摘要:
A multimodality imaging phantom is disclosed which is useful for calibrating devices for imaging vascular conduits. The phantom is compatible with X-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. It allows testing, calibration, and inter-modality comparative study of imaging devices, in static or dynamic flow conditions. It also provides a geometric reference for evaluation of accuracy of imaging devices. The tissue-mimicking material is preferably an agar-based solidified gel. A vessel of known desired geometry runs throughout the gel and is connected to an inlet and outlet at its extremities for generating a flow circulation in the vessel. Said phantom also contains fiducial markers detectable in the above-mentioned modalities. The markers are preferably made of glass and are embedded in a layer of agar gel containing a fat component. The markers are implanted at precise known locations to allow identification and orientation of plane views, and they can be used for calibration, resealing and fusion of 3D images obtained from different modalities, and 3D image reconstruction from angiographic plane views. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing said phantom.
摘要:
The method of estimating systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressures of a patient, comprising the steps of (a) producing an electric signal xs(t) representative of heart sounds of the patient; (b) extracting second heart sound S2(t) from the signal produced in step (a); (c) extracting pulmonary and aortic components P2(t) and A2(t) from S2(t); (d) extracting a signal representative of mean cardiac interval; (e) correlating the pulmonary and aortic components P2(t) and A2(t) to obtain a cross correlation function; (f) measuring a splitting interval of the cross correlation function obtained in step (e); (g) producing a normalized splitting interval; and (h) estimating the systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressures by means of predetermined regressive functions. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for estimating systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressures of a patient.
摘要:
The electronic stethoscope is designed to minimize the influence of the various types of noise while optimizing auscultation of the sounds of interest, and to enable a cardiologist to auscultate mechanical heart valves. It comprises a probe for sensing sounds of interest produced within a patient's body and for converting these sounds to an electric signal, and an audio amplifier and earphones for reproducing the sounds of interest in response to this electric signal. The stethoscope comprises (a) a first filter unit having a frequency response that optimizes filtering of the tremor and passing of the low frequency sound components of interest in the range including the frequencies lower than 75 Hz, (b) a second filter unit having a frequency response that optimizes both attenuation of the ambient noise and passing of the sound components of interest in the range 110-1300 Hz, taking into consideration the variation of sensitivity of the human ear in function of frequency, (c) a third filter unit for passing the sounds of mechanical heart valves, and (d) a level detector detecting the amplitude level of the electric signal to activate a pulse generator of which the pulses are applied to the audio amplifier for momentarily and repeatedly disabling this audio amplifier when the detected amplitude level is higher than a predetermined amplitude level threshold.
摘要:
A multimodality imaging phantom is disclosed which is useful for calibrating devices for imaging vascular conduits. The phantom is compatible with X-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. It allows testing, calibration, and inter-modality comparative study of imaging devices, in static or dynamic flow conditions. It also provides a geometric reference for evaluation of accuracy of imaging devices. The tissue-mimicking material is preferably an agar-based solidified gel. A vessel of known desired geometry runs throughout the gel and is connected to an inlet and outlet at its extremities for generating a flow circulation in the vessel. Said phantom also contains fiducial markers detectable in the above-mentioned modalities. The markers are preferably made of glass and are embedded in a layer of agar gel containing a fat component. The markers are implanted at precise known locations to allow identification and orientation of plane views, and they can be used for calibration, resealing and fusion of 3D images obtained from different modalities, and 3D image reconstruction from angiographic plane views. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing said phantom.
摘要:
To compensate for the poor signal-to-noise ratio when transforming a patient tracheal sound signal into a respiration flow signal, the transformed signal is used when the sound signal is above a threshold, and interpolated values are used when the sound signal is below the threshold. A volume of breath signal is reliably obtained. Respiration start/stop is detected either by analyzing the sound signal or by physical measurement of the patient. A wearable device incorporating the sound signal processing method can provide an immediate indication or alarm when the volume of breath signal indicates a condition requiring medical attention.