Abstract: A apparatus includes a collection unit which collects a magnetic resonance signal, a unit which controls the collection unit in such a manner that pre-scan is executed in regard to pre-scan slices determined as some of main scan slices, a calculation unit which calculates correction amounts based on data concerning the pre-scan slices obtained by the pre-scan, an estimation unit which estimates a correction amount concerning each slice other the pre-scan slices in the main scan slices based on the correction amounts, and a unit which controls the collection unit in such a manner that each of the main scan slices is scanned while involving correction of each slice that is the pre-scan target with the correction amount thereof calculated by the calculation unit and while involving correction of each slice that is not the pre-scan target with the correction amount thereof estimated by the estimation unit.

Abstract: A targeting system, which provides an adjustable optical assembly, for use with imaging systems having a penetrating beam source, a penetrating beam receiver. The optical assembly has a targeting marker in the path of a penetrating beam emitted by the source. The targeting marker is at least partially opaque to the penetrating beam emitted by the source, and the targeting marker indicates a targeting point on a target axis. The optical assembly further includes a sensible targeting beam device that is capable of providing a sensible targeting beam coaxial and collinear with the target axis. In addition, there is provide a method of aligning the targeting system, such as the system described above, and a method of targeting an area of interest. One advantage of the system and method is that it requires only a two point alignment.

Abstract: Microwave imaging via space-time beamforming is carried out by transmitting microwave signals from multiple antenna locations into an individual to be examined and receiving the backscattered microwave signals at multiple antenna locations to provide received signals from the antennas. The received signals are processed in a computer to remove the skin interface reflection component of the signal at each antenna to provide corrected signal data. The corrected signal data is provided to a beamformer process that time shifts the received signals to align the returns from a scatterer at a candidate location, and then passes the time aligned signals through a bank of filters, the outputs of which are summed, time-gated and the power therein calculated to produce the beamformer output signal at a candidate location. The beamformer is then scanned to a plurality of different locations in the individual by changing the time shifts, filter weights and time-gating of the beamformer process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining ICP based on parameters that can be measured using non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques are provided, wherein a non-linear relationship is used to determine ICP based on one or more variable inputs. The first variable input relates to one or more properties of a cranial blood vessel and/or blood flow, such as acoustic backscatter from an acoustic transducer having a focus trained on a cranial blood vessel, flow velocity in a cranial blood vessel, and the like. Additional variables, such as arterial blood pressure (ABP), may be used in combination with a first variable input relating to one or more properties of a cranial blood vessel, such as flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) to derive ICP using a non-linear relationship.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for use in medical applications that permits affordable three-dimensional imaging of blood flow using a low-profile easily-attached transducer pad, real-time blood-flow vector velocity, and long-term unattended Doppler-ultrasound monitoring in spite of motion of the patient or pad. The pad and associated processor collects and Doppler processes ultrasound blood velocity data in a three dimensional region through the use of a planar phased array of piezoelectric elements. The invention locks onto and tracks the points in three-dimensional space that produce the locally maximum blood velocity signals. The integrated coordinates of points acquired by the accurate tracking process is used to form a three-dimensional map of blood vessels and provide a display that can be used to select multiple points of interest for expanded data collection and for long term continuous and unattended blood flow monitoring.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal whereby a probe having a light emitting distal portion is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of:—directing light from the distal portion of the probe to illuminate at least one point or the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or ear canal,—receiving the light reflected from the illuminated surface, and directing the received light to at least one light sensitive element to generate an output,—analyzing the output with respect to spectral composition in order to identify foreign objects. The invention also relates to an apparatus for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting fluorescence emitted by molecular constituents in a wall of a body lumen include introducing an autonomous solid support into the body lumen. Cells in a lumen wall of the body lumen are illuminated by a light source mounted to the solid support with a wavelength that excites a particular fluorescent signal. A detector mounted to the solid support detects whether illuminated cells emit the particular fluorescent signal. If the particular fluorescent signal is detected from the illuminated cells, then intensity or position in the lumen wall of the detected fluorescent signal, or both, is determined. These techniques allow the information collected by the capsule to support diagnosis and therapy of GI cancer and other intestinal pathologies and syndromes. For example, these techniques allow diagnostic imaging using endogenous and exogenous fluoroprobes, treating diseased sites by targeted release of drug with or without photoactivation, and determining therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program product include: (i) administering a fluorescent analyte to a subject; (ii) repetitively emitting excitation light from an implanted sensor over a desired monitoring period; (iii) detecting fluorescence intensity in response to the excitation light using the implanted sensor that outputs the excitation light; and (iv) using data associated with the detected fluorescence intensity to perform at least one of: (a) calculate the concentration or dose of the analyte received proximate to the implanted sensor site; (b) evaluate the pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic activity of the fluorescent analyte; (c) confirm Ab attachment to a tumor site; (d) monitor a non-target site to confirm it is not unduly affected by a therapy; (e) monitor for changes in cellular properties; (f) use the calculated dose or concentration data to adjust or customize a therapeutic amount of the analyte administered to the subject; (g) confirm micelle concentration at a target site and then sti

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the retinal auto-fluorescence of a subject retina includes an excitation light source for providing an excitation light at a wavelength of at least 450 nm and an image capture device for recording an ocular auto-fluorescence signal generated in response to the excitation light. The image capture device includes a filter for reducing background non-signal wavelengths from the ocular auto-fluorescence signal and an image intensifier for increasing the ocular auto-fluorescence signal strength. The method and apparatus may further include a processor that analyzes the ocular auto-fluorescence signal to determine a contrast change or pattern to thereby detect retinal disease or damage. The processor may compare the images with control images, past images of the same eye or other diagnostic modalities such as fundus photography, angiography, or visual field testing to detect the retinal disease or damage.

Abstract: A system includes a device that is swallowed, passed through a subject, and includes a magnetic field generator generating a constant magnetic field; and a position transducer. The position transducer includes a plurality of magnetic detectors detecting intensities of a magnetic filed, first and second fixing units that fix at least one magnetic detector to the subject, respectively, a position fluctuation detector that detects a fluctuation of positional relation between the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit, a coordinate calibrating unit that calibrates position coordinate of the magnetic detector based on a detection result by the position fluctuation detector. The system also includes a position processor that calculates a position of the device in the subject based on an intensity of the constant magnetic field detected by the magnetic detector and the position coordinate of the magnetic detector after calibration by the coordinate calibrating unit.

Abstract: In a storing unit of a medical image processing apparatus, first 3D image corresponding to a first period and second 3D image data corresponding to a second period are stored. The first 3D image data corresponds to a period before contrast agent injection operation and/or therapeutic operation. The second 3D image data corresponds to a period after the contrast agent injection operation and/or therapeutic operation. A 3D subtracting unit subtracts the first 3D image data from the second 3D image data. In 3D subtraction image data, a portion having undergone a change due to contrast agent injection operation and/or therapeutic operation is emphasized. A pseudo 3D image data generating unit generates pseudo 3D image data on the basis of 3D subtraction image data. A displaying unit displays the pseudo 3D image data.

Abstract: A method of enhancing detection for a specific object in a body. A nanoparticulate is administered to the body for location in an area to be explored for detection of the object, if present. The nanoparticulate is at least partially metallic, has a formed non-spherical shape having a minimal characteristic dimension in the range from about 1 to about 3000 nanometers, and has a formed composition capable of producing thermal pressure either in the nanoparticulate or in the object greater than the object could produce in the absence of the nanoparticulate. Electromagnetic radiation is directed into the body. The electromagnetic radiation has a specific wavelength or spectrum of wavelengths in the range from 300 nm to 300 mm selected so that the wavelength or wavelength spectrum is longer by a factor of at least 3 than the minimum characteristic dimension of the nanoparticulate.

Abstract: A method for registration of cardiac image data in an interventional system includes inserting a first plurality of fiducial points on an acquired 3D anatomical image and exporting the 3D anatomical image, with the first plurality of inserted fiducial points thereon, to an interventional system. A second plurality of fiducial points is inserted on the exported 3D anatomical image using the interventional system, and the first and said second plurality of fiducial points are aligned to one another so as to register the exported 3D anatomical image with the interventional system.

Abstract: A system for performing electrical impedance tomography. The system includes a first set of electrodes positioned in a first plane and a second set of electrodes positioned in a second plane. The system also includes a third set of electrodes positioned in a third plane between the first and second planes. The third set of electrodes is rotatable around an axis intersecting the third plane. Furthermore, the third set of electrodes may be moveable in an axial direction between the first and second planes to various other planes, e.g., a fourth plane, a fifth plane, etc. The processor is further configured to process the voltage measurements taken by the voltage measurement device so as to generate a current density distribution in the various other planes. In addition, the processor is further configured to generate a three-dimensional image corresponding to the current density distribution between the first and second planes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employed to locate body vessels and occlusions in body vessels finding particular utility in cardiac surgery, particularly minimally invasive cardiac surgery to locate cardiac arteries and occlusions in cardiac arteries are disclosed. An elongated vessel lumen probe incorporating a lumen probe element at or near the elongated vessel lumen probe distal end is advanced into the vessel lumen. A vessel surface probe manipulated by the surgeon and having a surface probe element sensor is employed to detect the lumen probe element and to follow the progress of the vessel lumen probe element as it approaches and is advanced through or is blocked by an occlusion. In the location of a coronary artery, the surface probe element sensor is moved about against the epicardium over the suspected location of the artery of interest until a surface probe element sensor of the present invention at the surface probe distal end interacts with the lumen probe element of the vessel lumen probe.

Abstract: In an apparatus for processing and presenting a magnetic resonance tomography measured image wherein following simultaneous calculation of the contrast images of various spin ensembles or various MR images of a spin ensemble (anatomical, angiographic, functional), a step-free fade of the contrast images can be undertaken with an input device. A multi-colored presentation can be used in addition to the gray scale presentation dependent on the spin ensemble.

Abstract: A connection apparatus and method for controlling an ultrasound probe are provided. The ultrasound probe includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a sealing member between the first and second chambers and a flexible connection member within each of the first and second chambers. The ultrasound probe further comprises a rigid connection interface forming at least part of the sealing member and connecting the flexible connection member in the first chamber with the flexible connection member in the second chamber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring pressure buildup in a body compartment that encases muscular tissue. The method includes assessing the body compartment configuration and identifying the effect of pulsatible components on compartment dimensions and muscle tissue characteristics. This process is used in preventing tissue necrosis, and in decisions of whether to perform surgery on the body compartment for prevention of Compartment Syndrome. An apparatus is used for measuring pressure build-up in the body compartment having components for imparting ultrasonic waves such as a transducer, placing the transducer to impart the ultrasonic waves, capturing the imparted ultrasonic waves, mathematically manipulating the captured ultrasonic waves and categorizing pressure build-up in the body compartment from the mathematical manipulations.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope comprising an insertion portion comprising a distal hard portion which has: an endoscopic observation unit; and an ultrasonic observation unit fitted on an outer circumferential section of the endoscopic observation unit, wherein: the ultrasonic observation unit comprises: an ultrasonic transducer array having ultrasonic transducers, and a backing layer cylindrically formed on an inner circumferential surface of the ultrasonic transducer array; and a flexible circuit board on which formed are first terminals each connected to an electrode of a respective one of the ultrasonic transducers, second terminals to which cables are respectively connected, and wiring patterns respectively formed between the first and second terminals, wherein the flexible circuit board has a stepped structure having a large-diameter section on which the first terminals are formed and a small-diameter section on which the second terminals are formed, and an annular support section is formed on an inner circumfe

Abstract: An MRI protector for protecting personnel and the MRI apparatus from the introduction of ferrous articles into the magnetic field of the MRI has an array of Hall effect sensors oriented to scan the magnetic field of the MRI. The Hall effect sensors are oriented to scan the magnetic field at the access door of the shielded MRI room. The sensors are connected to a central processing unit (CPU) which analyses the output of the sensors and propagates a warning when the presence of ferrous articles affects the magnetic field of the MRI.