Abstract: A method of controlling of an R-peak detection apparatus, which detects an R-peak from an ElectroCardioGram (ECG) signal, includes receiving the ECG signal, reading out a pre-stored ECG template, comparing the EG signal with the pre-stored ECG template to determine a similarity between the ECG signal and the pre-stored ECG template and determining whether the similarity is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and determining a corresponding interval as the R-peak when the similarity is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: Cardiac systems and methods provide for discriminating between supraventricular tachyarrhythmia and ventricular tachyarrhythmia based on a determination that the patient's supraventricular rhythm exhibits rate dependency. One approach involves determining if a patient's supraventricular rhythm exhibits rate dependent morphology. If the patient's supraventricular rhythm is determined to exhibit rate dependent morphology, an implantable device classifies a detected tachyarrhythmia episode based on one or more templates selected from a plurality of rate-indexed templates stored in the device. Determining if the supraventricular rhythm exhibits rate dependent morphology may also include determining one or more rates at which the rate dependent morphology occurs.

Abstract: A secondary caries detection device includes a current generating device configured to generate a current having the form of a sinusoidally varying signal with a frequency chosen from the range of frequencies from 200 Hz to 100 kHz and a chosen amplitude from the range of 50 mV to 5 V. The secondary caries detection device also includes a plurality of preamplifiers of high sensitivity and linearity with phase-sensitive measuring components sensitive to the chosen frequency and integral multiples of the chosen frequency. The secondary caries detection device further includes a microprocessor control unit connected to the current generating device and the plurality of preamplifiers.

Abstract: A method for generating classifiers for identifying neuropsychiatric disease includes acquiring functional neuroimaging data. The acquired functional neuroimaging data may be registered to an atlas of the brain. A discriminative mask is generated based on the registered functional neuroimaging data and the generated discriminative mask is applied to the registered functional neuroimaging data. One or more classifiers are generated for identifying neuropsychiatric disease based on the masked functional neuroimaging data. The accuracy of the generated classifiers may be verified. The generated classifiers may then be used to identify neuropsychiatric disease.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance and ultrasound parametric image is fused or combined. MRI and ultrasound imaging are used to acquire the same type of parametric images. Fused data is created by combining ultrasound and MRI parametric data at times for which both types of data are available. Rather than sacrificing rate, fused data is created for times for which MRI data is not acquired. A curve representing the values of the parameter over time is fit to the available MRI and ultrasound data of each location, resulting in fused data at times for which MRI data is not available.

Abstract: An endovascular navigation and positioning system including a transducer on a distal end of an endovascular instrument, a control system connected to the transducer, the control system being configured to generate and receive at least one acoustic signal using the transducer, a pre-processor containing computer-readable instructions for manipulating the acoustic signal input to extract information related to desired parameters, a processor configured to evaluate the parameters to generate an output related to guidance of the instrument, and an output device for displaying an indication of the output generated by the processor. The processor may evaluate the information using artificial intelligence including inference rules related to navigation state, comparisons to information in a database, and probabilities, among others. The system may use an electrical signal as a confirmation input. Further disclosed is a method of navigating and positioning an endovascular device in a vasculature.

Abstract: Endoscopic 3D data collection, including generating modulated measuring radiation, transmitting the measuring radiation to at least one partial area of a surface of an internal bodily cavity, receiving a signal radiation from the partial area of the surface of the cavity, transmitting the signal radiation from the distal to a proximal end portion of the shaft for reception by a time-of-flight (TOF) image sensor, and a controller to control the generation of the measuring radiation, to control the TOF image sensor and to evaluate the data supplied by the TOF image sensor to generate 3D data, also including a position sensor to record a position and an orientation of the shaft. The invention also relates to a method for endoscopic 3D data collection.

Abstract: Provided is a fluorescence endoscope device including a light source that irradiates with excitation light and white light; an image generator that acquires a fluorescence image by capturing fluorescence generated in a subject irradiated with the excitation light and that acquires a white-light image by capturing return light from the subject irradiated with the white light; an image corrector that corrects the fluorescence image by using the white-light image so as to generate a corrected fluorescence image; a threshold-value setting unit that sets a threshold value on the basis of an average value of gradation values of pixels in the corrected fluorescence image; an image adjuster that increases the contrast in the corrected fluorescence image between an area having gradation values larger than the threshold value, and an area having gradation values smaller than the threshold value; and a monitor that displays the corrected fluorescence image whose contrast is increased.

Abstract: Compositions, systems and methods that allow for the detection of the actual physical delivery of a pharmaceutical agent to a body are provided. Embodiments of the compositions include an identifier and an active agent. The invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including but not limited to, monitoring of therapeutic regimen compliance, tracking the history of pharmaceutical agents, etc.

Abstract: Method for correcting an acquired medical image of a patient showing a representation of an internal body structure, the acquired image having been acquired in a medical imager having a radiation source and a radiation detector spaced from one another along an image-taking direction, and between which the patient is disposed. One obtains, from the acquired image, a corrected image taking into account a position of the internal body structure along the image-taking direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which can measure a time difference of motion between a plurality of sites of a cardiac muscle for the heart of a fetus is provided. On a tomographic image of the heart, a user sets a plurality of observation points. Each observation point is tracked, and a plurality of displacement waveforms representing a temporal displacement of the plurality of observation points are generated. A time difference between a plurality of representative points is calculated between the plurality of displacement waveforms. Such a time difference is displayed as a numerical value or as a graph. The representative point is a peak point, a zero-cross point, an inflection point, or the like. The plurality of observation points are set along conduction pathways in the heart for the electric signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image processing method and device, and an ultrasonic image processing program which can correspond to analytical methods different depending on a region or the purpose of a diagnosis or treatment. The ultrasonic image processing method comprises an image data creation step which stores a detection result obtained by irradiating a subject with ultrasonic waves by an irradiating section and detecting an ultrasonic signal from the subject by a detecting section and creates at least two-frame image data different in detection timing on the basis of the stored detection result, a motion vector distribution image creation step which creates a motion vector distribution image on the basis of a predetermined motion vector analysis through the use of a plurality frames of the image data, and a conversion step which converts a vector distribution image to a scalar distribution image on the basis of a plurality of established regions of interest (ROI).

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an ultrasonic probe, a control unit, a basic image generating unit, a differential image generating unit, and a composite image generating unit. The control unit controls the ultrasonic probe so as to sequentially perform, every scanning line of scanning lines in a scanning region, a transmitting and receiving under a first transmitting/receiving condition, a second transmitting/receiving condition, and a third transmitting/receiving condition. The basic image generating unit generates a first image based on the first transmitting/receiving condition, a second image based on the second transmitting/receiving condition, and a third image based on the third transmitting/receiving condition. The differential image generating unit performs a differential processing based on the first image and the second image to generate a differential image.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of computerized generation of a visualization from a plurality of images. In particular, the invention relates to generating a three-dimensional (3D) visualization from a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) medical images. The images may be obtained from an ultrasound device. Regions of interest are segmented in at least two images and the region of interest is then tracked and segmented among the remaining images.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention includes an image reconstruction unit that, according to scanning conditions, acquires an irradiated X-ray image which is the distribution of the irradiation intensity of X-rays irradiated to an object by an X-ray irradiation unit, performs projection conversion of the irradiated X-ray image and a reconstructed image, and generates an exposure dose image, which is an image showing the distribution of an exposure dose of the object, and also calculates the exposure dose using the projection-converted reconstructed image and an irradiated X-ray image corresponding to a generation region of the reconstructed image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wavefront sensor is combined with a slit lamp eye examination device so that real time aberration values of an eye being examined can be viewed during a slit lamp eye examination session.

Abstract: An imaging control apparatus capable of causing a first imaging unit to capture a fundus image of a subject's eye and causing a second imaging unit to capture a tomographic image of the subject's eye includes a control unit configured to cause the first imaging unit to capture an image of the fundus of the subject's eye in a limited area smaller than the fundus image, a detection unit configured to detect a positional deviation of the fundus of the subject's eye based on an image of the area acquired according to the control, and a correction unit configured to correct an image capturing position of the tomographic image captured by the second imaging unit based on the detected positional deviation.

Abstract: Scanning optical beam imaging systems for imaging extended structures of an eye and providing biometry of an eye are provided. The systems include a focal system for shifting the focus of the scanning system from the front to the back of the eye. The systems provide for converging rays that can scan through the pupil of the eye, enabling scanning of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye using a common objective and a fixed working distance.

Abstract: Sizing an internal body structure in a patient includes guiding a sizing mechanism via a wire guide to a target location within the internal body structure, inflating a balloon of the sizing mechanism at the target location, and injecting a contrast fluid into the internal body structure. The inflated balloon blocks a flow of the injected contrast fluid to indicate that a size of the inflated balloon is accordant with a size of the body structure. Related apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for generating a radial alignment guide for an eye includes collecting preoperative alignment data relative to a pupil from an eye that is not dilated. The method also includes locating a pupil center of the eye while dilated. The method further includes displaying the alignment data on an image of the dilated eye relative to the pupil center. In particular embodiments, software embodied in a computer-readable medium is executable by a processor to perform the steps of such a method.

Abstract: A present-on-bed determination apparatus includes: a sensor unit usable with a bottom bedding and configured to measure biological displacement of a human subject on the bottom bedding so as to output a measurement signal showing a measurement result; a first signal processing unit configured to amplify the measurement signal with a first gain so as to output a first output signal; a first A/D conversion unit configured to output a plurality of first level values obtained by A/D conversion of the first output signal; and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the human subject is present on the bottom bedding in accordance with a dispersion indicator that indicates dispersion degree of the plurality of the first level values.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting a fall of a user, especially to methods and apparatus for detecting a fall of a user by using pressure sensors. This invention discloses an apparatus for detecting a fall of a user, and the apparatus comprises first and second pressure sensors configured to obtain first and second data values of atmosphere pressure and intended to be worn on the body of the user, and a processor configured to derive a third data value of atmosphere pressure for determining whether a fall occurs or not from the first and second data values of atmosphere pressure. The first and second pressure sensors are configured in a way such that preset orientations of the first and second pressure sensors are opposite to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to sensing device for detecting the wearing position of the device with respect to a user. The device comprises a motion sensor for detecting a motion signal, a height sensor for detecting a height signal and a computing unit. The computing unit receives the motion signal and the height signal, and based thereon determines the wearing position of the sensing device with respect to the user. In embodiments, parameters related to movement of the user are extracted from the signals, and the wearing position is detected from these parameters by means of a classification algorithm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for calibrating a motion tracking system (100) including a plurality of orientation sensors (102a-103h) attached to a plurality of body segments (104a-105h) of a user (9101). The methods and apparatus receive a first set of orientation signals from a first set of the orientation sensors (102a-102g). The first set of orientation signals associated with a first pair of the body segments (102a, 102f) matching a first set of predetermined positions. The skeleton dimension of the user and the mapping between the body segments and the corresponding attached sensors (102a-103h) are calibrated based on the first set of orientation signals. A first template including the first set of predetermined positions may be used, and the first pair of the body segments (104a, 104f) include the feet of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the movement of eyeball comprises collecting an image frame of pupil; extracting a pupil pixel set (S); extracting a boundary value of the pupil pixel set; setting a center point based on the boundary value and dividing the pupil pixel set into four quadrant sets (S1, S2, S3 and S4); calculating the coordinate of cross points of the two straight lines and traversing points in the four quadrants, wherein the cross points form a pupil center coordinate set (S5); and calculating an average value of horizontal and vertical directions according to the pupil center coordinate set (S5).

Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus comprises a light source 12, an optical measurement system 13 that radiates first light from the light source to inside an eye to be examined and guides first reflected light from the eye, an optical reference system (24, 22) that radiates second light from the light source to a reference surface and guides second reflected light from the reference surface, a photo detector 26 that detects interfering light between the first reflected light from the optical measurement system and the second reflected light from the optical reference system, and a processor that determines a position of a measuring portion of the inside of the eye based on the detected interfering light. The optical measurement system comprises an incident angle changing member 46 that changes an incident angle of the first light radiated to the eye within a predetermined angular range relative to an axis of vision of the eye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methods generally aimed at monitoring the trajectory of surgical instruments and especially for monitoring the trajectory of surgical instrument used during pedicle fixation to ensure the proper placement of pedicle screws.

Abstract: Stent marker detection is automatically performed. Stent markers in fluoroscopic images or other markers in other types of imaging are detected using a machine-learnt classifier. Hierarchal classification may be used, such as detecting individual markers with one classifier and then detecting groups of markers (e.g., a pair) with a joint classifier. The detection may be performed in a single image and without user indication of a location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for conducting a hearing assessment of a patient. The method includes: presenting a plurality of objects on a display of a computing device, where each object produces an audio output in response to a stimuli from the patient and the audio output by the objects varies in frequency and intensity amongst the plurality of objects; prompting a patient with a visual cue to classify objects producing sound; receiving an input from the patient for each object in the plurality of objects, where the input indicates whether the audio output by a given object was perceptible to the patient; and generating an audiogram for the patient using the input received from the patient.

Abstract: A panoramic tomography X-ray apparatus including an image information processing part, a display part, and a position setting part. The image information processing part retrieves a frame image information from a storage part and superimposes overlapped portions of images along a tomographic plane corresponding to a dental arch to generate a panoramic tomographic image. The display part displays the panoramic tomographic image generated by the image information processing part. The position setting part sets, in a median portion including a median line of an object, the position of the tomographic plane regarding depth direction of the object.

Abstract: There is provided an ophthalmic device that includes a plurality of light sources including at least a light source for obtaining a return light of which aberration has been corrected with a correction unit from an eye under examination; and a control unit configured to control measurement lights from the plurality of light sources such that the measurement lights enter the eye under examination in a predetermined order when a photography of a second eye is started after a photography of a first eye has been completed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid collection device that comprises a housing having a normally obverse fluid receiving side and an opposing side. The fluid receiving side has an aperture for receiving a fluid and permitting deposition of the fluid into a fluid collector. The fluid collector is normally inclined to permit inclined fluid flow away from the aperture. Also disclosed is a kit that includes the fluid collection device, and various methods for use of the fluid collection device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the separation of blood within a device to form plasma or serum. In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the removal of fluids, such as blood, contained within a device. For example, a device may be applied to the skin of a subject to receive blood from the subject and pass the blood through a separation membrane, which separates the blood into plasma and a portion concentrated in blood cells. As another example, blood or plasma may be allowed to clot within the device and serum (the unclotted portion of the blood) may be withdrawn from the device. The device may contain, in some cases, a vacuum source such as a pre-packaged vacuum to facilitate receiving of blood and/or passage of the blood through the separation membrane to produce plasma or serum.

Abstract: A microdialysis probe including a probe body, a supply line and a discharge line for a perfusion solution and a dialysis membrane, wherein a probe needle for introduction into a tissue is provided by a generally elongate frame. The frame has at least one recess at least partially open for receiving at least a portion of the supply and discharge lines. The invention encompasses a method for making such a probe, wherein the method includes arranging a dialysis membrane on a shaping device, shaping the dialysis membrane in a selected shape, applying an adhesive agent to the dialysis membrane to keep the membrane in the selected shape, and separating the dialysis membrane and the shaping devices after the adhesive agent has been applied.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting a blood count parameter in a blood vessel, comprising a transmitter to inject a first transmit signal of a first frequency into the blood vessel and a second transmit signal of a second frequency into the blood vessel, a receiver to receive a first receive signal at the first frequency and a second receive signal at the second frequency, a loss detector to determine a first loss value on the basis of the first transmit signal and the first receive signal at the first frequency, and to determine a second loss value on the basis of the second transmit signal and the second receive signal at the second frequency, and a processor to determine a first frequency shift of the first loss value relative to a first reference loss value, determine a second frequency shift of the second loss value relative to a second reference loss value, and determine the blood count parameter on the basis of the first frequency shift and the second frequency shift.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tape magazine especially for a hand-held device for analyzing a body fluid with a test tape that can be unwound from a storage unit and wound onto a waste unit where the waste unit can be driven in order to wind forward the test tape. The invention provides that a lock which keeps the test tape under tension is integrated in the tape magazine at least on the storage unit. The present invention also concerns a hand-held device with such a tape magazine. The present invention also concerns a hand-held device with a mechanical drive for the test tape and a disposable hand-held device with polymer-based electronic components.

Abstract: Method and system for providing an integrated analyte monitoring system and on-body patch pump with multiple cannulas and a sensor combination is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlled modulation of physiological and pathological neuronal rhythmic activity in the brain by means of sensory stimulation, which is capable of diagnostically ascertaining functional disorders in the brain and of alleviating or eliminating the symptoms of a functional disruption. According to the invention, the method comprises generating a plurality of pulses at a plurality of excitation frequencies, respectively, to stimulate neuronal rhythmic activity in a patient's brain; measuring the neuronal rhythmic activity in response to the pulses; determining an excitation frequency in which the measured neuronal rhythmic activity has a maximum amplitude of pathological rhythm; generating an entraining periodic pulse sequence operating at the excitation frequency; and generating a desynchronization pulse following the entraining periodic pulse sequence to desynchronize the neuronal rhythmic activity, where the pulse are either visual or acoustic or tactile.

Abstract: A radiation image capture device is provided with a radiation detection panel including optoelectronic conversion elements, a signal processing board that performs signal processing of the signals provided by the radiation detection panel, a flexible printed circuit, and a casing. One end of the flexible printed circuit is connected to the radiation detection panel and the other end is connected to the signal processing board. The flexible printed circuit includes a base film fowled of an insulating resin film, wiring disposed over the base film, a coating layer formed of an insulating resin disposed over the wiring, and a shield layer provided between the base film and the wiring and/or between the wiring and the coating layer. An insulator is interposed between the shield layer and the wiring, and the shield layer is connected to a fixed potential.

Abstract: A sensor attachment for use with three dimensional ultrasound mapping devices is presented. According to the invention, one or more sensors are attached to specific locations on the body, such as the nipple and sternum, the inventive sensor attachments enabling accurate recording of target information, including location and size; the present invention especially helpful in subsequent and comparative examinations. A method of use is also presented.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a console and a key pad. The console includes a two dimensional display region having a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension, wherein the horizontal dimension is smaller than the vertical dimension. The display region includes an upper portion configured to display image data and a lower portion configured to display, concurrently with displaying the image data in the upper portion, a touch screen menu including a set of soft controls that are respectively configured to control a secondary set of ultrasound imaging functions. The key pad includes a set of physical controls that are respectively configured to control a primary set of ultrasound imaging functions, wherein the key pad has a width that is less than a width of the console. In one embodiment, the key pad is hermetically sealed, and is easily cleanable, disinfectable and/or sterilizable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the improved display of digital mammographic images, which were measured in the context of a mammographic imaging system and displayed on a workstation monitor. The mammogram consists of a plurality of pixels with each pixel having a pixel value assigned thereto. The pixel values of all pixels of the mammogram lie within a pre-determined first range of values and the pixel values of pixels of a subsection of the mammogram lie within a second range of values, which represents a subset of the first range of values. A mammogram having a subsection with increased contrast, such that the second range of pixel values of the pixels in the subsection are spread by a spreading function, whereby the amount of the spreading function changes over the subsection. In this way, an improved display is created, by means of those representations of the mammogram regarding their contrast in subsections being optimized, at the same time the representation for a user is improved without artifacts.

Abstract: A catheter device comprising a chamber containing an opacity enhancing substance is disclosed. The opacity enhancing substance is in a dried or semi-dried form within the chamber of the device. Release of a liquid into the chamber suspends the substance and forms an opacity enhancing solution that is released into the lumen of the device in order to enhance the opacity of the device for imaging.

Abstract: Photon counting detectors are sparsely placed at predetermined positions in the fourth-generation geometry around an object to be scanned in spectral Computer Tomography (CT). Optionally, integrating detectors are placed between the two adjacent ones of the sparsely placed photon counting detectors in the fourth-generation geometry. Furthermore, the integrating detectors are placed in the third-generation in combination to the sparsely placed photon counting detectors at predetermined positions in the fourth-generation geometry.

Abstract: A technique for measuring thoracic vertebral bone density (BMD) and coronary calcium score (CCS). Representatively, BMD was measured and averaged at three consecutive thoracic spines (3T) starting from the left main coronary artery caudally and averaging the results of the measurements at the first, second and third spine regions to obtain a thoracic trabecular bone mineral density measurement. The “reference”, as the 3T BMD value of 30 year old and the piBMD (predicted individual BMD (piBMD) were developed. Based on the “reference”, and piBMD, T and Z score of 3T formula were derived in both genders. The new calibration phantom of TQCT and LQCT was designed. The ratios of CTHU/mg/cc were obtained with varying scanners, which were used to translate the CTHU to density units (mg/cc) in BMD and CCS mass measurement. A processor capable of quantitating both BMD and CCS burden was designed. In image without a calibration phantom, formulas were created to quantitate BMD with a high precision.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system and a method for operating a 3D ultrasound system are provided. A 3D ultrasound system includes an extractor, a processor, and a controller. The extractor scans an image of an object in a human body, and extracts a region of interest (ROI) image in an inputted ROI with respect to a selected image. The processor detects edges from a plurality of side images of the object with respect to the ROI image. The controller measures the thickness of the image using the detected edges.

Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage (HV) tank coupled to the x-ray source, and an inverter coupled to the HV tank. The inverter includes an H-bridge configuration of switches comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first and second legs include respective upper and lower switches, and at least one additional leg of switches having respective upper and lower switches. The system includes a controller configured to interleave switch operation between the H-bridge configuration and the at least one additional leg of switches.

Abstract: A multi-mode tomosynthesis/mammography system and method in which a mammography gain map is used to gain correct mammographic images of a patient's breast but enhanced gain maps for respective projection angled are used to correct tomosynthesis images acquired with the same system.

Abstract: A garment includes a fabric portion, an electrode fixedly connected to the fabric portion, a receptacle fixedly connected to the fabric portion, and an electronics module releasably positioned in the receptacle. The receptacle includes a receptacle housing, an electrode lead, and a receptacle contact. The electrode lead is attached to the electrode. The electrode lead engages the receptacle contact to establish an electrical connection with the receptacle contact without being attached to the receptacle contact. The electronics module includes a module contact that engages the receptacle contact when the electronics module is positioned in the socket to establish an electrical connection between the module contact and the receptacle contact.

Abstract: A reflection-detector sensor position indicator comprises emitters that transmit light having a plurality of wavelengths. A detector outputs a sensor signal. At least one reflection detector outputs at least one sensor position signal. An attachment assembly attaches the emitters, the detector and the reflection detector onto a tissue site. A sensor-on condition indicates that the attachment assembly has positioned the emitters generally centered over a fingernail, the detector on a fingertip opposite the fingernail and the reflection detector over the fingernail. The sensor signal, in the sensor-on condition, is at least substantially responsive to the emitter transmitted light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow perfused within a fingernail bed underneath the fingernail. The sensor position signal, in the sensor-on condition, is at least substantially responsive to the emitter transmitted light after reflection off of the fingernail.