Abstract: A method for scanning an inner surface through an outer layer of material, the method including the steps of a) creating an energy beam with a wavelength, intensity, cross-section, and impact angle that, when impacted onto the outer layer of material, is sufficient to be at least partly reflected by the outer layer of material, thereby forming an outer-layer reflected beam to be at least partly transmitted in a first direction through the outer layer of material and onto the inner surface, to be at least partly reflected by the inner surface, thereby forming an inner-surface reflected beam, and to be at least partly transmitted in a second direction through the outer layer of material, b) impacting the energy beam onto the outer layer of material, c) detecting the outer-layer reflected beam and inner-surface reflected beam, d) distinguishing between the outer-layer reflected beam and inner-surface reflected beam, and e) determining from the inner-surface reflected beam a point of incidence between the energy

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the in vivo non-invasive measurement of a biological parameter concerning a bodily fluid of a person or animal in accordance with a calculation model, wherein the apparatus is provided with connections for at least two pairs of electrodes (2-5, 8-11) to be placed on the skin of a part of the body, a pair of input electrodes (2, 3, 8, 9) for feeding a measuring alternating current to the part of the body and a measuring pair of electrodes (4, 5, 10, 11) for measuring the voltage at the measuring pair of electrodes, comprising a current source (7, 12) providing the measuring alternating current, a transformer (31) for the transformation of the measuring voltage into a bio-impedance signal, being a measure of the bio-impedance of the part of the body, and means for the generation of signals which form a measure for further parameters to be determined with the aid of the calculating model, said signals encompassing a signal forming a measure for the time derivative of the

Abstract: In a method for monitoring growth disorder therapy, a magnetic resonance image of a skeletal body portion, such as a hand, of a candidate for growth disorder therapy is obtained using an open magnetic resonance scanner and using an imaging sequence to produce a tomogram having a slice thickness which approximates the thickness of the hand. The number of visible wrist bones and the width of epiphysis joints in the magnetic resonance image is evaluated to obtain osteo age data, and the osteo age data, in conjunction with an atlas of compiled osteo age data, are used to determine the osteo age of the candidate for growth disorder therapy. The relationship between the osteo age of the candidate and the chronological age of the candidate is used to determine whether growth disorder therapy is required. If growth disorder therapy is administered, such as by administering a hormone, the above procedure is repeated after a predetermined time, and the status of the therapy is again evaluated.

Abstract: A variety of optical probes and optical methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. An optical probe useful, for example, in examining the epithelia and other tissues of anatomical structures within the body cavities and tubular organs and viscera of mammals is elongated and includes an optical window (240, 302, 1002), a light source (222, 312, 314, 510, 520, 1020, 1200, 1400, 1700), a spatial mixer (224, 304, 2004, 2104, 2204, 2304), and a light collector (210, 320, 720, 1120). The light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer, thereby removing any reflected images and irradiation artifacts to achieving uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer, but the field of view of the light collector excludes any residual reflections and fluorescence from the spatial mixer.

Abstract: A medical probe such as a catheter (20) is guided within the body of a patient by determining the relative positions of the probe relative to another probe, as by transmitting non-ionizing radiation to or from field transducers (30, 230) mounted on both probes. In one embodiment, a site probe (28) is secured to a lesion within the body, and an instrument probe (200) for treating the lesion may be guided to the lesion by monitoring relative positions of the probes. Two or more probes may be coordinated with one another to perform a medical procedure.

Abstract: Pulmonary edema in the lung is detected by exposing a lung under investigation to infrared radiation, especially near-infrared radiation; measuring the reflected radiation scattered by the lung as a spectral response to the presence of water in the lung; comparing the reflected radiation with calibrated values and evaluating occurrence of pulmonary edema from the comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for noninvasive, non-contacting measurement of stretches and deformations on the surface of a material or an object by utilizing changes which occur in the reflection characteristics of the material due to an applied stretch load is presented. The present invention may assume various embodiments for different applications, such as soft tissue stretch determination, plastic material deformation measurements and sensors which can be integrated into various measurement devices.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for therapeutically treating injuries using ultrasound. The present invention may include a therapeutic ultrasonic composite comprising a transducer and an integrated circuit unit positioned adjacent the transducer. The therapeutic ultrasonic composite also includes signal generation circuitry, housed on the integrated circuit unit, for generating a driving signal for the transducer, and a driving interface between the signal generation circuitry and the transducer. In operation, driving signals generated by the signal generation circuitry are transmitted to the transducer by the interface, thereby driving the transducer for the creation of therapeutic ultrasound.

Abstract: A method of excavating tissue in the body, including bringing a catheter (60) to a location, injecting microbubbles (84) at the location and causing cavitation of tissue (76) at the location using ultrasound. Preferably, the microbubbles (84) are injected directly into the tissue, such as by using a hollow needle (62). Alternatively, microbubbles (84) are injected into the vascular bed of the tissue at the location, so that the capillaries (86) are infused with microbubbles (84).

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for catheter navigation in three-dimensional vascular tree exposures, particularly for intercranial application, the catheter position is detected and mixed into the 3D image of the pre-operatively scanned vascular tree reconstructed in a navigation computer and an imaging (registering) of the 3D patient coordination system ensues on the 3D image coordination system prior to the intervention using a number of markers placed on the patient's body, the position of these markers being registered by the catheter.

Abstract: A registration system (200) for use in connection with an image guided surgery system (10) is provided. It includes a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus (100) for collecting image data from a subject (310). An image data processor (130) reconstructs an image representation of the subject from the image data. An image projector (230) depicts the image representation on the subject (310). In a preferred embodiment, the image projector (230) depicts the image representation on the subject (310) such that registration between the subject (310) and the image representation is readily apparent. Preferably, the image projector (230) is a laser lightshow projector, a projection television, or a backlit liquid crystal display device. Optionally, a data processor (210) applies corrections to the image data such that surface contours of the subject (310) are accounted for when the image is projected onto the subject (310).

Abstract: Device and process for simulating a patient's body for the testing of a three-dimensional vascular X-ray apparatus of the type comprising a means for emitting an X-ray beam, a means for receiving the X-ray beam, a means for displaying the images obtained, and a means for controlling the injection of opacifying liquid into the patient's vessels. The simulation device comprises a stationary part for simulating the patient's bones and soft tissues and a moving part for simulating the patient's opacified blood vessels, so as to be able to perform at least one acquisition of an image of the stationary part alone and at least one acquisition of an image of the stationary part and the moving part, and to obtain an image of the moving part by means of image.

Abstract: A technique for localizing an internal bleeding site in the human body is provided. The technique entails the injection of radioactively labelled protein or factor used in the clotting process in solution into a human body When the protein or factor has built up in sufficient quantities at a bleeding site to form a clot, the radioactive emission is used to detect the location of the clot. One or more passes of the detector can be used to accurately pinpoint the location of the clot, and thereby, locate the bleeding site.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of MR investigation of a sample, the method comprising: (i) placing in a uniform magnetic field a composition comprising an OMRI contrast agent and an MR imaging agent containing nuclei (MR imaging nuclei) capable of emitting magnetic resonance signals (e.g. the primary magnetic field B0) and capable of exhibiting a T1 relaxation time of 6 s or more (at 37° C. in D2O in a field of 7T); (ii) exposing the composition to a first radiation of a frequency selected to excite electron spin transitions in the OMRI contrast agent; (iii) optionally but preferably separating the whole, substantially the whole, or a portion of said OMRI contrast agent from said MR imaging agent; (iv) administering said MR imaging agent to said sample, (v) exposing the sample to a second radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions; (vi) detecting magnetic resonance signals from the sample; and (vii) optionally, generating an image or dynamic flow data from the detected signals.

Abstract: A noise dampening shroud is configured to surround the generator of lithotriptor device to reduce the noise emissions caused as a result of the generation of acoustic shock waves during extracorporeal treatment of a patient. The shroud comprises an insulating body and a cover. The insulating body comprises sound dampening insulation and is configured to surround substantially all of the housing that typically encases the generator of convention lithotriptors. The cover is comprised of a thin pliant material configured to surround the insulating body and is provided with fasteners for removably securing the insulating body to the generator. When attached to the generator of a lithotriptor device, the shroud greatly reduces the noise emitting by the generation of acoustic shock waves and thereby minimizes the distraction and disturbance caused by such noise.

Abstract: A method of applying a magnetic medical device to the surface of an internal body structure, the medical device having a magnetically responsive element associated with its distal end, the method comprising applying a magnetic field to the distal end of the magnetic medical device to apply a measured and controlled force between the medical device and tissue to facilitate cardiac sensing, mapping, pacing, ablation, biopsying and other procedures. Contact is confirmed by the angle between the direction of the magnetic medical device and the applied magnetic field, and the contact force is controlled by controlling at least one of the magnetic field direction and the magnetic field strength.

Abstract: A computerized imaging system (such as CAT scan, MRI imaging, ultrasound imaging, infrared, X-ray, UV/visible light fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy or microwave imaging) is employed to sense the position of an endoscopic treatment system within the body of a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the system provides real-time computer control to maintain and adjust the position of the treatment system and/or the position of the patient relative to the treatment system; and also provides (if desired) real-time computer control of the operation of the treatment system itself. Other embodiments include scanning mechanisms for directing laser light or other radiation under controlled conditions at select locations within the body.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring body impedance comprising a voltage source having a predetermined frequency and a current source; a first pair of electrodes adapted to receive one portion of the body for applying said current source to said body; a second pair of electrodes adapted to receive another portion of the body for sensing a voltage therebetween; a comparator having first and second inputs and an output for producing an output signal based on signals applied to said first and second inputs; an instrumentation amplifier arrangement coupled to one of said comparator inputs and responsive to the voltage across the second pair of electrodes for providing an input signal to said first comparator input; a variable resistor coupled to the second input of said comparator and responsive to said voltage source for developing a first voltage signal applied to said second comparator input; and a processor responsive to the output signal of the comparator for controlling the resistance of the variable resistor to cause a

Abstract: In a method for time-resolved and location-resolved presentation of functional brain activities with magnetic resonance and apparatus for the implementation of the method, the following control sequences are automatically implemented with a control unit on the basis of user inputs: generation of stimulation sequences for an examination subject, control of the data acquisition, post-processing and presentation of the data. A patient under examination can influence the control execution during the control execution.

Abstract: A computerized imaging system (such as CAT scan, MRI imaging, ultrasound imaging, infrared, X-ray, UV/visible light fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy or microwave imaging) is employed to sense the position of an endoscopic treatment system within the body of a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the system provides real-time computer control to maintain and adjust the position of the treatment system and/or the position of the patient relative to the treatment system; and also provides (if desired) real-time computer control of the operation of the treatment system itself. Other embodiments include scanning mechanisms for directing laser light or other radiation under controlled conditions at select locations within the body.