Abstract: The present invention pertains to a fiducial implant for the human body that is detectable by an imaging system. The invention is comprised of a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to be detected by an imaging system when place beneath the skin. The second portion is configured for fixed attachment to a bone beneath the skin without penetrating entirely through the bone and without fracturing the bone. The first portion is sufficiently large and comprised of a material for detection by an imaging system, and sufficiently small to avoid the distortion of the skin when placed at an interface between the skin and the bone. The first portion also has at least a portion which is spherical and defines a surface for cooperating with a tool for securing the second portion to the bone.

Abstract: The performance of current, flow-based sequences for imaging vasculature using MR is severely restricted in regions with inherently slow flow. We address this problem with a flow-independent imaging method. Specifically, we generate projection images of blood in the limbs while suppressing signals from all other tissues (primarily skeletal muscle, bone marrow, and subcutaneous fat) using a flow-compensated, water-selective, short TI inversion recovery sequence with a long echo time. We experimentally evaluate the effectiveness of this sequence and present in vivo results clearly demonstrating the method's potential.

Abstract: A lesion location device suitable for marking a lesion in breast tissue comprises a wire, of which the first portion which has been bent to form a second portion at an obtuse or acute angle to the first portion, a 180.degree. bend and a third portion which extends adjacent the second portion and continues beyond the bend in a direction substantially opposed to that of the second portion. The bend is resiliently pivotable and forms a spring mechanism to prevent ingress of the wire once in position in the lesion. Two graduated cannulas are also provided, one with a pointed end and one with a blunt end, which are suitable for the wire to be passed into them.

Abstract: A digital mask image is obtained by emitting radiation onto a subject before a contrast medium is injected in a blood vessel, and digital mask image data corresponding to the mask image is stored in a first image memory. A digital contrast image is obtained by emitting radiation to the subject after the contrast medium is injected in the blood vessel, and contrast image data corresponding to the contrast image is stored in a second image memory. The mask image data is read out from the first image memory and the contrast image data is read out from the second image memory. Then, the mask image data is subtracted from the contrast image data by a subtraction circuit, thus obtaining angiographical image data. Edges of the blood vessel are detected from the angiographical image data by an edge detecting circuit.

Abstract: An antenna structure for magnetic resonance imaging includes a plurality of spiral wound, generally planar coils spaced axially from one another. The plural coils may be mounted on a rigid frame in the desired relative positions and the subject may be inserted in the space defined by the frame. Alternatively, the individual coils can be separately supported on the subject, as by mounting the coils to the subject. Desirably, a part of the subject's body extends through central apertures in one or more of the coils.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method quantitative localization of antimyosin uptake in the myocardium of a patient as an indication of myocardial infarction from a plurality of planar projections displayed simultaneously. The invention also pertains to a method for screening patients with chest pain due to myocardial ischemia to identify patients having a high risk of developing myocardial infarction.

Abstract: A system for detecting leakage in a device having a fluid-driven membrane inserted in the body, for example, a balloon pump, includes a fluid drive circuit with a moisture remover having a capacity just sufficient to remove water vapor entering the circuit due to intrinsic permeability of the membrane. An in-line humidity sensor responds quickly to an increase in vapor pressure, indicating a leak, and activates a shut-down circuit to prevent leakage of the drive fluid into the body. The system is employed in a balloon pump driven by a pulsating air source.

Abstract: An air puff type tonometer having a source for projecting a light beam toward the cornea of an eye to be tested, an alignment sensor for receiving the light beam after reflection from the cornea and providing a corresponding received light signal, a device for detecting optical alignment based on the received light signal, a device for directing an air puff, a device for providing an applanation signal corresponding to the applanation state of the cornea when the cornea is applanated by an air puff upon the cornea, an A/D converter for converting the applanation signal in accordance with a preset comparison reference value, and a device for setting the comparison reference value based on quantity of light received by the alignment sensor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for effective home monitoring of uterine contractions of a pregnant woman, in order to provide early warning signs of possible premature birth. Using a transducer of known type, uterine contractions are monitored continuously over a period of time. An electrical signal is generated, which is digitized for processing with simple IC chips. Importantly, only those contractions whose intensity exceeds a threshold value for a duration exceeding a threshold period are stored for future processing and analysis. Analysis of these over-threshold values provides a valuable basis on which to judge the likelihood of premature birth. Limiting the analysis only to such over-threshold values enables the system and equipment to be of a highly simplified, economical construction, suitable for widespread home use yet capable of monitoring over an extended duration.

Abstract: In order to image on a time axis a moving object such as a coronary artery which changes in position dynamically along with the heart, the position to which the object has moved is measured and then the position of the object to be excited by a radio frequency field is changed in accordance with the measured position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring apparatus and method operating as an ultrasonic echocardiograph and a doppler blood flow speed meter by creating numerous microbubbles as a contrast medium or reflector only in an intended blood vessel. The apparatus comprises an injector which injects into a vein of patient an agent which is a substance encapsulated in numerous microcapsules of several micrometer or less in diameter and distributed in a carrier liquid so that it produces microbubbles through the reaction with blood, and a shock wave transmitter which emits a shock wave with the dominant positive pressure from the body surface toward a specific blood vessel such as the root of the aorta so that only microcapsules in the specific blood vessel, among all dispersed in the whole body, are broken by the shock wave and the agent is released in the blood flow.

Abstract: A non-invasive device which determines the pulp oxygenation level of a tooth and the vitality of a tooth using multiple-wavelength optical plethysmography. A sensor is shaped to be mounted on a tooth and circuitry for processing a signal from the sensor and supplied from a photosenstive diode is used. The photosensitive diode in the sensor detects light scattered from the tooth which was emitted from red, green, and infrared LEDs. An electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor is provided so as to produce improved detection reliability by synchronous averaging using the occurrence of the R-wave of the ECG as a time marker. Using this approach, a threshold-of-detection criterion can be established based on an average computed over a period to achieve a desired signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A shock wave generator for the fragmentation of concrements, having a light-pulse-transmiting light guide and a converter arranged at the distal light guide end and having an ionization surface which, when a light pulse impinges, initiates a shock wave in the surrounding fluid, as well as having a shock wave outlet zone. In order to increase its efficiency and durability, the generator is constructed such that the ionization surface extends obliquely sloped with respect to the beaming axis of the impinging light pulse and the shock wave outlet zone is arranged in the direct shock wave beaming area of the ionization surface, thereby permitting a largely unhindered, low-loss propagation for the shock wave to the application point.

Abstract: A needle interface boot for use in an ultrasonic ophthalmic surgical instrument of the type incorporating coaxial irrigation and aspiration functions which comprises a conically-shaped hollow instrument. The boot is made from a compliant silicone or plastic-type material and is positioned within the irrigation channel surrounding the interface or connection between the vibratory transmissive member or resonator and the needle probe to prevent irrigation fluid from contacting the flat projecting surfaces of this interface and, thus, reduces objectionable cavitation and bubble formation within the irrigation fluid to be delivered to the operative site during use of such a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, identifying human tissue which is suspected of being physiologically changed as a result of commencement of neoplastic activity or pre-activity, is disclosed. The tissue is preferably irradiated with light at wavelengths of 660 nm and 940 nm. The magnitudes of the reflected, or non-absorbed, light at the two wavelengths is compared, preferably after being normalized by the magnitude of ambient light reflected from the tissue immediately prior to each measurement. The invention finds application in detecting cervical lesions but is also applicable to endoscope inspectable tissues such as the lungs and alimentary canal tissues.

Abstract: An acoustical lens for focusing ultrasonic energy having a transducer, a curved focussing lens and a voltage generator coupled with the transducer. The transducer is comprised of an array of piezoelectric crystal elements. The focussing lens has a concave upper surface and a planar bottom surface allowing the array of piezoelectric elements to be coupled to the bottomsurface of the array. The piezoelectric elements receive voltage from the voltage generator and transmit an energy ray through the focussing lens producing a focussed energy beam.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having an image output device for delivering a mask image signal and a contrast image signal corresponding to a mask image and contrast image, and having a subtraction processor for out-putting a subtraction image signal resulting from the subtraction of the mask image signal from the contrast image signal. The mask image signal and subtraction image signal are stored in corresponding frame memories, respectively. A divider divides the mask image signal, which has been stored in the frame memory, by a constant, producing a level-down mask image signal output. An adder adds together the level-down mask image signal and the subtraction image signal to obtain a landmark image signal. A display section, upon receipt of the landmark image signal, displays, in a superimposed fashion, a subtraction image against the background of a thin mask image.

Abstract: A first radioactive source assembly disposed in a first source channel and a guide tube connected to the source channel and having a second end which is disposable in the animal body. A first source assembly transport thread connects the first source assembly to a first source assembly drive for driving the first source assembly to the second end of the guide tube. At least one further radioactive source assembly is disposed in a further source channel, a connector tube connects the further source channel and a connector disposed in the guide tube. A juncture is formed at the connector. A further source assembly transport thread is attached to the further source assembly and to a further source assembly drive for driving the further source assembly towards said second end of the said guide tube. The first source assembly and the further source assembly are alternatingly drivable toward the second end of the guide tube.

Abstract: In a medical imaging system a patient is injected with a radiopharmaceutical spontaneously emitting positrons and a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan is taken along parallel planes of a portion of the subject's body to produce a slice image composed of pixels arranged in a pattern. The intensity of each pixel is automatically, in a computer system, converted to digital data. The computer system then normalizes the pixels of the slice as to location by calculating the location of each pixel in an ideal or normal slice. The computer system then calculates a Z transform, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, compared to the slices from a normal group to obtain a topographic color-coded map showing the degree of abnormality at each pixel location.

Abstract: A shock wave source for use in lithotripsy has an electromagnetic shock wave source with the ultrasound head of an ultrasound locating system centrally disposed within the source. During locating of a calculus to be disintegrated, at least one surface normal of the exit face of the ultrasound head is aligned obliquely relative to the surface normal of the coupling surface of the shock wave source. Image disturbances due to multiple echoes are avoided by the oblique positioning of the ultrasound exit face.