A catheter-based ultrasound imaging system configured to provide a full circumferential 360-degree view around an intra-vascular/intra-cardiac imaging-catheter-head by generating a three-dimensional view of the tissue surrounding the imaging-head over time. The ultrasound imaging system can also provide tissue-state mapping capability. The evaluation of the vasculature and tissue characteristics include path and depth of lesions during cardiac-interventions such as ablation. The ultrasound imaging system comprises a catheter with a static or rotating sensor array tip supporting continuous circumferential rotation around its axis, connected to an ultrasound module and respective processing machinery allowing ultrafast imaging and a rotary motor that translates radial movements around a longitudinal catheter axis through a rotary torque transmitting part to rotate the sensor array-tip. This allows the capture and reconstruction of information of the vasculature including tissue structure around the catheter tip for generation of the three-dimensional view over time.

A controller for an implantable blood pump including processing circuitry configured to operate the implantable blood pump and a piezoelectric element in communication with the implantable blood pump.

A surgical instrument includes a pressure sensitive element that contacts a patient's tissue during surgery. The pressure sensitive element sends a signal to a computer processor that compares the signal to a known pressure being applied to the surgical instrument to calculate the rigidity of the tissue. The processor then delivers that information to the operating surgeon. The rigidity of the tissue may correspond to an audible tone, visual indicator or tactile feedback.

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods to detect a moving anatomic feature during a treatment sequence based on a computed and/or a measured shortest distance between the anatomic feature and at least a portion of an imaging system.

A method for sensing at least one property with an instrument, wherein the instrument comprises an elongate shaft body; the method comprising the steps of: securing a sensor film conformally to the elongate shaft body, the sensor film comprising: at least one substrate core having a first surface and a second surface; at least one sensing element; a first conductive layer residing on the first surface, the first conductive layer having first solder mask coated thereon, and wherein the first conductive layer is grounded; a second conductive layer residing on the second surface, the second conductive layer having a second solder mask coated thereon, and coupled to the at least one sensing element; causing the at least one sensing element to measure at least one property and output a sensed signal and to convey the sensed signal via the second conductive layer to an electronics module.

A sensor film comprising: a substrate core having a first surface and a second surface; at least one sensing element for sensing at least one property; a first conductive layer residing on the first surface, the first conductive layer having first solder mask coated thereon, and wherein the first conductive layer is grounded; and a second conductive layer residing on the second surface, the second conductive layer having a second solder mask coated thereon, and coupled to the at least one sensing element.

Medical apparatus includes one or more magnetic field generators, which are configured to generate magnetic fields within a body of a patient. An invasive probe includes an insertion tube having a distal end, which is configured for insertion into the body, and a plurality of flexible splines configured to be deployed from the distal end of the insertion tube. Each spline includes a flexible, multilayer circuit board and a conductive trace that is formed in at least one layer of the circuit board and is configured to define one or more coils, which are disposed along a length of the spline and output electrical signals in response to the magnetic fields. A processor is coupled to receive and process the electrical signals output by the coils in order to derive respective positions of the flexible splines in the body.

An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.

A surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly with a housing having a conduit section and a base portion. A fluid passageway is defined through the conduit and base portion, an ultrasonic transducer including a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a stack configuration, where an electrode is located between each pair of piezoelectric elements. A first borehole is defined through the ultrasonic transducer and an end mass having a second borehole defined therethrough. A surface of the end mass is positioned adjacent a first end of the ultrasonic transducer, the end mass is configured to engage with the housing, and the conduit section of the housing is configured to pass through the second borehole of the end mass. The end mass is configured to compress the ultrasonic transducer against a surface of the housing when the end mass is engaged with the housing.

A vertebral assist device for monitoring, supporting, stabilizing, and adjusting vertebrae. An embodiment of the vertebral assist device includes: a plurality of vertebral support sections, each of the plurality of vertebral support sections configured to support a respective vertebra of a patient; an actuating system for interconnecting each adjacent pair of the plurality of vertebral support sections, the actuating system dynamically controlling an alignment of the plurality of vertebral support sections; and a control system for actively monitoring the alignment of the plurality of vertebral support sections and for directing the actuating system to dynamically adjust the alignment of the plurality of vertebral support sections until an alignment goal is achieved.