Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transmitting section for generating first, second and third drive signals to drive an ultrasonic probe; a receiving section for getting echoes, produced by reflection of the ultrasonic waves responsive to those drive signals and generating first, second and third received echo signals; a storage section to store the first received echo signal; an adjusting section for defining intense and faint echo regions within a measuring range for the first received echo signal based on a stored feature quantity and for determining the second and third gains based on the feature quantities in the intense and faint echo regions; a displacement measuring section for measuring the magnitudes of displacement in the echo regions based on the second and third received echo signals; and a qualitative value calculating section for calculating the attribute property value of the subject based on the magnitudes of displacement.

Abstract: The invention is a differential 3D Quantitative-Imaging Ultrasonic Tomography method for inspecting a layered system that is comprised of a heterogeneous object embedded in a volume of space that comprises layers having an acoustic impedance gradient between the layers providing non-linear beams travels. A transducer grid is attached to the surface of the layered system in a unilateral manner. By sequentially changing the distance between transmitter and receiver the fastest travel times of the ultrasonic oscillations are measured. A differential approach provides from the data the longitudinal wave velocities values for each elementary volume that make up an inspected volume. These values are used to construct two and three-dimensional maps of the longitudinal wave velocity values distribution in the inspected volume and the porosity values distribution in the heterogeneous object.

Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for performing mammography, such as utilizing tomosynthesis in combination with breast biopsy.

Abstract: A process for determining whether tissue is precancer, in which tests discriminating between precancer and benign tissue and between precancer and normal tissue are combined, and tissue that is classified as precancer in both tests is determined to be precancer, in which neither of the tests to be combined is the most selective. Further, a process and device in which certain optimal wavelengths of glycogen, phosphate and lipid, but not protein, discriminate between normal and precancer tissues.

Abstract: A measurement device and measurement method make it possible to eliminate the load generated by stopping on a measurement subject that is moved among multiple magnetic field generating devices. The measurement device includes a first external magnetic field generating device that generates a magnetic field of a set size, a second external magnetic field generating device that generates a magnetic field of a size that differs from that of the magnetic field of the first external magnetic field generating device, a rotating table that causes the subject of measurement to pass in sequence through the magnetic fields of the first and second external magnetic field generating devices by causing the subject of measurement to move rotationally, and an OMRI measurement processing part and MRI measurement processing part that measures images such as functional images or structural images of the subject of measurement while it is being moved rotationally by the rotating table.

Abstract: An imaging and treatment head for imaging and treating an organ or tissue of a living being, and usable in particular for treating tumors of the prostate or the thyroid. The head includes an ultrasonic probe suitable for emitting waves or radiation so as to provide an imaged representation of an organ or tissue for treatment. The head also includes a treatment mechanism suitable for treating the organ or tissue locally. The treatment mechanism is suitable for emitting waves or radiation so as to treat the organ or the tissue. The head is characterized in that the ultrasonic probe is mounted in a removable manner on an adapter that ensures positioning of the ultrasonic probe relative to the treatment mechanism.

Abstract: A registration pointer includes a camera located in an elongated shaft having a distal end configured to be contacted to a bone of a patient to register the bone to a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system. The camera may be a hemispherical camera and may include a panoramic camera and a wide-angle camera equipped with a fish-eye lens. The registration pointer is configured to transmit images received by the cameras to the computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system for display thereon. The computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system may be configured to generate an image, such as a hemispherical image, based on the images received from the registration pointer.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement and a method for the three-dimensional measurement of at least part of an object includes a light source with a continuous spectrum, a device for generating a multifocal lighting pattern, a lens with a large chromatic aberration for imaging foci of the lighting pattern on the object, a detection unit for generating the wavelength spectrum of the foci that are confocally imaged on the object via the lens, and a spectrum-dispersive device disposed between the confocally imaged foci and the detection device. In order to create a highly accurate surface profile in a relatively short time even in the case of moving objects, the invention proposes that a first hole pattern including first holes be disposed in the plane of the confocally imaged foci, the geometric arrangement of the first holes corresponding to the geometric arrangement of the foci of the multifocal lighting pattern.

Abstract: According to the invention, a VOI (Volume of Interest) generation setting section disposed in an endoscope insertion support apparatus comprises a VOI setting function section, a VOI extending function section, a VOI direction determining function section, a VOI branch determining function section, a VOI resetting function section, a VOI information storage function section, a VOI size determining function section and a VOI branch extracting function section. This configuration enables a VOI to be effectively set in a tubular organ having a strictured part and tubular path area information on the tubular organ to be extracted.

Abstract: Navigation among breast ultrasound volumes derived from different volumetric ultrasonic scans of a same breast is described. On a display of a breast ultrasound workstation, a first image derived from a first ultrasonic volume is displayed. A user election of a source region of interest (ROI) in the first image is received. A destination ROI within a second ultrasonic volume is identified that at least roughly corresponds to a same locality of tissue in the breast as the source ROI. A second image derived from the second ultrasonic volume and including the destination ROI is displayed, the destination ROI being highlighted.

Abstract: A device for magnetic resonance imaging of a body placed in an examination volume is configured to generate a series of MR spin echo signals from a first nuclear spin species by subjecting at least a portion of the body to an MR imaging pulse sequence. The MR imaging pulse sequence includes a spatially non-selective excitation RF pulse, a plurality of refocusing RF pulses, and a plurality of phase encoding switched magnetic field gradients. The device is further is configured to acquire the MR spin echo signals without application of frequency encoding magnetic field gradients; and to reconstruct an MR image from the acquired MR spin echo signals.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, includes a tag adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, including a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric signal; and a circuit to impress said electric signal on the internal human (or an animal) body where the medical product is used; and a transmitter to transmit the electromagnetic signal; and a detector including a receptor for receiving the electric signal from the body and a detector connected to the receptor for detecting the electric signal. The envelope of the induced RF wave is demodulated, thus allowing the voltage at the output to vary at a significantly lower frequency. In the event such pulses are sensed, a sensory alert is actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a transesophageal cardiovascular procedure includes an elongated tubular main access device having a first lumen with an open proximal end and a distal side opening, and a second lumen with a rigid outer wall and a collapsible inner wall. The second lumen is adapted to receive an elongated probe or surgical device. The apparatus further includes an inflatable sealing means on the outside of the main access device above and below the side opening, and a first fluid conduit extending along the main access device for inflating the sealing means so that when the main access device is inserted into a patient's esophagus and the sealing means are inflated. The portion of the esophagus opposite the side opening is isolated from the remainder of the esophagus above and below the side opening.

Abstract: A transducer subassembly with combined imaging and therapeutic capabilities is disclosed. The subassembly includes heat sinks that are configured to maintain the transducer at a low operating temperature so that the transducer operates at high efficiency and also can handle a wider range of frequencies. The subassembly is also configured to allow cooling fluid to flow past the transducer element. One heat sink in the subassembly also acts as an acoustic matching layer and another heat sink acts as a backing. Alternatively, the second heat sink which acts as a backing is optional. The transducer is configured to transmit at one power level for imaging, and at a second power level for ablating. The transducer may comprise sub-elements transmitting at different power levels. The subassembly may be operated at one power level for imaging and a second power level for ablating.

Abstract: A method of in vitro or in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance and/or magnetic resonance imaging, to determine bone properties by measuring the effects of molecular diffusion inside the bone specimen to derive parameters that are related to the structure of the trabecular bones. The method is a non-invasive probe that provides topological information on trabecular bone without requiring a full high-resolution image of its structure, and is compatible with clinical use.

Abstract: A medical instrument that comprises: a first-stage optic responsive to a tissue surface of a patient; a spectral separator optically responsive to the first stage optic and having a control input; an imaging sensor optically responsive to the spectral separator and having an image data output; and a diagnostic processor having an image acquisition interface with an input responsive to the imaging sensor and a filter control interface having a control output provided to the control input of the spectral separator.

Abstract: Image reconstruction techniques for a medical imaging system are provided that include receiving pixel data from a gamma camera of an imaging system, and calculating a subsequent voxel value from the pixel data by subtracting an expected pixel value from a measured pixel value of the pixel data to produce a difference and correcting a previous voxel value by adding a weighted value of the difference to the previous voxel value. An imaging system is also provided.

Abstract: A combined radiation therapy/PET apparatus includes: an open PET device having multi-ring detector rings that are opposed to each other in the direction of the body axis so as to leave a gap therebetween; and a radiation therapy apparatus for performing radiation therapy through the gap. When imaging the condition of an affected area and a treatment beam for monitoring in radiation therapy of irradiating the affected area with X-rays, gamma rays, or particle beams, the apparatus covers a region of interest in the irradiation field of the radiation therapy with the field-of-view of the open PET device, thereby making possible the positioning of the irradiation field and treatment monitoring using PET images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring a vital parameter of a patient by measuring attenuation of light emitted onto tissue of the patient, comprising the following steps: modulating the light with a modulation frequency or/and a modulation code; emitting the modulated light onto the tissue of the patient; collecting light which is transmitted through the tissue or/and which is reflected from the tissue; demodulating the collected light; analyzing the demodulated collected light with regard to interference with ambient light; determining a modulation frequency or/and a modulation code for which interference with the ambient light is minimized or falls under a predefined threshold; and setting the modulation frequency or/and the modulation code for modulating the light according to the determined modulation frequency or/and a modulation code for which interference with the ambient light is minimized or falls under a predefined threshold.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a site marker are disclosed that comprise a body portion and a marker element. The body portion is constructed of a bioabsorbable material and defines at least one cavity therein. The marker element is captured within one of the cavities. The marker element is constructed of a material that may be imaged under at least one imaging modality.