A quantitative, ultrashort time to echo, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging technique is provided. The technique can be used to accurately measure contrast agent concentration in the blood, to provide clear, high-definition angiograms, and to measure absolute quantities of cerebral blood volume on a voxel-by-voxel basis.

The present invention can provide a method of determining the presence, location, quantity, or a combination thereof, of a biological substance, comprising: (a) exposing a sample to a plurality of targeted nanoparticles, where each targeted nanoparticle comprises a paramagnetic nanoparticle conjugated with one or more targeting agents that preferentially bind with the biological substance, under conditions that facilitate binding of the targeting agent to at least one of the one or more biological substances; (b) subjecting the sample to a magnetic field of sufficient strength to induce magnetization of the nanoparticles; (c) measuring a magnetic field of the sample after decreasing the magnetic field applied in step b below a threshold; (d) determining the presence, location, quantity, or a combination thereof, of the one or more biologic substances from the magnetic field measured in step (c).

A biopsy system includes an endoscope which includes an insertion portion having a channel, and a bendable portion provided in a distal end portion of the insertion portion; a needle tube which includes a distal end region, and a proximal end region having a higher bending rigidity than that of the distal end region; a sheath which can be inserted into the channel and inserted through by the needle tube; an attachment adapter which is provided on a proximal end side of the sheath and is capable of being mounted at the endoscope; and a connection member which connects the distal end region and the proximal end region, wherein the connection member can move within only a range of the insertion portion more proximal than a proximal end of the bendable portion and more distal than a proximal end of a follow-bending region.

The invention relates to a sensor (2) including: a microelectrode assembly (21); and -pancreatic cells (23) or islets (230) of Langerhans in culture on the microelectrode assembly (21); characterized in that the microelectrode assembly (21) is designed to measure dynamically, continuously and in real time, electrical signals (V) produced by the -pancreatic cells (23) or the islets of Langerhans (230) upon physiological activation. The invention also relates to the field of devices that can be implantable in the body of a patient, and including an insulin dispenser for dispensing an amount of insulin. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a sensor and to such a device and a use of such a sensor.

Systems and methods for intra-target microdosing are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method for intra-target microdosing includes administering a microdose of drug into target tissue within a subject. The method also includes measuring efficacy of the administered drug to the target tissue.

D-Histo, a non-invasive diagnostic method, renovated from diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) is provided for quantitatively detecting and distinguishing inflammation from solid tumors, heart and nerve injury. For example, the D-Histo methods disclosed herein provide an accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer, distinguishing it from prostatitis and BPH that missed by currently available methods of diagnosing prostate cancer (multiparameter MRI, needle biopsy). The disclosed D-Histo method also provides metrics to reflect reversible vs. irreversible damages in heart and central/peripheral nerves. For central and peripheral nerves, D-Histo also provides metrics to assess nerve functionality. The at least one D-Histo biomarker obtained using diffusion weighted MRI has excellent test-retest stability, high sensitivity to disease progression and close correlation with currently available techniques.

The present invention pertains to a functional patch to be affixed to the skin, with the aim of measuring metabolic disruptions to organs, and general organ functions, of kidneys, liver, heart, pancreas and muscles (lactate), for examplemore particularly it concerns the measurement of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)and also to a method for producing a functional patch of this kind.

A method and system are provided for detecting pancreatic trauma in a trauma patient during a surgical operation. The method includes positioning a detection device in contact with the patient's pancreas, applying a chemical indicator to the detection device after removing the detection device from the patient, and detecting a chemical reaction on the detection device that is indicative of the pancreas releasing an enzyme as a result of pancreatic trauma.

A blood glucose measuring apparatus and a method of operating the blood glucose measuring apparatus are provided. The blood glucose measuring apparatus includes a cell capsule comprising a reservoir configured to accommodate cells in a suspension, and an electrode configured to receive electric signals from any one or both of a cell in the suspension that is not in contact with the electrode and a cell in the suspension that is in contact with the electrode, and a cell monitoring device configured to monitor the cells.

A quantitative, ultrashort time to echo, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging technique is provided. The technique can be used to accurately measure contrast agent concentration in the blood, to provide clear, high-definition angiograms, and to measure absolute quantities of cerebral blood volume on a voxel-by-voxel basis.