University of California

Other

The United States of America As Represented by the United States

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Thomas F Budinger

Alexander Pines

Gil Navon

Boyd M Goodson

Rebecca Taylor

Roberto Seydoux

Toomas Room

Yi-Qiao Song

Tanja Pietrass

Stephan Appelt

Angelo Bifone

Jonathan S Maltz

Stephen Edward Derenzo

Ross D Schlueter

A 'relaxoscope' () detects the degree of arterial endothelial function. Impairment of arterial endothelial function is an early event in atherosclerosis and correlates with the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. An artery (), such as the brachial artery (BA) is measured for diameter before and after several minutes of either vasoconstriction or vasorelaxation. The change in arterial diameter is a measure of flow-mediated vasomodification (FMVM). The relaxoscope induces an artificial pulse () at a superficial radial artery () via a linear actuator (). An ultrasonic Doppler stethoscope () detects this pulse 10-20 cm proximal to the point of pulse induction (). The delay between pulse application and detection provides the pulse transit time (PTT). By measuring PTT before () and after arterial diameter change (), FMVM may be measured based on the changes in PTT caused by changes in vessel caliber, smooth muscle tone and wall thickness.

Arterial endothelial function measurement method and apparatus

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for generating a rotating magnetic field. The rotating magnetic field can be used to obtain rotating-field NMR spectra, such as magic angle spinning spectra, without having to physically rotate the sample. This result allows magic angle spinning NMR to be conducted on biological samples such as live animals, including humans.

NMR system and method having a permanent magnet providing a rotating magnetic field

The present invention relates generally to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for both spectroscopy and imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods in which hyperpolarized noble gases (e.g., Xe and He) are used to enhance and improve NMR and MRI. Additionally, the hyperpolarized gas solutions of the invention are useful both in vitro and in vivo to study the dynamics or structure of a system. When used with biological systems, either in vivo or in vitro, it is within the scope of the invention to target the hyperpolarized gas and deliver it to specific regions within the system.

Apparatus for preparing a solution of a hyperpolarized noble gas for NMR and MRI analysis

Enhancement of NMR and MRI in the presence of hyperpolarized noble gases

In brief, the invention is a tomograph modified to be in a clamshell configuration so that the ring or rings may be moved to multiple sampling positions. The tomograph includes an array of detectors arranged in successive adjacent relative locations along a closed curve in a first position in a selected plane, and means for securing the detectors in the relative locations in a first sampling position. The securing means is movable in the plane in two sections and pivotable at one p

Clamshell tomograph

Growing community of inventors

Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Thomas F Budinger