Even when an insertion object is inserted to a deep position of a subject or even when the insertion object is inserted into the subject at an angle close to a right angle, it is possible to confirm the position of the insertion object in a photoacoustic image. The insertion object is, for example, a hollow puncture needle 15 that includes an opening at a tip thereof. The puncture needle 15 includes a light guide member 152 that guides light emitted from a first light source to the vicinity of the opening, and a light emitting portion 153 that is provided in the vicinity of the opening and emits the light. First photoacoustic waves, which are caused by the light emitted from the light emitting portion 153, are generated in the puncture needle 15. A first photoacoustic image is generated on the basis of the first photoacoustic waves.

A torque coil 10 includes an inner wire layer 14 helically wound in a constricted state. An outer wire layer 18 is helically wound over the inner wire layer in a constricted state. An outer polymer cover 20 surrounds the inner and outer layers thereby securing the inner and outer layers within the outer polymer cover.

A sensor (10) comprises a waveguide (20) having a longitudinal axis and an end face (21), the waveguide (20) comprising a Bragg grating (23). The sensor comprises at least one reflector (24) on the end face (21) of the waveguide (20). An optical resonator (25) is formed by the Bragg grating (23), the at least one reflector (24), and an inner portion of the optical resonator (25) between the Bragg grating (23) and the at least one reflector (24). The inner portion of the optical resonator (25) extends within a portion of the waveguide (20). The sensor (10) comprises a detector (32) configured to detect at least one spectral characteristic of the optical resonator (25) or a change of at least one spectral characteristic of the optical resonator (25).

Systems and methods for controlled sympathectomy procedures for neuromodulation are disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. A guidewire including one or more sensors or electrodes for accessing and recording physiologic information from one or more anatomical sites within the parenchyma of an organ as part of a physiologic monitoring session, a diagnostic test, or a neuromodulation procedure is disclosed. A guidewire including one or more sensors and/or a means for energy delivery, for performing a neuromodulation procedure within a small vessel within a body is disclosed.

A trackable guidewire apparatus and method for use are described. Longitudinally spaced proximal and distal guidewire ends are separated by a guidewire body. A plurality of longitudinally spaced position sensors are configured to provide signals corresponding to a three-dimensional position of at least one position sensor in a coordinate system of an associated tracking system in response to an electromagnetic field/stimulus. At least one retention mechanism is provided for maintaining the medical device in a predetermined retention position longitudinally along the guidewire body. At least one stop structure is provided in a predetermined stop position longitudinally along the guidewire body.

A blood measurement device having high bending rigidity and having excellent propulsion properties and rotational force transmission properties in a blood vessel. A blood measurement device has a tubular shaft having flexibility, a tubular connection portion positioned coaxially with the distal end of the shaft and having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the shaft, a slit communicating the inside and the outside of the connection portion, a tubular tip guide portion having flexibility coaxially connected to the distal end of the connection portion, a core material having flexibility fitted into the connection portion and extending to the distal end in the internal space of the tip guide portion to be connected to the tip guide portion, a measurement element positioned in the internal space of the tip guide portion and measuring the physical quantity of blood, and a signal wire which is extended from the measurement element to be inserted into and passed through the internal space of the shaft through the slit.

The invention relates to a measurement device 1 comprising a rotatable magnetic object 4 which can oscillate with a resonant frequency if excited by an external magnetic torque. The measurement device 1 is adapted such that the resonant frequency depends on the temperature or on another physical or chemical quantity like pressure, in order to allow for a wireless temperature measurement or measurement of the other physical or chemical quantity via an external magnetic field providing the external magnetic torque. This measurement device can be relatively small, can be read-out over a relatively larger distance and allows for a very accurate measurement.

Even when an insertion object is inserted to a deep position of a subject or even when the insertion object is inserted into the subject at an angle close to a right angle, it is possible to confirm the position of the insertion object in a photoacoustic image. The insertion object is, for example, a hollow puncture needle 15 that includes an opening at a tip thereof. The puncture needle 15 includes a light guide member 152 that guides light emitted from a first light source to the vicinity of the opening, and a light emitting portion 153 that is provided in the vicinity of the opening and emits the light. First photoacoustic waves, which are caused by the light emitted from the light emitting portion 153, are generated in the puncture needle 15. A first photoacoustic image is generated on the basis of the first photoacoustic waves.

The heart valve assessment systems described herein advantageously provide indicators of a heart valve condition, such as a pressure gradient or a valve regurgitation index. The heart valve assessment systems can provide indicators of a heart valve condition during a heart procedure. A pressure gradient indicates a severity or measurement of the narrowing (or stenosis) of a valve by the increase in pressure behind it. A valve regurgitation index indicates a leakiness measurement of a valve.

A wireless intraluminal device (102) and an associated system for treating and diagnosing patients are provided. In one embodiment, the wireless intraluminal device (102) includes a flexible elongate member (158) including a proximal portion (106) and a distal portion (108); a sensor assembly (116) coupled to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; a cable (117) coupled to the sensor assembly and extending along the flexible elongate member; and a wireless transceiver (252) positioned within the flexible elongate member, wherein the wireless transceiver is in communication with the sensor assembly via the cable. A wireless communication component (104) wirelessly transmits a sensor measurement collected by the sensor assembly to a sensor measurement processing system (132) via a wireless link (150) for physiological data generation at the sensor measurement processing system.