Abstract: The present invention utilizes a plurality of spectroscopic systems and methods to measure characteristics of tissue useful in the diagnosis of disease. In a preferred embodiment, a combination of fluorescence, reflectance and light scattered spectra can be measured and processed to provide biochemical, architectural and morphological state of tissue. The methods and systems can be used particularly in the early detection of carcinoma within tissue in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis system and strain distribution display method utilizing an ultrasonic probe for performing transmission/reception of ultrasonic signals to/from a subject, a storage arrangement for storing the properties of signals detected with the ultrasonic probe, a correlation computer for calculating a correlation coefficient between the properties with and without pressure applied to the subject, and a phase difference between the received signals with and without application of pressure, based upon the properties stored in the storage arrangement with and without pressure applied to the subject, a computer for calculating a displacement of each measurement point, and a strain distribution of tissue of the subject due to application of pressure, based upon the correlation coefficient and phase difference calculated by the correlation computer, and a display for displaying the strain distribution.

Abstract: Methods of acoustic imaging provide images with reduced reverberation noise and images of nonlinear scattering and propagation parameters of the object, and estimation methods of corrections for wave front aberrations produced by spatial variations in the acoustic propagation velocity. The methods are based on processing of the received signal from transmitted dual frequency band acoustic pulse complexes with overlapping high and low frequency pulses. The high frequency pulse is used for the image reconstruction and the low frequency pulse is used to manipulate the nonlinear scattering and/or propagation properties of the high frequency pulse. Through filtering in the pulse number coordinate and corrections for nonlinear propagation delays and optionally also amplitudes, a linear back scattering signal with suppressed pulse reverberation noise, a nonlinear back scattering signal, and quantitative nonlinear forward propagation and scattering parameters are extracted.

Abstract: A patient is subjected to magnetic resonance imaging at substantial intervals such as weeks, months or years, or after an interval sufficient for a therapeutic regimen to affect the anatomy, and the data acquired at different times is compared to show changes in the anatomy with time or due to the effects of the therapeutic regimen. Individual data elements or larger groups of plural data elements representing particular locations a set of image data acquired at one time can be automatically compared with data elements associated with the same locations in another set of image data acquired at another time to yield a set of comparison data.

Abstract: A reference height calibration procedure obtains a reference error value, which can be used to adjust a height calibration parameter for registering the fields of view (FOVs) of the modules of a multi-modality medical imaging system such as a SPECT-CT imaging system.

Abstract: A system and method for treating skin. The System comprises one or more ultrasound transducers and one or more pairs of RF electrodes. The ultrasound transducers are adapted to focus ultrasound energy at one or more focal volumes in the skin. The RF electrodes are adapted to deliver RF energy to the one or more focal volumes. The method comprises heating the skin to a first temperature at one or more focal volumes in the skin by focusing ultrasound energy at the one or more focal volumes. The focal regions are then heated to a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature, by generating an RF current in a region of the skin containing the focal regions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising an ultrasonic transmitting unit, an image signal generating unit and a signal addition unit. The ultrasonic transmitting unit transmits an ultrasonic wave having a wave surface except a plane wave surface and a focused focal wave surface to a subject so that shapes of wave surface portions change mutually in time on a same scanning line. The image signal generating unit receives reflected waves produced by the wave surface portions and generating image signals according to the reflected waves received. The signal addition unit obtains an image signal of which a speckle noise is reduced by adding the image signals mutually.

Abstract: The invention discloses a bone examination apparatus which includes a shaking module, a multi-mode ultrasonic detecting module, and a processing module. The shaking module is disposed close to a distal end of an examinee's femur, for inputting a shaking signal to the distal end. The multi-mode ultrasonic detecting module is disposed close to a near end of the examinee's femur, for detecting the shaking signal through the examinee's femur at the near end and generating a detecting signal. Additionally, the processing module is connected to the shaking module and the multi-mode ultrasonic detecting module respectively, for determining the examinee's bone density in accordance with the shaking signal, the detecting signal, and a first criterion.

Abstract: Methods and devices for both imaging and treating uterine fibroid tumors in one real-time system are provided. One minimally invasive method comprises introducing a sheath into a uterus and determining a location of a fibroid using a visualization element within or on the sheath. Upon identification, a portion of the sheath is steered to position at least one treatment needle at the determined location. The needle is then anchored in uterine tissue and the fibroid treated with the needle.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system for interventional MR imaging involves operations to insert a device such as a catheter into an object. According to the system, a tip position of the catheter is detected, data indicative of moved loci of the catheter are produced from data indicative of the detected tip position, and the produced movement locus data are displayed. In addition, even when an operator changes the progress direction of the device such as a puncture needle, an imaging cross-section automatically tracks movements of the device. Appropriate preoperative planning is also provided.

Abstract: Ultrasonic medical apparatus is disclosed comprising ultrasonic transducers and associated electronics incorporated in a portable hand-held device adapted for engagement with the neck of a person and energized to induce a coughing reflex in the person. The apparatus can be utilized on subjects who, for various reasons, are unable to initiate coughing themselves at the time, and results in the effective clearing of fluid and debris within small airways in the lungs which cannot be reached by intrusive suction clearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positional optimization in navigation, in particular neural navigation in surgery with an operation microscope and at least one optoelectronic image detector which may be connected to the microscope and also a computer system. The data obtained from the at least one image detector which lie in the microscope field-of-view for the operator, contain information on the position of an operation instrument, in particular the instrument tip. The actual position of the instrument in the x- and y-direction as well as in the z-direction of a three-dimensional coordinate system is continuously or intermittently determined from the relevant positional data. A separation determination is carried out for the positional determination in the z-direction by means of depth of focus evaluation and/or stereoscopic image analysis.

Abstract: Velocity scale is automatically determined for ultrasound imaging. Receive signals corresponding to different pulse repetition intervals are used to estimate velocities. The different velocities are used to determine the velocity scale. For example, the different pulse repetition intervals are obtained by selecting different sets of signals from a group of signals for a scan line. As another example, the different pulse repetition intervals are obtained by transmitting for a scan line with changing, such as increasing, pulse repetition intervals. The lower pulse repetition interval of a pair of intervals associated with a sign change in the phase is used for the velocity scale. In yet another example, at least two demodulation frequencies are used for a broadband transmit in at least two sets, each set with a different pulse repetition interval. Velocities are estimated for a greater number of pulse repetition intervals than transmitted using the broadband pulses.

Abstract: A method of removing lesions by implanting a radioactive seed at the location of the lesion, locating the lesion with the radioactive seed, and removing the lesion with the radioactive seed.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding an operator in altering a pelvis. A sensing apparatus is provided for tracking a reference tool and a bone altering tool. A position calculator calculates a position and orientation of a pelvic frame of reference as a function of the tracking of the reference tool, and for calculating a position and orientation of the bone altering tool with respect to the frame of reference. A source of posture data and a posture data correction calculator are provided and are operative to provide a display of information allowing an operator to take into consideration the posture data from the source of posture data when altering the pelvis. A display unit is connected to the position calculator and to the posture data correction calculator for displaying the display of information and the bone altering tool with respect to the pelvic frame of reference.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function of obtaining a tomographic image and an elastic image is adaptable to not only a close examination mode, but also a screening mode, and obtains an elastic image suitable for each examination purpose. Accordingly, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention comprises tomographic image acquisition means for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from a probe to a body being examined, and receiving a reflection echo signal corresponding to the transmission of the ultrasonic wave to obtain a tomographic image, elastic image acquisition means having a first acquisition mode for determining a tissue elasticity amount of a biomedical tissue of the body being examined on the basis of the reflection echo signal to obtain an elastic image, and display means for displaying at least the elastic image. The elastic image acquisition means has a second acquisition mode different from the first acquisition mode.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for: (i) positioning a specimen inside an optical measurement system according to a reference image of the specimen indicative of its position and orientation during an earlier measurement using the optical measurement system; and (ii) measuring radiation emitted from the positioned specimen to provide information about an object embedded in the specimen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for intra-operatively spatially calibrating an ultrasound probe. The method includes determining the relative changes in ultrasound images of a phantom, or high-contrast feature points within a target volume, for three different ultrasound positions. Spatially calibrating the ultrasound probe includes measuring the change in position and orientation of the probe and computing a calibration matrix based on the measured changes in probe position and orientation and the estimated changes in position and orientation of the phantom.

Abstract: A method of generating three-dimensional (3D) full volume ultra-sound images with the uses of contrast agents includes acquiring ultrasound image data for multiple subvolumes (140,142,144,146) synchronized to an ECG (100) over multiple cardiac cycles (124,126,128,130) via triggering (104,114,106,116,108,118,110,120). Acquiring includes at least one of two acquisition protocols. The first acquisition protocol uses an output acoustic power insufficient for causing destruction of the contrast agents during ultrasound image data acquisition (10). The second acquisition protocol uses an output acoustic power sufficient for causing destruction of the contrast agents during ultrasound image data acquisition (10). Triggering (26,28) of respective ones of the ultrasound image data acquisitions of the multiple subvolumes (140,142,144,146) is selected to enable destroyed contrast agents to be replaced by new contrast agents prior to a subsequent triggering of ultrasound image data acquisition of a subsequent subvolume.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus includes an input unit which inputs information associated with the physique of a subject to be examined and information associated with an imaging region, a calculating unit which calculates a partial body SAR associated with a partial body including the imaging region on the basis of the input information associated with the physique and the input information associated with the imaging region, and a display unit which displays the calculated partial body SAR.