Abstract: Disclosed herein is a non-destructive inspection (NDI) apparatus. The NDI comprises a main body and a modulated-frequency ultrasonic source, coupled to the main body. The modulated-frequency ultrasonic source comprises a low-frequency ultrasonic source, selectively operable to emit a low-frequency ultrasonic beam having a first frequency. The modulated-frequency ultrasonic source also comprises a high-frequency ultrasonic source, selectively operable to emit a high-frequency ultrasonic beam having a second frequency higher than the first frequency. The modulated-frequency ultrasonic source is configured to mix the low-frequency ultrasonic beam and the high-frequency ultrasonic beam at least at a surface of a structure to be inspected.

Abstract: A three-axis gimbal and three-axis gimbal photographing apparatus are provided. The first electromechanical coupling apparatus of the three-axis gimbal includes a first hollow motor shaft. The first hollow motor shaft has a first accommodation cavity. A second electromechanical coupling apparatus includes a second hollow motor shaft. The second hollow motor shaft has a second accommodation cavity. A pitch axis arm includes a pitch axis accommodation cavity, A roll axis component includes a first conductive wire configured in the first accommodation cavity and the roll axis arm accommodation cavity. A pitch axis component includes a second conductive wire configured in the second accommodation cavity and the pitch axis arm accommodation cavity. The first conductive wire is connected to the second conductive wire.

Abstract: A fluid management system for use with an ultrasound probe assembly can include first and second conduits each configured to extend from and be fluidly connected to the ultrasound probe assembly. A fluid directing system can include a circulation pump fluidly connected to both the first and second conduits. A fluid degassing system can be fluidly connected to the first and second conduits. The fluid degassing system can be configured to remove at least some gas from the fluid in the ultrasound probe assembly. A temperature control system can be fluidly connected to the first and second conduits. The temperature control system can be configured to control the temperature of the fluid in the ultrasound probe assembly. A volume adjustment system can be fluidly connected to the first and second conduits. The volume adjustment system can be configured to adjust the volume of the fluid in the ultrasound probe assembly.

Abstract: A method of using a fluid monitoring assembly for measuring the flow rate of a fluid through a flexible conduit comprising a wall that defines a lumen through which the fluid passes. The assembly includes a housing having first and second portions each defining respective recessed interior portions that define a cavity that is configured to encapsulate and retain the flow sensor and the flexible tubing contained therein. The flow sensor may be removably secured around the outside of the flexible conduit and include one or more transducer/receiver pairs.

Abstract: A system for maintaining coherence of ultrasound waves emitted by multiple transducer arrays includes multiple retention arms, each for receiving one of the transducer arrays; a connecting frame for receiving and mechanically retaining the arms in fixed angular relation to each other; and a processor configured to determine relative locations of the transducer arrays with respect to one another and the connecting frame; determine a location of the connecting frame relative to an anatomic region of interest; determine a spatial arrangement of the transducer elements in each transducer array with respect to the anatomic region of interest; and adjust a transmission configuration of the transducer elements in the transducer arrays to achieve a desired focusing property with respect to the anatomic region of interest while maintaining coherence therebetween.

Abstract: An ultrasound device, including (i) an ultrasound transducer, and (ii) a coupling material in contact with the ultrasound transducer is presented. The coupling material can comprise a solid component and a liquid component, wherein the liquid component is absorbed within the solid component and forms a microscopic liquid layer on a surface of the solid component, through which acoustic energy from the ultrasound transducer can be conducted. The device can be mounted to an external body surface proximate to a portion of the lumen, allowing the device to measure the rate at which a component moves through the lumen. Also provided are methods for making the device and using the device to determine a physiological parameter based on at least the flow rate of a component through the lumen.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a storage and a control unit. The storage stores transmission/reception conditions for a first ultrasound probe among a plurality of ultrasound probes. Upon receipt of a second switching instruction to switch a second ultrasound probe to the first ultrasound probe after a first switching instruction to switch the first ultrasound probe to the second ultrasound probe, the control unit applies the transmission/reception conditions stored in the storage to the first ultrasound probe when the time between the first switching instruction and the second switching instruction is less than a predetermined time.

Abstract: A respiratory sensor system provides the ability to determine a respiration rate. The respiratory sensor system may include a respiratory sensor and a software solution, where the software solution determines respiration rate from the respiratory sensor (e.g., microphone) located on the bridge of the user's nose. The respiratory sensor may be placed on or near the nose, such as a microphone located in the nosepiece of a pair of glasses. Due to the placement of the microphone and the respiration detection system design, the wearer respiration rate can be determined reliably even with ambient noise and movement. This makes the respiration rate calculation accessible and reliable, both for everyday wear and for extreme situations such as sports.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of ultrasonic detection, and disclose an ultrasonic detection method, an ultrasonic detection system, and a related apparatus. The ultrasonic detection method includes: acquiring a reflected ultrasonic signal transmitted by an ultrasonic detector; generating an ultrasonic image in accordance with the reflected ultrasonic signal and displaying the ultrasonic image; acquiring information of a mark input by an operator based on the ultrasonic image; determining print information in accordance with the information of the mark; and transmitting the print information to the ultrasonic detector, causing the ultrasonic detector to add the mark on a surface of detected object in accordance with the print information. In the present disclosure, a target position of the detected object may be marked in the ultrasonic detection process.

Abstract: A sensing device can be placed within the colon to study bowel function. The sensing device can include a flexible printed circuit board that includes at least one senor configured to record data related to bowel activity from a patient's colon; and a wireless transmitter configured to send the data from the patient's colon to an external device. The sensing device can also include at least one mucosal clip configured to fix the sensor board to a wall of the patient's colon for a measurement period. The flexible printed circuit board and/or the at least one mucosal clip are configured to be passed from the patient's colon after the measurement period through normal defecation.

Abstract: A gas extraction device for a fluid delivery apparatus includes a first layer and a vent membrane coupled to the first layer. The vent membrane enables a gas to pass through the vent membrane and prevents a fluid from passing through the vent membrane. The gas extraction device also includes a second layer coupled to the vent membrane opposite the first layer. The second layer has a first channel formed therethrough. In addition, the gas extraction device includes an impermeable membrane coupled to the second layer opposite the vent membrane. The first channel is configured to receive a fluid having a gas dispersed therein. The fluid is pressurized to move the fluid through the first channel against the vent membrane and to move the gas through the vent membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic ultrasonic wave generating device. The present invention includes: a rotating motor; an ultrasonic wave generating unit being provided with a transducer generating ultrasonic waves; and a focus rotation movement unit moving the focus of the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generating unit in a circle on the same plane by receiving a transmission of rotational force of the rotating motor. The present invention enables: the focus of ultrasonic waves to be moved in the circle having a constant radius at a uniform depth under the skin; and energy to be applied uniformly and evenly within the movement radius, thereby enabling enhancement of therapeutic performance.

Abstract: A wearable patch (10) is disclosed comprising an ultrasound transducer (30) mounted on the patch and a fluid reservoir (50) for containing a coupling agent (60) for the ultrasound transducer, said fluid reservoir being delimited by a portion (20) of the patch and a seal ring (40) extending from the patch, said seal ring surrounding the ultrasound transducer and comprising a plurality of fluid conduits (43, 45) extending from the fluid reservoir at least partially through the seal ring. Also disclosed are a wearable patch kit, assembly and application method.

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 system adapted to assisting patients manage asthma includes a wearable sensor for detection of asthma symptoms and inhaler use, having a microphone capable of generating an electrical signal indicative of asthma symptoms or inhaler use; a processor with firmware adapted to process the electrical signal to determine potential asthma symptoms and inhaler use; and store the electrical signal in the memory when the electrical signal potentially corresponds asthma symptoms or inhaler use. In particular embodiments, the system includes an electronic asthma diary including detected asthma symptoms and detected inhaler usage, both with timestamps, and a prescribed treatment protocol. Protocol firmware processes detected asthma symptoms an inhaler usage recorded in the asthma diary to determine if asthma is controlled, and if asthma is not determined controlled determines if a treatment change is authorized; if treatment change is authorized the treatment change is displayed in human-readable form.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic transducer integrating at least one piezoelectric element having a first surface and a second surface, a potential electrode that is electrically connected to the second surface, a ground electrode that is electrically connected to the first surface, a switch electrically connected to both the potential electrode and the ground electrode, a timer configured to match a pulse emanating from a radio-frequency emitter, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are electrically connected through an impedance when the switch is in an active state, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are not electrically connected when the switch is in an inactive state; and a housing accommodating the at least one piezoelectric element, potential electrode, ground electrode, and switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to non-invasively measure instantaneous blood pressure using pulse wave velocity are disclosed. A measurement component is affixed to a patient proximate to a blood vessel. One or more sensors, such as an ultrasound sensor, is included in the measurement component. The measurement component substantially simultaneously measures the pulse wave velocity of the vessel and the instantaneous blood velocity within the vessel. The measurement component computes the instantaneous blood pressure of the vessel using, for example, the water hammer equation. The one or more sensors may be contained in a disposable patch or collocated with another sensor, such as a patient-monitor sensor, or the like.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a substrate in which an opening is formed; a vibration plate that is provided on the substrate so as to block the opening; and a piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode that are stacked on an opposite side of the opening of the vibration plate, in which when a direction in which the first electrode, the piezoelectric layer, and the second electrode are stacked is a Z direction, and a portion that is completely overlapped by the first electrode, the piezoelectric layer, and the second electrode in the Z direction is an active portion, a plurality of active portions are provided so as to face the each opening, and a columnar member is provided between the adjacent active portions.

Abstract: An integrated circuit die (1) is disclosed that comprises a substrate (30) defining a plurality of circuit elements; a sensor region (10) on the substrate, the sensor region comprising a layer stack defining a plurality of CMUT (capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer) cells (11); and an interposer region (60) on the substrate adjacent to the sensor region. The interposer region comprises a further layer stack including conductive connections to the circuit elements and the CMUT cells, the conductive connections connected to a plurality of conductive contact regions on an upper surface of the interposer region, the conductive contact regions including external contacts (61) for contacting the integrated circuit die to a connection cable (410) and mounting pads (65) for mounting a passive component (320) on the upper surface. A probe including such an integrated circuit die an ultrasound system including such a probe are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device includes a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array configured to emit ultrasound to target tissue, and at least one thermoelectric cooler mechanically coupled with the CMUT array and configured to cool non-target tissue heated by the ultrasound. The medical device may be implemented in a catheter together with a solid thermal conductor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler and extending along the catheter, to conduct heat away from the thermoelectric cooler. A catheter or catheter sleeve includes a tubular wall for insertion into a body channel, and at least one thermoelectric cooler coupled to the tubular wall for cooling the body channel wall. A catheter sleeve includes tubular casing for insertion into a body channel and capable of encasing a catheter, and at least one sensor coupled to the tubular casing for sensing one or more properties of the body channel wall, such as temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe for heating, internally, an ultrasonically absorbent target medium, the probe comprising: at least one piezoelectric transducer (21) having a front face (212) intended to be positioned facing the target medium and a back face (211) opposite the front face (212), the transducer being able to emit at least one primary wave emanating from its front face and at least one secondary wave emanating from its back face, the probe being noteworthy in that it furthermore comprises: a reflector (24) facing the back face (211) of the transducer (21), the reflector (24) being suitable for reflecting the secondary wave emitted by the transducer (21); and a cooling-fluid layer (25) between the transducer (21) and the reflector (24).

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging and therapy with the same array of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers is provided. The electronics includes a per-pixel switch for each transducer element. The switches provide an imaging mode driven completely by on-chip electronics and a therapy mode where off-chip pulsers provide relatively high voltages to the transducer elements.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus is shown. The apparatus includes an ultrasound probe and a hinge. The ultrasound probe transmits and receives ultrasound. The hinge connects a first housing and a lower edge portion of a second housing including a display panel so that the second housing is overlapped on the first housing to fold the portable ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus. The hinge is provided on an upper face of the first housing in a near side than a center. The second housing is rotated to a far side of the first housing with a horizontal axis of the hinge as a supporting axis to fold the portable ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device that includes a phased array ultrasound transducer. The transducer includes a number of transducer elements that are electrically coupled to corresponding electrical conductors. In one embodiment, the conductors are included in a flex circuit and engage corresponding transducer elements though a conductive surface formed on outwardly extending ribs of a frame that holds the ultrasound array. In one embodiment, the phased array is forward facing in the medical device and has an element pitch of 0.75 lambda or less and more preferably 0.6 lambda or less. In one embodiment, the transducer is rotatable over an angle of +/?90 degrees to provide a 360 degree view of tissue surrounding the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A probe cap for use with an ultrasound probe including a head portion and an acoustic surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe cap includes a body that defines a cavity sized for releasably receiving the head portion of the probe therein. The probe cap body further defines a hole that is proximate the acoustic surface of the head portion. A compliant spacer component is disposed in the hole. The spacer component can include a hydrogel and provides an acoustic path between the acoustic surface and a tissue surface of a patient. The spacer component includes a skin contact surface that defines a concavity and is deformable against the tissue surface.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical apparatus including a first signal generator outputting a drive signal at a predetermined voltage and frequency, a first oscillating structure receiving the drive signal and oscillating at the frequency of the drive signal, and a bridge circuit, detecting the mechanical motion of the first oscillating structure and outputting a signal representative of the mechanical motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric element manufacturing method. The manufacturing method is a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric element comprising a piezoelectric body composite in which a piezoelectric body configured from a Pb-based piezoelectric material and a resin are alternately arranged, and comprises a step of etching, using an etching liquid, a plurality of parallel piezoelectric body segments formed by dicing. The etching liquid comprises a liquid which contains 0.1 to 20 mass % of hexafluorosilicic acid.

Abstract: This application presents a system and related methods that analyze a volume of tissue using ultrasound waveform tomography imaging. By using frequency-domain waveform tomography techniques and a gradient descent algorithm, the system can reconstruct the sound speed distributions of a volume of tissue, such as breast tissue, of varying densities with different types of lesions. By allowing sound speed to have an imaginary component that characterizes sound attenuation, the system can classify the different types of lesions with a fine granularity.

Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, particularly a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a tip chamber, within which is an ultrasound transducer mounted on a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and an implement for pivoting the transducer. Examples of such an implement are a linear motor, a shaft or filament, and the pivot mechanism may be biased to return to a base position when the implement is not pivoting the transducer. In other embodiments, a mirror reflecting ultrasound signals from the transducer may be rotated and/or pivoted, using similar mechanisms.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing transcranial diagnostic procedures using a transcranial ultrasound transducer array. The array elements are positioned and oriented such that far field regions respectively associated therewith spatially overlap within the brain of a patient. The array elements may be oriented approximately normal to the skull, permitting efficient coupling of ultrasound energy into the brain. The array elements are controlled to generate ultrasound pulses, where the timing of the pulses is controlled, based on registration between the array elements and volumetric image data, such that ultrasound energy is focused at a target within spatially overlapping far fields of the array elements. The transcranial ultrasound transducer array elements may be positioned and oriented relative to the skull such that their respective ultrasound beams are focused within the skull and diverging with the brain.

Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A method for detecting a short circuit in a surgical system configured to apply radio frequency energy and ultrasonic energy to a target surgical site that includes delivering radio frequency (RF) energy to an electrode of a surgical instrument, transitioning from delivering the RF energy to delivering ultrasonic energy to an ultrasonic blade of the surgical instrument, delivering an exploratory ultrasonic pulse to the ultrasonic blade, measuring an ultrasonic property of tissue engaged by the surgical instrument, wherein the ultrasonic property is associated with the exploratory ultrasonic pulse, determining whether the measured ultrasonic property is consistent with a behavior of low impedance tissue, and delivering ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade to cut the tissue upon determining that the measured ultrasonic property is consistent with ultrasonic energy being applied to low impedance tissue.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging apparatus and method for veterinary applications. An ultrasound probe obtains ultrasound frame data which is compressed prior to wireless communication to a data processing unit. The data processing unit decompresses the ultrasound frame data and uses it to generate ultrasound images. The transmit bandwidth or transmit buffer size are monitored and the scan rate is reduced if required to maintain low latency. The apparatus generates images with lower latency and greater tolerance of variations in wireless data transfer bandwidth than where images are generated by an ultrasound probe and transmitted wirelessly to a remote display. A regularly updated image can be displayed even if image quality may be temporarily reduced.

Abstract: A curving section is always disposed in a projection plane of a probe main body section. The curving section includes a first bending surface which bends relative to a peripheral surface of the probe main body section to approach a longitudinal axis, thereby intersecting the longitudinal axis; a second bending surface which bends relative to the first bending surface toward a bending direction of the first bending surface and a direction away from the longitudinal axis; a third bending surface which bends relative to the second bending surface toward a direction to approach the longitudinal axis on a side reverse to the bending direction of the first bending surface, and extends toward an extension line of the first bending surface.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus connected with at least one wired ultrasound probe and at least one wireless ultrasound probe. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: at least one wired ultrasound probe connected via wire to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus; at least one wireless ultrasound probe connected to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus by using wireless communication; a wireless communication module configured to receive a pairing reception signal from the at least one wireless ultrasound probe to thereby be connected with the at least one wireless ultrasound probe by using a wireless communication method and to transmit and receive a beamforming control signal and ultrasound image data to and from each of the at least one wireless ultrasound probe; and a controller configured to detect an ultrasound probe being used by a user, and activate the detected ultrasound probe.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to intravascular imaging devices having a low reverberation housing and associated systems and methods. In some particular embodiments, the devices of the present disclosure include a transducer housing having a trough on the backside of the ultrasound transducer to deflect ultrasound signals away from the ultrasound transducer. For example, in some implementations an intravascular imaging device is provided that includes a catheter body; a drive cable extending through a lumen of the catheter body; a housing coupled to a distal section of the drive cable; and an ultrasound transducer mounted within the housing, wherein the housing includes a trough on a backside of the ultrasound transducer, the trough shaped to deflect ultrasound signals away from the ultrasound transducer. Methods of making such devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Active auscultation may be used to determine organ (e.g., lung or heart) characteristics of users. An acoustic or piezo-electric signal (e.g., a pulse, a tone, and/or a broadband pulse) may be projected into an animal (typically human) body or thorax. The signal interacts with the body, or lungs, and in some cases may induce resonance within the body/lungs. A resultant signal may be emitted from the body which may be analyzed to determine, for example, a lung's resonant frequency or frequencies and/or how the sound is otherwise absorbed, reflected, or modified by the body. This information may be indicative of lung characteristics such as lung capacity, a volume of air trapped in the lungs, and/or the presence of COPD.

Abstract: An image pickup module includes a stacked element in which an external electrode is disposed on a rear surface, a first wiring board where a front electrode connected to the external electrode by an interconnecting bonding section and a first electrode are disposed, and a first signal cable connected to the first electrode by a cable bonding section, in which the first wiring board is flexible and includes a bent section in a space defined by extending a first region out of the first region and a second region obtained by dividing the rear surface into two regions in an optical axis direction, and a length of the first wiring board from the interconnecting bonding section to the cable bonding section is longer than a length of the stacked element from the interconnecting bonding section to an end side in the first region.

Abstract: A system and method to help maintain quality control and reduce cannibalization of accessories and attached probes in a highly sensitive patient monitor, such as a pulse oximetry system. One or more attached components may have information elements designed to designate what quality control mechanisms a patient monitor should look to find on that or another component or designate other components with which the one component may properly work. In a further embodiment, such information elements may also include data indicating the appropriate life of the component.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound imaging apparatus and method of generating an ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes: a memory configured to store instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the stored instructions to: generate, based on echo signals reflected from an object, a first image showing a tissue of the object and a second image showing a contrast medium injected into the object; generate a third image by removing at least a portion of the tissue from the second image based on the first image; and display the generated third image.

Abstract: An interstitial ultrasound thermal ablation applicator for conformal treatment of an inhomogeneous tumor lesion includes: a body having a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of array transducers mounted on the body, arranged side by side and having azimuth directions parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and having outer faces disposed in a polygonal arrangement; the plurality of array transducers having predetermined elevation dimensions defined for directing emitted ultrasonic energy to obtain a conformal volume treatment of the tumor lesions. An electronic driving method for driving an applicator having multiple independent transducer elements arranged in rows and columns includes: controlling focal parameters of each row and column of transducer elements; and controlling a contribution of each row and column of transducer elements in a manner to provide a conformal ablated volume.

Abstract: A system for intelligent acoustic monitoring. The system includes a microphone to capture environmental acoustic data and a processor coupled to the microphone. The processor is configured to receive and perform acoustic analysis on the captured acoustic data to generate an acoustic signature, based on a result of the acoustic analysis, identify an event indicated by the acoustic signature, and perform a remedial action based on the identified event.

Abstract: An ultrasound microbeamformer for one or more transducer arrays includes a plurality of channels, each of which has two transmitters and a receiver which is selectively coupled to two or more transducer elements by T/R switches and dynamically switchable receive switches (RXSW). The transmitters enable different transducers to be actuated differently, such as transmitting a high frequency pulse or waveform with one transmitter and a low frequency pulse or waveform with the other transmitter. The transmitters may both be used during the same transmit-receive cycle to simultaneously transmit and receive both high and low frequency signals for the formation of a common image.

Abstract: Battery-powered ultrasound scanner for veterinary applications, and operating method. Ultrasound measurements are processed to determine if an ultrasound probe is not being moved and, if it is not being moved, the average rate at which ultrasound pulses is generated, thereby reducing power consumption. The average rate at which ultrasound pulses are generated is reduced step-wise if non-movement persist but increase rapidly when movement recommences.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: a transparent member comprising a transparent material; a display panel disposed under the transparent member; a shock absorption sheet disposed under the display panel, and having an opening formed in a region thereof; a biological sensor disposed to face the display panel, and disposed in at least a portion of the opening; a filler material filling at least some space in the opening formed between the biological sensor and the display panel; and a seal disposed between the biological sensor and the shock absorption member and configured to prevent the filler from being discharged outside the opening.

Abstract: A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate physical apertures of ultrasound arrays. The probe can include separate backing plates configured to secure the ultrasound arrays in predetermined positions and orientations relative to one another. Some embodiments of the probe include flex circuit connected to the ultrasound arrays. In additional embodiments, a flex/PC board comprising flex connectors and an array of terminals is connected to the ultrasound arrays. Algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the probe apparatus to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.

Abstract: A sterile needle guide system for directing needle entry during a medical procedure includes a needle guide plate extending in a plane and having a plurality tubular needle guides extending through the plate at an normal angle to the plane of the plate. A movable base translatable along an axis normal to the plane of the plate defines features to removably receiving the plate. A calibrator attachment is removably securable to the needle guide plate and enables attachment of the needle guide plate to the base and calibration of the needle guide position in a sterile manner. In embodiments, the movable base includes a base body, a rail component over which the base body is movably coupled, and a ratchet mechanism for releasably securing the base body to the rail component. The disclosed needle guide system enables the needle guide plate to be positioned directly adjacent to the patient's perennial to reduce the curvature of deflection of the needle upon entry into the patient's body during the biopsy procedure.

Abstract: A device includes a memory configured to store image data and an image coding unit. The image coding unit is configured to determine an indication of a last-non-zero (LNZ) syntax element for a block of image data and determine contexts for coding a coefficient map value for each coefficient of a plurality of coefficients of the block using the LNZ syntax element. The image coding unit is further configured to context-based code the coefficient map value for each of the plurality of coefficients in parallel using the respective contexts.

Abstract: The present invention provides fixation devices, locking assemblies, and methods for using the same. The fixation devices of the invention are capable of accurate insertion of medical devices by providing detection means of a patient's internal anatomy and localizing a desired target. The devices are capable of locking into position to maintain accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods of transmitting heat out a medical imaging device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a medical imaging device includes a housing having electronics and a heat sink. The heat sink is positioned near a first end of the housing, a groove that is configured to receive at least a portion of an operator's hand is positioned at a second end of the housing. A heat pipe in the housing extends from the electronics toward the first end of the housing and is configured to transfer heat produced by the electronics toward the heat sink and away from the groove.

Abstract: A system and method for an aircraft includes a probe, first and second current sensors, and a control circuit. The probe includes a heater that includes a resistive heating element routed through the probe, wherein an operational current is provided to the resistive heating element to provide heating for the probe. The first current sensor is configured to sense a first current through the resistive heating element, and the second current sensor is configured to sense a second current through the resistive heating element. The control circuit is configured to determine a leakage current based on the first and second currents and determine a remaining useful life the probe based on the leakage current over time.