not attenuate radiation. If radiation is attenuated by the cleaning mechanism corrective techniques can be implemented to account for such attenuation.

Abstract: An operation room may comprise both an object scanning apparatus for examining an object using x-ray radiation and an irradiation component for treating an object using particle radiation. A support article upon which the object may reside during (both) the examination and treatment may be configured to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane through which x-ray radiation travels, may be configured to tilt with respect to the axis, and/or may be configured to yaw with respect to the axis. In this way, the relative orientation of the support article and the object remain substantially constant during the examination and treatment to facilitate treating a desired area of the object.

Abstract: A hybrid MRI-particle-based therapy system can include as components both a particle radiation therapy system configured to apply a charged particle beam to a region of application in a predetermined direction and also a MRI system including a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field in an imaging volume which includes the region of application at the same time that the charged particle beam is applied. The MRI system can be configured with two torroidal magnets or a magnet having apertures to provide access to the region of application for the charged particle beam, and to provide a homogeneous magnetic field in the region of application of the charged particle beam. The particle beam can be positioned to pass through a relatively low-strength portion of the main magnetic B0 field of the MRI system. Related methods of image-guided therapy are also provided by embodiments of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A multi-functional endoscopic system, for use in electrosurgical applications, that includes an imaging endoscope that may be used in combination with various electrosurgical devices, all of which are sufficiently inexpensive to manufacture, such that the endoscope and electrosurgical devices are considered single use, disposable items. The multi-functional endoscopic system of the present invention is suitable for use with a variety of common electrosurgical devices that require electrical/electronic support in order to function. The electrical/electronic support for these electrosurgical devices (e.g., an electrosurgical generator and associated controls) is integrated with the operator console of the imaging endoscope of the multi-functional endoscopic system of the present invention, rather than provided as a separate device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system for preparing a patient for an endoscopy procedure, such as a colonoscopy. The endoscopic preparation and examination system includes an endoscope, a source of irrigation and aspiration, and a control unit. The endoscope includes an elongated flexible shaft with a distal tip and a proximal end, at least one aspiration lumen and at least one irrigation lumen. A plurality of irrigation ports are functionally connected to the at least one irrigation lumen and a plurality of aspiration ports are functionally connected to the at least one aspiration lumen. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of clearing an obstructed view in a patient prior to, or during an endoscopic examination.