Abstract: An inherently de-coupled sandwiched solenoidal array coil (SSAC) is disclosed for use in receiving nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) radio frequency (RF) signals in both horizontal and vertical-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. In its most basic configuration, the SSAC comprises two coaxial RF receive coils. The first coil of the array has two solenoidal (or loop) sections that are separated from one another along a common axis. The two sections are electrically connected in series but the conductors in each section are wound in opposite directions so that a current through the coil sets up a magnetic field of opposite polarity in each section. The second coil of the SSAC is disposed (“sandwiched”) between the two separated solenoidal sections of the first coil in a region where the combined opposing magnetic fields cancel to become a null.

Abstract: An inherently de-coupled sandwiched solenoidal array coil (SSAC) is disclosed for use in receiving nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) radio frequency (RF) signals in both horizontal and vertical-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. In its most basic configuration, the SSAC comprises two coaxial RF receive coils. The first coil of the array has two solenoidal (or loop) sections that are separated from one another along a common axis. The two sections are electrically connected in series but the conductors in each section are wound in opposite directions so that a current through the coil sets up a magnetic field of opposite polarity in each section. The second coil of the SSAC is disposed (“sandwiched”) between the two separated solenoidal sections of the first coil in a region where the combined opposing magnetic fields cancel to become a null.

Abstract: An improved method, termed “statistical synthetic aperture magnetometry” (SSAM) of transforming magnetoencephalographic (MEG) measurements into corresponding three-dimensional images of the electrophysiological activity within the brain. The computed images are static, representing the time-integrated brain activity over a selected period. By selecting the time periods and frequency bands of interest, the SSAM method selectively images brain activity relating to different types of brain pathology or to cognitive events. Unlike prior art methods, the SSAM method compensates for the growth of ionic signal source strength estimates with depth into the head, resulting, in part, from the declining sensitivity of the MEG sensors. This is achieved by computing and displaying functions of the ratio of source strength to its noise for each element comprising the image.

Abstract: Method and system for diagnosing and treating thalamocortical dysrhythmia. Thalamocortical dysrhythmia occurs when unbalanced neural activity occurs due to the rise of low frequency (approximately 4-8 Hz) and high frequency (approximately 20-50 Hz) neuronal oscillation activity simultaneously within awake individuals. The underlying mechanism that causes thalamocortical dysrhythmia is abnormal input into thalamic cells, which causes a low-frequency shift, increased amplitude, and increased frequency correlation of neuronal oscillation at the cortical and thalamic levels. The present invention measures the neuronal activity at the cortical level, filters these measurements, and performs a Fourier transform to transfer neuronal oscillation data into the frequency domain. The present invention then selects at least one reference baseline based on the characteristics of control subjects that do not have thalamocortical dysrhythmia and/or patients that have thalamocortical dysrhythmia.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking the location of a device within the field of view of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system are provided. The method comprises computing a centroid of signal intensity in a region centered about a location of maximum signal intensity, Lmax of acquired magnetic resonance (MR) signals corresponding to the device.

Abstract: In order to facilitate pathological examination of a lesion in in-vivo tissue, a system and method are provided having a computer system in which both a camera for producing a digital macroscopic picture of the lesion and an imager are coupled to the computer system. The imager is responsive to the computer system and has optics for scanning the lesion to generate images representing microscopic sections of the lesion which provide sufficient information for pathological examination of the lesion. The computer system generates location information, referencing the location in the macroscopic picture of the lesion where the lesion was scanned to the images, and stores data in an electronic file structure which contains at least a representation of the images, a representation of the macroscopic picture, and the location information.

Abstract: The combination of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR-guided subcutaneous core biopsy can be used as a robust approach for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. MRI provides the means to accurately position and monitor interventional procedures such as biopsy, removal of tissue or other transcanular procedures. MRI may also be used in this invention to position and monitor the progress of breast conserving therapies (BCT), such as laser photo-ablation, cryoablation and localized hyperthermia. The general practice of this invention is to provide a remotely controlled apparatus for MR-guided interventional procedures in the breast. The apparatus allows the practice of a method that provides flexibility in conditioning the breast, i.e. orientation and degree of compression, and in setting the trajectory of the intervention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for determining the presence and location of abnormal or pathological tissue, for identifying and mapping the margins of abnormal tissue, such as tumor tissue during surgical or diagnostic procedures, and for grading and characterizing tumor tissue by detecting changes in the optical properties of spatially defined areas of an area of interest following administration of a contrast enhancing agent.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus that has an OCT function and can efficiently obtain an optical tomographic image is provided. An image of an area within a body cavity is displayed on a monitor, and an operator uses a pen-type input to specify a point thereon. An aiming-light is projected onto the body cavity and displayed on said monitor as a bright point, and a coated tube of an OCT probe is slid and rotated by a scanning controller so as to align the aiming-light with the point. A scanning-area setting means sets a ring shaped scanning area when the aiming-light and point are aligned. The scanning area is scanned with a signal-light, and an optical tomographic image is obtained and displayed on a monitor. An optical tomographic image can be efficiently and expediently obtained without the need to manually direct the irradiation position of the signal-light to a desired scanning area.

Abstract: An improved system for cellular surgery which includes a laser for producing a laser beam, and confocal optics for scanning and focusing the laser beam in tissue and generating confocal images of the tissue in accordance with returned light from the tissue. The confocal images are visualized on a display. The system includes a controller for enabling the operator to select one or more cells of the tissue in the displayed confocal images for surgical treatment. The controller operates the laser and confocal optics in a first mode to treat the tissue when the confocal optics focus the laser beam at least one region associated with the selected cells in the tissue, but at all other times operates the laser and confocal optics in a second mode which does not damage the tissue.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imaging objects in turbid media. In one embodiment, the method comprises illuminating at least a portion of the turbid medium with substantially monochromatic light of at least two wavelengths in the 600-1500 nm spectral range. A first of the at least two wavelengths is equal to a resonance wavelength for an optical property of an object in the illuminated portion of the turbid medium but is not equal to a resonance wavelength for the turbid medium. A second of the at least two wavelengths is not equal to a resonance wavelength for either the object or the turbid medium. Light emergent from the turbid medium following each of the foregoing illuminations comprises a ballistic component, a snake component and a diffuse component. A direct shadowgram image may be obtained by preferentially passing from the emergent light, following each illumination. the ballistic and snake components thereof and detecting the preferentially passed light.

Abstract: Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods include selectably associatable master/slave pairs, often having more manipulator arms than will be moved simultaneously by the two hands of a surgeon. Four manipulator arms can support an image capture device, a left hand tissue manipulation tool, a right hand tissue manipulation tool, and a fourth surgical instrument, particularly for stabilizing, retracting, tool change, or other functions benefiting from intermittent movement. The four or more arms may sequentially be controlled by left and right master input control devices. The fourth arm may be used to support another image capture device, and control of some or all of the arms may be transferred back-and-forth between the operator and an assistant. Two or more robotic systems each having master controls and slave manipulators may be coupled to enable cooperative surgery between two or more operators.

Abstract: Non-invasive therapeutic treatment of bone in vivo using ultrasound in conjunction with application of a biochemical compound or bone growth factor is performed by subjecting bone to an ultrasound signal supplied to an ultrasound transducer placed on the skin of a bony member, and involving a repetitive finite duration signal consisting of plural frequencies that are in the ultrasonic range to 20 MHz. Concurrent with application of the ultrasound is the utilization of a bone growth factor applied to the skin of a bony member before stimulation with ultrasound. Ultrasonic stimulation is operative to transport the bone growth factor to the bone and then to synergistically enhance the interaction of the bone growth factor with the bone, whereby to induce healing, growth and ingrowth responses. In another embodiment, a vibrational or mechanical input together with a biochemical compound enhances both bone fracture healing and treats osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording polarized electromagnetic radiation of an inactivated strain of pathogenic microorganisms onto a crystal, a method and a device for changing the activity of a strain of pathogenic microorganisms, a method for eliminating a strain of pathogenic microorganisms in a human or animal organism. The invention may be used for inactivation and subsequent elimination of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms in a human or animal organism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mapping a structure in a body of a subject includes capturing a three-dimensional (3D) image of the structure comprising diagnostic information, and generating a 3D geometrical map of the structure using a probe inserted into the structure. The image is registered with the map, such that each of a plurality of image points in the image is identified with a corresponding map point in the map. The map is displayed such that the diagnostic information associated with each of the image points is displayed at the corresponding map point.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the display and evaluation of data acquired while irradiating a body, e.g. a patient undergoing radiation therapy, a dosimetry system has a plurality of sensors for disposition on, in or near the body to be irradiated and connected to a sensor reading instrument which is interfaced with a display system, for example a personal computer, which is arranged to display, in use, one or more representations, for example drawings or photographs, of the body to be irradiated, along with the positions and the dose data for those specific locations where the dosimeter sensors were placed.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a cellular image to be used in performing a test for pathology of the sentinel lymph node, which is the first lymph node a cancer metastasizes to. The gamma radiation emitted from a near-infrared fluorescent colorant injected in advance into the vicinity of a tumor is detected by use of a gamma-probe. A fiber coupler separates the low-coherence light emitted from the light source of an OCT portion (Optical Coherence Tomography) into a signal-light to be projected onto the sentinel lymph node and a reference-light whose wavelength is slightly shifted. The signal-light is projected onto the sentinel lymph node, and interference is caused between the signal-light reflected from a predetermined depth within the sentinel lymph node and the reference-light. A balance differential detector measures the intensity of the interference-light, and a cellular level ultra high-resolution optical tomographic image of the sentinel lymph node is obtained.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-invasive tissue urea concentrations during or subsequent to hemodialysis using near-infrared spectroscopy are discussed. Near-infrared tissue spectra can be obtained by projecting near-infrared radiation into skin on the underside of human forearms and capturing the light reflected back and out through the tissue. An index matching medium is used to couple the tissue to the analyzer. The tissue spectrum collected preferably includes primarily diffuse reflected light reflected from the inner dermis. Multiple tissue spectra of known urea concentration are used to build a model from which the urea concentration of an unknown sample can be devised. The model is based on a partial least squares algorithm applied to multiple tissue scans and concomitant blood sample urea measurements. This model is then applied to an unknown tissue spectra.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for synchronizing the activation of an imaging device, such as an X-ray machine, with patient respiration. The imaging device includes a conventional trigger signal input for activating the imaging device in response to a preset signal. The system includes a respirator device, such as a ventilator or respiration band, which provides an output signal indicative of the degree of patient inspiration. A processing circuit is responsive to the output signal from the respiration device and generates the preset signal at a preselected degree of patient inspiration. The output signal from the processing circuit is coupled to the imaging device signal input to activate the imaging means at the preselected degree of patient inspiration.

Abstract: As part of an examination device, an input or output optical coupler device for transmitting photons between an optical source or detector and an examined body part includes an array of optical fibers with end portions freely protruding as cantilevers from a support. The optical fibers have the end portions fabricated, sized and distributed to penetrate freely extending hair when the support is placed on the head or other surface of a subject to make optical contact directly over an array of points with the surface of the scalp or skin below the free hair.