Abstract: In a visualization system and method for visualization of data that relate to a medical intervention at a patient, a surgeon has no visual contact with a surgical instrument but can visualize in the form of a projected geometrical shape by a visualization device, the geometrical shape corresponding to the position and orientation of the surgical instrument onto the body surface of the patient under which the surgical instrument is located with a characteristic of the geometrical shape indicating the distance of the surgical instrument from the body surface.

Abstract: An interface system is provided for planning a surgical procedure for inserting an object into a patient along a surgical planning trajectory from an entry point on the patient to a target point within the patient. Using an imaging device, a first scan of the patient is performed to generate a first image volume data set of a first area of the patient. A first sectional image of the patient is displayed on a human-readable display device associated with the imaging device. The first sectional image is based on the first image volume data set. Using an operator interface device, a second planning image of the patient is defined by placing a plurality of graphical point symbols in the first sectional image of the patient displayed on the display device. The plurality of graphical point symbols define a second area of the patient to be subject of display as a second sectional image of the patient.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for the time-resolved and location-resolved representation of functional brain activities of a living subject by nuclear magnetic resonance, physiological processes are stimulated with at least two non-correlating stimulation functions that are orthogonal to one another. A cross correlation of the nuclear magnetic resonance signals with the stimulation functions or with a correlation function that is orthogonal to the stimulation functions serves the purpose of detecting activity changes in the life form, which are based on the respective stimulation function, or, for detecting activity changes that are based on nonlinear coupling of the at least two stimulation functions.

Abstract: A method of detecting the occurrence of neuronal events in a brain with high temporal accuracy and of distinguishing between contemporaneous neuronal events is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, two or more stimuli are chosen and administered to a subject at a temporal interval apart. Each stimulus causes a neuronal event in the brain of the subject, and if the two neuronal events occur at the same time and at the same place, they interfere, which interference is manifested by different physiological effects than are caused by either neuronal event alone. When the interference is detected, the time interval between the first stimulus and the second stimulus can be compared to a nominal range. If the time interval is outside of the nominal range, then it suggests that a pathological condition exists.

Abstract: A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates an image representing the position 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.