Abstract: A method, apparatus and probe for examining tissue for the presence of target cells, particularly cancerous cells, by subjecting the tissue to be examined to a contrast agent containing small particles of a physical element conjugated with a biological carrier selectively bindable to the target cells. Energy pulses are applied to the examined tissue. The changes in impedance and/or optical characteristics of the examined tissue produced by the applied energy pulses are detected and utilized for determining the presence of the target cells in the examined tissue. In a described preferred embodiment, the applied energy pulses include laser pulses, and the physical element conjugated with a biological carrier is a light-sensitive semiconductor having an impedance which substantially decreases in the presence of light. The same probe used for detecting the targeted cells may also be used for destroying the cells so targeted.

Abstract: A sensor unit for use in measurements on a subject is presented. The sensor unit includes a near field electromagnetic sensor and a flexible signal transmission structure, which are integral with one another by means of at least one common continuous surface. The flexible signal transmission structure is constructed from a first layer including signal connection lines associated with sensor cells near field electromagnetic sensor and a second electrically conductive layer electrically coupled to the electrically conductive material of the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for tissue-characterization, designed for effective sensor-to-tissue contact. The device includes an element, having a rigid surface of a linear cross-section, on which at least one sensor is arranged, and a mechanism for applying a force to a soft tissue, the line of force being at an acute angle with the rigid surface, for stretching or stretching and pushing the soft tissue against the rigid surface, thus achieving effective contact between the tissue and the at least one sensor. In consequence, the accuracy of the sensing is improved. In accordance with another embodiment, a plurality of sensors is employed, arranged along a curved element, for providing three-dimensional information regarding the tissue, for example, by small-scale computerized tomography.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in a tissue removal procedure from a subject is described. The surgical tool has proximal and distal regions and at least one sensor for sensing one or more predetermined conditions located at a distal region of the surgical tool. And a substantially flat signal transmission structure electrically connected with the at least one sensor and extending between the location at the distal region and the proximal region. The signal transmission structure is configured for providing impedance controlled signal transmission between the at least one sensor and the proximal region.

Abstract: A measurement system and method are provided for use in characterizing a tissue. The system comprises a probe adapted for operating in either a scan mode or a measure mode, and a control unit for operating the probe. The probe comprises a sensing module for measuring one or more parameters indicative of one or more states of the tissue; and an attachment module configured and operable to enable selective operation of the probe in either one of the scan mode and the measure modes. The control unit is configured and operative to selectively operate the probe in either one of the scan and measure modes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for tissue-characterization, designed for effective sensor-to-tissue contact. The device includes an element, having a rigid surface of a linear cross-section, on which at least one sensor is arranged, and a mechanism for applying a force to a soft tissue, the line of force being at an acute angle with the rigid surface, for stretching or stretching and pushing the soft tissue against the rigid surface, thus achieving effective contact between the tissue and the at least one sensor. In consequence, the accuracy of the sensing is improved. In accordance with another embodiment, a plurality of sensors is employed, arranged along a curved element, for providing three-dimensional information regarding the tissue, for example, by small-scale computerized tomography.

Abstract: A mapping system (200) including: (a) at least one external marker (210,212,214,216) adapted for positioning outside a target (520) to define a target context; (b) at least one target marker (230) adapted for positioning with the target; (c) a data acquisition tool (221) configured to provide position coordinates for at least one data point (220) at the target (520); and (d) a registration module (300) adapted to output position coordinates of said at least one data point relative to at least a portion of the target context.

Abstract: The present invention relates to probes, systems, and methods for tissue characterization by its dielectric properties, wherein a physical feature of the probe is designed to define and delimit a tissue volume, at a tissue edge, where characterization takes place. Thus, the probe for tissue-edge characterization comprises: a first inner conductor, which comprises: proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, inherently associated with the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, substantially at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a generally predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being generally defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to probes, systems, and methods for tissue characterization by its dielectric properties, wherein a physical feature of the probe is designed to define and delimit a tissue volume, at a tissue edge, where characterization takes place. Thus, the probe for tissue-edge characterization comprises: a first inner conductor, which comprises: proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, inherently associated with the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, substantially at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a generally predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being generally defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes.

Abstract: An integrated tool is provided, having a tissue-type sensor, for determining the tissue type at a near zone volume of a tissue surface, and a distance-measuring sensor, for determining the distance to an interface with another tissue type, for (i) confirming an existence of a clean margin of healthy tissue around a malignant tumor, which is being removed, and (ii) determining the depth of the clean margin. The integrated tool may further include a position tracking device and an incision instrument. The soft tissue may be held within a fixed frame, while the tumor is being removed.

Abstract: A sensor for tissue characterization is provided, comprising: a resonator, configured to be placed proximally to an edge of a tissue for characterization, without penetrating the tissue, the resonator comprising a conductive structure associated with a diameter-equivalent dimension D, in a plane substantially parallel with the edge, and with a feature size d; and at least one conductive lead, for providing communication with an external system, wherein the resonator is configured to resonate at a frequency which corresponds to a free-air wavelength range of between about lambda and about 40 lambda, wherein lambda is at least about ten times the diameter-equivalent D, and wherein upon receiving a signal in the range of between about lambda and about 40 lambda, the sensor is configured to induce electric and magnetic fields, in a near zone, in the tissue, the near zone having a diameter of about D, so that the tissue in the near zone effectively functions as part of the resonator, influencing its resonating val

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed, for examining a substance of a given volume to characterize its type, with an integrated sensing head. The method comprises applying locally to the substance of the given volume a polarizing magnetic field, with a component defining a polarizing axis; applying locally RF pulses to the substance of the given volume, the RF pulses having a B component, orthogonal to the polarizing axis, such as to invoke EI response signals corresponding to the electrical impedance (EI) of the examined substance of the given volume, and magnetic resonance (MR) response signals corresponding to the MR properties of the examined substance of the given volume; detecting locally EI response signals from the substance of the given volume; and detecting locally MR response signals from the substance of the given volume. Two or more sensing heads may be used, both applying locally the RF pulses and detecting.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for analysis and treatment of a tissue site. The system of the invention includes a probe unit containing one or more tissue sensing and monitoring probes configured to measure one or more parameters indicative of one or more states of the tissue site and one or more tissue treatment probes configured to deliver a treatment to the tissue site. A processor receives signals from the sensing and monitoring probes and determines whether the probe unit is located at the tissue site to be treated. The treatment and monitoring probes are activated in order to monitor the state of the tissue site while the treatment is being delivered to the tissue site.

Abstract: A measurement device is presented being configured to be connectable to an analyzer unit (comprising a network analyzer). The measurement device comprises a measuring unit and a calibration and control unit connected to and integral with the measuring unit. The calibration and control unit is configured to enable connection of the measuring unit to the analyzer unit. The calibration and control unit comprises a number of terminals of known RF reflection coefficients respectively and comprises a memory utility carrying recorded data indicative of said RF reflection coefficients and recorded data indicative of RF transfer coefficients of the calibration and control unit. This configuration enables calculation of the RF response of the measuring unit while remaining integral with the calibration and control unit.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) including: (a) a group definition module adapted to accept a user input defining groups; (b) a data receiver operable to receive a plurality of individual measurement input datum indicative of status of a substrate; (c) a grouping module configured to assign each of said individual measurement input datum to one of said groups to produce grouped data; and (d) an output module adapted to output the grouped data.

Abstract: Provided a method of automated classifying a tissue and a system thereof.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and probe for examining tissue for the presence of target cells, particularly cancerous cells, by subjecting the tissue to be examined to a contrast agent containing small particles of a physical element conjugated with a biological carrier selectively bindable to the target cells. Energy pulses are applied to the examined tissue. The changes in impedance and/or optical characteristics of the examined tissue produced by the applied energy pulses are detected and utilized for determining the presence of the target cells in the examined tissue. In a described preferred embodiment, the applied energy pulses include laser pulses, and the physical element conjugated with a biological carrier is a light-sensitive semiconductor having an impedance which substantially decreases in the presence of light. The same probe used for detecting the targeted cells may also be used for destroying the cells so targeted.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and probe for examining tissue for the presence of target cells, particularly cancerous cells, by subjecting the tissue to be examined to a contrast agent containing small particles of a physical element conjugated with a biological carrier selectively bindable to the target cells. Energy pulses are applied to the examined tissue. The changes in impedance and/or optical characteristics of the examined tissue produced by the applied energy pulses are detected and utilized for determining the presence of the target cells in the examined tissue. In a described preferred embodiment, the applied energy pulses include laser pulses, and the physical element conjugated with a biological carrier is a light-sensitive semiconductor having an impedance which substantially decreases in the presence of light. The same probe used for detecting the targeted cells may also be used for destroying the cells so targeted.

Abstract: A sensor for tissue characterization is provided, comprising: a resonator, configured to be placed proximally to an edge of a tissue for characterization, without penetrating the tissue, the resonator comprising a conductive structure associated with a diameter-equivalent dimension D, in a plane substantially parallel with the edge, and with a feature size d; and at least one conductive lead, for providing communication with an external system, wherein the resonator is configured to resonate at a frequency which corresponds to a free-air wavelength range of between about lambda and about 40 lambda, wherein lambda is at least about ten times the diameter-equivalent D, and wherein upon receiving a signal in the range of between about lambda and about 40 lambda, the sensor is configured to induce electric and magnetic fields, in a near zone, in the tissue, the near zone having a diameter of about D, so that the tissue in the near zone effectively functions as part of the resonator, influencing its resonating val

Abstract: An ergonomic device for intraoperative tissue characterization is provided, having a gripping handle and a sensor head, arranged with an angle ? between them, wherein in absolute value, ?>10 degrees, and ? may be adjusted in one, two, or three planes. The device may further comprise a light fixture, configured for lighting the tissue, as it is characterized, a marking module, configured for marking the tissue, as it is characterized, a vacuum system, for improved contact between a sensing surface and the tissue, and a transparent frame, which enables an operator to observe the tissue, as it is characterized. The device may be operative with at least one sensor, selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an X-ray sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, an ultrasound sensor, an MR sensor, an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, a nonirradiative RF sensor, and a mechanical sensor.