Abstract:
In imaging the head, the RF coil for head enables both SNR of head portion and operability to be improved, and is constituted as described below. Namely, the RF coil comprises a nearly circular electrically conductive loop, a plurality of nearly arcuate electrically conductive elements having ends on one side being connected to said loop and having ends on the other side commonly connected to a connection portion that passes through the center of the loop and that is disposed being separated by a predetermined distance on a line perpendicular to the plane of the loop, and capacitance elements connected in series in said conductive loop between the portions at which the elements are connected or connected in series in each of said conductive elements, the RF coil defining a semi-spherical shape.
Abstract:
Apparatus (10) for making biomagnetic measurements includes a biomagnetometer (18) for measuring magnetic fields produced by the body and an electromagnetic location measurement and recording system (20 and 30) for automatically determining the location of the portion of the body (12) from which the magnetic signals are being gathered. The electromagnetic location recording system permits establishing a real time body frame of reference with respect to the biomagnetometer, so that biomagnetic signals can be correlated directly with body location and structure. The electromagnetic location recording system may be operated continuously at radiation wavelengths which do not interfere with the taking of data, or intermittently with the taking of biomagnetic data, to avoid interference with the measured values of the biomagnetic data. The elements of the electromagnetic location recording system have substantially no residual magnetism when the location recording system is not operating, as the biomagnetic signals are typically so small that even normal residual magnetism might be erroneously recorded as a biomagnetic signal.
Abstract:
A device for detecting properties, particularities and changes of living or dead human or animal bodies has an A.C. power supply ddirectly or indirectly connected with one pole to the examined body and an electric measuring device arranged between the other pole of the A.C. power supply and a feeler having an electrode and moved over the surface of the body. One or more spacers are provided on the electrode, and the electrode is spaced from the surface of the device which is moved over the body. The electrode (86), the spacer (38) or if necessary the housing (82) are provided with a layer or covering (screen) (84) of conductive material or with an electrode (86) screening coating connected to the earth or to a low electric voltage having the same screening effect as the earth.
Abstract:
An NMR imaging method which collects only those data that are used for re-constituting the image in order to reduce the scanning time. A circular region with a point at which space frequency is zero as a center is determined on a two-dimensional Fourier plane that corresponds to the region for re-constituting the image. Spin echo signals are measured by an ordinary Fourier method for a local region in the circular region where the measured data has a length greater than a predetermined length in the reading direction. For other regions in the circular region, a plurality of spin echo signals are measured while successively reducing the time for applying a magnetic reading gradient field per excitation of each time and while additionally encoding the phase.
Abstract:
This invention is an invasive probe apparatus including flexible elongate probe (20) having a distal portion adjacent to a distal end (22) thereof for insertion into the body of a subject, which portion assumes a predetermined curve form when a force is applied thereto. First and second sensors (28, 30) are fixed to the distal portion of the probe (20) in known positions relative to the distal end (22), which sensors generate signals responsive to bending of the probe. Signal processing circuitry (36) receives the bend responsive signals and processes them to find position and orientation coordinates of at least the first sensor (28), and to determine the locations of a plurality of points along the length of the distal portion of the probe.
Abstract:
This invention describes a method for aligning radiation therapy beams with a treatment target of a patient. Diagnostic computer tomography scanning is used to map the treatment target in the patient's anatomy and to aid physicians in deciding where to aim the radiation therapy beams. Digitally reconstructed radiographs are generated from an intermediate 3-D image produced from the CT scans. These DRRs are compared with x-ray images taken of the treatment target's position taken at the time of treatment. A transformation equation is used to compare the DRRs and the x-ray images. A minimization equation is used to determine the similarity between the two sets of images. If the difference between the two sets fall below a determined minimum value, then the position of the treatment target is deemed correct and the radiation therapy begins. If the difference does not fall below the determined minimum value, then either the radiation beams or the treatment target is adjusted and the process is repeated. This procedure may be used many times in the course of a single treatment session, depending on the movement of the patient.
Abstract:
An implantation and measuring system for ascertaining the extent of a vesicular aberration of a vessel of an animal and for effecting repair of the vesicular aberration, the system comprising an insert (25) having graduations (35) receivable into and through the vessel for placement proximate the vesicular aberration, the graduations (35) being detectable and viewable by an imaging means for allowing a user to ascertain the extent of the vesicular aberration, and a catheter (40) for introducing a repair apparatus suitably sized for placement proximate the vesicular aberration for effecting repair of the vesicular aberration.
Abstract:
An electro-medical apparatus comprises at least seventeen electrodes (1a-1g), which are applied on some specific areas of the human body of a patient for receiving bio-electrical signals; said signals are automatically processed by means (13, 14, 16), so that the software of a personal computer (14) could analyze the health state of the patient. In addition, an "expert system", which comprises a control software, an analysis software and an interpretation software, provides the physician with first indication data about the health of the patient and with possible modes of intervention, so that the physician could arrive to a substantially definitive interpretation of the health state of the patient.
Abstract:
A point-of-care analyzer unit (100) characterized by a disposable sensor module (101), a capability of cooperation with multiple fluid sources (103) for providing multi-point calibration, which sources are detachably connectable with the sensor module, and a waste reservoir integral with the sensor module operable to receive and house multiple sets of complete test sequences comprising multiple calibration fluids and an analyzed sample.
Abstract:
Audio information is spoken into a microphone and saved in digitized form in an electronic file (40). The digitized information is converted into a format which is usable within a particular MRI system (42). Thereafter, an electronically store pulse sequence, useable within the selected MRI system, is selected (46) and edited (48) to incorporate the converted digitized verbal information (50) and appropriate header information (44). When the edited pulse sequence is operated by the MRI system, audio information is projected which can be heard by the human ear using the elements of an existing MRI system.