Abstract: A method for analyzing a functional map of at least one tissue of a patient. The method comprises managing a plurality of functional maps each being associated with a plurality of first biological activity indications, receiving a functional map which is associated with a plurality of second biological activity indications, identifying a matching set of the managed functional maps by matching between the plurality of first and second biological activity indications, and using the matching set for a member of a group consisting of: an image data acquisition, a diagnosis of the received functional map, a classification of the received functional map.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling the flaking of coating fragments from medical implants and improving the delivery of therapeutic agents from such coatings are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stent that is useful for treating a vascular bifurcation, the stent having a plurality of segments extending coaxially end to end along a longitudinal axis of the stent from a first end to a second end of the stent, each segment having a plurality of struts extending in a zig-zag pattern around the circumference of the stent, wherein the stent is expandable from reduced diameter to an expanded diameter, the second end of the stent having a larger diameter than the first end when expanded; and an eyelet integrally formed with the segment positioned adjacent the second end, and configured to receive a radiopaque marker therein. The stent provides an improvement over prior stents for treating a vascular bifurcation by allowing the stent to be deployed in the widened transitional zone of a bifurcation such that the second end of the stent is accurately positioned at the carina.

Abstract: A method of radioimaging a myocardial perfusion, the method including in sequence: administering to a subject a low dose of a first radiopharmaceutical; subjecting the subject to a physical stress; administering to the subject at a peak of said physical stress a medium or high dose of a second radiopharmaceutical; and immediately radioimaging using a 3D non-coincidence imaging method a heart of the subject, thereby radioimaging a myocardial perfusion.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for delivery or implantation of prostheses within hollow body organs and vessels or other luminal anatomy are disclosed. The subject technologies may be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis in stenting procedures or be used in variety of other procedures. The systems may employ a self expanding stent restrained by one or more members released by an electrolytically erodable latch. Such release means do not connect directly to the implant, though one or more portions may contact it.

Abstract: A system for calculating a position of a radioactivity emitting source in a system-of-coordinates, the system comprising (a) a radioactive emission detector; (b) a position tracking system being connected to and/or communicating with the radioactive emission detector; and (c) a data processor being designed and configured for receiving data inputs from the position tracking system and from the radioactive emission detector and for calculating the position of the radioactivity emitting source in the system-of-coordinates.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for delivery or implantation of prostheses within hollow body organs and vessels or other luminal anatomy are disclosed. The subject technologies may be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis in stenting procedures or be used in variety of other procedures. The systems may employ a self expanding stent restrained by one or more members released by an electrolytically erodable latch. Such release means do not connect directly to the implant, though one or more portions may contact it.

Abstract: A radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, a method of using, and a method of making the stent. The stent includes a radially expandable body formed of one or more metallic filaments and a liquid-infusible mechanical anchoring layer attached to or formed in outer surface of the filaments. A drug coating in the stent is composed of a substantially polymer-free composition of an anti-restenosis drug, and has a substratum infused in the anchoring layer and a substantially continuous surface stratum of drug that is brought into direct contact with the vessel walls at the vascular site. Thus, the rate of release of the anti-restenosis drug from the surface stratum into said vascular site is determined solely by the composition of said drug coating.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing the reconstruction of an imaged volume is presented. The method includes the steps of performing an analysis of the reliability of reconstruction of a radioactive-emission density distribution of the volume from radiation detected over a specified set of views, and defining modifications to the reconstruction process and/or data collection process to improve the reliability of reconstruction, in accordance with the analysis.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for coating medical devices such as an intravascular stent, are disclosed in the method, a 2-D image of a stent is processed to determine (1) paths along the stent skeletal elements by which a stent secured to a rotating support element can be traversed by a dispenser head whose relative motion with respect to the support element is along the support-element axis, such that some or all of the stent skeletal elements will be traversed (2) the relative speeds of the dispenser head and support element as the dispenser head travels along the paths, and (3), and positions of the dispenser head with respect to a centerline of the stent elements as the dispenser head travels along such paths The rotational speed of the support and relative linear speed of the dispenser are controlled to achieve the desired coating thickness and coating coverage on the upper surfaces, and optionally, the side surfaces, of the stem elements

Abstract: Apparatus for radiation based imaging of a non-homogenous target area having distinguishable regions therein, comprises: an imaging unit configured to obtain radiation intensity data from a target region in the spatial dimensions and at least one other dimension, and an image four-dimension analysis unit analyzes the intensity data in the spatial dimension and said at least one other dimension in order to map the distinguishable regions. The system typically detects rates of change over time in signals from radiopharmaceuticals and uses the rates of change to identify the tissues. In a preferred embodiment, two or more radiopharmaceuticals are used, the results of one being used as a constraint on the other.

Abstract: An intravascular stent and method for inhibiting restenosis, following vascular injury, is disclosed. The stent has an expandable, linked-filament body and a drug-release coating formed on the stent-body filaments, for contacting the vessel injury site when the stent is placed in-situ in an expanded condition. The coating releases, for a period of at least 4 weeks, a restenosis-inhibiting amount of a monocyclic triene immunosuppressive compound having an alkyl group substituent at carbon position 40 in the compound. The stent, when used to treat a vascular injury, gives good protection against clinical restenosis, even when the extent of vascular injury involves vessel overstretching by more than 30% diameter. Also disclosed is a stent having a drug-release coating composed of (i) 10 and 60 weight percent poly-dl-lactide polymer substrate and (ii) 40-90 weight percent of an anti-restenosis compound, and a polymer undercoat having a thickness of between 1-5 microns.

Abstract: Protocols for radioimaging an event or disorder are provided. An exemplary protocol comprises a method of radioimaging a myocardial perfusion, the method comprising in sequence: (a) administering to a subject about 3 mCi Tl201 thallous chloride; (b) allowing said subject to rest; (c) radioimaging a heart of said subject; (d) subjecting said subject to a physical stress; (e) administering to said subject at a peak of said physical stress about 20-30 mCi Tc99m sestamibi; and (f) radioimaging said heart of said subject, thereby radioimaging a myocardial perfusion.

Abstract: A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views, for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical, the method being tailored to a specific body structure and optimized with respect to the information gained about the body structure and based on modeling body-structure, based on its geometry and anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure.

Abstract: Radioimaging methods, devices and radiopharmaceuticals therefor.

Abstract: A system of performing a volumetric scan. The system comprises a surface of positioning a patient in a space parallel thereto, a plurality of extendable detector arms each the detector arm having a detection unit having at least one radiation detector, and an actuator which moves the detection unit along a linear path, and a gantry which supports the plurality of extendable detector arms around the surface so that each the linear path of each respective the extendable detector arm being directed toward the space.

Abstract: A method for imaging is providing, including administering a teboroxime species to an adult human subject, administering TI-201-thallous chloride to the subject, performing a teboroxime species SPECT imaging procedure of the teboroxime species on a region of interest (ROI) of the subject, and, after administering the teboroxime species, performing a TI-201-thallous chloride SPECT imaging procedure of the TI-201-thallous chloride on the ROI. Administering the teboroxime species and the TI-201-thallous chloride and performing the teboroxime species and the TI-201-thallous chloride SPECT imaging procedures comprise administering the teboroxime species and the TI-201-thallous chloride and performing the teboroxime species and the TI-201-thallous chloride SPECT imaging procedures during a time period having a duration of no more than 30 minutes. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Radioimaging methods, devices and radiopharmaceuticals therefor.

Abstract: A device and method for treating pathological narrowing of fluid-carrying conduits of the human body (such as blood vessels) in an area of a bifurcation is disclosed. In particular, a stent delivery system configured to carry one or more of a pair of dissimilar stents. At least one of the stents is particularly suited for treating a widened portion of a blood vessel immediately proximal to a bifurcation. The stent delivery system can also include a handpiece adapted to selectively deliver the stents.

Abstract: An intravascular stent and method for inhibiting restenosis, following vascular injury, is disclosed. The stent has an expandable, linked-filament body and a drug-release coating formed on the stent-body filaments, for contacting the vessel injury site when the stent is placed in-situ in an expanded condition. The coating releases, for a period of at least 4 weeks, a restenosis-inhibiting amount of a monocyclic triene immunosuppressive compound having an alkyl group substituent at carbon position 40 in the compound. The stent, when used to treat a vascular injury, gives good protection against clinical restenosis, even when the extent of vascular injury involves vessel overstretching by more than 30% diameter. Also disclosed is a stent having a drug-release coating composed of (i) 10 and 60 weight percent poly-dl-Iactide polymer substrate and (ii) 40-90 weight percent of an anti-restenosis compound, and a polymer undercoat having a thickness of between 1-5 microns.