Abstract: A method and an apparatus or needle visualization enhancement in ultrasound (US) imaging includes a Radon transform (RT) unit configured to perform RT on a sequence of frames to detect line features in the frames, where a frame includes US radio-frequency (RF) data obtained during monitoring the insertion of a needle into a subject or an US image reconstructed from the RF data. Further, a false needle feature removing unit is configured to remove line features which remain substantially stationary among the frames as false needles while locating a line feature which extends among the frames as the needle; and an overlaying unit is configured to overlay the location of the line feature as the needle on an US image of a frame to produce an enhanced image to be displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monitoring system, which comprises a novel needle, and an optical signal generating device, wherein at least one optical signal output of the optical signal generating device is coupled to the optical core of the needle, and it further comprises an ultrasound (US) transducer,and a processor adapted to direct the US transducer to transmit an US signal into a region of a subject in which the needle is moving and receive an US signal reflected in the region in response to the transmitted US signal in a US measurement sub-cycle of a measurement cycle, and to direct the optical signal providing device to transmit an optical signal having a unique wavelength from the dome of the needle into an area of the region and direct the US transducer to receive a photo-acoustic (PA) signal induced in the area in response to the optical signal in each of at least one PA measurement sub-cycle of the measurement cycle, and reconstruct an US image from the US signal received in the US measurement

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for needle visualization enhancement in ultrasound (US) imaging and an US imaging system. The apparatus comprises: a Radon transform (RT) unit adapted to perform RT on a sequence of frames to detect line features in the frames, a frame comprising US radio-frequency (RF) data obtained during monitoring the insertion of a needle into a subject or an US image reconstructed from the RF data; a false needle feature removing unit adapted to remove line features which remain substantially stationary among the frames as false needles while locating a line feature which extends among the frames as the needle; and an overlaying unit adapted to overlay the location of the line feature as the needle on an US image of a frame to produce an enhanced image to be displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a contactless remote control system enabling an operator to operate one or more medical devices in a contactless way, said remote control system comprising a display device for displaying a Graphic User Interface GUI regarding the one or more medical devices; a tracking device for tracking the motion information of the operator; a control device for (1) interpreting the motion information of the operator into operation information relating to the movement trajectory of a cursor in the GUI or the confirmation of the selection of an item in the GUI where the cursor locates, and for (2) operating the GUI in accordance with the operation information so as to generate control commands for the one or more medical devices; and an output device for outputting the control commands to the one or more medical devices.