This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient.

An apparatus includes a magnetic apparatus that defines an actuation volume that is large enough to accommodate a sample, the magnetic apparatus including a magnet that is configured to create a magnetic field having a magnitude B in the sample when supplied with a DC current; at least one biological construct within the sample, the biological construct configured to change its status in response to a change in a property; and at least one magnetocaloric actuator coupled with the biological construct. A change in a characteristic in the actuation volume causes the property of the magnetocaloric actuator to change, which causes a change in the status of the biological construct.

Gas vesicle protein structures and related compositions, methods, and systems for singleplexed and/or multiplexed magnetic resonance imaging of a target site alone or in combination with ultrasound are described, in which the gas vesicle protein structures provide contrast for the imaging.

An apparatus includes a magnetic apparatus that defines an actuation volume that is large enough to accommodate a sample, the magnetic apparatus including a magnet that is configured to create a magnetic field having a magnitude B in the sample when supplied with a DC current; at least one biological construct within the sample, the biological construct configured to change its status in response to a change in a property; and at least one magnetocaloric actuator coupled with the biological construct. A change in a characteristic in the actuation volume causes the property of the magnetocaloric actuator to change, which causes a change in the status of the biological construct.

A system and a method for monitoring an object may be provided. The system may include an optical assembly configured to acquire an optical signal associated with a region of interest (ROI) of a subject in an examination space of a medical device. The system may include an optical fiber bundle configured to transmit the optical signal. The system may include an optical sensing device configured to receive the optical signal and convert the optical signal to an electrical signal. The system may further include an image generator configured to generate, based on the electrical signal, a monitoring image of the ROI.

A method for determining quantitative parameters for dynamic contrast-enhanced MR data includes acquiring a set of contrast-enhanced MR data for a region of interest using a T1-weighted pulse sequence, generating at least one contrast concentration curve based on the set of contrast-enhanced MR data, accessing a comprehensive dictionary of contrast concentration curves and generating a grouped dictionary that has a plurality of groups based on the comprehensive dictionary. Each group includes a plurality of correlated contrast concentration curves and a group representative signal for the group. The method also includes comparing a contrast concentration curve with the group representative signal of each group to select a group, comparing the contrast concentration curve to the plurality of correlated contrast concentration curves in the selected group to identify a set of quantitative parameters for the concentration curve and generating a report including the set of quantitative parameter.

Apparatus for operating MRI is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a control for operating an MRI scanner to carry out an MRI scan; an input for receiving first and second MRI scans respectively at the beginning and end of a predetermined time interval post contrast administration; a subtraction map former for forming a subtraction map from the first and the second MRI scans by analyzing the scans to distinguish between a population in which contrast clearance from the tissue is slower than contrast accumulation, and a population in which clearance is faster than accumulation; and an output to provide an indication of distribution of the populations. The control is configured to carry out the first scan at least five minutes and no more than twenty minutes post contrast administration and to carry out the second scan such that the predetermined time period is at least twenty minutes.

The present invention relates to the use of a formation agent, such as nitric oxide or sodium nitrite to produce methemoglobin as an alternative MRI contrast agent. The formation agent can be infused using either a respiratory system or a delivery mechanism. One embodiment of this invention relates to systems and methods for producing an image of an internal region with a magnetic resonance scanning system. Blood is drawn from the patient. The blood is exposed to formation agent through a delivery system, to produce blood that has a higher saturation of methemoglobin. Where in vitro techniques are used the treated blood is injected back into the patient. The patient is scanned in the magnetic resonance scanner. These systems and methods can be used to produce images of regions which may not otherwise be possible with other contrasting agents. For example, an accurate vascular brain MRI may not be as informative if the patient is injected with an existing contrasting agent. In addition, an alternate embodiment of the invention relates to internally exposing the blood to the formation agent by placing the gas-permeable membrane along a particular blood pathway or intravenous sodium nitrite.

Apparatus for operating MRI is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a control for operating an MRI scanner to carry out an MRI scan; an input for receiving first and second MRI scans respectively at the beginning and end of a predetermined time interval post contrast administration; a subtraction map former for forming a subtraction map from the first and the second MRI scans by analyzing the scans to distinguish between a population in which contrast clearance from the tissue is slower than contrast accumulation, and a population in which clearance is faster than accumulation; and an output to provide an indication of distribution of the populations. The control is configured to carry out the first scan at least five minutes and no more than twenty minutes post contrast administration and to carry out the second scan such that the predetermined time period is at least twenty minutes.

The present disclosure discusses systems and methods for imaging tissue. The system can reduce the amount of vibrations that are transmitted from a magnetic resonance imaging device to a tissue sample. The system can include a stabilization platform with at least one vibration dampener coupled towards either end of the stabilization platform. A fluid reservoir is coupled to the stabilization platform and a resonator is coupled to the exterior of the fluid reservoir.