Abstract: A diagnosis apparatus comprises a shutter (11) disposed between a light source (1) and a lens (12) opposed to biological tissue (13); a multi-channel spectrometer (polychromator) (16) for detecting a light emitting plume (14); a photodetector (5) for detecting a portion of a laser pulse from the light source (1); an oscilloscope (6) which monitors an output from the photodetector (5) to thereby measure a delay time of a gate trigger pulse supplied to a high-speed gate image intensifier (17); a pulse generator (8) capable of independently and freely adjusting the delay times of two output pulses in synchronization with the laser pulse; a gate controller (7) connected to the pulse generator (8) and the oscilloscope (6); the high-speed gate image intensifier (17) intensifying and imaging the output of the multi-channel spectrometer (16) whose gate is opened by the gate controller (7) over a period on the order of nanosecond; a CCD camera (9) capturing an output image from the high-speed gate image intensifier (1

Abstract: A method for detecting epithelial cancer includes generating a real-time video image of the locus of potential cancerous sites on the epithelium. The real-time video image is displayed on a television monitor screen. The real-time video image on the monitor is examined to locate suspected cancerous sites and the results of such examination are recorded.

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.

Abstract: The system is used for therapeutically treating injuries using ultrasound. The system includes an ergonomically constructed ultrasonic transducer treatment head module and a main operating unit. The transducer treatment head module is positioned adjacent the area of the injury and excited for a predetermined period of time. The system includes a bathtub insert that envelops a portion of the patient's body, and means on the insert for positioning and holding the treatment head module adjacent positions on the patient's body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the non-invasive treatment of varicose veins. The vibrational energy in acoustic waves emanating from one or more source of ultrasonic energy is focused beneath the skin to cause localized heating and tissue disruption and/or destruction in and around the varicosed segment of the vein, particularly the venous endothelium. The localized tissue destruction is followed by localized fibrosis in and around the dilated portion of the varicosed vessel. The ultrasound-induced fibrosis includes thickening and loss of elasticity of the vascular wall. If a sufficiently high dosage of ultrasound energy is delivered to the vein, the varicosed portion of the vessel will be obliterated, providing a therapeutic result similar to that obtained by injection sclerotherapy or vein stripping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing morbidity associated with a medical device inserted into the body of a patient. Ultrasonic energy is applied to the device with sufficient intensity to inhibit accretion of biological matter associated with the device while the device is in the body. Typically, the energy is applied to the device in the absence of clinically-observable accretion of biological matter on the device so as to prevent such accretion.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a trabecular index using a trabecular pattern displayed on an X-ray image and a method for estimating a bone mineral density using trabecular indices are disclosed. The method for obtaining the trabecular index analyzes trabecular pattern changes, due to decalcifications of trabeculae, displayed on the X-ray picture and quantifies the changes, thereby obtaining the trabecular index. The method for estimating the bone mineral density obtains trabecular indices and then estimates the bone mineral density corresponding to the trabecular index using a functional relation between the trabecular index and actual bone mineral density.

Abstract: A probe instrument using room-temperature sensor(s) that can measure magnetic susceptibilities variations. The instrument includes room temperature magnetic sensors, and detects the sample, that is the tissue response to 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 item of interest while minimizing the effects due to the overlying tissue and at the same time not unduly increasing the sensitivity of the instrument to adjacent organs. 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. To overcome variations in the sensor output due to fluctuations in the applied field, change in the ambient temperature and mechanical relaxation of the instrument, the detector assembly is oscillated while the examined patient remains stationary.

Abstract: A drug delivery catheter suited for cardiac procedures. The catheter includes a distal helical coil or other fixation and penetrating element which can be operated from the proximal end of the catheter to engage and penetrate the myocardium. Once delivered to the inside of the heart, the catheter can be used to inject small doses of therapeutic agents to the myocardium. The drug delivery system of the catheter allows for precise control of the dose injected into the heart wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for configurable logging and analysis of performance data for a medical diagnostic imaging system. A medical diagnostic imaging system may be divided into at least one subsystem. The subsystems include data acquisition modules for acquiring desired types of data related to the performance of an associated subsystem. The data acquisition modules acquire raw performance data during the operation of the medical diagnostic imaging system. The data acquisition modules may remotely acquire the raw performance data. The raw performance data may be acquired based upon a configuration file which identifies parameters associated with a desired type of performance analysis. New configuration files may be downloaded to dynamically select at least one parameter for a desired type of performance analysis. Parameters in the configuration file may comprise at least one of a performance variable and a sampling rate for the performance variable.

Abstract: A self-contained ultrasound applicator for therapeutically treating injuries. The self-contained ultrasound applicator comprises a cantilever mounting structure, a cantilever connected to the mounting structure, a main operating unit operably mounted adjacent the cantilever and an ultrasonic transducer positioned adjacent a distal portion of the cantilever for abutment with a treatment site. The self-contained ultrasound applicator includes a means for attaching adjacent a treatment site. The cantilever is configured to urgingly bias the ultrasonic transducer toward a treatment site when mounted adjacent the treatment site.

Abstract: A miniature spectrometer can be used in situ to diagnose tissue and organs through tissue autofluorescence.

Abstract: A cardiac triggered, fast gradient-recalled echo pulse sequence is used to acquire a partial Fourier image data set during a single breath-hold. The image data is velocity encoded and a velocity image is produced by zero-filling and Fourier transforming the zero-filled data set. A separate magnitude image is produced by performing a homodyne reconstruction on the partial Fourier image data set. Anatomic information, such as artery size, is obtained from the magnitude image and combined with velocity information from the velocity image to measure blood flowing through an artery.

Abstract: An RF coil array arrangement for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the breast or spine regions of prone and supine patients within a vertically oriented B0 field is disclosed. Several RF coil array embodiments are disclosed that provide for both generating a nuclei nutation field pulse and acquiring nuclear magnetic resonance signals when functioning in an MRI apparatus environment that employs a vertical main magnetic field. A coil array may include one or more RF coils that are intended to be oriented such that their primary B field direction(s) are perpendicular to the vertical magnetic field of the MRI apparatus. Each coil array may further include one or more single loop or solenoidal coil(s) that are oriented having their central or longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the vertical main magnetic field so as to make advantageous use of non-axial field components associated with the coil(s) to further generate and receive desired NMR signal components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for examining the breast for suspicious lesions. The apparatus includes a gamma-ray camera and an attachment mechanism for incorporating the gamma-ray camera as part of the breast compression fixture. The gamma-ray camera is both part of the breast compression fixture and a gamma-ray imaging system for providing an image of radiotracer distribution in the breast. The apparatus for incorporating the gamma-ray camera into the breast compression fixture assures minimum distance between the lesion in the compressed breast tissue and the gamma-ray camera. All unnecessary materials are removed from between the compressed breast and the gamma-ray camera. The apparatus also allows for positioning of the breast in different manners between the imaging sessions to obtain multiple projection views of the breast and to view the lesion with the least separation from the detector.

Abstract: NMR images indicative of thermal changes in tissues undergoing therapy are produced using a gradient-recalled echo pulse sequence. Prior to therapy a contrast agent which shortens spin T1 relaxation time is injected into the patient and a reference phase image indicative of proton chemical shift is acquired. Temperature maps are produced in real-time as the therapy is subsequently performed by repeatedly acquiring NMR data, reconstructing measurement phase images and subtracting the reference phase image. The temporal rate at which the temperature maps are produced is increased by segmenting k-space and acquiring less than all the segments during each repetition.

Abstract: A device is provided for diagnosing internal disc disruption in an intervertebral disc in a patient's spine. A needle is used for injecting a contrast media with increasing pressure into the nucleus pulposis of one of the patient's intervertebral discs suspected to be disrupted are provided. As the pressure of the contrast media in the patient's intervertebral disc is increased, a measurement of the pressure, photographic images of the patient's facial expressions, x-ray images of the patient's intervertebral disc are displayed simultaneously and in real time on a display. In addition, the patient's vocalizations are captured and broadcast by the display. A recorder for recording the images on the display and the vocalizations may also be provided.

Abstract: A system is disclosed, for administering a therapeutic agent locally and to a depth within cardiac tissue. An elongate, flexible catheter contains a flexible electric conductor and supports at its distal end an implantable electrode incorporating a penetrating element, typically a fixation helix or a linear needle that penetrates cardiac tissue as the electrode is implanted. A therapeutic agent is delivered through the electrode, to the cardiac tissue surrounding the penetrating element. The electrode acts as a sensor, electrically coupled through the flexible conductor, and monitors an electrical condition of the surrounding cardiac tissue. A controller is coupled to the sensor and to a pump or reservoir containing the therapeutic agent, to control delivery of the agent responsive to the sensed electrical condition. The implanted electrode further can be used to deliver RF current to ablate the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: In accordance with the apparatus and method of the present invention, a biopotential lesion sensor is placed directly over a lesion in a symptomatic breast and a reference sensor is located away from the symptomatic breast. A plurality of electropotential test measurements are taken during a test period with the lesion sensor and averaged to obtain a primary test potential. This primary test potential can be weighted to compensate for one or more biologic variables such as patient age, time in the patient menstrual cycle, and the time of day during which the measurement is taken. To provide noise enhancement of the primary test potential average measurement, the symptomatic breast is divided into four equal quadrants with one quadrant containing the lesion.

Abstract: A probe cover for infrared (IR) thermometers having two distinct portions, one which is stable, and the other that may change. The optical portion of the cover is precisely pre-shaped. This portion engages with the end of the IR probe and remains unchanged during the installation and temperature measurement. The remainder of the cover may freely change its shape and conform to the probe body configuration for easy installation.