Abstract: The invention relates to a non-invasive imaging method of bacteria. One embodiment comprises labeling the bacteria with a radioisotope, then delivering it to the gut of a human or animal. Another embodiment is to label bacteriophages, then administer them to a human or animal, so that they infect (and thus co-localize with) bacteria already resident in the human or animal. The bacteriophage can then be imaged, showing the location of the resident bacteria of interest. In another embodiment, the invention is related more generally to the labelling of bacteria or bacteriophages with a radio-metal or radioisotope to render the labeled gut bacteria and the bacteria in the body visible to nuclear medicine PET and SPECT imaging guided by functional/structural MRI and/or CT imaging.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved modified magnetosome that contains more iron therein with the combination of the expressed genes. This is achieved by co-expression of (a) one or more bacterial magnetotactic genes to amplify iron uptake, compartmentalization and biomineralization in cells, with (b) one or more mammalian iron handling proteins that together augment(s) and/or regulate the cells iron pool. As a result, mammalian cells or bacterial cells that are transfected or transformed, respectively, can be more effectively tracked using various imaging technologies.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved modified magnetosome that contains more iron therein with the combination of the expressed genes. This is achieved by co-expression of (a) one or more bacterial magnetotactic genes to amplify iron uptake, compartmentalization and biomineralization in cells, with (b) one or more mammalian iron handling proteins that together augment(s) and/or regulate the cells iron pool. As a result, mammalian cells or bacterial cells that are transfected or transformed, respectively, can be more effectively tracked using various imaging technologies.

Abstract: The invention is the production of magnetosome-like structures in cells. The invention provides in vitro and in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic methods using eukaryotic cells expressing magnetosome-like structures that act as contrast agents.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved modified magnetosome that contains more iron therein with the combination of the expressed genes. This is achieved by co-expression of (a) one or more bacterial magnetotactic genes to amplify iron uptake, compartmentalization and biomineralization in cells, with (b) one or more mammalian iron handling proteins that together augment(s) and/or regulate the cells iron pool. As a result, mammalian cells or bacterial cells that are transfected or transformed, respectively, can be more effectively tracked using various imaging technologies.

Abstract: A hybrid medical imaging system comprises a nuclear medicine imaging subsystem for capturing an image of a target region of a subject, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subsystem for capturing an MRI image of the target region based on at least one MRI parameter and processing structure communicating with the subsystems. The processing structure processes the MRI image to estimate attenuation within the target region and uses the estimated attenuation to correct the image captured by the nuclear medicine imaging subsystem.

Abstract: An apparatus for quantifying contrast agent behavior of an administrated contrast agent within a region of interest, comprises an imaging device configured to acquire images of a subject and processing structure communicating with the imaging device. The processing structure is configured to process image data of the acquired images to yield a time sequence of images, I(t), at a location (I) outside of the region of interest that detect contrast agent concentration before the contrast agent enters the region of interest and to yield a time sequence of images, J(t), at a location (J) within the region of interest that detect the contrast agent concentration as the contrast agent perfuses the region of interest.

Abstract: The invention is the production of magnetosome-like structures in cells. The invention provides in vitro and in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic methods using eukaryotic cells expressing magnetosome-like structures that act as contrast agents.

Abstract: A hybrid medical imaging system comprises a nuclear medicine imaging subsystem for capturing an image of a target region of a subject, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subsystem for capturing an MRI image of the target region based on at least one MRI parameter and processing structure communicating with the subsystems. The processing structure processes the MRI image to estimate attenuation within the target region and uses the estimated attenuation to correct the image captured by the nuclear medicine imaging subsystem.

Abstract: A method for quantifying contrast agent behavior of an administrated contrast agent within a region of interest, comprises: obtaining a time sequence of measurements, I(t), of contrast agent concentration starting before the contrast agent enters the region of interest and a time sequence of measurements, J(t), of the contrast agent concentration as the contrast agent perfuses the region of interest; deconvolving I(t) from J(t) to obtain an estimate of the tissue impulse response function for the region of interest, R?(t), where R?(t) is constrained to take into account at least one of physiologic and physical considerations and is chosen such that I(t)R?(t) is the maximum likelihood estimate of J(t), where denotes convolution; and determining the behaviour of the contrast agent in the region of interest based on R?(t).

Abstract: A system and method for performing local tomography is provided. The system comprises an anatomical imaging subsystem for imaging a patient and generating anatomical image data. A computing device generates an anatomical image from the anatomical image data and identifies a region-of-interest within the anatomical image. A molecular imaging subsystem captures molecular image data from only a portion of the patient including the region-of-interest. The computing device generates a molecular tomographic image of the region-of-interest from the molecular image data and the anatomical image.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of magnetic shielding alone and magnetic shielding combined with magnetic field stimulation in methods for the treatment, diagnosis and assessment of disease, condition, or physical or mental state. The invention also includes portable devices for the shielding of magnetic fields for therapy and treatment of disease, condition, or physical or mental state.

Abstract: A method of applying scatter and attenuation correction to emission tomography images of a region of interest of a patient under observation comprises the steps of aligning a three-dimensional computer model representing the density distribution within the region of interest with the emission tomography images. The computer model is created from image data of other subjects thereby to avoid the need to image the subject under observation to create the computer model. Scatter and attenuation correction is applied to the emission tomography images using the aligned computer model as a guide.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of magnetic shielding alone and magnetic shielding combined with magnetic field stimulation in methods for the treatment, diagnosis and assessment of disease, condition, or physical or mental state. The invention also includes portable devices for the shielding of magnetic fields for therapy and treatment of disease, condition, or physical or mental state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a disorder selected from the group of physiological, neurological and behavioral disorders, the method comprising applying to a subject a specific low frequency pulsed magnetic field (Cnp) having a plurality of intermittent waveforms, for a time effective to produce a desired effect in a target tissue.