Abstract: A non-rigid object holder unit for use in examination of an object, the unit having a base support, a member movably mounted with respect to the base support to accommodate various sized object. A removable resilient membrane is attached to the first member forming an inflatable component for holding the object to be examined between the inflatable component and the base support. A pressure system operably connected to the inflatable component for controllably inflating the inflatable component. A source of electromagnetic radiation optically associated with the base support and inflatable component for providing a beam of light to the object and an optical detecting system optically aligned with the source of electromagnetic radiation for receiving the electromagnetic radiation passing through and/or being backscattered from the object. In addition, both the base support and member containing the inflatable component are movable together to accommodate various sized patients.

Abstract: A non-rigid object holder unit for use in examination of an object, the unit having a base support, a member movably mounted with respect to the base support to accommodate various sized object. A removable resilient membrane is attached to the first member forming an inflatable component for holding the object to be examined between the inflatable component and the base support. A pressure system operably connected to the inflatable component for controllably inflating the inflatable component. A source of electromagnetic radiation optically associated with the base support and inflatable component for providing a beam of light to the object and an optical detecting system optically aligned with the source of electromagnetic radiation for receiving the electromagnetic radiation passing through and/or being backscattered from the object. In addition, both the base support and member containing the inflatable component are movable together to accommodate various sized patients.

Abstract: A non-rigid object holder assembly for use in examination of an object having a base (6), a first member (5) and a second member (2) movably mounted with respect to each other and said base (6), a mechanism (8) for controllably moving the members with respect to each other and the base. A first resilient membrane (4) attached to the first member (5) and a second resilient membrane (1) attached to the second member (2), the first and the second resilient membranes forming first and second inflatable components (4′,1′) for holding the object to be examined therebetween. A pressure system ((11, 19) operably connected to the first and the second inflatable components for controllably inflating each of the inflatable components.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a living organism by analyzing at least two physical parameters of a region under investigation of the living organism in order to provide a multimodal approach to living organism diagnosis. By utilizing information derived from the plurality of physical parameters to generate a series of functional maps, and by, in some instances, applying external influences to the living organism, accurate diagnosis of the living organism can take place.

Abstract: The invention relates to medicine, or exactly to methods of non-invasive investigations of a living organism state, in particular, for diagnostics of pathological changes in tissues of human and animals organism. The apparatus relies upon illuminating the investigated organ of the body with infrared radiation of 0.6-1.5 um wavelength range and simultaneous scanning of the investigated organ volume with a focal spot of a focused beam of amplitude-modulated ultrasound waves, at least one of the parameters which appear as a result of the transmitted and/or back scattered infrared radiation being recorded. The presence and the type of pathology in the investigated organ is judged by the value and/or the characteristics of the relative changes in the above mentioned parameters during the scanning process.

Abstract: A method of diagnostics of living organism state and an apparatus for its realization, comprising the steps of (i) illuminating living organism surface (1) with electromagnetic radiation from source (2) of optical wavelength range from 0.3 to 2.0.mu., (ii) receiving transmitted through or back scattered by the living organism radiation by detectors (3 and 4), (iii) with the help of sequentially connected commutator (5), analog-to-digital converter (6) and input-output controller (7), spatial distribution of at least one parameter, characterizing transmittance and/or back scattering by living organism radiation in the computer system (8) is performed sequentially and continuously in time. At the above mentioned spatial distributions, spatial regions are revealed, differing from each other by at least one parameter, characterizing their temporal changes, and the revealed regions are recorded as a functional map of physiological processes taking place in living organism.

Abstract: A method of diagnosis of a living organism by providing at least one functional map of the living organism, the method having the steps of determining at least two physical parameters characterizing the physiological state of the living organism, recording spatial-temporal distributions of the at least two physical parameters, acquiring and processing information about the spatial-temporal distributions of the at least two physical parameters, and utilizing the information about the spatial-temporal distributions of the at least two physical parameters to generate the at least one functional map of the living organism. Further steps include using one of the at least two physical parameters as a reference for selecting another of the physical parameters, substantially simultaneously recording the spatial-temporal distributions of the at least two physical parameters or recording the spatial-temporal distributions of the at least two physical parameters at a preselected time interval apart from one another.

Abstract: The method of investigation of physiological components distribution in human body tissues includes optical illumination of the investigated area, recording of the spatial distribution of the intensity of the light reflected by the investigated area within a definite period of time through sequential time intervals, which are small compared to the time constant of the investigated process. The wavelength of the illuminating or recorded reflected radiation is chosen at one of the spectral intervals with a maximal steepness of the spectral changes in the physiological pigments absorption, this radiation being modulated by the frequency and the amplitude-modulated part of the reflected light thus appearing is recorded synchronously at the modulation frequency. In one aspect of the method, the investigated area is illuminated at one or several points and the reflected radiation is recorded at points shifted relative to the illuminated ones.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the field of medicine and biology, and more specifically, the invention encompasses an apparatus for performing functional imaging of biological objects. It can be used to distinguish between normal and pathological states in women's mammary glands. The aim of this invention is to increase the reliability of detection of peculiarities in the patient's physiological status, including detection of cancer. Visualization and early diagnosis of different mammary gland pathologies are achieved by recording dynamic images of both mammary glands while illuminating alternatively from opposite sides. The data thus obtained is subsequently combined and processed.

Abstract: This method and apparatus characterizes the interconnection between blood content and capillary blood flow and accomplishes a functional diagnosis of microcirculation of physiological liquids in the skin. In this invention there is a sequential recording of the IR radiation emitted by the skin with simultaneous recording of backscattered electromagnetic radiation at visible and near IR wavelengths under conditions of external illumination over the same region with subsequent superimposition of the images obtained thereby. The parameter to be measured is the relationship between the temporal changes in backscattered electromagnetic radiation in at least one of the spectral ranges of 0.3 to 2.0 .mu.m and changes in intensity of emitted IR radiation. This parameter is represented in the form of spatial-temporal distribution within the boundaries of the image region under investigation.