Abstract: A system and method for guidance of a device having a curved needle to a target tissue includes a tracking system having an imaging component, a processor, and a curved needle with known geometric parameters. The processor is configured to calculate a needle trajectory based on geometric considerations of the needle and the target tissue. Additional features and methods of the invention include a display with an annotated overlay for directing and tracking the curved device.

Abstract: A core biopsy system includes a core biopsy needle device and biopsy sample collection device, wherein the core biopsy needle device is positionable within and movable with respect to the biopsy sample collection device. Systems and methods for obtaining multiple biopsy samples with a single insertion of a needle of the biopsy needle device include obtaining sequential samples and storage in a multi-cell cartridge. Additional features and methods of the invention include obtaining two sample portions from each sample acquisition, wherein each of the two sample portions can be separately preserved and analyzed.

Abstract: A core biopsy system includes a core biopsy needle device having a curvable core biopsy needle which is positionable within and movable with respect to a coaxial needle guide. Systems and methods for obtaining biopsy samples from multiple locations with a single insertion of a needle of the biopsy needle device include controlling rotation and displacement of the core biopsy needle. Additional features and methods of the invention include tracking and planning of the obtaining of biopsy samples.

Abstract: A cryogenic biopsy device is configured to provide tissue samples that are partially frozen and partially non-frozen. This enables histopathology analysis of the intact non-frozen part of the tissue sample and assessment of the in-vivo biomolecular state of the tissue that is stabilized and maintained in the frozen part of the sample. The device of the present invention may be used in rigid instruments and in flexible devices, such as endoscopes, for example, and may be suitable for single use or multiple use.

Abstract: A core biopsy system includes a core biopsy needle device and biopsy sample collection device, wherein the core biopsy needle device is positionable within and movable with respect to the biopsy sample collection device. Systems and methods for obtaining multiple biopsy samples with a single insertion of a needle of the biopsy needle device include obtaining sequential samples and storage in a multi-cell cartridge. Additional features and methods of the invention include obtaining two sample portions from each sample acquisition, wherein each of the two sample portions can be separately preserved and analyzed.

Abstract: A biopsy sample storage device is configured to provide tissue samples that can be cut into at least two sections for different types of analysis. A first portion of the sample may be frozen for cryo-preservation, while a second portion of the same sample may be chemically preserved for histological analysis.

Abstract: A cryogenic biopsy device is configured to provide thin, frozen tissue samples, which may be viewed under a microscope and selected for biomarker analysis. The device is configured to provide slices which are less than 50 micrometers in thickness, while snap-freezing the tissue and maintaining the sample in a deep-frozen state until it reaches the pathology lab for further processing. Alternatively, thicker slices can be harvested by the device and additional sectioning can be done in the pathology lab by using cryomicrotome. The device of the present invention may be used in rigid instruments and in flexible devices, such as endoscopes, for example, and may be suitable for single use or multiple use.

Abstract: A biopsy sample storage device is configured to provide tissue samples that can be cut into at least two sections for different types of analysis. A first portion of the sample may be frozen for cryo-preservation, while a second portion of the same sample may be chemically preserved for histological analysis.

Abstract: A cryogenic biopsy device is configured to provide tissue samples that are partially frozen and partially non-frozen. This enables histopathology analysis of the intact non-frozen part of the tissue sample and assessment of the in-vivo biomolecular state of the tissue that is stabilized and maintained in the frozen part of the sample. The device of the present invention may be used in rigid instruments and in flexible devices, such as endoscopes, for example, and may be suitable for single use or multiple use.

Abstract: Tracking based on the gradient fields of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners based on passive operation of the tracking system without any change of the scanner's hardware or mode of operation. To achieve better tracking performance, a technique to create a custom MRI pulse sequence is disclosed. Through this technique any standard pulse sequence of the scanner can be modified to include gradient activations specifically designated for tracking. These tracking gradient activations are added in a way that does not affect the image quality of the native sequence. The scan time may remain the same as with the native sequence or longer due to the additional gradient activations. The tracking system itself can use all the gradient activations (gradient activations for imaging and gradient activations for tracking) or eliminate some of the gradients and lock onto the specific gradient activations that are added to the custom pulse sequence.

Abstract: A tracking system for estimating the position and orientation of an object inside a patient comprising electromagnets that generate magnetic fields used to navigate an object, including rotating and translating the object, are used to track the position of the object. Position tracking of the object is concurrent with navigating the object; or interleaved with navigating the object. Using the same electromagnets for navigation and tracking ensure coordinate system registration between the navigation system and the position tracking system. A tracking sensor attached to the object comprises at least a single coil generating signals in response to time varying tracking magnetic field generated by the electromagnets. Iterative algorithm is used to estimate position and orientation from sensor's signal. Linearly time varying current in the tracking electromagnets is produced by applying calculated voltage waveform to the electromagnet coils.

Abstract: A cryogenic biopsy device is configured to provide thin, frozen tissue samples, which may be viewed under a microscope and selected for biomarker analysis. The device is configured to provide slices which are less than 50 micrometers in thickness, while snap-freezing the tissue and maintaining the sample in a deep-frozen state until it reaches the pathology lab for further processing. Alternatively, thicker slices can be harvested by the device and additional sectioning can be done in the pathology lab by using cryomicrotome. The device of the present invention may be used in rigid instruments and in flexible devices, such as endoscopes, for example, and may be suitable for single use or multiple use.

Abstract: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be used as a minimally invasive treatment of solid tumors, typically cancers of the liver, lung, breast, kidney and bone, most often via a percutaneous approach. In RFA tumor tissue is killed by heating. RFA requires guidance using an imaging method to correctly position the RF applicator. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for guidance, and offers the additional advantage of the ability to image tissue temperature. Because MRI employs high power RF fields, the MRI scanner could serve as the source of RF energy for ablation. Described herein are an MRI-driven RF ablation device and method. The device has minimal electrical circuitry, and uses the MR scanner radio frequency field as the energy source to generate heat in tissue using an antenna and a needle. Based on the Faraday induction law, different embodiments for coupling the body coil RF energy into tissue are disclosed.

Abstract: Tracking based on the gradient fields of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners based on passive operation of the tracking system without any change of the scanner's hardware or mode of operation. To achieve better tracking performance, a technique to create a custom MRI pulse sequence is disclosed. Through this technique any standard pulse sequence of the scanner can be modified to include gradient activations specifically designated for tracking. These tracking gradient activations are added in a way that does not affect the image quality of the native sequence. The scan time may remain the same as with the native sequence or longer due to the additional gradient activations. The tracking system itself can use all the gradient activations (gradient activations for imaging and gradient activations for tracking) or eliminate some of the gradients and lock onto the specific gradient activations that are added to the custom pulse sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the onset of a gravity-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) state in a combat pilot wearing a motion-trackable helmet while operating an aircraft, by: storing a reference motion pattern of the helmet for each of a plurality of tasks to be performed by the pilot; tracking in real time the motion pattern of the helmet when worn by the pilot while operating the aircraft; comparing in real time the tracked motion pattern of the helmet with the stored reference motion patterns; and producing a G-LOC state signal when a tracked motion pattern deviates from the stored reference patterns such as to indicate the onset of a G-LOC state.

Abstract: Endoscopic examining apparatus, particularly useful in MRI, includes a probe movable through the body cavity; a set of tracking coils carried by the probe; and a set of imaging coils carried by the probe. A control system controls the tracking coils to sense and indicate the location and orientation of the probe within the body cavity, and controls the imaging coils to image selected areas within the body cavity. Also described are a novel probe particularly useful in such apparatus, and a novel method of making such probes by a printed circuit technique.

Abstract: Endoscopic examining apparatus, particularly useful in MRI, includes a probe movable through the body cavity; a set of tracking coils carried by the probe; and a set of imaging coils carried by the probe. A control system controls the tracking coils to sense and indicate the location and orientation of the probe within the body cavity, and controls the imaging coils to image selected areas within the body cavity. Also described are a novel probe particularly useful in such apparatus, and a novel method of making such probes by a printed circuit technique.

Abstract: Endoscopic examining apparatus, particularly useful in MRI, includes a probe movable through the body cavity; a set of tracking coils carried by the probe; and a set of imaging coils carried by the probe. A control system controls the tracking coils to sense and indicate the location and orientation of the probe within the body cavity, and controls the imaging coils to image selected areas within the body cavity. Also described are a novel probe particularly useful in such apparatus, and a novel method of making such probes by a printed circuit technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a controlled torque of a desired direction and magnitude in an object within a body, particularly in order to steer the object through the body, such as a catheter through a blood vessel in a living body, by producing an external magnetic field of known magnitude and direction within the body, applying to the object a coil assembly including preferably three coils of known orientation with respect to each other, preferably orthogonal to each other, and controlling the electrical current through the coils to cause the coil assembly to generate a resultant magnetic dipole interacting with the external magnetic field to produce a torque of the desired direction and magnitude.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the instantaneous location, the orientation of an object moving through a three-dimensional space by applying to the object a coil assembly including a plurality of sensor coils (20) having axes of known orientation with respect to each other including components in the three orthogonal planes; generating a time-varying, three-dimensional magnetic field gradient having known instantaneous values of magnitude and direction; applying the magnetic field gradient to the space, and object moving therethrough to induce electrical potentials in the sensor coils; measuring the instantaneous values of the induced electrical potentials generated in the sensor coils; processing the measured instantaneous values generated in the sensor coils together with the known magnitude, direction of the generated magnetic field gradient, the known relative orientation of the sensor coils in the coil assembly to compute the instantaneous location, orientation of the object within the space.