Abstract: A system for planning a surgical operation by using virtual representation of bones and/or a bone joint is disclosed. The system includes at least two reference frames each of which having first and second ends. The first end of each reference frame is configured to be affixed to the bones. The system also includes a plurality of first electromagnetic or acoustic wave emitting devices attached to the second end of each of the reference frames. In addition, the system includes a moveable pointer having first and second ends, wherein the first end is a pointing tip configured to be positioned at a plurality of desired locations of the bones or the bone joint and a plurality of second electromagnetic or acoustic wave emitting devices attached to the second end of the moveable pointer. Furthermore, the system includes a three-dimensional localizer device.

Abstract: A device and method for precisely delivering dosage of radiation from a radiation source to a treatment site of a vessel is provided herein. In one embodiment, the device includes a catheter which inserts into a vessel lumen of the body. The catheter includes an adjuster section for altering a portion of the radiation emitting radially from the radiation source so that the radiation source delivers an asymmetrical radiation profile to the vessel. The device can also include a catheter supporter which inhibits rotational deformation in the catheter between a catheter distal end and a catheter proximal end. This allows the delivery section to be precisely rotated to properly position the adjuster section within the vessel lumen.

Abstract: A method for producing an image of a selected region of interest included in a volume within a moving and deforming object in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system includes applying at least one integrated preparatory pulse sequence to the region of interest prior to any subsequent imaging sequences. The integrated preparatory pulse sequence is adapted to simultaneously, alter longitudinal magnetization of spins located outside of the selected region and to further impose a grid pattern on the selected region. The integrated preparatory pulse sequence is subsequently followed by a projection imaging technique.

Abstract: A novel method of hematoma-directed ultrasound guided excisional breast biopsy is disclosed. In one aspect of the inventon, the hematoma is produced by an injection of the patient's own blood into a pre-selected area to target a lesion. Detection of the targeted lesion and hematoma is achieved with MRI. In a second aspect of the invention, the hematoma is produced by stereotactic core needle breast biopsy in a pre-selected area, and the targeted lesion and hematoma are detected using intraoperative ultrasound. The method avoids many of the disadvantages associated with traditional needle localized breast biopsy. The method can also be used to guide the excision of lesions visualized by MRI, ultrasound, mammography, PET scanning, and scintimammography. The method may be used in any organ and, in particular, the breast.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a location of a sensor in a surgical navigation domain includes a first magnetic field generator having a first coil set, a second magnetic field generator having a second coil set. The first and second coil sets are disposed substantially within a common plane. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to receive a plurality of signals. The processor calculates the location of the sensor from the plurality of signals. The sensor produces the plurality of signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the first and second magnetic field generators.

Abstract: The computer system is capable of acquiring and displaying images of the prostate of a patient for assisting a surgeon in placing ablative elements in the prostate of the patient. The computer system is programmed with software capable of: 1) determining the dimensions of the prostate; and, 2) determining the dimensions and location of a treatment zone. The treatment zone is determined to include only one neurovascular bundle of the prostate and exclude the other neurovascular bundle of the prostate. The system utilizes the determined dimensions of the prostate and treatment zone for computing the number and location of ablative elements needed to treat the treatment zone while minimizing any adverse effect on the patient's sexual function.

Abstract: A video-based surgical targeting system for targeting anatomical structures within a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining feedback to drive a servo system for aligning and maintaining alignment in optical systems that bring light to an in vivo skin sample, for adjusting the focus of the optical system, and for adjusting the net depth of focus of the optical system within the in vivo system under characterization. These methods comprise adjusting the angle of incidence of electromagnetic radiation and/or providing a shielding lens to block scattered incident light, or otherwise limiting the field of view of the Raman scattered radiation collection system to exclude optical surfaces of the excitation delivery portion of the optical system. In one embodiment, the method comprises discriminating between Raman signals originating on outer portions of skin from signals originating from substances deeper within the skin or other tissues. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for detecting skin abnormalities and for assessing the aging of skin and related tissues.

Abstract: A biomagnetic field measuring apparatus including: a plurality of magnetometers each employing a superconducting quantum interference device for measuring the magnetic field generated from an organism; a unit for calculating a pseudo-current from a normal component of the magnetic field; a unit for calculating the pseudo-current from the magnetic field obtained from the plurality of magnetometers to integrate the pseudo-current in a fixed direction on the circumference at a fixed distance from each of the associated ones of the sensors; a unit for calculating a maximum value or a minimum value of the integral value obtained by the unit for performing the integral; and a unit for calculating a difference value between the absolute value of the maximum value and the absolute value of the minimum value.

Abstract: Method and an apparatus for examining a tissue using the spectral wing emission therefrom induced by visible to infrared photoexcitation. In one aspect, the method is used to characterize the condition of a tissue sample and comprises the steps of (a) photoexciting the tissue sample with substantially monochromatic light having a wavelength of at least 600 nm; and (b) using the resultant far red and near infrared spectral wing emission (SW) emitted from the tissue sample to characterize the condition of the tissue sample. In one embodiment, the substantially monochromatic photoexciting light is a continuous beam of light, and the resultant steady-state far red and near infrared SW emission from the tissue sample is used to characterize the condition of the tissue sample.

Abstract: The method and device of the present invention for ultrasound wound treatment includes a transducer to produce ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer has tip with the distal end (radiation surface). A liquid is directed to the radiation surface throug central orifice or separate tube wherein an directed atomized particle spray of the liquid is created upon contact of the liquid with the radiation surface. The spray directed to the wound from at least 0.1 inches transmits ultrasound waves trough particles and has an irrigation, mechanical cleansing, liquid energizing and bactericide effect.

Abstract: A control device for a living body including an input device having a launcher for launching light into the living body from at least one light incident position on a surface of the living body, a collector for collecting light obtained by causing the light incident from the light incident position to pass through the living body, at at least one light detection position on the surface of the living body, a detector for detecting an intensity of the transmitted light collected by the collector, an operator for determining a type of output signal, based on the intensity of the transmitted light, which has been detected by the detector and pre-stored reference data and for outputting a signal indicative thereof. External equipment is provided for using the signal outputted as an input signal and for executing a functional operation according to a type of the input signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for visualizing structure located on the interior of a biological substance. The device of the present invention includes a marker member which may be a solid cylinder or lumen having an interior volume. The marker member has a proximal end, and a distal end. The distal end of the device is removably insertable in the biological substance relative to the interior structure to be visualized and is composed of a biologically stable substrate material. An image-enhancing material is contained relative to the marker member in a manner such that the imaging material does not directly contact the biological substance; such imaging material will remain self-contained without causing significant tissue absorption, toxicity or undesired image distortion. The imaging material of choice is one which is capable of producing an emission or signal detectable external to the biological substance by suitable imaging instrumentation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the safe delivery of thermosensitive liposomes containing medicant to a targeted tissue region using ultrasound. Thermosensitive liposomes containing medicants are delivered to a region of interest, the region of interest is located using ultrasound imaging, ultrasound therapy is applied to heat the region of interest, and the temperature of the region is monitored to determine whether a designated threshold temperature has been reached which allows for the release of medicants from the liposomes. If the threshold temperature is reached, and the liposomes are melted, the treatment stops. If the threshold temperature has not been reached, the application of ultrasound therapy and ultrasound imaging are alternated until the threshold temperature is reached. The ultrasound imaging, temperature monitoring and ultrasound therapy are preferably performed with a single transducer.

Abstract: The present invention, in the physiological magnetic field measuring instrument, recognizes characteristic waveforms (for example, heart beats) repeatedly appearing by physiological activity from measured signal waveforms, registers one of measured heart beats as a reference waveform, evaluates the difference degree of each measured heart beat data from the reference waveform, and executes the averaging process using only waveforms whose difference degrees are less than the allowable value. The present invention registers waveforms whose difference degrees are more than the allowable value as abnormal data and puts them into the display enabled state. Discrimination information is as signed to measurement conditions necessary for measuring the physiological magnetic field and data analysis conditions and when the discrimination information is designated for measurement, the measurement conditions and analysis conditions can be read.

Abstract: A handpiece having a set of longitudinally vibrating piezoelectric elements and which may additionally have an electric motor to provide rotational or oscillatory movement to the ultrasound horn. The piezoelectric elements are surrounded by a high temperature plastic sleeve, and the sleeve is filled with high temperature potting material. The potting material seal the piezoelectric elements against moisture without affecting the performance of the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for observing a body, in particular a viewer, comprising means for illuminating (12) the body (5), means for sampling (400, 450, 500, 700) light coming from an illuminated site (01) of the body and compensating means (20) for measuring a deformation of the wave front of a beam coming from a point of the body (5) and for applying to the light sampled by the sampling means (400, 450, 500, 700) a correction calculated on the basis of said measured deformation.

Abstract: A living body function measurement method comprises separating a light from a low coherence light source into a signal light and a reference light, modulating a frequency of at least one of the signal light and the reference light, irradiating the signal light to an observation area of a living body sample, giving a stimulation to the living body sample from an outside of the living body sample, synthesizing the signal light via the observation area and the reference light and detecting a heterodyne interference signal, and measuring a living body function of the observation area by measuring a change in the heterodyne interference signal when the stimulation is changed.

Abstract: Movement of material in an organism, such as a drug injected into a brain, is modeled by a uniformly structured field of static constants governing transport by moving fluid and diffusion within the fluid. This supports planning of material introduction, (e.g., infusion, perfusion, retroperfusion, injections, etc.) to achieve a desired distribution of the material, continuing real-time feedback as to whether imaged material is moving as planned and will be distributed as desired, and real-time plan modification to improve results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring the location of an interventional medical device (IMD) using ultrasonic signals. Both the proximity and alignment of the IMD are calculated from ultrasound signals reflected off the tissue surface. The inclusion of an offset between the distal end of the IMD and the ultrasound transducer enables accurate position and alignment monitoring of when the IMD is in contact with, or very close to, the tissue surface. The timing of the reflected signal is used to measure proximity or contact. A comparison of the strength between multiple reflected signals is used to measure the alignment of the IMD in 3D space or perpendicularity to a given surface. The present invention may be used as a location indicator within a wide variety of IMDs, and in a wide variety of medical procedures.