A method for performing magnetic resonance imaging on a subject comprises: injecting a contrast agent into a region of interest of the subject; applying a pulse sequence to the region of interest; collecting auxiliary data for the region of interest, the auxiliary data being related to one or more time-varying parameters of the subject within the region of interest; determining a temporal factor Φ from the auxiliary data; collecting imaging data for the region of interest, the imaging data being related to one or more spatially-varying parameters of the subject within the region of interest; determining a spatial factor Ur from the imaging data; modeling a multi-dimensional image sequence as I=UrΦ; and deriving at least a first metric and a second metric from the multi-dimensional image sequence I, the first metric and the second metric being associated with distinct perfusion-based imaging techniques.

In part, the disclosure relates to computer-based methods, devices, and systems suitable for performing intravascular data analysis and measurement of various types of data such as pressure and flow data. The disclosure relates to probes and methods suitable for determining an event in a cardiac cycle such as flow threshold such as a peak flow, a fraction thereof, other intravascular parameters or a point in time during which peak flow or a change in one of the parameters occurs. An exemplary probe includes one or more of a pressure sensor, a resistor, a flow sensor and can be used to generate diagnostic data based upon measured intravascular and other parameters. In part, the disclosure relates to methods and systems suitable for determining a coronary flow reserve value in response to one or more of intravascular pressure and flow data or data otherwise correlated therewith.

In part, the disclosure relates to computer-based methods, devices, and systems suitable for performing intravascular data analysis and measurement of various types of data such as pressure and flow data. The disclosure relates to probes and methods suitable for determining an event in a cardiac cycle such as flow threshold such as a peak flow, a fraction thereof, other intravascular parameters or a point in time during which peak flow or a change in one of the parameters occurs. An exemplary probe includes one or more of a pressure sensor, a resistor, a flow sensor and can be used to generate diagnostic data based upon measured intravascular and other parameters. In part, the disclosure relates to methods and systems suitable for determining a coronary flow reserve value in response to one or more of intravascular pressure and flow data or data otherwise correlated therewith.

A protective dressing includes an outer dressing and an adhesive layer. The outer dressing includes an opening and a cavity sized to receive a phase-change material (PCM) insert inserted through the opening. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to a patient's skin surrounding an anatomic site. When adhered to the patient's skin, the PCM insert modifies the patient's skin at the anatomic site. The PCM insert may be removed and replaced with another PCM insert. For example, a warm PCM insert may be replaced with a refrigerated PCM insert. The opening of the outer dressing may be self-sealing. The opening of the outer dressing may be sealed with an upper layer dressing coupled to the PCM cooling insert.

A protective dressing includes an outer dressing and an adhesive layer. The outer dressing includes an opening and a cavity sized to receive a phase-change material (PCM) insert inserted through the opening. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to a patient's skin surrounding an anatomic site. When adhered to the patient's skin, the PCM insert modifies the patient's skin at the anatomic site. The PCM insert may be removed and replaced with another PCM insert. For example, a warm PCM insert may be replaced with a refrigerated PCM insert. The opening of the outer dressing may be self-sealing. The opening of the outer dressing may be sealed with an upper layer dressing coupled to the PCM cooling insert.

A system includes a processor circuit configured to receive an endovascular flow measurement obtained by an endovascular flow measurement positioned within a blood vessel of a patient. The system controls a nerve stimulation device to stimulate a nerve of the patient and receives an additional endovascular flow measurement while the nerve is stimulated. The processor circuit then performs a comparison of the two flow measurements received and provides an output based on the comparison.

A method for characterizing a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device is disclosed. The ultrasonic device including an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency. The electromechanical ultrasonic system further including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. The method including applying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; measuring, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, an impedance value of the ultrasonic transducer; comparing, by the control circuit, the impedance value to a reference impedance value stored in the memory; classifying, by the control circuit, the impedance value based on the comparison; characterizing, by the control circuit, the state of the electromechanical ultrasonic system based on the classification of the impedance value; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the characterization of the state of the end effector.

Vasculature or parenchyma is imaged using upright MRI techniques, on patients who may have conditions such as congestive heart failure, or otherwise be healthy. When an individual is horizontal, venous drainage is minimized, causing the vessels to remain engorged, also referred to herein as vascular congestion. Vascular congestion results in an enlarging of the vessels and surrounding tissue causing the vessels to be more visible on MRIs. The decrease in vascular visibility in upright subjects is in part, due to an increase in venous drainage. Patients suffering from coronary and/or pulmonary deficiencies (e.g. CHF) experience decreased rates and degrees of venous drainage. In one embodiment, the present invention uses upright imaging to visualize these enlarged vessels.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for assessing blood flow regulation performance based on hemodynamics, comprising the steps of: calculating second biometric information corresponding to a time differential of first biometric information on a hemoglobin concentration measured from a cerebral part of a subject; and assessing blood flow regulation performance of the subject with reference to a response that occurs in the second biometric information in correspondence to a change in a posture of the subject.

Embodiments and aspects described herein provide methods and systems for determining pressure difference across a tube arising from fluid flow within the tube, comprising: obtaining three-dimensional time dependent fluid velocity data at a plurality of points along the tube; processing the three-dimensional time dependent fluid velocity data to determine: i) a flow rate (Q) of the fluid through the tube; ii) the kinetic energy (K) of the fluid flow through the tube; iii) an advective energy rate (A) of the fluid flow through the tube; and iv) a viscous dissipation rate (V) pertaining to the fluid flow; and calculating the pressure difference in dependence on all of the flow rate (Q), kinetic energy (K), advective energy rate (A), and viscous dissipation rate (V). Further embodiments are also described.