Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide improved capability to predict the risk of recurrence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) conditions using whole slide image analysis based on machine learning techniques. For example, in an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for determining treatment of a patient may comprise receiving an image of living tissue of a patient, annotating the entire image into tissue structures, extracting texture features from the annotated image, determining a distribution of the extracted texture features relative to tissue conditions, classifying the patient into a risk group based on the distribution, and treating the patient accordingly based on the risk group.

An apparatus for use with a minimally invasive medical procedure into human breast tissue includes a cannula and an obturator. The cannula includes an open distal end, a lateral opening proximate to the open distal end, and a longitudinal lumen communicating with the lateral opening and the open distal end. The lumen has a non-circular cross-section. The obturator is sized for insertion into the cannula. The obturator has a distal end extending from the open distal end of the cannula when the obturator is inserted fully into the cannula. The obturator has a recess proximate of the distal end of the obturator. The recess is positioned along a portion of the length of the obturator to align with the lateral opening of the cannula when the obturator is inserted fully into the cannula.

A method of inhibiting cancer cell metastasis in a subject by providing a biopsy marker device constructed of a polymeric material, the polymeric material containing an anti-inflammatory agent which is releasable over an extended period of time from the polymeric material after the biopsy marker device has been implanted in a tissue of the subject, and implanting the biopsy marker device into a tissue cavity of the subject, wherein the tissue cavity is caused by a biopsy performed on a tumor in the subject, and wherein release of the anti-inflammatory agent from the polymeric material does not begin for at least 18 to 24 hours after implantation and continues for at least 14 to 60 days after implantation. Metastasis of cancer cells from the tissue cavity is inhibited when the tumor is cancerous. The tissue may be, for example, breast, lung, prostate, pancreas, liver, kidney, uterus, ovary, intestine, stomach, or neck tissue.

What is disclosed is a system and method for automatically segmenting a breast from surrounding tissue in a thermal image. A thermal image of at least one breast of the patient is received. The thermal image is then analyzed to identify a set of N points around the breast, a contour of an outline of the body, and isotherms of the axilla and infra-mammary fold. Thereafter, the points are connected together to form a N-sided irregular polygon which segments the breast from surrounding tissue. Each of the points is a vertex of the polygon and comprises a draggable object which enables a user to selectively manipulate a shape of the polygon. A user can add/delete vertices from the polygon as desired. The area of the image encompassed by the polygon is communicated to a breast cancer screening algorithm performing automated or semi-automated screening.

In one aspect, an elastography system includes an elastography device and a position sensing device connected to the elastography device. The elastography device includes a housing, a probing element removably attached to the housing, and a force sensor attached within the housing, where the force sensor is connected to the probing element. In another aspect, an elastography) method includes inserting a probing element into a material, producing, by a force sensor connected to a base of the probing element a signal indicative of a force applied to the probing element upon insertion of the probing element into the material, and based on the signal, deriving a mapping of spatial variations of a material property within the material.

The invention provides systems and methods for tissue-mounted photonics. Devices of some embodiments implement photonic sensing and actuation in flexible and/stretchable device architectures compatible with achieving long term, mechanically robust conformal integration with a range of tissue classes, including in vivo biometric sensing for internal and external tissues. Tissue-mounted photonic systems of some embodiments include colorimetric, fluorometric and/or spectroscopic photonics sensors provided in pixelated array formats on soft, elastomeric substrates to achieve spatially and/or or temporally resolved sensing of tissue and/or environmental properties, while minimize adverse physical effects to the tissue. Tissue-mounted photonic systems of some embodiments enable flexible passive or active optical sensing modalities, including sensing compatible with optical readout using a mobile electronic devices such as a mobile phone or tablet computer.

Optical data is obtained from a pair of breasts, employing a simultaneous bilateral referencing protocol, and is subsequently analyzed employing a self-referencing data analysis method. Optical measurements can be performed on both breasts simultaneously under various protocols, including resting-state measures and evoked responses. Sensing hardware and data collection protocols are economical and can be implemented without patient discomfort. The natural variance inherently associated with optical measures of the breast is reduced by: imposition of substantially symmetric boundary conditions; collection of simultaneous bilateral dynamic measures; referencing measurement data of one breast to measurement data from another.

Methods, devices, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for performing mammography, such as utilizing tomosynthesis in combination with breast biopsy.

A device for analyzing a liquid sample. The device includes an inlet for receiving the sample, a reaction chamber, an analysis module, and at least one pump for moving fluid within the one or more flow paths. The device includes one or more flow paths arranged so as to provide a fluid flow path between the inlet and the reaction chamber, and a fluid flow path between the reaction chamber and the analysis module. The device may be used for analyzing a liquid sample, such as, but not limited to nipple aspirate fluid (NAF).

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: (a) using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target in vitro or ex vivo cell population; (b) mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and (c) analysing said spectrometric data in order to identify and/or characterise said target cell population or one or more cells and/or compounds present in said target cell population.