Abstract: An optical scanning and imaging system and related method for scanning and imaging an object is disclosed. The scanning and imaging system does not use mechanically moving components to achieve lateral scanning of an object. Instead, the system includes a deflecting prism comprised of a material having an index of refraction that varies with changes in an applied electromagnetic field and that remains substantially constant with changes in wavelength of incident light within a predetermined wavelength range. An optical fiber transmits light within a predetermined wavelength from a light source through a gradient index lens which sends a collimated beam of light to the prism. Due to the unique properties of the prism, the light is deflected at a substantially constant angle within a lateral scanning plane. An objective lens can be used to further focus the light exiting the prism prior to directing it on the object being imaged.

Abstract: A fish killing and fish tissue sanitizing apparatus includes a tank, a water feed pipe extending to the tank, and an electromechanical transducer in pressure-wave transmitting relationship to the tank for generating ultrasonic pressure waves in water contained in the tank. An electrical signal generator is operatively connected to the transducer for energizing same with an alternating electrical signal. A sensor is in operative contact with water contained in the tank for detecting transient and inertial cavitation occurring within the water in the tank.

Abstract: A method and system for leading macromolecule substances into target cells includes an image picking unit, an image merging unit, an injection unit, and an energy conversion module. The image picking unit is used for picking up the three-dimensional (3D) and the 3D blood vessel photographic images of the tissue or organ where the target cells locate. The image merging unit is used for merging the 3D structure images into the 3D blood vessel photographic images, therefore choosing a blood vessel passage fully covering the target cells for transmitting the macromolecule substances. The injection unit is used for injecting liquid and transmitting the macromolecule substances to the target cells. The energy conversion module is used for exerting energy to activate the liquid to perform biological effects, thereby forming non-permanent holes in the cell membranes of the target cells. The macromolecule substances enter into the target cells through the non-permanent holes.

Abstract: The invention includes a technique for efficient multi-slice image acquisition with black blood contrast in cardiac imaging such that MR data is acquired in each R-R interval of a cardiac cycle. The technique includes applying a non-selective inversion pulse, followed by a re-inversion pulse that is slice-selective over a region encompassing a plurality of slice selections. The inversion and re-inversion pulses are applied in each R-R interval. Execution of a series of RF excitation pulses in each R-R interval is timed such that signal from blood is near a null point before data acquisition.

Abstract: A novel method is described for simulation of an electric stimulation of the nerve system subject to the rate of change of gradient fields. A gradient signal is filtered and a stimulation signal is derived, which is compared with a predetermined stimulation threshold value. An indicator signal is generated if the threshold value is exceeded. Therefore the time dependent and spatially dependent electric fields as defined by the scanning sequence and the gradient coil properties are calculated. A vector combination of said calculated electric field components from each gradient coil axis is performed, which results in a temporal diagram of the total electric field at various spatial locations within the gradient coil. The stimulation probability at each location from said temporal diagram and said stimulation signal is then calculated, and said stimulation probability is compared with the stimulation threshold value at each location within the gradient coil.

Abstract: This invention relates to MRI-based methods and systems useful for diagnosing and clinically assessing the presence, location, and size of cardiovascular disease-associated stationary targets, e.g., thrombi and atherosclerotic lesions, within the vascular system. Methods and systems of the invention allow for improved anatomical information to be obtained from MRI images and allow the clinician to develop more effective treatment plans. In one aspect, the invention provides a method of determining the presence or absence of a stationary target within the vascular system of a mammal wherein two MRI data sets representing images of the vascular system and the stationary target are acquired after administration of a targeted MRI contrast agent. In another embodiment, both a targeted MRI contrast agent and a vascular MRI contrast agent are administered to a mammal, and both a vascular MRI and a targeted MRI data set are acquired.

Abstract: A wave generating device including a wave transducer adapted to generate an energy wave, and a beam shaping device defined by revolution of a curve about an axis of revolution, the curve being arranged with respect to the transducer in a plane of the curve so as to focus a wave emanating from the transducer towards the beam shaping device to a focal point lying in the plane, the curve having an axis of symmetry in the plane, wherein the axis of revolution is generally not collinear with the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for analyzing at least one abnormality of an object is described. The method includes obtaining a first image containing an abnormality using a first modality, obtaining a second image containing the abnormality using a second modality, selecting a first region of interest located within the first image, determining an anatomical size of the abnormality based on the first region of interest in the first image, and determining a relative metabolic activity based on a second region of interest within the second image.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to imaging a patient to determine whether he or she has suffered a myocardial infarction. According to this method, a patient is injected with a bolus having a radioactive tracer. A representative cycle is produced for both the right ventricular passage of the bolus and the left ventricular passage of the bolus based on planar coordinates over time of scintillation events of the tracer. A time activity curve based on activity in each segment of the respective representative cycles is generated. When a segment of heart muscle is damaged its contraction ceases or lags behind the normal surrounding myocardium resulting in a phase shift in the adjacent blood pool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for making visible a pathological change in a part of a patient's body labeled with a fluorescent dye, the device having: a first selectable light source (11, 17), which emits light in the excitation wavelength range of the fluorescent dye, in order to trigger the emission of light in the emission wavelength range of the fluorescent dye, a second selectable light source, which emits visible light outside the emission wavelength of the fluorescent dye, and a means for selectively switching the first and the second light source on and off.

Abstract: A method of investigating the location and size of a light-emitting source in a subject is disclosed. In practicing the method, one first obtains a light intensity profile by measuring, from a first perspective with a photodetector device, photons which (i) originate from the light-emitting source, (ii) travel through turbid biological tissue of the subject, and (iii) are emitted from a first surface region of interest of the subject. The light-intensity profile is matched against with a parameter-based biophotonic function, to estimate function parameters such as depth and size. The parameters so determined are refined using data other than the first measured light intensity profile, to obtain an approximate depth and size of the source in the subject. Also disclosed is an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An improved method of tracking a catheter's position within a human body does not rely on x-rays, but instead calculates the position of the catheter's imaging head by analyzing image data. Such an analysis is able to determine the position of the imaging head in 3 dimensional space, relative to an arbitrarily selected reference image. An image is compared with the reference image, correlation data between corresponding points on the two images are gathered, and a correlation loss rate in a particular direction is determined. This correlation loss rate is modeled to an exponential function, which is evaluated to estimate an angle of separation between the image and the reference image. One or more angles of separation are used to determine a position in three dimensional space of the image, relative to the reference image. By repeating this process for a series of images being gathered by a catheter, the position of the catheter can be determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for tracking an object, including positioning a radio frequency (RF) driver to radiate an RF driving field toward the object, and fixing to the object a wireless transponder that includes a power coil and at least one sensor coil. The method also includes receiving the RF driving field using the power coil and storing electrical energy derived therefrom. A plurality of field generators are driven to generate electromagnetic fields at respective frequencies in a vicinity of the object that induce a voltage drop across the at least one sensor coil. A digital output signal is generated at the wireless transponder indicative of the voltage drop across the sensor coil, and the generation of the digital output signal is powered using the stored electrical energy. The digital output signal is transmitted from the wireless transponder using the power coil, and the transmission of the digital output signal is powered using the stored electrical energy.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for analyzing the blood-brain barrier includes obtaining a Raman spectrum of a selected portion of the eye and monitoring the Raman spectrum to ascertain a change to the dynamics of the blood brain barrier. Also, non-invasive methods for determining the brain or blood level of an analyte of interest, such as glucose, drugs, alcohol, poisons, and the like, comprises: generating an excitation laser beam at a selected wavelength (e.g., at a wavelength of about 400 to 900 nanometers); focusing the excitation laser beam into the anterior chamber of an eye of the subject so that aqueous humor, vitreous humor, or one or more conjunctiva vessels in the eye is illuminated; detecting (preferably confocally detecting) a Raman spectrum from the illuminated portion of the eye; and then determining the blood level or brain level (intracranial or cerebral spinal fluid level) of an analyte of interest for the subject from the Raman spectrum.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems relating to image guided interventions on dynamic tissue. One embodiment is a method that includes creating a dataset that includes images, one of the images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker, being linked to non-tissue internal reference marker positional information, and being at least 2-dimensional. Another embodiment is a method that includes receiving a position of an instrument reference marker coupled to an instrument; transforming the position into image space using a position of a non-tissue internal reference marker implanted in a patient; and superimposing a representation of the instrument on an image in which the non-tissue internal reference marker appears. Computer readable media that include machine readable instructions for carrying out the steps of the disclosed methods. Apparatuses, such as integrated circuits, configured to carry out the steps of the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vortex bubble removing and cooling system for the electromagnetic shock wave generator in the lithotripter. The vortex bubble-removing and cooling system comprises a water-full cushion (17), a metal diaphragm (14) installed inside the chamber body (27) of the water cushion (17) and a coil (13) which is installed at the backside of the metal diaphragm (14). There is at least one first water nozzle (22) on the side wall of the chamber body (27) and a water suction tube (23) at the center of the chamber body (27). The first water nozzle (22) and the water suction tube (23) form a vortex-generating device. The vortex generated inside the chamber body will scour the surface of the metal diaphragm continuously so as to cool the heat and remove the air bubble. This will make the metal diaphragm be in good working condition and greatly increase the working life of the metal diaphragm and the coil.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasound treatment utilizing a multi-directional transducer to facilitate treatment, such as therapy and/or imaging or other tissue parameter monitoring, in two or more directions. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a multi-directional transducer comprises a transduction element configured to provide for ultrasound energy, such as radiation, acoustical energy, heat energy, imaging, positional information and/or tissue parameter monitoring signals in two or more directions. The transduction element can comprise various materials for providing ultrasound energy or radiation, such as piezoelectric materials, with and without matching layers. In addition, the transduction element can be configured for substantially uniform, focused and/or defocused radiation patterns, as well as for single, multiple-element and/or multiple-element array configurations.

Abstract: Applicable to humans, animals and fish, a method for injecting thoroughly diffused ambient air or disinfectant into water prior to its delivery into a therapy tank plus an underwater PZT probe transmission of separate stable and transient cavitation signals from which a microcomputer determines, 1) the average number of transducer generated sinoidal equal amplitude alternating compression and rarefaction ultrasonic acoustic pressure waves cycles necessary to create inertial and/or transient cavitation and the required number of rectified sinoidal equal amplitude ultrasonic compression acoustic pressure waves necessary to suppress the inertial/transient cavitation and thereby maintain stable cavitation for cleaning and open-wound therapy treatment for 15-minutes, (or greater) time periods and 2) the necessary dilution of water and disinfectant and its activation by dual-mode transient cavitation to kill the pathogens shed by the “patient” following “patient” cleaning or wound-therapy treatment.

Abstract: Medical imaging and navigation system including a processor, a display unit, a database, a medical positioning system (MPS), a two-dimensional imaging system, an inspected organ monitor interface, and a superimposing processor, the MPS including a transducer MPS sensor and a surgical tool MPS sensor, the two-dimensional imaging system including an imaging transducer, the processor being connected to the display unit, to the database, to the MPS, to the two-dimensional imaging system, to the inspected organ monitor interface, and to the superimposing processor, the inspected organ monitor interface being connected to an organ monitor, the surgical tool MPS sensor being firmly attached to a surgical tool, the transducer MPS sensor being firmly attached to the imaging transducer, the organ monitor monitoring an organ timing signal associated with an inspected organ.

Abstract: Methods for correcting a bone density value for an effect of lead are disclosed. One method includes determining an apparent bone density in a patient; applying a correction factor to the apparent bone density, the correction factor being based on a blood lead level; and deriving a corrected bone density value for the patient.