A method of electrically stimulating a target muscle of a patient includes placing at least one stimulation electrode in electrical contact with the target muscle and applying an electrical signal to the stimulation electrode. The method further includes obtaining a signal from a sensing element placed on the patient, wherein the sensing element is configured to detect at least one biological parameter of the patient associated with contraction of the target muscle caused by the application of the electrical signal, and adapting stimulation of the target muscle by the at least one stimulation electrode using the obtained signal.

A radiopaque structure and an implanted medical instrument having the radiopaque structure. The radiopaque structure includes at least one radiopaque unit, and each radiopaque unit includes at least one radiopaque object. In at least one incidence direction of a light source, all the radiopaque objects in the radiopaque structure are divided into n regions according to the thickness in the incidence direction, and a projection area Sm of m regions of the n regions and an effective thickness dm of the m regions meet Sm−0.0136(dm)a≥0, wherein −0.95≤a≤−0.85 and 1≤m≤n. The radiopaque structure has good or excellent visibility.

A method for improved 3D imaging of a volume is disclosed. The application discussed is improved assessment of complex 3D structures including breast microcalcifications and incorporation of geo-registered tools. The 3D imaging is displayed on a geo-registered head display unit.

Images obtained by a camera system (10) arranged to obtain images of a patient (20) undergoing radio-therapy are processed by a modeling unit (56,58) which generates a model of the surface of a patient (20) being monitored. Additionally the patient monitoring system processes image data not utilized to generate a model of the surface of a patient being monitored to determine further information concerning the treatment of the patient (20). Such additional data can comprise data identifying the relative location of the patient and a treatment apparatus (16). This can be facilitated by providing a number or retro-reflective markers (30-40) on a treatment apparatus (16) and a mechanical couch (18) used to position the patient (20) relative to the treatment apparatus (16) and monitoring the presence and location of the markers in the portions of the images obtained by the stereoscopic camera (10).

Disclosed are puncture sealing systems and methods of locating a puncture site within a vessel. The systems can include puncture locating dilators and access sheaths that are configured to locate the puncture site within a vessel so that the position of the puncture site relative to a distal end of the access sheath is known during a puncture sealing procedure.

This disclosure relates to an in vivo treatment of tissue, for example, a skin lesion of a mammal comprising application of electrical energy to the skin lesion in a form of electrical pulses. At least one electrical pulse is applied. The pulse duration may be at least 1 nanosecond. Surface of a tissue surrounding the skin lesion may be marked to guide the device to deliver the electric pulses at substantially precise locations on the lesion surface. This treatment may prevent at least growth of the lesion.

Instruments and methods for wide-field polarized imaging of the skin to determine an outer lesion margin objectively in vivo to provide guidance to a surgeon. Quantitative characterization of collagen structures in the skin can be used to determine the outer lesion margin or monitor skin treatment.

A scanning jig is capable of acquiring spatial positional relationships between a patient's face and an abutment. The scanning jig is configured to identify the spatial position of an implant including the abutment placed in the patient's mouth, and includes a base to be connected to the implant, a scan target with a scan area scannable by a 3D scanner, and a connecting portion for connecting the base and the scan target. The connecting portion is connected at one end to the base in a predetermined direction and at the other end to the scan target in the predetermined direction, and has a predetermined length such that the scan target is positioned outside the mouth when the base is connected to the implant.

A marker system includes a biopsy apparatus having a cannula and a stylet. The cannula has a distal end, the stylet has a distal stylet tip, and the stylet is received in the cannula. A tissue marker is coupled to the distal stylet tip. The tissue marker is configured to be contacted by the distal end of the cannula. The tissue marker is detached from the stylet distal tip by either of a proximal movement of the stylet relative to the cannula or a distal movement of the cannula relative to the stylet.

A marker for use in a living body includes an indicator part to be placed in a living body for a predetermined period of time, and the indicator part is configured to indicate information on the living body or information on the indicator part by means of a difference in X-ray image. Thus, there are provided the marker for use in a living body and an instrument set for inserting the marker for use in a living body capable of identifying a predetermined site in a living body easily and accurately.