A convertible patient support apparatus includes a patient support bed and a removable patient contact disposed in a hole in the patient support bed. The hole is defined by a support frame. A static membrane is attached to the support frame. One of a plurality of removable patient contacts can be removably attached to the support frame to convert the convertible patient support apparatus based on the patient and/or therapy.

The invention relates ultrasound assistance device (20), an ultrasound device including such ultrasound assistance device, a medical system (100) including the same and a corresponding method as well as to a corresponding software product. According to the present invention, a segmentation of first image data (e.g. MRI data) and deformation information is obtained, while the deformation information may be obtained explicitly or implicitly (e.g. from general information of the equipment used and/or from the first image data/the segmentation of the first image data). Such deformation information is used for adjustment (e.g. automatic adjustment or guided adjustment including feedback to a user) for an adjustable ultrasound probe (30, 30′), while the ultrasound image acquired by such adjusted ultrasound probe is then segmented using the segmentation of the first image data.

Methods and systems are described for producing non-invasive and targeted neuronal lesions using magnetic resonance and acoustic energy. Imaging data corresponding to a region of interest is obtained, the region of interest within an imaging subject. Information indicative of a target region within the region of interest is received from the obtained imaging data. Focused acoustic energy directed to the target region within the region of interest is generated to disrupt a barrier between a therapeutic agent and parenchymal tissue in response to insonification by the focused acoustic energy, the therapeutic agent comprising a neurotoxin and microbubbles.

A system for estimating a distance between vehicles may include an oscillator, a transmitter, a receiver, a summing circuit, a signal analyzer, a tunable phase shifter, a distance estimator, and/or a vehicle identifier. The oscillator may generate a generated oscillating signal, transmitted by the transmitter. The receiver may receive a processed signal derived by a system of a second vehicle. The summing circuit may add the generated oscillating signal to the received signal to produce the updated oscillating signal. The signal analyzer may detect a spike in amplitude associated with the updated oscillating signal. The tunable phase shifter may shift a phase of the generated oscillating signal by an incremental phase shift amount until a spike in amplitude is detected. The distance estimator may estimate the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on a total phase shift amount and the predetermined wavelength.

Disclosed herein are example embodiments of devices, systems, and methods for mechanical fractionation of biological tissue using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) feedback control. The examples may involve displaying an image representing first MRI data corresponding to biological tissue, and receiving input identifying one or more target regions of the biological tissue to be mechanically fractionated via exposure to first ultrasound waves. The examples may further involve applying the first ultrasound waves and, contemporaneous to or after applying the first ultrasound waves, acquiring second MRI data corresponding to the biological tissue. The examples may also involve determining, based on the second MRI data, one or more second parameters for applying second ultrasound waves to the biological tissue, and applying the second ultrasound waves to the biological tissue according to the one or more second parameters.

Methods for measuring mechanical properties of an object or subject under examination with an ultrasound system and using unfocused ultrasound energy are provided. Shear waves that propagate in the object or subject are produced by applying unfocused ultrasound energy to the object or subject, and measurement data is acquired by applying focused or unfocused ultrasound energy to at least one location in the object or subject at which shear waves are present Mechanical properties are then calculated from the acquired measurement data.

An imaging apparatus has an MRT system with an MR receiving antenna configured to receive a first receive signal containing an MR signal from an object to be examined during an examination period. The imaging apparatus includes a modality for examining the object and/or for acting on the object via mechanical or electromagnetic waves, wherein the modality has an electronic circuit. The imaging apparatus includes an auxiliary antenna arranged and configured to receive a second receive signal containing an interference signal generated by the electronic circuit during the examination period. The imaging apparatus has a processing system configured to suppress interference in the first receive signal based on the first and the second receive signal.

A wearable, open and adjustable MRI head coil system having an assembly of support members, panels, or portions defining one or more access openings. The support members, panels, or portions can support, house, or otherwise include radiofrequency receiver antennae or imaging coils such that the assembly is positionable or wearable by a patient for MRI scanning. The radiofrequency receiver antennae or imaging coils, and other devices can be simultaneously in contact with a patient's head, thereby enabling use during diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical or other interventional procedures.

The invention provides methods for diagnosing coronary heart disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an admixture comprising CO2 to a subject to reach a predetermined PaCO2 in the subject to induce hyperemia, monitoring vascular reactivity in the subject and diagnosing the presence or absence of coronary heart disease in the subject, wherein decreased vascular reactivity in the subject compared to a control subject is indicative of coronary heart disease. The invention also provides methods for increasing sensitivity and specificity of BOLD MRI.

A shimming system for magnetic resonance imaging is provided, which includes: a multi-channel local shim coil unit configured to be installed on an inspection table of a magnetic resonance imaging system, where the multi-channel local shim coil unit includes a local multi-channel shim coil and a radio frequency receiving coil for receiving magnetic resonance signals, and the radio frequency receiving coil is placed inside the local multi-channel shim coil and separated by a distance from the local multi-channel shim coil; a computer control system configured to install and set software controlled by a DC power and calculate field maps and calculate optimization processes; a DC power system communicatively connected to the computer control system to control a value of current of each channel; and a housing having a semi-cylindrical configuration, where the local multi-channel shim coil is only distributed on a semi-cylindrical surface of the semi-cylindrical configuration of the housing.