Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for preparing a compound of formula (I) through a carboxymethylation reaction occurring in the presence of a suitable alkylating agent and of a base, without the need of monitoring the pH of the reaction environment. The compound of formula (I) is a useful intermediate in the preparation of diagnostic contrast agents for MRI techniques.

Abstract: A method is claimed based on CEST procedure for the in vivo or in vitro determination of physical or chemical parameters which includes the use of a responsive paramagnetic CEST contrast agent.

Abstract: New and improved compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy having the formula M-N—O—P-G, wherein M is a metal chelator having the structure: wherein R1-R5 and FG are as defined herein (in the form complexed with a metal radionuclide or not), N—O—P is the linker containing at least one non-alpha amino acid with a cyclic group, at least one substituted bile acid or at least one non-alpha amino acid, and G is the GRP receptor targeting peptide. In the preferred embodiment, M is an Aazta metal chelator or a derivative thereof. Methods for imaging a patient and/or providing radiotherapy or phototherapy to a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods and kits for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound is further provided. Methods and kits for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent are further provided.

Abstract: Radiopharmaceutical compounds are disclosed having a radionuclide chelating moiety and a targeting ligand, and optionally a linker. Formulations of compositions useful for making the radiopharmaceutical compounds contain a chelating ligand, a reducing agent, an exchange ligand and a stabilizer.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for preparing a compound of formula (I) through a carboxymethylation reaction occurring in the presence of a suitable alkylating agent and of a base, without the need of monitoring the pH of the reaction environment. The compound of formula (I) is a useful intermediate in the preparation of diagnostic contrast agents for MRI techniques.

Abstract: A method is claimed based on CEST procedure for the in vivo or in vitro determination of physical or chemical parameters which includes the use of a responsive paramagnetic CEST contrast agent.

Abstract: A system and method for navigation within a surgical field are presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention a micro-camera can be provided in a hand-held navigation probe tracked by a tracking system. This enables navigation within an operative scene by viewing real-time images from the viewpoint of the micro-camera within the navigation probe, which are overlaid with computer generated 3D graphics depicting structures of interest generated from pre-operative scans. Various transparency settings of the camera image and the superimposed 3D graphics can enhance the depth perception, and distances between a tip of the probe and any of the superimposed 3D structures along a virtual ray extending from the probe tip can be dynamically displayed in the combined image. In exemplary embodiments of the invention a virtual interface can be displayed adjacent to the combined image on a system display, thus facilitating interaction with various navigation related functions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of diagnostically or therapeutically effective compounds comprising novel aza-bicycloalkane based cyclic peptides, acting as a targeting moiety towards integrin receptors.

Abstract: A method of registering biomedical images to reduce imaging artefacts caused by object movement is disclosed, wherein a certain number of features or landmarks is automatically defined and tracked in a first and second image to be registered to determine the optical flow vector between the first and second image. Registration then takes place by applying the inverse optical flow to the second image. The automatic feature selection step is carried out by determining the mean signal intensity in a defined neighborhood for every pixel, which mean signal intensity is then compared to a predetermined threshold. If the mean signal intensity value of said neighborhood is higher than the predetermined threshold the pixel is defined as a feature and is added to a list of features to be tracked.

Abstract: The present invention provides radioactive metal heterocomplexes of formula (I): [(Me=N—R)L1L2]+Z? (I), wherein Me, R, L1 L2 and Z? have the meanings indicated in the description. The complexes include a trivalent radioactive metal-imido group, typically a technetium- or rhenium-imido group, strongly stabilized by the presence of an ancillary tridentate hetero-diphosphine ligand L1, which allows the formation of substitution-inert [(Me=N—R)L1] moieties. Such moieties are fixed in an intermediate [(Me=N—R)Y2L1)]+ compound which contains two labile, cispositioned, Y ligands, where Y is preferably an halide group. The latter are easily replaced by a bidentate ligand L2 to give the final [(Me=N—R)L1L2]+ Z?heterocomplexes. The complexes of the invention are useful for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals: in fact, a bioactive fragment which confers biological target-seeking properties can be introduced either on the L2 framework or the imido R group.

Abstract: New and improved compounds for use in radiodiagnostic imaging or radiotherapy having the formula M-N—O—P-G, wherein M is the metal chelator (in the form complexed with a metal radionuclide or not), N—O—P is the linker, and G is the GRP receptor targeting peptide. Methods for imaging a patient and/or providing radiotherapy to a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. A method for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound is further provided. A method for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent is further provided.

Abstract: A method for coding pixels or voxels of a digital or digitalized two dimensional or three dimensional image, comprises the steps of: providing a digital image consisting in a two dimensional array of pixels or in a three dimensional array of voxels, each pixel or voxel being defined by at least one variable as its intensity in a grey scale image or the HSV (Hue, Saturation and Value) or the RGB values in a colour image; each pixel or voxel and for each target pixel or voxel a neighborhood being formed by a pixel or voxel windows comprising the said target pixel or voxel and a certain number of surrounding pixels or voxels for each target pixel or voxel generating a vector univocally associated to the said target pixel or voxel, the components of the said vectors being generated as a function of the values of the said target pixel or voxel and of each of the pixels or voxels of the said pixel or voxel window.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising to determine a direction of tracking a fiber based on a vector corresponding to a largest value of a set of values for a tensor, if an anisotropy value of the tensor is greater than or equal to a first threshold; and to apply a weighted function to the vector of the tensor to select the direction of tracking the fiber, if the anisotropy value of the tensor is less than or equal to the first threshold and larger than or equal to a second threshold. In one embodiment, the system is to generate the weighted function comprises a linear interpolation to be performed on the vector. In one embodiment, a weight of the linear interpolation is in part dependent on the anisotropy value of the tensor, wherein the weight corresponds to the anisotropy value relative to the first threshold. One embodiment of the invention is also executable as a method.

Abstract: The present invention provides radioactive metal heterocomplexes of formula (I): [(Me?N—R)L1L2]+Z (I), wherein Me, R, L1 L2 and Z? have the meanings indicated in the description. The complexes include a trivalent radioactive metal-imido group, typically a technetium- or rhenium-imido group, strongly stabilized by the presence of an ancillary tridentate hetero-diphosphine ligand L1, which allows the formation of substitution-inert [(Me?N—R)L1] moieties. Such moieties are fixed in an intermediate [(Me?N—R)Y2L1)]+ compound which contains two labile, cispositioned, Y ligands, where Y is preferably an halide group. The latter are easily replaced by a bidentate ligand L2 to give the final [(Me?N—R)L1L2]+Z? heterocomplexes. The complexes of the invention are useful for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals: in fact, a bioactive fragment which confers biological target-seeking properties can be introduced either on the L2 framework or the imido R group.

Abstract: New compounds are provided that may be used to chelute a metal. The compound comprise polyazamacrocyclic compound with at least one phosphonic group substituted on at least one of the aza groups of the polyazamacrocyclic compound. Methods for preparing the compounds are also provided. Methods for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent using the compounds and methods for diagnostic imaging are further provided. Methods for preparing a therapeutic agent using the compounds and methods for therapy are further provided.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of (S)-N,N?-bis[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]-5-[(2-hydroxy-1-oxo-propyl)amino]-2,4,6-triiodo-1,3-benzendicarboxamide (iopamidol) starting from 5-amino-N,N?-bis[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]-2,4,6-triiodo-1,3-benzenedicarboxamide (II) which process comprises a) reacting the compound of formula (II) with a suitable protecting agent, to give a compound of formula (III) wherein R is a group of formula A or B wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, a C1÷C4 straight or branched alkoxy group, R2 is hydrogen, a C1÷C4 straight or branched alkoy group and R3 ?is a C1÷C4 straight or branched alkyl group, a trifuoromethyl or a trichloromethyl group; b) acylating the amino group in position 5 of the intermediate compound of formula (III), by reaction with a (S)-2-(acetyloxy)propanoyl chloride to give a compound of formula (IV) wherein R is as defined above; and c) removing all the acyl groups present in the compound of formula (IV) under basic conditions, with prior cleavage of the cyclic pro

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a 3D visualization system can be ported to a laptop or desktop PC, or other standard 2D computing environment, which uses a mouse and keyboard as user interfaces. Using the methods of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a cursor or icon can be drawn at a contextually appropriate depth, thus preserving 3D interactivity and visualization while only having available 2D control. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a spatially correct depth can be automatically found for, and assigned to, the various cursors and icons associated with various 3D tools, control panels and other manipulations. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention this can preserve the three-dimensional experience of interacting with a 3D data set even though the 2D interface used to select objects and manipulate them cannot directly provide a third dimensional co-ordinate.

Abstract: This patent application describes the preparation of cyclic and branched peptides of general formula (I) and their conjugated derivatives labelled with a paramagnetic or radioactive metal. The compounds of the present invention are used as diagnostic agents to identify and locate primary tumours and their metastases which over-express type A and/or B cholecystokinin receptors, and as therapeutic agents and cholecystokinin agonists or antagonists.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and compounds for labelling conjugates with metals which comprise the steps of coupling the conjugate to a support surface; introducing a complex-forming metal to the support; and collecting the metal-conjugate complex released from the support. The metal catalyzes cleavage of the conjugate from the support upon complex formation resulting in a solutions substantially free of unlabeled conjugate.

Abstract: New and improved compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy having the formula M-N—O—P-G, wherein M is a metal chelator having the structure: wherein R1-R5 and FG are as defined herein (in the form complexed with a metal radionuclide or not), N—O—P is the linker containing at least one non-alpha amino acid with a cyclic group, at least one substituted bile acid or at least one non-alpha amino acid, and G is the GRP receptor targeting peptide. In the preferred embodiment, M is an Aazta metal chelator or a derivative thereof. Methods for imaging a patient and/or providing radiotherapy or phototherapy to a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods and kits for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound is further provided. Methods and kits for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent are further provided.