Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for computer-aided quantitative diagnosis of cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, mild cognitive impairment, transient ischemia, stroke etc.) via a vasomotor reactivity index (VMRI) which is computed on the basis of a computational model of the dynamic nonlinear inter-relationships between beat-to-beat time-series measurements of cerebral blood flow velocity, arterial blood pressure and end-tidal CO2. This model is obtained by means of a method pioneered by the inventors and may incorporate additional physiological measurements from human subjects. Its purpose is to provide useful information to physicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases with a significant neurovascular component by offering quantitative means of assessment of the effects of the disease or medication on cerebral vasomotor reactivity.

Abstract: Systems and techniques, including machine-readable instructions, for modeling of nonlinear systems. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a collection of two or more inputs configured and arranged to receive input signals, a collection of two or more outputs configured and arranged to output output signals, a processing unit configured to transform the input signals into the output signals, wherein the transformation is non-linear and treats the non-linear system as a collection of multiple input, single output non-linear systems, and a data storage that stores characteristics of the transformation.

Abstract: Systems and techniques, including machine-readable instructions, for modeling of nonlinear systems. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a collection of two or more inputs configured and arranged to receive input signals, a collection of two or more outputs configured and arranged to output output signals, a processing unit configured to transform the input signals into the output signals, wherein the transformation is non-linear and treats the non-linear system as a collection of multiple input, single output non-linear systems, and a data storage that stores characteristics of the transformation.

Abstract: Systems and techniques, including machine-readable instructions, for modeling of nonlinear systems. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a collection of two or more inputs configured and arranged to receive input signals, a collection of two or more outputs configured and arranged to output output signals, a processing unit configured to transform the input signals into the output signals, wherein the transformation is non-linear and treats the non-linear system as a collection of multiple input, single output non-linear systems, and a data storage that stores characteristics of the transformation.

Abstract: A system for providing high resolution imaging of objects having sub-millimeter dimensions comprised of at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, a coupling chamber, and a processor for recording attenuation and time of flight profiles of the transmitted signals. The signals are conditioned in a manner to provide high signal-to-noise ration (SNR) and minimal crosstalk and multipath effects at the receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining images of body organs or other tissue for each of their multiple characterizing aspects, and for classifying different tissue types within the images according to their characterizing aspects, are disclosed herein. The tissue may be irradiated with an ultrasonic signal, and an interaction signal received in return. Sinogram data may be constructed from the received interaction signal, and multiple characterizing data extracted therefrom. The multiple characterizing data representing multiple characterizing aspects may then be matched to tissue type within a database containing information correlating characterizing multi-aspect data with tissue type. Images of the tissue may then be presented with identifiers associating tissue portions with their matched tissue types.

Abstract: A receptacle for supporting a breast during ultrasonic scanning. The receptacle may include a contoured cup made of material that is substantially transparent to acoustical energy and have an open end into which the breast may be inserted and a narrowed end to receive a nipple of the breast. The receptacle may include spaced-apart elongated members, each made of material that is not substantially transparent to acoustical energy and each being mechanically coupled to the open end and to the narrow end of the cup. A fluid pump, impedance matching and a contoured tabletop are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for optimizing the excitation waveform that is delivered to a transmitter that, together with a receiver, form part of a nonlinear transmission and reception system. The process may include delivering a transmission test signal to the transmitter, generating a receive test signal from the receiver that is a nonlinear function of the transmission test signal, developing a nonlinear model of the nonlinear function, and determining an optimum excitation signal based on the model. An application to ultrasonic imaging for breast mammography is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for Laser Induced Fluorescence Attenuation Laser Induced Fluorescence Attenuation Spectroscopy (LIFAS) Spectrocopy, including, in particular, methods and devices for the detection of ischemia and hypoxia in biological tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining images of body organs or other tissue for each of their multiple characterizing aspects, and for classifying different tissue types within the images according to their characterizing aspects, are disclosed herein. The tissue may be irradiated with an ultrasonic signal, and an interaction signal received in return. Sinogram data may be constructed from the received interaction signal, and multiple characterizing data extracted therefrom. The multiple characterizing data representing multiple characterizing aspects may then be matched to tissue type within a database containing information correlating characterizing multi-aspect data with tissue type. Images of the tissue may then be presented with identifiers associating tissue portions with their matched tissue types.

Abstract: A combined linear filtering with nonlinear processing that can process the received data to reduce errors due to the effects of diffraction of a signal about an object. The method achieves this with high efficiency (near real-time). This processing operator has a specific computational form with a set of parameters that can be selected appropriately in each given application.

Abstract: A combined linear filtering with nonlinear processing that can process the received data to reduce errors due to the effects of diffraction of a signal about an object. The method achieves this with high efficiency (near real-time). This processing operator has a specific computational form with a set of parameters that can be selected appropriately in each give application.

Abstract: The Laser Induced Fluorescence Attenuation Spectroscopy (LIFAS) method and apparatus preferably include a source adapted to emit radiation that is directed at a sample volume in a sample to produce return light from the sample, such return light including modulated return light resulting from modulation by the sample, a first sensor, displaced by a first distance from the sample volume for monitoring the return light and generating a first signal indicative of the intensity of return light, a second sensor, displaced by a second distance from the sample volume, for monitoring the return light and generating a second signal indicative of the intensity of return light, and a processor associated with the first sensor and the second sensor and adapted to process the first and second signals so as to determine the modulation of the sample.

Abstract: A signal processing method for use in echo-location systems (radar, sonar, laser radar) to obtain accurate estimates of the target reflectivity sequence in a random (non-Gaussian) noise environment, including ambient noise, reverberation, and clutter. The method derives the statistical characteristics of the random background environments and then constructs and maximizes the corresponding approximate likelihood function using iterative methods. The approximate maximum likelihood estimates are generated on the basis of an approximation of the ideal likelihood function which is maximized using computationally efficient algorithms.

Abstract: Automatic focusing of radar or sonar imaging systems, for example, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) or synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) systems, is accomplished by using high order measurements, such as the quadruple product of the range compressed signal g(x). The phase error is estimated by a recursive or non-recursive algorithm from the phase of the quadruple product. The estimated phase error is applied to the range-compressed SAR or SAS image data which is then azimuth compressed to obtain the focused image data.

Abstract: In echo-location and imaging systems, interference suppression is accomplished by shaping the transmitted signal waveform. Interference suppression permits more accurate range estimates or image formation, respectively. These specially shaped waveforms can also be used in communication systems to secure more accurate message transmission in the presence of interference. Shaping of the transmitted signal may be accomplished in two ways: (1) by convolving an elemental waveform with a multi-level pseudorandom sequence (i.e., binary, ternary, Poisson, etc.); or (2) by transforming nonlinearly the amplitude of the elemental waveform to give it high skewness. Interference suppression in the former case is achieved through matched filtering (replica correlation or pulse compression), and in the latter case it is accomplished by bispectrum-bicoherence processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing resolution of range estimates in all echo location systems and, specifically, such systems as Radar, Sonar, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), for example. The invention utilizes high order signal processing to "sharpen" or contract the main lobe of the processing system ambiguity function and suppress its side lobes, for a given transmission pulse bandwidth. The method and apparatus may be implemented in the frequency domain or time domain. Enhanced resolution is achieved by using a filter (MSC filter), according to this invention, in the echo location data processing system so that the received echo data is processed by the MSC filter to produce a signal that exhibits enhanced range resolution. The MSC filter output, H(.omega.), which is specific to the transmitted pulse waveform, is the ratio of a high-order manipulation of the transmitted signal with its modified spectral profile.

Abstract: The Laser Induced Fluorescence Attenuation Spectroscopy (LIFAS) method and apparatus preferably include a source adapted to emit radiation that is directed at a sample volume in a sample to produce return light from the sample, such return light including modulated return light resulting from modulation by the sample, a first sensor, displaced by a first distance from the sample volume for monitoring the return light and generating a first signal indicative of the intensity of return light, a second sensor, displaced by a second distance from the sample volume, for monitoring the return light and generating a second signal indicative of the intensity of return light, and a processor associated with the first sensor and the second sensor and adapted to process the first and second signals so as to determine the modulation of the sample.