Abstract: A tissue-sensing adaptive radar method of detecting tumours in breast tissue uses microwave backscattering to detect tumours which have different electrical properties than healthy breast tissue. The method includes steps for reducing skin reflections and for constructing a three-dimensional image using synthetic focusing which shows the presence or absence of microwave reflecting tissues.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a needle in conjunction with a biopsy using a medical imaging device, where an open-ended needle guide with an adjustable pivoting multi-gauge needle stop is used to guide a needle during insertion and during a tilting of the needle with respect to the medical imaging device.

Abstract: For the purpose of preventing noticeable interleave blocks on a display screen, when a number of packets P is defined, P (?2) ultrasonic pulse transmissions are conducted in one direction to acquire one acoustic line signal. At that time, if a number of interleaves I is defined, the ultrasonic pulse transmissions in the one direction are each interleaved with ultrasonic pulse transmissions for acquiring (I?1) acoustic line signals that belong to (I?1) frames different from the frame to which the former acoustic line signal belongs.

Abstract: Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomotography (CT), or other diagnostic modalities may employ a three-step procedure during initial (“scout”) cranial pre-scans that corrects for patient positioning (i.e., roll, yaw and pitch) to reduce inter- and intra-patient variation, thereby enhancing the diagnostic and comparative value of subsequent detail scans even across different diagnostic platforms. In MRI, for instance, locating the saggital sinus (SS) and optimizing a line to bisect the brain through this SS may be automated to correct for roll and yaw. By then identifying the contour of the corpus callosum in a lateral saggital scout scan, the Talairach anterior commissure (AC)—posterior commissure (PC) reference line may be found for correcting pitch. Prescription of detailed scans are improved, especially when the three-step correction is repeated periodically identifying the need to repeat a detailed scan or to adjust the coordinates of a subsequent scan.

Abstract: A system to aid in ultrasound scanning of breast tissue includes a fabric covering, which is adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning, an ultrasonic coupling agent applied to one of the covering or the breast tissue, and a lenticular-shaped pad to cover the nipple of the breast tissue. The pad is placed beneath and held in place by the fabric covering, and the covering is capable of absorbing the coupling agent and conducting ultrasonic energy with minimal interference.

Abstract: Image processing is used to determine information about the position of a designated object, particularly where the object is difficult to view or locate. In particular, use in endoscopic surgery can determine positional information about an anatomical feature within a patient's body. The positional information is then used to position or reposition a surgical instrument in relation to the designated object. An instrument placed in relation to the designated object is capable of sending information about the object to a computer. Image processing generates images and determines positional information, which can be used as input to robotic devices or rendered to a human user.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a method and system for measuring and imaging local lung function. The method includes triggering an image scan of at least a lung cross-section of a patient, scanning the lung cross-section during at least one of an inspiration and an expiration of air by the patient to obtain lung image data and measuring a lung function during at least one of an inspiration and an expiration of air by the patient to obtain lung function data. The method may also include performing a preview scan of the patient to identify the lung cross-section for imaging. Additionally, the lung image data and lung function data may be combined for use in diagnosis of the patient. The lung image data and lung function data may also be output. The method may further include processing the lung function data to generate a plot of lung attenuation versus time.

Abstract: A tranducer assembly for an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a front driver having an elongate shaft in one direction and a stud extending in an opposite direction. An electromechanical transducer element is disposed around the stud. The transducer assembly also comprises a rear driver disposed around the stud on a side of the electromechanical transducer element opposite the front driver, the electromechanical transducer element being clamped between the front driver and the rear driver. An inertial or damping mass is fixedly connected to the stud at a point spaced from the rear driver. The stud is of length and thinness to act as a flexible vibration damping element.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus, a double echo sequence having a gradient echo and a spin echo is implemented with a flow compensation for the gradient echo in at least one direction. The flow compensation gives the double echo sequence an insensitivity to flow phenomena.

Abstract: An inserting portion has, at the proximal end thereof, an operating portion having a bending lever for bending operation. The operating portion has, on the front end side thereof, a grip portion gripped by an operator. The grip portion has therein a plate frame as an internal structure for ensuring predetermined strength. At the notch portion formed by partly notching the frame, an image pick-up unit is mounted to form an optical image transmitted by image guiding fibers to a CCD via a relay optical system. The image pick-up unit is fixed to the frame via an attaching member. Thus, predetermined strength is assured and the image pick-up unit is compactly accommodated with simple structure. A predetermined image pick-up function using the image pick-up unit is held without the action of high tension to the image guiding fibers by mounting a bending portion to the image guiding fibers.

Abstract: A modal converter having at least one ultrasonic transducer or at least one array of such transducers positioned on the modal converter at various angles relative to a tissue surface and bone tissue surface, such that some combination of one or more of the following occur: longitudinal waves are produced perpendicular to the bone surface, longitudinal waves propagate along the surface of the skin after incidence at the skin tissue surface, and both longitudinal and shear waves propagate along the surface of the bone after incidence at the bone tissue surface. Illuminating an open tissue wound and bone fracture site with these acoustic modes enhances and promotes angiogenesis and the biological endostial or periostial healing phases, or both, of the bone fracture healing process. The spatial and temporal distribution of acoustic waves directed to the treatment area via the ultrasonic transducers and the modal converter may be controlled.

Abstract: A technique for measuring broadband near-infrared absorption spectra of turbid media that uses a combination of frequency-domain and steady-state reflectance methods. Most of the wavelength coverage is provided by a white-light steady-state measurement, whereas the frequency-domain data are acquired at a few selected wavelengths. Coefficients of absorption and reduced scattering derived from the frequency-domain data are used to calibrate the intensity of the steady-state measurements and to determine the reduced scattering coefficient at all wavelengths in the spectral window of interest. The absorption coefficient spectrum is determined by comparing the steady-state reflectance values with the predictions of diffusion theory, wavelength by wavelength. Absorption spectra of a turbid phantom and of human breast tissue in vivo, derived with the combined frequency-domain and steady-state technique, agree well with expected reference values.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for analyzing surgical techniques using a computer system for gathering and analyzing surgical data acquired during a surgical procedure on a body portion and comparing that data to pre-selected target values for the particular surgical procedure. The inventive method allows the surgeon, for example, to measure the technical success of a surgical procedure in terms of quantifiable geometric, spatial, kinematic or kinetic parameters. The method comprises calculation of these parameters from data collected during a surgical procedure and then comparing these results with values of the same parameters derived from target values defined by the surgeon, surgical convention, or computer simulation of the same procedure prior to the operation itself.

Abstract: There is described a method for determining a mechanical axis of a femur using a computer aided surgery system having an output device for displaying said mechanical axis, the method comprising: providing a position sensing system having a tracking device capable of registering instantaneous position readings and attaching the tracking device to the femur; locating a center of a femoral head of the femur by moving a proximal end of the femur to a first static position, acquiring a fixed reading of the first static position, repeating the moving and the acquiring for a plurality of static positions; and locating the centre by determining a central point of a pattern formed by the plurality of static positions; digitizing an entrance point of the mechanical axis at a substantially central position of the proximal end of the femur; and joining a line between the entrance point and the center of rotation to form the mechanical axis.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, or plaque at risk of reducing blood flow in a vessel, by identifying a region of elevated temperature along a living vessel wall. The disclosure that human atherosclerotic plaque with measurable temperature heterogeneity has the morphological characteristics of plaque that is likely to ulcerate provides a new and sensitive technique for detecting and treating these dangerous plaques before myocardial infarction and its consequences occur. The disclosed methods are advantageous over conventional plaque detection techniques because they are capable of differentiating between those plaques that are at great risk of rupture, fissure, or ulceration, and consequent thrombosis and occlusion of the artery, and those that are not presently at risk. Infrared heat-sensing catheters useful for identifying potentially fatal arterial plaques in patients with disease of the coronary or other arteries are also described.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for the percutaneous placement of a medical device at an area of interest in a tissue mass comprises an introducer comprising a cannula having an insertion tip, an expulsion opening near the insertion tip, and a medical device within the cannula comprising an imaging element, and a guide element connected to the imaging element and having a separable portion, and wherein the cannula is inserted into the tissue mass such that the medical device can be expelled through the expulsion opening into the tissue mass, and when the cannula is withdrawn from the tissue mass, the imaging element is placed within the tissue mass at the area of interest, and at least part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass, and when the separable portion is separated from the guide element, no part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass.

Abstract: An intraocular tension measuring method comprising vibrating an eyeball to be examined by a sound wave, measuring vibration of the eyeball to be examined by a noninvasive means to determine a Q value of resonance of the eyeball to be examined, and calculating intraocular tension from the Q value, and an intraocular tension measuring device comprising a vibrating means for vibrating an eyeball to be examined by a sound wave, a measuring means for noninvasively measuring vibration of the eyeball to be examined, a Q value calculating means for calculating a Q value of resonance of the eyeball to be examined from the vibration measured by the measuring means, and an intraocular tension calculating means for calculating intraocular tension from the Q value.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, in order to suppress generation of artifacts when a linear or non-linear phase error is generated during sampling of the echo signals, a first sequence for acquiring a plurality of echo signals by radiating a radio-frequency magnetic field pulse to an object to be examined, performing phase encoding, while alternating the polarity of a readout gradient magnetic field, and a second sequence for acquiring a plurality of echo signals by repeatedly applying the readout gradient magnetic field while reversing its polarity to that in the first sequence at the same phase encoding direction are performed. Signal processing means performs complex addition of the echo signals having the same phase encoding amount respectively obtained in the first sequence and the second sequence, and reconstructs an image.

Abstract: A method of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging comprising acquiring undersampled magnetic resonance signals for successive temporal time slots. In a space spanned by geometrical space and temporal frequency and on the basic of a priori information the aliased difference magnetic resonance data which are gained by subtracting for respective k-space sampling positions data of a baseline magnetic resonance image from the undersampled magnetic resonance signals are decomposed into difference data which essentially pertain to individual spatial positions at individual time slots.

Abstract: A metal detection apparatus includes a transmitter for generating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the metal object, and a detector for detecting a secondary magnetic field. The detector include a first gradiometer for providing a first output signal representative of a first direction, y, to the metal object, a second gradiometer arranged substantially orthogonal to the first gradiometer for providing a second output signal representative of a second direction, x, to the metal object, the second direction being substantially orthogonal to the first direction and in the same plane as the first direction, and an outer coil and an inner coil arranged to be substantially concentric with one another and each of which is arranged to provide an output signal representative of secondary magnetic field strength in a third direction, z, which is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the first and second directions.