System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to be positioned proximate native leaflets of a heart valve from a remote vascular access point, the delivery catheter further includes a rotatable actuator rod having a threaded fastener at a distal end thereof, and a fixation device releasably coupled by a threaded connection to the threaded fastener of the actuator rod. The fixation device includes a first arm moveable between a closed position and an open position, a second arm moveable between a closed position and an open position. The fixation device further includes a first gripping element movable relative to the first arm in the open position, the first gripping element biased toward the first arm to capture a first leaflet of the heart valve therebetween, and a second gripping element movable relative to the second arm in the open position, the second gripping element biased toward the second arm to capture a second leaflet of the heart valve therebetween. The first gripping element and the second gripping element each includes a plurality of barbs extending therefrom, the plurality of barbs of each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element being aligned transversely in at least one row. The fixation device further includes a covering disposed on each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, wherein the plurality of barbs of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, respectively, protrude through the covering.

Ultrasound systems having a computing device, a steering mechanism, and an ultrasound transducer are disclosed. The ultrasound transducer is configured to generate angularly discrete signals over a scan region of the ultrasound system in response to inputs from the steering mechanism. The computing device is communicatively coupled to the ultrasound transducer. The computing device includes a processor configured to receive angularly discrete ultrasound signals from the ultrasound transducer over the scan region, determine a scan line count corresponding to each of the received angularly discrete ultrasound signals, associate a TGC curve with each of the scan line counts, apply a TGC curve to each of the angularly discrete ultrasound signals as associated with the scan line count of each angularly discrete ultrasound signal, where each of the applied TGC curves defines a gain that maintains, increases, or decreases the angularly discrete ultrasound signal to which it is applied, over time.

Ultrasound systems having a computing device, a steering mechanism, and an ultrasound transducer are disclosed. The ultrasound transducer is configured to generate angularly discrete signals over a scan region of the ultrasound system in response to inputs from the steering mechanism. The computing device is communicatively coupled to the ultrasound transducer. The computing device includes a processor configured to receive angularly discrete ultrasound signals from the ultrasound transducer over the scan region, determine a scan line count corresponding to each of the received angularly discrete ultrasound signals, associate a TGC curve with each of the scan line counts, apply a TGC curve to each of the angularly discrete ultrasound signals as associated with the scan line count of each angularly discrete ultrasound signal, where each of the applied TGC curves defines a gain that maintains, increases, or decreases the angularly discrete ultrasound signal to which it is applied, over time.

A system that is capable of performing a fully automated ultrasonic (US) scan. The subject that is undergoing the scan associates with the system and the scan is performed without any human intervention. The US probe comprises an US transducer that is configured to generate US signals and detect their reflections, to collect acoustic data during the scan. The US probe is moved by a probe-motioning unit that is affixed and is configured to move the US probe in up to six degrees of freedom according to the desired scan pattern that is determined by a processing circuitry of the system, i.e. a control unit. Therefore, any anatomical landmark of the eye can be scanned from any desired angle. The processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the US probe and the probe-motioning unit to execute a desired scan pattern.

A system that is capable of performing a fully automated ultrasonic (US) scan. The subject that is undergoing the scan associates with the system and the scan is performed without any human intervention. The US probe comprises an US transducer that is configured to generate US signals and detect their reflections, to collect acoustic data during the scan. The US probe is moved by a probe-motioning unit that is affixed and is configured to move the US probe in up to six degrees of freedom according to the desired scan pattern that is determined by a processing circuitry of the system, i.e. a control unit. Therefore, any anatomical landmark of the eye can be scanned from any desired angle. The processing circuitry is configured to control the operation of the US probe and the probe-motioning unit to execute a desired scan pattern.

Systems and methods are provided for in vivo pre-surgical characterization of lenses, such as cataractous lenses. A method comprises obtaining an electromagnetically-measured value related to the axial thickness of the lens, obtaining an ultrasound-measured value related to the axial thickness of the lens, calculating a relationship value based upon the electromagnetically-measured value and the ultrasound-measured value, and determining a mechanical property value based upon the calculated relationship value. The mechanical property may relate to lens hardness, rigidity, or density, or the amount of energy for a phacoemulsification procedure. A system may comprise an optical interferometer for measuring data to obtain the electromagnetically-measured value and an ultrasound biometer for measuring data to obtain the ultrasound-measured value.

Systems and methods are provided for in vivo pre-surgical characterization of lenses, such as cataractous lenses. A method comprises obtaining an electromagnetically-measured value related to the axial thickness of the lens, obtaining an ultrasound-measured value related to the axial thickness of the lens, calculating a relationship value based upon the electromagnetically-measured value and the ultrasound-measured value, and determining a mechanical property value based upon the calculated relationship value. The mechanical property may relate to lens hardness, rigidity, or density, or the amount of energy for a phacoemulsification procedure. A system may comprise an optical interferometer for measuring data to obtain the electromagnetically-measured value and an ultrasound biometer for measuring data to obtain the ultrasound-measured value.

Systems, processes, and apparatuses are provided for imaging a body part of a patient such as an eye of the patient. In some embodiments, a process is provided for adjusting the readings from an ultrasound probe to account for the different speeds of sound through different portions of the eye. In various embodiments, a process is provided for combing multiple images of the body part together. In some embodiments, a process is provided for determining the diameter of the lens of the eye.

Systems, processes, and apparatuses are provided for imaging a body part of a patient such as an eye of the patient. In some embodiments, a process is provided for adjusting the readings from an ultrasound probe to account for the different speeds of sound through different portions of the eye. In various embodiments, a process is provided for combing multiple images of the body part together. In some embodiments, a process is provided for determining the diameter of the lens of the eye.

Relationships between morphological changes to an eye due to intraocular pressure changes and blood perfusion changes in the retina are determined by colocalizing retinal perfusion data and optic nerve head (ONH) mechanical deformation data. Perfusion changes from intraocular pressure (IOP) changes are determined by colocalizing retinal perfusion data with ONH mechanical deformation data. Optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) can be used to generate both retinal perfusion data and mechanical deformation data for an imaged volume. A three-dimensional model (e.g., connectivity map or connectivity model) of the vasculature can be generated from the OCT-A imaging data and used to predict changes in blood perfusion in various areas of the retina due to IOP-induced mechanical deformations.