Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus, system and method can be provided to measure a flow of fluid within an anatomical structure. For example, it is possible to use at least one first probe arrangement structured to be insertable into a vessel and configured to direct at least one radiation to at least one portion of the anatomical structure. Further, it is possible to provide at least one second arrangement which configured to detect an interference between a first radiation provided from the fluid via the probe arrangement and second a second radiation provided from a reference path as a function of wavelength thereof. Further, at least one third arrangement can be provided which is configured to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid as a function of the interference.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence of atherosclerotic structures in order to diagnose or prevent atherosclerosis are provided herein. In particular, it has been found that methylene blue injected intravenously acts as an excellent indicator because the compound targets high-risk plaque, atheroma, macrophages, and other atherosclerotic structures formed within the endothelial walls of a vessel of a subject. Because the compound provides a unique binding profile with uptake only in plaque or atheroma, and not the normal or healthy vascular interstitial tissue, methylene blue maintains a good plaque-to-background ratio for imaging purposes. This enables healthcare providers to determine the status of atherosclerosis development in vivo within a patient with higher certainty and at lower costs. The disclosed methods allow for high-resolution mapping of plaque build-up, plaque pathobiology, and other atherosclerotic structures within a vessel of a subject by using methylene blue as an imaging agent.

Abstract: A multi-modal catheter combining at least NIRF and IVUs imaging channels used to reveal integrated biological and structural features of a lumen intravascularly imaged through flowing blood in vivo and corrected for distance-related attenuation and/or scattering parameters of in vivo blood to compensate for discovered overestimation of the degree of in-vivo-blood attenuation of NIRF signal Enhancing the sensitivity of detection of vascular injury and/or plaque deposition beyond the capability of a standalone IVUS imaging as a result of the use of such corrected catheter.

Abstract: A hybrid NIRF/IVUS imaging probe containing i) a spatially-truncated optical lens a substantially-planar surface of which is inclined with respect to an axis to reflect light, transmitted between proximal and distal ends of the probe, internally into a body of the lens, and ii) an acoustic transducer disposed sequentially with the optical lens on the axis of the probe while, at the same time, the optical and electrical members of the probe transmitting the radiative and mechanical energies (which the probe exchanges with a target bodily vessel) are parallel to one another within the housing of the probe. A method for operating the probe resulting in formation of spatially co-registered optical and acoustic images of the target. Related imaging system and computer-program product.

Abstract: An apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can include a first section(s) and a second section(s) which can have a cross-section that can be smaller than that of the first section. The first and second sections can be a particular section and can include memory-forming characteristics. An imaging arrangement can be in communication with the first section or the second section. The particular section can have a first shape when the particular section can be constrained, and the particular section can have a second shape when the particular section can be unconstrained. The second shape can be more curved than the first shape.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for determining whether a subject containing a stent immobilized in a blood vessel has asymptomatic stent thrombosis or is at risk of developing clinically symptomatic stent thrombosis. In one approach, the method involves imaging a region of the blood vessel that contains the stent using a probe that contains a fluorochrome, for example, a near-infrared fluorochrome, and a targeting moiety that binds a molecular marker indicative of the presence of asymptomatic stent thrombosis or the development of symptomatic stent thrombosis. To the extent that the subject displays one or more such markers, the probe binds to the markers and increases the local concentration of the probe in the vicinity of the stent. The imaging method identifies those patients that display a higher density of such markers in the vicinity of the stent. As a result, those patients can be monitored for, and/or treated to prevent, symptomatic stent thrombosis.

Abstract: System and method for obtaining information about a target structure. The system includes an optoelectrical element with an optical fiber having a core, a coating surrounding the core, an optical axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The optoelectrical element also includes an electrical connector embedded within the coating along the optical axis between the proximal end and the distal end. A transducer is disposed at the distal end and electrically connected to the electrical connector. The transducer is operable to detect a first energy, generated in response to light that has been transmitted from the proximal end to the distal end and outcoupled from the distal end toward the target structure, and to convert the received first energy to an electrical signal to be transmitted along the electrical connector.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence of atherosclerotic structures in order to diagnose or prevent atherosclerosis are provided herein. In particular, it has been found that methylene blue injected intravenously acts as an excellent indicator because the compound targets high-risk plaque, atheroma, macrophages, and other atherosclerotic structures formed within the endothelial walls of a vessel of a subject. Because the compound provides a unique binding profile with uptake only in plaque or atheroma, and not the normal or healthy vascular interstitial tissue, methylene blue maintains a good plaque-to-background ratio for imaging purposes. This enables healthcare providers to determine the status of atherosclerosis development in vivo within a patient with higher certainty and at lower costs. The disclosed methods allow for high-resolution mapping of plaque build-up, plaque pathobiology, and other atherosclerotic structures within a vessel of a subject by using methylene blue as an imaging agent.

Abstract: A multi-modal catheter combining at least NIRF and IVUs imaging channels used to reveal integrated biological and structural features of a lumen intravascularly imaged through flowing blood in vivo and corrected for distance-related attenuation and/or scattering parameters of in vivo blood to compensate for discovered overestimation of the degree of in-vivo-blood attenuation of NIRF signal Enhancing the sensitivity of detection of vascular injury and/or plaque deposition beyond the capability of a standalone IVUS imaging as a result of the use of such corrected catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method can be provided for obtaining information regarding at least one portion of a biological structure. For example, using a first arrangement, it is possible to generate a first electro-magnetic radiation to be forwarded to the portion and receive, from the portion, a second fluorescent radiation associated with the first electro-magnetic radiation Further, using a second arrangement, it is possible to obtain information associated with the second fluorescent radiation, and generate at least one image of the portion as a function of the second fluorescent radiation. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first arrangement can be inserted into at least one lumen, and the image of the portion may be associated with the at least one lumen.

Abstract: System and method for obtaining information about a target structure. The system includes an optoelectrical element with an optical fiber having a core, a coating surrounding the core, an optical axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The optoelectrical element also includes an electrical connector embedded within the coating along the optical axis between the proximal end and the distal end. A. transducer is disposed at the distal end and electrically connected to the electrical connector. The transducer is operable to detect a first energy, generated in response to light that has been transmitted from the proximal end to the distal end and outcoupled from the distal end toward the target structure, and to convert the received first energy to an electrical signal to be transmitted along the electrical connector.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for determining whether a subject containing a stent immobilized in a blood vessel has asymptomatic stent thrombosis or is at risk of developing clinically symptomatic stent thrombosis. In one approach, the method involves imaging a region of the blood vessel that contains the stent using a probe that contains a fluorochrome, for example, a near-infrared fluorochrome, and a targeting moiety that binds a molecular marker indicative of the presence of asymptomatic stent thrombosis or the development of symptomatic stent thrombosis. To the extent that the subject displays one or more such markers, the probe binds to the markers and increases the local concentration of the probe in the vicinity of the stent. The imaging method identifies those patients that display a higher density of such markers in the vicinity of the stent. As a result, those patients can be monitored for, and/or treated to prevent, symptomatic stent thrombosis.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for determining whether a subject containing a stent immobilized in a blood vessel has asymptomatic stent thrombosis or is at risk of developing clinically symptomatic stent thrombosis. In one approach, the method involves imaging a region of the blood vessel that contains the stent using a probe that contains a fluorochrome, for example, a near-infrared fluorochrome, and a targeting moiety that binds a molecular marker indicative of the presence of asymptomatic stent thrombosis or the development of symptomatic stent thrombosis. To the extent that the subject displays one or more such markers, the probe binds to the markers and increases the local concentration of the probe in the vicinity of the stent. The imaging method identifies those patients that display a higher density of such markers in the vicinity of the stent. As a result, those patients can be monitored for, and/or treated to prevent, symptomatic stent thrombosis.

Abstract: An apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can include a first section(s) and a second section(s) which can have a cross-section that can be smaller than that of the first section. The first and second sections can be a particular section and can include memory-forming characteristics. An imaging arrangement can be in communication with the first section or the second section. The particular section can have a first shape when the particular section can be constrained, and the particular section can have a second shape when the particular section can be unconstrained. The second shape can be more curved than the first shape.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus, system and method can be provided to measure a flow of fluid within an anatomical structure. For example, it is possible to use at least one first probe arrangement structured to be insertable into a vessel and configured to direct at least one radiation to at least one portion of the anatomical structure. Further, it is possible to provide at least one second arrangement which configured to detect an interference between a first radiation provided from the fluid via the probe arrangement and second a second radiation provided from a reference path as a function of wavelength thereof. Further, at least one third arrangement can be provided which is configured to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid as a function of the interference.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for determining whether a subject containing a stent immobilized in a blood vessel has asymptomatic stent thrombosis or is at risk of developing clinically symptomatic stent thrombosis. In one approach, the method involves imaging a region of the blood vessel that contains the stent using a probe that contains a fluorochrome, for example, a near-infrared fluorochrome, and a targeting moiety that binds a molecular marker indicative of the presence of asymptomatic stent thrombosis or the development of symptomatic stent thrombosis. To the extent that the subject displays one or more such markers, the probe binds to the markers and increases the local concentration of the probe in the vicinity of the stent. The imaging method identifies those patients that display a higher density of such markers in the vicinity of the stent. As a result, those patients can be monitored for, and/or treated to prevent, symptomatic stent thrombosis.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method can be provided for imaging a portion of an anatomical structure. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an indocyanine green (ICG) agent can be provided to at least one portion of an anatomical structure, and it can be determined whether at least one plaque structure associated with the at least one portion includes at least one of an angiogenesis or an inflammation based on the interaction between the ICG agent and the at least one portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method can be provided for obtaining information regarding at least one portion of a biological structure. For example, using a first arrangement, it is possible to generate a first electro-magnetic radiation to be forwarded to the portion and receive, from the portion, a second fluorescent radiation associated with the first electro-magnetic radiation Further, using a second arrangement, it is possible to obtain information associated with the second fluorescent radiation, and generate at least one image of the portion as a function of the second fluorescent radiation. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first arrangement can be inserted into at least one lumen, and the image of the portion may be associated with the at least one lumen.