Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for vascular imaging and determining dynamic vascular parameters of blood flow. According to an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method of determining dynamic vascular parameters of blood flow, comprising acquiring two-dimensional projection images of a vascular region of interest at a predetermined frequency, the vascular region of interest being downstream of a site of vascular administration of a radio-opaque medium, identifying, within the acquired two-dimensional projection images, heterogeneities of the radio-opaque medium, and determining the dynamic vascular parameters of the blood flow based on spatial movements of the identified heterogeneities of the radio-opaque medium. In an embodiment, the predetermined frequency is greater than 100 Hz.

Abstract: A disinfecting medical imaging system including medical imaging equipment and a UV light source for disinfecting the medical imaging equipment. The UV light source can include a composite ultraviolet (UV) for performing viral and bacterial disinfection. The disinfection system may be built into the medical imaging equipment or external thereto such as conveyed on a robotic arm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for vascular imaging and determining dynamic vascular parameters of blood flow. According to an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method of determining dynamic vascular parameters of blood flow, comprising acquiring two-dimensional projection images of a vascular region of interest at a predetermined frequency, the vascular region of interest being downstream of a site of vascular administration of a radio-opaque medium, identifying, within the acquired two-dimensional projection images, heterogeneities of the radio-opaque medium, and determining the dynamic vascular parameters of the blood flow based on spatial movements of the identified heterogeneities of the radio-opaque medium. In an embodiment, the predetermined frequency is greater than 100 Hz.

Abstract: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is used in a method to identify cancerous lesions having genetic mutations and treat them accordingly. Also, CTP values are used to distinguish primary versus metastatic lesions. For example, pulmonary blood flow is identified as one biomarker for EGFR and KRAS genetic mutations in lung cancer, lesion having dual-input pulmonary blood flow exceeding a threshold (e.g., 103 ml/min/100 mL with sensitivity 100% and specificity 62%) are determined as having mutations. The CTP values are calculated using a lesion region-of-interest (ROI) placed to include the area of maximum perfusion intensity within the lesion base and surrounding blush, while avoiding regions of perfusion inhomogeneity (e.g., due to necrosis). In certain implementations, instead of a binary determination, the method can generate probabilities associated with respective alternatives (e.g.

Abstract: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is used in a method to identify cancerous lesions having genetic mutations and treat them accordingly. Also, CTP values are used to distinguish primary versus metastatic lesions. For example, pulmonary blood flow is identified as one biomarker for EGFR and KRAS genetic mutations in lung cancer, lesion having dual-input pulmonary blood flow exceeding a threshold (e.g., 103 ml/min/100 mL with sensitivity 100% and specificity 62%) are determined as having mutations. The CTP values are calculated using a lesion region-of-interest (ROI) placed to include the area of maximum perfusion intensity within the lesion bass and surrounding blush, while avoiding regions of perfusion inhomogeneity (e.g., due to necrosis). In certain implementations, instead of a binary determination, the method can generate probabilities associated with respective alternatives (e.g.

Abstract: A pharmacological delivery implement for use with cardiac repair devices. The pharmacological delivery implement comprises a porous member defining an outer surface, an internal channel configured to selectively house a pharmacological agent, and a plurality of release holes each extending from the outer surface to the internal channel. Following implantation of the pharmacological delivery implement, at least a portion of the pharmacological agent exits the internal channel through the plurality of release holes.

Abstract: A pharmacological delivery implement for use with cardiac repair devices. The pharmacological delivery implement comprises a porous member defining an outer surface, an internal channel configured to selectively house a pharmacological agent, and a plurality of release holes each extending from the outer surface to the internal channel. Following implantation of the pharmacological delivery implement, at least a portion of the pharmacological agent exits the internal channel through the plurality of release holes.

Abstract: A heart valve sewing prosthesis including an intrinsically conductive polymer. The invention includes annuloplasty rings and bands, and sewing rings or cuffs for prosthetic heart valves. Some annuloplasty rings and sewing rings include fabric that is coated with an intrinsically conductive polymer. The coating can be formed over individual filaments or fibers, or on the fabric surface as a surface layer. One intrinsically conductive polymer is polypyrrole. The intrinsically conductive polymer can be doped to facilitate the intrinsic conductivity. Some devices have a polypyrrole surface layer doped with dialkyl-napthalene sulfonate. The intrinsically conductive polymer can be deposited on a fabric using in-situ polymerization of monomeric or oligomeric species, together with a dopant. Animal studies using implanted annuloplasty rings having an intrinsically conductive polymer coating have demonstrated a substantial reduction in pannus formation and inflammatory response.

Abstract: A pharmacological delivery implement for use with cardiac repair devices. The pharmacological delivery implement comprises a porous member defining an outer surface, an internal channel configured to selectively house a pharmacological agent, and a plurality of release holes each extending from the outer surface to the internal channel. Following implantation of the pharmacological delivery implement, at least a portion of the pharmacological agent exits the internal channel through the plurality of release holes.

Abstract: A heart valve sewing prosthesis including an intrinsically conductive polymer. The invention includes annuloplasty rings and bands, and sewing rings or cuffs for prosthetic heart valves. Some annuloplasty rings and sewing rings include fabric that is coated with an intrinsically conductive polymer. The coating can be formed over individual filaments or fibers, or on the fabric surface as a surface layer. One intrinsically conductive polymer is polypyrrole. The intrinsically conductive polymer can be doped to facilitate the intrinsic conductivity. Some devices have a polypyrrole surface layer doped with dialkyl-napthalene sulfonate. The intrinsically conductive polymer can be deposited on a fabric using in-situ polymerization of monomeric or oligomeric species, together with a dopant. Animal studies using implanted annuloplasty rings having an intrinsically conductive polymer coating have demonstrated a substantial reduction in pannus formation and inflammatory response.