System (10) for determining a position of an interventional device (11) respective an image plane (12) defined by an ultrasound imaging probe (13). The position is determined based on ultrasound signals transmitted between the ultrasound imaging probe (13) and an ultrasound transducer (15) attached to the interventional device (11). An image reconstruction unit (IRU) provides a reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI). A position determination unit (PDU) computes a position (LAP.sub.TOFSmax, θIPA) of the ultrasound transducer (15) respective the image plane (12). The position determination unit (PDU) indicates the computed position (LAP.sub.TOFSmax, θIPA) in the reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI). The position determination unit (PDU) suppresses the indication of the computed position (LAP.sub.TOFSmax, θIPA) under specified conditions relating to the computed position (LAP.sub.TOFSmax, θIPA) and the ultrasound signals.

An interventional device includes an elongate shaft (101) with a longitudinal axis (A-A′), and an ultrasound detector (102). The ultrasound detector (102) comprises a PVDF homopolymer foil strip (103). The foil strip (103) is wrapped around the longitudinal axis (A-A′) of the elongate shaft (101) to provide a band having an axial length (L) along the longitudinal axis (A-A′). The axial length (L) is in the range 80-120 microns.

A system and method for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease by using an implantation tool to implant a stimulation electrode in a lower esophageal sphincter for stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

An interventional device includes a sensor interconnection region (101) for making electrical contact to a sensor (102) disposed on the interventional device. The interventional device includes an electrically conductive elongate shaft, a sensor strip (104), electrical conductors (105, 106), and an electrical shield layer (109). The electrical conductors (105, 106) extend along the sensor strip between a sensor region (111) and a window (112) within which the electrical conductors (105, 106) are exposed. The sensor strip (104) is wrapped around the elongate shaft (103) in a spiral such that the electrical conductors (105, 106) extend along the longitudinal axis (A-A′) within the window (112), and such that an electrical shield contact portion (109′) adjacent the window (112), the window (112), and an exposed portion of the electrically conductive elongate shaft (103′) beyond the wrapped sensor strip provide the sensor interconnection region (101).

A medical sensing system (100) includes an elongate interventional device (101) and an adjustable capacitance circuit (102). The elongate interventional device (101) includes a sensor (103) having a capacitance (C.sub.ss). The elongate interventional device (101) also includes a first electrical conductor (104) and a second electrical conductor (105). The first electrical conductor (104) and the second electrical conductor (105) are in electrical contact with the sensor (103) and extend along the elongate interventional device (101). The elongate interventional device (101) also includes i) an electrically conductive shield (106) that overlaps the electrical conductors (104, 105) and/or ii) an electrically conductive shaft (107). The adjustable capacitance circuit (102) provides an adjustable capacitance (C.sub.Adj1, C.sub.Adj2) between at least one of the electrical conductors (104, 105) and i) the electrically conductive shield (106) that overlaps the electrical conductors (104, 105) and/or ii) the electrically conductive shaft (107).

A system for determining a position of an interventional device (11) respective an imaging field (B.sub.1 . . . k) corresponding to a type (T.sub.1 . . . n) of a beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (13) currently connected to an ultrasound imaging system (14). The position is determined based on ultrasound signals transmitted between the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (13) and an ultrasound transducer (15) attached to the interventional device (11). An image reconstruction unit (IRU) provides a reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI) corresponding to the imaging field (B.sub.1 . . . k). A position determination unit (PDU) receives input indicative of the type (T.sub.1 . . . k) of the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (13) currently connected to the ultrasound imaging system (14). The position determination unit (PDU) also computes a position (LAP.sub.TOFFSmax, θIPA) of the ultrasound transducer (15) respective the imaging field (B.sub.1 . . . k). Computing the position (LAP.sub.TOFSmax, θIPA) comprises selecting from a group of beam sequences corresponding to a plurality of imaging probe types (T.sub.1 . . . n) a beam sequence corresponding to the type (T.sub.1 . . . n) of the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (13) currently connected to the ultrasound imaging system (14) and assigning detected ultrasound signals to the selected beam sequence.

An imaging apparatus (24) images an introduction element (17) like a needle or a catheter for performing a biopsy or a brachytherapy. The introduction element (17) includes at least one ultrasound receiver (21) arranged at a known location. An ultrasound probe (12) for being inserted into a living being (2) emits ultrasound signals for acquiring ultrasound data of an inner part (19) of the living being (2). A first tracking unit (3) tracks the location of the introduction element (17) based on a reception of the emitted ultrasound signals by the at least one ultrasound receiver (21). An imaging unit (4) generates an indicator image showing the inner part (19) and an indicator of the introduction element (17) based on the tracked location. A display (5) displays the indicator image providing feedback about the location of the introduction element (17).

An acoustic imaging apparatus and method: produce acoustic images of an area of interest in response to one or more receive signals received from an acoustic probe in response to acoustic echoes received by the acoustic probe from the area of interest; 5 identify one or more candidate locations for a passive sensor disposed on a surface of an intervention device in the area of interest based on magnitudes of the acoustic echoes received by the acoustic probe from the candidate locations in the area of interest; use intra-procedural context-specific information to identify a one of the candidate locations which best matches the intra-procedural context-specific information as the estimated 10 location of the passive sensor; displaying the acoustic images on a display device; and display on the display device a marker in the acoustic images to indicate the estimated location of the passive sensor.

A catheter system can include a tubular body, and at least one of a targeting system coupled to the tubular body, an expandable member, or a fluid injection port. A method of identifying a bifurcation can include inserting a catheter system into a first vessel, positioning the catheter system at a first location, expanding an expandable member to occlude the first vessel, delivering contrast material so the contrast material pooling proximate to the expandable member, and reviewing a shape of the contrast material in the first vessel under fluoroscopy.

A catheter system can include a tubular body, and at least one of a targeting system coupled to the tubular body, an expandable member, or a fluid injection port. A method of identifying a bifurcation can include inserting a catheter system into a first vessel, positioning the catheter system at a first location, expanding an expandable member to occlude the first vessel, delivering contrast material so the contrast material pooling proximate to the expandable member, and reviewing a shape of the contrast material in the first vessel under fluoroscopy.