Abstract: A method for computing lung compliance imaging, the method comprising obtaining one or more images of lungs, determining a spatial transformation of each voxel within the lungs between the lungs at an inhale position and the lungs at an exhale position to provide displacement vector estimates for each voxel within the lungs, performing volume change inference operations to determine a volume change between the lungs at the inhale position and the lungs at the exhale position based on an inhale region of interest, an exhale region of interest, and the displacement vector estimates for each voxel within the lungs, computing a lung compliance based on the volume change inference operations.

Abstract: A method for determining respiratory induced blood mass change from a four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) includes receiving a 4D CT image set which contains a first three-dimensional computed tomographic image (3D CT) and a second 3D CT image. The method includes executing a deformable image registration (DIR) function on the received 4D CT image set, and determining a displacement vector field indicative of the lung motion induced by patient respiration. The method further includes segmenting the received 3D CT images into a first segmented image and a second segmented. The method includes determining the change in blood mass between the first 3D CT image and the second 3D CT image from the DIR solution, the segmented images, and measured CT densities.

Abstract: A method of optimizing delivery of a particle beam at a target is disclosed. The particle beam is delivered from an output device at a plurality of control points. In implementations, the method comprises delivering a substantially continuous particle beam about the plurality of control points, iteratively adjusting a delivery time of the substantially continuous particle beam about the plurality of control points, and processing to undertake at least one of (i) pre-defining energy layers based on one or both of the control points and a control point sampling frequency, or (ii) sorting the energy layers.

Abstract: A method for processing images of lungs, the method comprising defining an inhale region of interest of the lungs at an inhale position and an exhale region of interest of the lungs at an exhale position, determining a spatial transformation of each voxel within the lungs between the lungs at the inhale position and the lungs at the exhale position to provide displacement vector estimates for each voxel within the lungs, and performing volume change inference operations to determine a volume change between the lungs at the inhale position and the lungs at the exhale position based on the inhale region of interest, the exhale region of interest, and the displacement vector estimates for each voxel within the lungs.

Abstract: A medical device assembly is disclosed. The medical device assembly includes a therapeusis delivery portion and an algometer portion. The therapeusis delivery portion includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The algometer portion includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The body of the therapeusis delivery portion defines a therapeusis-delivering passage and an algometer-receiving passage. The algometer-receiving passage may be sized to receive a portion of the algometer portion for connecting the algometer portion to the therapeusis delivery portion. A portion of medical device assembly is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of delivering a particle beam at a target is disclosed. In implementations, the particle beam is delivered from an output device at a plurality of control points and the method comprises the step of delivering a substantially continuous particle beam about the plurality of control points.

Abstract: An on-board proton imaging system may include a continuous rotation gantry configured to generate proton beams during rotation thereof to penetrate a patient object, a beam detector arranged opposite of the gantry around the object and configured to receive residual proton beams having passed through the object, and a controller in communication with the gantry and a multilayer detector. The controller may be configured to instruct the gantry to generate the proton beams based on patient factors, receive data from the detector indicating at least an energy level of the residual beams, and generate a three-dimensional image based on the received data.

Abstract: A method for determining respiratory induced blood mass change from a four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) includes receiving a 4D CT image set which contains a first three-dimensional computed tomographic image (3D CT) and a second 3D CT image. The method includes executing a deformable image registration (DIR) function on the received 4D CT image set, and determining a displacement vector field indicative of the lung motion induced by patient respiration. The method further includes segmenting the received 3D CT images into a first segmented image and a second segmented. The method includes determining the change in blood mass between the first 3D CT image and the second 3D CT image from the DIR solution, the segmented images, and measured CT densities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting, diagnosing and/or treating ulcerative interstitial cystitis (UIC) by detecting in a urine sample from a patient the levels of each of the proteins IL-6, IL-8 and GRO [also known as CXCL 1 (chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 1]. In some embodiments, the method also includes diagnosing the patient with UIC when each of the proteins IL-6, IL-8 and GRO in the urine sample is at a different level than a statistically validated threshold for the respective proteins. In some embodiments a companion diagnostic, e.g., a cystoscopy, is used in conjunction with the protein biomarker diagnostic. In some embodiments, once UIC is diagnosed, the patient is treated for the UIC.

Abstract: An airway clearance system includes a bladder, a negative pressure relief valve, a positive pressure relief valve, and a port. The bladder is moveable between an expanded state and a compressed state, and defines a first volume in the expanded state and a second volume in the compressed state. The second volume is less than the first volume. The negative pressure relief valve is in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to supply fluid to the bladder from an atmosphere surrounding the bladder. The positive pressure relief valve is in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to supply fluid to the atmosphere from the bladder. The port is in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to supply fluid from the bladder when the bladder moves to the compressed state and to supply fluid to the bladder when the bladder moves to the expanded state.

Abstract: Methods for placing an electrical stimulation lead at a tibial nerve in a subject, and also for treating a tibial nerve-related condition or disease in the subject. The methods include depositing the electrical stimulation lead at a tibial nerve, activating the electrical stimulation lead to modulate the tibial nerve, and thereby treating the tibial nerve-related condition or disease in the subject.

Abstract: A container closure (14, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146) is disclosed. The container closure (14, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146) includes a fluid-drawing member (42, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426) that extends axially away from and is integral with the inner surface (28I, 28I1, 28I2, 28I3, 28I4, 28I5, 28I6) of the end wall (28, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286) of the container closure (14, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146). A container assembly (10, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106) is also disclosed. The container assembly (10, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106) includes the container closure (14, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146) and a container (12, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) connected to the container closure (14, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146). A method for utilizing the container assembly (10, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a catheter guide (10, 10?, 10?, 10??, 10??). The catheter guide (10, 10?, 10?, 10??, 10??) includes a first conduit (12, 12?, 12?, 12?? 12??) a second conduit (14 14? 14? 14?? 14??) and a shield member (16 16? 16?, 16??, 16??). The second conduit (14, 14?, 14?, 14??, 14??) is connected to an outer surface (26, 26?, 26?, 26??, 26??) of the first conduit (12, 12?, 12?, 12??, 12??).

Abstract: A method for diagnosing increased risk of developing Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) hospital-acquired (HA-MRSA) or community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) which includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, detecting in the sample a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the FAM129B gene at position 17 of SEQ ID NO 1, and comparing the nucleotide at position 17 of SEQ ID NO. 1 in the sample with the nucleotide at position 17 in SEQ ID NO. 1, wherein an adenine at position 17 of SEQ ID NO. 1 in the sample indicates an increased risk of developing MRSA or CA-MRSA in the subject.

Abstract: A radiation treatment and imaging system for emitting a radiation treatment beam and X-ray imaging beams towards an object. The system includes an x-ray source and a collimator, first and second detectors, and a linear accelerator that delivers radiation beams to an object. The linear accelerator includes a radiation source positioned between the first and second detectors and emitting a therapy radiation beam in-line with the x-ray beams received by the first and second detectors. The system also includes a data processing device in communication with the first and second detectors. The data processing device receives imaging signals from the first and second detectors and reconstructs a three-dimensional tetrahedron beam computed tomography (TBCT) image from the received imaging signals. The system also includes a display in communication with the data processing device and for displaying the TBCT image.

Abstract: A system for radiotherapy includes a couch having a top lateral surface upon which a patient being treated by the system is positioned. The couch has continuous arc rotation for delivery of accelerated irradiation to the patient. The couch is movable rotationally and translationally. Delivery of the accelerated irradiation is performed during at least a portion of the movement.

Abstract: A system and method of stimulating a nerve of a patient is provided. A electro-therapy device is used that includes a signal generator and two electrodes. The first electrode is positioned on an epidermis of the patient over the nerve to be stimulated. The second electrode is positioned on an epidermis of the patient at a second location. A The electro-therapy device is configured to alternately deliver to a first and second electrode a summation of first and second signals which result in a therapeutic signal encompassing the nerve of the patient. The intensity of the first and second signal is adjusted over time.

Abstract: A method of treating an object with radiation that includes generating volumetric image data of an area of interest of an object and emitting a therapeutic radiation beam towards the area of interest of the object in accordance with a reference plan. The method further includes evaluating the volumetric image data and at least one parameter of the therapeutic radiation beam to provide a real-time, on-line or off-line evaluation and on-line or off-line modification of the reference plan.

Abstract: A method of treating an object with radiation that includes generating volumetric image data of an area of interest of an object and emitting a therapeutic radiation beam towards the area of interest of the object in accordance with a reference plan. The method further includes evaluating the volumetric image data and at least one parameter of the therapeutic radiation beam to provide a real-time, on-line or off-line evaluation and on-line or off-line modification of the reference plan.

Abstract: A tetrahedron beam computed tomography system including an x ray source array that sequentially emits a plurality of x ray beams at different positions along a scanning direction and a collimator that intercepts the plurality of x-ray beams so that a plurality of fan-shaped x-ray beams emanate from the collimator towards an object. The system includes a first detector receiving a first set of fan-shaped x ray beams after they pass through the object, the first detector generating a first imaging signal for each of the received first set of fan-shaped x-ray beams and a second detector receiving a second set of fan-shaped x ray beams after they pass through the object, the second detector generating a second imaging signal for each of the received second set of fan-shaped x-ray beams. Each detector and source pair form a tetrahedral volume. In other embodiments, the system may also have more than two detectors arrays and/or more than one source array.