A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry (22) configured to mount an x-ray emitter (24) and CT detector (26) on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor (28) rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a rotation of source high resolution x-ray detector (172) positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.

A method is disclosed comprising obtaining physical or other non-mass spectrometric data from one or more regions of a target using a probe. The physical or other non-mass spectrometric data may be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then used to generate an aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.

A system and a method for determining a target point for a needle biopsy may be provided. The method may include obtaining a first localization image and a second localization image regarding a region of interest (ROI) of a subject. The method may include labelling a plurality of pairs of markers for the ROI on the first localization image and the second localization image. The method may include determining a space position of each of the plurality of pairs of markers. The method may include generating visualized data regarding the ROI based on the space positions of the plurality of pairs of markers, and determining the target point for the needle biopsy based on the visualized data.

The present invention relates to operating a biopsy unit. In order to provide an enhanced and facilitated way of controlling a biopsy unit, a control device (10) for controlling a biopsy unit is provided that comprises a support structure (12) with a housing (14), and a user interface unit (16) with a plurality of control elements (18). The control elements are configured to control the movement of a biopsy needle device along at least three moving direction lines. At least two of the moving direction lines are aligned to axes of a Cartesian coordinate system (20) and one moving direction line is aligned to a needle axis direction (22) of an elongated needle device of the biopsy unit, the needle axis direction being inclined to at least one of the axes of the Cartesian coordinate system. For each moving direction line, the housing is provided with a surface portion (24, 26, 28) that is aligned with a respective one of the moving direction lines. The control element for each moving direction line is arranged on the housing on a respective one of the surface portions; the control element for the movement along the needle axis direction being provided on an inclined surface portion (28) that is aligned with the inclined needle axis direction.

A method is disclosed comprising obtaining or acquiring chemical or other non-mass spectrometric data from one or more regions of a target using a chemical sensor. The chemical or other non-mass spectrometric data may be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then be used to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.

A method is disclosed comprising obtaining or acquiring image or other data from one or more regions of a target using an imaging sensor. The image or other data may then be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then be used to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.

Devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are directed to efficient and accurate removal of tissue from a three-dimensional anatomic structure, such as a breast, of a patient. For example, a cup can be positioned on the patient's breast to conform the breast (e.g. via suction) to a known three-dimensional contour, and a cutting tip can be moved along the three-dimensional contour at one or more predetermined distances from at least one surface of the cup. The cutting tip can remove tissue along the three-dimensional contour to form a skin envelope. As compared to a manual process performed by a surgeon, formation of the envelope through controlled movement of the cutting tip along the three-dimensional contour can improve control over dimensions of the envelope, thus, facilitating achievement of consistent outcomes by reducing the likelihood of complications associated with an envelope that is too thick, too thin, or uneven.

An apparatus for mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from a target and one or more second devices arranged and adapted to aspirate aerosol, smoke, vapour and/or liquid to or towards an analyser. A liquid trap or separator is provided to capture and/or discard liquid aspirated by the one or more second devices.

A device and methods for performing a simulated CT biopsy on a region of interest on a patient. The device comprises a gantry (22) configured to mount an x-ray emitter (24) and CT detector (26) on opposing sides of the gantry, a motor (28) rotatably coupled to the gantry such that the gantry rotates horizontally about the region of interest, and a high resolution x-ray detector (172) positioned adjacent the CT detector in between the CT detector and the x-ray emitter.

The invention is based on the surprising finding that SIK3 is associated with resistance against anti-tumour immune responses. In particular, the invention provides methods for treating proliferative diseases using inhibitors of SIK3, especially nucleic acid or small molecule inhibitors of SIK3. Also provided are methods of sensitising cells involved with a proliferative disorder against the cytotoxic effect of certain pro-inflammatory signalling pathways, and/or to kill such cells and/or methods for treating proliferative diseases, using a SIK3 inhibitor together with ligands or agonists of such signalling pathways. Other methods provided by the invention include those involving SIK3 inhibitors to enhance or overcome certain side effects associated with treatments that utilise such signalling pathways, as well as diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring methods and kits based on the detection of SIK3 in a sample obtained from a subject, and screening methods useful for identifying or characterising inhibitors of SIK3.