Abstract: An electrode structure of a bio-signal measurement comprises electrodes adapted to be adhered on skin with an adhesive and separated from each other. A connector arrangement for an electric contact with an external electric device is on an opposite side of the electrode structure. Electric conductors are electrically connected with the electrodes and the connector arrangement. The electrode structure comprises attachable sections directly adjacent to one of the at least two electrodes, the attachable sections being adapted to be adhered on the skin. The electrode structure comprises a flexible and elastic loose section, which is free from an adherence to the skin, each of the attachable sections being located between an electrode and a loose section.

Abstract: A bio-signal measuring apparatus includes: a substrate; a pulse wave measurer provided at the substrate and configured to measure pulse waves of a subject; and a pressure measurer provided at the substrate and configured to measure a contact pressure between the subject and the pulse wave measurer.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating bio-information is provided. The apparatus for estimating bio-information may include: a pulse wave sensor configured to measure a pulse wave signal from an object; a force sensor configured to measure a force exerted by the object to the pulse wave sensor; and a processor configured to obtain a contact pressure based on the force and a reference contact area between the object and a contact surface, and estimate bio-information based on the contact pressure and the pulse wave signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetic resonance apparatus having a scanner unit, a patient receiving region at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, and a patient positioning apparatus, which has a patient table that is movable within the patient receiving region. The patient positioning apparatus may include a vertical adjusting unit for an adjustment of a vertical position of the patient table within the patient receiving region, and the vertical adjusting unit nay include at least two different vertical positions for a positioning of the patient table within the patient receiving region.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for reducing noise in health monitoring including monitoring systems, methods and/or devices receiving a health signal and/or having at least one electrode or sensor for health monitoring.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a medical monitoring hub as the center of monitoring for a monitored patient. The hub includes configurable medical ports and serial ports for communicating with other medical devices in the patient's proximity. Moreover, the hub communicates with a portable patient monitor. The monitor, when docked with the hub provides display graphics different from when undocked, the display graphics including anatomical information. The hub assembles the often vast amount of electronic medical data, associates it with the monitored patient, and in some embodiments, communicates the data to the patient's medical records.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical information display apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry displays first medical information over a first period along a first time axis and second medical information over a second period along a second time axis, acquires time information at a time point or in a range designated in the first period about the first medical information displayed, decides a position on the second time axis which corresponds to the time information, and displays an indicator indicating the position in an area displaying the second medical information.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, operating table, recliner, or the like, includes a patient support structure, a user interface, a display, a plurality of lights, and a controller. The user interface comprises a display and controls for configuring various components of the patient support apparatus. The controller uses the lights and/or display to issue one or more reminders to the caregiver to put the patient support apparatus in a desired configuration before the caregiver walks away from the patient support apparatus. The reminders help ensure that the caregiver properly configured the patient support apparatus. In some embodiment, the reminders include pulsing the lights in an unobtrusive, but easily seen, manner until the proper configuration is achieved. Reminders may also be implemented by prohibiting certain functionality until the patient support apparatus is properly configured.

Abstract: A super-resolution digital tomosynthesis system for imaging an object including a source configured to emit penetrating particles toward an object; a detector configured to acquire a series of projection images of the object in response to the penetrating particles from the source; positioning apparatus configured to position the source and the detector; and an imaging system coupled to the source, the detector, and the positioning apparatus. The imaging system is configured to control the positioning apparatus to position the source in relation to the detector along a scan path and to change a distance between the source and the detector, control the source and the detector to acquire the series of projection images along the scan path with the distance change between the source and detector, and construct a tomographic volume exhibiting super-resolution from data representing the acquired series of projection images.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for reconstructing a PET image. The method may include: obtaining PET data relating to an object collected by a plurality of detector units; determining functional status of the plurality of detector units; generating reconstruction data based on the functional status of the respective detector units and the PET data; and reconstructing a PET image based on the reconstruction data.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises means for engaging a patient platform. The means comprises at least one layer of laminar sheeting of radiolucent material. At least one anatomical support member which comprises at least one layer of laminar sheeting of radiolucent material. At least one articulating joint unit is in engagement with the at least one of anatomical support member. The at least one articulating joint unit comprise at least one layer of laminar sheeting of radiolucent material with a primarily non-metallic connector at a central pivot point. The at least one articulating joint unit is positionable in at least a vertical and horizontal orientations enabling positioning of portions of an anatomy in three dimensions along x, y, and z axes.

Abstract: An X-ray shielding unit 19 includes a plurality of shielding slats, freely movable with an imaging system that is in place above a table, and each free end of the shielding slats extends toward the table and is the slats are arrayed in parallel along the long side of the table. A shielding switching element switches the X-ray shielding unit between a shielding state in which the X-ray exposure to the operator S is blocked and a releasing state. The shielding switching element includes a slat rotation mechanism rotating respective shielding slats on a short side axis of the table, and the slat rotation mechanism rotates the shielding slats during switching of the shielding state.

Abstract: Although the efficiency of fluoroscopy has always been well known in the Dental clinic, the extra-oral methods that were approached to realize it have always needed a large x-ray dose. This invention lowered the exposure of patient and operator at an extreme level by implementing an intraoral sensor of small area using multiple pickup binning that enhance pulsed x-ray and Signal to noise ratio (SNR) to lower the dose necessary for video. Additionally, it can be used efficiently in dental procedures by suggesting Guide Support Device that includes bite block and open block in between the sensor and emitter for an accurate and convenient scan.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tomosynthesis with an x-ray filter are disclosed. The present technology provides performing breast tomosynthesis in the presence of an x-ray filter. For example, an x-ray filter may be placed between an x-ray source and breast tissue. The filter may proportionally filter out a subset of the energies emitted by the x-ray source. A filter may include characteristics to filter x-ray energies based on a k-edge of a contrast agent introduced into the breast, such that the breast tissue has relatively greater exposure to x-ray energies above the k-edge of the contrast agent to illuminate the contrast agent without substantial illumination of other breast tissue. Thus, tomosynthesis images similar to those obtained using subtraction may be acquired without software-based contrast enhancing techniques.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for acquiring image data of a subject. The image data can be collected with an imaging system with at least two different energy characteristics. The image data can be reconstructed using reconstruction techniques.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and apparatuses for reducing metal artifacts in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) reconstructions. The methods use multiple imaging modalities to identify and locate metal present in a region of dental patients mouth and to generate a reconstructed 3-D volume image of the region with reduced metal artifacts using data obtained by the multiple modalities. According to example embodiments, the methods include creating a metal map using data from a first imaging modality and an initial 3-D reconstruction from data obtained from a second imaging modality including CBCT imaging. The metal map is registered to the initial 3-D reconstruction with a reconstructed metal map and projection metal maps being subsequently produced and applied to projections from the CBCT imaging to generate interpolated projections.

Abstract: A radiation detector including: a substrate formed with plural pixels that accumulate electrical charges generated in response to light converted from radiation in a pixel region at an opposite-side surface of a base member to a surface including a fine particle layer; the base member being flexible and is made of resin and that includes a fine particle layer containing inorganic fine particles having a mean particle size of from 0.05 ?m to 2.5 ?m, a conversion layer provided at the surface of the base member provided with the pixel region and configured to convert the radiation into light; and a reinforcement substrate provided to at least one out of a surface on the substrate side of a stacked body configured by stacking the substrate and the conversion layer, or a surface on the conversion layer side of the stacked body.

Abstract: A detector assembly for a CT system includes a first support structure having a first plurality of mini-module support surfaces, each of the first plurality of mini-module support surfaces being tangent to a hypothetical sphere that is formed having a center of the hypothetical sphere positioned at a focal spot of the CT system, the first plurality of mini-module support surfaces at a first distance from the center of the hypothetical sphere, and a second support structure positioned next to the first support structure and having a second plurality of mini-module surfaces, the second support structure being angled in an X-Y plane with respect to the first support structure such that the second plurality of mini-module surfaces are tangent to the hypothetical sphere and at the first distance from the center of the hypothetical sphere.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for stationary CT imaging. In one embodiment, an imaging system comprises a chamber shaped to enclose a subject to be imaged, a support surface disposed within the chamber and shaped to maintain the subject in an upright position, and an annular imaging unit encircling the chamber and having a fixed angular orientation to the chamber, the annular imaging unit including a distributed x-ray unit and a detector array arranged opposite to each other across the chamber. The imaging system may image the subject without rotation of the annular imaging unit.

Abstract: A CPU of a console comprises a color image acquisition unit, a distance image acquisition unit, a specification unit, and an estimation unit. The color image acquisition unit acquires a color image, in which a patient and a periphery of the patient are captured, from a visible light camera. The distance image acquisition unit acquires a distance image indicating a distance between a radiation tube and an object, from a TOF camera. The specification unit specifies a kind of the object in the color image. The estimation unit estimates intensity of radiation in an environment captured in the color image based on reference information including the distance image and a specification image as a specification result of the kind of the object.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for medical imaging are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method for imaging an anatomic region includes receiving, from a detector carried by an imaging arm of an x-ray imaging apparatus, a plurality of images of the anatomic region. The images can be obtained during manual rotation of the imaging arm. The imaging arm can be stabilized by a shim structure during the manual rotation. The method can also include receiving, from at least one sensor coupled to the imaging arm, pose data of the imaging arm during the manual rotation. The method can further include generating, based on the images and the pose data, a 3D representation of the anatomic region.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for create a scanning pencil beam of x-rays and the air cooling of the system. The system has an enclosure with an x-ray beam source disposed therein. An x-ray wheel having or holding an x-ray attenuating ring is disposed proximate to an end of the enclosure and is configured and disposed to rotate the x-ray attenuating ring and form a scanning pencil beam. The system has at least one air inlet and air outlet and at least one air moving device configured and disposed to move air through the air inlet and the air outlet and to air cool the x-ray system.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus and an operation method therefor, image data of a patient are recorded with the use of a contrast medium administered to the patient. A computer of the image recording apparatus is provided with an image recording information item, describing the upcoming image recording carried out according to a multi-step sequence and with at least one patient information describing a property of the patient. The computer determines a contrast medium administration information item from these received information items, which designates at least one contrast medium quantity to be administered to the patient and a point in time in the sequence of the upcoming image recording. The contrast medium administration information item is displayed to a user of the image recording apparatus at the determined point in time on a display of the image recording apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for generating material decomposition images from plural-energy x-ray based imaging, the method comprising: modelling spatial relationships and spectral relationships among the plurality of images by learning features from the plurality of images in combination and one or more of the plurality of images individually with a deep learning neural network; generating one or more basis material images employing the spatial relationships and the spectral relationships; and generating one or more material specific or material decomposition images from the basis material images. The neural network has an encoder-decoder structure and includes a plurality of encoder branches; each of one or more of the plurality of encoder branches encodes two or more images of the plurality of images in combination; and each of one or more of the plurality of encoder branches encodes a respective individual image of the plurality of images.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for analyzing an image sequence of a periodic physiological activity, a system, and a medium. The method includes receiving the image sequence from an imaging device, and the image sequence has a plurality of images. The method further includes identifying at least one feature portion in a selected image, which moves responsive to the periodic physiological activity. The method also includes detecting, by a processor, the corresponding feature portions in other images of the image sequence and determining, by the processor, a phase of a the selected image in the image sequence based on the motion of the feature portion.

Abstract: A method is for determining a three-dimensional image dataset. In an embodiment, the method includes a first X-ray dataset of the examination volume being received, the first X-ray dataset including a two-dimensional first X-ray projection of the examination volume with respect to a first projection direction; and a second X-ray dataset of the examination volume being received, the second X-ray dataset including a second two-dimensional X-ray projection of the examination volume with respect to a second projection direction. Furthermore, a first three-dimensional image dataset of the examination volume is determined based on the two-dimensional first X-ray projection and the two-dimensional second X-ray projection. An effect of overlaps of vessels with respect to the first projection direction or the second projection direction can be reduced as a result of determining the first three-dimensional image dataset based on the first X-ray dataset and the second X-ray dataset.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model for a patient fixation device that serves to immobilize at least a portion of a particular patient when capturing CT image information of that patient is accessed and then registered with the pixels that correspond to the patient fixation device in the CT image. The model can specify rules of movement for each of a plurality of structural elements that comprise the patient fixation device and that are capable of movement relative to one another. By one approach the aforementioned registration occurs on a part-by-part basis for each of the structural elements. Following registration, the CT image can be automatically segmented.

Abstract: A deep learning (DL) convolution neural network (CNN) reduces noise in positron emission tomography (PET) images, and is trained using a range of noise levels for the low-quality images having high noise in the training dataset to produceuniform high-quality images having low noise, independently of the noise level of the input image. The DL-CNN network can be implemented by slicing a three-dimensional (3D) PET image into 2D slices along transaxial, coronal, and sagittal planes, using three separate 2D CNN networks for each respective plane, and averaging the outputs from these three separate 2D CNN networks. Feature-oriented training can be implemented by segmenting each training image into lesion and background regions, and, in the loss function, applying greater weights to voxels in the lesion region. Other medical images (e.g. MRI and CT) can be used to enhance resolution of the PET images and provide partial volume corrections.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for augmented reality guidance of surgical procedures using multiple head mounted displays or other augmented reality display devices are described. In addition, systems, devices and methods using head mounted displays or other augmented reality display systems for operating surgical robots and/or imaging systems are described.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing any surgeon, including those surgeons who perform a fewer number of a replacement procedure as compared to a more experienced surgeon who performs a greater number of procedures, to provide an improved likelihood of a favorable outcome approaching, if not exceeding, a likelihood of a favorable outcome as performed by a very experienced surgeon with the replacement procedure. Force sensing is included to aid in quantifying installation of an implant, particularly a cup into a pelvic bone.

Abstract: A biological sound sensor to be used in contact with a skin of a living body, and includes a casing that has an opening in a face on the side facing the skin of the living body, a double-sided adhesive membrane having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface closes the opening by adhering to the face of the casing and the first surface adheres to the skin when collecting a biological sound produced in the living body. A microphone is arranged in the casing and picks up the biological sound. The double-sided adhesive membrane has a one-material portion, made of the first adhesive material, through the double-sided adhesive membrane from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry receives a reflected wave signal of an ultrasonic wave via the ultrasonic probe. The processing circuitry generates a reception signal based on the received reflected wave signal. The processing circuitry calculates blood flow information based on the reception signal. The processing circuitry detects a magnitude of blood flow velocity change based on the blood flow information calculated at a plurality of points in time. The processing circuitry performs smoothing processing on the blood flow information in time direction at an intensity determined in accordance with the detected magnitude of blood flow velocity change.

Abstract: The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, ultrasound image generation apparatus and method transmit ultrasound waves to a subject into which a puncture tool is inserted, receive reflected waves reflected from the subject and the puncture tool, and generate echo signals of time-sequential frames based on the received reflected waves, and generate an ultrasound image of the subject based on the generated echo signals. These apparatus and method generate a differential echo signal between time-sequential frames from the echo signals, perform a tip detection process based on the differential echo signal to thereby detect at least one tip candidate including a tip end of the puncture tool, highlight a tip candidate of the puncture tool detected to thereby generate a tip image, and display the tip image of the highlighted puncture tool so as to be superimposed on the generated ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a processor including hardware. The processor is configured to: generating first frequency spectrum data and second frequency spectrum data with regard to a first ultrasound signal and a second ultrasound signal, respectively; generating first ultrasound image data based on the first ultrasound signal; generating second ultrasound image data based on the second ultrasound signal; estimating a displacement amount including at least one of a positional change amount and a rotation angle of a subject depicted in the first ultrasound image data with respect to the subject depicted in the second ultrasound image data; correcting the first frequency spectrum data in accordance with the estimated displacement amount; calculating differential feature data by using the corrected first frequency spectrum data and the second frequency spectrum data; and generating analysis image data to which color information corresponding to the differential feature data is applied.

Abstract: A method for analysing a structure within a patient's heart includes receiving a patient study including a plurality of images of the patient's heart obtained by an ultrasound device, extracting respective sets of pixel data from the images, and using trained machine learning algorithms to analyse the sets of pixel data to a) identify first images captured using a colour Doppler modality and assign the first images to said structure, b) identify second images captured using spectral Doppler modality and assign the second images to said structure, c) determine a flow convergence zone radius from an analysis of the first images; and d) determine a maximum gradient of structure, from an analysis of the second images. The flow convergence zone radius, the maximum gradient of structure, and a Nyquist value identified for the colour Doppler modality, are combined to determine an Effective Regurgitant Orifice Area for the structure.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to intravascular imaging system and particularly to processing in multimodal systems. The invention provides an imaging system that splits incoming image data into two signals and performs the same processing step on each of the split signals. The system can then send the two signals down two processing pathways. Methods include receiving an analog image signal, transmitting the received signal to a processing system, splitting the signal to produce a first image signal and a second image signal, and performing a processing operation on the first image signal and the second image signal. The first and second signal include substantially the same information as one another.

Abstract: An interventional device includes an elongate member configured to be inserted into a body of a patient, the elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, a sensing element disposed at the distal portion of the elongate member and configured to obtain measurement data associated with a body lumen; a stiffening mechanism coupled to the elongate member and configured to change the stiffness of the elongate member during a medical procedure. Associated devices, systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling delivery of a therapeutic compound to a brain of a subject using FUS-BBBD are disclosed. The method includes treating the brain of the subject with focused ultrasound in combination with microbubbles for blood-brain barrier disruption (FUS-BBBD), administering the therapeutic agent to the subject; and obtaining a map of a concentration of the therapeutic agent delivered to the brain of the subject using passive cavitation imaging (PCI). The delivery of focused sound may be modulated to match the map of the concentration of the therapeutic agent delivered to the brain of the subject to a desired spatial distribution of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application is an ultrasound contrast enhanced imaging method, comprising: transmitting unfocused waves in a plurality of angles to a target region containing microbubbles; receiving echo signals of the unfocused waves; selecting echo signals corresponding to at least some of the plurality of angles from the echo signals; generating contrast enhanced image according to the selected echo signals, performing color-coding on the contrast enhanced image, and displaying same. Also disclosed in the present application is an ultrasound imaging system.

Abstract: The invention provides an intra-needle ultrasound system and its method of use for analysis, tracking, and display of pleura in millimeter-scale resolution. This method includes the following steps: Assembling the puncture needle and intra-needle ultrasound transducer, which can generate and receive ultrasound waves at the needle tip. To transform the axial ultrasonic signal into a figure, that can help to identify different anatomic structures according to the corresponding feature of ultrasonic RF (Radio Frequency) signal, and to set the region of interest according to corresponding RF feature of amplitude and depth. This invention can indicate the distance between the ultrasound needle tip and pleura in a real-time fashion, and to identify the best position for anesthetic injection in the paravertebral block (PVB) and the intercostals nerve block (ICNB). The system can also help to avoid damage to the pleura and lung during the nerve block procedure.

Abstract: The application of a step function increase in acoustic pressure during ultrasound imaging using gas vesicle contrast, along with capturing successive frames of ultrasound imaging and extracting time-series vectors for pixels of the frames, allows for improved imaging down to even the cell level. Template vectors can be used to implement signal separation of the time-series vectors to improve detection.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical characteristic on a punctual location inside a medium, comprising the steps of: sending an emitted sequence comprising emitted pulses having different amplitudes, receiving a received sequence comprising received pulses corresponding to echoes of emitted pulses, calculating a phase difference between the received pulses relative to the emitted pulses, and determining the physical characteristic on the bases of a phase difference.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes image processing circuitry. The image processing circuitry acquires, based on a result of ultrasound scanning performed on a subject, blood flow information including a value that indicates a blood flow at each position within the subject and tissue property information including a value that indicates tissue properties at each position within the subject. The image processing circuitry generates a first image in which a difference in value in the blood flow information is represented by at least a difference in hue and a second image in which a difference in value in the tissue property information is represented by a difference other than the difference in hue. The image processing circuitry generates a combined image by combining the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A system for determining location of an interventional medical device within a patient includes a controller that controls an ultrasound probe to emit imaging beams at different times and angles relative to the ultrasound probe. The system also includes an interventional medical device with an attached sensor that receives the imaging beams together with repetitive noise. The controller further identifies the repetitive noise received at the sensor, including identifying the rate at which the repetitive noise is repeated and identifying the times at which the repetitive noise is received at the sensor. The controller further offsets the repetitive noise in signals received at the sensor by interpolating the signals based on the imaging beams. The controller determines the location of the interventional medical device based on the offset signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for triggering the acquisition of elastography measurements based on motion data are disclosed. Motion data may be acquired by Doppler mode imaging in some embodiments. The motion data may be used to generate a trigger signal. The trigger signal may be provided to a transmit controller. The transmit controller may cause an ultrasound transducer to acquire elastography measurements responsive to the trigger signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe has a transduction layer in which a plurality of transducers are placed, a backing layer provided at a rear side of the transduction layer with a wiring layer therebetween, and a plurality of heat dissipation members provided in the backing layer. The plurality of heat dissipation members extend in a line form in the backing layer, and are placed with an aligned direction of extension. An area occupancy percentage of the heat dissipation member at a center region of the backing layer is larger than that at an outer side of the center region. The center region is not positioned at ends of the cross section intersecting the direction of extension of the heat dissipation member, includes a center of gravity of the cross section, and occupies an area less than or equal to a half of an area of the cross section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl. While the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl, light is received from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors. Using a computer processor, intensities of at least two spectral bands that are within a range of 530 nm to 785 nm are determined, by analyzing the received light, and a ratio of the intensities of the two spectral bands is determined. In response thereto, the computer processor determines that there is a presence of blood within the bodily emission. The computer processor generates an output on an output device, at least partially in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Collection of biological fluids. At least one example is a polymeric sleeve including: an elongate body that defines a main passageway; an internal chamber defined within the main passageway; a first flange suspended within the internal chamber at a first position along the longitudinal central axis; and an aperture through the first flange, the aperture at least partially aligned with the longitudinal central axis.

Abstract: A method of using a biopsy apparatus includes moving a stylet cannula relative to a vacuum cannula between a first extended position and a first retracted position; and receiving a protrusion member within a flared portion of the vacuum cannula when the stylet cannula is in the first retracted position.

Abstract: Provided is a tongue separation device including: a body unit including a contact surface fixing a tongue; a support unit arranged at one end portion of the body unit and supporting the body unit from outside a mouth; a tooth mounting unit arranged at one surface of the support unit adjacent to a first region of the body unit, mounting the teeth in a state where the body unit is inserted into the mouth, and including an upper surface mounting upper teeth among the teeth and a lower surface mounting lower teeth among the teeth; and a tongue position checking unit including an opening formed at the support unit to check a position of the tongue from outside the mouth.