Abstract: A method includes providing medical images of a subject for selecting a target image from thereamong, building a 3D image model based on the medical images and the target image with a surgical target site assigned, performing image registration to superimpose the 3D image model on a real-time image of the subject so as to result in a combined image, determining a virtual entry site located on the combined image, connecting the surgical target site and the virtual entry site with a straight line, generating a guiding path extending from the virtual entry site, in a direction away from the surgical target site and along the straight line, and displaying the guiding path for guiding a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method includes providing medical images of a subject for selecting a target image from thereamong, building a 3D image model based on the medical images and the target image with a surgical target site assigned, performing image registration to superimpose the 3D image model on a real-time image of the subject so as to result in a combined image, determining a virtual entry site located on the combined image, connecting the surgical target site and the virtual entry site with a straight line, generating a guiding path extending from the virtual entry site, in a direction away from the surgical target site and along the straight line, and displaying the guiding path for guiding a surgical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing an effective amount of Bevacizumab required for treating brain tumor. The present invention also provides a kit used for the aforesaid method. The present method adopts a combination strategy to combine Bevacizumab treatment with ultrasound exposure, which comprises at least the following steps: administering Bevacizumab to a subject; administering an ultrasound-response medium to said subject; and administering said subject with an ultrasound exposure. Specific effective amount of the Bevacizumab treatment and the ultrasound exposure were identified. The efficacy of conventional Bevacizumab treatment is significantly improved.

Abstract: A system includes an image capturing device, a subject reference marker disposed adjacent to a subject, a tool reference marker disposed on a treatment tool, a display device mounted on an operator, an operator reference marker disposed on the display device, and a processor. The image capturing device includes two image capturing modules that simultaneously and respectively capture two images of the operator, the subject, and the treatment tool. The processor receives the images, analyzes the images to obtain spatial locations of the reference markers, and transmits coordinate information and auxiliary information.

Abstract: In a proposed surgical navigation method for a surgical operation to be performed on an operation target, a mobile device stores 3D imaging information that relates to the operation target before the surgical operation. Then, an optical positioning system is used to acquire spatial coordinate information relating to the mobile device and the operation target, so that the mobile device can obtain a relative coordinate which is a vector from the operation target to the mobile device, obtain a 3D image based on the relative coordinate and the 3D imaging information, and display the 3D image based on the relative coordinate, such that visual perception of the operation target through the mobile device has the 3D image superimposed thereon.

Abstract: A system includes an image capturing device, a subject reference marker disposed adjacent to a subject, a tool reference marker disposed on a treatment tool, a display device mounted on an operator, an operator reference marker disposed on the display device, and a processor. The image capturing device includes two image capturing modules that simultaneously and respectively capture two images of the operator, the subject, and the treatment tool. The processor receives the images, analyzes the images to obtain spatial locations of the reference markers, and transmits coordinate information and auxiliary information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for enhancing uptake of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) having a therapeutic agent associated therein to a target site (e.g., a tumor), thereby resulting in elevated level of therapeutic agents being accumulated in the target site. The method comprises concurrently administering a sufficient amount of a polyphenolic compound and MNPs to the target site. Also disclosed herein is a method for treating a cancer in a subject. The method comprises concurrently administering an effective amount of the polyphenolic compound and MNPs to the subject, so as to ameliorate or alleviate symptoms associated with the cancer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a neuronavigation-guided focused ultrasound system and a method for the same, which are used to guide focused ultrasound energy to a target point. The system of the present invention comprises a focused ultrasound device, a neuronavigation system and a fixture. According to an image of an interested region of an individual, a focus point of the focused ultrasound device, and tracking points provided by the neuronavigation system, the neuronavigation system performs a calibration process and establishes a positional relationship between the focus point and the image of the interested region. Thereby, the neuronavigation system can recognize the focus point and guide focused ultrasound to the target point.

Abstract: Methods to use medical imaging to monitor the molecule penetration into CNS during ultrasound-mediated delivery are disclosed. The method states a two-step process to predict the amount of molecular penetration which is based on the observation of medical imaging. The first is to propose a unified exposure input to unify the exposure condition so as to build a transferred relation to imaging index. The second is to propose a unified imaging index to unify the imaging readout so as to build a reliable transferred relation to molecular concentration. Linking these two, the molecular penetration induced by ultrasound irradiation can be estimated from medical imaging with ultrasound exposure conditions and molecular sizes.

Abstract: A processing system and a confocal processing method for confocally emitting and receiving ultrasound. Firstly, a first driving electrical signal is generated. Then, at least one first ultrasound signal having a main frequency is emitted to a reflection position according to the first driving electrical signal. With an object at the reflection position, the first ultrasound signal is reflected to form at least one second ultrasound signal. Then, a first analyzed signal whose frequency lower than the main frequency is retrieved from the second ultrasound signal, and other signals are eliminated from the second ultrasound signal, and the first analyzed signal is converted into at least one first analogous signal. Finally, first energy of a first fixed bandwidth of the first analyzed signal is retrieved by the first analogous signal. The method stops generating the first driving electrical signal when the first energy is larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Methods to use medical imaging to monitor the molecule penetration into CNS during ultrasound-mediated delivery are disclosed. The method states a two-step process to predict the amount of molecular penetration which is based on the observation of medical imaging. The first is to propose a unified exposure input to unify the exposure condition so as to build a transferred relation to imaging index. The second is to propose a unified imaging index to unify the imaging readout so as to build a reliable transferred relation to molecular concentration. Linking these two, the molecular penetration induced by ultrasound irradiation can be estimated from medical imaging with ultrasound exposure conditions and molecular sizes.

Abstract: A processing system and a confocal processing method for confocally emitting and receiving ultrasound. Firstly, a first driving electrical signal is generated. Then, at least one first ultrasound signal having a main frequency is emitted to a reflection position according to the first driving electrical signal. With an object at the reflection position, the first ultrasound signal is reflected to form at least one second ultrasound signal. Then, a first analyzed signal whose frequency lower than the main frequency is retrieved from the second ultrasound signal, and other signals are eliminated from the second ultrasound signal, and the first analyzed signal is converted into at least one first analogous signal. Finally, first energy of a first fixed bandwidth of the first analyzed signal is retrieved by the first analogous signal. The method stops generating the first driving electrical signal when the first energy is larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a magnetic nanocomposite for inhibiting/treating cancer and a method for fabricating the same. The magnetic nanocomposite comprises a core formed of a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles made of ferric ferrous oxide (Fe3O4); a shell made of a carboxy-functionalized polyaniline; and an anti-tumor medicine bound to the external surface of the shell. The method of the present invention fast fabricates the magnetic nanocomposite in a simple way. The medicine of the present invention has a longer half life and a better thermal stability. The present invention disperses the water-insoluble medicine in water uniformly to decrease the biological rejection. Moreover, the magnetic nanocomposite of the present invention is guided to the nidus by an external magnetic field to increase the local concentration of the medicine and provide an effective chemotherapy. Therefore, the present invention has competitive advantage over the conventional BCNU.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a magnetic nanocomposite with multi-biofunctional groups, which comprises a core and a shell wrapping the core, wherein the core contains magnetic nanoparticles, and wherein the shell is made of a conductive polymer with multi-biofunctional groups where a medicine, an antibody or a fluorescent label can be attached.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a neuronavigation-guided focused ultrasound system and a method for the same, which are used to guide focused ultrasound energy to a target point. The system of the present invention comprises a focused ultrasound device, a neuronavigation system and a fixture. According to an image of an interested region of an individual, a focus point of the focused ultrasound device, and tracking points provided by the neuronavigation system, the neuronavigation system performs a calibration process and establishes a positional relationship between the focus point and the image of the interested region. Thereby, the neuronavigation system can recognize the focus point and guide focused ultrasound to the target point.

Abstract: A composition for enhancing cellular uptake of carrier particles comprises a delivery system for a drug or biochemical molecule; and a polyphenolic compound, wherein the polyphenolic compound is added to the drug or biochemical molecule delivery system to enhance cellular uptake of drug or biochemical molecules carried by the delivery system. A method for the same is also disclosed, wherein a polyphenolic compound or its derivative is mixed with an existing delivery system for drug or biochemical molecule, and the mixture is used to deliver drug or biochemical molecules into cells or an organism. The method is easy to operate and does not require further chemical reaction in process of the existing delivery system. The delivery system may include a magnetic carrier that can be guided to a specified region by an external magnetic field, consequently increased the amount of the drug or biochemical molecules acting on target cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating a brain disease in which focused ultrasound and magnetic targeting are applied to a subject in need of such treatment, so that therapeutic agent-magnetic nanoparticle composites are directed across the blood-brain barrier to a designated locus inside the brain of the subject. Each of the composites includes a magnetic nanoparticle that is formed of an iron-based core and a shell encapsulating the iron-based core, and a therapeutic agent that is bound to the shell of the magnetic nanoparticle. The magnetic nanoparticle has a size ranging from 5 to 200 nm. The iron-based core has a crystalline structure that imparts the composites with a sufficiently high magnetization, thereby enhancing magnetic targeting of the composites to the designated locus inside the brain of the subject. The magnetic targeting treatment is conducted via a magnet providing a magnetic flux density not less than 0.18 T.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a magnetic nanocomposite with multi-biofunctional groups, which comprises a core and a shell wrapping the core, wherein the core contains magnetic nanoparticles, and wherein the shell is made of a conductive polymer with multi-biofunctional groups where a medicine, an antibody or a fluorescent label can be attached.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a magnetic nanocomposite for inhibiting/treating cancer and a method for fabricating the same. The magnetic nanocomposite comprises a core formed of a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles made of ferric ferrous oxide (Fe3O4); a shell made of a carboxy-functionalized polyaniline; and an anti-tumor medicine bound to the external surface of the shell. The method of the present invention fast fabricates the magnetic nanocomposite in a simple way. The medicine of the present invention has a longer half life and a better thermal stability. The present invention disperses the water-insoluble medicine in water uniformly to decrease the biological rejection. Moreover, the magnetic nanocomposite of the present invention is guided to the nidus by an external magnetic field to increase the local concentration of the medicine and provide an effective chemotherapy. Therefore, the present invention has competitive advantage over the conventional BCNU.