Abstract: Devices and systems for ultrasonically imaging tissue and performing ablation therapy are disclosed. An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue includes an ablation electrode tip with a number of acoustic openings and a plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors disposed within an interior lumen of the tip. The ultrasonic imaging sensors are supported within the interior lumen via an insert equipped with a number of recesses that receive the ultrasonic imaging sensors. An acoustically transparent shell disposed between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the acoustic openings forms a fluid channel in the acoustic pathway of the sensors. During an ablation procedure, cooling fluid from an external fluid source is delivered through the fluid channel, providing an acoustic coupling effect between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the surrounding body tissue.

Abstract: To sum up, the present invention relates to an examination system 1301 for examining an associated tissue sample 1302, where the examination system comprises an interventional device 1320 which comprises a plurality of ultrasound transducers 306a-c and wherein the different ultrasound transducers are arranged to obtain images of different regions of an associated tissue sample, and wherein the examination system furthermore comprises a display device 1351 arranged for showing the images so that each of their positions corresponds to the corresponding positions of the different adjacent tissue sample regions in the adjacent associated tissue sample. A possible advantage of the system may be that relevant information regarding the associated tissue sample is conveyed to an observer in a fast an intuitive manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying energy to an object and/or sensing the object. The apparatus includes an optical device for applying and/or sensing light energy and an electrical device for applying and/or sensing electrical energy. At least one optical fiber is provided for applying light energy to the object and/or sensing the object. The at least one optical fiber is connected to the optical device and includes a conductive coating forming an electrical conductor for applying electrical energy to the object and/or sensing the object. The electrical conductor is connected to the electrical device.

Abstract: An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue includes an ablation electrode tip including an ablation electrode configured for delivering ablation energy to body tissue. A plurality of acoustic openings are disposed through the ablation electrode tip. A plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors are positioned inside the ablation electrode tip. The ultrasonic imaging sensors are configured to transmit ultrasonic waves through the acoustic openings. A plurality of flex circuits are each electrically connected to one of the plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a property of a heart. The apparatus comprises a catheter (5), which comprises a first property sensing unit for sensing a contraction signal indicative of a reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at a sensing site of the heart (2). The apparatus further comprises a first property determining unit (8) for determining the reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at the sensing site from the sensed contraction signal as a first property of the heart (2). The reoccurring local contraction provides information about the heart (2), which can be used for a better and/or more reliable characterization of the heart (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to an ablation apparatus for ablating a structure (14) within tissue of a living being. An ultrasound visualization unit (15) generates a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional ultrasound image for finding the structure to be ablated within the tissue. Ablation energy provided by an ablation unit (19) can then accurately be directed to the found structure. Moreover, the ultrasound visualization unit is adapted to generate during the provision of the ablation energy an M-mode ultrasound image by sending and receiving ultrasound waves in the direction, in which the structure is located, as found by using the two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasound image, thereby monitoring the ablation procedure. This allows for an improved control of the ablation procedure and, thus, for an improved quality of this procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasound imaging method and apparatus suitable for minimally invasive ultrasound diagnostic devices in cardiac ablation monitoring and in tumor ablation monitoring. The present invention proposes to manufacture a transducers assembly and system on a patterned flexible foil by embedding transducers patches in apertures on the foil surface. This provides great control of the acoustic properties of the transducer.

Abstract: A system, device and method include an interventional device (106) including one or more ultrasonic transducers (108) configured to generate a signal to indicate presence of a branch or bifurcation of a lumen inside a subject. A localization system (102) is configured to track the interventional device in the subject. A program module (122) is implemented by a processor to compare a position of the interventional device against a reference image (130) and to indicate the presence of the branch or bifurcation relative to the position in accordance with the signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to location determination apparatus for determining a location of a first object (2) like a catheter within a second object (3) being, for example, the heart of a person. The first object comprises a first ultrasound unit, and a second ultrasound unit (5) is located outside the second object. A location determination unit determines the location of the first object within the second object based on ultra-sound signals transmitted 5 between the first ultrasound unit and the second ultrasound unit. This allows determining the location of the first object within the second object reliably in a way which is an alternative to using a transmission of electrical signals for determining the location and which may lead to an improved accuracy of determining the location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering apparatus (15) for filtering an ultrasound signal, which is influenced by an electrical unit and comprises a first part including information about an object (4) from which the ultrasound signal has been received and a second part not comprising information about the object. A correction signal determination unit (17) determines a correction signal being indicative of the influence of the electrical unit on the ultrasound signal from the second part of the ultrasound signal and a correction unit (18) corrects the first part of the ultrasound signal based on the determined correction signal for filtering the influence of the electrical unit out of the ultrasound signal. Since the correction signal is indicative of the influence of the electrical unit, wherein the correction signal is used for correcting the ultrasound signal, unwanted interference visible in the unfiltered ultrasound signal can be filtered out.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for being used for detecting a property of an object. An ultrasound signal providing unit (2) provides an ultrasound signal, which is indicative of a property of the object (9) at one or several depths within the object (9) and which depends on time, and a periodicity value determination unit (5) determines a periodicity value being indicative of a degree of temporal periodicity of the ultrasound signal for a constant depth. The temporal periodicity of the ultrasound signal at the respective constant depth, i.e. the periodicity value, depends on the property of the object at this depth and can therefore be used for detecting a property of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a property determination apparatus (1) for determining a property of an object (3). Optical sensing data being indicative of an optical property of the object and ultrasound sensing data being indicative of an ultrasound property of the object are generated, and a property determination unit (75) determines a property of the object based on at least one of the optical sensing data and the ultrasound sensing data. Since light and ultrasound have generally different penetration depths and scattering properties with respect to the object, a property of the object can be determined with good quality, even if the quality of one of the optical sensing data and the ultrasound sensing data is reduced by, for example, a relatively small penetration depth, or if one of the optical sensing data and the ultrasound sensing data is less suitable for determining a desired property of the object.

Abstract: Devices and systems for ultrasonically imaging tissue and performing ablation therapy are disclosed. An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue includes an ablation electrode tip with a number of acoustic openings and a plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors disposed within an interior lumen of the tip. The ultrasonic imaging sensors are supported within the interior lumen via an insert equipped with a number of recesses that receive the ultrasonic imaging sensors. An acoustically transparent shell disposed between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the acoustic openings forms a fluid channel in the acoustic pathway of the sensors. During an ablation procedure, cooling fluid from an external fluid source is delivered through the fluid channel, providing an acoustic coupling effect between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the surrounding body tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy application apparatus for applying energy to an object. A plurality of energy application elements (4) applies energy to the object at different locations and at least one ultrasound element (18) generates an ultrasound signal being indicative of a property of the object at the different locations, wherein at least one energy application element is individually controlled depending on an energy application influence, in particular, an ablation depth, determined for the location at which the at least one energy application element applies energy from the ultrasound signal. Thus, at least one local control point for applying energy to the object is provided, thereby improving the control of applying energy to the object.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping interluminal structures includes an elongated flexible instrument (102). An optical shape sensing device (152, 154) is disposed within the flexible instrument and is configured to determine a shape of the flexible instrument relative to a reference. The shape sensing device is configured to collect information based on its configuration to map an interluminal structure during a procedure. An imaging enabled ablation device (117) is mounted at or near a distal end portion of the flexible instrument.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring an ablation procedure applied to an object comprises an ultrasound signal providing unit for providing an ultrasound signal. The ultrasound signal is produced by sending ultrasound pulses out to the object, by subsequently receiving dynamic echo series after the ultrasound pulses have been reflected by the object, and finally by generating the ultrasound signal depending on the received dynamic echo series, whereby ultrasound scattering properties of the object are determined that represent blood perfusion. The monitoring apparatus further comprises an ablation depth determination unit for determining an ablation depth from the provided ultrasound signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for combined ablation and ultrasound imaging of associated tissue (40), which is particularly useful for use in an ablation process. The system comprises an interventional device (20) with an ultrasouond transducer and an ablation unit. During an ablation process, the interventional device (20) can be applied for both ablation and imaging of the tissue (40) subject to the ablation. A controlling unit (CTRL) is further comprised within the system, and arranged to calculate a predictor value based on one or more signals from the ultrasound transducer, where the predictor value relates to a risk of impending tissue damage due to a rapid release of bubble energy. According to a specific embodiment, a primary signal is sent if the predictor value exceeds a threshold value, so that proper measures can be taken.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging apparatus (1) for imaging an interior of an object (2). The imaging apparatus (1) comprises a first ultrasound sensor and a second ultrasound sensor for sensing the interior of the object at different frequencies, wherein the ultrasound sensing signals from the first ultrasound sensor are used for generating a first ultrasound image and a the ultrasound sensing signals from the second ultrasound sensor are used for generating a second ultrasound image. A larger frequency generally provides a smaller depth of penetrating the interior of the object and a larger spatial resolution than a smaller frequency. The imaging apparatus (1) can therefore provide the capability of simultaneously imaging the interior of the object with different spatial resolutions and at different penetration depths. This allows the imaging apparatus to improve the quality of imaging the interior of the object.

Abstract: A sensor probe for detecting an environmental state within a bodily lumen includes an elongated body having an optical guide with an outcoupling surface, which is part of an end surface of the elongated body, facing a reflective surface of an overhanging part. The sensor probe further includes a photodetector which detects a property of light which is composed of light in the optical guide that is reflected from the outcoupling surface of the optical guide and of light in the optical guide that is reflected from the overhanging part. The sensor probe also includes a hydrogel material having a property that changes when getting into contact with an environmental material and/or when detecting an environmental change. The hydrogel material is provided between the end surface of the elongated body and the overhanging part.

Abstract: A medical ultrasound device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end region (1). One or more ultrasound transducers (4) for generating acoustic radiation are positioned in the distal end region, inside the elongated body. A transmission element (5) which is substantially transparent to acoustic radiation is positioned in the radiation path of the acoustic radiation, and a controller unit is operatively connected to the ultrasound transducer. The transmission element and the one or more ultrasound transducers are mounted so that an acoustic path length (8) between the transmission element (5) and the ultrasound transducer (4) varies with contact force (10) imposed to the distal end region. The controller unit detects the acoustic path length between the ultrasound transducer and the transmission element and determines the contact force from the detected acoustic path length. In an embodiment, the medical device is an ultrasound RF ablation catheter.