Abstract: An integrated tool is provided, having a tissue-type sensor, for determining the tissue type at a near zone volume of a tissue surface, and a distance-measuring sensor, for determining the distance to an interface with another tissue type, for (i) confirming an existence of a clean margin of healthy tissue around a malignant tumor, which is being removed, and (ii) determining the depth of the clean margin. The integrated tool may further include a position tracking device and an incision instrument. The soft tissue may be held within a fixed frame, while the tumor is being removed.

Abstract: A measurement device is presented being configured to be connectable to an analyzer unit (comprising a network analyzer). The measurement device comprises a measuring unit and a calibration and control unit connected to and integral with the measuring unit. The calibration and control unit is configured to enable connection of the measuring unit to the analyzer unit. The calibration and control unit comprises a number of terminals of known RF reflection coefficients respectively and comprises a memory utility carrying recorded data indicative of said RF reflection coefficients and recorded data indicative of RF transfer coefficients of the calibration and control unit. This configuration enables calculation of the RF response of the measuring unit while remaining integral with the calibration and control unit.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) including: (a) a group definition module adapted to accept a user input defining groups; (b) a data receiver operable to receive a plurality of individual measurement input datum indicative of status of a substrate; (c) a grouping module configured to assign each of said individual measurement input datum to one of said groups to produce grouped data; and (d) an output module adapted to output the grouped data.

Abstract: Provided a method of automated classifying a tissue and a system thereof.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and probe for examining tissue for the presence of target cells, particularly cancerous cells, by subjecting the tissue to be examined to a contrast agent containing small particles of a physical element conjugated with a biological carrier selectively bindable to the target cells. Energy pulses are applied to the examined tissue. The changes in impedance and/or optical characteristics of the examined tissue produced by the applied energy pulses are detected and utilized for determining the presence of the target cells in the examined tissue. In a described preferred embodiment, the applied energy pulses include laser pulses, and the physical element conjugated with a biological carrier is a light-sensitive semiconductor having an impedance which substantially decreases in the presence of light. The same probe used for detecting the targeted cells may also be used for destroying the cells so targeted.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and probe for examining tissue for the presence of target cells, particularly cancerous cells, by subjecting the tissue to be examined to a contrast agent containing small particles of a physical element conjugated with a biological carrier selectively bindable to the target cells. Energy pulses are applied to the examined tissue. The changes in impedance and/or optical characteristics of the examined tissue produced by the applied energy pulses are detected and utilized for determining the presence of the target cells in the examined tissue. In a described preferred embodiment, the applied energy pulses include laser pulses, and the physical element conjugated with a biological carrier is a light-sensitive semiconductor having an impedance which substantially decreases in the presence of light. The same probe used for detecting the targeted cells may also be used for destroying the cells so targeted.

Abstract: A sensor for tissue characterization is provided, comprising: a resonator, configured to be placed proximally to an edge of a tissue for characterization, without penetrating the tissue, the resonator comprising a conductive structure associated with a diameter-equivalent dimension D, in a plane substantially parallel with the edge, and with a feature size d; and at least one conductive lead, for providing communication with an external system, wherein the resonator is configured to resonate at a frequency which corresponds to a free-air wavelength range of between about lambda and about 40 lambda, wherein lambda is at least about ten times the diameter-equivalent D, and wherein upon receiving a signal in the range of between about lambda and about 40 lambda, the sensor is configured to induce electric and magnetic fields, in a near zone, in the tissue, the near zone having a diameter of about D, so that the tissue in the near zone effectively functions as part of the resonator, influencing its resonating val

Abstract: An ergonomic device for intraoperative tissue characterization is provided, having a gripping handle and a sensor head, arranged with an angle ? between them, wherein in absolute value, ?>10 degrees, and ? may be adjusted in one, two, or three planes. The device may further comprise a light fixture, configured for lighting the tissue, as it is characterized, a marking module, configured for marking the tissue, as it is characterized, a vacuum system, for improved contact between a sensing surface and the tissue, and a transparent frame, which enables an operator to observe the tissue, as it is characterized. The device may be operative with at least one sensor, selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an X-ray sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, an ultrasound sensor, an MR sensor, an impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, a radioactive-emission sensor, a nonirradiative RF sensor, and a mechanical sensor.

Abstract: A device and method and provided for tissue handling, while maintaining the in-vivo tissue orientation. The device includes a structure, configured for receiving and holding a tissue specimen, wherein the tissue specimen includes tissue positional references; and device positional references, associated with the structure, for fixing the orientation of the tissue specimen, when held by the device, so as to reflect the tissue specimen positional references.

Abstract: A measurement system and method are provided for use in characterizing a tissue. The system comprises a probe adapted for operating in either a scan mode or a measure mode, and a control unit for operating the probe. The probe comprises a sensing module for measuring one or more parameters indicative of one or more states of the tissue; and an attachment module configured and operable to enable selective operation of the probe in either one of the scan mode and the measure modes. The control unit is configured and operative to selectively operate the probe in either one of the scan and measure modes.

Abstract: An endoscopic system for in-vivo tissue characterization, using a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor, is described. The endoscopic system is further configured to employ several follow-up procedures, for example, biopsy sampling, localized surgery, dispensing a medicament, and the like, so that on the whole, the endoscopic system provides for the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue, in vivo, and for the application of immediate follow-up procedures to any such tissue.

Abstract: An integrated tool is provided, having a tissue-type sensor, for determining the tissue type at a near zone volume of a tissue surface, and a distance-measuring sensor, for determining the distance to an interface with another tissue type, for (i) confirming an existence of a clean margin of healthy tissue around a malignant tumor, which is being removed, and (ii) determining the depth of the clean margin. The integrated tool may further include a position tracking device and an incision instrument. The soft tissue may be held within a fixed frame, while the tumor is being removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to probes, systems, and methods for tissue characterization by its dielectric properties, wherein a physical feature of the probe is designed to define and delimit a tissue volume, at a tissue edge, where characterization takes place. Thus, the probe for tissue-edge characterization comprises: a first inner conductor, which comprises: proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, inherently associated with the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, substantially at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a generally predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being generally defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and probe for examining tissue for the presence of target cells, particularly cancerous cells, by subjecting the tissue to be examined to a contrast agent containing small particles of a physical element conjugated with a biological carrier selectively bindable to the target cells. Energy pulses are applied to the examined tissue. The changes in impedance and/or optical characteristics of the examined tissue produced by the applied energy pulses are detected and utilized for determining the presence of the target cells in the examined tissue. In a described preferred embodiment, the applied energy pulses include laser pulses, and the physical element conjugated with a biological carrier is a light-sensitive semiconductor having an impedance which substantially decreases in the presence of light. The same probe used for detecting the targeted cells may also be used for destroying the cells so targeted.

Abstract: An integrated tool is provided, having a tissue-type sensor, for determining the tissue type at a near zone volume of a tissue surface, and a distance-measuring sensor, for determining the distance to an interface with another tissue type, for (i) confirming an existence of a clean margin of healthy tissue around a malignant tumor, which is being removed, and (ii) determining the depth of the clean margin. The integrated tool may further include a position tracking device and an incision instrument. The soft tissue may be held within a fixed frame, while the tumor is being removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to probes, systems, and methods for tissue characterization by its dielectric properties, wherein a physical feature of the probe is designed to define and delimit a tissue volume, at a tissue edge, where characterization takes place. Thus, the probe for tissue-edge characterization comprises: a first inner conductor, which comprises: proximal and distal ends, with respect to a tissue edge, along an x-axis; a first sharp edge, inherently associated with the proximal end; at least one feature, issuing from the first inner conductor, substantially at the proximal end, for forming at least one additional sharp edge, operative to enhance localized electrical fringe fields in the tissue, within a generally predefined tissue volume, at the tissue edge, the tissue volume being generally defined by physical parameters associated with the at least one feature; and a dielectric material, which encloses the conductor, in the y-z planes.

Abstract: A probe, method and system for examining tissue in order to differentiate it from other tissue according to the dielectric properties of the examined tissue are provided. The probe includes an inner conductor, having a plurality of sharp, thin, conductive spikes, at a proximal end with respect to a tissue for examination, the plurality of sharp, thin, conductive spikes being operative to enhance the electrical fringe fields, where interaction with the tissue for examination occurs. The method includes: applying the probe to the tissue to be examined, such that the probe generates an electrical fringe field in the zone of the examined tissue and produces a reflected pulse therefrom with negligible radiation penetrating into the tissue itself; detecting the reflected electrical pulse; and comparing electrical characteristics of the reflected electrical pulse with respect to the applied electrical pulse to provide an indication of the dielectric properties of the examined tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for tissue-characterization, designed for effective sensor-to-tissue contact. The device includes an element, having a rigid surface of a linear cross-section, on which at least one sensor is arranged, and a mechanism for applying a force to a soft tissue, the line of force being at an acute angle with the rigid surface, for stretching or stretching and pushing the soft tissue against the rigid surface, thus achieving effective contact between the tissue and the at least one sensor. In consequence, the accuracy of the sensing is improved. In accordance with another embodiment, a plurality of sensors is employed, arranged along a curved element, for providing three-dimensional information regarding the tissue, for example, by small-scale computerized tomography.

Abstract: A device and method for tissue characterization are provided, the device comprising: a structure; a first mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for exerting a first force on a tissue, for fixing the tissue to said structure, so as to substantially immobilize the tissue; and a second mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for pressing a sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue, thereby exerting a second force on the immobilized tissue, wherein at least a component of said first force is in opposition to at least a component of said second force, forcing the immobilized tissue against said sensor, and forcing said sensor against the immobilized tissue, bringing about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed, for examining a substance of a given volume to characterize its type, with an integrated sensing head. The method comprises applying locally to the substance of the given volume a polarizing magnetic field, with a component defining a polarizing axis; applying locally RF pulses to the substance of the given volume, the RF pulses having a B component, orthogonal to the polarizing axis, such as to invoke EI response signals corresponding to the electrical impedance (EI) of the examined substance of the given volume, and magnetic resonance (MR) response signals corresponding to the MR properties of the examined substance of the given volume; detecting locally EI response signals from the substance of the given volume; and detecting locally MR response signals from the substance of the given volume. Two or more sensing heads may be used, both applying locally the RF pulses and detecting.