Systems and methods for non-invasive fat reduction can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a thermal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a fat cell. The lesion can create an opening in the surface of the fat cell, which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat cell and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43 degrees and 49 degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat.

A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging system (10) with regard to acquiring multiple-phase dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images, the method comprising steps of acquiring (48) a first set of magnetic resonance image data (x.sub.pre) prior to administering a contrast agent to the subject of interest (20), by employing a water/fat magnetic resonance signal separation technique, determining (52) a first image of the spatial distribution of fat (I.sub.pre) of at least the portion of the subject of interest (20), acquiring (50) at least a second set of magnetic resonance image data (x.sub.2) of at least the portion of the subject of interest (20) after administering the contrast agent to the subject of interest (20), by employing a water/fat magnetic resonance signal separation technique, determining (54) at least a second image of the spatial distribution of fat (I.sub.2.sup.ph) of at least the portion of the subject of interest (20), applying (56) an image registration method to the second image of the spatial distribution of fat (I.sub.2.sup.ph) with reference to the first image of the spatial distribution of fat (I.sub.pre) for correcting a potential motion of the subject of interest (20); and a magnetic resonance imaging system (10) having a control unit (26) that is configured to carry out steps (56-64) of such a method; and a software module (44) for carrying out such a method, wherein the method steps (56-64) to be conducted are converted into a program code that is implementable in a memory unit (30) and is executable by a processor unit (32) of the magnetic resonance imaging system (10).

The subject matter is a patient supporting device for supporting a patient during a medical treatment, in particular a dialysis treatment, and a treatment apparatus with such a patient supporting device, and a corresponding method for controlling and/or regulating a medical treatment device, in particular a dialysis device, using such a patient supporting device.

Provided are methods of determining if an individual is a responder to treatment with (R)-8-chloro-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof. Also provided are methods for selecting an individual for treatment with (R)-8-chloro-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof from a plurality of individuals in need of weight management. Also provided are methods for weight management in an individual in need thereof. Also provided are compounds, compositions, and kits for use in a method of weight management in an individual.

The present invention is based on the finding that enrichment of D3-creatinine in a urine sample following oral administration of a single defined dose of D3-creatine can be used to calculate total-body creatine pool size and total body skeletal muscle mass in a subject. The invention further encompasses methods for detecting creatinine and D3-creatinine in a single sample. The methods of the invention find use, inter alia, in diagnosing disorders related to skeletal muscle mass, and in screening potential therapeutic agents to determine their effects on muscle mass.

A method and apparatus of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, by: positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils (or antennae); passing a spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) through a first of the induction coils (or antennae); measuring spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) produced in the second of the induction coils (or antennae); and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents (or voltages) in the first and second induction coils (or antennae), thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample.

Discussed generally herein are methods and devices including or providing a patch system that can help in diagnosing a medical condition and/or provide therapy to a user. A body-area network can include a plurality of communicatively coupled patches that communicate with an intermediate device. The intermediate device can provide data representative of a biological parameter monitored by the patches to proper personnel, such as for diagnosis and/or response.

An adherent device to monitor a patient for an extended period comprises a breathable tape. The breathable tape comprises a porous material with an adhesive coating to adhere the breathable tape to a skin of the patient. At least one electrode is affixed to the breathable tape and capable of electrically coupling to a skin of the patient. A printed circuit board is connected to the breathable tape to support the printed circuit board with the breathable tape when the tape is adhered to the patient. Electronic components electrically are connected to the printed circuit board and coupled to the at least one electrode to measure physiologic signals of the patient. A breathable cover and/or an electronics housing is disposed over the circuit board and electronic components and connected to at least one of the electronics components, the printed circuit board or the breathable tape.

The invention is directed to a method for non-invasive determination of the potential presence of one or more loss-of-function mutation(s) in the gene encoding for filaggrin.

The method of the invention comprises

(i) obtaining a vibrational spectrum from the stratum corneum of the individual;
(ii) determining the local natural moisturising factor content from the vibrational spectrum;
(iii) optionally repeating steps (i) and (ii); and
(iv) comparing the local natural moisturising factor content of the individual to a reference value,
wherein said stratum corneum is stratum corneum of a location of the body of said individual at which said one or more loss-of-function mutation(s) in the gene encoding for filaggrin has a stronger influence on the natural moisturising factor concentration than other factors influencing the natural moisturising factor concentration.

A temperature measurement device, comprising a spectral measurement system, configured to determine the absorbance of tissue at a plurality of frequencies, and an analysis system, configured to determine the temperature of the tissue from the determined absorbance, wherein water has a temperature dependent absorption at one of the plurality of frequencies that is different than that at another of the plurality of frequencies.