Abstract: Stabilized radiopharmaceutical formulations are disclosed. Methods of making and using stabilized radiopharmaceutical formulations are also disclosed. The invention relates to stabilizers that improve the radiostability of radiotherapeutic and radiodiagnostic compounds, and formulations containing them. In particular, it relates to stabilizers useful in the preparation and stabilization of targeted radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic compounds, and, in a preferred embodiment, to the preparation and stabilization of radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic compounds that are targeted to the Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRP-Receptor).

Abstract: A method of rendering a graphics image in which rendering is only carried out in a region to be changed is disclosed. In a preferred form the image includes a plurality of objects and the method comprises the steps of: determining if each object has changed so that the object is required to be displayed differently in a subsequent frame; determining a bounding region of each changed object in the subsequent frame; determining a bounding region of each changed object in a frame prior to the subsequent frame; and combining the bounding regions to form an aggregate region and rendering the image only within the aggregate region.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are provided by which multiple persons in remote physical locations can collaboratively interactively visualize a 3D data set substantially simultaneously. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there can be, for example, a main workstation and one or more remote workstations connected via a data network. A given main workstation can be, for example, an augmented reality surgical navigation system, or a 3D visualization system, and each workstation can have the same 3D data set loaded. Additionally, a given workstation can combine real-time imagining with previously obtained 3D data, such as, for example, real-time or pre-recorded video, or information such as that provided by a managed 3D ultrasound visualization system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of pure non-ionic contrast agents. The invention also includes a method for purifying the non-ionic contrast agents.

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: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I), wherein R represents a 2,3-dihydroxy-1-propyl or a 1,3-dihydroxy-2-propyl radical, via direct amidation of a dialkyl ester of 5-amino-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid of formula (V), wherein R1 represents a straight or branched (C1-C4)-alkyl group, with at least the stoichiometric amount of an amine of formula H2NR.

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: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of pure non-ionic contrast agents. The invention also includes a method for purifying the non-ionic contrast agents.

Abstract: The use of contrast agents of molecular weight lower than 5000 Dalton and including at least one residue of a biliary acid for the preparation of diagnostic contrast compositions for the microvascular permeability assessment is disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I): in which: R1 is hydrogen, C1–C20 alkyl, C3–C10 cycloalkyl, C4–C20 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or two R1, taken together, form a straight or cyclic C2–C10 alkylene group or an ortho disubstituted arylene; R2 is hydrogen, C1–C20 alkyl, C3–C10 cycloalkyl, C4–C20 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or aryl alkyl optionally substituted with functional groups which allow conjugation with a suitable molecule able to interact with physiological systems; R3, R4 and R5 are hydrogen, C1–C20 alkyl, C3–C10 cycloalkyl, C4–C20 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl; and their chelates with bi-trivalent ions of the metal elements having atomic number ranging between 20 and 31, 39, 42, 43, 44, 49, and between 57 and 83, and radioisotopes chosen among 203Pb 67Ga 68Ga 72As 111In 113In 90Y 97Ru 62Cu 64Cu 52Fe 52mMn 140La 175Yb 153Sm 166Ho 149Pm 177Lu 142Pr 159Gd 212Bi 47Sc 149Pm 67Cu, 111Ag, 199Au, 161Tb and 51Cr as well as the salts thereof with physiologically compatible bases or acids

Abstract: Systems, apparati and methods for mapping a virtual model of a real object, such as a body part, to the real object are presented. Such virtual model can be generated, for example, from an imaging scan of the object, for example, using MRI, CT, etc. A camera with a probe fixed thereto can be moved relative to the object until a video image of the object captured by the camera appears to coincide on a video screen with the virtual model which is shown fixed on that screen. The position of the camera in a real coordinate system can be sensed, and the position in a virtual coordinate system of the virtual model relative to a virtual camera, by which the view of the virtual model on the screen is notionally captured, can be predetermined and known. From this, the position of the virtual model relative to the object can be mapped and a transform generated to position the object in the virtual coordinate system to approximately coincide with the virtual model.

Abstract: An improved system and method for macroscopic and microscopic surgical navigation and visualization are presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention an integrated system can include a computer which has stored three dimensional representations of a patient's internal anatomy, a display, a probe and an operation microscope. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention reference markers can be attached to the probe and the microscope, and the system can also include a tracking system which can track the 3D position and orientation of each of the probe and microscope. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a system can include means for detecting changes in the imaging parameters of the microscope, such as, for example, magnification and focus, which occur as a result of user adjustment and operation of the microscope.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for generating surface lines on mesh surfaces and voxel objects. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention directed to mesh surfaces, such methods include preprocessing a triangle mesh data structure, constructing a grid data structure for the triangle mesh object, representing a relationship of triangles and vertices, determining boundary edges and vertices, computing a series of surface points, and generating a surface line. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention this technique can be used to cut a mesh surface along the line generated. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a surface line can be generated from start point A to end point B along an arbitrary curved surface based on the start point and the direction of a vector from the start point to the end point.

Abstract: Various methods for automatically generating a structured clinical report by using a pre-defined template structure and mapping it to the imaging data set of an organ (such as a CT or MR scan) are presented. A template or knowledge structure may describe the general structure of a tube-like organ, and may be based on prior knowledge related to acceptable ranges of measurement or rations for a particular organ or area of interest. The organ of interest may be segmented out from original image slices. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a corresponding centerline can be calculated and a skeleton of the tube-like organ can be created. Based on the centerline extracted, a knowledge structure (template) can be mapped to the organ data. Since required measurements may be defined in the template, actual measurements can be automatically calculated for the structure.

Abstract: The use of contrast agents of molecular weight lower than 5000 Dalton and including at least one residue of a biliary acid for the preparation of diagnostic contrast compositions for the microvascular permeability assessment is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rendering high quality 4D ultrasound images in real time, without the use of expensive graphics hardware, without resampling, but also without lowering the resolution of acquired image planes, are presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, 2D ultrasound image acquisitions with known three dimensional (3D) positions can be mapped directly into corresponding 2D planes. The images can then be blended from back to front towards a user's viewpoint to form a 3D projection. The resulting 3D images can be updated in substantially real time to display the acquired volumes in 4D.

Abstract: New and improved compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy having the formula M-N—O—P-G, wherein M is an optical label or a 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 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 is further provided.

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: The invention refers to methods of Phase-Sensitive X-ray Imaging wherein the contrast is enhanced by use of a contrast agent selected from contrats agents usually used in other diagnostic techniques such as MRI, Ultrasound, X-ray absortion, PET and the like. Microparticulate and microbubbles are particularly preferred.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of pure non-ionic contrast agents. The invention also includes a method for purifying the non-ionic contrast agents.