Abstract: A fiber optics based locator system having a fiber optics portion configured to be advanced directly through a tortuous body passage of a patient without being advanced through the lumen of an independently formed delivery device. A light-emitting element, such as a diffuser, may be provided at the distal end of the system. The fiber optics are selected to transmit light to the light-emitting element capable of being detected through body tissue. For instance, the light-emitting element may be positioned within a first location within a patient, and may be sensed by a sensor positioned within a second location within a patient spaced apart from (e.g., within a different anatomical structure than) the first location. Various procedures may be performed by accessing a target site at or adjacent the first location from a position at or adjacent the second location.

Abstract: A locator system having a flexible elongate delivery device, such as a flexible guidewire, advanced to a target site separately from the beacon element of the system. The beacon element may be configured to not extend beyond the perimeter of a housing on which the beacon element is mounted, thereby reducing the overall cross-sectional profile of the beacon portion of the system. The beacon element may be mounted with respect to the housing to be imaged in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the system. The beacon element may include one or more LED's or other element imageable from a location separate from the target site.

Abstract: Compounds with magnetic properties are provided herein, which belong to the category of metal oxide nanoparticles, coated and conveniently functionalized, which are conjugated with naphthalene compounds related to agglomerates and ?-amyloid plaques present in neurodegenerative diseases. These new nanoparticles (NPs) are used for the non-invasive detection of agglomerates and amyloid plaques using the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique. The nanoparticles described here cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), without the use of any membrane-disrupting agent. Likewise, they bind with high affinity and specificity to the agglomerates and ?-amyloid plaques, and are used as contrast agents in MRI for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for providing analytic services, as well as computer programs encoded on computer storage devices and configured to perform the actions of the methods. One or more processors create an alignment associated with a client, where the alignment organizes data in a database, and where the data in the database comprises prescription information, store information, and product information. A request for a report is received, where the request identifies the client. The requested report is generated based on the alignment, where the report comprises one or more indicators derived from data contained in the database.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for providing analytic services, as well as computer programs encoded on computer storage devices and configured to perform the actions of the methods. One or more processors create an alignment associated with a client, where the alignment organizes data in a database, and where the data in the database comprises prescription information, store information, and product information. A request for a report is received, where the request identifies the client. The requested report is generated based on the alignment, where the report comprises one or more indicators derived from data contained in the database.