Abstract: An imaging system and method for imaging an immobilized object. The imaging system includes a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state. The system also includes means for imaging the immobilized object in various imaging modes to capture images of the object. The imaging system further includes a movable phosphor screen. The phosphor screen is adapted to be movable without moving the immobilized object and support member.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for imaging an immobilized object. The imaging system includes a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state. The system also includes means for imaging the immobilized object in various imaging modes to capture images of the object. The imaging system further includes a movable phosphor screen. The phosphor screen is adapted to be movable without moving the immobilized object and support member.

Abstract: A torsional support apparatus is disclosed for craniocaudal rotation of test animals to enable multiple-view imaging. The animal is supported in a U-shaped loop of optically transparent material and the loop is moved to apply torsion to the animal to rotate it about its craniocaudal axis. Methods of imaging also are disclosed that use the torsional support technique.

Abstract: A combination of nanoparticles is disclosed comprised of amine functionalized polyethylene glycol in which one particle with a fluorescent donor dye having one wavelength excitation maximum and at least one additional particle with a second fluorescent dye having a second, higher wavelength excitation maximum, the particles having the same or different biomolecule targeting moieties bound to their external surfaces.

Abstract: Fluorescent activatable probes for imaging biological processes and disease detection in vitro and in vivo. There is also described a method for detecting the presence of an enzyme. A sample is contacted with a nanoparticle including a monomer, at least one cleavable spacer comprising at least one fluorescence activation site, and at least two dyes of at least two types. The cleavable spacer is attached at one end to the nanoparticle. The at least two types comprise an energy donor type and an energy acceptor type. At least one dye of one type is embedded in the nanoparticle and the cleavable spacer has at least one dye of the other type attached. The at least two dyes comprise at least one matched pair capable of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Fluorescence is detected by exposing the sample to a light source, and detecting emitted light with a detector.

Abstract: A torsional support apparatus is disclosed for craniocaudal rotation of test animals to enable multiple-view imaging. The animal is supported in a U-shaped loop of optically transparent material and the loop is moved to apply torsion to the animal to rotate it about its craniocaudal axis. Methods of imaging also are disclosed that use the torsional support technique.

Abstract: Non-viral vectors for delivering agents to a site within the body of an animal comprise a biocompatible nanoparticle conjugated to an avidin/biotin complex and a water soluble linear polymer comprising multiple binding sites. The agents to be delivered are conjugated to each of the multiple binding sites, thereby increasing the loading capacity of the system. Where the agents comprise siRNA, each biotin/avidin complex may carry greater than four siRNA. The biocompatible nanoparticle may also comprise a fluorescent dye for in vivo imaging.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for imaging an immobilized object. The imaging system includes a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state. The system also includes means for imaging the immobilized object in various imaging modes to capture images of the object. The imaging system further includes a movable phosphor screen. The phosphor screen is adapted to be movable without moving the immobilized object and support member.

Abstract: Fluorescent activatable probes for imaging biological processes and disease detection in vitro and in vivo. There is also described a method for detecting the presence of an enzyme. A sample is contacted with a nanoparticle including a monomer, at least one cleavable spacer comprising at least one fluorescence activation site, and at least two dyes of at least two types. The cleavable spacer is attached at one end to the nanoparticle. The at least two types comprise an energy donor type and an energy acceptor type. At least one dye of one type is embedded in the nanoparticle and the cleavable spacer has at least one dye of the other type attached. The at least two dyes comprise at least one matched pair capable of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Fluorescence is detected by exposing the sample to a light source, and detecting emitted light with a detector.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object, including: a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state; a removable phosphor plate assembly adapted to respond to ionizing radiation by emitting visible light; first imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image; second imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode, different from the first imaging mode, to capture a second image; and third imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a third imaging mode, different from the first and second imaging modes, to capture a third image, wherein the first imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and is selected from the group: x-ray mode and low energy radio isotope mode; the second imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and a high energy radio isotope mode, and the third imaging mode is selected from the group: bright-field mode, fluorescence mode and luminescence mode.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for imaging an immobilized object. The imaging system includes a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state. The system also includes first means for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image, and second means for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode to capture a second image. The first imaging mode is selected from the group: x-ray mode and radio isotopic mode. The second imaging mode is selected from the group: bright-field mode and dark-field mode. The first and second means for imaging may be included in a capture system having a camera, a first mirror on a first side of the support member for reflecting light to capture the first and second images and a second mirror on a second, opposite side of the support member for reflecting light to capture a third image from an opposite side of the object.

Abstract: A method for forming a sequence of images of a subject obtains at least first and second image sets of the subject, each image set having a given angular displacement relative to an axis of rotation of the subject, each image set having at least a first component image of a first diagnostic modality at the given angular displacement and a second component image that is co-registered to the first component image at the given angular displacement. The first image set is selected as the selected image set for display. A synthesized image is formed by combining image data for the at least first and second component images of the selected image set and the synthesized image is displayed.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object. The imaging system includes a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state. The system also includes first means for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image, and second means for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode, different from the first imaging mode, to capture a second image. The first imaging mode is selected from the group: x-ray mode and radio isotopic mode. The second imaging mode is selected from the group: bright-field mode and dark-field mode. A removable phosphor screen is employed when the first image is captured and not employed when the second image is captured. The phosphor screen is adapted to transduce ionizing radiation to visible light. The phosphor screen is adapted to be removable without moving the immobilized object. The system can further include means for generating a third image comprised of the first and second image.

Abstract: Non-viral vectors for delivering agents to a site within the body of an animal comprise a biocompatible nanoparticle conjugated to an avidin/biotin complex and a water soluble linear polymer comprising multiple binding sites. The agents to be delivered are conjugated to each of the multiple binding sites, thereby increasing the loading capacity of the system. Where the agents comprise siRNA, each biotin/avidin complex may carry greater than four siRNA. The biocompatible nanoparticle may also comprise a fluorescent dye for in vivo imaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring long bone density of small animals. A phosphor screen or plate is provided of a type that transduces incident ionizing radiation to emitted light. A small animal is positioned before the phosphor screen or plate and exposed to soft X-radiation having an energy level in the range of 11 to 16 Kev. Light emitted by the phosphor screen or plate is captured using a digital camera and a digital X-ray image is prepared of a long bone of the animal. The X-ray image is transformed into an X-ray density image and a region of interest is defined on the long bone in the X-ray density image. At least one row of pixels is scanned within the region of interest of the X-ray density image. A nonlinear least squares analysis of data obtained from the scanning step is conducted using a cylindrical model for the long bone within the region of interest.

Abstract: A torsional support apparatus is disclosed for craniocaudal rotation of test animals to enable multiple-view imaging. The animal is supported in a U-shaped loop of optically transparent material and the loop is moved to apply torsion to the animal to rotate it about its craniocaudal axis. Methods of imaging also are disclosed that use the torsional support technique.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for transdermal delivery to an animal or human of biological cargo-laden nanoparticles. The particles may include multimodal optical molecular imaging probes. The particles may be delivered by providing them in a form that can be absorbed through the skin and applying them to the skin of an animal or human. The application may be accomplished using biological cargo-laden nanoparticles in a device attachable to the skin. The device may be attached directly to the skin by a device containing a vasodilating agent or agents, or micro needles, or multi-layer time release material. The biological cargo-laden nanoparticles may comprise drugs, vaccines, bio-pharmaceuticals, imaging contrast agents, multimodal imaging contrast agents, biomolecules, or anti-infectives. The device may include a first plurality of different types of biological cargo-laden nanoparticles located in a corresponding second plurality of separate time release layers.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for (A) adjusting the physical, spatial orientation of an immobilized subject in a multi-modal imaging system so as substantially to reproduce or match the physical, spatial orientation of a reference subject, wherein the reference subject is either (a) the same or (b) a different subject, either (1) during a prior imaging session for a later imaging session, or, in the case where a plurality of subjects is imaged in one imaging session, (2) during a contemporaneous imaging session; and (B) adjusting the virtual, spatial orientation of an immobilized subject in a set of multi-modal images.

Abstract: A method is taught that provides for transmucosal delivery of a biological cargo and optical molecular imaging probes to a subject animal or human. At least one biological cargo-laden nanoparticle imaging probe is provided in a form that will be absorbed via mucosal tissue. The biological cargo-laden nanoparticle imaging probe is delivered to the mucosal tissue of the animal or human. The method further may include steps of providing a support member adapted to receive the subject in an immobilized state; positioning the subject on the support member; and after the delivering of the imaging probe, imaging the immobilized subject using a multimodal imaging system.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object, including: a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state; a removable phosphor plate assembly adapted to respond to ionizing radiation by emitting visible light; first imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image; second imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode, different from the first imaging mode, to capture a second image; and third imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a third imaging mode, different from the first and second imaging modes, to capture a third image, wherein the first imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and is selected from the group: x-ray mode and low energy radio isotope mode; the second imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and a high energy radio isotope mode, and the third imaging mode is selected from the group: bright-field mode, fluorescence mode and luminescence mode.