A synthetic calcium phosphate-based biomedical material comprising gadolinium. The material may comprises a compound having the general chemical formula: Ca.sub.10yGd.sub.y(PO.sub.4).sub.6x(SiO.sub.4)x(OH).sub.2c+y where 0<x<1.3 and 0<y<1.3.

The invention relates to the use of tetrapyrroles conjugated compounds as contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In particular conjugates of natural hemin that can be embedded in gels and implants to image local delivery in MRI.

A method and system are used to enhance a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles. The method of manufacturing a marker includes enhancing a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles using at least a first EFD and a second EFD. The method may include cycling repeatedly through a transfer process between a first container and a second container. A system for enhancing a marker material includes a transfer apparatus configured to receive a marker material and a selected amount of air. The system comprises a first EFD coupled to a first end of the transfer apparatus and a second EFD coupled to a second end of the transfer apparatus.

A composite implant for providing simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomographic (CT) imaging contrast is disclosed. The composite implant is formed of a calcium compound in the form of nano or microparticles doped with a first dopant configured to provide MRI contrast and a second dopant configured to provide CT contrast. The calcium compound is loaded onto a polymer gel matrix and lyophilized to form a mass with 3-dimensionally interconnected porosity, configured to provide tissue integration and proliferation sites. Methods of forming the composite implant are also disclosed. The implant could be a scaffold or bead structured to enable treatment of human or animal patient for bone/cartilage injury or defect by implantation, with MRI and CT monitoring.

A system for aerating a marker material. The system includes a first container, a second container, and an aeration connector. The aeration connector includes a body and a screen disk disposed within the body. The first container is in communication with the second container via the aeration connector. The screen disk of the aeration connector is configured to aerate a marker material as the marker material is repeatedly passed between the first container and the second container.

A bionanofluid includes a carbon-based nanomaterial substantially mono-dispersed in a fluid. The carbon-based nanomaterial is surface modified with a polar group when the fluid is polar or with a non-polar group when the fluid is non-polar, and functionalized with a biological targeting moiety to allow specific association of the carbon-based nanomaterial to a targeted entity. A hybrid bionanofluid includes the bionanofluid, with the carbon-based nanomaterial further modified with a hybrid nanoparticle which includes an alloy, transition metal, semi-conductor, semi-metal or polymer based nanoparticle with biological targeting moiety. A hydrogel, foam, cream, spray or dried product includes the bionanofluid or hybrid bionanofluid. The bionanofluid or hybrid bionanofluid are useful in multimodal imaging (photo-luminescence, luminescence, photo-acoustic, MRI, ultrasound) and/or cellular targeting.

A system for aerating a marker material. The system includes a first container, a second container, and an aeration connector. The aeration connector includes a body and a screen disk disposed within the body. The first container is in communication with the second container via the aeration connector. The screen disk of the aeration connector is configured to aerate a marker material as the marker material is repeatedly passed between the first container and the second container.

A synthetic calcium phosphate-based biomedical material comprising gadolinium. The material may comprises a compound having the general chemical formula: Ca.sub.10yGd.sub.y(PO.sub.4).sub.6x(SiO.sub.4)x(OH).sub.2c+y where 0<x<1.3 and 0<y<1.3.

The present invention is for a novel composition for imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-rays, and x-ray computed tomography (CT). The composition shows up as an image on all type of MRIs, x-rays and CT scans, and is made of natural ingredients suitable for topical use. The composition is versatile and flexible. The invention is also to a method of using the composition to visualize surfaces and structures that are not visible on scan images, and to more precisely localize internal structures from MRI, x-rays and CT images.

The present invention provides an alginic acid-based injectable hydrogel system for labeling an accurate position of a disease lesion and effectively delivering a drug to a target region. The formulation of the present invention can make it easy to locally inject a contrast agent and a drug into a target region while controlling the release rate of the contrast agent or the drug, with the formation of the hydrogel in the injected region. Through the advantages, the labeled position can be accurately determined from images, thereby enhancing the precision of surgical operation, with a minimal incision formed therefor. In addition, when used, the alginic acid-based injectable hydrogel system allows the effective local delivery of a drug to a target region while increasing the long-acting effect of the drug.