Abstract: Presented is a system that allows a user who subscribes to the system to avoid viewing commercials with unacceptable content (e.g. alcohol related, sexual content) during real-time television broadcasts. The system has a residential component consisting of a control unit having a user interface a local database and a specialized router, a remote processing component having monitoring stations where the monitored network feeds are processed, and a system DBMS component that stores channel and user information in real time. The control unit is connected to the internet, such as via a wireless connection on the user's network, to retrieve remotely-stored data obtained through monitored network feeds. The control unit retrieves real-time data associated with viewable content and applies logic to switch the viewing channel or signal source for display on the television.

Abstract: Presented is a system that allows a user who subscribes to the system to avoid viewing commercials with unacceptable content (e.g. alcohol related, sexual content) during real-time television broadcasts. The system has a residential component consisting of a control unit having a user interface a local database and a specialized router, a remote processing component having monitoring stations where the monitored network feeds are processed, and a system DBMS component that stores channel and user information in real time. The control unit is connected to the internet, such as via a wireless connection on the user's network, to retrieve remotely-stored data obtained through monitored network feeds. The control unit retrieves real-time data associated with viewable content and applies logic to switch the viewing channel or signal source for display on the television.

Abstract: Vacuum-operated safety syringes designed to prevent an accidental needle prick, where the needle of the syringe is retracted after use into a vacuum created within the hollow plunger and/or the syringe barrel of the syringe. Retraction of the needle assembly is accomplished from minimal moving parts according to an exceedingly simple design. In some embodiments, one or more one-way valves prevent airflow into the interior of the syringe barrel and thereby maintain the vacuum that is created during the act of injection. In some embodiments, the plunger of the safety syringe is manufactured to be pre-conditioned at negative pressure.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure on target tissue within the body includes immobilizing the target tissue with an immobilization device, positioning an insertion tool (e.g., a needle, a needle and marker wire, a needle gun, etc.) to be inserted into the target tissue on the immobilization device based on at least one reading of the target tissue, and inserting the insertion tool into the target tissue. An immobilization device for performing methods includes a frame assembly, a tissue immobilization assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the tissue immobilization assembly including a structure adapted to immobilize tissue, and a needle assembly releasably connectable to the frame assembly. The needle assembly includes a needle capable of being inserted into the immobilized tissue.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure on target tissue within the body includes immobilizing the target tissue with an immobilization device, positioning an insertion tool (e.g., a needle, a needle and marker wire, a needle gun, etc.) to be inserted into the target tissue on the immobilization device based on at least one reading of the target tissue, and inserting the insertion tool into the target tissue. An immobilization device for performing methods includes a frame assembly, a tissue immobilization assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the tissue immobilization assembly including a structure adapted to immobilize tissue, and a needle assembly releasably connectable to the frame assembly. The needle assembly includes a needle capable of being inserted into the immobilized tissue.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system includes an energy application device configured to apply energy to a treatment area of a subject, a sensing device configured to determine the energy received by one or more regions of the treatment area, and a user interface configured to provide a user with feedback concerning the energy received by the one or more regions of the treatment area, wherein the feedback provided to the user includes an image that illustrates the current status of the treatment. According to one embodiment, the illustration includes quantitative information. According to a further embodiment, the illustration includes highlighting of the treatment area.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, a system for generating a three-dimensional MRI image is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a composite-image generation module, an auto-segmentation module and a 3D rendering module. The composite-image generation module is configured to register a plurality of gray-scale slices and generate a plurality of composite-color slices where each of the plurality of composite-color slices is generated from a group of registered gray-scale slices. The auto-segmentation module is configured to receive the plurality of composite-color slices and identify features within each of the composite-color slices. The 3D rendering module is configured to convert the plurality of auto-segmented, composite-color slices into a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided to perform a diagnostic review of a plurality of subject MRI images. In one embodiment, a subject image selected from the plurality of subject MRI images is compared with a plurality of reference images where each of the plurality of reference MRI images are representative of one or more pathological conditions. A closest match between the subject image and at least one of the plurality of reference images is determined along with a strength of the closest match. The preceding acts are repeated for each of the plurality of subject images. At least one of the plurality of subject images is removed from diagnostic review when the strength of the closest match for the image is below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for guiding a surgical instrument into a preselected spatial relationship with a lesion, in particular a lesion of the breast. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a data translation system that translates a set of data points representing the position of the lesion into a set of three dimensional coordinates, and also includes a tracking system that tracks the position of a surgical instrument in three dimensional space, and further includes a representation system that produces a representation of the position of the surgical instrument relative to the lesion. The systems of the present invention are correlated with methods for biopsying a lesion and for surgically removing a lesion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a medical imaging system are disclosed. The imaging system is particulary suited for surgical procedures performed with respect to a lesion in a breast, although application of the invention is not so limited. An image of a portion of a patient's anatomy can be displayed on a computer. A surgical instrument and a lesion within the patient's anatomy can be displayed, showing the relative positions of each. A portion of the patient's anatomy can be monitored using markers or sensors that report position relative to an external reference point. Movement of a lesion within soft tissue can be calculated and displayed in response to changes in position or shape of the soft tissue. Accordingly, position of a lesion within a breast can be tracked in response to changes in the shape of the breast as the patient is moved or the breast is manipulated during the procedure.

Abstract: A tissue examination device includes a plurality of sensors, each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor in accordance with the properties of different types of underlying tissue structures as the sensor is pressed against the tissue. A plurality of processing tests are performed on the signals, and the different types of the underlying tissue structures are discriminated from each other based on the results of the tests.