Abstract:
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system semi-automatically performs non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). An operator display and control input port configures the MRI system to effect semi-automated non-contrast MRA imaging with spatially selective tag and venous suppression RF pulses and/or black blood time interval (BBTI) parameters in a non-contrast MRA data acquisition sequence where such parameters are automatically determined within predetermined, respectively corresponding, spatial regions of patient anatomy. Such automatically determined non-contrast MRA imaging parameters may be entirely automatically set and used or, alternatively, may be displayed to an operator for acceptance and/or change before being used.
Abstract:
A method includes disposing at least one pair of electrodes in or on a body of a subject, including disposing at least one intrarenal electrode of the pair in a renal artery. Control circuitry is activate to (a) apply electrical pulses between the pair of electrodes, (b) calculate at least one time-varying component of electrode-tissue impedance based on applying the pulses, (c) sense a periodic hemodynamic signal of the subject, (d) calculate a level of correlation between the at least one time-varying component of the electrode-tissue impedance and the periodic hemodynamic signal, and (e) based on the level of correlation, ascertain a level of contact between the at least one intrarenal electrodes and a wall of the renal artery. In response to the level of contact being less than a threshold level of contact, a disposition of the at least one intrarenal electrodes in the renal artery is adjusted.
Abstract:
A method of determining the concentration of an analyte of interest in breath. The method includes obtaining a disposable cartridge comprising a reaction chamber, a liquid chamber, and a window to permit determination of a color intensity in the reaction chamber, directing a volume of breath into the cartridge, and initiating a sequence whereby liquid is released from the liquid container into the reaction chamber to cause a reaction which produces a change in the intensity of a color viewable through the window. The intensity of the color corresponds to the concentration of the analyte of interest. The reaction progresses through a kinetic phase and eventually reaches equilibrium. The sequence additionally includes measuring the intensity of the color at a point in the kinetic phase, to determine the concentration of the analyte of interest in breath.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for identifying blobs, for example kidney glomeruli, are disclosed. A raw image may be smoothed via a difference of Gaussians filter, and a Hessian analysis may be conducted on the smoothed image to mark glomeruli candidates. Exemplary candidate features are identified, such as average intensity AT, likelihood of blobness RT, and flatness ST. A clustering algorithm may be utilized to post prune the glomeruli candidates.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for monopolar neuromodulation, e.g., via a pulsed electric field. Such monopolar neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, monopolar neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such monopolar neuromodulation is performed bilaterally.
Abstract:
Endovascular nerve monitoring devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A nerve monitoring system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a nerve monitoring assembly at the distal portion. The shaft is configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site. The nerve monitoring assembly can include a bipolar stimulation electrode array and a bipolar recording electrode array disposed distal to the bipolar stimulation electrode assembly.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for monopolar neuromodulation, e.g., via a pulsed electric field. Such monopolar neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, monopolar neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such monopolar neuromodulation is performed bilaterally.
Abstract:
A heart monitoring system for a person includes one or more wireless nodes; and wearable appliance in communication with the one or more wireless nodes, the appliance monitoring vital signs.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for controlled sympathectomy procedures for neuromodulation are disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. A guidewire including one or more sensors or electrodes for accessing and recording physiologic information from one or more anatomical sites within the parenchyma of an organ as part of a physiologic monitoring session, a diagnostic test, or a neuromodulation procedure is disclosed. A guidewire including one or more sensors and/or a means for energy delivery, for performing a neuromodulation procedure within a small vessel within a body is disclosed.
Abstract:
A system and method are presented for use in monitoring blood flow conditions in a region of interest in a patient's body, such as a brain or kidney region. The monitoring system comprises a blood flow sensing system, and a control unit configured for communication with the sensing system to operate and to process and analyze output data of the sensing system. The blood flow sensing system is configured and operable for measuring a blood flow parameter from a first region being a region of interest in a patient's body and generating first measured data indicative thereof, and measuring a blood flow parameter in a second region being a tissue region outside the brain region and generating second measured data indicative thereof The control unit is configured for operating the sensing system for carrying out substantially simultaneous measurements on the region of interest and the tissue region outside the region of interest and recording the first and second measured data, and configured and operable for determining a predetermined function characterizing a relation between the first measured data and the second measured data, and generating output data indicative of said relation, being indicative of the blood flow condition in the region of interest.