Abstract: A method for PET image reconstruction acquires PET data by a PET scanner; reconstructs from the acquired PET data a seed PET image; builds a feature space from the seed PET image and anatomical images co-registered with the seed PET image; performs a penalized maximum-likelihood reconstruction of a PET image from the seed PET image and the feature space using a penalty function that is calculated based on the differences between each voxel and its neighbors both on the PET image and in the feature space regardless of their location in the image.

Abstract: A method for PET image reconstruction acquires PET data by a PET scanner; reconstructs from the acquired PET data a seed PET image; builds a feature space from the seed PET image and anatomical images co-registered with the seed PET image; performs a penalized maximum-likelihood reconstruction of a PET image from the seed PET image and the feature space using a penalty function that is calculated based on the differences between each voxel and its neighbors both on the PET image and in the feature space regardless of their location in the image.

Abstract: Non-invasive imaging methods and minimally invasive sensing methods are used for assessing the viability of cells implanted in the central nervous system for therapeutic purposes and for detecting the transformation of such cells, including embryonic stem cells, into brain tumors. In particular, the present invention provides an imaging means for differentiating normal cell proliferation and angiogenesis following a cell implant from abnormal tumor growth and neovascularization associated with teratoma-inducing implanted embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for treatments and targeted drug delivery into a living patient, particularly but not exclusively using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The apparatus and method are useful in delivery to all types of living tissue and uses MR Imaging to track the location of drug delivery and estimating the rate of drug delivery. An MR-visible drug delivery device positioned at a target site (e.g., intracranial delivery) delivers a diagnostic or therapeutic drug solution into the tissue (e.g., the brain). The spinal distribution kinetics of the injected or infused drug agent are monitored quantitatively and non-invasively using water proton directional diffusion MR imaging to establish the efficacy of drug delivery at a targeted location.

Abstract: A catheter is used for medical treatments within an organism. The catheter comprises at least one lumen. Within the at least one lumen are at least two microcatheters, with at least one of the at least two microcatheters being connected to a source of liquid material to be delivered to the organism and another of the at least two microcatheters being connected to a system capable of effecting a medical treatment other than delivery of the liquid.

Abstract: The invention shows a method for obtaining temporally spaced images of tissues, including blood vessels, to reveal blood flow abnormalities within those tissues and vessels.

Abstract: A general mathematical framework is formulated to characterize the contribution of gradient non-uniformities to diffusion tensor imaging in MRI. Based on a model expansion, the actual gradient field is approximated and employed, after elimination of geometric distortions, for predicting and correcting the errors in diffusion encoding. Prior to corrections, experiments clearly reveal marked deviations of the calculated diffusivity for fields of view generally used in diffusion experiments. These deviations are most significant with greater distance from the magnet's isocenter. For a FOV of 25 cm the resultant errors in absolute diffusivity can range from approximately ?10 to +20 percent. Within the same field of view, the diffusion-encoding direction and the orientation of the calculated eigenvectors can be significantly altered if the perturbations by the gradient non-uniformities are not considered. With the proposed correction scheme most of the errors introduced by gradient non-uniformities can be removed.

Abstract: A general mathematical framework is formulated to characterize the contribution of gradient non-uniformities to diffusion tensor imaging in MRI. Based on a model expansion, the actual gradient field is approximated and employed, after elimination of geometric distortions, for predicting and correcting the errors in diffusion encoding. Prior to corrections, experiments clearly reveal marked deviations of the calculated diffusivity for fields of view generally used in diffusion experiments. These deviations are most significant with greater distance from the magnet's isocenter. For a FOV of 25 cm the resultant errors in absolute diffusivity can range from approximately −10 to +20 percent. Within the same field of view, the difflision-encoding direction and the orientation of the calculated eigenvectors can be significantly altered if the perturbations by the gradient non-uniformities are not considered.

Abstract: A method of detecting a neurological disorder such as dyslexia includes the steps of measuring microstructure of cerebral white matter, and correlating the microstructure to the presence of the neurological disorder. For dyslexia, the white matter is confined to temporo-parietal white matter. The microstructure is measured by determining cerebral white matter anisotropy using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI).

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for targeted drug delivery into a living patient using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The apparatus and method are useful in delivery to all types of living tissue and uses MR Imaging to track the location of drug delivery and estimating the rate of drug delivery. An MR-visible drug delivery device positioned at an target site (e.g., intracranial delivery) delivers a diagnostic or therapeutic drug solution into the tissue (e.g., the brain). The spatial distribution kinetics of the injected or infused drug agent are monitored quantitatively and non-invasively using water proton directional diffusion MR imaging to establish the efficacy of drug delivery at a targeted location.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for targeted drug delivery into a living patient using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The apparatus and method are useful in delivery to all types of living tissue and uses MR Imaging to track the location of drug delivery and estimating the rate of drug delivery. An MR-visible drug delivery device positioned at an target site (e.g., intracranial delivery) delivers a diagnostic or therapeutic drug solution into the tissue (e.g., the brain). The spatial distribution kinetics of the injected or infused drug agent are monitored quantitatively and non-invasively using water proton directional diffusion MR imaging to establish the efficacy of drug delivery at a targeted location.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring the vasodilatory or vasoconstrictive effects of a physiologically active substance administered to a human or non-human animal body, said method comprising the steps of: administering said substance into said body; administering into the systemic vasculature of said body a contrast enhancing amount of an intravascular paramagnetic metal containing magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent; subjecting said body to a magnetic resonance imaging procedure capable of generating from magnetic resonance signals from said body a series of temporally spaced images of at least a part of said body into which said agent passes, said procedure being a fast imaging procedure having an image acquisition time of less than five seconds; and detecting temporal variations in said signals or images whereby to monitor the vasoconstriction or vasodilation induced by said substance.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting blood flow abnormality or variation in a human or non-human body, said method comprising administering into the cardiovascular system of a said body a contrast enhancing amount of an intravascular paramagnetic metal containing magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, subject said body to a magnetic resonance imaging procedure capable of generating from magnetic resonance signals from said body a series of temporally spaced images of at least a part of said body into which said agent passes, and detecting temporal variations in said signals or images whereby to identify regions of abnormal or modified blood flow in said body and to indicate the degree of blood flow abnormality or modification therein.