Abstract: Methods of diagnosing and preventing bone loss and/or enhancing bone formation are disclosed. The invention additionally provides methods of diagnosing a predisposition to bone loss. The methods mathematically combine the information provided by imaging tests with the information provided by biomarkers to provide an index value. The index value is used for diagnosis of bone diseases, and to assess the progress of treatment of bone diseases.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a cavity to receive an acetabulum in a pelvic bone with the aid of a navigated tool are provided. A tear-drop point on a pelvic bone is located by means of a scanning instrument. A tear-drop plane is determined from position data of the tear-drop point and the plane of the pelvic inlet. The tear-drop plane lies perpendicular to the plane of the pelvic inlet, extends parallel to a line connecting the two anterior superior iliac spines, and runs through the tear-drop point. A reference point is determined which is at a defined height above the tear-drop plane, in a defined position in an anterior-posterior direction, and at a defined spacing from an outer surface of the pelvic bone in a lateral-medial direction. A tool is worked into the pelvic bone in a desired direction relative to the reference point.

Abstract: A method of operation for a magnetic resonance imaging suite. A power supply of magnetic resonance injector system receives electrical power from an AC power outlet, both of which are located outside of a shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite. Electrical power from the power supply of the magnetic resonance injector system is conveyed (via an appropriate power connection) into the shielded room of the magnetic resonance imaging suite and to a component (e.g., a power head) of the magnetic resonance injector system located inside the shielded room. While this electrical power is being conveyed, radio frequency energy emitted from the power connection is being filtered.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically fusing images are provided. The method includes acquiring scan data from a first imaging modality and fusing scan data from a second modality with the scan data from the first modality as scan data from the second modality is acquired and the method further includes displaying reconstructed images of the fused data.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for the detection of cells and/or compositions using optical coherence tomography. The systems and methods comprise a plurality of magnets for applying a plurality of distinct magnetic field strengths to the cells and/or compositions and a phase sensitive optical coherence tomographic imaging modality for detecting the cells and/or compositions while same are disposed in the presence of at least one of the plurality of distinct magnetic field strengths.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing images of a subject, such as the heart of a human being. The method may comprise acquiring ultrasound images of the subject with a catheter comprising a position sensor. The method may also comprise capturing a plurality of 4D surface registration points in the acquired ultrasound images corresponding to points on the subject. The method may also comprise registering, in space and time, a high-resolution 4D model of the subject with the plurality of 4D surface registration points. The method may also comprise displaying high resolution, real-time images of the subject during a medical procedure based on the registration of the high resolution 4D model to the 4D surface registration points. Embodiments of the present invention are especially useful in left atrium ablation procedures.

Abstract: A method of identifying the location of a lesion in an image and evaluating whether the identified lesion is more likely to be cancerous, benign or uncertain is provided where the image includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a particular intensity I in the range of 0<I<2<sup.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit an ultrasonic beam to an object and receive a reflective ultrasonic signal, a controller configured to control the ultrasonic probe such that the ultrasonic beam is focused on focus positions in at least two directions, each of which is substantially perpendicular to a transmission and reception direction, an image generation unit configured to generate an ultrasonic image based on the reflective ultrasonic signal and a display unit configured to display the at least two focus positions or the focus position in the direction which is substantially perpendicular to the ultrasonic image with the ultrasonic image.

Abstract: A method and system to assist in a selection and planning of procedure and assist in selecting a prosthetic for the procedure. Generally, the system allows for image acquisition of a selected area of the anatomy. A model may be formed of the anatomy from the acquired images. The system may also allow for navigational tracking of the procedure to ensure that the procedure is substantially carried out relative to the selected plan.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein allow for the application of a bias voltage to one or more transducers implemented within a medical ultrasound imaging system. Bias circuitry is placed within an imaging device and used to apply a DC bias to one or more transducers requiring a DC bias to operate. The one or more transducers can be fabricated in a semiconductor manufacturing process and integrated with the bias circuitry on a common semiconductor substrate. Also provided is a method for operating the one or more transducers and bias circuitry using a communication channel having two signal lines.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe comprising a group of piezoelectric elements consisting of a plurality of piezoelectric elements of a narrow card shape arrayed in a long-axis direction thereof and a rotational mechanism that rotates and oscillates said group of piezoelectric elements to the left and right in a short-axis direction thereof about the center of said long-axis direction; wherein said rotational mechanism is provided with a first bevel gear having teeth in at least an arc shape, a second bevel gear meshing with said first bevel gear and rotating in the horizontal direction, and a drive motor that rotates said second bevel gear; and also at least one of said first bevel gear and said second bevel gear is made of a synthetic resin.

Abstract: A method and a system for free space optical tomography provides one or more light source and one or more light sensors spaced, which in one embodiment are spaced apart from and object to be imaged. A surface capture system coupled to a variety of optical models provides the method and system with the ability to render accurate tomographic images though the light has propagated both through a diffuse medium and, in on embodiment, also through free space to the one or more light sensors.

Abstract: A non-invasive living body measuring device is described, a representative one of which includes: a non-invasive living body measuring device for measuring the components contained in blood, comprising: an imaging part for imaging a living body; a display part; and a display control part for generating a blood vessel image showing blood vessels within a living body image obtained by the imaging part, and displaying the blood vessel image on the display part, wherein an index representing a suitable region for imaging by the imaging part is displayed on the display part.

Abstract: A method of examining cardiac electromagnetic activity over a heart for diagnosing the cardiac functions of the heart is disclosed. The method includes collecting a plurality of sets of spatially distributed, time-varying magnetic field signals of the heart of a subject, wherein the magnetic field signals exhibit features of at least a wave, identifying a time corresponding to a local maximum intensity of the magnetic field signals of the wave at each measurement position and plotting a temporal evolution of the local maximum intensity of the magnetic field signals during a time interval of the wave.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and optical sensor module for body fat measurement includes at least one light source, a tilter to control an irradiation angle of the light source to radiate light from the light source into biological tissue at a predetermined angle, and an optical detector to detect an optical signal scattered from the biological tissue, and transform the scattered optical signal into an electric signal to acquire more accurate body fat information about a deep body fat layer.

Abstract: A method and system to assist in a planning and navigation of procedure. Generally, the system allows for image acquisition of a selected area of the anatomy. The images may then be used to mark various points to determine true anatomical definitions and planes. The definitions may assist in positioning a prosthesis.

Abstract: A method of treating discogenic back pain in a patient includes the steps of acquiring an image of at least a portion of the patient's spine, locating the spinal disc causing the back pain, and identifying a treatment volume encompassing at least a portion of the spinal disc. The method further includes prescribing a radiation dose to be delivered to the treatment volume, providing a radiation therapy machine, positioning the patient in the radiation therapy machine, programming the radiation therapy machine to deliver the radiation dose to the treatment volume, and delivering the radiation dose to the treatment volume.

Abstract: A multisensor probe for continuous real-time tissue identification. The multisensor probe includes a tissue penetrating needle, a plurality of sensors useful in characterizing tissue and a position sensor to measure the depth of the needle into the tissue being diagnosed. The sensors include but are not limited to an optical scattering and absorption spectroscopy sensor, an optical coherence domain reflectometry sensor, an electrical impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a pO2 sensor, a chemical sensor and other sensors useful in identifying tissue. The sensors may take the form of a plurality of optical fibers extending through said needle. A retractable sheath may be disposed around the distal section of the needle to protect the needle when not in use. The sheath retracts when the probe is inserted into tissue and the position of the sheath relative to the needle may be measured to determine the needle's depth. Systems and methods for tissue identification are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a probe. The probe includes a sheath, a flexible, bi-directionally rotatable, optical subsystem positioned within the sheath, the optical subsystem comprising a transmission fiber, the optical subsystem capable of transmitting and collecting light of a predetermined range of wavelengths along a first beam having a predetermined beam size. The probe also includes an ultrasound subsystem, the ultrasound subsystem positioned within the sheath and adapted to propagate energy of a predetermined range of frequencies along a second beam having a second predetermined beam size, wherein a portion of the first and second beams overlap a region during a scan.