Abstract: Methods of operating a haptic actuator to apply physical and/or thermal sensations to a user to provide subjective symptom relief to a user are described. In some embodiments, a haptic actuator may be automatically activated when one or more detected user states are compared to one or more predetermined activation parameters to determine the user is experiencing an episode related to a condition of the user. In another embodiment, one or more operating parameters of a haptic actuator may be updated if the haptic actuator did not provided a desired amount of subjective symptom relief to a user during use. In yet another embodiment, a haptic actuator may create an event log based on activation events when the haptic actuator is used to provide symptom relief for a condition of the user.

Abstract: Methods of operating a haptic actuator to apply physical and/or thermal sensations to a user to provide subjective symptom relief to a user are described. In some embodiments, a haptic actuator may be automatically activated when one or more detected user states are compared to one or more predetermined activation parameters to determine the user is experiencing an episode related to a condition of the user. In another embodiment, one or more operating parameters of a haptic actuator may be updated if the haptic actuator did not provided a desired amount of subjective symptom relief to a user during use. In yet another embodiment, a haptic actuator may create an event log based on activation events when the haptic actuator is used to provide symptom relief for a condition of the user.

Abstract: A system for screening breast tissue is disclosed. The system comprises an ultrasound probe and a carrier adapted to support the ultrasound probe and to progressively move the probe over the breast tissue. A pad is employed to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, and a fabric covering is adapted to hold the breast tissue and the pad in place as the probe is moved over the breast tissue.

Abstract: A system for screening breast tissue is disclosed. The system comprises an ultrasound probe and a carrier adapted to support the ultrasound probe and to progressively move the probe over the breast tissue. A pad is employed to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, and a fabric covering is adapted to hold the breast tissue and the pad in place as the probe is moved over the breast tissue.

Abstract: A system for screening breast tissue includes an ultrasound probe and a carrier adapted to support the ultrasound probe and to progressively move the probe over the breast tissue. A pad is employed to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, and a fabric covering is adapted to hold the breast tissue and the pad in place as the probe is moved over the breast tissue.

Abstract: A computer-based 3D modeling system for constructing a virtual 3D representation from a plurality of data images of 2D cross sections having a mutual spatial relationship. The plurality of data images and the associated orientation and positioning information are extractable from a data source module. A frame creation module constructs a rectangular frame for each image slice. A texture-mapping module maps the image slice onto the associated frame as a texture. A rotation transform module rotates each frame appropriately about one or more axes based upon the orientation information associated with each data image to achieve the correct orientation in 3D space. A translation transform module translates each frame based upon the positioning information associated with each data image to achieve the correct position in 3D space.

Abstract: A method for screening cellular tissue. An ultrasound probe is moved across the cellular tissue to generate sequentially adjacent, closely spaced images. The linear position and the angular orientation of the ultrasound probe is monitored and dynamically controlled as it is moved across the cellular tissue. The images and position and orientation data are collected with an ultrasound scanning device which is associated with the ultrasound probe. The images and position and orientation data are thereafter recorded.

Abstract: A method of transmitting scan data from an ultrasonic scanning device to a computer. A desired number of individual scan images are acquired as frames within a buffer, after which the contents of the buffer are frozen. The number of frames in the frozen buffer are counted, and the dimensions and pixel format of each frame in the frozen buffer are determined. The frames from the scanning device are transmitted to the computer via a connection device, and the transmitted frames are written to an image file in a sequential manner.

Abstract: A computer-based 3D modeling system for constructing a virtual 3D representation from a plurality of data images of 2D cross sections having a mutual spatial relationship. The plurality of data images and the associated orientation and positioning information are extractable from a data source module. A frame creation module constructs a rectangular frame for each image slice. A texture-mapping module maps the image slice onto the associated frame as a texture. A rotation transform module rotates each frame appropriately about one or more axes based upon the orientation information associated with each data image to achieve the correct orientation in 3D space. A translation transform module translates each frame based upon the positioning information associated with each data image to achieve the correct position in 3D space.

Abstract: Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions.

Abstract: Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images, of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions.