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.

Abstract: A method and device in accordance with the present invention enabling detecting mechanical and structural properties of the breast tissue that are indicative of breast cancer. Detection of nodules is achieved by placing the breast into a mechanical scanning unit comprising of a two-dimensional pressure sensor array and a mobile linear pressure sensor array located opposite to the two-dimensional pressure sensor array, and analyzing the signals from the pressure sensors. The device is able to objectively detect presence of lesions suspicious for cancer or other breast pathologies in the breast and provide means for computerized three-dimensional mechanical imaging of the breast.

Abstract: A method and device for high resolution 3-D detection of changes in mechanical and structural properties of the breast tissue that are indicative of breast cancer development. A compact hand held device comprises a pressure sensor array, a self-contained motion tracking system integrated with the pressure sensor array, and an electronic unit with a display. Mechanical imaging of the breast is achieved by pressing the sensing pad onto the breast, oscillating it over breast tissue portions with sequential returning to a reference point. Analysis of pressure response data for oscillatory deformations comprises cumulative summation of a plurality of pressure patterns after spatially shifting every pattern by a pre-calculated value in an opposite direction of pressure sensor array motion. Determining mechanical and geometrical features of the breast inner structures includes formation of a 3-D mechanical image of the breast combining results of local scanning at all breast sites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for real time mechanically imaging the prostate with a transrectal probe. In the method, the prostate image is synthesized and displayed in real time during the examination process. In a preferred embodiment, a compact prostate examination device comprises a probe sized to fit within the rectum and having a head with a tactile sensor longer than the axial length of an average prostate, an electronic unit and a display. As the pressure sensing part of the head is pressed against and moved over the prostate, it generates signals characterizing mechanical structure of the examined area. An accelerometer based motion tracking system is mounted in the probe for determining the position of the pressure transducer array during prostate examination. The electronic unit incorporated into the handle of the probe receives the pressure and motion data to calculate mechanical and geometrical features of the prostate and displays it on the display.

Abstract: A method and device in accordance with the present invention enable detecting changes in mechanical and structural properties of the breast tissue that are indicative of breast cancer development. In one embodiment of the invention, an array of force sensors based on PVDF piezopolymer film, data acquisition circuit, and a microprocessor are mounted in a hand held pad. Detection of nodules is achieved by pressing the sensing pad onto the breast, oscillating it over regions under investigation, and analyzing spectral and phase characteristics of the signal from the sensors in the array. The device is able to objectively detect presence of suspicious lesions in the breast and provide a warning signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for real time mechanically imaging the prostate with a transrectal probe. In the method, the prostate image is synthesized and displayed in real time during the examination process. In a preferred embodiment, a compact prostate examination device comprises a probe sized to fit within the rectum and having a head with a tactile sensor longer than the axial length of an average prostate, an electronic unit and a display. As the pressure sensing part of the head is pressed against and moved over the prostate, it generates signals characterizing mechanical structure of the examined area. An accelerometer based motion tracking system is mounted in the probe for determining the position of the pressure transducer array during prostate examination. The electronic unit incorporated into the handle of the probe receives the pressure and motion data to calculate mechanical and geometrical features of the prostate and displays it on the display.

Abstract: A method and device in accordance with the present invention enabling detecting mechanical and structural properties of the breast tissue that are indicative of breast cancer. Detection of nodules is achieved by placing the breast into a mechanical scanning unit comprising of a two-dimensional pressure sensor array and a mobile linear pressure sensor array located opposite to the two-dimensional pressure sensor array, and analyzing the signals from the pressure sensors. The device is able to objectively detect presence of lesions suspicious for cancer or other breast pathologies in the breast and provide means for computerized three-dimensional mechanical imaging of the breast.

Abstract: A method and device in accordance with the present invention enable detecting changes in mechanical and structural properties of the breast tissue that are indicative of breast cancer development. In one embodiment of the invention, an array of force sensors based on PVDF piezopolymer film, data acquisition circuit, and a microprocessor are mounted in a hand held pad. Detection of nodules is achieved by pressing the sensing pad onto the breast, oscillating it over regions under investigation, and analyzing spectral and phase characteristics of the signal from the sensors in the array. The device is able to objectively detect presence of suspicious lesions in the breast and provide a warning signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for high resolution 3-D detection of changes in mechanical and structural properties of the breast tissue that are indicative of breast cancer development. In one embodiment of the invention a compact hand held device comprises a pressure sensor array, a self-contained motion tracking system integrated with the pressure sensor array, and an electronic unit with a display. Mechanical imaging of the breast is achieved by pressing the sensing pad onto the breast, oscillating it over breast tissue portions with sequential returning to a reference point. Calculation of a trajectory and orientation of the pressure sensor array can include correction of the device position and orientation with a suitable Kalman filter using measured signals supplied from the motion tracking system and from the pressure sensor array.

Abstract: The present invention describes an electrooptical apparatus and method for monitoring cell growth in microbiological culture. The apparatus comprises an electrooptical cell filled up with a cell suspension and having electrodes and two orthogonal optical channels for passing through two light beams, an electrical generating means for supplying an alternating electrical current on said electrodes for inducing an alternating electrical field with predetermined frequency and strength in said electrooptical cell to give rise preferred orientation of the bacterial cells, an optical system for generating signals in response to the optical density changes in both optical channels by turning on and turning off said alternating electrical field, a temperature controlling means of the electrooptical cell, a cell suspension delivery means connected with the electrooptical cell, an electronic unit determining and displaying growth parameters of the bacterial cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for mechanically imaging the prostate with a prostate examination device. In the method, position data and pressure response data are acquired along predetermined trajectories overlaying the prostate by periodic pressing or sliding of a pressure sensor assembly attached to a probe against the prostate. In a preferred embodiment, the prostate examination device comprises a probe sized to fit within the rectum and having a head connected by a shaft to a handle. A support is connected to the probe for providing a point of rest for the shaft during the prostate examination. As the pressure sensor assembly is pressed against and moved over the prostate, it generates signals in response to forces imposed on the pressure sensor assembly. A positioning system is coupled to the support and probe for determining position data of the pressure sensor assembly during prostate examination.