Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can employ multi-modal imaging to provide an image with an enhanced resolution. In some instances, the multi-modal imaging can allow an operator to determine and control a tissue margin without the need for intra-operative tissue pathology. The system can include an imaging system that includes a gamma camera to detect a gamma image and an optical imaging modality to detect an optical image. The system can also include a display device to display an enhanced gamma image created based on a function of the optical image. The enhanced gamma image illustrates a characteristic of a disease in the field of view (e.g., a lymphatic pathway, a sentinel lymph node target, or a satellite disease state).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method to analyze balance and stability of a patient. Test data for the patient, representing motion of a device affixed to the patient during a test interval (e.g., at a position approximating the center of mass, such as in proximity to the torso), can be received. The test data can be processed to provide processed data (or sensor-derived data) that includes at least one of acceleration data, rotational rate data and rotational position data for the test interval. A biomechanical model can be applied to the processed data to provide center of mass (COM) motion data representing movement of the COM in multiple dimensions for the patient during the test interval. An indication of balance for the patient can be determined based on the COM motion data. The indication of balance can be used to analyze the balance and stability of the patient.

Abstract: A method for replacing a cardiac valve includes an expandable support member having oppositely disposed first and second ends, a main body portion extending between the ends, and a prosthetic valve within the main body portion. The main body portion has an annular shape for expanding into position in the annulus of the valve. The first and second ends include a plurality of upper and lower wing members movable from a collapsed condition into an extended condition for respectively engaging a first section of cardiac tissue surrounding the valve and for: engaging a portion of the native valve leaflets to pin the leaflets back against the annulus. The second end further includes at least two strut members spaced apart from each other. A respective one of the strut members is attached to at least one commissural section of the prosthetic valve to prevent prolapse of the valve leaflets.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining an acceleration at a location of interest within one of a user's head and neck. At least one of linear acceleration data, angular acceleration data, angular velocity data, and orientation data is produced using at least one sensing device substantially rigidly attached to an ambient-accessible surface of the user's head. The location of interest is represented relative to a position of the at least one sensing device as a time-varying function. An acceleration at the location of interest is calculated as a function of the data produced at the sensing device and the time-varying function representing the location of interest. The calculated acceleration at the location of interest is provided to at least one of the user and an observer in a human-perceptible form.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining a centerline of a three-dimensional tubular structure is described. The method includes providing an edge-detected data set of voxels that characterize a boundary of the tubular structure according to a three-dimensional voxel data set for the tubular structure. A gradient field of a distance transformation is computed for the edge-detected dataset. A voxel data set corresponding to a centerline of the tubular structure is computed according to derivative of gradient field. A trajectory within the tubular structure is computed based on the centerline.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for detection and controlled interaction with one or more objects. The system can include an imaging subsystem (20), a tool subsystem (26) containing one or more tools, a stage subsystem (16) and a control system (40). The control system (40) can integrate controls for each of the other subsystems, which controls can be implement desired functions over a variety of process parameters to perform the controlled interaction.

Abstract: A method of treating a T-cell mediated disease in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to CD6 is described. Humanized antibodies useful for the method are also described.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a reversible airway device that includes a tubular guide, a laryngeal mask, an endotracheal tube, and a sealing mechanism. The tubular guide can have a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a first passageway extending between the distal and proximal end portions. The laryngeal mask can be attached to the distal end portion of the tubular guide. The laryngeal mask can include an opening in fluid communication with the first passageway. The endotracheal tube can be slidably disposed within the first passageway and have a second passageway that is concentric with the first passageway. The sealing mechanism can be disposed within the first passageway and be configured to occlude the flow of a gas through the first passageway.

Abstract: A tubular first device segment has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal first segment ends. The first device segment includes a first segment lumen. A tubular second device segment has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal second segment ends and a second segment lumen. A tubular eversion structure is located longitudinally intermediate the first and second device segments. The eversion structure has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal eversion ends separated by a tubular eversion structure wall. One of the proximal and distal eversion ends is attached to the first device segment and the other of the proximal and distal eversion ends is attached to the second device segment. At least a portion of the eversion structure wall is configured for selective intussusception into at least one of the first segment lumen, the second segment lumen, and another portion of the eversion structure wall.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing a test subject's risk of having or developing cardiovascular disease are provided. The methods include using an analytic device to determine levels of choline-related trimethylamine-containing compounds such as trimethylamine N-oxide, choline, or betaine in a biological sample obtained from the subject and comparing the levels of the choline-related trimethylamine-containing compound in the subject's biological sample to a control value. The test subject's risk of having cardiovascular disease is then characterized as higher if the levels of the choline-related trimethylamine-containing compound are higher than the control value. Also provided are methods of identifying a subject at risk of experiencing a complication of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and methods of evaluating the efficacy of a cardiovascular therapeutic agent in a subject with cardiovascular disease using levels of choline-related trimethylamine-containing compounds.

Abstract: The use of flagellin and flagellin related polypeptide for the protection of mammals from the effects of apoptosis is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for partially supporting a leaflet of a regurgitant heart valve comprises at least one subvalvular device including a subvalvular supporting portion including a leaflet-contacting upper supporter surface longitudinally spaced from an oppositely facing lower supporter surface. A supporter perimeter wall extends longitudinally between the upper and lower supporter surfaces, with at least a portion contacting a subvalvular cardiac wall adjacent to the heart valve. An anchor portion is adjacent to, and longitudinally spaced from, the upper supporter surface. The anchor portion includes a leaflet-contacting lower anchor surface longitudinally spaced from an oppositely facing upper anchor surface. A connector neck is interposed longitudinally between, and is directly attached to both of, the upper supporter surface and the lower anchor surface. The connector neck penetrates longitudinally through at least one of a base of the leaflet and an annulus of the heart valve at a manufactured puncture site.

Abstract: Methods and kits for characterizing a subject having a steroid-dependent disease such as prostate cancer are described. A method of treating a steroid-dependent disease in a subject by obtaining a biological sample from the subject, determining if the HSD3B1(1245C) gene or 3?HSD1(367T) protein is expressed in the biological sample, and providing treatment other than or in addition to steroid ablation to the subject if the HSD3B1(1245C) gene or 3?HSD1(367T) protein is expressed is also described.

Abstract: Oral formulations of benzofuran compounds which modulate cannabinoid receptors are presented. Methods of using these formulations for treatment of cannabinoid receptor-mediated disease, including neuropathic pain and addition, are also described.

Abstract: An implantable expandable device includes an occluding surface oriented substantially in a transverse plane. The occluding surface is bounded by a lateral occluding surface edge and a medial occluding surface edge. The occluding surface has an occluding surface body located transversely between the lateral and medial occluding surface edges. A supporting structure is located entirely inferiorly to the occluding surface. The supporting surface includes a plurality of struts extending substantially in the superior-inferior direction. At least a first one of the struts is a full-height strut and spans substantially a full superior-inferior height of the device. At least a second one of the struts is a reduced-height strut and spans substantially less than a full superior-inferior height of the device. The occluding surface substantially occludes a transverse cross-section of the false lumen to substantially block bloodflow in the superior-inferior direction within the false lumen.

Abstract: A stock instrument includes at least one guide interacting feature. A lower instrument surface of the stock instrument is placed into contact with the patient tissue. A guide has a lower guide surface contoured to substantially mate with at least a portion of an upper instrument surface of the stock instrument. A predetermined instrument orientation upon the patient tissue is defined, which is preselected responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. The guide and instrument are mated in a predetermined relative guide/instrument orientation wherein at least one guide interacting feature of the instrument is placed into engagement with at least one instrument guiding feature of the guide. The guide is moved into a predetermined guide orientation with respect to the patient tissue and concurrently the instrument is moved into a predetermined instrument orientation with respect to the patient tissue.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject who has been diagnosed with cancer is described. The method includes characterizing the radiation-susceptibility of the subject by detecting a mutation in an NRF2 pathway protein in suitable sample obtained from the subject and treating the subject with radiation therapy if the subject is characterized as being radiation-susceptible, or treating the subject with radiation therapy and a radiosensitizing agent if the subject is characterized as being radioresistant. A method of determining if a subject has a history of tobacco smoking is also described that includes analyzing an NRF2 pathway protein to determine if a mutation is present in suitable sample obtained from the subject and characterizing the subject as having a history of tobacco smoking if a genetic fingerprint consistent with tobacco exposure is identified.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring a diaphragmatic twitch response. The diaphragmatic twitch response can be used to determine a depth of neuromuscular blockade. The system includes a neural stimulation device to stimulate a phrenic nerve of a subject, which has the effect of stimulating the subject's diaphragm. The system also includes a monitor to detect the diaphragm's response to the stimulation. For example, the monitor can include a nasogastric tube with two distally positioned inflatable balloons. Each of the inflatable balloons is coupled to a sensor to measure a corresponding pressure (e.g., an esophageal pressure and a gastric pressure). The pressure differential between the esophagus above the diaphragm and the stomach below the diaphragm (also referred to as the transdiaphragmatic pressure) can be used as a measure of the diaphragmatic twitch response.

Abstract: Holographic image-guidance can be used to track an interventional device during an endovascular percutaneous procedure. The holographic image guidance can be provided by a head-mounted device by transforming tracking data and vasculature image data to a common coordinate system and creating a holographic display relative to a patient's vasculature to track the interventional device during the endovascular percutaneous procedure. The holographic display can also include graphics to provide guidance for the physical interventional device as it travels through the patient's anatomy (e.g., the vasculature).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to using detected bladder events for the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. A system includes a sensing device comprising a pressure sensor to directly detect a pressure within a bladder. The sensing device is adapted to be located within the bladder. The system also includes a signal processing device to: receive a signal indicating the detected pressure within the bladder; detect a bladder event based the detected pressure within the signal; and characterize the bladder event as a bladder contraction event or a non-contraction event. The characterization of the bladder event can be used in the diagnosis of urinary incontinence or the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction.