Abstract: A needle guide for decreasing the incidence of needle injury to an operator who is accessing the interior of a container, such as a medical fluid container, by an accessing device, such as a syringe with a needle attached to the distal end of the syringe. A device for decreasing the incidence of needle injury to an operator who is accessing the interior of the container by an accessing device, such as a syringe with a needle attached to the distal end of the syringe, the device comprising a container, such as a medical fluid container, with an integrated needle guide. A method of decreasing the incidence of needle injury to an operator who is accessing the interior of a container, such as a medical fluid container, by an accessing device, such as a syringe with a needle attached to the distal end of the syringe, the method comprising providing a needle guide according to the present invention, or providing a device comprising a container with an integrated needle guide according to the present invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilized for imaging joint regions are disclosed which utilize blood pool contrast agents and particular magnetic resonance imaging parameters, including fat-suppression, to obtain medically useful images of joints. In particular, the methods and apparatus provide medical personnel with accurate and detailed joint images, including joint spaces, which are useful for various therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for managing a medical services network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Diagnostic data about a patient is received from a diagnostic service source. This diagnostic data is obtained by the performance of a diagnostic service on the patient by the diagnostic service source. The diagnostic data is then sent to an interpreter who interprets the processed diagnostic data to generate an interpretation of the diagnostic data. The interpretation is received from the interpreter. Subsequently, the interpretation and/or the diagnostic data may be transmitted to a display via a network. The security of the patient records are optionally protected through password protection and public key encryption in accordance with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (“H.I.P.A.

Abstract: A focal magnetic resonance imaging system (20) for generating images of neural structures such as nerves. The system (20) includes a control and analysis system (22), a polarizing system (24), and splint-coil assembly (26). The splint-coil assembly (26) includes a splint (28) and various magnetic and electromagnetic coils (32,40,42) incorporated within the splint (28). The splint (28) conforms snugly to a patient's body part, e.g., limb, so that the coils (32,40,42) are fixed with respect to the patient's body part. The splint-coil assembly (26) can be positioned independently of a main field generated by the polarizing system (24), and a stabilization apparatus (156) is included for adjustably securing the position of the splint-coil assembly (26) during imaging. A focal magnet assembly (60) that can serve as the polarizing system (24) is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a means of cellular level therapy or prophylaxis whereby endocytosable particles are administered so as to emit cytotoxic radiation or to release metal cations having a therapeutic or prophylactic effect, eg. a vital replication suppressing effect, within cells such as macrophages following their uptake by these cells.

Abstract: A neurography system (10) is disclosed for generating diagnostically useful images of neural tissue (i.e., neurograms) employing a modified magnetic resonance imaging system (14). In one embodiment, the neurography system selectively images neural tissue by employing one or more gradients to discriminate diffusion anisotropy in the tissue and further enhances the image by suppressing the contribution of fat to the image. The neurography system is part of a broader medical system (12), which may include an auxiliary data collection system (22), diagnostic system (24), therapeutic system (26), surgical system (28), and training system (30). These various systems are all constructed to take advantage of the information provided by the neurography system regarding neural networks, which information was heretofore unavailable.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method for amplifying the polymerase activity of a nucleic acid polymerase using Group 3 ions. Group 3 ions of the subject invention can also be used to inhibit the enzymatic activity of nucleases. The subject invention further concerns a method for identifying an unknown nucleic acid polymerase or other enzymes in a sample.