Abstract: A system facilitating planning of a surgical procedure includes one or more storage devices, one or more input devices, a processor, and a memory. The storage device(s) stores, for previous surgical procedures, surgical instrument information, procedure information, and patient information. The input device(s) is configured to receive procedure information and patient information corresponding to a surgical procedure to be performed. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to identify similar previous surgical procedures, identify outcome information for each of the similar previous surgical procedures, determine whether there is a correlation between the surgical instrument information of the similar previous surgical procedures and the outcome information of the similar previous surgical procedures, and, if a correlation is determined, output the correlation to facilitate planning of the surgical procedure to be performed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuation device that comprises: (a) a device body that comprises a first fixation mechanism configured to affix a proximal end of a first elongate member of an accessory device to the device body, (b) an actuator that comprises an operable mechanism and a second fixation mechanism configured to affix a proximal end of a second elongate member of the accessory device to the actuator, wherein the operable mechanism is configured to move the second elongate member relative to the first elongate member, and (c) a fastener configured to attach the device body to an endoscope. The present disclosure further provides endoscopic systems comprising an actuation device of this type in an assembly with an endoscope and an accessory device, and also provides kits that comprise an actuation device of this type and one or more accessory devices.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for an ultrasound therapy (ablation or hyperthermia) of a region of interest comprising: a patch comprising a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers (preferably CMUTs) arranged on a support, wherein a plurality of the transducers is adapted to operate in a variable frequency range; a transducer controller means adopted to activate at least two groups of the plurality of the transducers in the array for a transmission of the ultrasound signals, wherein each of the at least two groups: is arranged in a pattern; and operates at a frequency different from other group's frequency.

Abstract: A medical apparatus is described for providing visualization of a surgical site. The medical apparatus includes an electronic display disposed within a display housing. The medical apparatus includes a display optical system disposed within the display housing, the display optical system comprising a plurality of lens elements disposed along an optical path. The display optical system is configured to receive images from the electronic display. The medical apparatus can include.

Abstract: A retractor mounting assembly including an end-effector having a body extending between first and second faces. The first face is configured for attachment to an interface plate on the robotic arm of a surgical robot. The second face defines an arm mount. An arm extending between first and second ends with the first end configured for attachment to the end-effector arm mount and the second end providing a retractor mount configured for supportive attachment of a retractor.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for cardioscopic and pericardioscopic access to the heart, including direct access to the left atrium. In certain embodiments, the device may comprise an atrial portal having a configuration such that the distal end of the atrial portal can access the atrium while the proximal end of the portal can extend to outside of the subject. The devices and methods may also include a pericardioscopic portal for emplacement of the atrial portal. Also, methods for using such atrial portals and pericardial portals to perform surgery on the heart, and in some cases to directly access the left atrium, and systems (e.g., kits) comprising these portals in combination with other therapeutic devices are disclosed.

Abstract: An adapter for an endoscope, the adapter including: a cylindrical body having an internal portion formed on the cylindrical body, the internal portion configured to matingly engage with each of distal and proximal external portions provided on a tip of the endoscope, the distal and proximal external portions being separated in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body by a portion of the tip that does not engage the internal portion; and wherein the cylindrical body further having an anti-slip portion formed on an exterior of the cylindrical body, the anti-slip portion having a plurality of recesses arranged circumferentially on the exterior, a position of the anti-slip portion in the longitudinal direction being set such that a position of the proximal external portion in the longitudinal direction does not overlap with the longitudinal position of the anti slip portion where the proximal external portion is engaged with the internal portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid block (1) for an endoscope operating element, comprising at least one gas-conducting channel (4) provided inside the fluid block (1) and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, at least one liquid-conducting channel (5) provided inside the fluid block (1) and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and at least one control valve (2) for opening/blocking the at least one gas-conducting channel (4) and the at least one liquid-conducting channel (5). The invention further relates to an endoscope having such a fluid block.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave generating device includes a housing to seal an inside of a cartridge; a transducer to generate ultrasonic waves and disposed in the housing; a rotational force applying unit to receive a rotational force from an outside of the housing and perform a rotational motion; a conversion unit to convert the rotational motion of the rotational force applying unit into a rectilinear motion and provide the rectilinear motion to the transducer; and a controller to control an ultrasonic wave generating operation of the transducer.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and methods that are useable to facilitate transnasal insertion and positioning of guidewires and various other devices and instruments at desired locations within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an endoscope including a side-viewing observation unit that includes a field of view in a lateral direction of an insertion part to be inserted into an object to be observed and a second protruding portion that protrudes from the insertion part and forms a blind spot in the field of view of the side-viewing observation unit; an image acquisition unit that acquires a side-viewing observation image by using the side-viewing observation unit; a monitor that displays the side-viewing observation image; and a display control section that allows at least a part of the blind spot of the side-viewing observation image in which the second protruding portion is shown up not to be displayed, and displays the side-viewing observation image on the monitor.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a tube including a wall with a plurality of slits oriented generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tube and defined by opposing surfaces. A pair of force transmission elements is actuatable to alter the tube between a flexible state and a stiffened state. A first force transmission element of the pair is coupled to an opposite side of the tube from the second force transmission element of the pair. The surgical device also includes a plurality of routing members coupled to the wall of the tube and configured to receive and route the force transmission elements along a length of the tube while permitting the length of the tube to flex and compress. Equal tension forces applied to the pair of force transmission elements compress the tube to create the stiffened state by deforming regions of the tube disposed between the plurality of slits.

Abstract: A catheter for use in a patient's heart, especially for mapping a tubular region of the heart, has a catheter body, a deflectable intermediate section and a distal mapping assembly that has a generally circular portion adapted to sit on or in a tubular region of the heart. A control handle of the catheter allows for single-handed manipulation of various control mechanisms that can deflect the intermediate section and contract the mapping assembly by means of a deflection control assembly and a rotational control assembly. The deflection control assembly has a deflection arm and a rocker member. The rotational control assembly has an outer rotational member, an inner rotational member and a cam. A pair of puller members are responsive to the deflection control assembly to bi-directionally deflect the intermediate section. A third puller member is responsive to the rotational control assembly to contract the generally circular portion of the mapping assembly.

Abstract: A medical manipulator including an insertion portion, where the insertion section including a bending portion and an end effector disposed on a distal end side of the insertion portion. The medical manipulator further including a motor configured to generate a first drive force for moving the bending portion; a lever configured to generate a second drive force for moving the bending portion, the lever being used to move the bending portion instead of the motor; a wire configured to transmit the first drive force or the second drive force to the bending portion; and a transmission blocking device configured to switch from the first drive force to the second drive force.

Abstract: Various systems and methods of selecting a display language for a surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and a module, such as a shaft assembly, that is interchangeably connectable to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a first memory configured to store a language parameter and a control circuit that is operably coupled to the memory. The module includes a second memory configured to store a textual phrase in a plurality of languages. When the module and the handle assembly are connected together, the control circuit is configured to retrieve, from the second memory, the textual phrase in a language corresponding to the language parameter.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for enhancing the display quality of a stereoscopic image. A display apparatus includes a parallax barrier, a detector, a predictor, and a controller. The detector detects a position of an observer. The predictor predicts, on the basis of a plurality of positions detected by the detector at past times, the position of the observer at a time coming after the past times, at which the plurality of positions have been detected. The controller determines a parallax barrier pattern selectively switching a plurality of barriers to a light transmissive state, and controls the parallax barrier on the basis of the parallax barrier pattern.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods are disclosed for estimating values of hemodynamic forces acting on plaque or lesions. One method includes: receiving one or more patient-specific parameters of at least a portion of a patient's vasculature that is prone to plaque progression, rupture, or erosion; constructing a patient-specific geometric model of at least a portion of a patient's vasculature that is prone to plaque progression, rupture, or erosion, using the received one or more patient-specific parameters; estimating, using one or more processors, the values of hemodynamic forces at one or more points on the patient-specific geometric model, using the patient-specific parameters and geometric model by measuring, deriving, or obtaining one or more of a pressure gradient and a radius gradient; and outputting the estimated values of hemodynamic forces to an electronic storage medium. Systems and computer readable media for executing these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A LUS robotic surgical system is trainable by a surgeon to automatically move a LUS probe in a desired fashion upon command so that the surgeon does not have to do so manually during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. A sequence of 2D ultrasound image slices captured by the LUS probe according to stored instructions are processable into a 3D ultrasound computer model of an anatomic structure, which may be displayed as a 3D or 2D overlay to a camera view or in a PIP as selected by the surgeon or programmed to assist the surgeon in inspecting an anatomic structure for abnormalities. Virtual fixtures are definable so as to assist the surgeon in accurately guiding a tool to a target on the displayed ultrasound image.

Abstract: An irradiance adjustment device comprising a radiation source and at least one neutral density filter disposed adjacent to the radiation source, wherein the neutral density filter can be moved into or out of the beam path of the radiation source.

Abstract: A medical-system control method including a switching-instruction step in which an instruction for switching between two different control states of the bendable section provided at a distal end of the insertion section is received; an angle-difference calculation step in which the difference between the current angle of the bendable section at the time when the instruction is received and the final target angle of the bendable section in the control state after being switched is calculated; a target calculation step in which, when the calculated difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, a minute angle, smaller than the threshold, is added to the current angle to calculate the target angle, and, when the difference is less than or equal to the threshold, the difference is added to the current angle to calculate the target angle; and a driving step in which the bendable section is driven to the calculated target angle.

Abstract: A medical data processing method of determining anatomical structure subset data describing a subset of a graphical representation 9 of an anatomical structure of a patient's body to be displayed simultaneously with a medical image of an anatomical body part 1, the method being constituted to be executed by a computer and comprising the following steps: a) acquiring predetermined anatomical structure representation data describing a graphical representation of the anatomical structure and its position in the patient's body; b) acquiring anatomical body part image data describing an image of an anatomical body part 1 of the patient imaged by an optical imaging apparatus 2 for display by a display apparatus 3; c) acquiring optical parameter data describing an optical parameter WD serving as a basis for displaying the anatomical body part image data; d) determining, based on the anatomical structure representation data and the anatomical body part image data and the optical parameter data, anatomical structure s

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for tracking an elongate instrument or other medical instrument in an image.

Abstract: Navigation guidance is provided to an operator of an endoscope by determining a current position and shape of the endoscope relative to a reference frame, generating an endoscope computer model according to the determined position and shape, and displaying the endoscope computer model along with a patient computer model referenced to the reference frame so as to be viewable by the operator while steering the endoscope within the patient.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope, containing: a tubular flexible tube substrate material having a flexibility; and a resin layer covering the flexible tube substrate material, in which the resin layer is adhered to the flexible tube substrate material with an adhesive hardened, the adhesive hardened contains an ester-based polyurethane resin, which is a hardened resin of an adhesive for an endoscope, and the adhesive for an endoscope contains an ester-based urethane polymer having a structure represented by a specific formula.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for marking a main carina and a trachea of a patient, an exemplary method comprising importing slice images of a chest of the patient, generating a three-dimensional (3D) model based on the imported slice images, displaying the 3D model in a graphical user interface (GUI), locating the main carina by viewing 2D images of the 3D model in an axial orientation, marking the main carina in one of the 2D images of the 3D model, adjusting a view plane of the 3D model around a rotation axis defined by the marked location of the main carina to adjust the view plane from an axial orientation to a coronal orientation while keeping the main carina in the view plane to thereby display the entire trachea on the GUI, and marking an upper end of the trachea in one of the 2D images of the 3D model.

Abstract: Sensor assisted head mounted displays for welding are disclosed. Disclosed example head mounted devices include an optical sensor, an augmented reality controller, a graphics processing unit, and a semi-transparent display. The optical sensor collects an image of a weld environment. The augmented reality controller determines a simulated object to be presented in a field of view, a position in the field of view, and a perspective of the simulated object in the field of view. The graphics processing unit renders the simulated object based on the perspective to represent the simulated object being present in the field of view and in the weld environment. The display presents the rendered simulated object within the field of view based on the position. At least a portion of the weld environment is observable through the display and the lens when the display is presenting the rendered simulated object.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for removing an implanted glenoid component from the glenoid of a patient includes a protective cannula and a flexible wire saw. The flexible wire saw is positioned in the protective cannula such that both ends of the flexible wire saw extend out of one end of the protective cannula, with a portion of the middle section of the wire saw forming a loop that extends out of the other end of the protective cannula. Surgical methods for the use of such a surgical instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical coherence analysis system uses a laser swept source that is constrained to operate in a mode locked condition. This is accomplished by synchronously changing the laser cavity's gain and/or phase based on the round trip travel time of light in the cavity. Many high-speed wavelength swept laser sources emit pulses synchronized with the round trip time of the cavity as part of a nonlinear optical frequency red shifting process. Stable pulsation is associated with smooth tuning and low relative intensity noise. Addition of mode-locking methods to this class of lasers can control and stabilize these lasers to a low clock jitter and RIN state, and in specific cases allow long-to-short wavelength tuning in addition to the usual short-to-long (red shifting). The laser may comprise a SOA (410), a tunable Fabry-Perot-Filter (412) as one reflector and an Output coupler (405) in an optical fiber (406) to adjust the cavity length.

Abstract: The present invention may be embodied as a retrievable device capable of sensing one or more properties of an individual (e.g., chemical or physical parameters, etc.) In use, the retrievable device can continuously determine the chemical concentrations within the vaginal tract. An embodiment of the retrievable device comprises a first housing having a light source and an image capture device, a second housing removably connected to the first housing and having a sensor, and a fitting for retrieving the device. The sensor may be an analyte sensor configured to obtain at least one measurement of a concentration of an analyte in a fluid. The analyte sensor comprises a sensor substance in a sol-gel material so the sensor substance reversibly interacts with an analyte of interest. In addition, the retrievable device can be configured to determine different physical parameters and re-implanted.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including a detection unit configured to detect a mask from an acquired image, a determination unit configured to determine whether there is a change in the mask detected by the detection unit, and an output unit configured to output a parameter when the determination unit determines that there is a change in the mask, the parameter being related to the mask detected by the detection unit before it is determined that there is a change in the mask.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, such as a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a chamber within which is a transducer. A wire guide channel extends throughout the length of the catheter. The transducer is rotatable around the wire guide channel.

Abstract: Described herein are introducer devices and methods for using an introducer device to facilitate passing an endoluminal instrument to a target region of a body cavity. An introducer device may include a tubular member having an inner wall that defines a channel configured to receive the endoluminal instrument and a plurality of projections disposed in the channel at perimetrically spaced apart locations around the inner wall, where the projections extend inward and are configured to offset the endoluminal instrument from the inner wall, thereby creating a space between the endoluminal instrument and the inner wall. A method for using an introducer device may include passing the endoluminal instrument to a first instrument insertion depth within the introducer device, advancing the introducer device in the body cavity, and advancing the endoluminal instrument to a second instrument insertion depth within the introducer device.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for pericardial access to the heart, including direct access to the left atrium. In certain embodiments, the device may comprise a device and/or an atrial appendage (AA) portal having a configuration such that the distal end of the device and/or the portal can access an atrial appendage while the proximal end of the device and/or portal can extend to outside of the subject. The devices and methods may also include a pericardial portal for emplacement of the device and/or the AA portal. Also, methods for using such devices and/or AA portals and pericardial portals to perform surgery on the heart, and systems (e.g., kits) comprising these devices and/or portals in combination with other therapeutic devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for a surgical system are provided that allow controlling a force applied by an electromechanical surgical tool coupled to an electromechanical surgical arm. A force limiter can be associated with at least one of the surgical arm and the tool and is used to limit the force applied by jaws of the tool to tissue when the tissue is engaged therebetween or when the tissue is otherwise manipulated. The force can be limited to a maximum force value, which can be preselected, and it can be adjustable based on user input or automatically. Also are provided techniques for a surgical system that allow controlling a stiffness of an electromechanical passive arm coupled to a fixture and having an active arm mounted thereon. The stiffness is adjusted, either manually or automatically, by adjusting a friction at a joint of the arm based on an angle at the arm's joint.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a tissue separation and equalization device includes a generally elongated tissue insertion member; at least one tissue separating member opening in the tissue insertion member; at least one elongated tissue separating member having at least one flexible or bendable expansion segment, respectively, extending longitudinally within the tissue insertion member generally adjacent to the at least one tissue separating member opening, respectively; and a driving mechanism engaging the at least one tissue separating member and operable to displace the at least one tissue separating member within the tissue insertion member and expand or buckle the at least one expansion segment outwardly from the tissue insertion member through the at least one tissue separating member opening, respectively.

Abstract: A hemostatic device for sealing a puncture of a vessel includes a first tube defining a first lumen, and a malecot coupled to the first tube. The malecot is selectively actuatable from a neutral configuration to a stopper configuration. The hemostatic device also includes a second tube circumscribing at least a portion of the first tube. The second tube at least partially defines a second lumen and a third lumen. The second tube includes a first opening in flow communication with the third lumen and positioned proximally relative to the malecot. The second tube is selectively orientable to at least partially expose a hemocoagulant agent retained in the second lumen.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an image configuring portion configured to configure a first image and a second image based on image pickup signals corresponding to different areas in a same subject; a luminance detecting portion configured to detect luminances of the first and second images; and a luminance control portion adjusting, for areas obtained by dividing each of the first and second images as units, the luminance of at least one of the images so that a luminance difference between two areas where the first image and the second image adjoin each other becomes equal to or smaller than a threshold.

Abstract: An infusion device includes a housing with an interior chamber sized and configured to hold at least a flange and plunger of a syringe, a trigger held by the housing, and a lever in communication with the trigger and including an upwardly extending cam with a cam path having an upper end. The cam is in communication with the flange of the syringe. In response to actuation of the trigger to dispense fluid from the syringe, the upper end of the cam travels upward above the syringe and longitudinally toward a dispensing end of the syringe to linearly translate the plunger of the syringe in a first direction to dispense fluid from the syringe. To refill fluid into the syringe, the upper end of the cam travels downward and longitudinally away from the dispensing end of the syringe to linearly translate the plunger in a second direction to intake fluid.

Abstract: An endoscopic treatment tool includes a sheath having a lumen, an elongated shaft inserted into the lumen and having an insertion passage, a stylet disposed in the insertion passage, an implant connected to the stylet, and a manipulation part main body provided on the sheath, a slider advanceable and retractable in an axial direction relative to the manipulation part main body, and a cam tube retracting while rotating in accordance with manipulation of the slider and having a spiral guide passage. A proximal end portion of the stylet has a projection engaged with the guide passage such that a force retracting the stylet is applied to the stylet by the cam tube retracting while rotating. The projection is slidable on the guide passage such that the stylet is advanceable relative to the elongated shaft against the force.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes power transmission coils arranged in a line in a plane, a power transmission circuit connected to the power transmission coils and supplying AC power, and a control circuit controlling a connection state between the power transmission circuit and each power transmission coil. The length of each power transmission coil in the array direction is shorter than that of the power receiving coil in that direction, the length thereof in a direction perpendicular to the array direction in the plane is longer than that of the power receiving coil in that direction, and the control circuit selects adjacent power transmission coils whose number is fixed based on the relative position of the power receiving coil with respect to the power transmission coils and switches the above connection state such that the AC power is supplied to the selected power transmission coils.

Abstract: An insertion instrument includes an insertion portion having a curving portion, and an operation portion body coupled to the proximal side of the insertion portion. The operation portion body includes a first surface, and a second surface extending from the first surface and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the first surface extends. A finger side other than a thumb of a grasping hand is located in the second surface. The operation portion body includes a first curving operation portion which is provided in the first surface and which curves the curving portion in a first direction, a functional switch which is provided in the second surface and which operates a predetermined function of the insertion instrument, and a second curving operation portion which is provided in the second surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device for intradermal or subcutaneous treatment of a patient, comprising: a piercing element to penetrate a skin portion of the patient; an illumination arrangement to illuminate the piercing element and/or to illuminate the skin portion prior and/or during a treatment process, wherein the illumination arrangement is further adapted to visually indicate a predefined treatment sequence of the treatment process.

Abstract: A method for providing an endoscopic port includes inserting a distal portion of an expandable member into soft tissue in a patient's body. The distal portion of the expandable member is inflated to form a passageway in the soft tissue. A rigid tube member is delivered into the passageway formed by the expandable member through the inside of the inflatable member. A port is established between a proximal opening in the rigid tube member and a distal opening in the rigid tube member.

Abstract: One example includes a method for fabricating a compound material. The method includes providing a first discrete material layer having a first thickness dimension. The first discrete material layer includes a first material having a first magnetic susceptibility. The method also includes depositing a second discrete material layer having a second thickness dimension over the first discrete material layer. The second discrete material layer can include a second material having a second magnetic susceptibility. The relative first and second thickness dimensions can be selected to provide a desired magnetic susceptibility of the compound material.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods are disclosed for estimating values of hemodynamic forces acting on plaque or lesions. One method includes: receiving one or more patient-specific parameters of at least a portion of a patient's vasculature that is prone to plaque progression, rupture, or erosion; constructing a patient-specific geometric model of at least a portion of a patient's vasculature that is prone to plaque progression, rupture, or erosion, using the received one or more patient-specific parameters; estimating, using one or more processors, the values of hemodynamic forces at one or more points on the patient-specific geometric model, using the patient-specific parameters and geometric model by measuring, deriving, or obtaining one or more of a pressure gradient and a radius gradient; and outputting the estimated values of hemodynamic forces to an electronic storage medium. Systems and computer readable media for executing these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and/or method involves a plurality of transducer elements that convert energy waves conveyed via a multi-directional radiation pattern into electrical charge. A power-accumulation circuit accumulates electrical charges from each of the plurality of transducer elements, with each of the transducer elements being arranged at different respective off-axis angles relative to an axis at which the energy is being conveyed. The power-accumulation circuit accumulates energy from each of the individual energy-transduction areas, such that energy received at different respective off-axis angles contributes to the accumulation of electrical charge.

Abstract: An attachment unit rotates in directions around a longitudinal axis with respect to an insertion main body when rotary drive force is transmitted from a drive force transmission unit provided to an insertion section, and allows propulsive force in one of directions parallel to the longitudinal axis to act on the insertion section by rotating in contact with a paries. The attachment unit includes a fin portion which is spirally extended along the longitudinal axis and whose dimension from the longitudinal axis to an outer peripheral end vary in accordance with how external force different from the propulsive force acts in the directions parallel to the longitudinal axis in a state that the attachment unit does not rotate with respect to the insertion main body.

Abstract: Embodiments may generally take the form of systems and techniques for reducing or eliminating crazing in anodized metal. In particular, one embodiment may take the form of a method for sealing an anodized metal member including placing the anodized metal member in a sealing bath having water. The sealing bath initially has a first temperature that is less than a sealing temperature. The method also includes continuously heating the sealing bath to the sealing temperature, maintaining the bath at the sealing temperature for a period of time, and removing the anodized metal member from the sealing bath after the period of time has lapsed.

Abstract: In a minimally invasive surgical system, an image capture unit includes a prism assembly and sensor assembly. The prism assembly includes a beam splitter, while the sensor assembly includes coplanar image capture sensors. Each of the coplanar image capture sensors has a common front end optical structure, e.g., the optical structure distal to the image capture unit is the same for each of the sensors. A controller enhances images acquired by the coplanar image capture sensors. The enhanced images may include (a) visible images with enhanced feature definition, in which a particular feature in the scene is emphasized to the operator of minimally invasive surgical system; (b) images having increased image apparent resolution; (c) images having increased dynamic range; (d) images displayed in a way based on a pixel color component vector having three or more color components; and (e) images having extended depth of field.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which includes a probe including a transducer installed to be rotatable, a driving device configured to rotate the transducer, at least one wire configured to transmit power of the driving device to the transducer, a handle case configured to accommodate the driving device therein, a cap coupled to the handle case to accommodate the transducer therein, and filled with oil, and a diaphragm formed of a deformable material and disposed between the cap and the handle case, wherein the wire is installed to pass through the diaphragm, and fixed to the diaphragm so that the diaphragm is deformed according to movement of the wire. Since the wire is fixedly installed to pass through the diaphragm and deformed according movement of the wire, oil in the cap is prevented from leaking to the handle case.