Abstract: A system and methods are presented for emulating the appearance of prominent features captured in ultrasound through directional dilation of a magnetic resonance gradient image along a direction determined by the relative ultrasound scan-head location with respect to the magnetic resonance gradient image in order to improve the robustness and reliability of registration.

Abstract: An optical spectroscopy probe for providing optical spectroscopy guidance of a mechanical biopsy procedure, and a tissue biopsy device including an optical spectroscopy probe. The optical spectroscopy probe is positionable in a lumen of a mechanical biopsy device. The probe may enable optical spectroscopy guidance in biopsy procedures, include brain biopsy procedures.

Abstract: A tomographic fluorescent imaging device for imaging fluorophores in biological tissues has a scanned laser for scanning the tissue and a camera for receiving light from the biological tissue at an angle to the beam at a second wavelength ten or more nanometers greater in wavelength than the wavelength of the laser. Use of both intrinsic and extrinsic fluorophores is described. Images are obtained at each of several positions of the beam. An image processing system receives the series of images, models a path of the beam through the tissue, and determines depth of fluorophore in tissue from intersections of the modeled path of the beam and the path of the received light. The laser is of 600 nm or longer wavelength, to provide penetration of tissue. The imaging device is used during surgery to visualize lesions of various types to ensure complete removal of malignant tumors.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an illumination device for illuminating a target. A surgical microscope receives light from the target, the surgical microscope comprising at least one optical output port at which at least a portion of the received light is provided as an output from the surgical microscope. A tunable filter receives the portion of the received light provided as the output from the surgical microscope, the tunable filter being tunable to pass a filtered portion of the received light, the filtered portion of the received light having a plurality of wavelengths selected by the tunable filter and provided as output from the tunable filter. A high-resolution, broad-bandwidth electronic camera receives the light of a plurality of wavelengths selected by the tunable filter, the electronic camera converting the light of a plurality of wavelengths selected by the tunable filter to a plurality of electrical signals. A processor processes the plurality of electrical signals to form an image of the target.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring mechanical properties of tissue has a stereo optical surgical microscope with at least one objective lens and at least two digital cameras such that paired images obtained from the digital cameras form stereo pairs, and a digital image processing system adapted to determine surface topography of tissue from the stereo pairs of images and a resulting surface displacement map as a result from indentation. The apparatus has an one indenter; and mechanical modeling routines stored in memory of the image processing system, the mechanical modeling routines capable of constructing computer models of mechanical properties of tissue, and fitting parameters of the computer model to observed surface displacement maps generated by coregistering surface topography of tissue with and without the indenter positioned on the tissue. In an embodiment, fitted parameters of the computer model are displayed and used to adjust a surgical plan.

Abstract: A system and method for determining intraoperative locations of a lesion in tissue from lesion locations determined in preoperative imaging includes determining three dimensional locations of surface features of the organ in the preoperative images. A preoperative surface map is extracted from stereo images annotated with surface features from preoperative images. An intraoperative surface map of the organ is extracted from stereo images, and surface features are identified in the stereo images corresponding to surface features annotated into the preoperative surface map. Three dimensional displacements of the surface features are determined and used to constrain a computer model of deformation of the organ. In embodiments, the model of deformation is adapted or constrained to model locations and dimensions of surgical cavities using an optical flow method and/or locations of surgical instruments in the organ. The model of deformation is used to determine intraoperative locations for the lesion.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, extracting a surface profile from a stereo pair of images obtained at an arbitrary setting S of an optical system, includes determining surface profile reconstruction parameters for images obtained with the optical system at a reference setting So of the optical system; determining warping parameters for a digital image processor for warping images obtained with the optical system at the arbitrary setting S into images corresponding to the reference setting So; obtaining the stereo pair of images from at least one camera of the optical system; warping the stereo pair of images into images corresponding to the reference setting So, and using the surface profile reconstruction parameters to determine the surface profile. In a particular embodiment, the surface profile is passed to a computer model of tissue deformation and used to determine an intra-surgery location of a tumor or other anatomic feature of tissue.

Abstract: A system and methods are presented for emulating the appearance of prominent features captured in ultrasound through directional dilation of a magnetic resonance gradient image along a direction determined by the relative ultrasound scan-head location with respect to the magnetic resonance gradient image in order to improve the robustness and reliability of registration.

Abstract: A treatment for Parkinson's Disease uses a stimulus electrode implanted in a subthalamic nucleus with a chemosensor implanted in a globus pallidus pars interna (GPi) of the subject. A level of a neurochemical is sensed with the chemosensor, and compared to a desired level. When the level of the neurochemical is less than desired, an electrical stimulation is provided to the stimulus electrode. In alternative embodiments, the neurochemical sensed is glutamate or dopamine. An alternative system uses a chemosensor implanted in the striatum instead of the GPi. An alternative system for treating benign essential tremor uses a stimulus electrode implanted in the thalamus with feedback taken from a chemosensor in the striatum.

Abstract: A treatment for Parkinson's Disease uses a stimulus electrode implanted in a subthalamic nucleus with a chemosensor implanted in a globus pallidus pars interna (GPi) of the subject. A level of a neurochemical is sensed with the chemosensor, and compared to a desired level. When the level of the neurochemical is less than desired, an electrical stimulation is provided to the stimulus electrode. In alternative embodiments, the neurochemical sensed is glutamate or dopamine. An alternative system uses a chemosensor implanted in the striatum instead of the GPi. An alternative system for treating benign essential tremor uses a stimulus electrode implanted in the thalamus with feedback taken from a chemosensor in the striatum.

Abstract: A method for providing patient registration without fiducials comprises the steps of: spatially placing an ultrasound image of a patient randomly at different starting positions relative to a preoperative image; creating an independent registration corresponding to each different starting positions, by optimizing a spatial transformation between the preoperative image and the ultrasound image to provide a first batch of registrations; executing a second registration to fine-tune the alignment between the preoperative image and the ultrasound image; and concatenating the spatial transformation to obtain spatial transformation between the patient in an operating room and a corresponding preoperative image.

Abstract: A treatment for Parkinson's Disease uses a stimulus electrode implanted in a subthalamic nucleus with a chemosensor implanted in a globus pallidus pars interna (GPi) of the subject. A level of a neurochemical is sensed with the chemosensor, and compared to a desired level. When the level of the neurochemical is less than desired, an electrical stimulation is provided to the stimulus electrode. In alternative embodiments, the neurochemical sensed is glutamate or dopamine. An alternative system uses a chemosensor implanted in the striatum instead of the GPi. An alternative system for treating benign essential tremor uses a stimulus electrode implanted in the thalamus with feedback taken from a chemosensor in the striatum.

Abstract: A tomographic fluorescent imaging device for imaging fluorophores in biological tissues has a scanned laser for scanning the tissue and a camera for receiving light from the biological tissue at an angle to the beam at a second wavelength ten or more nanometers greater in wavelength than the wavelength of the laser. Use of both intrinsic and extrinsic fluorophores is described. Images are obtained at each of several positions of the beam. An image processing system receives the series of images, models a path of the beam through the tissue, and determines depth of fluorophore in tissue from intersections of the modeled path of the beam and the path of the received light. The laser is of 600 nm or longer wavelength, to provide penetration of tissue. The imaging device is used during surgery to visualize lesions of various types to ensure complete removal of malignant tumors.

Abstract: A treatment for Parkinson's Disease uses a stimulus electrode implanted in a subthalamic nucleus with a chemosensor implanted in a globus pallidus pars interna (GPi) of the subject. A level of a neurochemical is sensed with the chemosensor, and compared to a desired level. When the level of the neurochemical is less than desired, an electrical stimulation is provided to the stimulus electrode. In alternative embodiments, the neurochemical sensed is glutamate or dopamine. An alternative system uses a chemosensor implanted in the striatum instead of the GPi. An alternative system for treating benign essential tremor uses a stimulus electrode implanted in the thalamus with feedback taken from a chemosensor in the striatum.

Abstract: An electrolytic water purification system and method use provides a water filtration device with a plurality of electrolytic cells having anodes and cathodes specifically selected to remove contaminants from water. The device is capable of efficiently removing nearly all contaminants from water and is also capable of purifying the water by destroying micro-organisms which are in the water. Many minerals are removed from the purified water, and it is not necessary to add chemicals to the water during or after the purification process.

Abstract: An aerodynamic-hybrid, vertical-axis wind turbine which includes a rotor airfoil and stator blade combination which maximizes energy production by increasing wind velocity and pressure while eliminating back pressure and improving the laminar flow of wind both around and through the device. The rotor airfoils have a horizontal cross-section with a crescent shape including a convex leading side and a concave trailing side with a thicker middle section that tapers to narrower sections at ends. The stator blades have a horizontal cross-section with a planar side and a convex side. Rotor airfoil and stator blade combinations are secured between upper and lower annular sails.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for repairing an isolation gap in a fiber cable after removing an isolation closure from the cable. A flexible, curable polymeric material is first applied in the gap over the fiber buffer tube. A flexible wire mesh strengthening member is then placed over the gap and over the exposed metallic elements of the fiber cable on both sides of the gap. The strengthening member is closed around the fiber cable and is woven with the metallic elements of the cable. A heat shrink material is then applied over the strengthening member and is sealed by heating. The heat shrink material may be sealed with a polymer sealant.

Abstract: A bond device for fiber optic cables allows for an electrical bond to be made between the cables without the need to first strip away the outer poly covering on each cable. The bond device comprises a metallic lug element which includes a cable-receiving channel, the interior surface of the channel having at least one (and, preferably, a plurality of) outwardly extending barbed tooth. As the metallic lug is clamped around the cable, the tooth/teeth penetrate the outer poly layer and contact the underlying metallic sheath material. The lug may then be coupled to another such lug via a stranded wire bonding ribbon attached between the lugs.

Abstract: An outdoor luminaire assembly adapted to be attached to a mounting stanchion that includes an optical assembly having a lamp for generating light, an arm for supporting the optical assembly from the mounting stanchion, and a ballast which is enclosed within the arm. The optical assembly is adapted to receive and support a cover member which is selected from a group of differently shaped cover members. The cover member is made of a plastic material in order to provide design flexibility. The arm has a removable panel which allows for maintenance-ready access to the ballast and other electrical componentry which is enclosed within the arm.

Abstract: A method of preparing PAS acid is disclosed which involves sulphating an alcohol feedstock and incorporating in the reaction product, a stabilizing agent which comprises an (hydroxy) alkylene oxide residue.