Abstract: A method of producing cytopathologic cell samples, the method including insonating a target tissue by ultrasound energy with a focused beam at that generates shear waves within the tissue. A method of producing cytopathologic cell samples, the method including insonating a target tissue by ultrasound energy at a first intensity level during a first period, insonating the target tissue by ultrasound energy at a second intensity level during a second period, wherein the first intensity level is higher than the second intensity level. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A handheld intra oral instrument having a channel through which a sampling brush is threaded. The distal end of the tube is bent at greater than 100 degrees allowing imaging of and contact with tissue areas such as the vallecula. The terminal end of the instrument is provided with a video chip and a light source to illuminate the desired area and provide real time video images.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a digital composite image of a three- dimensional biological sample. The system includes an optical system that captures images of cells and tissue presented on a specimen slide. The system systematically acquires a stack of images at different segments across the specimen slide. For each segment, the system dynamically calculates an optimal focal plane. Once an optimal focal plane is determined for each of the stacks of images, the system generates a composite image by copying the sharpest objects from each of the optimal focal planes.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a digital composite image of a three-dimensional biological sample. The system includes an optical system that captures images of cells and tissue presented on a specimen slide. The system systematically acquires a stack of images at different segments across the specimen slide. For each segment, the system dynamically calculates an optimal focal plane. Once an optimal focal plane is determined for each of the stacks of images, the system generates a composite image by copying the sharpest objects from each of the optimal focal planes.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a digital composite image of a three-dimensional biological sample. The system includes an optical system that captures images of cells and tissue presented on a specimen slide. The system systematically acquires a stack of images at different segments across the specimen slide. For each segment, the system dynamically calculates an optimal focal plane. Once an optimal focal plane is determined for each of the stacks of images, the system generates a composite image by copying the sharpest objects from each of the optimal focal planes.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a digital composite image of a three-dimensional biological sample. The system includes an optical system that captures images of cells and tissue presented on a specimen slide. The system systematically acquires a stack of images at different segments across the specimen slide. For each segment, the system dynamically calculates an optimal focal plane. Once an optimal focal plane is determined for each of the stacks of images, the system generates a composite image by copying the sharpest objects from each of the optimal focal planes.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a digital composite image of a three-dimensional biological sample. The system includes an optical system that captures images of cells and tissue presented on a specimen slide. The system systematically acquires a stack of images at different segments across the specimen slide. For each segment, the system dynamically calculates an optimal focal plane. Once an optimal focal plane is determined for each of the stacks of images, the system generates a composite image by copying the sharpest objects from each of the optimal focal planes.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a digital composite image of a three-dimensional biological sample. The system includes an optical system that captures images of cells and tissue presented on a specimen slide. The system systematically acquires a stack of images at different segments across the specimen slide. For each segment, the system dynamically calculates an optimal focal plane. Once an optimal focal plane is determined for each of the stacks of images, the system generates a composite image by copying the sharpest objects from each of the optimal focal planes.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a digital composite image of a three-dimensional biological sample. The system includes an optical system that captures images of cells and tissue presented on a specimen slide. The system systematically acquires a stack of images at different segments across the specimen slide. For each segment, the system dynamically calculates an optimal focal plane. Once an optimal focal plane is determined for each of the stacks of images, the system generates a composite image by copying the sharpest objects from each of the optimal focal planes.

Abstract: Methods and techniques for obtaining enriched cell samples from an organ in a subject using an ultrasound contrast agent and insonating. Contiguous fragments of epithelia are obtained which are useful for subsequent histological analysis and for informing therapy and other medical considerations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a likelihood of Crohn's, quantifying a degree of Crohn's disease or determining a heightened cancer risk by analyzing a cell preparation of cell collected from a patient's GI tract. The GI tract cellular sample is fixed on a microscope slide and analyzed by a microscope combined with an image acquisition system and a computer having an image recognition system. The image recognition system detects inflammatory cells that are implicated in the body's inflammatory response and counts how many of such cells are on the slide. The computer generates an absolute number of such cells and percentage values for such cells out the total number of inflammatory cells classified. The computer then utilizes the absolute numbers, the ratios of inflammatory cells with respect to each other—or a combination of both to generate a score. The score represents a probabilistic determination of disease or a quantification of disease or pre-disease.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a likelihood of LPR by analyzing a laryngeal cell preparation. The laryngeal sample is fixed on a microscope slide and analyzed by a microscope combined with an image acquisition system and a computer having an image recognition system. The image recognition system detects mobile cells that are implicated in the body's inflammatory response and counts how many of such cells are on the slide. The computer generates an absolute number of such cells and percentage values for such cells out the total number of mobile cells classified. The computer then utilizes the absolute numbers, the ratios of mobile cells with respect to each other—or a combination of both to generate a score. The score represents a probabilistic determination of inflammation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a sputum cytology preparation. The sputum sample is fixed on a microscope slide and analyzed by a microscope combined with an image acquisition system and a computer having an image recognition system. The image recognition system detects mobile cells that are implicated in the body's inflammatory response and counts how many of such cells are on the slide. The computer generates an absolute number of such cells and percentage values for such cells out the total number of mobile cells classified. The computer then utilizes the absolute numbers, the ratios of mobile cells with respect to each other—or a combination of both to generate a score. The score represents a probabilistic determination of inflammation.

Abstract: A method and system for constructing a digital image of a three-dimensional biological specimen that displays diagnostically important information—substantially to the exclusion of unimportant information. The system de-enhances features in a cellular specimen which are not diagnostically important and enhances those which are. The system selects the sharpest pixel for each pixel location from among a stack of image slices and copies them into a composite image.

Abstract: A method and system for constructing a digital image of a three-dimensional biological specimen that displays diagnostically important information—substantially to the exclusion of unimportant information.

Abstract: A retractable brush structure is attached to a cylindrical rigid rod which in the closed position passes through a channel in an endoscope. After the brush passes through the endoscope, the brush moves against the tissue in order to remove cells from an area under examination. The brush is withdrawn from the endoscope and sample tissue is removed from said brush for examination after it is withdrawn from the endoscope.

Abstract: A retractable brush structure is attached to a cylindrical rigid rod which in the closed position passes through a channel in an endoscope. After the brush passes through the endoscope, the brush moves against the tissue in order to remove cells from an area under examination. The brush is withdrawn from the endoscope and sample tissue is removed from said brush for examination after it is withdrawn from the endoscope.

Abstract: A retractable brush structure is attached to a cylindrical rigid rod which in the closed position passes through a channel in an endoscope. After the closed brush passes through the endoscope, the brush is opened and moves transversely to the tissue in order to remove cells from an area under examination. The brush is closed and withdrawn from the endoscope and sample tissue is removed from said brush for examination after it is withdrawn from the endoscope.

Abstract: A retractable brush structure is attached to a cylindrical rigid rod which in the closed position passes through a channel in an endoscope. After the closed brush passes through the endoscope, the brush is opened and moves transversely to the tissue in order to remove cells from an area under examination. The brush is closed and withdrawn from the endoscope and sample tissue is removed from said brush for examination after it is withdrawn from the endoscope.

Abstract: A system to detect epithelial dysplasia is disclosed by examining cells obtained by a non-lacerational trans-epithelial device. The system selects suspect cells based on abnormal morphology, cytometry and/or using molecular diagnostic techniques. In a preferred embodiment, the results of the computer analysis are displayed as a histogram and the images of the suspect cells are reviewed for DNA ploidy by a pathologist on a cell by cell basis.