Abstract: The present invention is directed to EGFR-specific peptide reagents, methods for detecting pre-cancer, early cancer and/or cancer using the peptide reagents, and methods for targeting pre-cancer cells, early cancer cells and/or cancer cells using the peptide reagents. In one aspect, the disclosure provides reagents consisting essentially of a peptide QRHKPRE (SEQ ID NO: 1), HAHRSWS (SEQ ID NO: 2), YLTMPTP (SEQ ID NO: 3), TYPISFM (SEQ ID NO: 4), KLPGWSG (SEQ ID NO: 5), IQSPHFF (SEQ ID NO: 6), YSIPKSS (SEQ ID NO: 7), SHRNRPRNTQPS (SEQ ID NO: 8), NRHKPREKTFTD (SEQ ID NO: 9).

Abstract: The present invention relates to micelle drug carriers and methods of using the micelles to deliver drugs to target cells. The micelles are useful, for example, for carrying and targeting drugs for the treatment of cancer to cancer cells. As one example, the disclosure provides pegylated octadecyl lithocholate micelles that are labeled with a peptide ligand for colorectal neo-plasia and that carry the small molecule mTOR inhibitor rapamycin to colorectal cancer cells.

Abstract: An optical probe scanning assembly for use in an optical probe includes a mirror assembly that focuses an illumination beam path and a collection beam path at a region of interest within the sample. The illumination beam and the collection beam overlap to form a confocal beam region. The mirror assembly is movable in an x-axis direction and in a y-axis direction to scan the confocal beam region within the sample. The scanning assembly further includes a scanning suspension system including a gimbal assembly connected to the mirror assembly to allow the mirror assembly to rotate about one or more axes. The mirror is thereby adapted to scan along at least two different orthogonal planes, one of which extends vertically into the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to HER2-specific peptide reagents, methods for detecting pre-cancer (dysplasia), early cancer and/or cancer using the peptide reagents, and methods for targeting pre-cancerous (dysplastic) cells, and/or cancer cells using the peptide reagents.

Abstract: An optical device is described that may be used as a microscope system for real-time, three-dimensional optical imaging. The device includes a miniature, fiber optic, intra-vital probe microscope that uses a dual-axes confocal architecture to allow for vertical scanning perpendicular to a surface of the sample (e.g., a tissue surface). The optical device can use off-axis illumination and collection of light to achieve sub-cellular resolution with deep tissue penetration. The optical device may be used as part of an integrated molecular imaging strategy using fluorescence-labeled peptides to detect cell surface targets that are up-regulated by the epithelium and/or endothelium of colon and breast tumors in small animal models of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to claudin-1-specific peptide reagents, methods for detecting pre-cancer (dysplasia), early cancer and/or cancer using the peptide reagents, and methods for targeting pre-cancerous (dysplastic) cells, and/or cancer cells using the peptide reagents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to EGFR-specific peptide reagents, methods for detecting pre-cancer, early cancer and/or cancer using the peptide reagents, and methods for targeting pre-cancer cells, early cancer cells and/or cancer cells using the peptide reagents. In one aspect, the disclosure provides reagents consisting essentially of a peptide QRHKPRE (SEQ ID NO: 1), HAHRSWS (SEQ ID NO: 2), YLTMPTP (SEQ ID NO: 3), TYPISFM (SEQ ID NO: 4), KLPGWSG (SEQ ID NO: 5), IQSPHFF (SEQ ID NO: 6), YSIPKSS (SEQ ID NO: 7), SHRNRPRNTQPS (SEQ ID NO: 8), NRHKPREKTFTD (SEQ ID NO: 9).

Abstract: An endscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptide reagents, methods for detecting colon pre-cancer (dysplasia with non-polypoid or polypoid morphology) or cancer using the peptide reagents, and methods for targeting pre-cancerous or cancerous colon cells using the peptide reagents.

Abstract: An endscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue.

Abstract: An endscopic imaging device is described that achieves longitudinal axis (z-axis) scanning into a tissue or sample, using a piezoelectric microactuator. In some configurations, additional lateral (xy-plane) scanning is also achieved, to allow for the creation of full three-dimensional imaging, ex vivo or in vivo. The techniques may be used to image and diagnosis allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic esophagitis in tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptide reagents, methods for detecting colon pre-cancer (dysplasia with non-polypoid or polypoid morphology) or cancer using the peptide reagents, and methods for targeting pre-cancerous or cancerous colon cells using the peptide reagents.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including neoplasia targeting peptides as well as methods of using the neoplasia targeting peptides in diagnosing, detecting, treating, monitoring treatment, and analyzing cancer or cancer cells in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: An optical device is described that may be used as a microscope system for real-time, three-dimensional optical imaging. The device includes a miniature, fiber optic, intra-vital probe microscope that uses a dual-axes confocal architecture to allow for vertical scanning perpendicular to a surface of the sample (e.g., a tissue surface). The optical device can use off-axis illumination and collection of light to achieve sub-cellular resolution with deep tissue penetration. The optical device may be used as part of an integrated molecular imaging strategy using fluorescence-labeled peptides to detect cell surface targets that are up-regulated by the epithelium and/or endothelium of colon and breast tumors in small animal models of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for use in detecting dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including neoplasia targeting peptides as well as methods of using the neoplasia targeting peptides in diagnosing, detecting, treating, monitoring treatment, and analyzing cancer or cancer cells in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: An endoscope having an optical guide that is optically coupled to a first broadband light source and a second laser light source that emits light at a wavelength in a range of 350 nm to 420 nm. The endoscope has an image sensor at a distal end and collects a reflectance image including red, green and blue components with the image sensor in response to illumination by said broadband light source. The image sensor also collects an autofluorescence image having a blue component, a green component and a red component. A processor processes the fluorescence image by determining a ratio of the fluorescence image and the reflectance image to provide a processed fluorescence image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorescence endoscope imaging system. The system uses first and second light sources to provide fluorescence and reflectance images of tissue being examined. An imaging device mounted at the distal end of the device is used to collect both images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorescence endoscope imaging system. The system uses first and second light sources to provide fluorescence and reflectance images of tissue being examined. The imaging system also includes an electronic controller that actuates the illumination of the system by switching current through the first light source between a first illumination level and a second illumination level such that the tissue is illuminated at the first or second illumination level. An imaging device mounted at the distal end of the device is used to collect both images.