Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate obtaining two dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, using two or more ultrasound imaging modes or modalities, to generate 2D multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) images and/or to generate a three-dimensional (3D) mpUS image. The different ultrasound imaging modes acquire images in a common frame of reference during a single procedure to facilitate their registration. The mpUS images (i.e., 2D or 3D) may be used for enhanced and/or automated detection of one or more suspicious regions. After identifying one or more suspicious regions, the mpUS images may be utilized with a real-time image to guide biopsy or therapy the region(s). All these processes may be performed in a single medical procedure.

The disclosure describes imaging and therapy techniques comprising nanodroplets. More particularly, aspects of the disclosure relate to the use of nanodroplets to modify nanobubbles or microbubbles to provide improved imaging and/or therapeutic techniques and compositions.

Systems and methods for multi-level vascular imaging for construction and display of vasculature from large to small vessels and micro-vessels using a combination of varying resolution contrast enhanced ultrasound flow imaging modalities are disclosed. While one or more resolution flow imaging modes may be employed for imaging large to small vessels of a vascular tree within a large region of interest, a high resolution mode, such as super resolution imaging, constructed for delineation of the microvascular morphology and directional microcirculation is provided within one or more small ROIs placed in selected locations within the larger ROI.

Various approaches for computationally characterizing tissue in an anatomic target region include generating multiple sonications to transient acoustic reflectors at or proximate to the target region; measuring reflection signals of the sonications off the transient acoustic reflectors; based on the measurements, identifying the reflection signals originating from single transient acoustic reflectors; and based at least in part on the identified reflection signals, generating a digital map including a tissue characteristic.

A method for performing a medical procedure requiring effective, reliable and foolproof delivery of controlled amounts of a medical grade gas to a patient includes providing a compressed gas cylinder having a weight with medical grade gas sealed therein of at least twelve grams and not greater than fifty grams. The method also includes connecting the compressed gas cylinder to an integrated compressed gas unit including a regulator valve assembly positioned between an outlet port and an inlet port, wherein the regulator valve assembly includes a press button actuator and regulator adjustment dial. A flow control system is secured to the compressed gas unit and the medical grade gas is delivered in precisely controlled amounts by actuating the compressed gas unit and operating the flow control system to deliver the medical grade gas to vasculature of the patient.

A method for medical imaging using a diffusivity contrast agent is provided. The method includes obtaining the diffusivity contrast agent having specific diffusivity, wherein the diffusivity contrast agent is configured to pass a biological barrier of a subject; administering to the subject a detectable dose of the diffusivity contrast agent for at least one medical imaging modality, where the medical imaging modality includes one or more of MRI, PET, SPECT, CT, x-ray, optical imaging and ultrasound; acquiring one or more post-contrast images for a region of interest after the administration of the diffusivity contrast agent, wherein said post-contrast images include changes in diffusivity of the region of interest compared to one or more images acquired without said diffusivity contrast agent; and characterizing a transport of the diffusivity contrast agent in the region of interest based on the changes in diffusivity of the region of interest.

A medical image processing device of an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire a contrast-enhanced image of a subject at least after a portal vein dominant phase among contrast-enhanced images of the subject to which a contrast medium has been administered in a process of reaching a post-vascular phase from an artery dominant phase via the portal vein dominant phase, and detect a site where the contrast medium has been washed out as a defective part in the contrast-enhanced image after the portal vein dominant phase.

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus including: an ultrasound probe having a transducer array; and a processor configured to: perform transmission and reception of an ultrasonic beam from the transducer array toward a subject, into which contrast media including microbubbles is introduced; image a reception signal output from the transducer array to generate an ultrasound image of the subject; acquire trajectories of the microbubbles in a one cross section of the subject by tracking movement of the microbubbles based on the ultrasound image corresponding to the one cross section of the subject; detect, as a feature point, a trajectory, in which a distance between a start point and an end point in a prescribed time range is less than a prescribed value, among the trajectories of the microbubbles; and display the ultrasound image, the acquired trajectories and the detected feature point on the display unit.

Peptides that home, target, migrate to, are directed to, are retained by, or accumulate in and/or bind to the cartilage or kidney of a subject are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and uses for peptides or peptide-active agent complexes comprising such peptides are also disclosed. Such compositions can be formulated for targeted delivery of an active agent to a target region, tissue, structure or cell in the cartilage. Targeted compositions of the disclosure can deliver peptide or peptide-active agent complexes to target regions, tissues, structures, or cells targeted by the peptide.

According to one embodiment, an analysis apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry configured to generate a harmonic signal and a fundamental wave signal based on a reception signal that is collected by an ultrasound probe, the harmonic signal corresponding to a harmonic component of a reflected wave of a ultrasound generated in the subject, the fundamental wave signal corresponding to a fundamental wave component of the reflected wave, calculate a first index value indicating tissue properties of the subject based on the harmonic signal, and calculate a second index value indicating the tissue properties based on the fundamental wave signal, and display an analysis result based on the first index value and the second index value.