Abstract: The invention provides method, system and device for determining trabecular bone structure and strength by digital topological analysis, and offers, for the first time, a demonstration of superior associations between vertebral deformity and a number of architectural indices measured in the distal radius, thus permitting reliable and noninvasive detection and determination of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. A preferred embodiment provides imaging in three dimension of a region of trabecular bone, after which the 3D image is converted into a skeletonized surface representation. Digital topological analysis is applied to the converted image, and each image voxel is identified and classified as a curve, a surface, or a junction; and then associated with microarchitectural indices of trabecular bone to quantitatively characterize the trabecular bone network. The invention is applicable in vivo, particularly on human subjects, or ex vivo.

Abstract: Featured is an MRI/NMR methodology or process to detect amide protons of endogenous mobile proteins and peptides via the water signal. Such methods and processes can be used for the purposes of detection of pH effects and labile amide proton content of mobile proteins/peptides or content changes thereto using MRI Also featured are methods whereby assessment of determined pH effects and amide proton content or content changes and related mobile protein and/or peptide content or content changes can be used in connection with diagnosis, program and treatment of brain related disorders and diseases, cardiac disorders and diseases, and cancer and to use such methods for monitoring, detecting and assessing protein and peptide content in vivo and pathologically for any of a number of diseases or disorders of a human body, including but not limited to cancers, ischemia, Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Abstract: A method for generating time independent images of moving objects with the image information being related to properties of the moving objects represented by sequences of digital images. The images are transformed into a series of space-time representations of the image data. A function is derived from the space-time representation images that approximates the object motion and is used to create time independent images of the moving objects.

Abstract: An analytical method and apparatus using principal component analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data for rapid molecular structure/function pattern recognition. The presence of a molecular substructure in an organic compound is determined by comparing principal components calculated from chemical shift values of the substructure in selected compounds with those calculated from the chemical shift values of the organic compound. Alternatively, principal components are calculated from the intensities of NMR signals for a full spectrum, or selected regions thereof, to determine whether an organic compound belongs to or is excluded from a set of structurally related compounds. Also, the presence of a pharmacophore in an organic compound can be determined by comparing the principal components derived from data on a set of compounds known to bind to a particular receptor, or have a common biological effect, with the principal components of the data set of the organic compound.

Abstract: A method for visualizing a body volume, and a computer program product and a system for carrying out the method, wherein the method includes the steps of establishing a criterion for each pixel of a selected data set for whether or not the pixel is assigned to an image background; calculating a synthesized representation from at least two selected diagnostic data sets which are not identical, excluding the pixels assigned to an image background, the selected diagnostic data sets having a predefined spatial allocation with respect to each other; calculating each of the data values of the synthesized representation as a mathematical function of at least one data value of each of the selected data set; and displaying the synthesized representation of a data set whose data values represent the body volume two- or three-dimensionally on a display unit.

Abstract: A system for simulating a medical procedure performed on a subject, featuring: (a) a simulated organ; (b) a simulated instrument for performing the medical procedure on the simulated organ; (c) a locator for determining a location of the simulated instrument within the simulated organ; and (d) a visual display for displaying images from the medical procedure, such that the images simulate visual data received during the medical procedure as performed on an actual subject, the visual display including: (i) a three-dimensional model of the simulated organ, the model being divided into a plurality of segments; (ii) a loader for selecting at least one of the plurality of segments for display, the at least one of the plurality of segments being selected according to the location of the simulated instrument within the simulated organ; (iii) a controller for selecting each image from the selected segment according to the location of the simulated instrument; and (iv) a displayer for displaying the image according to

Abstract: A cardiac phantom is provided for simulating a dynamic cardiac ventricle. The phantom comprises two concentrically-disposed, fluid-tight, flexible membranes defining a closed space between the walls of the membranes. A pump is operatively connected to the inner membrane for reciprocally delivering a volume of fluid to the inner membrane to inflate and deflate both membranes in simulating systole and diastole of a heart. A medium is disposed within the closed space defined between the walls of the membranes for maintaining a uniform distance between the walls of the membranes during inflation and deflation. The phantom is provided for evaluation of medical imaging systems. A method, computer system and a computer-readable medium are also provided for controlling the phantom.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating RF pulse sequence generation and modification and for real-time sequence input modification for use in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging equipment. A graphical user interface is provided through a display coupled to a digital computer operating as the primary control system for a magnetic resonance imaging scanner and associated hardware. Through the graphical user interface, an operator may choose or design sequences of radiofrequency pulses, gradient waveforms and other input parameters for the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. Real-time information is also communicated to the operator through the graphical user interface allowing for real-time manipulation of the magnetic resonance imaging inputs and for displaying the magnetic resonance response thereto.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting examination images acquired by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device are provided. The method comprises the steps of imaging a phantom of known structure at selected intervals to generate phantom images, analyzing the phantom images relative to images of the phantom acquired at a previous time, calculating variations between respective phantom images, and correcting the examination images and/or measurements based off the examination images using the calculated variations between phantom images. The system comprises an imaging device for acquiring images of a subject and the phantom and an image processor adapted to correct the examination images based on the calculated variations between respective phantom images.

Abstract: In a method and processing device for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, with which a test bolus measurement is conducted for a subsequent angiography measurement using contrast agent, a test bolus pop-up is displayed in an interactive graphic user interface, and a time curve of at least the arterial contrast agent concentration is automatically determined from the test bolus measurement and presented in the test bolus pop-up, for time planning of the subsequent angiography measurement.

Abstract: A simulator for use in the training of surgeons is disclosed. The simulator utilizes information defining the position of a surgical tool or probe used by the surgeon trainee relative to a mannequin corresponding to a living mammalian subject such as a human or non-human mammal. The mannequin desirably includes model internal organs within it. The simulator further includes a surgical probe and means for providing position and orientation information defining the position and orientation of the surgical probe relative to the mannequin. A memory device stores image data defining an image representative of internal organs found within the living subject corresponding to the mannequin. The simulator desirably further includes means for providing a composite image including images of internal organs and a representation of the surgical probe based on said image data and said position and orientation data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for modeling a biological system. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a component-based architecture for biological modeling software, thereby enhancing the extensibility of the software and the reusability of the software components. The present invention also relates to the use of distributed components for constructing biological modeling software capable of being run in a distributed computing environment. Also provided are computer program products for implementing such methods and systems.

Abstract: A method for modeling an internal object of a human body includes the step of obtaining the original three-dimensional volume data of the internal object of a human body utilizing an ultrasonic imaging device. Thereafter, a desired area of the obtained original three-dimensional volume data is selected and the image quality of the desired area is enhanced. The desired area of the three-dimensional volume data is transformed into a fair shape data. The fair shape data is decimated while a modeled shape is maintained. Finally, a three-dimensional model is shaped using decimated shape data.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing a map of a volume, including determining coordinates of a plurality of locations on a surface of the volume having a configuration, generating a grid of points defining a reconstruction surface in 3D space in proximity to the determined locations, for each of the points on the grid, defining a respective vector, dependent on a displacement between one or more of the points on the grid and one or more of the locations, and adjusting the reconstruction surface by moving substantially each of the points on the grid responsive to the respective vector, so that the reconstruction surface is deformed to resemble the configuration of the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of diffusion spectrum magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to map complex fiber architectures in tissues. The new methods can be used to resolve intravoxel heterogeneity of diffusion in vivo with MRI of diffusion density spectra.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for effecting interactive, three-dimensional renderings of selected body organs for purposes of medical observation and diagnosis. A series of CT images of the selected body organs are acquired. The series of CT images is stacked to form a three-dimensional volume file. To facilitate interactive three-dimensional rendering, the three-dimensional volume file may be subjected to an optional dataset reduction procedure to reduce pixel resolution and/or to divide the three-dimensional volume file into selected subvolumes. From a selected volume or subvolume, the image of a selected body organ is segmented or isolated. A wireframe model of the segmented organ image is then generated to enable interactive, three-dimensional rendering of the selected organ.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing an abnormal condition in a biological structure, such as the heart, including the steps of measuring a physiological response at at least three sampled points on a surface of the biological structure, calculating a vector function related to the response, displaying a representation of the vector function, and inferring the abnormal condition from the representation. The present invention is particularly useful for diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias, in which case the physiological response is a voltage, from which is inferred a local activation time and the vector function is a gradient of the local activation time, specifically, a conduction velocity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic modeling of an object having material points. The method includes receiving signals from a sensor which correspond to respective material points; providing a volumetric model, having functions as parameters, representative of the object; and adapting the parameters to fit a changing model shape. This method of dynamic shape modeling dynamic motion modeling or both includes shape estimation and motion analysis. The apparatus includes a signal processor for receiving signals from a sensor, a second signal processor for providing a volumetric model having functions as parameters representative of the object and a third signal processor for receiving sensed signals and adapting the model and providing a dynamic representation.

Abstract: A method for predictive modeling of human anatomy and physiologic function for planning medical interventions on at least one portion of a body with the goals of improving the outcome of the medical intervention and reducing the risks associated with medical intervention. The method comprising the steps of generation of multi-dimensional continuous geometric models of human anatomy, the generation of models of physiologic functions, the integration of the multi-dimensional continuous geometric human anatomy models with the physiologic functional models, and the use of the integrated models to predict the outcome of medical interventions. Also a method for the integration of multi-dimensional continuous geometric models of human anatomy and models of physiologic function to evaluate and predict changes in physiologic functions in various functional states, stresses and environments and a method for generating data for disease research.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods for modeling human blood vessels. Including panels of anatomically accurate vascular phantoms, such as carotid artery phantoms, comprising a range of stenotic conditions and other geometric variations; methods of making anatomically accurate vascular phantoms using stereolithography with an input data set representation of a natural vascular lumenal surface to construct an anatomically accurate vascular phantom comprising a physical representation of the surface; and methods of using the subject phantoms and panels of phantoms, such as methods of measuring a parameter of fluid flow through a panel of anatomically accurate vascular phantoms comprising a range of stenotic conditions.

Abstract: A real-time positioning system monitors and displays a real-time position and orientation (pose) of a surgical device relative to reference device and internal structures of a subject during a medical procedure. Tracking targets are affixed to a surgical device and a reference device. The reference device is fixed to a target site of a subject. The tracked targets are interactively monitored by a tracking device and their raw positions are converted to a position and orientation (pose) of the surgical device and the reference device. A medical imaging device acquires images of internal structures of the subject which is converted into computer models by a modeling engine. The models of internal structures are correctly registered with models of the surgical instrument and the reference device into a single interactive representation assisting a surgeon in a medical procedure.

Abstract: A magnetic field source movable type phantom head has a vessel filled with physiologic saline. The vessel preferably has an inner contour corresponding to an outer contour of a cerebrum of a patient to be tested. An electrode support tube has electrodes at one end. The electrodes are arranged within the vessel and movable at least in a vertical direction toward a center of the vessel as guided by a guiding and fixing device which guides the electrode support tube in a liquid tight fashion and fixes at a predetermined position. A position of the electrode support tube is measured to determine a position of the magnetic field source in the vessel.

Abstract: A system for recovering cardiac motion includes an overall model, a geodesic-like prismoidal tessellation of the model and constant volume constraints. The overall model includes local deformations and a scaleable default model having a global component and parametric offsets. The offsets provide two features. First, they help to form an expected model shape which facilitates appropriate model data correspondences. Second, they scale with the global component to maintain the expected shape even in the presence of large global deformations. The system is applied to the recovery of 3-D cardiac motion from a volunteer dataset of tagged-MR images.