Abstract: A magnetic stereotactic system for treatment delivery includes a plurality of magnetic coils arranged to at least partially to surround a body part and generate a changeable magnetic field to guide a magnetic object within the body part; and at least one x-ray source and at least one x-ray detector on opposite sides of the body part, and outside the magnetic coils but aligned with the magnetic coils to provide images of the body part that is partially surrounded by the coils. According to one embodiment, the medical treatment device has a thin elongate portion, and after moving the medical treatment device within the body to the specific location in the body by applying a magnetic field to move the magnetic object coupled to the medical treatment device, and leaving the thin elongate portion in the path through the body; the medical treatment device is removed from the body by pulling the thin elongate portion to pull the medical treatment device from the body.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an ultrasound system for the production of an acoustic wave pressure on a desired organ. The present invention further concerns a method for closing a liquid containing vessel, such as a blood vessel, by applying a first pulse of acoustic pressure for emptying the vessel of liquid, and than applying a second pulse for adhering the walls of the vessel to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizing non-linear optical signals for use in constructing a three-dimensional tomographic map of an in vivo biological tissue for medical disease detection purposes. In one embodiment, said apparatus comprises a stage for supporting the in vivo biological tissue; a laser for illuminating the in vivo biological tissue with a focused beam of laser light, the light emerging from the in vivo biological tissue comprising fundamental light, harmonic wave light, and fluorescence due to multi-photon excitation; a filter for selectively passing only at least one of the harmonic wave light and the fluorescence; one or more detectors for individually detecting each of the harmonic wave light and the fluorescence selectively passed; and a mechanism for moving the laser relative to the stage in x, y and z directions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument including an improved outer sheath which is removable and which rotateably engages the ultrasonic waveguide to facilitate attachment of the ultrasonic instrument to a handpiece. In particular, in one embodiment of the present invention, an improved sheath includes a first and second sheath pin slots extending from the proximal end of the sheath to first and second sheath pinholes respectively. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to the present invention further includes a connector pin, the connector pin extending through the first sheath pinhole, a waveguide pinhole and the second sheath pinhole and an attachment hub surrounding the outer sheath, wherein the attachment hub is slideable over the outer sheath. A first pin slot may be positioned on an inner surface of the attachment hub wherein the connector pin engages the first pin slot when the attachment hub is in its proximal most position.

Abstract: A probe instrument using room-temperature sensor(s) that can measure magnetic susceptibilities variations. The instrument has sufficient resolution to monitor paramagnetic materials in a human body, and preferably iron in a human liver by noninvasively examining patients with iron-overload diseases. The instrument includes room temperature magnetic sensors, and detects the sample, that is the tissue response to an alternating current field applied by an applied field coil. The sensors that can be used include magnetoresistive, fluxgate and magnetoinductive sensors. The applied field coil dimensions are chosen so that the applied field is optimized for maximum response from the liver while minimizing the effects due to the overlying abdominal tissue and at the same time not unduly increasing the sensitivity of the instrument to the lung. To minimize noise introduced in the sensor due to fluctuations in the applied field, the applied field is canceled at the position of the sensor, i.e.

Abstract: Coronary arteries are imaged using a cardiac gated, 3DFT fast gradient recalled echo MRA pulse sequence. A scout scan is performed to measure motion during a cardiac or respiratory cycle and a quiescent period of minimal artery motion is identified. Image data is acquired during a succession of cardiac cycles, and the view order is selected to sample the center of k-space during the quiescent period of each cardiac and or respiratory cycle to reduce motion artifacts.

Abstract: A magnetoencephalogram (MEG) method and system for detecting and analyzing the magnetic effects of brain waves uses a dewar having a helmet-shaped cavity and an array of magnetic field detectors arranged in an array. In one embodiment the field detectors are located in the same relative locations as electrodes in the EEG 10/20 system. A subject's MEG data is compared to a normative spontaneous and/or evoked MEG database collected using standardized detector positions and sensory stimuli and/or to a normative QEEG database simultaneously or previously constructed using corresponding standardized electrode positions and sensory stimuli. Statistical parameters in these databases assess the probability that MEG features derived from a subject are within normal limits. Deviations are indicated on interpolated statistical probability maps color-coded to indicate degree of abnormality. Multivariate statistical analyses may be used to categorize brain disorders in individual patients.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of evaluating the signal of an infrared thermometer for measuring human body temperature, in which the infrared thermometer includes a probe adapted to receive thereon a probe cover or protective film sufficiently transparent to infrared radiation, and in which on a measuring operation performed with the probe cover or protective film in “installed” condition the signal is evaluated, so that a measuring operation is performed also when the probe cover or protective film is not installed, with an appropriate allowance being made for the consequently more intensive infrared radiation by different signal evaluation.

Abstract: An instrument for achieving rapid hemostasis at the conclusion of a catheterization procedure comprising a hemostatic agent injection device for use with a conventional introducer sheath used to gain access to the blood vessel. The injection device includes an elongated tubular member having ejection ports proximate its distal end. A hub member includes an elongated groove or track located in its surface with a transparent cover. The enclosed track is sealed from the lumen extending through the tubular member with a compliant membrane and filled with a predetermined amount of fluid. After the catheterization procedure, the device is inserted into the introducer sheath. Blood flows into the lumen of the device and pulsates against the compliant membrane. The fluid in the track pulsates within the enclosed track, clearly indicating that the ports are located in the blood vessel and subjected to variations in blood pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method for improving the signal-to-noise ratio for a series of MR images or CT images which are based on the projection-reconstruction method. First the pixels which reproduce the same sub-structure in the projection images are determined in the one-dimensional projection images constituting the two-dimensional MR or CT images. The image values of these pixels are subjected to noise filtering. Two-dimensional MR images or CT images are reconstructed from the noise filtered one-dimensional projection images.

Abstract: A radiation thermometer which starts body temperature measuring operations when a temperature measurement switch is pressed, inserts a probe into an opening of a living being, receives an infrared ray from within the opening and computes a temperature, and displays a maximum value of measured temperature data as a body temperature, for the purpose of avoiding temperature measurement and displaying of a temperature executed by manipulation of the temperature measurement start switch after insertion of the probe into an opening of a living being, a careless manipulation of the switch after insertion into an external acoustic opening despite a previous normal manipulation of the switch before insertion, etc.

Abstract: An ophthalmological measurement apparatus for measuring bloodstream velocity in an fundus blood vessel in an eye to be measured including a measurement system for measuring the bloodstream velocity in the fundus blood vessel, an input block for inputting information relating to the fundus blood vessel as an object to be measured by the measurement system, and a control block for selecting the measurement conditions and computation conditions of the measurement system, based on the information input by the input block.

Abstract: A radiographic marker is disclosed to indicate a biopsy site and entry path. The marker has an arrow shape configuration with a shaft and a pair of limbs extending from the shaft at an angle of less than about 90°. The tip of the arrow indicates the biopsy site and the shaft indicates the said entry path. The marker preferable is a single piece of wire, having a diameter of less than 0.010 inches, folded to four sections, to form the limbs and shaft of the arrow. Fibers can be affixed to the shaft to cause the marker to fibrose within the tissue. An introducing device, having a body and a hub, is used to insert the marker. The introducing device body has an interior diameter dimensioned to hold the shaft of the marker. A marker pusher is dimensioned to fit within the introducing device and is used to deploy the marker into the tissue.

Abstract: An invasive probe for mapping the walls of a lumen employs a real-time tracking means and a wall distance measurement means. As the probe is advanced within the lumen, the real-time tracking means provides three-dimensional coordinates of the probe's position and orientation. Concurrent with probe localization, the distance between the probe and the lumen walls is measured. Both the probe position and the wall distance measurement are sent to a data acquisition system which in turn provides a graphic or numeric display to the operator. Probe tracking can be performed with radio-frequency, magnetic resonance, ultrasonic techniques or the like. If desired, lumen wall distance measurements can be performed with magnetic resonance or ultrasound methods. Lumen wall distance measurements can also be performed with mechanical devices such as balloons and/or expanding structures.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system includes oppositely disposed radiation detectors (32, 34) configured to detect coincidence radiation events caused by a substance injected into a subject which generates positron emissions. A coincidence data processor (40) collects and processes the radiation detected by the detectors (32, 34) and a coincidence circuitry (44) matches and compares the detected events to determine coincidence. Coincidence data is generated and stored in a coincidence data memory (46). A collimated radiation detector (50) is disposed at an angle to the coincidence radiation detectors (32, 34) and is configured to detect single photon radiation traveling along a selected projection path determined by a collimator (52) mounted on a front face of the collimated radiation detector (50). A single photon data processor (60) generates collimated data (74) based on the radiation detected by the collimated radiation detector (50).

Abstract: Uterine activity is sensed by passing light through the patient's abdominal wall and detecting the light reflected from abdominal tissues. The intensity of the reflected light varies with the state of contraction of the patient's uterus. The use of light for monitoring uterine activity avoids the problems of size, fixation, and measurement accuracy exhibited by the conventional tocodynamometer technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetic field sensors used to detect the position and orientation of medical probes within the body of a patient. The sensors of the present invention are especially adapted for use as independently positionable reference transducer assemblies.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image guided surgery system, having an optical position measuring system which includes a detector arrangement (3) and a marker arrangement (4, 5, 6). In known optical position measuring systems, for example comprising two cameras and three LEDs per marker arrangement, a direct line of sight must continuously exist between the detector arrangement (3) and the marker arrangement (4, 5, 6) in order to ensure reliable and continuous operation of the system and to supply the surgeon continuously with information concerning the current position of an instrument or another part provided with a marker arrangement during the treatment. Blocking of the direct line of sight has a negative effect on the operation of the position measuring system. These drawbacks are avoided according to the invention in that at least one mirror (7) is provided in order to establish an indirect line of sight (5i, 6i) between the detector arrangement (3) and the marker arrangement (4, 5, 6).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displaying and using a shaped field of a repositionable magnet to move, guide, and/or steer a magnetic seed or catheter in living tissue for medicinal purposes. A moveable magnet assembly and a portion of a patient's body undergoing magnetically-aided surgery are both provided with fiducial markers. The portion of the patient's body is fixed in a location in which the fiducial markers are sensed and located by a set of localizers. The positions of the fiducial markers are determined by a processor, which operates on a stored representation of the magnetic field of a magnet in the magnet assembly to provide a display of the present magnetic field of the magnet. This display may be superimposed over an MRI, X-ray or CAT image during surgery. The repositionable magnet can be an electromagnet. In some embodiments, a computer calculates orientations and currents for an external electromagnet to move the implanted magnetic object in the patient's body through a desired path.

Abstract: A medical support system includes a patient-side system including patient shooting devices for photographing a patient's body and forming respective images displaying respective parts of the patient's body; a medical-side system located at a position spaced away from the patient-side system and including an image synthesizer for splicing together, at boundary portions, respective adjacent images of the patient's body to produce a composite image displaying an area of the patient's body extending across the respective images, and a display for displaying the composite image produced by the image synthesizer; and a communication link for transmitting information between the medical-side system and the patient-side system and for transferring the images produced by the patient shooting devices to the medical-side system.