Abstract: A patient motion monitoring system (102) for use in a proton therapy center (100) is disclosed. The patient monitoring system (102) includes a plurality of position detector assemblies (162) with each position detector assembly (162) being constructed of a flexibly rigid support arm (132) attached to a position sensor (130). Each support arm (132) of the plurality of position detector assemblies (162) is detachably mounted to a supporting structure so as to allow the corresponding position sensor (130) to be positioned adjacent a patient (104) who is receiving proton therapy. Furthermore, each position sensor (130) of the plurality of position detector assemblies (162) generates a position signal that is indicative of the distance between a front surface of the position sensor, and an adjacent surface of the patient.

Abstract: A first signal and a second signal are provided as two continuous signals having an identical fundamental frequency. A first spectrum which is either one of a frequency spectrum or a frequency power spectrum of the first signal in a predetermined time period is obtained. A second spectrum which is either one of a frequency spectrum or a frequency power spectrum of the second signal in the predetermined time period is obtained. A normalized value which corresponds a ratio of a difference between the first spectrum and the second spectrum and a sum of the first spectrum and the second spectrum at the fundamental frequency is obtained. A ratio of an amplitude of a signal component of the first signal and an amplitude of a signal component of the second signal is obtained based on the normalized value.

Abstract: This invention discloses such a convenient navigation system and navigatable capsules which are useful for remote-controlled imaging, biopsy and programmable drug release within the body of an animal. The components of the system comprise a capsule dimensioned and shaped to move within the body. An anisotropic magnetic component is mechanically coupled to the capsule to move or orient the body in relation to an applied magnetic field, and a magnetic field generating system external of the body generates a three dimensionally oriented magnetic field within the body to move or orient capsule.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining images of body organs or other tissue for each of their multiple characterizing aspects, and for classifying different tissue types within the images according to their characterizing aspects, are disclosed herein. The tissue may be irradiated with an ultrasonic signal, and an interaction signal received in return. Sinogram data may be constructed from the received interaction signal, and multiple characterizing data extracted therefrom. The multiple characterizing data representing multiple characterizing aspects may then be matched to tissue type within a database containing information correlating characterizing multi-aspect data with tissue type. Images of the tissue may then be presented with identifiers associating tissue portions with their matched tissue types.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an electromagnetically protected ultrasound TEE probe, a display for displaying ultrasound images, a housing including a transducer connector including at least one connection and a computer for processing electrical signals representative of received ultrasound echoes. The TEE probe includes a probe housing including an imaging sensor, an outer acoustic lens, a cable interconnect and an internal metal shield which surrounds the sensor and cable interconnect, and a cable including electrical conductors and electromagnetic cable shielding, the electrical conductors electrically connected to the cable interconnect at a first end, and the electrical conductors and the cable shielding are electrically connected to a transducer connector at a second end.

Abstract: A real time patient monitoring system uses a cellular architecture to monitor ECG signals and other physiologic data of patients, including ambulatory patients. The system includes wireless telemeters that attach to and transmit the physiologic data of respective patients. The telemeters communicate bi-directionally with ceiling-mounted RF transceivers, referred to as “VCELLs,” using a wireless TDMA protocol. The VCELLs forward packets of physiologic data received from the telemeters to patient monitoring stations on a LAN. The VCELLs are spatially distributed throughout the medical facility to provide multiple cells or zones of coverage. As a patient moves throughout the medical facility, the patient's telemeter connects to, and disconnects from, specific VCELLs to maintain connectivity to the LAN. The telemeters and VCELLs also implement a patient location tracking process for monitoring of the locations of individual patients.

Abstract: An active medical device having an improved discrimination between an awake phase of a patient and a sleep phase of a patient. This device measures a physiological parameter of a patient, delivers a physiological signal with a slow time response variation, in particular a signal of minute-ventilation (signal MV), and detects whether the patient is in a phase of awakening or sleep. An average (VE) of the signal MV is calculated over a given number of respiratory cycle and compared with a predetermined threshold (Threshold MV), such that a first state of awakening is determined when the average is higher than the threshold, and a first state of sleep is determined in the contrary case. The device also measures patient activity (signal G), using a signal having a short response time.

Abstract: Determination of a physiological parameter value includes reception of several signals, each representing a respective one of several physiological parameters and including a pulsation associated with the parameter. A system detects a pulsation associated with a physiological parameter. The system includes an input device for receiving a plurality of different signals, each of the plurality of different signals indicating a pulsation in respective different physiological parameters. A signal processor detects and accumulates information from the plurality of different signals. The accumulated information including values of relative delay between the pulsation in the respective different parameters. A timing processor determines a timing of the pulsation in at least one of the different parameters based at least on the accumulated information.

Abstract: A continuous body core temperature monitor comprises a pliable ear plug that conforms to the shape of an ear canal and incorporates a temperature sensor that is clamped between the plug and the ear canal wall. The external surface of the plug is connected to an external temperature sensor and a heating element that compensate for a heat lost from the ear canal to the environment by maintaining the temperature gradient between the temperature sensor and the heating element close to zero.

Abstract: In a device (10) for in-vivo measurements of quantities in living organisms that comprises a catheter-like tube (11) receiving in a removable manner a setting needle (14) provided for inserting the tube in the organism, with at least one aperture (12) being provided in the wall of the tube (11); and a sensor (18) for detecting the quantity to be measured in the interior of the tube; the sensor (18) is mounted on a separate oblong carrier (17) whose cross sectional dimensions are smaller than those of the interior of the tube. After the setting needle (14) has been pulled out of the tube (11), the sensor can be inserted in said tube (11).

Abstract: An adapter presents a sample of bodily fluid, such as whole blood, including an analyte to an analyzer window of a non-invasive monitor. The adapter comprises a base material that comprises a first side and a second side. The adapter also comprises a sample accommodating volume extending between an opening in the second side of the base material and an opening in the first side of the base material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of improvements that can be incorporated into a pulse oximeter probe to detect when a probe has become dislodged from a patient and/or to prevent a probe-off condition. A probe-off condition occurs when the optical probe becomes partially or completely dislodged from the patient, but continues to detect an AC signal within the operating region of the pulse oximeter. In one aspect, the present invention provides electrical contacts that contact the skin of a patient when the probe is properly attached. In another aspect, the present invention provides a number of louvers placed in front of the sensor's photodetector to filter out oblique light rays that do not originate from a point in front of the detector. Accordingly, if the emitter and photodetector are not properly aligned, the photodetector will not produce a signal within the valid operating range of the pulse oximeter.

Abstract: A medical examination and/or treatment system has an X-ray image exposure system with a radiation source, a radiation receiver as well as a control and processing device that controls them, a catheter system with a catheter with at least one element in the catheter tip that generates a magnetic field and a device for generating an external magnetic field for guiding the movement of the catheter introduced into a patient by interaction with the magnetic field generated by the element at the catheter tip, as well as an ultrasound image exposure system having a device integrated in the catheter tip for generating and for receiving ultrasound and having a control and processing device that controls this device.

Abstract: A system and method for the in situ discrimination of healthy and diseased tissue. A fiberoptic based probe is employed to direct ultraviolet illumination onto a tissue specimen and to collect the fluorescent response radiation. The response radiation is observed at three selected wavelengths, one of which corresponds to an isosbestic point. In one example, the isosbestic point occurs at about 431 nm. The intensities of the observed signals are normalized using the 431 nm intensity. A score is determined using the ratios in a discriminant analysis. The tissue under examination is resected or not, based on the diagnosis of disease or health, according to the outcome of the discriminant analysis.

Abstract: A percutaneous or transcutaneous connecting device, featuring at least one passage or a passage-free connection through the outer surface and in particular the skin of a living being, incorporates a permanent magnet (7) which is positioned in the area of the outer surface such as the skin (1, 3) with its poles essentially extending parallel thereto. In the case of a percutaneous connecting device, physical passages (9) are provided which extend through the outer surface of the living being, whereas in the case of a transcutaneous connecting device the transfer of electrical or electromagnetic signals and/or electrical energy takes place without physical passages, instead employing for instance coils.

Abstract: A guide wire for guiding a medical device within a patient is disclosed. The guide wire includes an elongate core with a flexible body disposed about and secured to a distal core section of the elongate core. A shapeable member extends distally from the distal core section, and the shapeable member preferably includes a nonrectangular, cross-sectional shape including a D-shape, semicircle, a triangle, or the like. In various embodiments, the polygonal shape of the cross-section is defined by a height h and a width b, wherein the moment of inertia of the shapeable member is preferably defined by at least 0.083×b×h3.

Abstract: A pulse oximeter sensor having an emitter(s) and a detector, with a layer having a first portion of the emitter and a second portion of layer over the detector is provided. A barrier is included between the first and second portions of the overlying layer to substantially block radiation of the wavelengths emitted by the emitter(s). Preferably, the barrier reduces the radiation shunted to less than 10% of the radiation detected, and more preferably to less than 1% of the radiation detected.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting opening of a passage in a bodily cavity, the device including an electric signal source; a first transducer for converting an electric signal from the electric signal source into an acoustic signal; a second transducer for reception of the acoustic signal; and where the first and the second transducer are placed on respective opposite sides of the obstruction in the cavity. In the method an acoustic signal is supplied at one side of the obstruction and received at the other side of the obstruction, when the passage is open.

Abstract: An infant support for an incubator or an infant warmer or a combination thereof is disclosed. The support comprises a frame, a mattress tray disposed above the tray, an x-ray tray and one or more weight cells having an actuator supporting the mattress tray above the frame. The x-ray tray is received in a space below the top surface of the mattress tray. The support is configured to be received on a tilt mechanism of the incubator or an infant warmer or a combination thereof to provide an inclination to the mattress tray. The support is configured to permit x-rays to be taken of an infant supported above the mattress tray and to provide an indication of the weight of the infant supported on the mattress tray regardless of its inclination.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.