Abstract: A visualization system may include a radiographic imaging apparatus for obtaining radioscopic images of a bodily organ with one or more radio discernible sensors introduced into the organ in order to sense physiological parameter(s) related to the physiological activity of the imaged organ. The sensors may be pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc. The visualization system may also include a computing device for identifying the organ and the relative locations of the sensors in each radioscopic image, and it may generate a displayable representation symbol that may represent the sensors and the sensors' output values. Display attributes that depend on the sensors' locations and output values may define the location of the representation symbol. Acquiring a radioscopic image of the bodily organ and reading the sensors' outputs may be performed simultaneously in order to facilitate spatiotemporal synchronization between display of the image of the organ and display of the representation symbol.

Abstract: A visualization system may include a radiographic imaging apparatus for obtaining radioscopic images of a bodily organ with one or more radio discernible sensors introduced into the organ in order to sense physiological parameter(s) related to the physiological activity of the imaged organ. The sensors may be pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc. The visualization system may also include a computing device for identifying the organ and the relative locations of the sensors in each radioscopic image, and it may generate a displayable representation symbol that may represent the sensors and the sensors' output values. Display attributes that depend on the sensors' locations and output values may define the location of the representation symbol. Acquiring a radioscopic image of the bodily organ and reading the sensors' outputs may be performed simultaneously in order to facilitate spatiotemporal synchronization between display of the image of the organ and display of the representation symbol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for real time mechanical imaging of a prostate with a transrectal probe. In the method, generating a composite two- and three-dimensional prostate mechanical image from a plurality of partial mechanical images extracted from pressure response data and a probe orientation data starts with examining the prostate by pressing a probe head pressure sensor array against it at various overlapping locations. Merging of partial mechanical images together is accomplished by analyzing an overlap between each subsequent and previous partial mechanical image. Finding the prostate is assisted with a supplemental pressure response data indicating the location of a sphincter known to be about 4-5 cm away from the prostate. Data processing is improved by including probe orientation data to further increase the accuracy and sensitivity of the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for real time mechanical imaging of a prostate with a transrectal probe. In the method, generating a composite two- and three-dimensional prostate mechanical image from a plurality of partial mechanical images extracted from pressure response data and a probe orientation data starts with examining the prostate by pressing a probe head pressure sensor array against it at various overlapping locations. Merging of partial mechanical images together is accomplished by analyzing an overlap between each subsequent and previous partial mechanical image. Finding the prostate is assisted with a supplemental pressure response data indicating the location of a sphincter known to be about 4-5 cm away from the prostate. Data processing is improved by including probe orientation data to further increase the accuracy and sensitivity of the method.

Abstract: An Internet-based system is described including a number of patient terminals equipped with tactile imaging probes to allow conducting of breast examinations and collecting the 2-D digital data from the pressure arrays of the tactile imaging probes. The digital data is processed at the patient side including a step of detecting moving objects and discarding the rest of the data from further analysis. The data is then formatted into a standard form and transmitted over the Internet to the host system where it is accepted by one of several available servers. The host system includes a breast examination database and a knowledge database and is designed to further process, classify, and archive breast examination data. It also provides access to processed data from a number of physician terminals equipped with data visualization and diagnosis means.

Abstract: A biopsy guidance device is enclosed based on a tactile imaging probe adapted to accept a biopsy gun. The tactile imaging probe includes a pressure sensing surface providing real-time 2-D images of the underlying tissue structures allowing to detect a lesion. A cannula is provided supported at a center point by a ball and socket joint. The joint is equipped with linear and angular sensors and supports the cannula with the ability to rotate thereof about the center point. The position, linear and angular displacement and direction of the needle tip of a biopsy needle placed inside the cannula is therefore known at all times and provided as a feedback signal to a physician. Also provided to a physician is a position of the target site at a lesion, as well as a linear and angular deviation of the needle tip away from the target site. Such audio, light, or visual feedback allows the physician to correct the insertion angle and depth to confidently reach the target site to perform a biopsy.

Abstract: An Internet-based system is described including a number of patient terminals equipped with tactile imaging probes to allow conducting of breast examinations and collecting the 2-D digital data from the pressure arrays of the tactile imaging probes. The digital data is processed at the patient side including a step of detecting moving objects and discarding the rest of the data from further analysis. The data is then formatted into a standard form and transmitted over the Internet to the host system where it is accepted by one of several available servers. The host system includes a breast examination database and a knowledge database and is designed to further process, classify, and archive breast examination data. It also provides access to processed data from a number of physician terminals equipped with data visualization and diagnosis means.