A system for collecting a sample from a tissue includes a medical instrument having a sample collection region. One or more sensors is configured to detect one or more properties of a sample, and is configured to output at least one measured value representative of the one or more properties of the sample. An indicator is operatively connected to the one or more sensors and is configured to provide a notification to a user of the medical instrument based on the one or more properties of the sample detected by the at least one sensor. A method of guiding sample collection is also provided.

Systems and methods are disclosed for locating the parathyroid. In one aspect, temporal variation among a plurality of images is evaluated and at least one image is enhanced according to the temporal variation. The image may be enhanced to one or both of reduce conspicuity of the thyroid gland and enhance conspicuity of the parathyroid gland. Some of the plurality of images may be adjusted in order to align representations of a target portions. Adjustments may be based locations of one or more organs or one or more artificial markers affixed to a living body in the plurality of images. A local positioning system (LPS), GPS, or other locating system may be used to position a living body, align the plurality of images, or to guide the positioning of objects relative to the living body. An elastomeric gel marker for imaging applications is also disclosed.

The present invention provides method for monitoring physiological status of an organ in a subject by monitoring morphological changes over time in transplanted tissue on an eye of the subject.

To provide a concentration measuring method with which the concentration of a predetermined chemical component can be accurately, quickly, and nondestructively measured down to a concentration range of an extremely small amount with a simple means, and to provide a concentration measuring method with which the concentration of a chemical component in an object to be measured can be accurately and quickly measured down to a concentration range of a nano-order extremely small amount in real time, the method having universality, i.e., the ability to be embodied in various forms and modes. Light having a first wavelength and light having a second wavelength, which have different light absorptances with respect to an object to be measured, are each radiated onto the object to be measured using a time-sharing method; the light having the first wavelength and the light having the second wavelength, optically passing through the object to be measured as a result of the irradiation with the light having the first and second wavelengths, are received with a common light receiving sensor; a differential signal between a signal related to the light having the first wavelength and a signal related to the light having the second wavelength to be output from the light receiving sensor according to the received light is formed; and the concentration of a chemical component in the object to be measured is derived on the basis of the differential signal.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process for intra-operatively providing anatomical guidance in endocrine surgery. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of illuminating tissues in the neck area of a living subject with a beam of light having a predetermined wavelength, obtaining Raman data from light scattered from the illuminated tissues, finding Raman signatures corresponding to thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the obtained Raman data, and identifying the thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the corresponding Raman signatures.

A concentration measurement method accurately, quickly, and non-destructively measures the concentration of a predetermined chemical component within an object to a nano-order trace concentration level in real time. A time sharing method irradiates the object light of a first wavelength and light of a second wavelength having different light absorption rates with respect to the object to be measured. Light of both wavelengths that arrives optically through the object is received by a shared light reception sensor, and signals respectively relating to light of the first and second wavelengths are output from the light reception sensor in accordance with the received light. A differential signal of these signals is formed, and the concentration of a chemical component in the object to be measured is derived on the basis of the differential signal.

Provided is a diagnostic system including: a user terminal configured to take an image; and a server configured to obtain diagnosis assistance information on the basis of the image. The user terminal is configured to obtain a first photographing parameter, determine whether a pre-stored condition is satisfied, and transmit the first photographing parameter and a captured image to the server when it is determined that the pre-stored condition is satisfied. The server is configured to obtain a first verification parameter, determine whether to use the captured image as a diagnostic image which includes comparing the first verification parameter with the first photographing parameter, and obtain the diagnosis assistance information by using the diagnostic image when it is determined to use the captured image as the diagnostic image.

According to an embodiment of the present application, as a method of determining whether to output an alert of a user's thyroid dysfunction, there may be provided a thyroid dysfunction monitoring method including receiving a user's medication information from an external device; selecting a monitoring algorithm to be used to determine whether to output the alert on the basis of the medication information; and determining whether to output the alert on the basis of the selected monitoring algorithm.

The present invention provides method for monitoring physiological status of an organ in a subject by monitoring morphological changes over time in transplanted tissue on an eye of the subject.

Improved methods and systems for diagnosing and for treating Cushing's syndrome and Cushing's Disease are provided herein, including methods and systems for concurrently treating Cushing's syndrome and differentially diagnosing Cushing's Disease from Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome in a patient with an established diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. Treatment methods can use glucocorticoid receptor antagonists (GRAs), which differentially affect the ratio of cortisol to ACTH levels in patients having Cushing's Disease versus patients having Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome. Methods for concurrently treating and differentially diagnosing Cushing's Disease from Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome include obtaining baseline cortisol and ACTH levels of a patient, treating the patient with a GRA according to a protocol that would typically substantially elevate cortisol levels, obtaining post-treatment cortisol and ACTH levels of the patient, determining a differential relationship between baseline cortisol and ACTH levels and post-treatment cortisol and ACTH levels and providing a positive diagnosis based on the differential relationship.