The present disclosure provides for an imaging probe with a rotatable core which allows for rotating imaging assembly that is larger in diameter than the lumen in which the rotatable core resides, as well as methods to construct said probes. The imaging probes are generally elongate flexible imaging catheters for use in cardiovascular procedures. The ability to have a smaller lumen to hold the rotatable core simplifies the inclusion of other functional components to the catheter and may improve the quality of the images produced.

A system for tracking a medical device includes an introducer (20). Two or more sensors (22) are disposed along a length of the introducer and are spaced apart along the length. An interface (32) is configured to connect to the introducer such that the introducer and the interface operatively couple to and support the medical device wherein the two or more sensors are configured to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the medical device using medical imaging.

A method, device, and system for obtaining time of flight images is provided. A surgical plan may be received and a first path for a first robotic arm and a second path for a second robotic arm may be determined based on the surgical plan. The first robotic arm may be caused to move on the first path and may be configured to hold a transducer. The second robotic arm may be caused to move on the second path and may be configured to hold a receiver. At least one image may be received from the receiver, the image depicting patient anatomy and generated using time-of-flight measurements.

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 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).

A guiding probe for identifying a location within an anatomical region of a patient. The guiding probe can optionally: a graspable portion, an insertion portion and an emitter. The insertion portion can be coupled to the graspable portion. The insertion portion can have an elongated extent and a longitudinal axis. The insertion portion can include a flexible section and a bending section. The bending section can be positioned distal of the flexible section. The emitter can be coupled to a distal end portion of the insertion portion. The emitter can be configured for use within the anatomical region to emit a signal that can be detectable extracorporeally of the patient whereby the signal enables the location within the anatomical region to be identified extracorporeally for therapy to be applied.

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.

One aspect relates to a guidewire system, a measuring system, and a method for manufacturing such guidewire system. The guidewire system includes a guidewire and a surface acoustic wave sensor device. A portion of a surface of the guidewire is coated by the surface acoustic wave sensor device. The surface acoustic wave sensor device may be configured for measuring a pressure change. The surface acoustic wave sensor device includes a piezoelectric substrate and a transducer. A thickness of the surface acoustic wave sensor device perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the guidewire is smaller than 100 m.

A controller includes a memory that stores instructions, and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes controlling an imaging probe. The imaging probe is controlled to activate imaging elements to emit imaging signals to generate three or more imaging planes, to simultaneously capture an interventional device and anatomy targeted by the interventional device. The imaging probe is also controlled to simultaneously capture both the interventional device and the anatomy targeted by the interventional device. The imaging probe is controlled to capture at least one of the interventional device and the anatomy targeted by the interventional device in at least two of the three or more imaging planes, and to capture the other of the interventional device and the anatomy targeted by the interventional device in at least one of the three or more imaging planes.

An in vivo apparatus includes a flexible shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery relative to a percutaneous access location. An energy guide apparatus is provided at the distal end of the shaft and dimensioned for deployment within the renal artery. An ex vivo apparatus includes an arrangement configured to localize the energy guide apparatus within the renal artery, and an energy source configured to direct ablative energy to target tissue located a predetermined distance from the localized energy guide apparatus. The target tissue includes perivascular renal nerve tissue adjacent the renal artery.