Abstract: A system and method of evaluating the effectiveness of antiangionetic therapy is described. A patient or test animal is treated with an antiangionetic substance. Magnetic resonance imaging data is obtained prior to and subsequent to the treatment. The parameters of the imaging process are configured so that, by administering a intravascular contrast agent, the relative size of the microvascular and the total vascular volumes in a region of interest may be obtained, so as to form a vascular size index. The value of the vascular size index and other pharmacokinetic data obtained by the administration of a diffusible contrast agent are used to assess the efficacy of the treatment or the antiangionetic substance being studied.

Abstract: A contrast agent is disclosed for imaging methods. In at least one embodiment the contrast agent includes a construct including i) at least two copies of a substrate for at least one tumor-specific protease, and ii) at least one linker having at least one recognition site for at least one tumor-specific protease, wherein a hyperpolarization site is located at the N and/or C terminus of the substrate, and wherein the linker is configured such that the hydrophobic ends of the substrate interact and form a central core by means of noncovalent interactions with the lipophilic residues, and the contrast agent together with a parahydrogen metal template for use in an imaging method for diagnosing a tumor.

Abstract: An element is disclosed that can be fixed in a blood vessel of a living being has a base body to which a first substance and/or a second substance is/are applied at least in parts. In at least one embodiment, the first substance is determined in such a way that it can be detected from outside of the body of the living being by way of a first non-invasive detection method and reacts with at least one first biochemical substance that is released by the living being into the blood vessel during a first pathological condition of the living being, with the result that the quantity of first substance applied to the base body is reduced. The second substance is determined in such a way that it binds at least one second biochemical substance that is released by the living being into the blood vessel during a second pathological condition of the living being and the presence of the bound substance can be detected from outside of the body of the living being by way of a second non-invasive detection method.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to bone marrow precursor cells or bone marrow cells of a patient, the cells labeled with at least one contrast agent suitable for an imaging method, for use in an imaging method for diagnosing a metastasizing cancer, wherein the local accumulation of the labeled precursor cells or bone marrow cells indicates the presence of a metastasizing tumor growth. At least one embodiment also relates to a method for imaging a metastasizing tumor tissue in a patient, wherein a) bone marrow precursor cells or bone marrow cells are extracted from a patient, b) these precursor cells or bone marrow cells are labeled with at least one contrast agent suitable for an imaging method, c) the precursor cells or bone marrow cells thus labeled are retransplanted or reinjected into the patient, and d) the presence of metastasizing tumor cells is depicted with an imaging method.

Abstract: An endocapsule has a measurement chamber therein containing a sensor that detects at least one metabolic product of a specific bacterium in a hollow organ of a human or animal gastrointestinal tract. The endocapsule is introduced into the hollow organ wherein detection of the at least one metabolic product takes place.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for normalizing the results of an in-vitro analytical method for one or more diagnostically and/or prognostically relevant substances in an organism (biomarker) or one or more substances supplied to an organism from the outside. In at least one embodiment of the method a) one or more concentration values of the substance(s) in an organism, said concentration value(s) being obtained in an in-vitro analytical method is (are) provided, b) data obtained from an imaging study of the same organism are provided, c) from the data according to b), one or more quantitative values are determined as imaging value(s), d) from the values according to a) and c), one or more diagnostic parameters are determined by relating the values according to a) and c) to one another, and also to the use of this method for the type-correct dosage finding of drugs and for the in-vitro diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring the course of a disease.

Abstract: A tip of an elongate device is navigated into a particular tissue volume in order to examine the particular tissue volume in a body and part of the tissue volume is analyzed in real-time by way of a biosensor. In at least one embodiment, in the process, either the biosensor can be arranged on the tip of the device or the device includes a catheter, by which a substance to be analyzed is transported out of the tissue volume from the tip to the biosensor arranged at the proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: We present, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a system combining anatomical imaging technologies (e.g., MR) with optical technologies. The system can be used for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, (1) cancer diagnosis and staging; (2) image guidance; and (3) radiation therapy planning. Image guidance may include guiding a biopsy. For example, a prostatectomy potentially has severe side effects, such as impotence and incontinence. Thus, a histologically-confirmed diagnosis, such as one provided from a biopsy, may prevent unnecessary prostatectomy. Image guidance may also include guiding minimal invasive therapy, such as brachytherapy focused ultrasound. The present invention may be used to plan radiation therapy, for example, by detecting, and thus sparing, healthy tissue from radiation exposure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for imaging a tumor tissue, wherein in at least one embodiment a) the tumor tissue is contacted with a monoclonal antibody, an antigen-binding fragment thereof, a recombinant binding protein, an aptamer, or other molecule, each of which recognizes and binds at least one neoepitope which has been generated by proteolytic cleavage of proteins surrounding the tumor tissue by tumor-specific proteases, and b) the complexes formed from neoepitope and monoclonal antibody, antigen-binding fragment thereof, recombinant binding protein, aptamer, or other molecule are depicted with an imaging method, and also to neoepitopes generated by proteolytic cleavage of surrounding proteins by tumor-specific proteases, and also proteins or peptides for generating neoepitopes by tumor-specific proteases.

Abstract: An in vitro method is for diagnosing a tumor disease in a patient.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a device, which can be implanted into a patient, for an in vivo measurement. In an embodiment, the device includes a catheter for guiding a sample of the patient town analysis unit in the device. A measurement result is determined in the analysis unit by analyzing the sample with the aid of a reagent. In an embodiment, the device furthermore includes an interchange chamber, with the aid of which the reagent can be removed from the device or can be inserted into the device. The interchange chamber has a connector allowing removal or insertion of the reagent while the device is implanted.

Abstract: A method is for determining suitability of various contrast agents for the imaging examination of the. In this case, a tissue sample is taken from the patient, it is divided into a plurality of individual samples and a contrast agent which binds to a particular target structure in the tissue is added to each individual sample. The individual samples are examined by an analysis or imaging method in order to determine the suitability of the various contrast agents for the imaging examination of the patient.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for implementing an imaging examination method. In at least one embodiment, the method includes creating an overview data record containing angiography data relating to a patient; simulating flow conditions in vessels of the patient; determining a strain on the vascular walls with the aid of the simulation; identifying vascular regions, in which the strain on the vascular wall exceeds a threshold value and implementing an imaging examination in at least one of the identified vascular regions.

Abstract: A device for performing minimally invasive procedures in vivo has an endoscope body that carries at least one sensor or actuator and at least one magnetic element allowing the body to be freely navigated in the body of a patient by an extracorporeally applied magnetic field. the body carries at least one biochip sensor with capture molecules for detection of biological molecules in samples. A processing and analyzing unit in the body is connected to the biochip sensor for optical or electrical evaluation of the samples.

Abstract: An inventive principle of at least one embodiment is based on linking an iron-binding functionality in the form of a bacterial iron-binding protein to a binding element which specifically recognizes a biological structure, in order to increase a local detectable increase in the concentration of the contrast medium. In at least one embodiment of the invention, a magnetic resonance contrast medium is provided which is capable of binding by way of a binding element to a biological structure in the body of a mammal, the binding element including an isolated polypeptide. The polypeptide includes a first amino acid sequence of a bacterial iron-binding protein or a derivative thereof, wherein the bacterial iron-binding protein or said derivative thereof has an iron-binding activity. In at least one embodiment, the binding element can bind a protein.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a pharmaceutical drug is linked via a peptide linker to an iron-binding agent, for example an iron-binding protein, with the iron-binding agent in turn being bound to an iron-containing magnetic particle. The peptide linker has a protease recognition sequence, i.e. it may be cleaved at said protease recognition sequence by a protease, thereby enabling the pharmaceutical drug to be released locally. The pharmaceutical composition is suitable for magnetic drug targeting.

Abstract: A method for quantifying the uptake of at least one radiotracer in a body region of a patient of interest to a positron emission tomography measurement is disclosed. In at least one embodiment of the method, the uptake of the radiotracer in the body region of the patient of interest to the positron emission tomography measurement is quantified taking into account at least one permeability information item relating to the permeability of at least one blood vessel of the patient, in particular in the body region of interest.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed for permitting detection of a substance in the body of a living being. In at least one embodiment, the sensor includes probe molecules, for binding the substance that is to be detected, and marking elements designed in such a way that the binding of the probe molecules to the substance to be detected is detectable by way of an imaging modality. For example, antigens or pathogens that are present only in a low concentration can be detected.

Abstract: A system and method of evaluating the effectiveness of antiangionetic therapy is described. A patient or test animal is treated with an antiangionetic substance. Magnetic resonance imaging data is obtained prior to and subsequent to the treatment. The parameters of the imaging process are configured so that, by administering a intravascular contrast agent, the relative size of the microvascular and the total vascular volumes in a region of interest may be obtained, so as to form a vascular size index. The value of the vascular size index and other pharmacokinetic data obtained by the administration of a diffusible contrast agent are used to assess the efficacy of the treatment or the antiangionetic substance being studied.

Abstract: Bacteriophage-based contrast agents and a method for the production thereof are disclosed. The bacteriophages, in at least one embodiment, contain a first fusion protein comprising a phage-surface protein and a ligand specific for an identifiable target structure and a second fusion protein comprising a phage-surface protein and a peptide binding a signal generating molecule.