Abstract: An optimized elastic modulus reconstruction procedure can estimate the nonlinear elastic properties of vascular wall from intramural strain and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements. A noninvasive free-hand ultrasound scanning procedure is used to apply external force, comparable to the force in measuring a subject's blood pressure, to achieve higher strains by equalizing the internal arterial baseline pressure. PWV is estimated at the same location where intramural strain is measured. The reconstructed elastic modulus is optimized and the arterial elastic modulus can be determined and monitored using a simple dual elastic modulus reconstruction procedure.

Abstract: A biopsy device assembly performs a biopsy of an anatomical tissue of a patient. The biopsy device assembly includes a housing and a biopsy device that extends out of the housing and that collects and cuts anatomical tissue from the patient. The biopsy device assembly further includes a hemostatic agent removably housed in the biopsy device. Moreover, the assembly includes an actuator assembly that moves the biopsy device relative to the housing from a first position to an extended position such that the biopsy device collects and cuts the anatomical tissue from the patient. The actuator assembly also retracts the biopsy device relative to the housing toward a retracted position. Furthermore, the assembly includes an ejection device that ejects the hemostatic agent from the biopsy device as the actuator assembly retracts the biopsy device toward the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for determining blood flow rate in a vessel which communicates blood between two locations of a patient, the system comprising: a conduit in fluid communication with the vessel; at least one sensor in communication with the vessel for determining differential blood pressure (? P) between two or more locations within the vessel; and a processor operably connected to the at least one sensor for processing the ? P to obtain blood flow rate within the vessel. A method for determining blood flow rate in a vessel which communicates blood between two locations of a patient, the method comprising: diverting blood from the vessel at a diversion point to obtain a flow of diverted blood in a conduit; determining differential blood pressure (? P) of the diverted blood through the conduit; and processing the ? P to obtain blood flow rate within the vessel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring mechanical property of a vascular wall and a method and system for determining health of a vascular structure are provided wherein local deformation of a vessel wall resulting from physiologic pressures with altered transmural forces is measured. A non-invasive free-hand ultrasound scanning-procedure was performed to apply external force, comparable to the force generated in measuring a subject's blood pressure, to achieve higher strains by equalizing the internal arterial baseline pressure. When the applied pressure matched the internal baseline diastolic pressure, strain and strain rate increased by a factor of 10 over a cardiac cycle. Radial arterial strain was assessed in the vessel wall over the entire deformation procedure using a phase-sensitive, two-dimensional speckle-tracking algorithm. An elastic modulus reconstruction procedure was developed to estimate the non-linear elastic properties of the vascular wall.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the performance of a vessel, such as a hemodialysis access, which communicates blood between two locations of a patient. A conduit, such as an external dialysis circuit or an intravascular catheter, is provided in fluid communication with the vessel, and has a diversion point for diverting blood from the vessel into the conduit. The system further includes means for determining a flow rate of the diverted blood through the conduit. A first sensor in communication with the vessel generates at least one signal that is a function of a blood flow rate in the vessel downstream from the diversion point, wherein the downstream flow rate depends on the determined conduit flow rate and the performance of the vessel can be determined based on the signal. In addition, a processor can be provided in communication with the first sensor for determining a flow rate in the vessel upstream from the diversion point from the signal and the conduit flow rate.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the performance of a vessel, such as a hemodialysis access, which communicates blood between two locations of a patient. A conduit, such as an external dialysis circuit or an intravascular catheter, is provided in fluid communication with the vessel, and has a diversion point for diverting blood from the vessel into the conduit. The system further includes means for determining a flow rate of the diverted blood through the conduit. A first sensor in communication with the vessel generates at least one signal that is a function of a blood flow rate in the vessel downstream from the diversion point, wherein the downstream flow rate depends on the determined conduit flow rate and the performance of the vessel can be determined based on the signal. In addition, a processor can be provided in communication with the first sensor for determining a flow rate in the vessel upstream from the diversion point from the signal and the conduit flow rate.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the performance of a vessel, such as a hemodialysis access, which communicates blood between two locations of a patient. A conduit, such as an external dialysis circuit or an intravascular catheter, is provided in fluid communication with the vessel, and has a diversion point for diverting blood from the vessel into the conduit. The system further includes means for determining a flow rate of the diverted blood through the conduit. A first sensor in communication with the vessel generates at least one signal that is a function of a blood flow rate in the vessel downstream from the diversion point, wherein the downstream flow rate depends on the determined conduit flow rate and the performance of the vessel can be determined based on the signal. In addition, a processor can be provided in communication with the first sensor for determining a flow rate in the vessel upstream from the diversion point from the signal and the conduit flow rate.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the flow rate of blood in a vessel, such as a hemodialysis access. The system includes a conduit, such as an external dialysis circuit or an intravascular catheter, in communication with the blood in the vessel and having a diversion point for diverting the blood from the vessel into the conduit. As such, the vessel has a flow rate (QA) upstream from the diversion point and a flow rate (QD) downstream from the diversion point. A pump is connected to the conduit for diverting the blood into the conduit using a pump flow rate. An ultrasonic sensor is provided in communication with the blood in the vessel downstream from the diversion point. The ultrasonic sensor senses the downstream flow rate (QD) and generates at least two downstream Doppler frequency signals including a first downstream Doppler frequency signal when the pump has a first pump flow rate and a second downstream Doppler frequency signal when the pump has a second pump flow rate.