Abstract: The present invention relates to determining the rotation of an interventional device in an ultrasound field. An interventional device is provided that is suitable for being tracked in an ultrasound beam of a beamforming ultrasound imaging system by correlating transmitted ultrasound signals from the beamforming ultrasound imaging system as detected by ultrasound receivers attached to the interventional device with the beamforming beam sequence of the ultrasound signals. The interventional device includes a longitudinal axis (A-A?), a first linear sensor array (12) comprising a plurality of ultrasound receivers (R1 . . . n) wherein each ultrasound receiver has a length (L) and a width (W), and wherein the array extends along the width (W) direction. Moreover the first linear sensor array (12) is wrapped circumferentially around the interventional device with respect to the axis (A-A?) such that the length (L) of each ultrasound receiver is arranged lengthwise with respect to the axis (A-A?).

Abstract: An interventional device includes a sensor interconnection region (101) for making electrical contact to a sensor (102) disposed on the interventional device. The interventional device includes an electrically conductive elongate shaft, a sensor strip (104), electrical conductors (105, 106), and an electrical shield layer (109). The electrical conductors (105, 106) extend along the sensor strip between a sensor region (111) and a window (112) within which the electrical conductors (105, 106) are exposed. The sensor strip (104) is wrapped around the elongate shaft (103) in a spiral such that the electrical conductors (105, 106) extend along the longitudinal axis (A-A?) within the window (112), and such that an electrical shield contact portion (109?) adjacent the window (112), the window (112), and an exposed portion of the electrically conductive elongate shaft (103?) beyond the wrapped sensor strip provide the sensor interconnection region (101).

Abstract: An interventional device includes an elongate shaft (101) with a longitudinal axis (A-A?), and an ultrasound detector (102). The ultrasound detector (102) comprises a PVDF homopolymer foil strip (103). The foil strip (103) is wrapped around the longitudinal axis (A-A?) of the elongate shaft (101) to provide a band having an axial length (L) along the longitudinal axis (A-A?). The axial length (L) is in the range 80-120 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tracking a position of an interventional device respective an image plane of an ultrasound field. The position includes an out-of-plane distance (Dop). A geometry-providing unit (GPU) includes a plurality of transducer-to-distal-end lengths (Ltde1 . . . n), each length corresponding to a predetermined distance (Ltde) between a distal end of an interventional device and an ultrasound detector attached to the interventional device, for each of a plurality of interventional device types (T1 . . . n). An image fusion unit (IFU) receives data indicative of the type (T) of the interventional device being tracked; and based on the type (T): selects from the geometry-providing unit (GPU), a corresponding transducer-to-distal-end length (Ltde); and indicates in a reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI) both the out-of-plane distance (Dop) and the transducer-to-distal-end length (Ltde) for the interventional device within the ultrasound field.

Abstract: A male connector (100) includes a contact pad substrate (101) and a connector shell (102). The contact pad substrate (101) includes a linear array of contact pads (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d) that are adapted for aligning with corresponding contacts (103?a, 103?b, 103?c, 103?d) of a contact-bearing tongue (104?) of a corresponding female connector (100?) that conforms to a USB Series A receptacle contact pad pitch specification. The two outermost contact pads (103a, 103d) of the linear array are electrically connected together. The connector shell (102) is formed from an insulating material and comprises a tubular portion (102a) for insertion into the corresponding female connector (100?), and a handling portion (102b) for handling during insertion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system SY for determining a position of an RF transponder circuit RTC respective an ultrasound emitter unit UEU. The RF transponder circuit RTC emits RF signals that are modulated based on received ultrasound signals that are emitted or reflected by the ultrasound emitter unit UEU. The position of the RF transponder circuit RTC respective the ultrasound emitter unit UEU is determined based on a time difference ?T1 between the emission of an ultrasound signal by the ultrasound emitter unit UEU and the detection by the RF detector unit RFD of a corresponding modulation in the RF signal emitted or reflected by the RF transponder circuit (RTC).

Abstract: The invention provides a light guide element comprising a light guide and a layer element, wherein the light guide comprises a light guide face and wherein the layer element comprises an optical layer, wherein said optical layer is in contact with at least part of the light guide face, wherein the optical layer has a first index of refraction (n1) smaller than the refractive index of seawater, wherein the light guide comprises a UV radiation transmissive light guide material.

Abstract: An interventional device includes an elongate shaft and a transducer strip. The transducer strip includes a first edge and an opposing second edge. The first edge and the second edge are separated by a width dimension, and the first edge and the second edge each extend along a length direction of the transducer strip. The transducer strip also includes a piezoelectric transducer that extends along a transducer direction that forms an acute angle with respect to the length direction. The transducer strip is wrapped in the form of a spiral around the elongate shaft of the interventional device such that the piezoelectric transducer forms a band around the elongate shaft. The width dimension is defined such that the adjacent first and second edges of consecutive turns of the spiral abut or overlap one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining the rotation of an interventional device in an ultrasound field. An interventional device is provided that is suitable for being tracked in an ultrasound beam of a beamforming ultrasound imaging system by correlating transmitted ultrasound signals from the beamforming ultrasound imaging system as detected by ultrasound receivers attached to the interventional device with the beamforming beam sequence of the ultrasound signals. The interventional device includes a longitudinal axis (A-A?), a first linear sensor array (12) comprising a plurality of ultrasound receivers (R1 . . . n) wherein each ultrasound receiver has a length (L) and a width (W), and wherein the array extends along the width (W) direction. Moreover the first linear sensor array (12) is wrapped circumferentially around the interventional device with respect to the axis (A-A?) such that the length (L) of each ultrasound receiver is arranged lengthwise with respect to the axis (A-A?).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tracking a position of an interventional device respective an image plane of an ultrasound field. The position includes an out-of-plane distance (Dop). A geometry-providing unit (GPU) includes a plurality of transducer-to-distal-end lengths (Ltde1 . . . n), each length corresponding to a predetermined distance (Ltde) between a distal end of an interventional device and an ultrasound detector attached to the interventional device, for each of a plurality of interventional device types (T1 . . . n). An image fusion unit (IFU) receives data indicative of the type (T) of the interventional device being tracked; and based on the type (T): selects from the geometry-providing unit (GPU), a corresponding transducer-to-distal-end length (Ltde); and indicates in a reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI) both the out-of-plane distance (Dop) and the transducer-to-distal-end length (Ltde) for the interventional device within the ultrasound field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining the rotation of an interventional device in an ultrasound field. An interventional device is provided that is suitable for being tracked in an ultrasound beam of a beamforming ultrasound imaging system by correlating transmitted ultrasound signals from the beamforming ultrasound imaging system as detected by ultrasound receivers attached to the interventional device with the beamforming beam sequence of the ultrasound signals. The interventional device includes a longitudinal axis (A-A?), a first linear sensor array (12) comprising a plurality of ultrasound receivers (R1 . . . n) wherein each ultrasound receiver has a length (L) and a width (W), and wherein the array extends along the width (W) direction. Moreover the first linear sensor array (12) is wrapped circumferentially around the interventional device with respect to the axis (A-A?) such that the length (L) of each ultrasound receiver is arranged lengthwise with respect to the axis (A-A?).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for tracking a position of an interventional device (11) respective an image plane (12) of an ultrasound field. The position includes an out-of-plane distance (Dop). A geometry-providing unit (GPU) includes a plurality of transducer-to-distal-end lengths (Ltde1 . . . n), each length corresponding to a predetermined distance (Ltde) between a distal end (17, 47) of an interventional device (11, 41) and an ultrasound detector (16, 46) attached to the interventional device, for each of a plurality of interventional device types (T1 . . . N).

Abstract: In order to provide a system allowing an improved and facilitated preparation of a sample for an appropriate analysis, a device for preparing a patient's sample before analysis is provided. The device comprises a housing (10, 30) and an actuator (50). The housing includes a receiving chamber (32). The receiving chamber is configured for receiving a liquid. The actuator is movable relative to the housing. The actuator is configured for extracting a predetermined amount of the liquid received in the receiving chamber and for supplying the extracted liquid to a reagent chamber, so that the reagent is suspended in the liquid. The actuator comprises a metering chamber (52) configured for receiving the predetermined amount of the liquid and for supplying the predetermined amount of the liquid to the reagent chamber.

Abstract: An interventional device includes an elongate shaft (101) with a longitudinal axis (A-A?), and an ultrasound detector (102). The ultrasound detector (102) comprises a PVDF homopolymer foil strip (103). The foil strip (103) is wrapped around the longitudinal axis (A-A?) of the elongate shaft (101) to provide a band having an axial length (L) along the longitudinal axis (A-A?). The axial length (L) is in the range 80-120 microns.

Abstract: An interventional device (100, 200, 300) includes an elongate shaft (101) having a longitudinal axis A-A?, an ultrasound transducer (102), an adhesive layer (103), and a protective tube (104) formed from a protective tube (104) formed from a heat-shrink material. The ultrasound transducer (102) is disposed on the elongate shaft (101) such that the ultrasound transducer (102) has an axial extent L along the longitudinal axis A-A?, At least along the axial extent L of the adhesive layer (103) is disposed between the ultrasound transducer (102) and the protective tube (104) surrounds the ultrasound transducer (102) and the adhesive layer (103) is disposed between the ultrasound transducer (102) and the protective tube (104).

Abstract: An interventional device includes a sensor interconnection region (101) for making electrical contact to a sensor (102) disposed on the interventional device. The interventional device includes an electrically conductive elongate shaft, a sensor strip (104), electrical conductors (105, 106), and an electrical shield layer (109). The electrical conductors (105, 106) extend along the sensor strip between a sensor region (111) and a window (112) within which the electrical conductors (105, 106) are exposed. The sensor strip (104) is wrapped around the elongate shaft (103) in a spiral such that the electrical conductors (105, 106) extend along the longitudinal axis (A-A?) within the window (112), and such that an electrical shield contact portion (109?) adjacent the window (112), the window (112), and an exposed portion of the electrically conductive elongate shaft (103?) beyond the wrapped sensor strip provide the sensor interconnection region (101).

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device having reduced susceptibility to EMI. The medical device includes a body, a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, a first polarized transducer, and a second polarized transducer. The first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor each extend along the body. The first polarized transducer and the second polarized transducer are attached to the body such that their outer faces have opposite polarity. Moreover, the first polarized transducer and the second polarized transducer are connected between the first electrical conductor and second electrical conductor either i) electrically in series and with the same polarity; or ii) electrically in parallel and with the same polarity.

Abstract: A male connector (100) includes a contact pad substrate (101) and a connector shell (102). The contact pad substrate (101) includes a linear array of contact pads (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d) that are adapted for aligning with corresponding contacts (103?a, 103?b, 103?c, 103?d) of a contact-bearing tongue (104?) of a corresponding female connector (100?) that conforms to a USB Series A receptacle contact pad pitch specification. The two outermost contact pads (103a, 103d) of the linear array are electrically connected together. The connector shell (102) is formed from an insulating material and comprises a tubular portion (102a) for insertion into the corresponding female connector (100?), and a handling portion (102b) for handling during insertion.

Abstract: According to an aspect there is provided a sensor circuit for use in a body and for communicating measurements of an in body property to a signal analyzer, the sensor circuit comprising a resonant circuit that is responsive to a first radio frequency, RF, field to receive a carrier signal, the resonant circuit having: a first transducer, wherein a first electrical property of the first transducer is dependent on the in-body property, and a second transducer, wherein a second electrical property of the second transducer is dependent on a second pulsed field; wherein the carrier signal received by the resonant circuit is modulated by changes in the first electrical property due to the in-body property and changes in the second electrical property due to pulses in the second pulsed field.

Abstract: The invention provides a light guide element comprising a light guide and a layer element, wherein the light guide comprises a light guide face and wherein the layer element comprises an optical layer, wherein said optical layer is in contact with at least part of the light guide face, wherein the optical layer has a first index of refraction (n1) smaller than the refractive index of seawater, wherein the light guide comprises a UV radiation transmissive light guide material.