Various methods and systems are provided for a flexible, lightweight, low-cost radio frequency (RF) coil array of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, a posterior RF coil assembly for a MRI system includes an RF coil array including a plurality of RF coils and a deformable material housing the plurality of RF coils, each RF coil comprising a loop portion of distributed capacitance wire conductors and a coupling electronics unit coupled to each of the plurality of RF coils.

A device and method is provided for a suction tool combined with an optical probe. A suction device is provided having a tip with a hollow tubular body, a plurality of optical fibers embedded in the tip and a concentric ring attached to the tip, wherein the ring end has an inner beveled reflective surface opposing the optical fibers. A method is provided for optically measuring tissue in a medical procedure comprising suctioning a tissue using a suction device, sending optical signals along optical fibers through the suction device; directing the signals from the optical fibers onto the tissue using a beveled surface; receiving optical signals from the tissue in optical fibers via the beveled reflective surface; measuring the received optical signals in a spectrometer or detector; and releasing, resecting or ablating the tissue through the suction device.

A device and method is provided for a suction tool combined with an optical probe. A suction device is provided having a tip with a hollow tubular body, a plurality of optical fibers embedded in the tip and a concentric ring attached to the tip, wherein the ring end has an inner beveled reflective surface opposing the optical fibers. A method is provided for optically measuring tissue in a medical procedure comprising suctioning a tissue using a suction device, sending optical signals along optical fibers through the suction device; directing the signals from the optical fibers onto the tissue using a beveled surface; receiving optical signals from the tissue in optical fibers via the beveled reflective surface; measuring the received optical signals in a spectrometer or detector; and releasing, resecting or ablating the tissue through the suction device.

Various methods and systems are provided for a flexible, lightweight, low-cost radio frequency (RF) coil array of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, a posterior RF coil assembly for a MRI system includes an RF coil array including a plurality of RF coils and a deformable material housing the plurality of RF coils, each RF coil comprising a loop portion of distributed capacitance wire conductors and a coupling electronics unit coupled to each of the plurality of RF coils.

The present invention relates to a wound volume measuring method and device, wherein the method comprises the steps of: disposing a foam dressing on a wound site; hermetically sealing the wound site by attaching a film dressing on skin adjacent to the wound site; supplying a negative pressure to the hermetically sealed space formed between the film dressing and the wound site, and thereby discharging fluid into the hermetically sealed space; measuring the flow of the fluid discharged from the hermetically sealed space; and calculating the volume of the wound site on the basis of the measured fluid flow.

The present invention relates to a detachable volume measuring apparatus and a tissue expansion apparatus comprising same, and provides, according to one aspect of the present invention, a volume measuring apparatus which is mounted to a tissue expansion apparatus comprising a suction apparatus for generating negative pressure inside a dome, the volume measuring apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet into which outside air flows, and an outlet for supplying the outside air to the suction apparatus; a flow line for connecting, in the housing, the inlet and the outlet; first and second pressure sensors respectively provided at two different locations on the flow line; and a control unit for outputting, to the suction apparatus, pressure information measured from the first and second pressure sensors.

A method is used to manufacture a surgical instrument including a first tube, and a second tube. The first tube extends from a proximal first end portion to a distal first end portion. The second tube extends from a proximal second end portion to a distal second end portion. The second tube is positioned coaxially within the first tube with the distal second end portion positioned adjacent to the distal first end portion. The second tube defines a lumen. The sensor is secured proximal to the distal second end portion of the second tube. A die is engaged against a distal first end portion of the first tube while first tube rotates about its own longitudinal axis; and the die is simultaneously moved relative to the distal first end portion of the first tube along a predetermined path to form a predetermined shape.

An analysis result acquisition unit acquires an analysis result of a medical image. A medical information acquisition unit acquires medical information different from the medical image. A priority deriving unit derives a priority of the medical image based on the analysis result and the medical information.

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, a distal tip member, a dissection member, and a position sensor. The distal tip member has an opening in fluid communication with a lumen of the shaft assembly. A longitudinal axis extends centrally through the opening and lumen at the distal tip member. The dissection member extends distally from the distal tip member. The first position sensor is operable to generate signals indicating a position of the distal tip member in space.

A device for measuring the elastic deformability of soft tissue has a probe head having the form of a cup with a cavity, side walls and a bottom wall, a first probe channel, a pressure unit and a control unit, the first probe channel being configured to connect the pressure unit, that provides a vacuum inside first probe channel and that is controlled by the control unit with the probe head. The first probe channel has a distal end leading through the bottom wall into the cavity. The device further has a second probe channel having a distal end leading through the bottom wall into the cavity and being connected with a pressure sensor provided to determine the pressure in the cavity and to communicate it to the control unit to determine a point in time, when deformed tissue closes the distal end of the first probe channel based on a pressure difference in the two probe channels.