Abstract: Methods for assessing perfusion in a portion of tissue in an animal may include administering a fluorescent dye to the animal such that the fluorescent dye enters the portion of tissue, exciting the fluorescent dye within the portion of tissue with a source of illumination such that the fluorescent dye emits radiation, capturing the radiation emitted by the fluorescent dye with a camera, and obtaining at least one image of the fluorescence radiation emitted from the portion of tissue

Abstract: There is provided a method and a system for quantification of absolute blood flow in tissue using near-infrared fluorescence angiography in conjunction with photoplethysmography (fluorescence-mediated photoplethysmography). The method and system of the present invention provide absolute, real-time measurements of flow in terms of volume/time/area based upon measurement of fluorescence intensity.

Abstract: Method for assessing the patency of a patient's blood vessel, advantageously during or after treatment of that vessel by an invasive procedure, comprising administering a fluorescent dye to the patient; obtaining at least one angiographic image of the vessel portion; and evaluating the at least one angiographic image to assess the patency of the vessel portion. Other related methods are contemplated, including methods for assessing perfusion in selected body tissue, methods for evaluating the potential of vessels for use in creation of AV fistulas, methods for determining the diameter of a vessel, and methods for locating a vessel located below the surface of a tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, kits, and compositions for medical imaging relating to fluorescent dyes entrapped in erythrocytes. Also disclosed therein are methods, and compositions further comprising erythrocytes entrapping at least one therapeutically active agent, as well as methods for releasing the entrapped therapeutically active agent(s). Disclosed herein also are methods for preparation of the cells entrapping dye and therapeutically active agent(s) in a freeze-dried form that makes them readily available and easy to use in a clinical environment.

Abstract: Method for assessing the patency of a patient's blood vessel, advantageously during or after treatment of that vessel by an invasive procedure, comprising administering a fluorescent dye to the patient; obtaining at least one angiographic image of the vessel portion; and evaluating the at least one angiographic image to assess the patency of the vessel portion. Other related methods are contemplated, including methods for assessing perfusion in selected body tissue, methods for evaluating the potential of vessels for use in creation of AV fistulas, methods for determining the diameter of a vessel, and methods for locating a vessel located below the surface of a tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for imaging nerve cells. The composition comprises a fluorescent dye; and a viral component selected from a neurotropic, replication-defective virus, a viral protein of a neurotropic virus, and a capsid of a neurotropic virus. Although the fluorescent dye in itself cannot penetrate nerve cells, the fluorescent dye is bound to the viral component to form a dye/viral component complex that is capable of penetrating nerve cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for imaging nerve cells. The composition comprises a fluorescent dye; and a viral component selected from a neurotropic, replication-defective virus, a viral protein of a neurotropic virus, and a capsid of a neurotropic virus. Although the fluorescent dye in itself cannot penetrate nerve cells, the fluorescent dye is bound to the viral component to form a dye/viral component complex that is capable of penetrating nerve cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, kits, and compositions for medical imaging relating to fluorescent dyes entrapped in erythrocytes. Also disclosed therein are methods, and compositions further comprising erythrocytes entrapping at least one therapeutically active agent, as well as methods for releasing the entrapped therapeutically active agent(s). Disclosed herein also are methods for preparation of the cells entrapping dye and therapeutically active agent(s) in a freeze-dried form that makes them readily available and easy to use in a clinical environment.

Abstract: Method for assessing the patency of a patient's blood vessel, advantageously during or after treatment of that vessel by an invasive procedure, comprising administering a fluorescent dye to the patient; obtaining at least one angiographic image of the vessel portion; and evaluating the at least one angiographic image to assess the patency of the vessel portion. Other related methods are contemplated, including methods for assessing perfusion in selected body tissue, methods for evaluating the potential of vessels for use in creation of AV fistulas, methods for determining the diameter of a vessel, and methods for locating a vessel located below the surface of a tissue.

Abstract: Endoscopic identification and dissection of a blood vessel in tissue during endoscopic harvest can be enhanced by injecting a bolus of ICG into the bloodstream, illuminating the target vessels with excitation light capable of exciting fluorescence in the ICG, and locating the vessel to be harvested by observing the ICG fluorescence. Moreover, collapsed blood vessel may be harvested by inserting an endoscope into the collapsed blood vessel, injecting into the collapsed blood vessel a bolus containing ICG to re-inflate the blood vessel, illuminating the target vessels with excitation light capable of exciting fluorescence in the ICG; and locating the re-inflated blood vessel by observing the ICG fluorescence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for imaging nerve cells. The composition comprises a fluorescent dye; and a viral component selected from a neurotropic, replication-defective virus, a viral protein of a neurotropic virus, and a capsid of a neurotropic virus. Although the fluorescent dye in itself cannot penetrate nerve cells, the fluorescent dye is bound to the viral component to form a dye/viral component complex that is capable of penetrating nerve cells.

Abstract: Aqueous indocyanine green (ICG) composition exhibiting enhanced stability, as well as enhanced ICG concentration, as compared to presently available ICG products. The composition comprises an aqueous ICG composition comprising ICG at a concentration of at least about 10 mg/ml and an aqueous diluent, wherein the composition is stable for at least 24 hours. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods for using these aqueous compositions are also contemplated, e.g., angiography, dye-enhanced photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, for a variety of conditions, including Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), lesions and tumors.

Abstract: Method for assessing the patency of a patient's blood vessel, advantageously during or after treatment of that vessel by an invasive procedure, comprising administering a fluorescent dye to the patient; obtaining at least one angiographic image of the vessel portion; and evaluating the at least one angiographic image to assess the patency of the vessel portion. Other related methods are contemplated, including methods for assessing perfusion in selected body tissue, methods for evaluating the potential of vessels for use in creation of AV fistulas, methods for determining the diameter of a vessel, and methods for locating a vessel located below the surface of a tissue.

Abstract: Aqueous indocyanine green (ICG) composition exhibiting enhanced stability, as well as enhanced ICG concentration, as compared to presently available ICG products. The composition comprises an aqueous ICG composition comprising ICG at a concentration of at least about 10 mg/ml and an aqueous diluent, wherein the composition is stable for at least 24 hours. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods for using these aqueous compositions are also contemplated, e.g., angiography, dye-enhanced photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, for a variety of conditions, including Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), lesions and tumors.

Abstract: Use of radiation-absorbing dyes (e.g., indocyanine green (ICG), fluorescein, rose bengal) and photodynamic dyes (e.g., hematoporphyrins, aminolevulinic acids, porphyrins, merocyanines, porphycenes, porfimer sodium, verteporfin, Photofrin II, PH-10, chlorins, zinc phthalocyanine, purpurins, pheophorbides, monoclonal antibody-dye conjugates of any of the foregoing dyes) for the treatment of conditions associated with abnormal vasculature, including, generally, lesions, and, more specifically, tumors (cancerous and benign) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

Abstract: Methods concerning medical uses for fluorescent dyes, e.g., Indocyanine green (ICG), fluorescein, rose bengal, for diagnosis and treatment. Methods for enhancing the clarity of fluorescent dye angiograms using relatively high dye concentrations, methods for determining the direction of blood flow within a blood vessel using fluorescent dye angiograms, and methods of identifying blood vessels that feed a lesion, such as a CNV or tumor. Methods of reducing the flow of blood into lesions incorporating dye-enhanced photocoagulation are also provided.

Abstract: A method for visualizing the choriocapillaris of the eye in a sequence of ICG angiographic images comprising subtracting each image in the angiographic sequence from a succeeding image. In practice, a modified fundus camera is used to provide digitized images which are subtracted pixel by pixel. To better visualize aberrant vascular structures such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a fundus camera is modified with a polarizing filter in front of the light source and an analyzing polarizer in front of the video camera. This results in the suppression of unwanted scattered fluorescence to the extent that the CNV can be better visualized. To assist the surgeon in treating aberrant vascular structures with laser photocoagulation therapy, a fundus camera is provided with two light sources and two barrier filters operating synchronously to produce and pass two different fluorescences thereby generating precisely superimposable angiographs to aid in aiming the laser.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention allow a neovascular membrane in the ocular vasculature of the fundus of the eye to be identified and treated while minimizing damage to the sensory retina. First a bolus of fluorescent dye is injected and allowed to circulate through the ocular vasculature. When the fundus is diffusely irradiated with laser energy, dye present in the vasculature fluoresces. A neovascular membrane is identified when a particular area of fluorescence differs from the fluorescence of the surrounding normal vasculature. To treat the neovascular membrane, a second laser is focused on the site of the membrane and a second bolus of fluorescent dye is injected. When the presence of the second injection of dye is detected, energy from the focused laser is applied to damage or destroy the neovascular membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for continuously monitoring hemoglobin saturation in the blood of premature infants. A substantial portion of the eye fundus is illuminated by passing at least two frequencies of light through the pupillary opening. The light scattered from the fundus is collected as it passes out through the pupillary opening and its intensity is measured. Calculations known in the art are used to determine blood hemoglobin based on the intensity of the scattered light. A contact lens with associated fiber optic links is used to illuminate the infant eye and to collect the scattered light.