Abstract: A method of treating the heart and other body tissues by injecting a compound comprised of microsphere encapsulated macromolecule therapeutic agents into the myocardium, such that the microsphere size inhibits capillary transport of the compound but may permit lymphatic transport of the compound, and the compound releases therapeutic agents upon degradation of the microsphere. The compounds may be used in a method of treating the coronary arteries in which lymphatic transportable therapeutic agents are injected into the myocardium at a location distal to a target site in the coronary artery, after which they are taken up by the lymphatic vessels and transported proximally relative to the coronary artery, and migrate from the lymphatic vessel to the coronary blood vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing transmyocardial revascularization using ultrasound is disclosed. The apparatus includes a phased array ultrasonic device that includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements which are controlled using a feedback control system so that each ultrasonic transducer element produces an ultrasonic wave of particular power and phase in order to achieve constructive interference at a desired acoustic focus. The constructive interference creates high pressure amplitudes for vaporizing the target tissue at the focus. A method is provided for vaporizing target tissue for which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are focused so as to provide constructive interference within the target tissue. The ultrasonic beams are launched and produce a rapid rise in tissue temperature that will vaporize the target tissue within the focal zone.

Abstract: An optical imaging probe for providing information representative of morphological arid biochemical properties of a sample is provided. The optical imaging probe includes a spectroscopic imaging probe element and an OCT imaging probe element.

Abstract: From ECG-gated SPECT or PET images of radioactive myocardial perfusion imaging agents, contraction of the myocardium along the tangential direction, i.e., in the direction parallel to the myocardium, can be evaluated. The amount of the agents which accumulate in the heart muscle is calculated from reconstructed short-axis ECG-gated images and is projected on a virtual cylindrical screen whose axis is the same as the long axis of the heart. Spatial and temporal changes in time and space in the projected count distribution on the screen are described by a two-dimensional second order differential equation, which is called an equation of continuity for the fluid. This equation can be solved numerically with a computer. The displacements of points on the myocardium in the tangential direction are calculated by projecting the displacement of each point back onto the cardiac wall. From these displacements, contraction and expansion of the heart muscle can be quantified.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system, notably a magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a receiver antenna for picking-up magnetic resonance signals and an ultrasound probe for receiving ultrasound echoes. A reconstruction unit is arranged to reconstruct a diagnostic image from the magnetic resonance signals and the ultrasound echoes in particular, the magnetic resonance image and ultrasound images are registered in a common reference frame and geometric distortions in the ultrasound image are corrected on the basis of the magnetic resonance image. Different tissues types are distinguished in the magnetic resonance image and corrections are made for differences between ultrasound sound velocities in these tissue types. Further, information contained in the magnetic resonance signals can be displayed in combination in the ultrasound echoes.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system (100, 200) and method generates a plurality of temporally resolved volume image representations (130, 132, . . . , 134). A time course projection processor (140, 240) temporally collapses the volume image representations. A spatial projection processor (146, 246) performs a maximum or minimum intensity process along rays through voxels of a three-dimensional image representation. By sequentially temporally collapsing and maximum or minimum intensity projecting, in either order, the plurality of temporally resolved volume image representations is reduced to a two-dimensional temporally collapsed and spatially projected image representation (148, 248). In preferred embodiments, the present invention is directed to angiography, and more preferably to magnetic resonance angiography.

Abstract: An endocavity RF coil assembly for an MRI apparatus includes a reusable probe (30). The reusable probe has a sealed hollow outer housing or cover having a closed distal end and an open proximate end (83). The distal end is formed to fit into a cavity of a subject being examined. An active RF coil element (62) is connected with a circuit board located within the outer housing. The housing includes a plurality of ABS plastic pieces (64, 66, 74; 100, 102, 108) that have mating surfaces that are surface treated to break polymer chains at the surface. An epoxy (132) bonds to the polymer chain ends to connect the pieces. An over-molded form (82) is connected to the proximate end (83) of the outer cover or housing. The over-molded form (82) is arranged such that it seals the proximate end (83) of the outer cover (100) closed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing treatment on an internal target region while compensating for breathing and other motion of the patient is provided in which the apparatus comprises a first imaging device for periodically generating positional data about the internal target region and a second imaging device for continuously generating positional data about one or more external markers attached to the patient's body or any external sensor such as a device for measuring air flow. The apparatus further comprises a processor that receives the positional data about the internal target region and the external markers in order to generate a correspondence between the position of the internal target region and the external markers and a treatment device that directs the treatment towards the position of the target region of the patient based on the positional data of the external markers.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument having a handle with a finger actuator, and more particularly, an ultrasonic surgical device adapted to be held by a surgeon and fingers-operated with precise movements while opening and closing an ultrasonic instrument while meeting the ergonomic requirements of the surgeon with regard to comfort and imparting the surgeon with an enhanced dextral control for easy maneuverability of the instrument. The instrument incorporates a thimble-shaped lever at the distal end of the handle for actuating the clamp arm of the ultrasonic surgical instrument, and votator structure for selective rotation of the surgical device whereby the ergonomic thimble-shaped lever and pencil grip provide the physician with an improved degree of control, greater comfort in manipulating the instrument, and the ability to perform blunt dissections.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for medical imaging of parts of a patient in which imaging data acquisition is gated by a combination of electrocardiogram (ECG) and peripheral pulse (PPU) signals from the patient. The methods of the invention include obtaining ECG signals from a patient in a medical imaging apparatus, obtaining PPU signals from the patient, providing one or more synchronization signals in dependence on both the ECG signals and the PPU signals, wherein the synchronization signals indicate occurrences of pre-determined phases of the cyclic movements of the heart only if the PPU signals also indicate that the determined heart phase is physiologically possible, and controlling the medical imaging apparatus in dependence on the synchronization signals to collect imaging data synchronized with cyclic movements of the heart from the patient in the examination zone and to reconstruct a medical image of a part of the patient from the collected imaging data.

Abstract: A method of removing lesions by implanting a radioactive seed at the location of the lesion, locating the lesion with the radioactive seed, and removing the lesion with the radioactive seed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for non-invasive screening of the human body by rejecting the magnetic response from biological tissues in the region of interest and outputting data corresponding to the magnetic response of a ferromagnetic foreign body within the region of interest.

Abstract: A procedure and apparatus are provided which allow rapid positional change in the patient centering in order to facilitate the imaging of blood vessels in a series of different views. This procedure and apparatus can also facilitate the imaging of other tissues of the body at different spatial locations as well. The procedure and apparatus reduce the time required for obtaining the necessary images for a medical imaging examination using a single injection of an MRI or iodinated contrast agent.

Abstract: A microwave tomographic device including a single frequency three dimensional microwave tomographic system in cooperation with a single frequency three dimensional electrical impedance capable of imaging a full scale biological object is disclosed. The device includes a code division software which cooperates with a microwave patch system to, inter alia, enable superficial imaging of biological systems. A cluster of antennas and transceivers are used to provide MWT and EIT integrated in a single 3 dimensional microwave tomographic system for examining the biological from a number of views in real-time.

Abstract: A positioning system for determining the relation between a coordinate set of a scanning apparatus such as an MRI and a coordinate set of a tracking system so as to allow determining the position of a selected target on an image of a patient acquired by the scanning apparatus in the coordinate set of the tracking apparatus and vice versa. The system comprises reference points positioned in predetermined location relative to the coordinate set of the scanning apparatus; tracking system adapted to detect and determine the position of the reference points, relative to the coordinate set of the tracking system; processing device adapted to communicate with the tracking system and adapted to determine the relation between the coordinate set of the scanning apparatus and the coordinate set of the tracking system, translating the coordinates of the target on the image acquired by the scanning apparatus to corresponding coordinates on the coordinate set of the tracking system.

Abstract: A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates an image representing the position of one or more body elements during the procedure using scans generated by a scanner prior or during the procedure. The image data set has reference points for each of the body elements, the reference points of a particular body element having a fixed spatial relation to the particular body element. The system includes an apparatus for identifying, during the procedure, the relative position of each of the reference points of each of the body elements to be displayed. The system also includes a processor for modifying the image data set according to the identified relative position of each of the reference points during the procedure, as identified by the identifying apparatus, said processor generating a displaced image data set representing the position of the body elements during the procedure.

Abstract: A variety of optical probes and methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. One type of such optical probe is elongated and includes a distal optical window, a divergent light source, a spatial mixer, and a light collector. Light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer to achieve uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer. The optical probe may be made of two sections, a reusable section and a disposable. The disposable is elongated and contains a mounting section, an inside surface suitable for the spatial mixing of light, and an optical element which helps to seal the reusable probe section from the target.

Abstract: A three-dimensional magnetic susceptibility map of an object including a patient placed in a magnetic field is generated from a three-dimensional map of the resonant radio frequency (RF) magnetic flux external to the patient. The magnetic susceptibility of each voxel is determined from the shift of the Larmor frequency due to the presence of the voxel in the magnetizing field. The intensity variation of the transverse RF field over space is used to determine the coordinate location of each voxel. The RF field is the near field which is a dipole that serves as a basis element to form a unique reconstruction. The geometric system function corresponding to a dipole which determines the spatial intensity variations of the RF field is a band-pass for k&rgr;=kz. In the limit, each volume element is reconstructed independently in parallel with all other volume elements such that the scan time is no greater than the nuclear free induction decay (FID) time.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a variable length correlation method is provided for compensating for body motions and heart creep in a sequence of image frames obtained by single-photon emission computed tomograph (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging. Abrupt body motions, gradual body motions, and heart upward creep are detected and corrected in the sequence of image frames, based on varying correlation lengths. A linear transformation is used to compensate for appearance changes of the heart under different acquisition angles so as to achieve high accuracy of motion detection and correction. The detecting and correcting step is applied in the two-dimensional image domain. The method also includes the steps of detecting and excluding high intensity, non-heart regions in a particular image frame so that non-heart motions such as bowel gas, spleen, and liver motions are excluded from being involved in the motion detection and correction procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a device for determining the position of a medical instrument (4), introduced into the body of a patient (2), relative to a periodically moving organ (3) of the body, which method includes the steps of: a) determining the spatial position (c, r) of the medical instrument (4) and of a reference probe (6) while acquiring at the same time a periodic motion signal (E2) which relates to the periodic motion of the body organ (3), b) selecting a 3D image data set (p) from an image data base which contains 3D image data sets (p) of the body organ (3) which have been acquired pre-operatively and simultaneously with the same motion signal (E1) and are associated with individual motion phases (e1, e2, . . . ), in such a manner that that 3D image data set (p) is selected which is associated with the motion phase (e1, e2, . . .