Abstract: An ultrasonic operation system includes: a transmission cable that is connected detachably, through a connector, to a connector receptacle in a main apparatus unit; plural types of transducers provided with a connector receptacle each capable of detachably connecting the connector of the transmission cable, an identification element for outputting its own identification signal, and a ultrasonic vibrator, correspondingly; and a main apparatus unit for receiving the identification signals in an identification circuit, automatically controlling drive signals that a control circuit causes a drive signal generator unit to generate, and automatically displaying the identified instrument on a control-display unit.

Abstract: A plurality of time-series NMR signal groups are obtained before and after administration of a contrast agent, on an individual image basis, for the same region of the object. One of the obtained NMR signal group obtained before the administration is defined as standard data, a plurality of subtracted NMR signal groups are produced by performing subtraction between the standard NMR signal group and each of the other NMR signal groups obtained after the administration. The subtracted NMR signal groups are subjected to weighted-addition or cumulative addition to obtain an MR angiographic image excellent in contrast throughout the image, in which processes through which an optimal concentration portion of the contrast agent moves are joined into a single image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for examining a sample using a substantially monostatic, substantially confocal optical system comprising transmitting optics that focus an illuminating light upon the sample and receiving optics that collect light emitted from the sample following illumination thereof. In certain embodiments, the receiving optics may be arranged circumferentially around the light path traversed by the illuminating light. In certain embodiments, video apparatus may be included to produce images or to align the system in proximity to the target tissue. The systems and methods of the present invention may be directed towards the examination of a body tissue to provide a medical diagnosis.

Abstract: To prevent erroneous detection of a ribcage boundary from a chest image, an outer search limit point is decided with precision. A profile of smoothed pixel-value integrated averages in each of right and left lung field of the image is obtained, a threshold for each of the right and left lung fields with the profile taken as a reference is decided, and each of the right and left lung fields is searched from a central part of each lung field outwardly on the image so that a position exceeding the threshold is determined. The position is set as the outer search limit point for a series of a upper lung ribcage boundary candidate points. In the search, in cases the position exceeding the threshold is not found, a first derivative of the profile is used to decide the outer search limit point.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method is described for fast dynamic imaging from a plurality of signals acquired by an array of multiple sensors. The k-space will be segmented into regions of different acquisition. In the region of a first acquisition type a first partial image will be reconstructed by data of normal magnetic resonance imaging with a full set of phase encoding steps or by data of fast dynamic imaging with a number of phase encoding steps being with a low reduction factor with respect to the fall set thereof and in the region of a second acquisition type a second partial image will be reconstructed by data of fast dynamic imaging with a full reduction factor. Thereafter the first and the second partial images will be formed to the full image of the scanned object.

Abstract: A CT scanner (10) for obtaining a medical diagnostic image of a subject includes a stationary gantry (12), and a rotating gantry (14). The detected radiation is reconstructed and divided into sub-portions, which sub-portions are aligned by a registration processor (56). The registered images are stored in a high resolution memory (58) and a maximum artery enhancement value is calculated from the high resolution images. A resolution reducer (82) reduces the resolution of the high resolution images. Time-density curves are found for the voxels of the images, which time-density curves are truncated to eliminate unwanted data, and analyzed to determine characteristic values. A perfusion calculator (106) calculates perfusion by using the maximum artery enhancement value and the characteristic values. A diagnostician can view any one of a low resolution image, a high resolution image, and a perfusion image on a video monitor (112).

Abstract: A computer-based system generating audible feedback to assist with guidance of at least one trackable point in space is provided. Surgical embodiments include generating audible feedback (to supplement visual and tactile feedback) to a surgeon moving the tip of a probe, for example, in a surgical field with respect to a volume of interest such as a tumor. Other surgical embodiments include generating audible feedback to assist with the precise insertion of a pedicle screw. In such surgical embodiments, as a surgeon moves a probe or instrument within the surgical field, a computer analyzes the current position of the probe and/or instrument in space with respect to a system of fiducial markers.

Abstract: A method for breath compensation in radiation therapy, particularly radiotherapy/radiosurgery, wherein the movement of the target volume inside the patient is detected and tracked in real time during radiation by a movement detector. Adaptation to the movement of the target volume inside the patient is achieved by one or more components of a radiotherapy apparatus to compensate for or take into consideration the movement during treatment.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method for forming a fast dynamic image from a plurality of signals of an RF probe is described. The RF probe is moved relative to an object to be imaged so as to acquire at least two adjacent Fields-of-View (FOV) which are reconstructed so as to form an image of a region of interest which includes both FOVs. The object to be imaged is scanned by a moving RF antenna. Furthermore, the first FOV is centered at the initial probe position and after each subsequent scan the position of the imaging field within the actual FOV is determined. From that data the next position of the RF probe relative to the object is computed and, if the imaging field runs out of the actual FOV, the RF antenna is moved to the estimated next position of the RF probe so that the subsequent FOV is centered again at the RF probe position. A composite image is then generated from the successive images of the various adjacent FOVs.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure having a wall defining an interior of the enclosure and having a layer of a magnetically permeable material disposed such that there is no layer of an electrically conductive material located closer to the interior of the enclosure than the layer of the magnetically permeable material. A background-field magnetometer and an electrical coil structure are positioned within the enclosure. The electrical coil structure is driven by a controllable electrical current source. A background-field-reducing feedback controller has a controller input responsive to a background-field magnetometer output signal, and a controller output in communication with the current source command signal input. A signal magnetometer, such as a biomagnetometer, within the enclosure detects a magnetic field produced by a source within the enclosure.

Abstract: In order to improve image quality in MRI using an EPI method without extending imaging time excessively, reference data is acquired in the absence of substantial phase encoding gradients by using an EPI sequence in combination with an echo shift (ETS) method, at times related to the timing of echo signals for image data. The reference data is used for phase correcting the image data acquired with application of phase encoding. The reference data can be measured for a single shot, or a few shots, and used to estimate reference data for the rest of the shots in which imaging data is acquired.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil for a magnetic resonance image apparatus includes a first support frame provided with a first coil, a second support frame opposing the first support frame and provided with a second coil, a gap adjuster for adjusting a gap between the first and second support frames according to the size of a specimen, and a frequency sustainer for sustaining a resonance frequency set according to change of the gap. The magnetic resonance image apparatus adopting the radio frequency coil alleviates impatience of a patient, to thereby enable rejection of patients with respect to the magnetic resonance image apparatus to be solved. Also, the magnetic resonance image apparatus enables a patient to be imaged and during operation. In addition, the second support frame can be moved to reduce a gap between the first and second support frames to thereby greatly improve quality of an image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a magnetic resonance angiographic image of a human body. The method includes the steps of applying a plurality of spatially non-selective radio-frequency pulses to the body, varying a magnitude of a phase-encoded gradient through the body in conjunction with application of the plurality of spatially non-selective radio-frequency pulses and detecting magnetic resonance imaging data from the body based upon the spatially non-selective radio-frequency pulses and varied phase-encoded gradient.

Abstract: In a storing unit of a medical image processing apparatus, first 3D image corresponding to a first period and second 3D image data corresponding to a second period are stored. The first 3D image data corresponds to a period before contrast agent injection operation and/or therapeutic operation. The second 3D image data corresponds to a period after the contrast agent injection operation and/or therapeutic operation. A 3D subtracting unit subtracts the first 3D image data from the second 3D image data. In 3D subtraction image data, a portion having undergone a change due to contrast agent injection operation and/or therapeutic operation is emphasized. A pseudo 3D image data generating unit generates pseudo 3D image data on the basis of 3D subtraction image data. A displaying unit displays the pseudo 3D image data.

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: An image management system (10), such as a PACS system is disclosed. The PACS system includes a PACS server (20) coupled to a communications network (22) and a plurality of PACS workstations (40) also coupled to a communications network (22). Each PACS workstation (40) is configured to receive two dimensional image information and provide incremental volume rendering on the PACS workstation (40) while the two dimensional image information is being received.

Abstract: The method of mapping a curved path for stereotactic surgery involves the selection of a helical-shaped path. The first step is to obtain an accurate image of the pertinent structures of the patient's internal areas. The image includes the lesion or target region and a potential opening site. Using the image, the non-target areas surrounding the lesion area are determined and evaluated for the medical acceptability of passing through them. A curved path which is substantially helical in shape is then selected within the image such that the curve avoids these non-target areas but intersects the target region and the opening site. The corresponding surgical instrument which will be used to follow the selected curved path has a rigid body having a shape which is substantially identical to the path.

Abstract: An image guided surgery system to enable a surgeon to move a surgical tool into a desired position relative to a body part is provided. The system works by accurately superimposing representations of the tool being used in the surgical field over images of the body part such that real-time tool position feedback is provided to the surgeon. The system uses a fluoroscopic x-ray device to generate two-dimensional body part images, a localizing device to determine the poses of surgical tools and the x-ray device, mathematical modeling of the imaging chain of the x-ray device, and a display for displaying the images of the body part superimposed with representations of the surgical tools. A digital flat-panel x-ray imager permits fluoroscopic x-ray device to be used in any orientation without being affected by distortions due to local magnetic fields.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for calibrating a movable receiver coil with spatially varying signal reception profile in a magnetic resonance imaging environment is described. The method of the invention calibrates the movable receiver coil with spatially varying signal reception profile by dividing the receiver coil into parts and determining electromagnetic interactions of the parts in the environment. The method further includes (1) estimating orientation and position information corresponding to the receiver coil and (2) associating electromagnetic interaction data with records such as (a) responses of the receiver coil in various tissue environments to emissions caused by stimuli from external magnetic resonance coils, (b) high-resolution external receiver coil records of emissions from same environments, and (c) measurements of self-interactions and mutual interactions among the parts of the receiver coil.

Abstract: A method for destructing, reducing or removing mammalian tissue with an ultrasonic device IS disclosed, comprising contacting the tissue with a transverse mode ultrasonic probe, and transmitting ultrasonic energy to the probe, until the tissue is fragmented by emulsification. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance destruction and removal of an occlusion and in combination with an imaging device to effect remodeling of human tissue in medical and cosmetic surgical procedures.