The invention generally relates to medical imaging systems that instantly and/or automatically detect borders. Embodiments of the invention provide an imaging system that automatically detects a border at a location within a vessel in response only to navigational input moving the image to that location. In some embodiments, systems and methods of the invention operate such that when a doctor moves an imaging catheter to a new location with in tissue, the system essentially instantly finds, and optionally displays, the border(s), calculates an occlusion, or both.

A method for characterizing an anisotropic soft medium (C) including fibers and having an outer surface (1), by observing in different propagation directions, the propagation of a divergent shear wave from a central area (10) in the anisotropic soft medium. A propagation parameter of the shear wave is inferred therefrom in each of the propagation directions, and then a direction of the fibers of the anisotropic soft medium, a rheological elasticity parameter are determined in a direction perpendicular to the fibers and a rheological elasticity parameter in the direction of the fibers.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for confidence mapping of shear wave measurements are disclosed. Confidence maps of shear wave image measurements may be generated from one or more confidence factors. Masking of graphical overlays of tissue stiffness values, based at least in part on the confidence map is disclosed. The confidence map and/or masked graphical overlays of tissue stiffness values may be superimposed on ultrasound images and provided on a display.

Disclosed are access devices that can be used to safely guide instruments, such as EP ablation catheters, to a therapy site such one within the pericardial space of the heart. The access devices include integrated visualization, illumination, stabilization, and safety features in a single platform that can, for example, more safely and efficiently identify and ablate several ventricular tachycardia (VT) locations on the left ventricle of the heart.

Methods and systems for measuring one or more properties of a soft material employ air transmitted ultrasound that is reflected from the soft material to generate a mechanical wave in the soft material. A method of measuring one or more properties of a soft material includes transmitting ultrasound through air to an interface boundary between the soft material and air. Force is applied to the soft material by reflecting the ultrasound from the soft material. A mechanical wave is generated in the soft material as a result of the force applied to the soft material. Propagation of the mechanical wave in the soft material is measured with an imaging system. One or more properties of the soft material is determined based on the measured propagation of the mechanical wave in the soft material.

An ultrasound signal processing device includes a transmitter that causes transducers to transmit an ultrasound beam, a receiver that, based on reflected waves received by reception transducers, generates reception signal sequences corresponding to the reception transducers, and a delay-and-sum section that, for a reference observation point in a region of interest, calculates delay times of reflected wave arrival to each of the reception transducers from the reference observation point as reference delay times and generates acoustic line signals by using the reference delay times corresponding to the reception transducers. For one or more dependent observation points in the region of interest that are contiguous in a depth direction from the reference observation point, the delay-and-sum section generates acoustic line signals by applying the reference delay times corresponding to the reception transducers.

The embodiments herein provide a system for calibration-free cuff-less evaluation of blood pressure. The system includes an ultrasound-based arterial compliance probes and a controller unit connected to the said probe. The ultrasound transducers are configured to measure the change in arterial dimensions, pulse wave velocity, and other character traits of an arterial segment over continuous cardiac cycle, which is then used to evaluate blood pressure parameters without any calibration procedure using dedicated mathematical models. The pressure sensor/force sensor/bio-potential transducers/accelerometric sensors are configured to measure a pressure acting on a skin surface at a measurement site, an internal arterial transmural pressure level, an applied pressure or a hold-down pressure on the skin surface or an arterial site, biopotential and/or plethysmograph signal, arterial vibrations acting on the measurement site as a function of the arterial pressure and the mechanical characteristics and/or a function of the applied/hold-down pressure and/or function of external factors.

The present technology relates generally to devices and methods for intravascular evaluation of blood vessels. Many embodiments of the technology relate to the intravascular evaluation of blood vessels before, during and after creation of autologous valves. In one embodiment, for example, the present technology is directed to a method comprising intravascularly delivering a delivery catheter to a target location adjacent a vessel wall and engaging the vessel wall along a portion of the delivery catheter. The method can further include determining the location of a first circumferential periphery of a dissection pouch formed within the vessel wall, determining the location of a second circumferential periphery of the dissection pouch, and determining an angular width of the dissection pouch based on the location of the first circumferential periphery and the second circumferential periphery.

A method and system for noninvasive face lifts and deep tissue tightening are disclosed. An exemplary method and treatment system are configured for the imaging, monitoring, and thermal injury to treat the SMAS region. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary method and system are configured for treating the SMAS region by first, imaging of the region of interest for localization of the treatment area and surrounding structures, second, delivery of ultrasound energy at a depth, distribution, timing, and energy level to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, and third to monitor the treatment area before, during, and after therapy to plan and assess the results and/or provide feedback.

The invention generally relates to medical imaging systems that instantly and/or automatically detect borders. Embodiments of the invention provide an imaging system that automatically detects a border at a location within a vessel in response only to navigational input moving the image to that location. In some embodiments, systems and methods of the invention operate such that when a doctor moves an imaging catheter to a new location with in tissue, the system essentially instantly finds, and optionally displays, the border(s), calculates an occlusion, or both.