Abstract: A system and method for widening a narrowed blood vessel in a patient, the system including a guidewire, a balloon catheter having an enlarging balloon, and a tubular support sleeve having at least one support balloon. The support balloon is inflated to mechanically support the advancement of the balloon catheter into a narrowed segment of the blood vessel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds of Formula (I) which are multimeric forms of a monomeric binding peptide linearly bonded to PEG moieties to form the multimers. The multimeric forms stimulate angiogenesis and promote wound healing. The disclosure also includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising the multimers, including compositions suitable for topical or systemic administration.

Abstract: Metabolite profiles are generated from magnetic resonance images. These metabolite profiles indicate a topography of the metabolites in one or more anatomical regions. The magnetic resonance images can be metabolite images, such as those obtained using hyperpolarized 13C-MRI. The metabolite profiles can be generated by parcellating the magnetic resonance images into different regions, computing z-scores for those regions, and generating the metabolite profile based on the computed z-scores.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an imaging probe with a rotatable core which allows for rotating imaging assembly that is larger in diameter than the lumen in which the rotatable core resides, as well as methods to construct said probes. The imaging probes are generally elongate flexible imaging catheters for use in cardiovascular procedures. The ability to have a smaller lumen to hold the rotatable core simplifies the inclusion of other functional components to the catheter and may improve the quality of the images produced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for marking the location and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest, such as a tumor, using magnetic seeds whose position and orientation are measured or otherwise detected using a detection device that includes two or more magnetic sensors are described. One or more magnetic seeds are implanted to mark and define the center and extent of an anatomical region-of-interest and a magnetic sensor-based detector system is used to accurately identify the location of the magnetic seeds.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance (“MR”) visible markers for use in MR-guided placement of brachytherapy seeds, and for use in other MR-guided interventional procedures, are described. The MR-visible markers generally include a tube in which an absorbent thread assembly is disposed. The tube is made fluid-tight by sealing it at both ends with suitable end plugs. The absorbent thread assembly is soaked in a suitable MR-visible fluid.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for using a laser-induced demagnetization of magnetic particles disbursed in a tracking marker to generate variable susceptibility effects that can be imaged with magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”). As one example, laser power is delivered to nickel particles using fiber optics. This demagnetization effect can be used in rapid tracking of interventional devices by subtracting the two images acquired when the laser is off and on.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bioprinter that enables the in situ formation of architected planar biomaterials and tissues by translating a printer head along a deposition surface, such as skin wounds. In handheld configurations of of the instrument, cell-laden biopolymer solutions are perfused through a moving microfabricated printhead and deposited onto a stationary planar surface or a wound. The printer head may be translated via a drive mechanism. Different embodiments of the instrument are disclosed form vivo application in small animals, as well as for large animal and clinical application. A stationary embodiment of the instrument is well suited for the continuous formation and roll-to-roll processing of planar biomaterials and tissues.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for visualizing thermal ablation lesions by imaging specific chemical compounds that are created during thermal ablation procedures, such as cardiac ablation procedures. When a cardiac ablation procedure is performed, a central area of coagulative necrosis is created at the treatment site. This necrotic region is surrounded by layers of tissues with ultra-structural and electrophysiological changes. Two particular changes include the denaturation of proteins and the formation of ferric iron containing chemical compounds, such as methemoglobin and metmyoglobin. The formation of and distribution of such chemical compounds can be imaged with the appropriate systems and methods. Accordingly, these chemical compounds can be utilized as biomarkers that indicate the presence and physical characteristics of thermal ablation lesions. Imaging can be performed using magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging, or photoacoustic imaging, as examples.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing transcranial diagnostic procedures using a transcranial ultrasound transducer array. The array elements are positioned and oriented such that far field regions respectively associated therewith spatially overlap within the brain of a patient. The array elements may be oriented approximately normal to the skull, permitting efficient coupling of ultrasound energy into the brain. The array elements are controlled to generate ultrasound pulses, where the timing of the pulses is controlled, based on registration between the array elements and volumetric image data, such that ultrasound energy is focused at a target within spatially overlapping far fields of the array elements. The transcranial ultrasound transducer array elements may be positioned and oriented relative to the skull such that their respective ultrasound beams are focused within the skull and diverging with the brain.

Abstract: Intravascular imaging catheters are provided that include a distal sheath portion having a lumen that is configured to optionally receive a guidewire or an imaging assembly. The distal sheath portion may be configured to have dimensions such that when a guidewire is inserted through the lumen and extends through a distal exit port, the distal sheath portion may be employed as a microcatheter. External tissue may be imaged at a location at or near the distal end of the catheter, enabling, for example, the controlled imaging of a total occlusion, and the positioning of the distal end (and guidewire) within a true lumen associated with a total occlusion. A structural stop may be provided at or near the distal end of the distal sheath portion to prohibit extension of the imaging assembly out of the distal exit port, while permitting the extension of the guidewire through the distal exit port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using quantitative ultrasound (“QUS”) techniques to generate imaging biomarkers that can be used to assess a prediction of tumor response to different chemotherapy treatment regimens are provided. For instance, the imaging biomarkers can be used to subtype tumors that have resistance to certain chemotherapy regimens prior to drug exposure. These imaging biomarkers can therefore be useful for predicting tumor response and for assessing the prognostic value of particular treatment regimens.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for knowledge-based brachytherapy planning. These systems and methods are capable of automatically generating treatment plans for prostate brachytherapy in clinically relevant times. Primitive features computed from anatomical contours of the target organ are used to retrieve a template plan from a database. The template plan is then adjusted in a stochastic search algorithm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the denoising of images in the presence of broadband noise based on the detection and/or estimation of in-band noise. According to various example embodiments, an estimate of broadband noise that lies within the imaging band is made by detecting or characterizing the out-of-band noise that lies outside of the imaging band. This estimated in-band noise may be employed for denoise the detected imaging waveform. According to other example embodiments, a reference receive circuit that is sensitive to noise within the imaging band, but is isolated from the imaging energy, may be employed to detect and/or characterize the noise within the imaging band. The estimated reference noise may be employed to denoise the detected in-band imaging waveform.

Abstract: A system for monitoring doses from an ionizing radiation source to a treatment region of a patient and immobilizing a body cavity relative to the treatment region, is provided. The system includes a probe body for insertion into the body cavity. The probe body separates the body cavity from the treatment region to reduce exposure to doses from the ionizing radiation source. Radiation detectors are disposed along the probe body to measure at least one dose. A slot disposed adjacent the radiation detectors receives a dosimetry film that, upon exposure to the one or more doses from the ionizing radiation source, indicates a quantification of the doses. A coupling is in fluid communication with a removable sheath having coupled thereto a vacuum or a pump to remove fluid or gas from the body cavity and ensure inner wall of the body cavity is in contact with the sheath.

Abstract: A positioning and alignment instrument, and methods of use thereof, are provided for facilitating the alignment and insertion of a device, such as a guide wire, into bone. The instrument includes a handheld anchoring component and a rotatable guidance component. During use, the anchoring component is anchored into bone via anchoring protrusions, such that the position and orientation of the anchoring component is fixed relative to the bone. The guidance component, which is mechanically supported by the anchoring component, includes a device guide channel for receiving the device and guiding the device towards an insertion location adjacent to the distal end of the anchoring component. The guidance component is rotatable relative to the anchoring component about a rotation axis that is located adjacent to the distal end of the anchoring component, such that the insertion location remains adjacent to the distal end of the anchoring component under rotation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of treating prostate cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a vasopressin analogue.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the delivery of ultrasound energy to a subject is provided. In particular, such a system and method are capable of safely disrupting the blood-brain barrier. Ultrasound energy is delivered to produce cavitation of an ultrasound contrast agent at a selected pressure value. An acoustic signal is acquired following cavitation, from which a signal spectrum is produced. The signal spectrum is analyzed for the presence of harmonics, such as subharmonics or ultraharmonics. When subharmonics or ultraharmonics are present, the pressure value is decreased for subsequent sonications. If a previous sonication resulted in no subharmonics or ultraharmonics being generated, then the pressure value may be increased. In this manner, the blood-brain barrier can be advantageously disrupted while mitigating potentially injurious effects of the sonication.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to process and/or display data collected using 3D imaging probes. The methods include: a) methods for mapping a single 2D frame onto a 3D representation of a volume; b) methods for dynamically updating portions of a 3D representation of a volume with a high temporal resolution, while leaving the remainder of the volume for contextual reference; c) methods for registering volumetric datasets acquired with high temporal resolution with volumetric datasets acquired with relatively low temporal resolution in order to estimate relative displacement between the datasets; and d) methods for identifying structures within a volume and applying visual cues to the structures in subsequent volumes containing the structures.