Abstract: A marker delivery device is configured for deploying a tissue marker. The marker delivery device includes a handle having a chamber, and a cannula. According to one aspect, the cannula has a flexible portion formed by a slot arrangement having of a plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallel peripheral slots extending through the side wall of the cannula to the lumen. A marker introducer rod is movably disposed in the lumen of the cannula for deploying the mark, and has a flexible region that corresponds to the flexible portion of the cannula. According to another aspect, a retraction mechanism is mounted to the handle and is configured to facilitate a complete retraction of both the cannula and the marker introducer rod into the chamber of the housing of the handle upon an actuation of the retraction mechanism.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating and outputting a masked parametric map (e.g., hemoglobin oxygenation) that reflects parameters in a first parametric map (e.g., relative oxygenation) and second parametric map (e.g., relative hemoglobin). In an illustrative embodiment, the method comprises a steps of generating a first parametric map, generating a second parametric map, and then generating a masked parametric map that reflects parameters in the first and second parametric maps. The masked map may present information not readily apparent from the first parametric map and the second parametric map, and not obtainable from the first and second parametric maps independently. The first parametric map may be based upon portions of two optoacoustic images created using differing wavelengths of light. The first parametric map is reflective of areas within the volume of tissue that have a differing response to the longer wavelength light event compared to the shorter one.

Abstract: A method and system to measure and image the full optical scattering properties by inverse spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (ISOCT) is disclosed. Tissue is modeled as a medium with continuous refractive index (RI) fluctuation and such a fluctuation is described by the RI correlation functions. By measuring optical quantities of tissue (including the scattering power of the OCT spectrum, the reflection albedo ? defined as the ratio or scattering coefficient ?s, and the back-scattering coefficient ?b), the RI correlation function can be inversely deduced and the full set of optical scattering properties can be obtained.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preoperative identification of a perforator vessel for plastic and/or reconstructive surgery using ICG fluorescence angiography imaging are disclosed. Time-resolved image processing is used to highlight perforator locations and to enable visual discrimination among candidate perforators by various computed metrics. Based on these metrics, the surgeon is able to interactively locate and select perforator vessels suitable for plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging apparatus (1). First and second image providing units (2, 9) provide a first image showing a region of an object, which includes a resection part to be resected, and a second image showing the region of the object, after the resection procedure has been performed, or showing a resected part, which has been resected. A smallest margin determination unit (13) determines a smallest margin region being a region where a margin between the resection part and the resected part is smallest based on the first and second images. The smallest margin region is the region which most likely contains a part of the object, which should have been resected, like a cancerous part. An optionally following investigation of the resected part or of the remaining object can be more focused by considering this region, thereby allowing for faster corresponding assessing procedures.

Abstract: A method for dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) image processing and kinetic modeling of an organ's region-of-interest is provided. The method includes deriving at least a contour of an exterior of the organ's region-of-interest from one or more of a plurality of images; generating a spline function in response to the derived contour of the exterior of the organ's region-of-interest from the one or more of the plurality of images; registering the plurality of images wherein the organ's region-of-interest has been segmented; deriving a tracer curve for the organ's region-of-interest in the registered images, the tracer curve indicating a change in concentration of a contrast agent flowing through the organ's region-of-interest over a time period; and kinetic modeling by fitting a kinetic model to the tracer curve to generate one or more maps of tissue physiological parameters associated with the kinetic model.

Abstract: Disclosed and described herein are embodiments and methods of use of a gamma ray spectroscope. In one aspect the gamma ray spectroscope comprises a scintillator for receiving radiation and a solid-state photomultiplier for detecting and amplifying light emitted by the scintillator in response to the received radiation, wherein an electrical output signal is provided by the photomultiplier that is proportional to the received radiation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for biopsy guidance are provided. One system includes a gantry and a breast immobilization plate mounted to the gantry, wherein the breast immobilization plate is configured to be coupled with a biopsy unit. The biopsy unit includes at least one nuclear medicine imaging detector in an angled orientation with respect to the breast immobilization plate. The breast imaging system also includes a nuclear medicine imaging detector mounted to the gantry parallel to the breast immobilization plate, wherein the nuclear medicine imaging detector mounted to the gantry and the breast immobilizing plate are configured to immobilize a breast therebetween.

Abstract: A frequency agile gyrotron for use in combination with an NMR system is disclosed. The frequency agile gyrotron combined with EPR-NMR magic angle spinning resonators and cryogenic sample cooling may increase the sensitivity of solid state NMR with DNP.

Abstract: Cardiac catheterization is carried out by introducing a catheter into the coronary sinus, acquiring a first set of 2-dimensional images of the catheter, thereafter acquiring a second set of 2-dimensional images of the catheter, and creating respective 2-dimensional models of the catheter in synchronized frames of the first set and the second set. The 2-dimensional models include respective tracked 2-dimensional paths of the catheter. The first and second sets are synchronized by identifying frames that are in respective phases of the cardiorespiratory cycle. First and second 3-dimensional models of the catheter are constructed from the synchronized frames, and geometrically transformed to minimize a distance function between the two models.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus includes processing circuitry and a display. The processing circuitry acquires object volume data including a bone fracture region acquired from a subject and target volume data acquired based on a healthy bone region corresponding to the bone fracture region. The processing circuitry extracts a plurality of fragment regions from the object volume data. The processing circuitry arranges the plurality of extracted fragment regions in the object volume data based on shapes of the plurality of fragment regions and a shape of a bone region included in the target volume data. The display displays an image based on the object volume data in which the fragment regions are arranged.

Abstract: A distal tip assembly for an elongate medical device having an axis comprises a shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a wall, and a central lumen extending axially between said proximal end portion and said distal end portion. The distal tip assembly further comprises a position sensor disposed in an outer sleeve such that the sensor can shift relative to the sleeve. The sleeve is disposed at least in part in the wall and is substantially fixed thereto.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present inventive concept provide a system that uses two wavelengths of differential transmittance through a sample to apply laser speckle or laser Doppler imaging. A first of the two wavelengths is within the visible range that has zero or very shallow penetration. This wavelength captures the anatomical structure of tissue/organ surface and serves as a position marker of the sample but not the subsurface movement of blood flow and perfusion. A second wavelength is in the near Infra-Red (NIR) range, which has much deeper penetration. This wavelength reveals the underlying blood flow physiology and correlates both to the motion of the sample and also the movement of blood flow and perfusion. Thus, true motion of blood flow and perfusion can be derived from the NIR imaging measurement without being affected by the motion artifact of the target.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an implant comprising a base body made of a biocorrodible magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy contains a plurality of statistically distributed particles, comprising one or more of the elements Y, Zr, Mn, Sc, Fe, Ni, Co, W, Pt and noble earths with the atomic numbers 57 to 71, or the particles comprise alloys or compounds containing one or more of the elements mentioned. The mean distance of the particles from each other is smaller than the hundredfold mean particle diameter.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing. A first ID tag is secured relative to the housing at a first position and defines a first radiopaque manufacturer code section that visually identifies a manufacturer of the implantable medical device. A second ID tag is secured relative to the housing at a second position that is offset from the first position in at least one dimension. The second ID tag defines a second radiopaque manufacturer code section that also visually identifies the manufacturer of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A system for at least partially filling and marking a cavity within a patient includes a delivery device. A quantity of marker forming fluid is located within the delivery device. The quantity of marker forming fluid is configured to at least partially fill the cavity and form therein a bioabsorbable body after delivery into the cavity from the delivery device. A radiopaque marker, separate from the quantity of marker forming fluid and releasably attached to a portion of the delivery device, is configured to be delivered into the quantity of marker forming fluid in the cavity from the delivery device and configured to remain in the bioabsorbable body upon the formation of the bioabsorbable body in the cavity.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to obtain the position of the boundary of a region of interest that is set in first ultrasound image data of a subject. The processing circuitry is configured to generate second ultrasound image data by assigning a pixel value to each of pixels of which a change of the brightness value between before and after a contrast enhancement is equal to or larger than a threshold value with regard to pre-contrast-enhanced image data and post-contrast-enhanced image data of the subject both of which were acquired after a treatment using a puncture needle has been performed, the assigned pixel value corresponding to the distance between the pixel and the boundary of the region of interest. The processing circuitry is configured to cause a display unit to display the second ultrasound image data.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus in embodiments includes a calculating module, a generator, and a changing module. The calculating module calculates feature quantity concerning a flow of a contrast material for each pixel in a predetermined section based on temporal transition in signal intensity of the contrast material in a predetermined section of a plurality of X-ray images radiographed with time by using the contrast material. The generator generates a first color image in which color information corresponding to the feature quantity concerning the flow of the contrast material in a first section as the predetermined section is reflected in each pixel. The changing module changes the predetermined section to a second section that is within the first section.

Abstract: A method may include positioning at least one calibration disk in a computed tomography (CT) scanner and positioning a pellet in the CT scanner. The at least one calibration disk and the pellet may both be made of a same powder exhibiting a known density. The method may further include scanning the at least one calibration disk and the pellet using the CT scanner to obtain one or more CT images of the pellet and the at least one calibration disk, and comparing a density of the pellet with the known density of the at least one calibration disk based on the one or more CT images.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image of a patient is generated in time; blood vessels site voxels are compared to a model arterial and venous signals; clusters of voxels are separated so that ones that have spatial growth over time are determined to be bleeding sites.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for displaying physiological information with a physiological monitor. A physiological parameter, for example oxygen saturation, is computed from a received physiological signal, for example a PPG signal. At least one metric associated with the received physiological signal is determined, for example a statistical measure of uncertainty associated with the determined physiological parameter. Display parameters are determined, for example a width parameter, based on the metrics and a trace of the computed physiological parameter for a subject is displayed. In some embodiments, the width of the displayed trace may be varied based on the width parameter. In some embodiments, additional or alternative characteristics of the displayed trace may be varied based on respective display parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for providing enhanced echogenicity to medical devices. At least two adjacent echogenic features with an intervening section positioned between the echogenic features are formed as a helical groove in a medical device surface. Each of the echogenic features has a depression that spans between first and second transition lips. In one form, each depression includes a steep portion adjacent a shallow portion wherein the steep portion has a first radius and the shallow portion has a second radius that is larger than the first radius such that the radii capture different wavelengths of ultrasound. The intervening section has a planar surface in which the first and second transition lips do not extend above. In one form, each of the at least two echogenic features has a length that is within 0.1 mm of a length of the intervening section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for imaging a tool inside a portion of a subject's body that undergoes motion. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. An image frame in which the tool is enhanced is generated by (a) identifying radiopaque markers in the image frames, (b) identifying edge lines in a vicinity of the markers within the image frames, the edge lines corresponding to contours of the tool, (c) in response to the identifying of the edge lines, selecting a subset of the image frames that are based upon the acquired image frames, based upon a level of similarity between the edge lines in the selected image frames to one another, (d) aligning the contours in a plurality of the selected image frames, and (e) averaging the plurality of aligned frames to generate an averaged image frame. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An observation object is imaged under irradiation with oxygen saturation level measurement light to obtain a first image signal, and the observation object is imaged under irradiation with white light to obtain a second image signal. A normal light image is produced from the second image signal. An oxygen saturation level is calculated from the first and second image signals. The calculated oxygen saturation level is imaged in an oxygen saturation image. By superimposing the normal light image on the oxygen saturation image, an emphasized oxygen saturation image is produced. In the emphasized oxygen saturation image, an abnormal area in which a calculation result of the oxygen saturation level is likely to be abnormal is emphasized by its brightness. The produced emphasized oxygen saturation image is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: An X-ray CT system (1000) includes a CT scanner (300) which obtains diagnostic images of a patient, a chemical liquid injector (100) which injects a chemical liquid into a patient whose images are obtained, an operation device (400), I/Fs (320, 421) for transmitting and receiving data between the CT scanner (300) and the operation device (400) and I/Fs (120, 420) for transmitting and receiving data between the chemical liquid injector (100) and the operation device (400). The operation device includes an input section used to set an injection condition for the chemical liquid by the chemical liquid injector (100) and an imaging condition by the CT scanner (300), a control section for controlling operation of the chemical liquid injector (100) and operation of the CT scanner (300) in accordance with the setting and a display section (450) for displaying information relating to the setting of the injection condition and the imaging condition and an obtained image.

Abstract: An implant device identifiable after implantation comprises a main portion of the implant device and a coded portion of the implant device. The coded portion comprises a radiopaque element and indicia on the radiopaque element or indicia as a plurality of radiopaque elements disposed within the coded portion. The indicia are discernible by x-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: A system and method for treating Alzheimer's disease by delivery of an agent within the brain. At least one image of a target region is acquired, and at least one magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) scan of the target region is acquired. A diffusion tensor is calculated from the at least one MR-DTI scan, and at least one of an agent distribution and an agent concentration from the images and the calculated diffusion tensor is calculated. Using at least one of the calculated diffusion tensor, the images, the calculated agent distribution, and the calculated agent concentration, the placement of a delivery instrument is planned to deliver the agent to the target region to achieve a desired agent concentration and/or agent distribution within the target region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlled administration of a tracer and quantification of uptake of the tracer by a target organ are described. The method includes administering a tracer to a patient and imaging at least two regions of the patient's body that cannot be imaged simultaneously. An input function for the tracer can be determined by imaging a first region of the patient's body during selected times, and using an injector to administer the tracer in a manner that accurately estimates the input function when this first region is not being imaged. One or more additional regions of the body may then be imaged to create data that may be used to estimate the input function. One or more parameters may then be estimated from each additional region of the body based on the input function and the imaging data gathered from each region.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for tracking, registering, etc. of medical staff, patients, instrumentation, events, or the like according to a treatment staging plan. For example a medical apparatus includes a right-patient verification device having an interrogation interface device that elicits at least one of identification data, authorization data, or treatment plan data from a medical procedure authorization device associated with a patient; and a right-site verification device that generates patient-specific treatment staging data consistent with the at least one of the identification data, the authorization data, or the treatment plan data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes motion. A plurality of image frames of the portion are acquired. A stream of image frames is generated in which a vicinity of a given feature of the image frames is enhanced, by (a) automatically identifying the given feature in each of the image frames, (b) aligning the given feature in two or more of the image frames, (c) averaging sets of two or more of the aligned frames to generate a plurality of averaged image frames, and (d) displaying as a stream of image frames the plurality of averaged image frames. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A contrast liquid injector has a controller that calculates a necessary volume of the contrast medium based on a read out necessary dose of effective component per unit weight, weight of the subject, and concentration of the effective component. The injection rate of a base-operation condition is changed based on the calculated necessary volume of the contrast medium, wherein the predetermined injection time is unchanged, for all volumes of the contrast medium, when making the injection pattern, whereby a timing of an optimum concentration of the contrast medium will be substantially unchanged for all volumes of the contrast medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a minimally invasive medical procedure into human breast tissue includes a cannula and an obturator. The cannula includes an open distal end, a lateral opening proximate to the open distal end, and a longitudinal lumen communicating with the lateral opening and the open distal end. The lumen has a non-circular cross-section. The obturator is sized for insertion into the cannula. The obturator has a distal end extending from the open distal end of the cannula when the obturator is inserted fully into the cannula. The obturator has a recess proximate of the distal end of the obturator. The recess is positioned along a portion of the length of the obturator to align with the lateral opening of the cannula when the obturator is inserted fully into the cannula.

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 channel bubble reduction device includes a liquid accommodation portion, that accommodates a liquid, a liquid supply apparatus that, with a pushing operation of a rod, discharges the liquid through an aperture portion of a tube portion, a first channel that connects the aperture portion of the liquid supply apparatus with the liquid accommodation portion, and an air layer formation apparatus that forms an air layer in at least one of the first channel or the tube portion.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.

Abstract: A method of detecting an accessory cancer lesion, comprising an administration step wherein indocyanine green is administered to a living body, an irradiation step wherein a target organ suspected of having cancer is surgically exposed and irradiated with excitation light of indocyanine green, an imaging step wherein a near-infrared fluorescence intensity distribution image from the excited indocyanine green in the target organ is obtained, and an identification step wherein an area having the near-infrared fluorescence in the intensity distribution image, excluding the area detected in preoperative examination or intraoperative macroscopic observation, is identified as an accessory cancer lesion.

Abstract: Strontium halide scintillators, calcium halide scintillators, cerium halide scintillators, cesium barium halide scintillators, and related devices and methods are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an OCT imaging system having a variety of advantages. In particular, the OCT system of the present disclosure may provide a more intuitive interface, more efficient usage of controls, and a greater ability to view OCT imaging data.

Abstract: A light detection system may include a light detecting assembly including a plurality of light detectors. Each light detector may include a substrate, a mirror coupled to the substrate, and a light-receiving tube coupled to the substrate. The light-receiving tube may include a sensor positioned at a first end, a light-transmissive opening at a second end that is opposite from the first end, and a plurality of partitions that are configured to block transmission of light energy. A central light path extends through the light-receiving tube. The system may also include a control unit in communication with the light detecting assembly. The control unit is configured to determine one or more of a direction of light emitted from a light source, a position of the light source, or an intensity of light emitted from the light source based on one or more light detection signals received from the light detecting assembly.

Abstract: A method and system to measure and image the full optical scattering properties by inverse spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (ISOCT) is disclosed. Tissue is modeled as a medium with continuous refractive index (RI) fluctuation and such a fluctuation is described by the RI correlation functions. By measuring optical quantities of tissue (including the scattering power of the OCT spectrum, the reflection albedo ? defined as the ratio of scattering coefficient ?s, and the backscattering coefficient ?b), the RI correlation function can be inversely deduced and the full set of optical scattering properties can be obtained.

Abstract: Cavity and sentinel lymph node marking devices, marker delivery devices, and methods are disclosed. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammography, echogenic, or other noninvasive imaging techniques. A composition and method are disclosed for locating the sentinel lymph node in a mammalian body to determine if cancerous cells have spread thereto. The composition is preferably a fluid composition consisting of a carrier fluid and some type of contrast agent; alternatively, the contrast agent may itself be a fluid and therefore not need a separate carrier fluid. This composition is capable of (1) deposition in or around a lesion and migration to and accumulation in the associated sentinel node, and (2) remote detection via any number of noninvasive techniques.

Abstract: A contrast-enhanced imaging of an object is performed by an imaging device having a movable radiation source. A first projection image sequence of the object along a first trajectory over which the radiation source moves is recorded by radiation having a first energy spectrum. Subsequently, a second projection image sequence of the object along a second trajectory over which the radiation source moves is recorded by radiation having a second energy spectrum. A reconstruction of a three-dimensional subtraction image in relation to the different energy spectra is carried out by the first and second projection image sequence. In addition, a two-dimensional subtraction image in relation to the different energy spectra is reconstructed with the aid of the first and second projection image sequence. In this way, apart from a three-dimensional subtraction image, a two-dimensional subtraction image is also provided for better analysis of object characteristics.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus has a scanner, a pre-scan control unit, an image generating unit, a region setting unit and a timing sensing unit. The pre-scan control unit controls an operation of the scanner to perform a pre-scan. The image generating unit generates image data of the object based upon the pre-scan. The region setting unit sets, on the basis of the image data, a region of interest, and a larger region encompassing the region of interest and a region around the region of interest and being used to determine whether or not a high pixel value region exists. The timing sensing unit senses, if the larger region does not include a pixel value higher than a first threshold, a timing to start a main scan, at which a pixel value of the region of interest exceeds a second threshold after injection of the contrast medium agent is started.

Abstract: An imaging condition setting unit sets imaging conditions for a pre-contrast enhancement scan, a monitoring scan, and a post-contrast enhancement scan. A ROI setting unit sets a region of interest for the monitoring scan in a reference image generated by a reference image scan executed before the pre-contrast enhancement scan, the monitoring scan, and the post-contrast enhancement scan. The scan control unit controls an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit to sequentially execute, based on the imaging conditions, the pre-contrast enhancement scan, the monitoring scan, and the post-contrast enhancement scan.

Abstract: Method and device for recording a vascular structure during intervention comprises steps or elements for detecting S1 an injection of a contrast agent 6 provided to the vicinity of a device landmark 5, monitoring S3 for a predetermined time the vicinity of the device landmark 5, generating S3a time-contrast curves based on the monitored vicinity of the device landmark 5, analyzing S4a the time-contrast curves, and determining S4b a best instant as a visibility optimum based on the time-contrast curves.

Abstract: A virtual endoscope image is generated based on an opacity template in which a pixel value of a three-dimensional image is associated with an opacity, the opacity template being capable of showing both of an inner wall of a large intestine region and an inner wall of a residue region present in the large intestine region on the virtual endoscope image, a viewpoint set in the vicinity of a boundary between a space region and the residue region in the large intestine region, a set surface set at a position separated by a previously set distance in a previously set line-of-sight direction from the viewpoint, and a pixel value on a light beam vector beyond the set surface among pixel values of the three-dimensional image on the light beam vector extending from the viewpoint.

Abstract: In ultrasonic imaging, a physically consistent value of blood flow velocity is measured in the vicinity of body tissues. The ultrasound imaging apparatus comprises a shape extraction part for recognizing shape data of biological tissues by using echo signals reflected from a test subject irradiated with ultrasonic waves, a flow velocity distribution acquisition part for detecting blood flow velocities in the vicinity of the tissues from the echo signals, and a velocity determination part for extracting velocity information desired by a tester (objective velocity information). The velocity determination part sets a model of the objective blood flow, and determines a velocity of actually measured velocity distribution consistent with velocity distribution estimated from the model.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processing circuitry. The processing circuitry configured to acquire blood flow state information indicating a blood flow state in a blood vessel of a subject, and control at least one of an injection start, an injection speed, and an injection amount of injection of a contrast media into the subject by an injector based on the blood flow state information acquired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filling and recirculation device of a fluid conducting system for blood treatment which has a fluid connector and a three-dimensional four-way valve with a first valve plane on which an inlet connector for the fluid container, an arterial line connector, and a valve-internal coupling connector are arranged and a second valve plane on which an outlet connector and a venous line connector are arranged. The venous line connector is permanently connected with the valve-internal coupling connector. A manually operable valve rotary piston of the four-way valve has a first control section assigned to the first valve plane and a second control section assigned to the second valve plane.

Abstract: The apparatus includes information linked to a person by data encoded in a texture. The texture has a pattern, and the texture is formed upon a chip implantable within the person. The pattern may be resolvable by an ultrasound scanner into a pattern image that is computer readable to extract the data from the image when the chip is implanted within the person. The related methods include the step of encoding data upon a chip by forming a pattern with a texture, the data being linked to an identity of the person, and the step of implanting the chip. The methods may include the steps of scanning the implanted chip to obtain a pattern image using an ultrasound scanner, extracting data from the pattern image, and displaying information linked to the person by the data encoded in the pattern, the information residing in a remote database.