Abstract: A hand-held 3D ultrasound instrument is disclosed which is used to non-invasively and automatically measure amniotic fluid volume in the uterus requiring a minimum of operator intervention. Using a 2D image-processing algorithm, the instrument gives automatic feedback to the user about where to acquire the 3D image set. The user acquires one or more 3D data sets covering all of the amniotic fluid in the uterus and this data is then processed using an optimized 3D algorithm to output the total amniotic fluid volume corrected for any fetal head brain volume contributions.

Abstract: In a method for treating cancer, a series of investigatory pressure waves of respective different preselected frequencies are generated in a patient so that the pressure waves are transmitted to a tumor through overlying tissues, while responsive oscillatory motion of the tumor and at least some internal tissues of the patient proximate to the tumor are monitored during this pressure wave generation. From the responsive oscillatory motion of the tumor and the internal tissues, a pressure wave frequency is determined which results in a resonant loading of the tumor and essentially leaves the internal tissues undamaged. Subsequently, treatment pressure waves are generated in the patient and have the determined pressure wave frequency and of an effective amplitude so that the tumor resonates with sufficient energy to mechanically destroy the tumor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic imaging system capable of extracting structure-emphasized image data in which the structure of a tissue in a living body is emphasized and texture-emphasized image data in which a texture pattern coming from properties of a tissue in a living body is emphasized from B-mode image data, and obtaining a synthesized image obtained by weighting and combining the two extracted image data pieces.

Abstract: Changes, increase or decrease, in the body fluid flow are passively detected by using a single pixel, non-linear blind de-mixing procedure, which can be extended to general biomedical measurement and diagnoses instruments. More specifically the single pixel, non-linear blind de-mixing procedure is applied on the hot spots of rheumatic arthritis or breast cancer detection problem using passive two-color infrared imaging as well as to passively detect blockages in the body fluid circulatory system that might be of importance for coronary artery bypass surgery, diabetes and deep vein thrombosis. Other applications of the mentioned algorithm include a pair of cameras for video, a pair of antennas for cell phones, and in situ data gathering or imaging using multiple mode fiberoptical sensing as well as selective amplification hearing aids through two-ear binaural processing for de-noise echo cancellation and signal classification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of a sample, said method comprising: a) administering a hyperpolarised MR contrast agent comprising non-zero nuclear spin nuclei into said sample for fluid dynamic investigations of the vasculature, b) exposing said sample or part of the sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions in said non-zero nuclear spin nuclei, c) detecting MR signals from said sample using any suitable manipulation method including pulse sequences. The invention also provides novel compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for repositioning a patient in a diagnostic/therapeutic system, as well as to such a system, wherein a repeated, accurate repositioning is achieved by producing difference images from a reference image and a current image, each in two recording axes, which are independent of each other, and by subsequently minimizing the visible differences. The reference images are produced with the same camera setting as the current images.

Abstract: A placement guide apparatus with an improved hydration inducing plug used in coupling a noninvasive analyzer to a sampling site to determine analyte in the human body is disclosed. The hydration inducing plug includes at least one fluoropolymer that may be used as a coupling agent. The guide apparatus may further include an automated or semi-automated coupling fluid delivery system. Use of either of these couplers mitigates issues associated with related technology and enhances noninvasive analyte measurements, such as a near-IR diffuse reflectance based noninvasive glucose concentration analyzer.

Abstract: In a method and a magnetic resonance apparatus for functional imaging, a number of images without and with a designational stimulation of the examination subject are sequentially registered in successive alternation, and an information value that indicates whether the image was registered during a phase with or without stimulation, at least one image-related stimulation value, and at least one image-related evaluation correlation value are obtained and stored for every image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a therapy combination which consists of a locating unit and a therapy unit which includes a therapy head for focusing energy in a focus, said units being movable relative to one another. In order to determine the relative position, each of said two units is provided with a sub-system of a measuring device. The position of the focus can thus be determined relative to an image produced by the locating unit.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a series of optical and electronic elements to detect and image cancerous and/or pre-cancerous cells in living tissue. The invention further uses the images thus obtained to adaptively and dynamically shape a treatment light beam so as to maximize the beam's intensity in proportion to the areas with the most cancer or pre-cancer and to minimize the irradiation of normal tissue by the beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides an atlas comprising values representative of magnetic resonance properties of a magnetic resonance (MR) scan and optionally, prior probability data relating to tissue type. Further embodiments of the invention involve a system including an MR scanner and the atlas for use in alignment of an MR scan, such as a localizer scan, to obtain a specific geometry of the data acquired during a subsequent scan. Also, a system includes an MR scanner and the atlas for automatic segmentation of an MR scan. Methods of making and using the atlas and system are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention aims at permitting numerous user terminals to share protocols as common resources. A vendor terminal or user terminal registers a pair of a protocol and a medical image, which is produced during scanning performed according to the protocol, by recording data in a protocol/medical image database included in a protocol management server. The user terminal acquires a medical image from the protocol management server over a network, and displays it on a display device. Moreover, the user terminal downloads a required protocol from the protocol management server and sets it in a medical diagnostic imaging system.

Abstract: A catheter based delivery system may be used for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The catheter based delivery system includes a catheter having a distal end. The distal end of the catheter includes several electrodes that can emit a radio frequency waveform, and may receive a signal representative of an impedance of material in the exposed to the radio frequency waveform. The radio frequency waveform may also be applied to ablate specifically targeted material exposed to the radio frequency waveform. The several electrodes may be configured as an antenna.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-optical sensing device for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte. More particularly, the invention relates to (but is not in all cases necessarily limited to) optical-based sensing devices which are characterized by being totally self-contained, with a smooth and rounded oblong, oval, or elliptical shape (e.g., a bean- or pharmaceutical capsule-shape) and a size which permits the device to be implanted in humans for in-situ detection of various analytes.

Abstract: A magnetic navigation system for orienting a magnetically responsive medical device in a selected direction within an operating region in a subject's body. The system includes a support for supporting the subject, a magnet system a magnetic field to the operating region, and an imaging system. The magnet system includes at least two magnets disposed on opposite sides of the operating region for applying a magnetic field of at least 0.08 Tesla in any selected direction in the operating region by a change of the position and/or orientation of the magnets within an exclusion zone volume. The imaging system includes an imaging beam source and an imaging beam detector disposed on opposite sides of the operating region. The source and the detector being carried on a C-arm which can pivot about an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the subject to change the imaging angle.

Abstract: A probe interface assembly for an automated medical imaging system is provided. The assembly comprises a platform including and inner frame for supporting an ultrasound probe in spaced apart relationship relative to a compression paddle arranged to apply a compression load to breast tissue being scanned during a medical imaging process. The platform is adapted to contactively engage the compression paddle during the medical imaging process. The platform may include a first resilient pivot connection at each side of a first set of mutually opposite sides of said inner frame to provide a tilt degree of freedom about a first axis. The platform may further include a second resilient pivot connection at each side of a second set of mutually opposite sides of the inner frame to provide a tilt degree of freedom about a second axis positioned orthogonal relative to the first axis.

Abstract: For the automatic detection and characterization of nodules in a tomographic image of an anatomical zone of a patient, the image is segmented for identifying therein a region of interest, and the segmented image is processed for identifying the nodule. During the processing step, an ellipsoid inscribed in the region of interest is modeled for deciding whether the image elements inscribed in this ellipsoid correspond to a nodule, and, for each zone of the region of interest extending beyond the ellipsoid, the image elements are identified which do not belong to the module according to mathematical morphologic criteria.

Abstract: In a diagnostic cardiac imaging session of a patient's heart using a computed tomography imaging scanner (10) and a cardiac cycle monitor (42), a diagnostic objective (100) is received. Survey imaging (104) of the heart is performed to determine optimized imaging parameter values for the received diagnostic objective (100). Monitor imaging (108) of a limited portion of the heart is performed during influx of a contrast agent (22) using a low patient x-ray exposure condition to detect a trigger condition. Volume imaging (110) of the heart responsive to detection of the trigger condition is performed using the optimized imaging parameter values to obtain volumetric imaging data. Cardiac cycle data is recorded during at least a portion of the survey imaging (104), the monitor imaging (108), and the volume imaging (110). High resolution reconstructing (130) of at least some volumetric imaging data is performed to produce high resolution image representations (132).

Abstract: In an optical measurement system and imaging method adapted to measure in vivo information in a living body without harming the living body, light rays of a plurality of wavelengths which are modulated in intensity with a plurality of different frequencies are irradiated on a plurality of irradiation positions on the surface of a living body, and time-variable changes in living body transmitting light intensity levels corresponding to the respective wavelengths and the respective irradiation positions are measured at different positions on the surface of the living body. Light is utilized to image the results of the measurements, in which the measuring time is shortened by estimating fluctuation attributable to the living body, and the presence or absence of a change in measured signal can be decided easily by displaying an estimation signal and a measured signal at a time.

Abstract: An injector system for injection of a fluid medium into a patient within an electromagnetic isolation area. The injector system includes a powered injector, a system controller therefor, and a plurality of communication units. The powered injector is positioned within the isolation area. A first communication unit integral with the powered injector enables the first communication unit and the powered injector to be moved as a unit. The system controller is positioned outside the isolation area and has a second communication unit integral therewith. An intermediate communication unit ensures communication between the first and the second communication units and therethrough between the powered injector and the system controller using an authentication technique therewith. The first, second and intermediate communication units are adapted to communicate by transmission of radio frequency (RF) energy. The RF energy is chosen to avoid interfering with the operation of MRI scanners.