Abstract: A method is provided for registration of images obtained of a patient in real time with respect to a tracking device. The method is not based on internal or external fiducial markers attached to the patient, but rather the registration is done relative to a reference plate of a guiding system affixed to a table that supports the patient.

Abstract: A birth delivery device (10, 30) including one or more engaging elements (18, 32) shaped to engage a fetal head, one or more handles (19, 40) connected to the one or more engaging elements (18, 32) that manipulate the one or more engaging elements (18, 32), and one or more position sensors (20) placed on a portion of at least one of the engaging elements (18, 32) and the handles (19, 40), the position sensors (20) being in communication with a processor (22) that processes data from the position sensors (20) to determine positional information related to the fetal head.

Abstract: A birth delivery device (10, 30) including one or more engaging elements (18, 32) shaped to engage a fetal head, one or more handles (19, 40) connected to the one or more engaging elements (18, 32) that manipulate the one or more engaging elements (18, 32), and one or more position sensors (20) placed on a portion of at least one of the engaging elements (18, 32) and the handles (19, 40), the position sensors (20) being in communication with a processor (22) that processes data from the position sensors (20) to determine positional information related to the fetal head.

Abstract: A method wherein a location or position sensor cooperates with a controller or other operating system such that a predefined motion pattern (circular motion, double click, translatory motion, reciprocal motion, and the like, and any combination thereof) of the sensor performs one or more specific tasks, which are not necessary related to the spatial locations per se of the sensor. Also a method for identifying sensors and landmarks is described including sensing the present location of the sensor plus an additional point and comparing with locations in the recent past.

Abstract: A method for early detection of a pregnancy complication, including touching a position sensor to a point on a fetal presenting part of a fetus in a mother, and capturing a position of the position sensor, touching the position sensor to a set of points on the mother and capturing the position of the position sensor at each point, and detecting a pregnancy complication sign based upon a predefined criterion for said pregnancy complication. Methods and apparatus are provided for identifying the BPD pattern in an ultrasound image, for determining characteristics of body parts outside of a pelvic region, for BPD reconstruction and for an adapter for a position sensor are also described among other embodiments.

Abstract: A method wherein a location or position sensor cooperates with a controller or other operating system such that a predefined motion pattern (circular motion, double click, translatory motion, reciprocal motion, and the like, and any combination thereof) of the sensor performs one or more specific tasks, which are not necessary related to the spatial locations per se of the sensor. Also a method for identifying sensors and landmarks is described including sensing the present location of the sensor plus an additional point and comparing with locations in the recent past.

Abstract: A method for early detection of a pregnancy complication, including touching a position sensor to a point on a fetal presenting part of a fetus in a mother, and capturing a position of the position sensor, touching the position sensor to a set of points on the mother and capturing the position of the position sensor at each point, and detecting a pregnancy complication sign based upon a predefined criterion for said pregnancy complication. Methods and apparatus are provided for identifying the BPD pattern in an ultrasound image, for determining characteristics of body parts outside of a pelvic region, for BPD reconstruction and for an adapter for a position sensor are also described among other embodiments.

Abstract: A method for calculating fetal parameters with reference to a female pelvis, the method including previously obtaining measurement of a pelvis of a woman, re-locating the pelvis by sensing a point on the pelvis and finding a spatial orientation of the point with the previously measured pelvis and one other reference point, and calculating a fetal parameter of a fetus in the woman with respect to the pelvis.

Abstract: The full amino acid and DNA sequences of placental protein 13 (PP13) are disclosed. Also described are various PP13 derived peptide fragments, and a recombinant method for the production of PP13. PP13 may be used in a screening and a diagnostic method for pregnancy-related complications.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the progress of labor in a mother during childbirth, by using a position sensor to measure a predetermined point on the mother, monitoring the location of the position sensor in three-dimensional space; and monitoring the location of the fetal presenting part with respect to the predetermined point on the mother. The location of the fetal presenting part may be indicated by a similar position sensor, or by imaging. Other conditions, such as effacement, cervical dilatation, and cervical position may also be monitored in a similar manner. A reference or affixation point may be provided to the position sensor by, for example, attaching a key or shaped object to one or more points on the fetus or mother.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody (Mab) capable of binding Placental Protein 13 (pp-13) is disclosed. Also disclosed are hybridoma clone producing the Mab, an immunoassay using the Mab for measuring the level of PP-13 in a biological fluid, and a kit for measuring the level of PP-13 in a biological fluid.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the progress of labor in a mother during childbirth, by using a position sensor to measure a predetermined point on the mother; monitoring the location of the position sensor in three-dimensional space; and monitoring the location of the fetal presenting part with respect to the predetermined point on the mother. The location of the fetal presenting part may be indicated by a similar position sensor, or by imaging. Other conditions, such as effacement, cervical dilatation, and cervical position may also be monitored in a similar manner. A reference or affixation point may be provided to the position sensor by, for example, attaching a key or shaped object to one or more points on the fetus or mother.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the bending of a medical invasive tool (2) during its insertion in a body (4, 6) comprises an ultrasound transducer (8), and a position measuring system (29, 22, 26, 28) including position measuring components, and/or articulated arms (20, 22) being attached to the medical invasive tool (2). The expected position of the medical invasive tool is calculated according to the measurements produced by the position measuring system. Echo points, and/or segments of the medical invasive tool are identified on the ultrasound image (24). The comparison between the identified echo, and the calculated position of the invasive tool (without bending) is the base of detecting the bending of the medical invasive tool. Additionally, the identified echo points/segments are used in order to evaluate the actual shape of the invasive tool.

Abstract: A needle adapter is provided having a first member including a head portion and a tail portion, the head portion having a bore extending at least substantially therethrough. The head portion is configured for receiving a segment of a second member and is also configured for receiving a needle. The second member has a segment and a tail portion, the segment attached to the tail portion and adapted for receipt in the head portion of the first member, for attaching the first member and the second member in a hinge-like manner. This attachment allows for movement of the first and second members between open and closed positions. The tail portions of the first member and the second member are configured such that when the closed position is achieved, a volume for retaining a sensor is formed. There is also a pin, removably attachable from the bore of the head portion of said first member. This pin is for securing the needle upon its mounting in the needle adapter.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding the movements of a device to a target particularly for medical applications is provided. In one aspect of the invention, the system guides the movements of a device toward a target, which is viewable from an image. The system includes at least one scanning apparatus for creating the image including the target, at least one transmitter at a first reference location for transmitting radiant energy from the reference location, several position sensors and a data processor. The position sensors include at least one position sensor on the device for receiving the radiant energy, at least one position sensor on the scanning apparatus for receiving the radiant energy and at least one position sensor for receiving the radiant energy on either the device or the scanning apparatus.

Abstract: There are disclosed systems for calibrating a first position measuring component on an imaging or scanning transducer with respect to the scanning plane. Calibrations are performed by using a calibrating device including an additional or second position measuring component, such that during the calibration process, the relative position of between these position measuring components can be calculated. Calibrations are also performed by viewing targets on the scanning plane that are at a known position with respect to the second position measuring component. Calibrations are also performed based on the to scanning plane and position measuring component on a guided device, such as a needle, that typically is used in conjunction with the imaging or scanning transducer. Methods for these calibrations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the progress of labor in a mother during childbirth, by using a position sensor to measure a predetermined point on the mother monitoring the location of the position sensor in three-dimensional space; and monitoring the location of the fetal presenting part with respect to the predetermined point on the mother. The location of the fetal presenting part may be indicated by a similar position sensor, or by imaging. Other conditions, such as effacement, cervical dilatation, and cervical position may also be monitored in a similar manner. A reference or affixation point may be provided to the position sensor by, for example, attaching a key or shaped object to one or more points on the fetus or mother.

Abstract: The full amino acid and DNA sequences of placental protein 13 (PP13) are disclosed. Also described are various PP13 derived peptide fragments, and a recombinant method for the production of PP13. PP13 may be used in a screening and a diagnostic method for pregnancy-related complications.

Abstract: The full amino acid and DNA sequences of placental protein 13 (PP13) are disclosed. Also described are various PP13 derived peptide fragments, and a recombinant method for the production of PP13. PP13 may be used in a screening and a diagnostic method for pregnancy-related complications.

Abstract: There are disclosed systems for calibrating a first position measuring component on an imaging or scanning transducer with respect to the scanning plane. Calibrations are performed by using a calibrating device including an additional or second position measuring component, such that during the calibration process, the relative position of between these position measuring components can be calculated. Calibrations are also performed by viewing targets on the scanning plane that are at a known position with respect to the second position measuring component. Calibrations are also performed based on the scanning plane and position measuring component on a guided device, such as a needle, that typically is used in conjunction with the imaging or scanning transducer. Methods for these calibrations are also disclosed.