Abstract: A system and method for dual energy CT spectral imaging that provides for accurate blood vessel stenosis visualization and quantification is disclosed. The CT system includes an x-ray source configured to project x-rays toward a region-of-interest of a patient that includes a blood vessel in a stenosed condition and having a plaque material therein. The CT system also includes an x-ray detector to receive x-rays emitted by the x-ray source and attenuated by the region-of-interest, a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the x-ray detector, and a computer programmed to obtain a first set of CT image data for the region-of-interest at a first chromatic energy level, obtain a second set of CT image data for the region-of-interest at a second chromatic energy level that is higher than the first chromatic energy level, and identify plaque material in the region-of-interest by analyzing the second set of CT image data.

Abstract: A method for processing computed tomography (CT) datasets comprises identifying regions of interest (ROIs) within a CT dataset is provided. The ROIs are ranked based on a comparison to at least one predetermined parameter. The ranking determines a level of importance for the ROIs with respect to each other. A list of the ROIs is provided on a display, the list indicating the ROIs based on an associated level of importance. The ROIs are selectable with a user interface.

Abstract: Systems, method and apparatus in which some implementations of respiratory structure imaging includes tracking a portion in a organ, determining wall contours in the portion and color-coding confidence in the wall contours. Some implementations of the color-coding includes selecting a cross section of a portion, determining average intensity of a wall in the organ from equally space ray vectors, determining confidence from a distribution of the average intensity, labeling sections of an organ image in reference to the average intensity, and color coding sections of the image in the memory according to the confidence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reconstructing a multiple resolution images of an object are provided. The method includes reconstructing a first three-dimensional image at a first resolution, determining at least one volume of interest in the generated image, and reconstructing a second three-dimensional image of the determined at least one volume of interest at a second resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution such that a quantification of image structures is facilitated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coding a visual representation of one or more plaque regions in a vessel are provided. The method includes segmenting the visual representation of the vessel to identify structures associated with the vessel, classifying at least one region in the vessel as a plaque region, displaying the at least one plaque region using a visual highlight selectively associated with the classification for the at least one plaque region, and shading the visual highlight based on a probability that the classification is correct.

Abstract: A method of modifying a segmented volume is disclosed herein. The method includes generating a reduced-resolution segmentation mask including a segmented region. The method includes performing a morphological erosion on the segmented region to form an eroded region and performing a morphological dilation on the eroded region to form a dilated region. The method also included identifying a leakage region in the segmented volume based on the dilated region and removing the leakage region from the segmented region to form an updated segmented volume.

Abstract: The preferred exemplary embodiments in the present application provide formulations and methods for the delivery of drugs, particularly drugs of abuse, having an abuse-relevant drug substantially confined in the core and a non-abuse relevant drug in a non-core region. These formulations have reduced potential for abuse. In the formulation, preferably the abuse relevant drug is an opioid and the non-abuse relevant drug is acetaminophen or ibuprofen. More preferably, the opioid is hydrocodone, and the non-abuse relevant analgesic is acetaminophen. In certain preferred embodiments, the dosage forms are characterized by resistance to solvent extraction; tampering, crushing or grinding. Certain embodiments of the inventions provide dosage forms that provide an initial burst of release of drug followed by a prolonged period of controllable drug release.

Abstract: A system and method includes acquisition of a set of image data comprising a plurality of image voxels and isolation of a set of pulmonary emboli candidates from the plurality of image voxels. The system and method also includes application of a non-linear contrast enhancement to the set of pulmonary emboli candidates, filtration of the enhanced set of pulmonary emboli candidates, output of a final set of pulmonary emboli candidates, and creation of an image comprising the final set of pulmonary emboli candidates.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a detector configured to receive data that can be reconstructed into a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object, and a computer programmed to obtain 3D image data of the object, the 3D image data including an internal structure of the object, define a longitudinal dimension of the internal structure from the 3D image data along a length of the structure, extract a first set of parameter-of-interest data related to the internal structure from the 3D image data along a first ray extending from a first location along the length of the structure and at a first angular orientation with respect to a base vector that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension, and plot the extracted first set of parameter-of-interest data at a pixel location of a two-dimensional (2D) plot that corresponds to the first location and corresponds to the first angular orientation.

Abstract: A method for generating a score for soft plaque in coronary arteries includes using the computer to estimate the soft plaque content within at least one object depicted in a medical image, using the computer to determine a plaque score dependent upon the estimated soft plaque content of the at least one object, and using the computer to report the plaque score.

Abstract: Method and system for processing an object within a diagnostic image comprises segmenting a three dimensional (3D) object within a diagnostic image. A contour of the object is fitted with a 3D mesh comprising splines in at least first and second directions. The splines provide a plurality of editable control points, and the splines in the first direction intersect with the splines in the second direction at intersection points. A position of at least one control point on the 3D mesh is adjusted based on a user input.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a cardiac image dataset acquired from an imaging system is provided. A location of a first potential blockage point within a first cardiac vessel is located. A functional impact of the first potential blockage point on the cardiac tissue is predicted, and a representation of the functional impact is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of computed tomography includes accessing multiple-energy computed tomography data and decomposing the multiple-energy computed tomography data to generate a monochromatic image including an anatomical region. The method and apparatus also includes segmenting the anatomical region from the monochromatic image to create a segmented region and generating a composite image including the segmented region.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) antibodies that contain an IgG4 constant region comprising a stabilizing hinge region mutation and wherein the antibodies exhibit an unexpectedly long serum half life in cynomolgus monkeys. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the anti-NGF antibodies, nucleic acids encoding the NGF antibodies, host cells for expressing the NGF antibodies and methods of using the antibodies for treating NGF-related diseases or conditions are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi-phase cardiac CT imaging includes an adaptive, selective reconstruction process that, when possible, implements an image or non-phase location driven reconstruction process to reconstruct cardiac CT images. If the hardware parameters support an image location driven reconstruction for the particular imaging session then the image location driven reconstruction is implemented. However, if image location driven reconstruction is not supported, a default phase location driven reconstruction is employed. Image location driven reconstruction improves system throughput and improves image quality as more cardiac phase locations can routinely be generated to better “freeze” the motion of the heart of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for oral administration. The invention preferably comprises at least one abuse-resistant drug delivery composition for delivering a drug having potential for dose dumping in alcohol, related methods of preparing these dosage forms, and methods of treating a patient in need thereof comprising administering the inventive compositions to the patient. Most preferably, the dosage form includes verapamil. These formulations have reduced potential for abuse. In another formulation, preferably the abuse relevant drug is an opioid and the non-abuse relevant drug is acetaminophen or ibuprofen. More preferably, the opioid is hydrocodone, and the non-abuse relevant analgesic is acetaminophen. In certain preferred embodiments, the dosage forms are characterized by resistance to solvent extraction; tampering, crushing or grinding.

Abstract: A method of modifying a segmented volume is disclosed herein. The method includes generating a reduced-resolution segmentation mask including a segmented region. The method includes performing a morphological erosion on the segmented region to form an eroded region and performing a morphological dilation on the eroded region to form a dilated region. The method also included identifying a leakage region in the segmented volume based on the dilated region and removing the leakage region from the segmented region to form an updated segmented volume.

Abstract: 3-(5,6-Dichloro-pyridin-3-yl)-1S,5S-3,6-diazabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane and salts thereof are effective nicotinic receptor agonist compounds that demonstrated pharmacological effect for symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing three-dimensional image data are disclosed herein. The system includes a processor configured to generate an overview image of at least a portion of a patient. The processor is configured to generate a cross-sectional image including a cross-sectional view of the overview image. The processor is also configured to generate a statistical image showing a parameter value relating to the portion of the patient shown in the overview image. The system also includes a visual output device connected to the processor. The visual output device is configured to display the overview image, the cross-sectional image, and the statistical image generally simultaneously. Also, the overview image, the cross-sectional image, and the statistical image are interconnected such that an update, change, or input applied to any one of the images results in an update to one or more of the other images.

Abstract: Systems, method and apparatus in which some implementations of respiratory structure imaging includes tracking a portion in a organ, determining wall contours in the portion and color-coding confidence in the wall contours. Some implementations of the color-coding includes selecting a cross section of a portion, determining average intensity of a wall in the organ from equally space ray vectors, determining confidence from a distribution of the average intensity, labeling sections of an organ image in reference to the average intensity, and color coding sections of the image in the memory according to the confidence.