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.10−yGd.sub.y(PO.sub.4).sub.6−x(SiO.sub.4)x(OH).sub.2−x+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.

The present disclosure relates to biocompatible ionically crosslinked hydrogel polymers comprising polysaccharides such as alginate, hyaluronic acid, gellan gum or its derivatives and manganese ions for use in medicine, in particular for imaging purposes. Therefore, the hydrogel present disclosure is useful for spatio-temporal control of cells/drugs delivery in a wide range of therapeutic applications.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing: a hydrogel particle which can be taken into a cell by the action of the cell and can control the release of a magnetic particle enclosed therein into the cell so as to retain the magnetic particle in the cell for a long period; a method for producing the hydrogel particle; a cell or a cell structure each enclosing the hydrogel particle therein; and a method for evaluating the activity of a cell using the hydrogel particle. The present invention solves the problem by a hydrogel particle including: a domain which is composed of a first hydrogel; a matrix which encloses the domain and is composed of a second hydrogel having a different crosslinking degree or composition from that of the first hydrogel; and a magnetic particle which is supported by at least the first hydrogel.

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 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 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 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.2x+y where 0<x<1.3 and 0<y<1.3.

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.