Photoacoustic voltage dependent dyes and their use in measuring an electrophysiological activity in a subject in vivo are disclosed.

Photoacoustic voltage dependent dyes and their use in measuring an electrophysiological activity in a subject in vivo are disclosed.

Suspension of gas-filled microvesicles comprising a targeting ligand for binding to KDR or VEGF/KDR complex.

The suspension is obtained by reconstituting a freeze-dried residue with a carbohydrate-containing solution in the presence of a physiologically acceptable gas and is stabilized by the presence of histidine.

Contrast targets for medical imaging are disclosed herein which include a granule of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) material. The granule of SAP material has absorbed and formed crosslinks with a hydrogen-containing liquid to form an expanded SAP particle with at least one predetermined medical imaging physical property.

Contrast targets for medical imaging are disclosed herein which include a granule of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) material. The granule of SAP material has absorbed and formed crosslinks with a hydrogen-containing liquid to form an expanded SAP particle with at least one predetermined medical imaging physical property.

A hydrogel marker is placed under stress during its curing stage, in one embodiment, by application of an externally applied force. The stress may also be induced during or after the dehydration process. The direction of the externally applied force increases the length, width, depth, or radial extent of the marker. The elastic limit of the marker is exceeded when the external force is applied so that the marker substantially retains its stressed size and shape when the externally applied force is removed. When the stretched or otherwise deformed dehydrated marker is hydrated, it substantially returns to the configuration it had prior to its dehydration and prior to the application of the externally applied force.

The present disclosure provides imaging agents that are useful for the detection and evaluation of heart conditions, such as myocardial infarction. Upon activation, the imaging agents of the present disclosure may be detected using an ultrasound imaging device.

A device for generating microbubbles may include a syringe having a barrel, a plunger and a syringe tip; a converging nozzle; and an aerator. The converging nozzle may have a coupling end, a converging tip opposite the coupling end, an exterior mating surface adjacent the converging tip, and an interior channel that fluidly couples the syringe tip and converging tip. The interior channel may have a diameter that progressively decreases from the coupling end to the converging tip. The converging nozzle may be coupled to the syringe tip. The aerator may have a retention end, a discharge end, an interior air chamber, an interior circumferential lip, and a discharge channel at the discharge end. The retention end may be coupled to the converging nozzle. The interior circumferential lip may abut the exterior mating surface. One or more air channels may fluidly couple the discharge channel and the interior air chamber.

A method of manufacturing a suspension of gas-filled microvesicles by reconstituting a freeze-dried product and a suspension obtained according to said method, where the freeze-dried product has been subjected to a thermal treatment

An improved system and method of endobronchial imaging of lung nodules comprises the introduction of a perfluorocarbon (PFC) liquid into pulmonary passages of the lungs, the introduction of which enables better coupling between an endobronchial ultrasonic imaging system and a target tissue site within the pulmonary passages of the lungs, the improved coupling between the ultrasonic imaging system and a target tissue site being imparted by the removal (at least in part) the air interface present between the ultrasonic imaging system and the surface of the target tissue site. Furthermore, the unique properties of perfluorocarbon liquids (for example, the properties of superb biocompatibility, high affinity for dissolving oxygen, and extremely low surface tension) further position these substances to be particularly well-suited for this application.