Methods to determine fluid filtration rates through mammalian luminal organs. In one method, the method comprises the steps of positioning a segment of a mammalian luminal organ within a device, the device configured to prevent axial flow conditions through a lumen of the segment from a first end of the segment to an opposite second end of the segment, obtaining a first segment measurement at a first time, obtaining a second segment measurement at a second time, and determining a rate of fluid filtration through a wall of the segment based upon a difference between the first segment measurement and the second segment measurement and a difference in time between the first time and the second time.

Described herein is a multiplex platform that uses ultrasmall nanoparticles (e.g., C dots and C dots) to graphically differentiate specific nerves (e.g., sensory nerves vs. motor nerves) for nerve transplants and other surgeries. Also described herein is a multiplex platform that uses ultrasmall nanoparticles (e.g., C dots and C dots) to graphically differentiate between different types of lymph nodes and/or lymphatic pathways, e.g., to safely and effectively perform vascularized lymph node transplantation in the treatment of lymphedema. Also described herein is a multiplex platform that uses ultrasmall nanoparticles (e.g., C dots and C dots) to graphically differentiate parathyroid tissue.

An optical system and apparatus for the diagnosis of a biological sample is disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatus includes an optical probe, a probe head distally connectable to the optical probe, the optical probe further comprising at least one optical element for applying an electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength to the biological sample, and one or more collection elements positioned proximate the at least one optical element; and an analyzer for analyzing a signal received from the biological sample by the one or more collection elements.

Apparatus and systems are described that include physical media related to accepting at least one attribute associated with an individual from a licensed health care provider and/or presenting an output of an artificial sensory experience associated with a request to measure at least one effect of a bioactive agent on the attribute associated with individual.

Methods of controlling the operation of a device traveling in a body tube tree, including sensing parameters from possible directions of travel and selecting the direction of travel based on the sensed parameters, implemented with a control system located partially or fully on the lumen traveling device. Various actions can be performed by the device for, e.g., medical or therapeutic purposes. Machine-readable media including instructions for performing the methods are also described.

An optical system and apparatus for the diagnosis of a biological sample is disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatus includes an optical probe, a probe head distally connectable to the optical probe, the optical probe further comprising at least one optical element for applying an electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength to the biological sample, and one or more collection elements positioned proximate the at least one optical element; and an analyzer for analyzing a signal received from the biological sample by the one or more collection elements.

A photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) device for the in vivo detection of cells circulating in blood or lymphatic vessels is described. Ultrasound transducers attached to the skin of an organism detect the photoacoustic ultrasound waves emitted by target objects in response to their illumination by at least one pulse of laser energy delivered using at least one wavelength. The wavelengths of the laser light pulse may be varied to optimize the absorption of the laser energy by the target object. Target objects detected by the device may be unlabelled biological cells or cell products, contrast agents, or biological cells labeled with one or more contrast agents.

A device and method of using the device to detect the presence and composition of clots and other target objects in a circulatory vessel of a living subject is described. In particular, devices and methods of detecting the presence and composition of clots and other target objects in a circulatory vessel of a living subject using in vivo photoacoustic flow cytometry techniques is described.

A method and system for the diagnosis of 3D images are disclosed, which significantly cuts the time required for the diagnosis. The 3D images are for example an image volume dataset of a magnetic resonance tomography system which is saved in an RIS or PACS system. In at least one embodiment, the diagnostic finding are partially automatically generated, and details of the position, size and change in pathological structures are compared to previous diagnostic findings are generated automatically. As a result of this automation the diagnostic work of radiologists is significantly reduced.

A method for use in analysing impedance measurements performed on a subject, the method including, in a processing system determining at least one impedance value, representing the impedance of at least a segment of the subject, determining an indicator indicative of a subject parameter using the at least one impedance value and a reference and displaying a representation of the indicator.