Abstract: A therapy planning system (10) includes at least one processor (74, 72) programmed to receive an initial elasticity image of the target generated prior to execution of a fraction of a treatment plan for the target. The target is delineated in the initial elasticity image to segment the initial elasticity image. One or more elasticity images of the target generated during and/or after execution of the fraction are received and delineated to segment the elasticity images. The segmentation of the initial elasticity image is compared against the segmentations of the additional elasticity images to identify motion of the target and/or changes of the target. Based on the comparison, the treatment plan is updated and/or execution of the fraction is controlled.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (2000): specify image features (1342/1344/1346) which are to be avoided in selecting a region of interest (10) in tissue of a body for making a shear wave elasticity measurement of the tissue; receive (2020) one or more image signals from an acoustic probe (120) produced from acoustic echoes from an area of the tissue; process (2030) acoustic images (504/506/508) in real-time to identify the image features which are to be avoided in selecting the region of interest; provide (2040) visual feedback to a user to choose a location for the region of interest based on the identified image features; select (2050) the region of interest in response to the visual feedback; and make (2060) the shear wave elasticity measurement of the tissue within the selected region of interest using one or more acoustic radiation force pulses.

Abstract: A controller (250) for differentiating passive ultrasound sensors for interventional medical procedures includes a memory (291) and a processor (292). When executed by the processor (292), instructions from the memory (291) cause a system (200) that includes the controller (250) to implement a process that includes receiving first signals from a first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) and receiving second signals from a second passive ultrasound sensor (S2). The first signals and second signals are generated by the passive ultrasound sensors responsive to beams emitted from an ultrasound imaging probe (210). The process also includes identifying a characteristic of the first signals and the second signals. The characteristic includes shapes of the first signals and the second signals and/or times at which the first signals and the second signals are generated as the beams from the ultrasound imaging probe are received.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for guiding the acquisition of ultrasound data within a 3D field of view. The method begins by obtaining initial 2D B-mode ultrasound data of a cranial region of a subject from a reduced field of view at a first imaging location and determining whether a vessel of interest is located within the 3D field of view based on the initial 2D B-mode ultrasound data. If the vessel of interest is not located within the 3D field of view, a guidance instruction is generated based on the initial 2D B-mode ultrasound data, wherein the guidance instruction is adapted to indicate a second imaging location to obtain further ultrasound data. If the vessel of interest is located within the 3D field of view 3D Doppler ultrasound data is obtained of the cranial region from the 3D field of view.

Abstract: A process implemented by a controller (120/220/320) with a circuit (121-126/221-226/321-351) includes receiving (S410) a signal stream between an ultrasound imaging probe (110/210/310) that emits multiple beams and a console (190/290/390) that receives image signals from the ultrasound imaging probe (110/210/310). The signal stream includes synchronization information indicating timing of emission of each beam, and the circuit (121-126/221-226/321-351) extracts the synchronization information. The circuit (121-126/221-226/321-351) receives (S430), from a passive ultrasound sensor (S1) that receives energy from each beam, a first signal that includes first sensor information indicative of a location of the passive ultrasound sensor (S1) and generated based on receipt by the passive ultrasound sensor (S1) of the energy received from each beam.

Abstract: A controller (250) for identifying out-of-plane motion of a passive ultrasound sensor (S1) relative to an imaging plane front an ultrasound imaging probe includes a memory (391) licit stores instructions and a processor (392) that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause a system that includes the controller (250) to implement a process that includes obtaining (S710). from a position and orientation sensor (212) fixed to the ultrasound imaging probe (210), measurements of motion of the ultrasound imaging probe (210) between a first point in time and a second point in time.

Abstract: A controller (220) for determining a shape of an interventional medical device in an interventional medical procedure based on a location of the interventional medical device includes a memory (221) that stores instructions and a processor (222) that executes the instructions. The instructions cause a system (200) that includes the controller (220) to implement a process that includes obtaining (S320) the location of the interventional medical device (201) and obtaining (S330) imagery of a volume that includes the interventional medical device. The process also includes applying (S340), based on the location of the interventional medical device (201), image processing to the imagery to identify the interventional medical device (201) including the shape of the interventional medical device (201). The process further includes (S350) segmenting the interventional medical device (201) to obtain a segmented representation of the interventional medical device (201).

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. An ultrasound imaging system comprising a processor circuit configured to receive, from an ultrasound imaging device, a sequence of input image frames of a moving object over a time period, wherein the moving object comprises at least one of an anatomy of a patient or a medical device traversing through the patient's anatomy, and wherein a portion of the moving object is at least partially invisible in a first input image frame of the sequence of input image frames; apply a recurrent predictive network to the sequence of input image frames to generate segmentation data; and output, to a display, a sequence of output image frames based on the segmentation data, wherein the portion of the moving object is fully visible in a first output image frame of the sequence of output image frames.

Abstract: For each of a plurality of time frames in the scan session for producing acoustic images of an area of interest, including a cervix, a system and method: construct (1520) a three dimensional volume of the area of interest from one or more image signals and the inertial measurement signal; apply (1530) a deep learning algorithm to the constructed three dimensional volume of interest to qualify an image plane for obtaining a candidate cervical length for the cervix; perform (1540) image segmentation and object detection for the qualified image plane to obtain the candidate cervical length. The shortest candidate cervical length from the plurality of time frames is selected as the measured cervical length for the scan session. A display device (116) displays an image of the cervix corresponding to the measured cervical length for the scan session, and an indication of the measured cervical length for the scan session.

Abstract: A system for tracking an instrument includes two or more sensors (22) disposed along a length of an instrument and being spaced apart from adjacent sensors. An interpretation module (45) is configured to select and update an image slice from a three-dimensional image volume in accordance with positions of the two or more sensors. The three-dimensional image volume includes the positions two or more sensors with respect to a target in the volume. An image processing module (48) is configured to generate an overlay (80) indicating reference positions in the image slice. The reference positions include the positions of the two or more sensors and relative offsets from the image slice in a display to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the instrument.

Abstract: A segmentation selection system includes a transducer configured to transmit and receive imaging energy for imaging a subject. A signal processor is configured to process imaging data received to generate processed image data. A segmentation module is configured to generate a plurality of segmentations of the subject based on features or combinations of features of the imaging data and/or the processed image data. A selection mechanism is configured to select one of the plurality of segmentations that best meets a criterion for performing a task. A graphical user interface permits a user to select features or combinations of features of imaging data or processed image data to generate the plurality of segmentations and to select a segmentation that best meets criterion for performing a task.

Abstract: A method (20) and device for deriving an estimate of intracranial blood pressure based on motion data for a wall of an intracranial blood vessel, intracranial blood flow velocity, and a blood pressure signal measured at a location outside the brain. The method is based on identifying (28) a time offset between the two intracranial signals (vessel wall movement and vessel blood flow), and then applying (30) this offset to the blood pressure signal acquired from outside the brain to obtain a fourth signal, indicative of estimated intracranial blood pressure.

Abstract: A system includes an acoustic probe and an acoustic imaging machine. The acoustic probe includes a substrate with first and second principal surfaces, a device insertion port with an opening passing through the substrate from the first principal surface to the second principal surface, and an array of acoustic transducer elements supported by the substrate and disposed around the device insertion port. The acoustic imaging machine may systematically vary the size and/or position of the active acoustic aperture of the probe by providing transmit signals to selected acoustic transducer elements to cause the array to transmit an acoustic probe signal to an area of interest and may record a feedback signal of the transmit signals from an acoustic receiver provided at a distal end of an interventional device passed through the device insertion port into the area of interest to find an active acoustic aperture having optimal acoustic performance.

Abstract: A system for tracking an instrument includes two or more sensors (22) disposed along a length of an instrument and being spaced apart from adjacent sensors. An interpretation module (45) is configured to select and update an image slice from a three-dimensional image volume in accordance with positions of the two or more sensors. The three-dimensional image volume includes the positions two or more sensors with respect to a target in the volume. An image processing module (48) is configured to generate an overlay (80) indicating reference positions in the image slice. The reference positions include the positions of the two or more sensors and relative offsets from the image slice in a display to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the instrument.

Abstract: A system for tracking a medical device includes an introducer (20). Two or more sensors (22) are disposed along a length of the introducer and are spaced apart along the length. An interface (32) is configured to connect to the introducer such that the introducer and the interface operatively couple to and support the medical device wherein the two or more sensors are configured to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the medical device using medical imaging.

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (12) is for configuring visualization of ultrasound data using in use a display unit. The control unit is adapted to acquire ultrasound image data and to automatically control visualization of the most relevant parts and views the data, based on current levels of a number of different monitored physiological parameters. In particular, responsively to one of the physiological parameters entering or leaving a pre-defined range of values (e.g. representative of an alert or normal condition respective for the patient), the control unit determines a most appropriate anatomical region within the image data for representing the changed physiological parameter, and a most useful visualization mode (e.g. view) for presenting or showing that anatomical region within the image data. One or more display frames are generated which show the anatomical region visualized in accordance with the selected visualization mode.

Abstract: An acoustic probe connectable to an imaging system. The acoustic probe has a substrate with first and second principal surfaces, at least one device insertion port comprising an opening passing through the substrate from the first principal surface to the second principal surface, and an array of acoustic transducer elements supported by the substrate and disposed around the at least one device insertion port. The acoustic probe comprising an instrument guide disposed within the device insertion port, the instrument guide being configured to selectively allow the interventional device to move freely within the device insertion port and to selectively lock the interventional device within the device insertion port in response to a user input via a user interface connected to the acoustic probe.

Abstract: An intervention system employs an optical shape sensing tool (32) (e.g., a brachytherapy needle having embedded optical fiber(s)) and a grid (50, 90) for guiding an insertion of the optical shape sensing tool (32) into an anatomical region relative to a grid coordinate system. The intervention system further employs a registration controller (74) for reconstructing a segment or an entirety of a shape of the optical shape sensing tool (32) relative to a needle coordinate system, and for registering the needle coordinate system to the grid coordinate system as a function of a reconstructed segment/entire shape of the optical shape sensing tool (32) relative to the grid (50, 90) (i.e., reconstruction of a segment/entire shape of the OSS needle inserted into/through the grid serving as a basis for the grid/needle coordinate system registration).

Abstract: A controller (120) for simultaneously tracking multiple sensors in a medical intervention includes a circuit (121-181) that causes the controller (120) to execute a process. The process executed by the circuit (121-181) includes receiving first and second signals respectively from a first and a second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) used in the medical intervention. The first and second signals respectively include first and second sensor information indicative of respective locations of the first and the second passive ultrasound sensor (S2). The process executed by the circuit (121-181) also includes combining (120) the first signal and the second signal for transmission over only one channel, and providing the first signal and the second signal over the only one channel to a system (190) that determines the location of the first passive ultrasound sensor (51) and the location of the second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) and that has only the one channel to receive the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tester to detect a biological signature of a biological sample, a processor, and a memory operably coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions to cause the processor to receive an indication of the biological signature from the tester, and to generate, using a smart contract and through communication with a distributed ledger, a cryptographic token including a digital identifier based on the biological signature. The cryptographic token is transmitted to a remote processor for verification of the biological sample, in response to receiving the cryptographic token. The tester can detect the biological signature within a predetermined test duration that is less than a DNA sequencing duration associated with the biological sample, and the biological signature has a data precision sufficient to uniquely identify the biological sample from a plurality of biological samples.