Abstract: A method and an apparatus for estimating bone age by at least one acoustic signal in an ossification-actuated skeletal structure. The apparatus includes an acoustic transmitter and an acoustic receiver positioned facing each other so that the structure is positioned between them. The structure has at least two bones. The transmitter is adapted for transmitting a signal to cross the structure transversely. An electronic moveable gantry is provided for adjusting the position of the acoustic transmitter and the acoustic receiver in relation to the structure. A computer system is enabled to perform one or more functions to position the moveable gantry; transmit the signal by the transmitter; control the signal transmitted by the transmitter; receive the transmitted signal by the receiver; and estimate bone age responsive to the received signal by at least one bone age calculation formula.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for lipolysis and body contouring of a subject. The apparatus includes a housing adapted for placement on tissue of the subject. The apparatus also includes a plurality of acoustic elements disposed at respective locations with respect to the housing, including at least a first and a second subset of the acoustic elements, wherein the first subset is configured to transmit energy in a plane defined by the housing, such that at least a portion of the transmitted energy reaches the second subset. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided that includes at least one sensor (30), configured to sense a physiological parameter of a subject (12) and to sense large body movement of the subject (12), an output unit (24), and a control unit (14). The control unit (14) is configured to monitor a condition of the subject (12) by analyzing the physiological parameter and the sensed large body movement, and to drive the output unit (24) to generate an alert upon detecting a deterioration of the monitored condition. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a housing, adapted for placement on tissue of a subject, and a plurality of transducers, disposed at respective locations with respect to the housing, and configured to transmit energy towards each other, in a plane defined by the housing.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating at least one quantitative measure of a joint comprising sending an acoustic signal to at least a part of a joint, receiving said acoustic signal after modification by said joint, analyzing the received acoustic signal with a computer, and generating, from said computer, one or more of a quantitative surface, quantitative volumetric and quantitative measurements of the physical properties of the joint or a portion thereof.

Abstract: A method for determining a value for at least one parameter that characterizes propagation of sound in a body part comprising: transmitting ultrasound pulses at each of a plurality of different distinct carrier frequencies through the body part; detecting the pulses after they are transmitted through the body part and generating signals responsive thereto; and processing the signals responsive to pulses at each of the carrier frequencies to determine a value for at least one parameter that characterizes propagation of ultrasound in the body part.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating at least one quantitative measure of a joint comprising sending an acoustic signal to at least a part of a joint, receiving said acoustic signal after modification by said joint, analyzing the received acoustic signal with a computer, and generating, from said computer, one or more of a quantitative surface, quantitative volumetric and quantitative measurements of the physical properties of the joint or a portion thereof.

Abstract: A method for measuring bone age including:

Abstract: A method of slice selective multiple quantum magnetic resonance imaging of an object is disclosed. The method is effected by implementing the steps of (a) applying a radiofrequency pulse sequence selected so as to select a coherence of an order n to the object, wherein n is zero, a positive or a negative integer other than ±1; (b) applying magnetic gradient pulses, so as to select a slice of the object to be imaged arid to create an image; and (c) acquiring a radiofrequency signal resulting from the object, so as to generate a magnetic resonance slice image of the object. The method provides slice selective multiple quantum magnetic resonance images of yet unprecedented quality in terms of contrast. The method is particularly useful for imaging connective tissues.

Abstract: A method for depicting the anatomy and quantitative tissue strain of a biological tissue. A spatially resolved, double quantum filtered, nuclear magnetic resonance frequency spectrum is acquired from either .sup.1 H or .sup.2 H nuclei in the tissue. Values in the time domain or frequency domain representations of the free induction decay signal are mapped in 2 spatial dimensions so as to selectively depict histological layers of the tissue anatomy. The residual quadrupolar or dipolar splitting is calculated from the free induction decay signal, and then correlated with a tissue strain value by utilizing a known formula describing the correlation between residual quadrupolar or dipolar splitting and tissue strain. The tissue strain value is then mapped in two spatial dimensions.