Abstract: Systems and methods for managing operation of plant growth zone(s) are presented, the management system comprising: a storage device comprising a database that stores data indicative of plant characteristics for each plant in the plant growth zone, the plant characteristics comprising plant spatial and environmental characteristics and plant location in the plant growth zone; and a data processing unit comprising a database manager configured to create a new, or update an existing, database entry record corresponding to a plant in the plant growth zone, in response to sensing data being received from sensing system(s), the sensing data being part of visit data indicative of a visit by the sensing system(s) to the individual plant, and create a data retrieval record in response to data request input with respect to plant(s) in the plant growth zone, the database manager comprising: a sub-plant features extraction module configured to identify in the visit data spatial sub¬ plant features of each plant sensed d

Abstract: Plant treatment systems and methods are presented.

Abstract: System and method for presentation of tissue sensing data being collected from a tissue being measured are presented and configured for on-line as well as for off-line presentation of the tissue sensing data, the system comprising a device configured and operable to display a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface comprises at least one observation field and is configured to be responsive to the tissue sensing data comprising one or more sensing datum of measured tissue property value, to transform each measured tissue property value into virtual representation in the at least one observation field in the form of a parametric space of two different characteristic parameters of tissue corresponding to the measured tissue property value.

Abstract: Plant treatment systems, apparatuses and methods are presented. One described system comprises a plant treatment apparatus and a control system configured for data communication with the plant treatment apparatus. The apparatus comprises one or more treatment channels and at least one plant treatment device associated therewith for applying treatment to a portion of a plant. In some embodiments, the plant treatment device controllably induces vibrations of at least a portion of a plant. In some embodiments, the plant treatment device causes targeted damage to at least a portion of the plant. The plant treatment apparatus comprises a sensing system comprising one or more optical sensors that provide sensing signals indicative of a condition of the portion of the plant. The control system processes the sensing signals, determines the condition of the portion of the plant and operates the plant treatment device.

Abstract: A sensor unit for use in measurements on a subject is presented. The sensor unit includes a near field electromagnetic sensor and a flexible signal transmission structure, which are integral with one another by means of at least one common continuous surface. The flexible signal transmission structure is constructed from a first layer including signal connection lines associated with sensor cells near field electromagnetic sensor and a second electrically conductive layer electrically coupled to the electrically conductive material of the sensor.

Abstract: Biopsy devices are presented comprising: an inner needle comprising a tip for piercing tissue, and a cavity for receiving a tissue portion; an outer sheath moving with respect to the inner needle between a forward position of the sheath in which it totally covers the cavity and a backward position in which the cavity is totally uncovered, the outer sheath comprising a cutting edge at its front end configured to cut the tissue portion into the cavity while moving in a forward direction; and at least one of: a sensing unit mounted on the outer sheath such that the sensing unit is aligned with the cavity when the sheath is in the forward position to thereby sense tissue signals from the tissue portion; or a suction system for applying suction force in the cavity to pull the tissue portion into the cavity while the sheath moves in a backward direction.

Abstract: A medical device including a tissue characterization probe having an elongated carrier for carrying an array of tissue characterization sensors arranged in a spaced-apart relationship at least along an axis of said carrier within at least a distal portion thereof, such that progression of the probe through a tissue mass provides for locating and determining a dimension of an abnormal tissue specimen inside said tissue mass based on characterization signals from the sensors in the array. The elongated carrier has two integral portions including said distal portion and a hollow portion extending between a proximal end of the carrier and said distal portion. The carrier is configured for passing a predetermined treatment tool through the hollow portion thereof and enabling at least a part of the treatment tool to project from the hollow portion and extend along the distal portion.

Abstract: A composite connector device is provided, comprising a housing having first and second functional sides, the first functional side comprising at least two connection ports of at least first and second different types, and the second functional side comprising at least one connection port of the first type. The composite connector device comprises at least one internal transmission channel passing inside the housing and connecting between the connection ports of said first type at respectively the first functional side and the second functional side of the housing. The composite connector device being, thereby, configured as an adaptor for connection to an external device via the at least one connection port of the first type, and as a connector for connection to an external device via the at least one connection port of said at least second type.

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 sensor unit for use in measurements on a subject is presented. The sensor unit includes a near field electromagnetic sensor and a flexible signal transmission structure, which are integral with one another by means of at least one common continuous surface. The flexible signal transmission structure is constructed from a first layer including signal connection lines associated with sensor cells near field electromagnetic sensor and a second electrically conductive layer electrically coupled to the electrically conductive material of the sensor.

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

Abstract: A device and method are 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 medical device including a tissue characterization probe having an elongated carrier for carrying an array of tissue characterization sensors arranged in a spaced-apart relationship at least along an axis of said carrier within at least a distal portion thereof, such that progression of the probe through a tissue mass provides for locating and determining a dimension of an abnormal tissue specimen inside said tissue mass based on characterization signals from the sensors in the array. The elongated carrier has two integral portions including said distal portion and a hollow portion extending between a proximal end of the carrier and said distal portion. The carrier is configured for passing a predetermined treatment tool through the hollow portion thereof and enabling at least a part of the treatment tool to project from the hollow portion and extend along the distal portion.

Abstract: A measurement device is presented being configured to be connectable to an analyzer unit (including a network analyzer). The measurement device includes 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 includes a number of terminals of known RF reflection coefficients respectively and includes 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 sensor unit for use in measurements on a subject is presented. The sensor unit includes a near field electromagnetic sensor and a flexible signal transmission structure, which are integral with one another by means of at least one common continuous surface. The flexible signal transmission structure is constructed from a first layer including signal connection lines associated with sensor cells near field electromagnetic sensor and a second electrically conductive layer electrically coupled to the electrically conductive material of the sensor.

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 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: 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: 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: 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.