Abstract: Home-use applicators for non-invasively removing heat from subcutaneous, lipid-rich cells via phase change coolants, and associated devices, systems and methods. A device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an applicator releasably positionable in thermal communication with human skin, and a coolant vessel having a coolant. The device further includes a heat transfer conduit operatively coupled to the applicator and housing a heat transfer fluid that is isolated from fluid contact with the coolant. A heat exchanger is operatively coupled between the coolant vessel and the heat transfer conduit to transfer heat between the heat transfer fluid and the coolant, and a fluid driver is operatively coupled to the heat transfer conduit to direct the heat transfer fluid between the applicator and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for removing heat from subcutaneously disposed lipid-rich cells are disclosed. In selected embodiments, suction and/or heat removal sources are coupled to an applicator. The applicator includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The rigid portion includes a thermally conductive plate and a frame coupling the thermally conductive plate and the flexible portion. An interior cavity of the applicator is in fluid communication with the suction source, and the frame maintains contiguous engagement between the heat removal source and the thermally conductive plate.

Abstract: Systems for removing heat from a subject's subcutaneous lipid-rich regions, such as tissue, organs, cells, and so forth, are described herein. In various embodiments, the system includes a treatment device and a controller for controlling a treatment process. The controller is configured to detect and compensate for an interruption in the treatment process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to optimize delivery of radiation treatment.

Abstract: Methods and system for treatment planning for non- and minimally-invasive alteration of body adipose tissue for reduction and contouring of body fat are described herein. Treatment plans can be generated by capturing current body part data (e.g., positioning, contour/shape, thickness of adipose tissue, etc.), determining desired outcome of treatment (e.g., percent reduction of adipose tissue thickness, degree of contour change, etc.), and determining treatment parameters to achieve desired results. Algorithms can be used to determine best-fit treatment parameters to use in treatment sessions. In some embodiments, the system can provide a predictive end-result image for communication to patient and/or for determining alteration of desired outcome. In various embodiments, real-time monitoring of feedback data can be used to determine treatment plan efficacy.

Abstract: An interface is provided to a user to perform a plurality of treatment planning operations associated with the treatment plan before the treatment plan is optimized. The treatment planning operations include at least one of selecting a treatment planning parameter or inputting data corresponding to the treatment planning parameter. One or more templates containing one or more pre-defined treatment planning parameters are provided to the user to enable the user to skip performing one or more of the plurality of operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a positioning system are described to position an upper-half of a body relative to a head-end of a couch. The positioning system may be a patient positioning system and may include a treatment couch, a leg rest coupled to the treatment couch, and a drive mechanism coupled to the leg rest. The patient positioning system may also include a treatment couch, having a base portion of a treatment couch and plurality of detachable portions of the treatment couch. The plurality of detachable portions to adjust a height of the treatment couch to accommodate differing heights of patients.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically determining a beam parameter at each of a plurality of treatment nodes are disclosed. The beam parameter may include a beam shape, beam size and/or beam orientation. Systems and methods for automatically selecting multiple collimators in a radiation treatment system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a positioning system are described to position an upper-half of a body relative to a head-end of a couch. The positioning system may be a patient positioning system and may include a treatment couch, a leg rest coupled to the treatment couch, and a drive mechanism coupled to the leg rest. The patient positioning system may also include a treatment couch, having a base portion of a treatment couch and plurality of detachable portions of the treatment couch. The plurality of detachable portions to adjust a height of the treatment couch to accommodate differing heights of patients.

Abstract: A system for reducing subcutaneous lipid-rich cells or tissue of a subject is disclosed. The system may include a fluid supply, a probe in fluid communication with the fluid supply, and a coolant circulated between the fluid supply and the probe. The probe may be configured to be inserted into the subject to be at least proximate to the subcutaneous lipid rich cells. The coolant may be at a temperature such that the subcutaneous lipid-rich cells or tissue proximate to the inserted probe are cooled.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for measuring the signal-to-noise ratio of x-ray images and to adaptively control x-ray exposure in response to image quality and patient movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically determining a beam parameter at each of a plurality of treatment nodes are disclosed. The beam parameter may include a beam shape, beam size and/or beam orientation. Systems and methods for automatically selecting multiple collimators in a radiation treatment system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to generate a four-dimensional correlation model for a target region and to develop a radiation treatment plan which includes a relative movement between a target region and a radiation beam path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to optimize delivery of radiation treatment.

Abstract: Accurate tissue motion systems and methods are provided. Motion of the ultrasound transducer is accounted for in estimates at tissue motion. Correcting for transducer motion better isolates localized tissue contractions or expansions, such as motion of the myocardial muscle or fibers. Accurate motion estimation is also provided by determining an angle of motion from the ultrasound data. The angle of motion is used to adjust velocity estimates, providing two-dimensional velocity vectors (i.e. motion estimates comprising motion in at least two dimensions). Movement of tissue is determined by correlating speckle or a feature represented by two different sets of ultrasound data obtained at different times. Additional aspects include tracking the location of a tissue of interest. A characteristic of strain, such as the strain rate or strain, is calculated for the tracked tissue of interest.

Abstract: Images of the heart are formed by using multiple sets of ultrasound data. Each set of data is acquired and processed responsive to a different set of imaging parameters. The imaging parameter sets differ in at least one parameter, such as array position, temporal frequency response or transmit focal depth, so that the images formed using these data sets have, either laterally or axially, different spatial spectra. A set of images is formed responsive to a first imaging parameter set for a first cardiac cycle. Another set of images is formed responsive to a second imaging parameter set for a second cardiac cycle. The two sets of images are temporally aligned so that they correspond to the same set of phases of the cardiac cycle. Since the data acquisition and processing are distributed over multiple cycles of the motion, assuming regular periodic heart cycle, temporal resolution is maintained.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming images of heart by using multiple sets of ultrasound data are described. Each set of data is acquired and processed responsive to a different set of imaging parameters. The imaging parameter sets differ in at least one parameter, such as array position, temporal frequency response or transmit focal depth, so that the images formed using these data sets have, either laterally or axially, different spatial spectra. In one of the preferred embodiments, a set of images is formed responsive to a first imaging parameter set for a first cardiac cycle. Another set of images is formed responsive to a second imaging parameter set for a second cardiac cycle. Then the two sets of images are temporally aligned so that they correspond to the same set of phases of the cardiac cycle. The temporally aligned images may also be spatially aligned and combined. This technique can improve contrast resolution and/or field of view.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system aligns substantially co-planar two-dimensional images to form an extended field of view using improved compounding methods. Compounding with a finite impulse response is used for more versatile compositing. The compounding is adaptive, such as through adapting the image regions, weighting, or type of compounding as a function of correlation, location within the image, estimated motion or combinations thereof. A user warning is provided as a function of the correlation between images.

Abstract: Accurate tissue motion systems and methods are provided. Motion of the ultrasound transducer is accounted for in estimates at tissue motion. Correcting for transducer motion better isolates localized tissue contractions or expansions, such as motion of the myocardial muscle or fibers. Accurate motion estimation is also provided by determining an angle of motion from the ultrasound data. The angle of motion is used to adjust velocity estimates, providing two-dimensional velocity vectors (i.e. motion estimates comprising motion in at least two dimensions). Movement of tissue is determined by correlating speckle or a feature represented by two different sets of ultrasound data obtained at different times. Additional aspects include tracking the location of a tissue of interest. A characteristic of strain, such as the strain rate or strain, is calculated for the tracked tissue of interest.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system aligns substantially co-planar two-dimensional images to form an extended field of view using improved compounding methods. Using variations in characteristics for each component frame or sub-set of data, the extended field of view image is enhanced. For example, the steering angle or acquisition frequency associated with each component image is different.