Abstract: A multi-patch ultrasound array according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of patches of transducer elements, the plurality of patches arranged along a first direction of the array, and a frame connecting the plurality of patches such that adjacent ones of the plurality of patches are slidable relative to one another in a second direction of the array which is perpendicular to the first direction. An ultrasound system according to the present disclosure includes a multi-patch ultrasonic array comprising a plurality of ultrasound patches, each individually operable to transmit ultrasound toward a region of interest and receive echoes from the region of interest, wherein each patch is slidable in relation to an adjacent patch, an ultrasound scanner configured to generate an ultrasound image from the received echoes, and a communication link configured to selectively couple each of the plurality of patches to the ultrasound scanner.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (190) for determining the reliability of an ultrasonic tracking device (102) includes a determination device (132) that is configured to receive signals from the ultrasonic tracking device and determine a quantity of sensors (105) of an interventional device (103) in a field of view of the ultrasonic imaging device. An evaluation device (136) correlates a quantity of the sensors in the field of view with a reliability level for the determined orientation of the interventional device and generates a control signal (142) to a feedback device. The feedback device provides feedback to the user concerning the reliability level for the orientation of the interventional device determined by the ultrasonic tracking device. The feedback may be visual and/or audible feedback.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (10) for providing an object (2) in a body (1), a processor (18) arranged to be used in the system (10) for providing an object (2) in a body (1), an instrument (12) for providing an object (2) into a body (1), a method for detecting a providing of an object (2) in a body (1) and a software product for detecting a providing of an object (2) in a body (1). In order to allow for a providing of an object (2) in a body (1) and a detecting hereof while avoiding the drawbacks on the known approaches, e.g. giving an opportunity for reliable localization in ultrasound images used for real-time monitoring of a medical procedure with reduced error proneness to electromagnetic interference, the invention utilizes the finding that the characteristics of a reception or transmission of an ultrasound transducer (24, 26) are influenced by the surrounding environment of the ultrasound transducer (24, 26).

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 delinated 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: The generation of a pattern and for an adaptation to the specific geometry requires a lot of manual work. The workflow for the clinician is simplified during treatment planning. A treatment planning system is configured for determining a set of catheter or needle insertion positions to be used during treatment. The treatment planning system includes an image providing module for providing a medical image from which at least one treatment target structure can be derived. Further the treatment planning system includes a pattern providing module for providing one or a set of standard patterns for catheter or needle insertion including a plurality of catheter or needle insertion positions. The catheter or needle positions relate to treatment positions in the at least one treatment target structure.

Abstract: A brachytherapy seed localization system for localizing radioactive seeds within a diseased tissue, the brachytherapy seed localization system employs a tool tracking machine (50) for generating a tracked seed distribution map (51) of delivered locations of the radioactive seeds within the diseased tissue, and a tissue imaging machine (60) for generating a seed distribution image (61) of projected locations of the radioactive seeds within the diseased tissue including at least one false projected location. The brachytherapy seed localization system further employs a brachytherapy seed localizer (70) for generating a composite seed distribution map (71) of estimated locations of the radioactive seeds within the diseased tissue derived from a combination of the tracked seed distribution map (51) and the seed distribution image (61) excluding any false projected location(s) within the seed distribution image (61).

Abstract: A therapy system and method treats an internal target of a patient (16). A treatment plan (36) is received to treat the internal target. The treatment plan (36) includes a plurality of treatment fractions including correspondences (38) between the internal target and an external body surface based on a pre-procedural planning image (14) and pre-procedural tracking data (20). Before selected treatment fractions of the plurality of treatment fractions, a pre-fraction planning image (50) of the target is received, tracking data (20, 52) of the external body surface of the patient (16) is received, and the correspondences (38) between the internal target and the external body surface are updated based on the received pre-fraction planning image (50) and the received tracking data (20, 52). Therapy is delivered to the patient (16) in accordance with the treatment plan (36) and using the updated correspondences (38).

Abstract: A grid calibration system employing interventional equipment including one or more interventional tools (23), a grid (22) having a hole matrix for supporting and guiding the interventional tool(s) (23) within a calibration area, and an imaging device (24) positioned relative to the grid (22) for generating a tool image illustrative of the interventional tool(s) (23) within the calibration area. The grid calibration system further employs a grid calibration workstation (40) for displaying any alignment adjustments to the relative positioning of the grid (22) and the imaging device (24) as derived from an image registration of the tool image and a virtual grid having a point matrix representative of the hole matrix of the grid.

Abstract: A system (100) includes an imaging system (130), and a therapy control device (122). The imaging system (130) generates temperature maps (140) and strain maps (142) of localized tissues of a patient. The therapy control device (122) includes one or more computer processors configured to detect at least one failure mode (300, 302, 304, 400) of generated mild hyperthermia in the localized tissues of the patient according to at least one of the temperature maps, the strain maps, or a signal indicative of detected inertial cavitation. In some embodiments, the therapy control device either halts therapy or issues a warning.

Abstract: An adaptor device includes a first connector (106) configured to interface with an ultrasound probe and a second connector (108) configured to interface with an ultrasound console. An array of lines (120) connects the first connector to the second connector. A pulse generator or generators (110, 112) are configured to output trigger signals responsive to a signal on one or more of the array of lines. An external output (114, 116) is configured to output the trigger signals.

Abstract: An interventional instrument (30) having ultrasound sensors (S1, S2, S3, S4, . . . ) is tracked using an ultrasound imaging device (10) that acquires and displays a 2D ultrasound image of a visualization plane (18), and performs 2D ultrasound sweeps for a range of plane angles (?) obtained by rotating the ultrasound probe (12) and encompassing the visualization plane angle. For each ultrasound sensor, an optimal plane is found based on its emitted signal strength over the range of plane angles, and the ultrasound sensor is located in its optimal plane by analyzing the sensor signal as a function of the timing of the beams fired by the ultrasound probe. These locations in their respective optimal planes are transformed to a 3D reference space using a transform (42) parameterized by plane angle, and a visual indicator is displayed of spatial information (T, L) for the interventional instrument generated from the locations of the one or more ultrasound sensors in the 3D reference space.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer array (100) is disclosed comprising an array of elongate support members (110) displaceable and/or deformable relative to each other in the elongation direction of said elongate support members, each elongate support member having a patient facing surface carrying an ultrasound transducer tile (120); and a plurality of sensors (115), each adapted to detect the relative displacement and/or deformation of one of said elongate support members. An ultrasound system (10) including such an ultrasound transducer array and an operating method (200) of such an ultrasound system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An interventional therapy system may include at least one controller which may obtain a reference image dataset of an object of interest (OOI); segment the reference image dataset to determine peripheral outlines of the OOI in the plurality image slices; acquire a current image of the OOI using an ultrasound probe; select a peripheral outline of a selected image slice of the plurality of slices of the reference image dataset which is determined to correspond to the current image; and/or modify the selected peripheral outline of the image slice of the plurality of slices of the reference image dataset in accordance with at least one deformation vector.

Abstract: A radiation therapy delivery system (10) includes an ultrasound imaging unit (26), a radiation therapy delivery mechanism (12, 56, 70, 88), a plurality of fiducials (22, 90) located internal to the subject, an image fusion unit (40), and a delivery evaluation unit (38). The ultrasound imaging unit (26) includes a transducer (30) that emits ultrasonic sound waves to image in real-time an anatomic portion of a subject (16) in a first coordinate system. The radiation therapy delivery mechanism (12, 56, 70, 88) delivers amounts of therapeutic radiation in the anatomic portion of the subject in a second coordinate system. The fiducials (22, 90) include implants or a trans-rectal ultrasound probe (80). The image fusion unit (40) registers locations of the plurality of fiducials to at least one of the first and the second coordinate system and tracks the locations of the fiducials in real-time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a HDR brachytherapy system comprising an ultrasound sensor for being arranged at the location of a brachytherapy catheter (12), wherein the ultrasound sensor is adapted to generate an ultrasound signal based on ultrasound radiation, which has been sent by an ultrasound imaging device preferentially comprising a TRUS probe (40) and which has been received by the ultrasound sensor. The position of the ultrasound sensor is determined based on the generated ultrasound signal, and based on this position of the ultrasound sensor the pose and shape of the brachytherapy catheter and/or the position of a HDR radiation source are determined. This allows for a very accurate determination of the pose and shape of the brachytherapy catheter and/or of the position of the HDR radiation source, which in turn can lead to an improved HDR brachytherapy.

Abstract: A system and method for perfusion imaging includes an imaging device (122) configured to collect perfusion information from a target area. A processing module (110) is configured to determine perfusion levels of the target area based on the perfusion information. A planning module (114) is configured to provide a treatment plan for the target area by correlating the perfusion levels with treatment activities for the target area, wherein the treatment activities are adjusted based upon characteristics of the perfusion levels in the target area.

Abstract: A treatment planning system for generating patient-specific treatment. The system including one or more processors programmed to receive a radiation treatment plan (RTP) for irradiating a target over the course of one or more treatment fractions, said RTP including a planned dose distribution to be delivered to the target, receive motion data for at least one of the treatment fractions of the RTP, receive temporal delivery metric data for at least one of the treatment fractions of the RTP, calculate a motion-compensated dose distribution for the target using the motion data and the temporal delivery metric data to adjust the planned dose distribution based on the received motion data and temporal delivery metric data, and compare the motion-compensated dose distribution to the planned dose distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a determination apparatus for determining the pose and shape of an introduction element like a catheter within a living being, wherein the introduction element (12) is adapted to be used by a brachytherapy apparatus for introducing a radiation source (10) close to a target object (11) to be treated. A position determination element (27) like guidewire (20) with an electromagnetic tracking element (16) is introduced into the introduction element (12) such that it is arranged at different locations within the introduction element (12), wherein the positions of the position determination element (27) within the introduction element (12) are determined. The determined positions are then acquired depending on the determined positions for determining the pose and shape of the introduction element within the living being. This can lead to a determination procedure with reduced user interaction, thereby simplifying the determination procedure for the user.

Abstract: A system for radiation therapy include an imaging device (108) configured to scan an area of interest for tissue undergoing radiation therapy to collect one or more images of the tissue. An interpretation module (110) is configured to receive the one or more images of the tissue to determine a burn status of the tissue and provide adjustments for a radiation treatment plan in accordance with the burn status.

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.