Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for comparative analysis of tissue and organ scans between patients or groups of patients without sensitivity to patient-specific or scanner specific characteristics, including prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, tracking, and treatment guidance are disclosed. Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fMRI is performed on a patient, and the resulting structural and functional data is preprocessed to remove artifacts and correct motion defects. A BOLD value is selected from the Vein of Galen as the maximum anatomically plausible intensity and from the Middle Cerebral Artery as the minimum anatomically plausible intensity. The maximum and minimum intensities are used to normalize the BOLD data and generate a neurovascular coupling statistical map of the brain.
Abstract: Systems and methods are contemplated for monitoring and analyzing the glymphatic system and brain to predict, prognose, diagnose, treat, modify or improve treatment, and track progression of neurological diseases. A first and second MRI image are taken of an extracellular space in a region of interest in a patient's brain, with one image taken while the patient is awake and the other image taken while the patient is asleep. The first and second images are compared to detect changes in the extracellular space, and the comparison is used to predict, prognose, diagnose, treat, modify or improve treatment, and track progression of neurological diseases associated with the extracellular space.
Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for administering, improving administration, or enabling the selective delivery of an agent to a target portion of a tissue are disclosed. An MRI device, at least high strength (e.g., at least 3 T), more preferably ultra high strength (e.g., at least 10 T) is directed at and applied to a target portion of a tissue, preferably brain tissue. A magnetic field is applied to the target portion of the tissue, selectively increasing local temperature and not impacting core temperature. The agent, preferably exosome carrying a therapeutic, is administered to the patient, and the agent is selectively delivered to the target portion of the tissue. Magnetic fields are optionally applied to the target portion before, during, or after administering the agent, or combinations thereof.
Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for affixing and orienting an ultrasound transducer to a patient. A mount has a base, with a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer surface, and a plurality of internal surfaces. Some of the internal surfaces define a number of through holes that pass through the top surface and the bottom surface at the periphery or outer edge of the base. A number of supports are also arranged on the outer surface of the housing to affix the mount to the patient, to affix the transducer to the mount, or both. At least one of the plurality of internal surfaces defines a channel between the top and bottom surfaces proximal to a center of the mount, which receives a transducer and directs the transducer head toward the patient.
Abstract: The improvement of administration of a therapeutic agent to a targeted region of a patient's brain is herein described. A magnetic material, preferably soluble iron, is administered to the patient. A magnetic field, for example via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), is applied to the targeted region of the patient's brain. The magnetic field is used to agitate magnetic material localized to the targeted region of the brain, temporarily forming openings in the blood-brain barrier (BBB), increasing local perfusion, or both at the targeted region. A therapeutic agent is administered to the patient and is delivered to the targeted region of the patient's brain through openings in the BBB, local perfusion, or both.