Abstract: A method for imaging a patient. An apparatus for imaging a patient including a magnetic resonance imager having a controller and a memory in communication with the controller. The controller causes the imager to take a two-dimensional image of the patient which is stored in the memory. The controller identifying locations of interest of the k-space representation of the two-dimensional image, and acquiring a three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography image based on the locations of interest of the two-dimensional k-space data set.

Abstract: The method of treatment for a nasal or sinus tissue exhibiting a sinusitis or rhinosinusitis disease or condition in a diagnosed patient is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the nasal or sinus tissue, or the entire nasal or sinus region of the patient to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said tissue, wherein the tissue is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves. The method of treatment may further have the steps of administering one or more medicaments prior, during or after subjecting the patient to acoustic shock waves or testing the bacterial count or viability of the treated tissue or region of the diagnosed patient after exposure to one or more acoustic shock wave treatments; or subjecting a tissue or organ to a surgical procedure to remove or repair some or all of any defects or degenerative tissues.

Abstract: A plurality of images of a plurality of sections in an object are processed by using a ROI-specifying unit to specify a three-dimensional (3D) ROI (region of interest) at a region to be targeted in a three-dimensional space formed by the images. A deciding unit is then used to select one or more sections crossing the three-dimensional ROI, and a display unit is used to display images of the selected sections. The image of each of the selected sections includes an area crossing the 3D ROI. The ROI-specifying unit operates to place the 3D ROI at a region to be targeted on a first image of a section and three-dimensionally locates the 3D ROI at the region to be targeted by using both the first image and a second image of another section.

Abstract: A method of fat cavitation including infiltrating adipose tissue with a liquid, creating a puncture in a patient's skin, providing a wire, the wire being generally uniform in diameter and having a first end and a second end and introducing the second end of the wire through the puncture in the patient's skin. The method further includes placing at least a portion of the second end of the wire in contact the adipose tissue, generating an ultrasonic wave, transmitting the ultrasonic wave to the second end of the wire, creating cavitation bubbles in at least a portion of the targeted adipose tissue and liquefying at least a portion of the targeted adipose tissue. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing epithelial neoplasia and other conditions includes, in a representative embodiment, providing the human eyes with a filter to observe the autofluorescence of a tissue sample. Using optimized wavelengths from a filtered light source, a sample is illuminated. The radiation from the sample is filtered to enhance the contrast between a normal sample and a diseased sample observable by the human eye.

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: PRF shift MRI data is acquired. The PRF shift MRI data may include signals affected by both a desired PRF shift and an undesired PRF shift. Thus, example systems and methods describe manipulating the PRF shift MR! data to make it substantially free of the effects of the undesired PRF shift, which facilitates displaying certain MRI images based on the desired PRF shift.

Abstract: A computer based system and method of visualizing a region using multiple image data sets is provided. The method includes acquiring first volumetric image data of a region and acquiring at least second volumetric image data of the region. The first image data is generally selected such that the structural features of the region are readily visualized. At least one control point is determined in the region using an identifiable structural characteristic discernable in the first volumetric image data. The at least one control point is also located in the at least second image data of the region such that the first image data and the at least second image data can be registered to one another using the at least one control point. Once the image data sets are registered, the registered first image data and at least second image data can be fused into a common display data set.

Abstract: A fluorescent-light image obtaining apparatus for obtaining an autofluorescent-light image emitted from a target tissue irradiated by an excitation light, wherein the safety of the patient is ensured against injury from exposure to excessive excitation light when the distance between the output end of the excitation light projector and the target tissue is short. A contact detector detects that the end of the excitation light projector of the endoscope is in contact with the target tissue. Then, an excitation light output controller receives a signal indicating that the end of the excitation light projector is in contact with the target tissue. In response to this signal, the excitation light output controller stops the emission of the excitation light, or reduces the intensity of the emitted excitation light to a safe intensity for the patient even while the end of the excitation light projector and the target tissue are in contact.

Abstract: A method for planning biventricular pacing lead placement for a patient includes obtaining acquisition data from a medical imaging system and generating a 3D model of the left ventricle and thoracic wall of the patient. One or more left ventricle anatomical landmarks are identified on the 3D model, and saved views of the 3D model are registered on an interventional system. One or more of the registered saved views are visualized with the interventional system, and at least one suitable region on the left ventricle wall is identified for epicardial lead placement.

Abstract: In one example, an illumination system is provided in an MRI system including an open MRI assembly comprising a pole covered by a canopy. The MRI system is within a shielded room. A light source is provided outside of the shielded room, at least one light projector is connected to the canopy, and optical fibers couple the light source to the light projector. The light projector is preferably flexible. The light projector or projectors increase the illumination in the imaging volume, facilitating medical procedures conducted on a subject within the imaging volume.

Abstract: A method for detecting breast cancer can include the step of positioning a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna about a breast so that the transmitting antenna is positioned to transmit microwave energy into the breast and the receiving antenna is positioned to receive the transmitted energy after the energy has passed into the breast. Microwave energy can be transmitted from the transmitting antenna. The microwave energy can be received by the receiving antenna and used to determine a presence of tumors within the breast. A relative position of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna can be adjusted about the breast. After each position adjustment, the transmitting and the receiving steps can be repeated.

Abstract: An equipment includes an excitation source (1), elements for injecting (2) an excitation signal produced by the source in an ordered bundle (3) of flexible optical fibers, elements for analyzing (21, 22) an emitted autofluorescence signal. The equipment also includes at the output of the optical fiber bundle (3) an optical head (4) designed to be placed in contact with the biological tissue (6), the optical head being equipped with optical elements adapted to cause the excitation signal output from the bundle (3) to converge into a subsurface analyzing zone (5), the same optical fiber(s) used for excitation of the bundle (3) being used for detecting the signal emitted by the subsurface analyzing zone, elements (D) placed upstream of the injection elements (2) being further provided to separate the wavelength of the excitation signal and the wavelength of the autofluorescence signal.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging method an echo train is generated of successive magnetic resonance signals from an object to be examined. The magnetic resonance signals are received with a degree of undersampling and by means of a receiver antennae system having a spatial sensitivity profile and the degree of undersampling is set on the basis of an amount of phase evolution due to a magnetic susceptibility distribution of the object to be examined.

Abstract: A method for selecting images for coronary analysis using time stamps to correlate cardiovascular images to corresponding physiological or hemodynamic monitoring, e.g., ECG, data. The method uses time stamps that are intrinsic to a distributed network clock synchronization protocol for correlation of images and data. A coronary analysis system is employed to correlate images with physiologic data, e.g., using time stamp data as well as offset data derived using the distributed network clock synchronization protocol.

Abstract: In a method and system for processing medically relevant data in the framework of an examination of a patient that is to be implemented, a program is installed in a data processing device that selects one or more examination modalities to be implemented for the examination of the patient on the basis of symptom-specific and/or diagnosis-specific information that have been entered and using symptom-based and/or diagnosis-based data bank. The examination modalities are available as an output at a playback device.

Abstract: A registration pointer for registering points of surfaces of bodily elements in computer-assisted surgery, comprising a handle for being manipulated by a pointer operator. A stem is connected to the handle and has a first and a second tip configurations each having a respective use relating to a registration of points on specified bodily elements. A detectable device is secured to the stem, and is adapted to be tracked in space for position and orientation by a sensing apparatus. A position of the tip configurations with respect to the detectable device is determinable such that a position of the tip configurations is calculable as a function of the position and orientation of the detectable device. The tip configurations are chosen to register points on given bodily elements as a function of the respective use, by recording a position of points of contact between the tip configurations and the given bodily element.

Abstract: A device for producing high pressure ultrasound pulses. The device includes an ultrasound source having a piezoelectric transducer provided with electrodes and presenting polarization in a given direction (f1). An electrical voltage is applied to the electrodes to emit an ultrasound wave and to apply an electric field in a direction (f2) opposite to the polarization direction (f1) in order to compress the ultrasound transducer. A transient electric field having the same direction (f3) as the polarization direction (f1) is then applied so as to cause a compression ultrasound wave to be emitted in the coupling medium.

Abstract: A method and system for examining biological tissue includes the steps of radiating a tissue region with a plurality of microwave radiation pulses. The microwave pulses are swept across a range of microwave frequencies. In response to the swept frequency microwave pulses, the tissue region emits a plurality of thermoacoustic signals. At least one image of the tissue region is formed from the plurality of thermoacoustic signals. The signals can be ultrawideband signals.

Abstract: A method for displaying images in a medical navigation system assisted by x-ray images includes calibrating an x-ray device in the medical navigation system and producing a plurality of two-dimensional x-ray images of a patient using the x-ray device. During the producing step, positions of the x-ray device are determined using the medical navigation system in order to produce positional data. Data associated with the two-dimensional x-ray images is converted into three-dimensional data. The two-dimensional x-ray images, production information corresponding to the two-dimension x-ray images, and the three-dimensional data to the navigation system. At least the two-dimensional x-ray images are displayed on an image output of the medical navigation system.