Abstract: There is described herein a method of enriching a population of stem cells for hematopoietic progenitors. The method comprises inducing hematopoietic differentiation in a population of human embryonic stem cells or human induced pluripotent stem cells; sorting the population based on expression of CD43 and at least one of CD34, CD31 and CD144; and selecting a fraction that is at least one of CD34+CD43?, CD31+CD43? and CD144+CD43?. Also provided are populations of hematopoietic progenitors obtained by the methods described herein.

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.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for high-frequency contrast imaging and image-guided therapeutics are disclosed. According to one aspect a method for high frequency contrast imaging and image-guided therapeutics includes: providing ultrasound of a first frequency bandwidth, directed toward the volume to be imaged, the volume containing a carrier having non-linear acoustical properties, wherein the ultrasound of the first frequency bandwidth causes the carrier to generate ultrasound of a second frequency bandwidth that is different from the first frequency bandwidth; receiving, from the volume to be imaged, ultrasound of the second frequency bandwidth; and using the received ultrasound of the second frequency bandwidth to generate an image of the volume to be imaged, wherein the components of the second frequency bandwidth that are detected are of a frequency greater than 20 MHz.

Abstract: Electrodes for use in neural stimulation applications, shaped to have fractal or pseudo-fractal geometries, with a generally planar core portion of the electrode using a base fractal geometry. A series of successively smaller holes is provided in the core portion, where each hole in the generally planar core portion can have a perimeter shape that is self-similar to a perimeter shape of the generally planar core portion. The selected electrode geometry affects the spatial distribution of the electric field in neuron-bearing tissue. This spatial distribution is related to the irregularity—or non-uniformity—of current density on the electrode surface. Optimized electrode geometries increase the efficiency of neural stimulation by maximizing the spatial variation of current density on the electrode surface.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a medical procedure is provided. The system includes a device having a shaft that generally extends from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis. The distal end of the device is configured to identify a topographical profile of a lumen, wherein the topographical profile is determined by traversing the device a distance along the longitudinal axis of the lumen. The device also includes at least one of a plurality of projections movably coupled to the distal end and configured to provide a coupling with the lumen by extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and at least one radiopaque marker coupled to the distal end and designed to provide a contrast during imaging of the device.

Abstract: A tissue slicer system that includes a tissue slicing mold capable of producing very thin (e.g., on the order of 3 mm) and uniform slices to be captured from whole, fresh tissue specimens, notably breast lumpectomies, while minimizing distortion. These thin, uniform whole-specimen slices of the fresh surgical specimen increase the area of tissue available for inspection, reduce the amount of tissue lost in trimming during microtomy, and permit tissue processing for producing whole-mount sections.

Abstract: A system and method for combining k-space data acquired on multiple different receiver channels in a multichannel receiver is provided. One or more convolution kernels are used to combine the k-space data. Each convolution kernel is designed as the combination of one or more channel combination kernels and an alias-suppressing kernel. The channel combination kernels are designed to have a smaller sample spacing than the acquired data, and the alias-suppressing kernel is designed to suppress aliasing artifacts in stopbands defined by the sample spacing of the channel combination kernels.

Abstract: The present application provides a multilayer lateral mode coupling method for phased array construction and transducer devices built accordingly. This disclosure describes and demonstrates that the electrical impedance of a phased array can be substantially reduced and readily controlled to be close to the source impedance. The fabrication process is relatively simple and inexpensive. In addition, the elements are robust for use in 1.5, 2, 3 or other dimensional configurations, over an extended period of operation, without structural failure, and providing a high power output required for imaging and/or medical therapy applications.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for automating the acquisition and analysis of contrast enhancement images. Model-free discrimination methods are provided in which discrimination between well-perfused pixels (e.g. normal tissue) and perfusion-deficient pixels (e.g. ablation lesions) is automated based on histogram shape. For example, in selected embodiments, discrimination is made based on pixels corresponding to abnormal perfusion (e.g. ablation lesions) and normal perfusion (e.g. normal tissue) form distinctive lobes separated by a minimum formed due to the presence of border pixels. Segmentation of cumulative dynamic contrast enhancement maps by thresholds identified on such histograms is employed to separate abnormally-perfused tissue from the normally-perfused tissue without any user interactions, freeing the user from the necessity to analyze and interpret original dynamic contrast enhancement images or maps derived from them.

Abstract: There is described herein a method of enriching a population of stem cells for hematopoietic progenitors. The method comprises inducing hematopoietic differentiation in a population of human embryonic stem cells or human induced pluripotent stem cells; sorting the population based on expression of CD43 and at least one of CD34, CD31 and CD144; and selecting a fraction that is at least one of CD34+CD43?, CD31+CD43? and CD144+CD43?. Also provided are populations of hematopoietic progenitors obtained by the methods described herein.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for delivering increased amounts of energy to localized treatment zones at a target location are provided. In some instances, using gated pulses of ultrasound in a multi-frequency applicator, microbubbles are generated or excited in or near the target location, for example in a patient's tissue or blood stream for enhanced delivery of ultrasound energy to the patient. Applications include ablation of diseased tissue, thrombolysis, blood-brain barrier disruption or tissue diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating breast cancer in a human and to pharmaceutical combinations useful in such treatment. In particular, the method relates to a breast cancer treatment method that includes administering 5-[[4-[(2,3-dimethyl-2H-indazol-6-yl)methylamino]-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]-2-methylbenzenesulfonamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (S)-10-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-4-ethyl-4,9-dihydroxy-1H-pyrano[3?,4?:6,7]indolizino[1,2-b]quinoline-3,14-(4H,12H)-dione, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a human in need thereof.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a device and a method that can be used to determine a Heart Failure (HF) risk score for an individual with a risk of acute heart failure. The technique comprises employing a HF risk model that uses demographic, transportation, vital signs, blood test, medication and pre-existing co-morbid information to determine the HF risk score for the individual.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for delivering increased amounts of energy to localized treatment zones in a target tissue volume are provided. In some instances the non-linear wave propagation and other properties of the treatment apparatus and propagation medium as well as novel beam forming and control of the treatment apparatus are employed to generate extended focal zones for efficient treatment of a condition in a patient.