Importance

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Abstract

An imaging device includes a flexible substrate, a flexible video screen disposed on the substrate, and a scanner operatively connected to the video screen for providing thereto a video signal encoding an image of objects located near the substrate. The scanner is provided with an analyzing component in the form of a specially programmed digital computer for analyzing scanner sensor signals and determining therefrom three-dimensional shapes of the objects. In medical diagnosis and treatment procedures, the substrate with the video screen is disposed on a selected body portion of a patient, for example, the abdomen or a shoulder or knee, so that the substrate and the video screen substantially conform to the selected body portion and so that the video screen is facing away from the body portion. After the disposition of the substrate and the video screen on the selected body portion of the patient, the scanner is operated to provide a video signal to the video screen, the video signal encoding an image of internal organs of the patient. The video screen is operated to reproduce the image so that internal organ representations as displayed on the video screen substantially overlie respective corresponding actual organs of the patient. Thus, for many purposes and applications, it appears to the user that he or she is able to see through the skin and other overlying tissues to selected underlying organs.

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First Claim