Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed a system using a microphone and a mobile computer device comprising a transducer through which a user is to exhale or inhale; the transducer is configured and operable to convert the spirometric flow rate into an audible signal having an audio frequency responsive to the spirometric flow rate, wherein the transducer comprises a rotor including a plurality of rotor blades configured to rotate the rotor responsive to a spirometric flow; wherein the microphone is external to the transducer and is adapted to detect the audible signal having the audio frequency and to convert the audible signal to a corresponding electrical signal having the audio frequency.

Abstract: A multi-sided display, which comprises a first display panel (01) and a second display panel. Two opposite edges of the first display panel and the second display panel are respectively bent towards reverse sides of display areas thereof to form a U-shaped structure. The two edges of the first display panel bent towards the display area thereof are respectively encapsulated with the two edges of the second display panel bent towards the display area to form a closed structure. A display surface of the multi-sided display is an outer surface of the closed structure. Compared with a multi-sided display formed by a plurality of planar display panels, which has a plurality of edges and corners, the multi-sided display can enhance the continuity of images displayed in various directions.

Abstract: A medical X-ray photographing apparatus includes a support configured to hold the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector in a facing state, a base body (support holder) configured to rotatably hold the support on a side opposite to a position where the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are provided, and a turning driver configured to drive and turn the support about a turning axis. The medical X-ray photographing apparatus also includes a center-direction setting part configured to set a center direction passing through a center of a swing angle of the support in X-ray photography and a turning controller configured to control the turning driver such that the support turns with a swing angle around the center direction set by the center-direction setting part.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, detector cells are provided on a substrate, divided into groups, and detect an X-rays. Switches respectively connected to the detector cells. The data acquisition elements are respectively connected to the groups and configured to integrate electrical signals from a detector cells belonging to each of the groups. The control circuitry are configured to control the switches for each of the groups so as to switch between first connection for substantially simultaneously reading out electrical signals from a detector cells belonging to each of the groups and second connection for reading out electrical signals from a detector cells belonging to each of the groups at different timings.

Abstract: An emergency vehicle has a patient compartment and a motor, a generator cooperative with the patient compartment, and a Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner positioned in the patient compartment and connected to the generator so as to supply power to the CT scanner. The CT scanner is releasably affixed to the front wall of the patient compartment. The generator is operable independently of the motor. The front wall of the patient compartment has a receptacle affixed thereto. The CT scanner has at least one pin connector extending toward the front wall. The pin connector is releasably received by the receptacle so as to fix a position of the CT scanner against the front wall.

Abstract: A PET apparatus and a timing correction method of this invention select two target gamma-ray detectors which count coincidences, select a reference detector which is one detector out of the two selected gamma-ray detectors, select a gamma-ray detector different from the other, opposite detector, and when repeating the selection, make a time lag histogram concerning two gamma-ray detectors selected in the past a reference, and correct a time lag histogram concerning gamma-ray detectors selected this time based on the reference. By repeating an operation to make the corrected time lag histogram concerning the two gamma-ray detectors a new reference, an optimal time lag histogram can be obtained without repeating many measurements and computations.

Abstract: A system and method using an inflatable jacket over the compression paddle of a mammography and/or tomosynthesis system to enhance imaging and improve patient comfort in x-ray breast imaging.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first structural member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the first structural member being attached to an operating table. The apparatus also includes a second structural member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the second structural member being attached to the operating table. The apparatus further includes a first connecting member that connects the first end of the first structural member to the first end of the second structural member, the first structural member being disposed at a predetermined distance from the second structural member. The apparatus also includes a first support member supported on the first structural member, the first support member configured to support a body part of the patient.

Abstract: An imaging breast examination apparatus for medical examination of a breast includes an insertable compression plate for compressing the breast. An electric motor which is disposed outside the compression plate in the breast examination apparatus serves to generate a rotation movement. A mechanical interface transmits the rotation movement of the electric motor to the compression plate.

Abstract: Computed tomography is used during a minimally invasive intervention. A processor detects the inserted device (e.g., catheter) from a CT scan of the patient. The bed and/or gantry of the CT are moved based on the detected location of the inserted device. As the device is moved within the patient, the automatic detection is used to continue to adjust the CT field of view to scan the device. To further assist the intervention, combining scans with different fields of view relative to the patient may generate an extended field of view image.

Abstract: An intraoral radiation device, comprising a biocompatible intraoral receptacle with an X-ray source therein.

Abstract: An imaging method includes executing a low-dose preparatory scan to an object by applying tube voltages and tube currents in an x-ray source, and generating a first image of the object corresponding to the low-dose preparatory scan. The method further includes generating image quality estimates and dose estimates view by view at least based on the first image. The method includes optimizing the tube voltages and the tube currents to generate optimal profiles for the tube voltage and the tube current. At least one of the optimal profiles for the tube voltage and the tube current is generated based on the image quality estimates and the dose estimates. The method includes executing an acquisition scan by applying the tube voltages and the tube currents based on the optimal profiles and generating a second image of the object corresponding to the acquisition scan. An imaging system is also provided.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an x-ray apparatus for imaging and/or radiation therapy is provided, the x-ray apparatus comprises an electron source capable of generating electrons, at least one first target arranged to receive electrons from the electron source, the at least one first target comprising material that, in response to being irradiated by the electrons, emits broad spectrum x-ray radiation, at least one second target arranged to receive at least some of the broad spectrum x-ray radiation, the at least one second target comprising material that, in response to irradiation by broad spectrum x-ray radiation from the first target, emits monochromatic x-ray radiation, and at least one detector positioned to detect at least some of the monochromatic x-ray radiation emitted from the at least one second target.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a phase-contrast digital imaging system and methods for same that can include an x-ray source for radiographic imaging; a beam shaping assembly, an x-ray grating interferometer including a phase grating and an analyzer grating; and an x-ray detector; where the source grating, the phase grating, and the analyzer grating are detuned and a plurality of uncorrelated reference images are obtained for use in imaging processing with the detuned system.

Abstract: A mobile medical device drivable on rollers or wheels on the floor by way of a motor is provided, wherein the medical device is configured to take a planned route. The device has an optical display apparatus embodied to optically display at least one future movement feature of the medical device on the planned route. A visualization of the route planning helps the user to better estimate the future movement behavior of a medical device.

Abstract: A medical system includes a plurality of movable elements, a first control element for controlling a first type of movement and at least one further control element for controlling a further type of movement. The first control element is assigned to a first number of movable elements for controlling the first type of movement and the further control elements are assigned to a further number of movable elements for controlling the further type of movement. The control elements each include an input unit having at least two selection elements for selecting the movable element to be controlled.

Abstract: A mammographic CT apparatus includes: a gantry, including a front face plate having an insertion opening for inserting a breast into an accommodation portion; a radiation tube disposed within the gantry; a sensing device disposed within the gantry so as to face the radiation tube, to detect radiation which has been emitted from the radiation tube and been transmitted through the accommodation portion; a driving unit to rotate the radiation tube and the sensing device around a rotation axis set in the normal direction of the insertion opening, at the same angular speed and same direction; and a collimator configured to rotate around the rotation axis synchronously with the radiation tube and sensing device. The collimator is disposed near the accommodation portion, and an irradiation region of radiation emitted from the radiation tube is restricted such that a breast inserted to the accommodation portion is irradiated to the tip.

Abstract: A myocardial blood flow analysis scan includes incorporating a pharmacological kinetic model with the standard factor analysis model where each time activity curve is assumed to be a linear combination of factor curves. Pharmacological kinetics based factor analysis of dynamic structures (K-FADS-II) model can be applied, whereby estimating factor curves in the myocardium can be physiologically meaningful is provided. Additional optional aspects include performing a discretization to transform continuous-time K-FADS-II model into a discrete-time K-FADS-II model and application of an iterative Improved Voxel-Resolution myocardial blood flow (IV-MBF) algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus captures radiographic images of an animal standing on the apparatus. A base portion supports the standing animal and a moveable x-ray source is mechanically attached to the base portion. A digital radiographic detector is also mechanically attached to the base portion, and the x-ray source and the detector are configured to capture a radiographic image or a scan of at least one of the legs of the animal.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire projection data that is based on a spectrum representing an amount of X-rays with respect to energy of a radiation having passed through a subject; select a plurality of materials; generate, from the projection data, first density images for each of the selected materials; generate a monochromatic image of specific energy from the first density images; reconstruct the projection data corresponding to the specific energy to generate a reconstructed image; compare the monochromatic image and the reconstructed image; and provide a notification indicating a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) apparatus and a method for reducing computational complexity in reconstructing a region of interest within an image is provided. The CT apparatus includes a processing circuit that obtains scan data from a scan of an object and computes a system matrix for one view angle of an X-ray source. The system matrix maps an image of the object represented on a circular, symmetric grid to the scan data of the object. Further, the processing circuit reconstructs the image iteratively until a predetermined stopping criterion is satisfied using the scan data and the computed system matrix and generates a sinogram of the reconstructed image based on a forward-projection model. The processing circuit analytically reconstructs a region of interest using the generated sinogram and a predetermined reconstruction kernel.

Abstract: In image data obtained, the radius and the ulna, and interosseous soft tissue between two bones are identified. A midpoint (Ygk) of the length of the interosseous soft tissue in a Y axis direction in (Xk) coordinates is determined. This midpoint is determined in multiple coordinates, and an approximate straight line of these midpoints is determined and set as a reference line. The foot of the perpendicular from the ulna styloid process to the reference line is set as a reference position. A region of interest is set in a position at a predetermined distance from the reference position along the reference line.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus generating an X-ray image in a region of interest, includes a radiography device and processing circuitry. The radiography device takes a first X-ray image before injection of a contrast medium, and takes a second X-ray image and a third X-ray image after injection of the contrast medium. The processing circuitry generates an output image having pixel values that are ratios of pixel values between a difference between the second X-ray image and the first X-ray image and a difference between the third X-ray image and the first X-ray image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reconstructing a 3D image from 2D X-ray images acquired with an X-ray imaging system, said method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a set of 2D X-ray images of a region of a patient with said X-ray imaging system, b) computing an initial 3D image within the coordinate system of the X-ray imaging system by using at least part of said 2D X-ray images with their respective projective geometry data; c) projecting said initial 3D image on at least part of said 2D X-ray images and adjusting the respective projective geometry data of said images, said adjustment comprising registration of said images with the projection of the initial 3D image using an image-to-image registration technique; d) computing an updated 3D image using the complete set of 2D X-ray images with their respective adjusted projective geometry data.

Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) apparatus and a method for identifying photon-counting detectors that are polarized due to high flux, thereby rendering the photon-counting detector inoperable. The data obtained from the photon-counting detectors that are determined to be polarized is skipped during an image pre-reconstruction phase. The data is further assigned a weight of zero during an image reconstruction phase in order to avoid imaging artifacts in the reconstructed CT image.

Abstract: A beam hardening correction method, a related calibration method for tomographic image data and a related apparatus. The tomographic image data includes attenuation data (f) and phase gradient data (g) and/or small angle scattering data (h). A correction value is computed from the attenuation data (f) by applying a function (q) to the attenuation data (f). The correction value is combined (S445) with the phase gradient data (g) or with the small angle scattering data (h).

Abstract: A method for the automated determination of an adjusted setting for signal analysis parameters of an x-ray detector is described. With an embodiment of the method, information relating to the dimensions of the object to be examined, the x-ray attenuation in the object to be examined, the nature of the examination and the examination region of the object to be examined is acquired. Signal analysis parameter values are then determined based on the acquired information. A method for automatically setting signal analysis parameters of an x-ray detector is also described. A facility for determining an adjusted setting for signal analysis parameters of an x-ray detector is also described. An x-ray system is also described.

Abstract: A medical X-ray photographing apparatus includes: a support configured to hold the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector in a facing state, the X-ray generator emitting an X-ray, the X-ray detector outputting an electric signal according to an incident X-ray; a base body that rotatably holds the support; a turning driver that turns the support about a turning axis; and a turning controller that controls the turning driver. The medical X-ray photographing apparatus also includes: a light emitter disposed at a position on a virtual loop line surrounding the turning axis; and a light emitter controller that controls the light emitter in association with the turning of the support.

Abstract: An evaluation aid serves as a phantom (imitation lesion) when a digital X-ray image is taken, and evaluation is then carried out through the digital X-ray image. The evaluation aid can simplify evaluating image qualities of a digital X-ray image for X-ray absorption parts having different X-ray absorption ratios all at once. The evaluation aid contains a substrate (plate-like body) including a plurality of regions having different X-ray absorption ratios for taking a digital X-ray image to carry out evaluation. Step members are provided on the plate-like body so as to correspond to the plurality of regions, respectively, where each step member includes a plurality of subregions having different X-ray absorption ratios. Preferably the thicknesses and/or constituent materials of the plurality of regions of the substrate are different from each other in order to have different X-ray absorption ratios in these regions.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring device may comprise a sensor chamber defined by a flexible membrane on a first side and one or more walls and an exterior chamber surrounding the sensor chamber on all sides except for the first side. The sensor chamber may be airtight except for a pressure vent. The exterior chamber may comprise one or more exterior vents and may be arranged to allow for pressure escaping through the pressure vent to equilibrate the sensor chamber when the one or more exterior vents are blocked.

Abstract: A new method for measuring blood pressure using a small sound measuring device that communicates wirelessly with any mobile device (i.e. smart phone). The device measures the sound of the blood flowing through an artery from any number of possible locations on a person's body. This sound measurement is then communicated wirelessly to the person's mobile device and is picked up by a downloaded mobile software application that is open to listen for the device's signal. The application then takes that sound measurement and compares it against a stored database of pre-measured sound to blood pressure measurements. The application then outputs to the user their current blood pressure measurement.

Abstract: Ultrasound systems and methods provide a workflow to automatically identify a fetal heartbeat. A region of interest (ROl) is identified in an ultrasound image and an ROl is identified that contains the fetal heart. The ultrasound system produces spatially different M-mode lines associated with the ROl. The ultrasound system can identify a fetal heartbeat by tracking the changing position of the heart wall and estimate the fetal heart rate, e.g. by measuring from peak-to-peak of two subsequent waves. The echo signals for the M-mode lines can also be ranked according to the likely presence of a fetal heartbeat in the echo data.

Abstract: The speed of sound data corresponding to transmission of ultrasound through a cancerous lesion is different than the speed of sound data corresponding to transmission of ultrasound through a benign lesion. The system can assign a coloration to a speed of sound image according to the speed of sound through the tissue as obtained from quantitative transmission ultrasound. The shape indicative of a lesion can be identified through the reflection data with the type of lesion identifiable by the coloration from the speed of sound data.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an eye imaging apparatus are disclosed. In some embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus may comprise a light source, an image sensor, a hand-held computing device, and an adaptation module. The adaptation module comprises a microcontroller and a signal processing unit configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to control the light source and the image sensor. In some embodiments, the imaging apparatus may comprise an exterior imaging module to image an anterior segment of the eye and/or a front imaging module to image a posterior segment of the eye. The eye imaging apparatus may be used in an eye imaging medical system. The images of the eye may be captured by the eye imaging apparatus, transferred to an image computing module, stored in an image storage module, and displayed in an image review module.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosing device is provided, which accurately grasps a state of a detected part even in a case of analyzing the state of the detected part in a percutaneous manner. The ultrasonic diagnosing device includes a level assigning module configured to assign an echo intensity to one of a plurality of levels of echo intensities, the echo intensity being an intensity of each of echo signals respectively corresponding to positions in an area-of-interest, and a characteristic amount calculating module configured to calculate, by targeting two or more of samples having the echo intensities assigned to the plurality of levels by the level assigning module, characteristic amounts indicating a characteristic of the area-of-interest, based on a combination of the echo intensities of the two or more of the samples, the two or more of the samples having a given positional relationship with each other.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for use in tomographic ultrasound imaging, large aperture ultrasound imaging and therapeutic ultrasound that provide for coupling acoustic signal transducers to body structures for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. The acoustic signal transmission couplants can conform to the receiving medium (e.g., skin) of the subject such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the transducer. In one aspect, an acoustic coupling medium includes a hydrogel including polymerizable material that form a network structured to entrap an aqueous fluid inside the hydrogel.

Abstract: A multimodality imaging system including ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (OCT), photoacoustic (PA) imaging, florescence imaging and endoscopic catheter for imaging inside the gastrointestinal tract with real-time automatic image co-registration capability, including: an ultrasound subsystem for imaging; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, a PA microscopy or tomography subsystem for imaging and a florescence imaging subsystem for imaging. An invasive interventional imaging device is included with an instrumentality to take a tissue biopsy from a location visible on the ultrasound subsystem for imaging, on the optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, photoacoustic (PA) subsystem for imaging and florescence subsystem for imaging. The instrumentality takes a tissue biopsy from a visible location simultaneously with the visualization of the tissue about to be biopsied so that the tissue biopsy location is visualized before, during and after the biopsy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosing device is provided for diagnosing a state of a to-be-examined part based on echo signals caused by ultrasonic signals. The device includes a container body containing liquid and capable of coming in close contact with a to-be-examined body, an ultrasonic wave penetrating part having ultrasonic penetrability and covering an opening formed in the container body, a probe having an ultrasonic wave transmitting part configured to transmit the ultrasonic signals, and a drive mechanism configured to move the probe inside the container body and change a position of the ultrasonic wave transmitting part. The probe being soaked in the liquid inside the container body in a state where the ultrasonic wave transmitting part is separated from the ultrasonic wave penetrating part, and the ultrasonic signals being transmitted to the to-be-examined body through the liquid and the ultrasonic wave penetrating part by the ultrasonic wave transmitting part.

Abstract: To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprises a volume data generating unit for generating volume data by processing echo signals obtained through ultrasonic transmission and reception to and from a three dimensional region including at least a portion of a body part.

Abstract: A contrast imaging method based on a wide beam and a method for extracting a perfusion time-intensity curve (TIC) are provided to increase contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) through the contrast imaging method based on the wide beam via a pulse inversion microbubble wavelet transform sum squared differences decorrelation (PIWSSD). An auto adaptive analysis method about rapidly and accurately extracting a TIC tendency of the contrast imaging method based on the wide beam is also provided to overcome limitations of a decrease in the CTR of the contrast imaging based on the wide beam and a decrease in SCR of the perfusion TIC. The present invention plays an important role in effectively reducing an ultrasound contrast imaging acoustic power and a contrast microbubble perfusion concentration, reducing potential threat to human body, acquiring a contrast image with the high CTR, and accurately evaluating and diagnosing blood perfusion.

Abstract: Techniques for assessing a tissue condition and diagnosing, assessing the prognosis of, or the risk for pathological conditions are disclosed. The technique may include an image acquiring module adapted to receive an image comprising at least a portion of animal or human tissue, a delineation module adapted to indicate an analysis zone in said acquired image, a feature extraction module adapted to extract quantitative information from said analysis zone and a machine learning module adapted to receive said extracted information and apply at least one detection algorithm to assess a condition of said tissue. The feature extractor module may have at least a rotation compensation module to compensate for the rotation of the analysis zone.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus includes: a first generation unit that computes a received signal based on first and second echo signals obtained by transmitting ultrasound signals having different phases along a same line to a specimen and reflection of the ultrasound signals from the specimen, and generates a first ultrasound image having first display mode, using the received signal; an extraction unit that calculates first and second features based on frequency spectra of the first and second echo signals, and extracts a third feature from the first and second features so as to be associated with a pixel position in image; a second generation unit that generates a second ultrasound image having second display mode at a pixel position where the third feature is not less than threshold; and a composition unit that generates a composite image by combining the first and second ultrasound images at the pixel position.

Abstract: A shared-housing ultrasound transducer and machine-vision camera system is disclosed for registering the transducer's x, y, z position in space and pitch, yaw, and roll orientation with respect to an object, such as a patient's body. The position and orientation are correlated with transducer scan data, and scans of the same region of the object are compared in order to reduce ultrasound artifacts and speckles. The system can be extended to interoperative gamma probes or other non-contact sensor probes and medical instruments. Methods are disclosed for computer or remote guiding of a sensor probe or instrument with respect to saved positions and orientations of the sensor probe.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media relate to generate an integrated image based on strain data and elastic model. The method may include determining, by a processor, a range of probe positions for placement of an ultrasound probe with respect to a patient based on strain data, the range of positions including a first position, a second position, and one or more positions there between. The method may also include acquiring 3D TRUS images of the patient at each of the one or more positions of the range and generating a patient specific biomechanical model based on the 3D TRUS images. The method may further include integrating the patient specific biomechanical model, the 3D TRUS images and MR images to generate an integrated image of the prostate. The methods, systems, and computer readable media can improve efficiency and accuracy of 3D TRUS and MR image registration, e.g., for image-guided interventions.

Abstract: Transmit power is adaptively set in medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging. The relative strength, such as a ratio, of harmonic and fundamental responses is calculated. This relative strength is used to set the transmit power. The transmit power may be set following ALARA while providing enough information for harmonic imaging.

Abstract: A scan head for an ultrasound imaging device has a body that encloses a number of ultrasound transducers and controlling electronics. The electronics are sealed in the body of the scan head. The scan head has a fan that is configured to remove heat caused by the operation of the electronics. The motor is magnetically controlled and has controlling electronics that are sealed in the body of the scan head. In one embodiment, an airflow channel surrounds the electronics in the scan head and the fan is configured to move air through the airflow channel. In another embodiment, the electronics are thermally coupled to a heat exchanger heat via a conductive substrate and the fan is configured to move air over the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A tissue handling device is disclosed. A tissue collecting device is disclosed. A cassette for handling biological tissues is disclosed. A tissue dyeing device is disclosed. A method for handling biological tissues is disclosed. A method for dyeing biological tissues is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing an opening in a body tissue. The apparatus includes a shaft, a plurality of arms, and an expander. The arms each extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of each arm is hingedly attached to or integrally formed with the shaft. The arms are laterally spaced apart from each other. The arms are movable between a retracted configuration, in which the arms are each aligned along the shaft, and a deployed configuration, in which the proximal end of each arm pivots respectively about the distal end of the arm so as to extend laterally away from the shaft. The expander is positioned within the shaft, and movement of the expander causes the arms to move between the retracted and deployed configurations. Methods of using the apparatus are also included.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate ablation patterns on the heart within a pericardial sac and without opening or deflating the lungs.