Other

Orthologic Corp.

Cyberlogic, Inc.

Hyper3d Corp.

Alessandro E Chiabrera

Jonathan Joseph Kaufman

Bruno Bianco

Robert S Siffert

David L Strom

Non-invasive therapeutic treatment of bone in vivo using ultrasound in conjunction with application of a biochemical compound or bone growth factor is performed by subjecting bone to an ultrasound signal supplied to an ultrasound transducer placed on the skin of a bony member, and involving a repetitive finite duration signal consisting of plural frequencies that are in the ultrasonic range to 20 MHz. Concurrent with application of the ultrasound is the utilization of a bone growth factor applied to the skin of a bony member before stimulation with ultrasound. Ultrasonic stimulation is operative to transport the bone growth factor to the bone and then to synergistically enhance the interaction of the bone growth factor with the bone, whereby to induce healing, growth and ingrowth responses. In another embodiment, a vibrational or mechanical input together with a biochemical compound enhances both bone fracture healing and treats osteoporosis.

Ultrasonic and growth factor bone-therapy: apparatus and method

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a three-dimensional scene is reproduced on a specialized light display which offers full multiviewpoint capability and auto-stereoscopic views. The displayed image is produced using a set of M two-dimensional images of the scene collected at a set of distinct spatial locations. These M two-dimensional images are processed through a specialized mathematical encoding scheme to obtain a set of N&times;K display-excitation electrical-input signals, where K is the number of pixels in the display, and N&lE;M is the number of individual light-radiating elements within one pixel. The display is thus comprised of a total of N&times;K light-radiating elements. Each of the K pixels is adapted for control of their associated radiance patterns. The display is connected for response to the set of N&times;K display-excitation electrical-input signals. In this manner, the display provides a multiviewpoint and autostereoscopic three-dimensional image associated with the original three-dimensional scene. An alternative embodiment of the invention is utilized to provide efficient storage and display of 3D computer graphics images.

Three-dimensional display system: apparatus and method

A three-dimensional scene is reproduced on a specialized light display which offers full multiviewpoint capability and autostereoscopic views. The displayed image is produced using a set of M two-dimensional images of the scene collected at a set of distinct spatial locations. These M two-dimensional images are processed through a specialized mathematical encoding scheme to obtain a set of N&times;K display-excitation electrical-input signals, where K is the number of pixels in the display, and N&gE;M is the number of individual light-radiating elements within one pixel. The display is thus comprised of a total of N&times;K light-radiating elements. Each of the K pixels is adapted for control of their associated radiance patterns. The display is connected for response to the set of N&times;K display-excitation electrical-input signals. The display provides a multiviewpoint and autostereoscopic three-dimensional image associated with the original three-dimensional scene. An alternative embodiment of the invention is utilized to provide efficient storage and display of 3D computer graphics images.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a three-dimensional scene is reproduced on a specialized light display which offers full multiviewpoint capability and autostereoscopic views. The displayed image is produced using a set of M two-dimensional images of the scene collected at a set of distinct spatial locations. These M two-dimensional images are processed through a specialized encoding scheme to obtain a set of N&times;K display-excitation electrical-input signals, where K is the number of pixels in the display, and N&lE;M is the number of individual light-radiating elements within one pixel. The display is thus comprised of a total of N&times;K light-radiating elements. Each of the elements is adapted for control of their associated radiance patterns. The display is connected for response to the set of N&times;K display-excitation electrical-input signals. In this manner, the display provides a multiviewpoint and autostereoscopic three-dimensional image associated with the original three-dimensional scene. An alternative embodiment of the invention reproduces a temporal sequence of three-dimensional scenes, utilizing a temporal sequence of sets of M two-dimensional images, thus enabling application to three-dimensional television.

Three-dimensional display system apparatus and method

Non-invasive therapeutic treatment of plantar fasciitis in vivo using ultrasound is performed by subjecting a foot locale to an ultrasound signal supplied to an ultrasound transducer placed on the skin, and involving a repetitive finite duration signal consisting of plural frequencies that are in the ultrasonic range to 10 MHz. The ultrasound transducer is reproducibly positioned using an ultrasound fixture. The ultrasound signal is applied daily at least twice per day for 40 minutes per treatment, and has a power intensity (SATA) of 18 mW/cm,. In an alternative embodiment, an orthotic device holds the foot in dorsiflexion concomitant with ultrasound treatment.

Ultrasonic plantar fasciitis therapy: apparatus and method

Non-invasive quantitative in-vivo electromagnetic evaluation of bone is performed by subjecting bone to an electrical excitation waveform supplied to a single magnetic field coil near the skin of a bony member, and involving a repetitive finite duration signal consisting of plural frequencies that are in the range 0 Hz-200 MHz. Signal-processing of a bone-current response signal and a bone-voltage response signal is operative to sequentially average the most recently received given number of successive bone-current and bone-voltage response signals to obtain an averaged per-pulse bone-current signal and an averaged per-pulse bone-voltage signal, and to produce their associated Fourier transforms. These Fourier transforms are further processed to obtain the inductively determined frequency-dependent bone-admittance function. A neural network, configured to generate an estimate of one or more of the desired bone-related quantities, is connected for response to the bone-admittance function, whereby to generate the indicated estimates of bone status, namely, bone-density, bone-architecture, bone-strength and bone-fracture risk. In another embodiment, a stochastic electromagnetic field generated by a single magnetic field coil is used to therapeutically treat living tissue in vivo.

Electromagnetic bone-assessment and treatment: apparatus and method

Non-invasive quantitative plain radiographic evaluation of bone in a bony locale of a body is performed by subjecting the bony locale to a broadband collimated x-ray beam having energy in the range of about 20 keV to 150 keV. Alongside the bony locale is a material phantom. An energy-selective multiple-film detector cassette containing at least two films is placed under the body and material phantom to receive the transmitted x-ray beam. The films in the cassette are developed and digitally scanned to produce sets of material phantom data and sets of bone data. The data sets are then processed with a feedforward neural network whereby to generate the indicated estimate of bone status, namely, bone-mineral density. In an alternative embodiment, an independent measurement is made of the total tissue thickness, and input to the neural network to achieve higher accuracy and precision.

Plain x-ray bone densitometry apparatus and method

Non-invasive quantitative plain radiographic evaluation of bone in a bony locale of a body is performed by subjecting the bony locale to a broadband collimated x-ray beam having energy in the range of about 20 keV to 150 keV. Alongside the bony locale is a multiple-material phantom containing at least two distinct materials. An energy-selective multiple-film detector cassette containing at least two films is placed under the body and multiple-material phantom to receive the transmitted x-ray beam. The films in the cassette are developed and digitally scanned to produce sets of multiple-material phantom data and sets of bone data. The data sets are then processed with a nonlinear algorithm whereby to generate the indicated estimate of bone status, namely, bone-mineral density.

A method for the assessment of various properties of bone is provided. The method includes applying a pair of ultrasound transducers to skin on opposite sides of the bone and generating an ultrasound signal and directing the signal through both the bone and a known medium to obtain a bone output signal and a reference signal. The method further includes establishing a set of parameters associated with the bone output signal and a set of parameters associated with the reference signal and then subjecting the two sets of parameters to comparative analysis in order to obtain the desired bone property. An apparatus for the assessment of various properties of bone is also provided. The apparatus includes a pair of ultrasound transducers which may be single-element transducers or array transducers in any combination. The apparatus further includes various computer hardware components and computer software for generating and directing the ultrasound signal, establishing the parameter sets and performing the comparative analysis.

Ultrasonic bone assessment method and apparatus

A method for assessment of bone properties utilizing a new set of ultrasound parameters comprises passing ultrasonic signal through a bone tissue, modeling an output signal and a reference output signal and subjecting said parameters of the models to comparative analysis. Some of the new ultrasound parameters can be determined using analog processing techniques. An apparatus is also disclosed for practicing this method with one embodiment utilizing multi-element, two-dimensional array transducers. In conjunction with said array transducers, a synthetic aperture array mode is also disclosed.

Non-invasive quantitative in-vivo electromagnetic evaluation of bone is performed by subjecting bone to an electrical excitation wave-form supplied to a pair of electrodes on opposite sides of a bony member, and involving a repetitive finite duration signal consisting of plural frequencies that are in the range 0 Hz-200 MHz. Signal-processing of a bone-current response signal and a bone-voltage response signal is operative to sequentially average the most recently received given number of successive bone-current and bone-voltage response signals to obtain an averaged per-pulse bone-current signal and an averaged per-pulse bone-voltage signal, and to produce their associated Fourier transforms. These Fourier transforms are further processed to obtain the frequency-dependent bone-admittance function. In a separate operation, the same electrodes respond to the same excitation signal via a medium of known electromagnetic properties and path length to establish a reference-voltage signal and reference-current signal, which are processed to produce their associated Fourier transforms. These two Fourier transforms are further processed to produce a frequency-dependent reference-admittance function, which together with the bone-admittance function are processed to derive the frequency-dependent bone-conductivity real function, .sigma.'.sub.b (f), and frequency-dependent dielectric bone-permittivity real function, .di-elect cons.'.sub.b (f). The function .sigma.'.sub.b (f) is related to the energy loss in the bony member, and the function .di-elect cons.'.sub.b (f) is related to the energy storage in the bony member. A neural network, configured to generate an estimate of one or more of the desired bone-related quantities, is connected for response to the functions .sigma.'.sub.b (f) and .di-elect cons.'.sub.b (f), whereby to generate the indicated estimates of bone status, namely, bone-density, bone-architecture, bone-strength and bone-fracture risk.

Electromagnetic bone-assessment apparatus and method

An unknown object is non-destructively and quantitatively evaluated for three-dimensional spatial distribution of a set of material constitutive parameters, using a multi-element array-source transducer and a multi-element array-detector transducer in spaced, mutually facing relation. The array-source transducer exposes the array-detector transducer to a set of source-field patterns pursuant to a set of electrical input signals. Either a known object or an unknown object positioned between these transducers will be the cause of scattering, thus presenting a scattered-field pattern to the array detector transducer, for each pattern of the set of source-field patterns. A computer, a signal processor and a neural network operate from detector response to each set of scattered-field patterns, in each of two modes. In an initial mode, the neural network is 'trained' or configured to process a set of transfer functions involved in array-detector response to scattered-field patterns produced by the known object; in another mode, the neural network utilizes its 'trained' configuration in application to a set of transfer functions involved in array-detector response to scattered-field patterns produced by an unknown object, to generate estimates of the three-dimensional spatial distribution of the material constitutive parameters of the unknown object.

3-D reconstruction of objects by artificial intelligence: apparatus and

A method of ultrasonic bone-therapy subjects a bone to an ultrasonic excitation pulse signal of finite duration, supplied to a transducer next to the bone, and involving a sinusoidal signal in the ultrasonic region to approximately 2 MHz peculiarly modulated by a sinusoidal signal with frequency between about 0 Hz and about 25 kHz; the excitation signal is repeated in the range of 1 to 5000 Hz. The exposure time for therapy is chosen to be in the range of 5 minutes to 1 hour, for 1 to 3 times a day, for a period of days as necessary for healing or for promoting bone growth and ingrowth. An apparatus for implementing the above method for ultrasonic bone therapy is disclosed comprising a transducer having a transmitting and a receiving element, a special waveform signal generator, and a computer for performing the necessary operations defining a preferred treatment regime.

Ultrasonic bone-therapy apparatus and method

An unknown object is non-destructively and quantitatively evaluated for three-dimensional spatial distribution of a set of material constitutive parameters of the unknown object, using a multi-element array-source transducer and a multi-element array-detector transducer located near the unknown object. The array-source transducer exposes the array-detector transducer to a set of source-field patterns pursuant to a set of electrical input signals. An unknown object located near these transducers will be the cause of scattering, thus presenting a scattered-field pattern to the array detector transducer, for each pattern of the set of source-field patterns. In a related computation, a set of training signals is determined by evaluating on a computer the scattered field from a set of computer simulated training objects. A computer, a signal processor and a neural network operate from detector response to the computer simulated and unknown object scattered-field patterns, in each of two modes. In an initial mode, the neural network is 'trained' or configured to process a set of transfer functions involved in array-detector response to scattered-field patterns evaluated by computer simulations for the known computer simulated objects; in another mode, the neural network utilizes its 'trained' configuration in application to a set of transfer functions involved in array-detector response to scattered-field patterns produced by an unknown object, to generate estimates of the three-dimensional spatial distribution of the material constitutive parameters of the unknown object. In another embodiment, a set of the Biot poro-elastic material parameters of an unknown object is estimated.

Growing community of inventors

Genoa, Italy

Alessandro E Chiabrera