Abstract: Apparatus and methods for depositing radioactive seeds into a patient's prostate are provided that include impedance measuring circuitry for detecting whether the distal end of an elongated needle extends into a patient's bladder. The elongated needle includes two conductive traces and a lumen adapted to receive a column of radioactive seeds and spacers. The impedance measuring circuitry is coupled to the conductive traces of the elongated needle and provides a display indicative of the monitored impedance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for curing a curable material within a dimensionally restricted space, wherein the curable material is configured to be cured by exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a grip, an elongate portion extending from the grip, and a curing element coupled with the elongate portion at a location spaced from the grip. The curing element is configured to produce electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength suitable for curing the composite material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for depositing radioactive seeds into a patient's prostate are provided that include impedance measuring circuitry for detecting whether the distal end of an elongated needle extends into a patient's bladder. The elongated needle includes two conductive traces and a lumen adapted to receive a column of radioactive seeds and spacers. The impedance measuring circuitry is coupled to the conductive traces of the elongated needle and provides a display indicative of the monitored impedance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for depositing radioactive seeds into a patient's prostate are provided that include impedance measuring circuitry for detecting whether the distal end of an elongated needle extends into a patient's bladder. The elongated needle includes two conductive traces and a lumen adapted to receive a column of radioactive seeds and spacers. The impedance measuring circuitry is coupled to the conductive traces of the elongated needle and provides a display indicative of the monitored impedance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for curing a curable material within a dimensionally restricted space, wherein the curable material is configured to be cured by exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a grip, an elongate portion extending from the grip, and a curing element coupled with the elongate portion at a location spaced from the grip. The curing element is configured to produce electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength suitable for curing the composite material.

Abstract: A computer-controlled master reproducer for depositing a master reproduction on a substrate includes a master source containing in machine-readable format one or more masters each having a shape characteristic and a color characteristic. Also included is a curable-material source, and gun structure interconnected with the curable-material source for shooting the curable material toward the substrate to deposit the master reproduction on it. The gun structure is constructed to shoot the curable material in microdroplet form to deposit discrete dots of curable material on the substrate. Orientation structure is also included for orienting the gun structure with respect to the substrate, and a computer controller is in communication with the above components.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for positioning a needle or cannula of a biopsy device for insertion into a tissue mass by correlating, in real-time, the actual needle or cannula position prior to insertion with its probable trajectory once inserted. In a preferred embodiment, a biopsy device support block is mechanically coupled to an ultrasound transducer to provide alignment of the biopsy device with the ultrasound image in at least one plane. Continued ultrasound scanning of a selected trajectory may be provided to assess depth of penetration of the needle or cannula of the biopsy device, when inserted.

Abstract: A computer-controlled master reproducer for depositing a master reproduction on a substrate includes a master source containing in machine-readable format one or more masters each having a shape characteristic and a color characteristic. Also included is a curable-material source, and gun structure interconnected with the curable-material source for shooting the curable material toward the substrate to deposit the master reproduction on it. The gun structure is constructed to shoot the curable material in microdroplet form and orientation structure is also included for orienting the gun structure. A computer controller is in communication with the above components and the following other optional elements of the master-obtaining structure: (1) a scanner constructed for scanning an image such as a photograph and storing the scanned image in a machine-readable format, (2) a CAD device to allow for a user-designed master, and (3) a modem for communication with another master source.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for positioning a biopsy needle for insertion into a tissue mass by correlating, in real-time, the actual needle position prior to insertion with its probable trajectory once inserted. In a preferred embodiment, the biopsy needle location is tracked electronically and projected over a previously stored or real-time image of the tissue, thus allowing a clinician to observe which features of an imaged tissue the biopsy needle is likely to intersect upon insertion. Continued ultrasound scanning of a selected trajectory may be provided to assess depth of penetration of the biopsy needle, when inserted. Apparatus is also provided for expanding the region scanned by an ultrasound transducer beyond the periphery of a compression plate.