Abstract: A method including generating a 3-D model of an unstenosed geometry of a blood vessel responsive to a 3-D model of an actual geometry of the blood vessel, establishing a parametric description of a stent that is expanded from a collapsed configuration to a final configuration that apposes the unstenosed geometry, developing a design for the stent by varying parameters of the parametric description responsive to a design heuristic that includes risk of stent strut breakage during a plastic deformation between the collapsed configuration and the final configuration, embodying the stent according to the design for the stent, inserting the stent into a blood vessel in its collapsed configuration, maneuvering the stent through the blood vessel to a stenosis, and expanding the stent to its final configuration.

Abstract: A method for imaging a coronary arterial system of an individual includes releasing, using an actuator, pulses of a radio-opaque dye into a coronary arterial tree of the individual. The method further includes obtaining, using an image capture device, a sequence of invasive coronary x-ray angiogram images over time of the pulses of the radio-opaque dye. The method also includes tracking, using a processor, the pulses through the sequence of invasive coronary x-ray angiogram images and locating the pulses on a three dimensional (3D) structural model of the coronary arterial system to generate a three dimensional (3D) functional model of the coronary arterial system that shows a trajectory of the dye as it flows through different arterial branches.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically separating and collecting a fluid stream into multiple portions, including a tubing to receive the fluid stream, a plurality of valves attached to the tubing in spaced relation along the length of the tubing and a plurality fluid collection containers attached to the valves. A controller controls the activation of the plurality of valves to collect and separate portions of the fluid stream in the plurality of the fluid collection containers. A flow meter detects the flow of the fluid stream in the tubing and measures a flow rate of the fluid stream. The controller activates the valves based on the detection of the fluid and the flow rate. The controller also activates the valves based on the timing of the fluid stream. The controller also monitors the flow rate over time and activates the valves in sequence based on the flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of multiple samples of a fluid stream. The apparatus includes a plurality fluid collection containers arranged to receive separate portions of the fluid stream in a temporal sequence and a sealing mechanism provided on each fluid collection container configured to close the fluid collection containers when filled by a portion of the fluid stream and to cause the fluid stream to flow to the next fluid collection container in the sequence. The fluid collection containers separately collect at least a beginning portion of the fluid stream, a mid-portion of the fluid stream and an end-portion of the fluid stream. Each of the fluid collection containers may be detachably connected to tubing held in a housing having a sloped upper surface for receiving the fluid stream and an inlet for directing the fluid stream to the tubing. The housing may be a fluid collection cup.

Abstract: A method including generating a 3-D model of an unstenosed geometry of a blood vessel responsive to a 3-D model of an actual geometry of the blood vessel, establishing a parametric description of a stent that is expanded from a collapsed configuration to a final configuration that apposes the unstenosed geometry, developing a design for the stent by varying parameters of the parametric description responsive to a design heuristic that includes risk of stent strut breakage during a plastic deformation between the collapsed configuration and the final configuration, embodying the stent according to the design for the stent, inserting the stent into a blood vessel in its collapsed configuration, maneuvering the stent through the blood vessel to a stenosis, and expanding the stent to its final configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of multiple samples of a fluid stream. The apparatus includes a plurality fluid collection containers arranged to receive separate portions of the fluid stream in a temporal sequence and a sealing mechanism provided on each fluid collection container configured to close the fluid collection containers when filled by a portion of the fluid stream and to cause the fluid stream to flow to the next fluid collection container in the sequence. The fluid collection containers separately collect at least a beginning portion of the fluid stream, a mid-portion of the fluid stream and an end-portion of the fluid stream. Each of the fluid collection containers may be detachably connected to tubing held in a housing having a sloped upper surface for receiving the fluid stream and an inlet for directing the fluid stream to the tubing. The housing may be a fluid collection cup.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically separating and collecting a fluid stream into multiple portions, including a tubing to receive the fluid stream, a plurality of valves attached to the tubing in spaced relation along the length of the tubing and a plurality fluid collection containers attached to the valves. A controller controls the activation of the plurality of valves to collect and separate portions of the fluid stream in the plurality of the fluid collection containers. A flow meter detects the flow of the fluid stream in the tubing and measures a flow rate of the fluid stream. The controller activates the valves based on the detection of the fluid and the flow rate. The controller also activates the valves based on the timing of the fluid stream. The controller also monitors the flow rate over time and activates the valves in sequence based on the flow rate.

Abstract: A method including generating a 3-D model of an unstenosed geometry of a blood vessel responsive to a 3-D model of an actual geometry of the blood vessel, establishing a parametric description of a stent that is expanded from a collapsed configuration to a final configuration that apposes the unstenosed geometry, developing a design for the stent by varying parameters of the parametric description responsive to a design heuristic that includes risk of stent strut breakage during a plastic deformation between the collapsed configuration and the final configuration, embodying the stent according to the design for the stent, inserting the stent into a blood vessel in its collapsed configuration, maneuvering the stent through the blood vessel to a stenosis, and expanding the stent to its final configuration.

Abstract: A method including generating a 3-D model of an unstenosed geometry of a blood vessel responsive to a 3-D model of an actual geometry of the blood vessel, establishing a parametric description of a stent that is expanded from a collapsed configuration to a final configuration that apposes the unstenosed geometry, developing a design for the stent by varying parameters of the parametric description responsive to a design heuristic that includes risk of stent strut breakage during a plastic deformation between the collapsed configuration and the final configuration, embodying the stent according to the design for the stent, inserting the stent into a blood vessel in its collapsed configuration, maneuvering the stent through the blood vessel to a stenosis, and expanding the stent to its final configuration.

Abstract: A method for imaging a coronary arterial system of an individual includes releasing, using an actuator, pulses of a radio-opaque dye into a coronary arterial tree of the individual. The method further includes obtaining, using an image capture device, a sequence of invasive coronary x-ray angiogram images over time of the pulses of the radio-opaque dye. The method also includes tracking, using a processor, the pulses through the sequence of invasive coronary x-ray angiogram images and locating the pulses on a three dimensional (3D) structural model of the coronary arterial system to generate a three dimensional (3D) functional model of the coronary arterial system that shows a trajectory of the dye as it flows through different arterial branches.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention receives by an interface a retinal image from a patient, and identifies by a feature extraction device vessel fragments in the retinal image. The vessel fragments include at least a portion of a major vessel and at least a portion of a branch connected to a major vessel. A processor computes estimated blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments with a blood flow velocity estimation model and determines actual blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments. An analysis engine compares the actual blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments to the estimated blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments. The analysis engine detects a candidate plaque affected vessel fragment when the estimated blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments differs from the actual blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method including generating a 3-D model of an unstenosed geometry of a blood vessel responsive to a 3-D model of an actual geometry of the blood vessel, establishing a parametric description of a stent that is expanded from a collapsed configuration to a final configuration that apposes the unstenosed geometry, developing a design for the stent by varying parameters of the parametric description responsive to a design heuristic that includes risk of stent strut breakage during a plastic deformation between the collapsed configuration and the final configuration, embodying the stent according to the design for the stent, inserting the stent into a blood vessel in its collapsed configuration, maneuvering the stent through the blood vessel to a stenosis, and expanding the stent to its final configuration.

Abstract: A method including generating a 3-D model of an unstenosed geometry of a blood vessel responsive to a 3-D model of an actual geometry of the blood vessel, establishing a parametric description of a stent that is expanded from a collapsed configuration to a final configuration that apposes the unstenosed geometry, developing a design for the stent by varying parameters of the parametric description responsive to a design heuristic that includes risk of stent strut breakage during a plastic deformation between the collapsed configuration and the final configuration, embodying the stent according to the design for the stent, inserting the stent into a blood vessel in its collapsed configuration, maneuvering the stent through the blood vessel to a stenosis, and expanding the stent to its final configuration.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention receives by an interface a retinal image from a patient, and identifies by a feature extraction device vessel fragments in the retinal image. The vessel fragments include at least a portion of a major vessel and at least a portion of a branch connected to a major vessel. A processor computes estimated blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments with a blood flow velocity estimation model and determines actual blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments. An analysis engine compares the actual blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments to the estimated blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments. The analysis engine detects a candidate plaque affected vessel fragment when the estimated blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments differs from the actual blood flow velocities in the vessel fragments by a predetermined amount.