Abstract: Provided are instrument treatment systems, the systems including an insertable portion, the insertable portion being configured for insertion into the bore of a medical imaging system, the insertable portion comprising at least one source of UVC radiation, the insertable portion optionally being constructed to as to be essentially non-interactive with and non-affect by a magnetic field of the medical imaging system. Also provided are related methods of operating the disclosed systems as well as methods of sanitizing the internal bore of a medical imaging system, such as a magnetic resonance system.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for non-blood contact mechanically assisting an injured (e.g., infarcted) ventricle by coupling an inflatable bladder or other volume adjustable device to the injured ventricle and selectively inflating the bladder or increasing the size of the volume in systole to apply force against the injured ventricle and deflating the bladder or reducing the size of the volume in diastole to remove force against the injured ventricle. When no mechanical assistance is being provided to the injured ventricle, the inflatable bladder or volume adjustable device is preferably maintained at a predetermined pressure so as to selectively stiffen the injured tissue and alter ventricular geometry a desired amount.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for non-blood contact mechanically assisting an injured (e.g., infarcted) ventricle by coupling an inflatable bladder or other volume adjustable device to the injured ventricle and selectively inflating the bladder or increasing the size of the volume in systole to apply force against the injured ventricle and deflating the bladder or reducing the size of the volume in diastole to remove force against the injured ventricle. When no mechanical assistance is being provided to the injured ventricle, the inflatable bladder or volume adjustable device is preferably maintained at a predetermined pressure so as to selectively stiffen the injured tissue and alter ventricular geometry a desired amount.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods that deform tissue synchronous with an MR imaging cycle, as well as devices and methods for determination of dynamic determination of one or more mechanical properties of the tissue, including properties of muscle tissue. Such determination can be performed with and without imaging of the tissue being evaluated.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for non-blood contact mechanically assisting an injured (e.g., infarcted) ventricle by coupling an inflatable bladder or other volume adjustable device to the injured ventricle and selectively inflating the bladder or increasing the size of the volume in systole to apply force against the injured ventricle and deflating the bladder or reducing the size of the volume in diastole to remove force against the injured ventricle. When no mechanical assistance is being provided to the injured ventricle, the inflatable bladder or volume adjustable device is preferably maintained at a predetermined pressure so as to selectively stiffen the injured tissue and alter ventricular geometry a desired amount.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for non-blood contact mechanically assisting an injured (e.g., infarcted) ventricle by coupling an inflatable bladder or other volume adjustable device to the injured ventricle and selectively inflating the bladder or increasing the size of the volume in systole to apply force against the injured ventricle and deflating the bladder or reducing the size of the volume in diastole to remove force against the injured ventricle. When no mechanical assistance is being provided to the injured ventricle, the inflatable bladder or volume adjustable device is preferably maintained at a predetermined pressure so as to selectively stiffen the injured tissue and alter ventricular geometry a desired amount.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for applying low magnetic fields (<400 G) to mammalian cells, tissues and organs for protection from the damaging effects of ionizing radiation and other oxygen dependent injuries that involve the radical pair mechanism. The magnetic fields are generated by fixed magnets or active magnets and used to enhance the survival of healthy cells during radiation treatment for cancer, to protect workers from radiation within nuclear power plants, to protect astronauts from radiation during long space voyages, to increase working time in exposed environments, to provide a safe room in hazardous locations, and to protect normal tissue during radiation treatment and in medical imaging modalities that use ionizing radiation (X-ray, CT, mammography). The method described herein may also be used to mitigate the damaging effects of reperfusion, stroke, oxygen toxicity, inflammation, autoimmune disease, and the like by applying protective magnetic fields.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for applying low magnetic fields (<400 G) to mammalian cells, tissues and organs for protection from the damaging effects of ionizing radiation and other oxygen dependent injuries that involve the radical pair mechanism. The magnetic fields are generated by fixed magnets or active magnets and used to enhance the survival of healthy cells during radiation treatment for cancer, to protect workers from radiation within nuclear power plants, to protect astronauts from radiation during long space voyages, to increase working time in exposed environments, to provide a safe room in hazardous locations, and to protect normal tissue during radiation treatment and in medical imaging modalities that use ionizing radiation (X-ray, CT, mammography). The method described herein may also be used to mitigate the damaging effects of reperfusion, stroke, oxygen toxicity, inflammation, autoimmune disease, and the like by applying protective magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for non-blood contact mechanically assisting an injured (e.g., infarcted) ventricle by coupling an inflatable bladder or other volume adjustable device to the injured ventricle and selectively inflating the bladder or increasing the size of the volume in systole to apply force against the injured ventricle and deflating the bladder or reducing the size of the volume in diastole to remove force against the injured ventricle. When no mechanical assistance is being provided to the injured ventricle, the inflatable bladder or volume adjustable device is preferably maintained at a predetermined pressure so as to selectively stiffen the injured tissue and alter ventricular geometry a desired amount.

Abstract: An occlusive cuff is placed around a limb (e.g. an arm) of a patient. A fluid, such as air, is pumped into the cuff, and the pressure in the cuff is measured. The pressure variation in the cuff with respect to time is caused by the pump and expansion/contraction of the arm caused by blood being pumped therethrough by the patient's heart. This variation in pressure is used to calculate systolic and diastolic pressure, artery lumen area compliance and artery volume compliance, artery lumen area, and the blood flow rate through the patient's arteries (e.g. the brachial artery for the case of the patient's arm, or the femoral artery or the case of the patient's leg).