Devices and methods are provide for facilitating registration and calibration of surface imaging systems. Tracking marker support structures are described that include one or more fiducial reference markers, where the tracking marker support structures are configured to be removably and securely attached to a skeletal region of a patient. Methods are provided in which a tracking marker support structure is attached to a skeletal region in a pre-selected orientation, thereby establishing an intraoperative reference direction associated with the intraoperative position of the patient, which is employed for guiding the initial registration between intraoperatively acquired surface data and volumetric image data. In other example embodiments, the tracking marker support structure may be employed for assessing the validity of a calibration transformation between a tracking system and a surface imaging system. Example methods are also provided to detect whether or not a tracking marker support structure has moved from its initial position during a procedure.

In medical imaging, a fiducial marker facilitates tissue image correlation that allows for image analysis, normalization and correction of the optical exposure and spectral and spatial distribution in order to compensate for the surface reflections, sub surface tissue interactions and spatial orientation of the excitation and imaging axes to the subject tissue. Using a cross comparison, clinicians can model tissue image data in different forms in order to reference and compare data from various spectral components and or from different images. This may enhance human interpretation between images including the variations between images even when the spectral, spatial and optical conditions or the image resolution or sensitivity are compromised. Such may be used to assess cosmetic, moisturizing, therapeutic materials and treatments.

A solid sample to be used as a calibration reference sample to calculate a hemoglobin concentration and a hemoglobin oxygen saturation in a living tissue is made of non-biological substance having: a colorant group that has a plurality of colorants of non-biological substances and reproduces absorption characteristics of the hemoglobin with a predetermined concentration and a predetermined oxygen saturation by adjusting a mixing ratio of the plurality of colorants; and a resin material in which each colorant of the colorant group is dispersed. In preparing the solid sample, the colorant group reproducing the hemoglobin absorption characteristics with the predetermined hemoglobin concentration and the predetermined hemoglobin oxygen saturation is prepared, and then, resin as a base material is dissolved in a mixed solution in which the colorant group is dispersed in an organic solvent. The organic solvent is volatilized from the mixed solution in which the resin has been dissolved.

A process for calibrating a glucose sensor under sterile conditions includes providing separate, sterile, glucose-containing calibration fluids, each having a different glucose concentration, and in turn providing these fluids to a sensing zone containing a sensing probe of a glucose sensor. Each solution is typically, in turn, propelled into the sensing zone, thus flushing out used fluid already present in the sensing zone. The process provides rapid calibration of a glucose sensor in a sterile fashion and is therefore appropriate for point-of-use calibration.

A biological information measurement apparatus comprises: a spectrometer; a housing that contains the spectrometer and includes a surface on which a measurement target is to be placed, and an aperture portion through which light illuminating the measurement target placed on the surface and light reflected from the measurement target are to pass; and a shutter member that can move between a first position of opposing the aperture portion of the housing and a second position of retreating from the first position of opposing the aperture portion, the shutter member including a white reference surface. If the shutter member is at the first position, the spectrometer performs calibration using the white reference surface. If the shutter member is at the second position, the aperture portion and the measurement target oppose each other, and the spectrometer colorimetrically measures the measurement target.

A method for determining the glucose value in blood or in interstitial liquids and to a glucose sensor including a catheter which has one or more openings in the region of the distal end of the catheter; a first optical waveguide which is arranged in the catheter and which includes a coupling surface at the distal end of the optical waveguide; a measuring probe which is arranged in the region of the distal end of the catheter, is coupled to the coupling surface of the first optical waveguide, and has a mirror arranged opposite the coupling surface of the first optical waveguide and a detection chamber between the coupling surface of the first optical waveguide and the mirror; a detection liquid for glucose in the detection chamber; and a membrane which encloses at least the detection chamber filled with the detection liquid and which has a separation capacity of maximally 20 kDA.

Kits, diagnostic systems and methods are provided, which measure the distribution of colors of skin features by comparison to calibrated colors which are co-imaged with the skin feature. The colors on the calibration template (calibrator) are selected to represent the expected range of feature colors under various illumination and capturing conditions. The calibrator may also comprise features with different forms and size for calibrating geometric parameters of the skin features in the captured images. Measurements may be enhanced by monitoring over time changes in the distribution of colors, by measuring two and three dimensional geometrical parameters of the skin feature and by associating the data with medical diagnostic parameters. Thus, simple means for skin diagnosis and monitoring arc provided which simplify and improve current dermatologic diagnostic procedures.

The present disclosure relates to an arrangement (21, 71) for minimal invasive intervention, the arrangement (21, 71) comprising a rotation body (23, 73), a retaining device (25, 75) and at least one position sensor (27, 77, 79). The rotation body is adapted to receive a medical instrument (3, 5, 7, 9, 33), or the rotation body forms a part of a medical instrument (83). The medical instrument comprises a shaft (31, 81). At least a portion of a surface of the rotation body comprises a pattern (35, 87, 91). The retaining device is adapted to at least partly surround the rotation body, such that the rotation body is retained by the retaining device in a manner allowing rotational movement of the rotation body in relation to the retaining device. The at least one position sensor is adapted for determining a position in at least two coordinates of the pattern of the rotation body. The at least one position sensor is located at, in or on the retaining device. The disclosure further relates to a medical instrument (3, 5, 7, 9, 33, 83), a kit (63) comprising the arrangement, a system (65) for follow-up of a minimal invasive intervention and a method for determining a position of a medical instrument by means of the arrangement or kit.

The present invention relates to a system and a method for calibration between coordinate systems of a 3D camera and a medical imaging apparatus. The calibration system includes a calibration tool having markers and a reference point that is aligned with a center of the medical imaging apparatus to serve as an origin of the coordinate system. Positions of the markers in the coordinate system of the medical imaging apparatus are calculated according to relative positions of the markers with respect to the reference point. A 3D camera captures images to determine positions of the markers in the coordinate system of the 3D camera. A calculation device calibrates the coordinate system of the 3D camera and the coordinate system of the medical imaging apparatus using the positions of the markers in the coordinate system of the 3D camera and the p in the coordinate system of the medical imaging apparatus.

Methods and devices are provided for analyzing acetone in breath. One such method comprises disposing a reactant in a reaction zone within the breath analysis device, wherein the reactant comprises a primary amine disposed on a surface, and wherein the reaction zone has an optical characteristic that is at a reference level. It also comprises pre-storing a liquid nitroprusside solution within the breath analysis device separately from the reactant. The method further comprises using the breath analysis device to cause the breath to contact the reactant in the reaction zone so that the acetone in the breath reacts with the reactant to form a reaction product and, after the reaction product has been formed, using the breath analysis device to cause the nitroprusside solution to contact and react with the reaction product and to facilitate a change in the optical characteristic of the reaction zone relative to the reference level. The method also comprises using the breath analysis device to detect the change in the optical characteristic to sense the acetone in the breath. Apparatuses that use these methods are also described.