Abstract: Method and system for processing light signals received by the eye of a human or other animal, where the eye may be compromised or non-functioning. Incident light is received at first and second pixels in a photodetector array and provides a pixel electrical signal representing the received light. Each of an array of carbon nanotube (CNT) towers is connected to a pixel, has a first tower end penetrating a retinal active layer of the animal and has a second tower end positioned to receive to receive and transport the pixel electrical signal to the retinal active layer. The CNT tower may be coated with a biologically active substance or chemically modified to promote neurite connections with the tower. The photoreceptor array can be provide with a signal altering mechanism that alters at least one of light intensity and wavelength intensity sensed by a first pixel relative to a second pixel, to correct for one or more selected eye problems.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes one transmitting coil arranged in the longitudinal direction of an endoscope inserting portion in an ultrasonic endoscope, and another transmitting coil for detecting the position and the direction, which detects the position and the direction of a tomographic plane when forming a tomogram at a distal end portion of an inserting portion by an ultrasonic vibrator. A coil energizing signal is applied to both the transmitting coils so as to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field is detected by receiving coils. A position and direction calculating circuit detects positional data of the one transmitting coil and positional and directional data of the other transmitting coil. The calculated data is transmitted to an auxiliary-image forming circuit which forms an image of an inserting shape and an auxiliary image indicating the position and the direction of the tomographic plane.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for treating a patient who has lost, or is at risk of losing cardiac function by cardiac ischemia are disclosed. Treatment includes first imaging a patient's heart, or a portion thereof, to identify underperfused regions of cardiac muscle, and a source of oxygenated blood that is proximate to the underperfused region. Between the underperfused regions and the oxygenated blood source, a target area is selected where thermal or mechanical injury is introduced, and optionally reintroduced, to convert initial capillary blush, resulting from the injury.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for eye exercise. The eye exercise device includes a housing with colored light sources of at least two different colors in a substantially linear alignment, including a first color which causes the eye to increase its focusing power to gain a sharp image of the first color, and a second color which causes the eye to decrease the focusing power to gain a sharp image of the second color. A controller may control the display of the light sources to an observer. A method of exercising eyes is provided that includes exposing an observer to red and blue light sources, and activating one or more of the light sources to display the light sources to the observer one-at-a-time.

Abstract: A puncturing needle guide includes a plate-like body whose width diminishes gradually from one end thereof to the other end thereof; a plurality of holes which are formed in an end surface of the puncturing needle guide at one end thereof and through which a puncturing needle can be passed; a single hole which is formed in an end surface of the puncturing needle guide at the other end thereof and through which the puncturing needle can be passed; a hollow that is formed inside the plate-like body and that allows the plurality of holes and the single hole to communicate with one another; and an attachment which is formed along an edge of the plate-like body in a width direction thereof and by which the plate-like body is attached to an ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging system performs receive-focusing at voxels corresponding to pixels of a display device. The system comprises a display device; transducers for transmitting ultrasound signals toward the object and receiving echo signals from a voxel corresponding to a pixel on the display device, wherein the voxel is on a scanning region of the object; an RF volume memory for storing signals from the transducers; a signal processor for processing the stored signals to obtain 3D data sets with respect to the voxel; and an image former for forming the 3D image.

Abstract: A biomagnetic field measuring apparatus has a plurality of fluxmeters disposed externally of a living body and each including a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) for detecting a biomagnetic field generated from the living body, the plurality of fluxmeters being operative to detect a temporal change of a component of the biomagnetic field in a first direction which is vertical to the surface of the living body, an operation processor for performing computation for determining a temporal change of a value proportional to a root of square sum of differential value of the first-direction magnetic field component in second and third directions which cross the first direction and computation for integrating the temporal change of the value over a predetermined interval to determine an integral value, and a display for displaying the determined integral value. Distribution of magnetic fields generated from the heart is determined with a small number of fluxmeters.

Abstract: Microscopes with a noncontact wide-angle viewing scope are used during surgeries on the eye, wherein an electromotively adjustable optic is provided between the lens and the eye. In order to prevent the surgeon from interrupting the surgery in order to refocus and to allow the electromotive drive to be maintained in a sterile condition, the drive is provided above the lens and is rotatably connected to an adjusting gear for the optic by means of a flexible drive shaft which can be released from the drive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a focused ultrasound procedure monitored using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. An MRI system uses a timing sequence for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals and detecting magnetic resonance (MR) response signals from a patient's body in response to the RF pulse sequences. A piezoelectric transducer is driven with drive signals such that the transducer emits acoustic energy towards a target tissue region within the patient's body. Parameters of the drive signals are changed at times during the timing sequence that minimize interference with the MRI system detecting MR response signals, e.g., during transmission of RF signals by the MRI system.

Abstract: An aligning method for an ophthalmologic apparatus including a measurement optical system for measuring the eyes of an object to be examined and an illumination system for illuminating the eyes with extrinsic eye light is disclosed. When a reflected cornea image can be detected by irradiating an eye of the object with alignment light, alignment of the measurement optical system is executed on the basis of the reflected cornea image. If no reflected cornea image of the alignment light can be detected, a reflected cornea image formed by the extrinsic eye light is detected, and alignment of the measurement optical system is executed on the basis of the reflected cornea image formed by the extrinsic eye light. Thereafter, the reflected cornea image is detected again.

Abstract: An ophthalmic photographing apparatus capable of photographing a fundus and a slit-sectioned anterior segment of an eye in non-mydriatic conditions. The apparatus is provided with a light source unit including an infrared light source optical system for observation and a visible light source optical system for photographing, a hand-held photographing unit including a first illumination optical system with an illumination lens, and an observation/photographing optical system with an objective lens, and being separated from the light source unit, a slit light illumination unit including a second illumination optical system with a slit plate and an illumination lens, and being removably attached to the photographing unit, and a photoconductive tube connecting the light source unit to the photographing or illumination unit and transmitting infrared light for observation and visible light for photographing from the light source unit to the first or second illumination optical system.

Abstract: A method of testing applicable to a vision aid, such as a tinted transparent overlay for placement over textual matter to be read, or selection of a tint for a vdu screen, to assist in amelioration of symptoms in dyslexia and other optical and related disorders, uses a quantitative approach to the identification of the colorimetric parameter within the three dimensions of color space applicable to the vision aid for optimal patient visual performance, and provides a test procedure in which a numerical value (the benefit value) is associated with a given value of each of the three calorimetric parameters, and a short series of similar tests on differing colorimetric parameters enables the optimum value to be interpreted whereby the optimal value may not be a value actually tested, with tasks strictly separated into array tasks and non-array tasks.

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: Echogenic medical devices, methods of fabrication and methods of use are disclosed. The device can be adapted to be inserted into a patient. The echogenic construction can be incorporated into the device at the time of fabrication providing acoustic impedance different from that of the surrounding biological tissue or fluid. The medical device is designed for use with an ultrasound imaging system to provide real-time location of the insertion and guidance at the time the device is implanted in a patient, such as in brachytherapy. Following placement of the device the position can be evaluated over time to insure the device remains in proper aligmnent and functional. Furthermore, the device is designed to incorporate a spacer element at one or both ends to provide separation between radioactive elements.

Abstract: Ultrasound applicators able to both image a treatment site and administer ultrasound therapy include an array of transducer elements that can be focused. In several embodiments, an electronically phased array is used for controlling the focal point of an ultrasound beam. The ultrasound beam produced thereby can also be electronically steered. To reduce the quality factor or Q of the array when the array is used for imaging, an electronic switch is selectively closed, placing a resistance in parallel with each of the array elements. A flexible array is employed in several embodiments and is selectively bent or flexed to vary its radius of curvature and thus control the focal point and/or a direction of focus of the array. In another embodiment, each of the transducer elements comprising the array are individually mechanically pivotable to steer the ultrasonic beam produced by the transducer elements.

Abstract: Valvular regurgitation is assessed by identifying a characteristic regurgitation jet in a colorflow image. An M-line is placed over the region of regurgitation and Doppler M-mode information is acquired from the flow convergence region adjacent the regurgitant orifice. The Doppler M-mode information, acquired at a higher acquisition rate than the colorflow frame rate, is used to produce a measure of the regurgitant flow rate and volume through the orifice. The flow rate can be used with velocity data acquired during the regurgitation event to produce a dynamic estimate of the size of the regurgitant valve orifice.

Abstract: In order to optimize the handling of a rotating surgical tool for producing a depression in bone material, provision is made for an ultrasonic transducer which is capable of emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to be arranged in the tool, and for the ultrasonic transducer to be connectable to an ultrasonic generator and to a receiver which generates signals in dependence upon the strength of the ultrasonic radiation received by the ultrasonic transducer and upon the length of time between the emission of ultrasonic radiation and the reception of reflected ultrasonic radiation, which are a measure of the condition of the bone material in the direction of emission.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic device has an ultrasonic sensor having a substrate, a piezoelectric element mounted on the substrate for generating an ultrasonic wave to be transmitted into a living body in accordance with an input drive signal, and an intimate contact layer having a first main surface disposed in contact with the piezoelectric element and a second main surface opposite the first main surface for contacting a part of the living body. The intimate contact layer is formed of a flexible material such that the second main surface of the intimate contact layer is brought into close contact with the part of the living body so that no air gaps exist between the second main surface of the intimate contact layer and the part of the living body. A driver circuit generates an input drive signal to drive the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for electronically scanning a volumetric region using a two dimensional array of transducer elements coupled to a beamformer. Elements of the array are actuated to transmit ultrasonic energy into the volumetric region. Echo signals are received by elements of the array in response to the transmitted ultrasonic energy. Beams are formed which sample the volumetric region that allows choices of size, location and geometry shapes such as in one of a circular and elliptical beam pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying information concerning a tubular structure is disclosed. The method includes determining a centerline of the tubular structure and a plurality of center points along that centerline, determining a plurality of cross-sections at the respective center points that are perpendicular to the centerline, and identifying first values associated with each of the cross-sections and indicative of a first characteristic of the tubular structure. The method additionally includes generating a modified image of the tubular structure by determining a plurality of image lines corresponding to the respective cross-sections, and displaying a curve that represents the first characteristic alongside the modified image. The curve is formed by displaying, along a scale, a plurality of second values that are functionally related to the respective first values, each second value being positioned alongside the modified image along a respective one of the image lines.