Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing, 69346-69348 [E9-31074]
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69346
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 250 / Thursday, December 31, 2009 / Notices
chromosome in Escherichia coli by
bacteriophage lambda-based
recombination. Nat Methods. 2005
Feb;2(2):95–97.
Patent Status: U.S. Patent No.
7,494,813 issued 24 Feb 2009 (HHS
Reference No. E–355–2001/2–US–02).
Licensing Status: Available for
licensing.
Licensing Contact: Sue Ano, PhD;
301–435–5515; anos@mail.nih.gov.
Dated: December 23, 2009.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development
and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer,
National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E9–31075 Filed 12–30–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government-Owned Inventions;
Availability for Licensing
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health,
Public Health Service, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The inventions listed below
are owned by an agency of the U.S.
Government and are available for
licensing in the U.S. in accordance with
35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious
commercialization of results of
Federally-funded research and
development. Foreign patent
applications are filed on selected
inventions to extend market coverage
for companies and may also be available
for licensing.
ADDRESSES: Licensing information and
copies of the U.S. patent applications
listed below may be obtained by writing
to the indicated licensing contact at the
Office of Technology Transfer, National
Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive
Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville,
Maryland 20852–3804; telephone: 301/
496–7057; fax: 301/402–0220. A signed
Confidential Disclosure Agreement will
be required to receive copies of the
patent applications.
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
Fourier X-ray Scattering and PhaseContrast Imaging: Enhanced Contrast
and Sensitivity of X-ray Images
Description of Technology: The
invention offered for licensing is
broadly applicable to medical diagnostic
imaging, biological imaging, industrial
non-destructive testing, security
screening, and other routine x-ray
inspections. The invention provides a
method and apparatus that can
significantly improve and enhance the
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:06 Dec 30, 2009
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contrast and sensitivity of x-ray images.
More specifically, the method described
in the invention provides a technique to
obtain in a single shot x-ray diffraction,
differential phase-contrast, as well as
the conventional absorption images. Xray diffraction reveals information about
microscopic structures in the imaged
object from nanometer to micrometer
scales which enables detection of
specific materials and disease
pathologies that are invisible in
conventional x-ray images. The main
advantage of the invention over prior art
is the single-shot capability without the
need to scan an analyzer crystal or
grating, and without the need for any
hardware beyond standard radiography
equipment. It also offers flexibility in
hardware configuration to target specific
materials by their diffraction signature.
For this reason the invention is highly
adaptable and well suited for day-to-day
applications of x-ray radiography and
computed tomography.
In one of the embodiments of the
invention for example, a scattering
imaging method uses a transmission
grid to modulate the intensity of a beam
of an x-ray radiation source. A detector
captures a raw image from the
modulated intensity pattern. A
diffraction image can be automatically
generated from the detected modulated
intensity pattern.
In yet another embodiment, both a
diffraction image and a differential
phase-contrast image are obtained in a
single exposure. Advantageously,
commercially available x-ray grids and
radiography machines can be used for
this method, and exact positioning of
the grid is unnecessary, as the method
works for any non-zero distance
between the grid and the detector. Thus,
the speed and ease of implementation
makes it suitable for both planar
radiography and 3D computed
tomography. In addition to its medical
diagnostics significance, the invention
can be utilized in other, non-medical
applications such as non-destructive
inspections and security screening.
Applications
• Medical diagnostic radiography and
computed tomography. For example,
imaging blood vessels, imaging of bones
(i.e., osteoporosis, fractures).
• Non-invasive characterization of
material microscopic structures by
planar radiography or 3D computed
tomography implementations of the
invention.
• Detection of materials by their
diffraction signature in x-ray
inspections and security screening.
Advantages: Although x-ray
diffraction and phase-contrast imaging
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
can detect materials and structures that
are invisible by conventional absorption
images, current techniques remain
difficult to implement due to
requirements for specialized x-ray
optical components and/or brilliant
sources, and lengthy scanning of
analyzer components such as perfect
crystals or high-density gratings. A
recent publication (US2007/0183563
A1) mentioned that by using a detector
with elements less than 1⁄3 of the pitch
of an analyzer grating, it is possible to
obtain differential phase-contrast images
in one measurement without the need to
scan. US2007/0183580 A1 further
elaborates on this technique and
specifies that the detector elements are
an integer fraction of the grating pitch
so that sub-groups of the detectors can
report x-ray intensities of different
portions of a grating period, from which
the phase shift of the grating pattern is
measured. Such detectors are highly
challenging to realize, and are not able
to cope with varying pitches or patterns
of x-ray beam modulation.
It is additionally known in the art to
remove the effects of scattering with the
use of grids, gratings, or other masks of
periodically arranged opaque areas.
Specifically, a mask or multiple masks
of periodically arranged opaque areas
are placed in the x-ray path, such that
periodic dark shadows are created on a
recorder surface either by direct
geometric shadowing or by waveinterference effects. The shadow areas
only receive x-ray which is scattered in
the object. The signals of these shadow
areas are subtracted from the raw image
to yield an image free of the effects of
scattering.
Nonetheless, the above variations
require exacting procedures or are
expensive, making the prior art illsuited for today’s routine x-ray imaging
applications, including non-destructive
testing (e.g., component inspection
without damage), security screening,
and medical diagnostic exams.
The present technology overcomes the
drawbacks of the prior art by allowing
the acquisition of x-ray diffraction,
differential phase-contrast and
absorption images all in a single
exposure without the need for scanning
or any hardware beyond commercial
radiography equipment.
It is particularly flexible when
compared to prior art in that the number
of transmission grids, their patterns and
their positions can all be adjusted to
selectively detect or enhance specific
materials, such as contrast agents in
medical diagnostic imaging or explosive
materials in security screening.
Development Status: The invention is
fully developed.
E:\FR\FM\31DEN1.SGM
31DEN1
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 250 / Thursday, December 31, 2009 / Notices
Market: The market for medical
imaging equipment industry is
approximately $9.0 billion dollars now
and has been growing by approximately
7.6% annually. X-ray imaging and
related instrumentation constitutes a
significant portion of this market.
• X-ray radiography is the most
common and widely available
diagnostic imaging technique. Even
when a diagnostic testing requires more
powerful or sophisticated tests, an x-ray
imaging may many times be needed first
before other more sophisticated tests are
applied.
• X-ray angiography currently
provides the best visualization of blood
vessels in the body. The ability of this
technology to selectively enhance
contrast agents can eliminate difficulties
associated with subtraction angiography
and improve angiography exams.
• The advent of Computed
Tomography (CT) and other digital x-ray
technologies have enhanced the
capabilities of x-ray imaging and have
resulted in the tremendous growth of xray imaging. CT combines x-rays with
computer technology and can produce a
highly detailed, cross-sectional image of
the body and organs, tissues or tumors
inside the body. CT scans are now
routinely used to diagnose problems
with small, bony structures or in cases
of severe trauma to the brain, spinal
cord, chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
Furthermore, the introduction of multislice CT has been one of the most
significant enhancements ever brought
to the market, and the technological
innovations that have been made within
the realm of CT in recent years are
revolutionary and should be the primary
drivers for future industry growth.
Electron Beam Technology (EBT) for
example is a CT technology that created
opportunities in cardiac diagnostics. CT
requires fast and robust image
acquisition, thus the present invention
is uniquely able to enhance CT with
diffraction and phase contrast.
• The United States market for
computed tomography (CT) scanning
systems is estimated to touch $3.6
billion by the end of 2009. The U.S.
accounts for over 50.0 percent of the
worldwide market. Cardiac imaging is a
fast expanding CT application due to its
utility in emergency medicine,
perfusion studies and CT angiography.
While hospitals started out as the
original care site where scanning was
done, independent imaging centers and
physician’s offices offering scanning
have become widespread in the U.S.
over the last decade. With the advent of
portable and mobile CT scans, access
and availability of this imaging modality
has increased significantly. Currently it
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15:06 Dec 30, 2009
Jkt 220001
is estimated that about 25% of scanning
stations are in private practices and
imaging centers that are not part of a
hospital. Most hospitals have a range of
scanners from low-slice to high-slice.
The overall trend is towards acquiring
high-slice scanners which can be similar
in terms of capital costs but far superior
in function.
• One of the fastest growing
applications is CT angiograms, currently
at an annual rate of about half a million
in the U.S. Pediatric usage is also
growing. An estimated 6 million CT
scans per year are done for pediatric
cases. Of these, about 600,000 are done
for head and abdominal examinations.
The ability of the present technology to
highlight certain contrast agents against
background tissue and bone signal can
significantly enhance CT angiography.
• The women’s mammography
segment of x-ray imaging is poised for
a major new phase of growth fueled by
the availability of new technology
coming out of the computer and digital
areas and the higher interest of
individual patients and general
healthcare consumers to take charge of
their own health status. Continuous
improvements in technology are
resulting in a growing number of new
imaging diagnostic tests that combine
high levels of accuracy with rapid, easyto-use product formats. Digital
mammography is driving more
screening programs.
• X-ray inspection in product quality
control and in security screening. The
present technology offers the ability to
detect and target materials based on
their x-ray diffraction signatures. It may
significantly enhance the sensitivity and
specificity of the inspection.
The present technology provides
enhancement in x-ray imaging, thus its
application in x-ray instrumentation,
offers excellent commercial
opportunities given the size of the
industry.
Inventors: Han Wen (NHLBI).
Related Publications
1. Wen H, Bennett EE, Hegedus MM,
Rapacchi S. Fourier X-ray scattering
radiography yields bone structural
information. Radiology 2009
Jun;252(3):910–918.
2. Wen H, Bennett E, Hegedus MM,
Carroll SC. Spatial harmonic imaging of
X-ray scattering—initial results. IEEE
Trans Med Imaging 2008 Aug;27(8):997–
1002.
Patent Status: PCT Application No.
PCT/US2009/051642 filed 24 Jul 2009
(HHS Reference No. E–248–2009/0–
PCT–01).
Licensing Status: Available for
licensing.
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69347
Licensing Contacts: Uri Reichman,
PhD, MBA; 301–435–4616;
UR7a@nih.gov; or John Stansberry, PhD;
301–435–5236; stansbej@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute, Laboratory of Cardiac
Energetics, is seeking statements of
capability or interest from parties
interested in collaborative research to
further develop, evaluate, or
commercialize single-shot x-ray
diffraction and phase-contrast imaging.
Please contact Denise Crooks at 301–
402–5579 or crooksd@nhlbi.nih.gov for
more information.
Non-Contact Total Emission Detection
Methods for Multiphoton Microscopy:
Improved Image Fidelity and Biological
Sample Analysis
Description of Technology: The
technology offered for licensing and for
further development is in the field of
multiphoton microscopy (MPM). More
specifically, the invention describes and
claims optical designs that can enhance
and extend the capabilities of MPM in
spectral imaging of biological samples.
The unique design of the light collection
and the detection optics maximizes the
collection of emitted light, thus
increasing the signal and hence the
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
Improvement in image fidelity will
result in improved analysis of biological
samples and thus will favorably impact
medical research and possibly clinical
diagnosis. The present technology is a
further improvement on the TED (Total
Emission Detection) technology, first
disclosed by Dr. Robert Balaban et al. at
the NIH in 2006 and claimed in U.S.
patent application 11/979,600, now
allowed (Patent Publication US–2008–
0063345 A1, March 13, 2008). The
earlier NIH TED technology proposed an
optical design based on enveloping the
entirety of a small sample in a parabolic
mirror/condenser combination so light
emanated by a sample in all directions
is redirected to the detector. The present
technology further expands the
capabilities of TED as its unique design
employing parabolic, toric and conic
mirrors ensures maximum light
collection from large samples in cases
where there is only access to one side
of the tissues (e.g., in vivo or ex vivo).
This is accomplished by the redirection
of all attainable light (i.e., light escaping
the tissue or a whole animal in the epi
and sideway directions) to the detector.
Applications
• Tissue and cell analysis in
biomedical research.
• Potential applications in clinical
diagnostics.
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erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
69348
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 250 / Thursday, December 31, 2009 / Notices
Advantages: The advent of
multiphoton microscopy (MPM)
provided several advantages in
comparison to single-photon confocal
microscopy. In particular the nonlinear
optics used with this technology,
combined with the elimination of a
confocal pinhole aperture, led to direct
sectioning and the use of lower energy
photons. This approach preserves the
integrity of the observed object (i.e.
tissue) thus improving imaging results.
The technology presented here further
enhances the capabilities of MPM by
providing the following advantages:
• Increased signal-to-noise ratio.
• Enhanced image resolution due to
SNR.
• Improved analytical capabilities.
• Non-contact.
• May readily be adaptable to
commercial microscopes.
Development Status: The invention is
fully developed. Prototype microscope
has been built. May need further
validation by rigorous in vivo testing
under a variety of different conditions.
Also need to build the smaller prototype
that could screw into normal objective
turrets. Alternative realizations with
‘integrated optic’ structures are also
planned.
Market: Multiphoton microscopy
(MPM) has found a niche in the world
of biological imaging as the best
noninvasive means of fluorescence
microscopy in tissue explants and living
animals. Coupled with transgenic
mouse models of disease and ‘smart’
genetically encoded fluorescent
indicators, its use is now increasing
exponentially. Properly applied, it is
capable of measuring calcium transients
500 μm deep in a mouse brain, or
quantifying blood flow by imaging
shadows of blood cells as they race
through capillaries. One of the great
advantages of optical microscopy is its
ability to let scientists peek beneath the
tissue surface and study cellular
processes at work. Over the last two
decades, the use of multiphoton
microscopy has spread to all major areas
of biological research. As researchers are
finding more and more applications for
this powerful technique the need for
enhanced performance and enhanced
capabilities is also increasing. The
improvements provided in the present
technology are simply added to existing
MPM and therefore present excellent
commercial opportunities.
Inventors: Jay R. Knutson (NHLBI).
Related Publications
1. U.S. Patent Application Publication
US–2008–0063345 A1, March 13, 2008.
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15:06 Dec 30, 2009
Jkt 220001
2. Presentation, 7th EBSA European
Biophysics Congress, July 11–15, 2009,
Genova, Italy (https://EBSA2009.org).
3. CA Combs, AV Smirnov, JD Riley,
AH Gandjbakhche, JR Knutson, RS
Balaban. Optimization of multiphoton
excitation microscopy by total emission
detection using a parabolic light
reflector. J Micros. 2007
Dec;228(Pt3):330–337.
Patent Status: U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/224,772 filed 10 Jul
2009 (HHS Reference No. E–236–2009/
0–US–01).
Related Technology: U.S. Patent
Application No. 11/979,600 filed 06
Nov 2007, now allowed (HHS Reference
No. E–257–2005/0–US–04).
Licensing Status: Available for
licensing.
Licensing Contacts: Uri Reichman,
PhD, MBA; 301–435–4616;
UR7a@nih.gov; or Michael Shmilovich,
JD; 301–435–5019;
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The NHLBI Laboratory of Molecular
Biophysics is seeking statements of
capability or interest from parties
interested in collaborative research to
further develop, evaluate, or
commercialize an enhanced method of
multiphoton microscopy that is suitable
for the spectral imaging of biological
samples. Please contact Brian W. Bailey,
PhD at bbailey@mail.nih.gov for more
information.
Dated: December 24, 2009.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development
and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer,
National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E9–31074 Filed 12–30–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government-Owned Inventions;
Availability for Licensing
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health,
Public Health Service, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The inventions listed below
are owned by an agency of the U.S.
Government and are available for
licensing in the U.S. in accordance with
35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious
commercialization of results of federally
funded research and development.
Foreign patent applications are filed on
selected inventions to extend market
coverage for companies and may also be
available for licensing.
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
ADDRESSES: Licensing information and
copies of the U.S. patent applications
listed below may be obtained by writing
to the indicated licensing contact at the
Office of Technology Transfer, National
Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive
Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville,
Maryland 20852–3804; telephone: 301/
496–7057; fax: 301/402–0220. A signed
Confidential Disclosure Agreement will
be required to receive copies of the
patent applications.
Device and Method for Direct
Measurement of Isotopes of Expired
Gases: Application in Research of
Metabolism and Metabolic Disorders,
and in Medical Screening and
Diagnostics
Description of Technology: The
technology offered for licensing and for
further development concerns a novel
device for intervallic collection of
expired gas from subjects and
subsequent measurement of the isotopic
content of such expired gases. The
device is specifically designed for
medical research and clinical
applications, and in particular in the
area of metabolic disorders. The device
may facilitate the development and
testing of new therapies for such
disorders and may be used for medical
screening and diagnostics of metabolic
diseases. The unique design of the
device includes a constant volume
respiratory chamber equipped with a
series of valves and stopcocks to allow
precise and repetitive removal of
expired gases, and addition of air or
other gas to maintain the chamber at a
constant volume. Also included is a
vacuum tube adapter linked to a port on
a three-way stopcock to allow facile
transfer of the chamber gases to vacuum
tubes for subsequent chemical analyses.
The device also includes gas sensors
operably linked to detectors and
inserted to the chamber through airtight
ports; this allows the operator to
independently and directly measure the
carbon dioxide production rate and
oxygen consumption of the test subject
while the expired gases are removed for
study.
The experimental subject (e.g.
mammal) is first contacted with a
substrate (e.g. amino acid, fatty acid,
organic acid) containing an isotope (e.g.
13C) and placed in the chamber. The
unique design allows easy gas removal
and addition while maintaining a
constant chamber volume. Precisely
measured air samples are collected from
the chamber by the syringe and
subsequently transferred to a selfsealing vacuum tube which is then
removed for analysis. Subsequent
sampling is accomplished in the exact
E:\FR\FM\31DEN1.SGM
31DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 250 (Thursday, December 31, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69346-69348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31074]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S.
Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance
with 35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results
of Federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent
applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage
for companies and may also be available for licensing.
ADDRESSES: Licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent
applications listed below may be obtained by writing to the indicated
licensing contact at the Office of Technology Transfer, National
Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville,
Maryland 20852-3804; telephone: 301/496-7057; fax: 301/402-0220. A
signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive
copies of the patent applications.
Fourier X-ray Scattering and Phase-Contrast Imaging: Enhanced Contrast
and Sensitivity of X-ray Images
Description of Technology: The invention offered for licensing is
broadly applicable to medical diagnostic imaging, biological imaging,
industrial non-destructive testing, security screening, and other
routine x-ray inspections. The invention provides a method and
apparatus that can significantly improve and enhance the contrast and
sensitivity of x-ray images. More specifically, the method described in
the invention provides a technique to obtain in a single shot x-ray
diffraction, differential phase-contrast, as well as the conventional
absorption images. X-ray diffraction reveals information about
microscopic structures in the imaged object from nanometer to
micrometer scales which enables detection of specific materials and
disease pathologies that are invisible in conventional x-ray images.
The main advantage of the invention over prior art is the single-shot
capability without the need to scan an analyzer crystal or grating, and
without the need for any hardware beyond standard radiography
equipment. It also offers flexibility in hardware configuration to
target specific materials by their diffraction signature. For this
reason the invention is highly adaptable and well suited for day-to-day
applications of x-ray radiography and computed tomography.
In one of the embodiments of the invention for example, a
scattering imaging method uses a transmission grid to modulate the
intensity of a beam of an x-ray radiation source. A detector captures a
raw image from the modulated intensity pattern. A diffraction image can
be automatically generated from the detected modulated intensity
pattern.
In yet another embodiment, both a diffraction image and a
differential phase-contrast image are obtained in a single exposure.
Advantageously, commercially available x-ray grids and radiography
machines can be used for this method, and exact positioning of the grid
is unnecessary, as the method works for any non-zero distance between
the grid and the detector. Thus, the speed and ease of implementation
makes it suitable for both planar radiography and 3D computed
tomography. In addition to its medical diagnostics significance, the
invention can be utilized in other, non-medical applications such as
non-destructive inspections and security screening.
Applications
Medical diagnostic radiography and computed tomography.
For example, imaging blood vessels, imaging of bones (i.e.,
osteoporosis, fractures).
Non-invasive characterization of material microscopic
structures by planar radiography or 3D computed tomography
implementations of the invention.
Detection of materials by their diffraction signature in
x-ray inspections and security screening.
Advantages: Although x-ray diffraction and phase-contrast imaging
can detect materials and structures that are invisible by conventional
absorption images, current techniques remain difficult to implement due
to requirements for specialized x-ray optical components and/or
brilliant sources, and lengthy scanning of analyzer components such as
perfect crystals or high-density gratings. A recent publication
(US2007/0183563 A1) mentioned that by using a detector with elements
less than \1/3\ of the pitch of an analyzer grating, it is possible to
obtain differential phase-contrast images in one measurement without
the need to scan. US2007/0183580 A1 further elaborates on this
technique and specifies that the detector elements are an integer
fraction of the grating pitch so that sub-groups of the detectors can
report x-ray intensities of different portions of a grating period,
from which the phase shift of the grating pattern is measured. Such
detectors are highly challenging to realize, and are not able to cope
with varying pitches or patterns of x-ray beam modulation.
It is additionally known in the art to remove the effects of
scattering with the use of grids, gratings, or other masks of
periodically arranged opaque areas. Specifically, a mask or multiple
masks of periodically arranged opaque areas are placed in the x-ray
path, such that periodic dark shadows are created on a recorder surface
either by direct geometric shadowing or by wave-interference effects.
The shadow areas only receive x-ray which is scattered in the object.
The signals of these shadow areas are subtracted from the raw image to
yield an image free of the effects of scattering.
Nonetheless, the above variations require exacting procedures or
are expensive, making the prior art ill-suited for today's routine x-
ray imaging applications, including non-destructive testing (e.g.,
component inspection without damage), security screening, and medical
diagnostic exams.
The present technology overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by
allowing the acquisition of x-ray diffraction, differential phase-
contrast and absorption images all in a single exposure without the
need for scanning or any hardware beyond commercial radiography
equipment.
It is particularly flexible when compared to prior art in that the
number of transmission grids, their patterns and their positions can
all be adjusted to selectively detect or enhance specific materials,
such as contrast agents in medical diagnostic imaging or explosive
materials in security screening.
Development Status: The invention is fully developed.
[[Page 69347]]
Market: The market for medical imaging equipment industry is
approximately $9.0 billion dollars now and has been growing by
approximately 7.6% annually. X-ray imaging and related instrumentation
constitutes a significant portion of this market.
X-ray radiography is the most common and widely available
diagnostic imaging technique. Even when a diagnostic testing requires
more powerful or sophisticated tests, an x-ray imaging may many times
be needed first before other more sophisticated tests are applied.
X-ray angiography currently provides the best
visualization of blood vessels in the body. The ability of this
technology to selectively enhance contrast agents can eliminate
difficulties associated with subtraction angiography and improve
angiography exams.
The advent of Computed Tomography (CT) and other digital
x-ray technologies have enhanced the capabilities of x-ray imaging and
have resulted in the tremendous growth of x-ray imaging. CT combines x-
rays with computer technology and can produce a highly detailed, cross-
sectional image of the body and organs, tissues or tumors inside the
body. CT scans are now routinely used to diagnose problems with small,
bony structures or in cases of severe trauma to the brain, spinal cord,
chest, abdomen, or pelvis. Furthermore, the introduction of multi-slice
CT has been one of the most significant enhancements ever brought to
the market, and the technological innovations that have been made
within the realm of CT in recent years are revolutionary and should be
the primary drivers for future industry growth. Electron Beam
Technology (EBT) for example is a CT technology that created
opportunities in cardiac diagnostics. CT requires fast and robust image
acquisition, thus the present invention is uniquely able to enhance CT
with diffraction and phase contrast.
The United States market for computed tomography (CT)
scanning systems is estimated to touch $3.6 billion by the end of 2009.
The U.S. accounts for over 50.0 percent of the worldwide market.
Cardiac imaging is a fast expanding CT application due to its utility
in emergency medicine, perfusion studies and CT angiography. While
hospitals started out as the original care site where scanning was
done, independent imaging centers and physician's offices offering
scanning have become widespread in the U.S. over the last decade. With
the advent of portable and mobile CT scans, access and availability of
this imaging modality has increased significantly. Currently it is
estimated that about 25% of scanning stations are in private practices
and imaging centers that are not part of a hospital. Most hospitals
have a range of scanners from low-slice to high-slice. The overall
trend is towards acquiring high-slice scanners which can be similar in
terms of capital costs but far superior in function.
One of the fastest growing applications is CT angiograms,
currently at an annual rate of about half a million in the U.S.
Pediatric usage is also growing. An estimated 6 million CT scans per
year are done for pediatric cases. Of these, about 600,000 are done for
head and abdominal examinations. The ability of the present technology
to highlight certain contrast agents against background tissue and bone
signal can significantly enhance CT angiography.
The women's mammography segment of x-ray imaging is poised
for a major new phase of growth fueled by the availability of new
technology coming out of the computer and digital areas and the higher
interest of individual patients and general healthcare consumers to
take charge of their own health status. Continuous improvements in
technology are resulting in a growing number of new imaging diagnostic
tests that combine high levels of accuracy with rapid, easy-to-use
product formats. Digital mammography is driving more screening
programs.
X-ray inspection in product quality control and in
security screening. The present technology offers the ability to detect
and target materials based on their x-ray diffraction signatures. It
may significantly enhance the sensitivity and specificity of the
inspection.
The present technology provides enhancement in x-ray imaging, thus
its application in x-ray instrumentation, offers excellent commercial
opportunities given the size of the industry.
Inventors: Han Wen (NHLBI).
Related Publications
1. Wen H, Bennett EE, Hegedus MM, Rapacchi S. Fourier X-ray
scattering radiography yields bone structural information. Radiology
2009 Jun;252(3):910-918.
2. Wen H, Bennett E, Hegedus MM, Carroll SC. Spatial harmonic
imaging of X-ray scattering--initial results. IEEE Trans Med Imaging
2008 Aug;27(8):997-1002.
Patent Status: PCT Application No. PCT/US2009/051642 filed 24 Jul
2009 (HHS Reference No. E-248-2009/0-PCT-01).
Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
Licensing Contacts: Uri Reichman, PhD, MBA; 301-435-4616;
UR7a@nih.gov; or John Stansberry, PhD; 301-435-5236;
stansbej@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute, Laboratory of Cardiac Energetics, is seeking
statements of capability or interest from parties interested in
collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize
single-shot x-ray diffraction and phase-contrast imaging. Please
contact Denise Crooks at 301-402-5579 or crooksd@nhlbi.nih.gov for more
information.
Non-Contact Total Emission Detection Methods for Multiphoton
Microscopy: Improved Image Fidelity and Biological Sample Analysis
Description of Technology: The technology offered for licensing and
for further development is in the field of multiphoton microscopy
(MPM). More specifically, the invention describes and claims optical
designs that can enhance and extend the capabilities of MPM in spectral
imaging of biological samples. The unique design of the light
collection and the detection optics maximizes the collection of emitted
light, thus increasing the signal and hence the signal-to-noise ratio
(SNR). Improvement in image fidelity will result in improved analysis
of biological samples and thus will favorably impact medical research
and possibly clinical diagnosis. The present technology is a further
improvement on the TED (Total Emission Detection) technology, first
disclosed by Dr. Robert Balaban et al. at the NIH in 2006 and claimed
in U.S. patent application 11/979,600, now allowed (Patent Publication
US-2008-0063345 A1, March 13, 2008). The earlier NIH TED technology
proposed an optical design based on enveloping the entirety of a small
sample in a parabolic mirror/condenser combination so light emanated by
a sample in all directions is redirected to the detector. The present
technology further expands the capabilities of TED as its unique design
employing parabolic, toric and conic mirrors ensures maximum light
collection from large samples in cases where there is only access to
one side of the tissues (e.g., in vivo or ex vivo). This is
accomplished by the redirection of all attainable light (i.e., light
escaping the tissue or a whole animal in the epi and sideway
directions) to the detector.
Applications
Tissue and cell analysis in biomedical research.
Potential applications in clinical diagnostics.
[[Page 69348]]
Advantages: The advent of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) provided
several advantages in comparison to single-photon confocal microscopy.
In particular the nonlinear optics used with this technology, combined
with the elimination of a confocal pinhole aperture, led to direct
sectioning and the use of lower energy photons. This approach preserves
the integrity of the observed object (i.e. tissue) thus improving
imaging results. The technology presented here further enhances the
capabilities of MPM by providing the following advantages:
Increased signal-to-noise ratio.
Enhanced image resolution due to SNR.
Improved analytical capabilities.
Non-contact.
May readily be adaptable to commercial microscopes.
Development Status: The invention is fully developed. Prototype
microscope has been built. May need further validation by rigorous in
vivo testing under a variety of different conditions. Also need to
build the smaller prototype that could screw into normal objective
turrets. Alternative realizations with `integrated optic' structures
are also planned.
Market: Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) has found a niche in the world
of biological imaging as the best noninvasive means of fluorescence
microscopy in tissue explants and living animals. Coupled with
transgenic mouse models of disease and `smart' genetically encoded
fluorescent indicators, its use is now increasing exponentially.
Properly applied, it is capable of measuring calcium transients 500
[mu]m deep in a mouse brain, or quantifying blood flow by imaging
shadows of blood cells as they race through capillaries. One of the
great advantages of optical microscopy is its ability to let scientists
peek beneath the tissue surface and study cellular processes at work.
Over the last two decades, the use of multiphoton microscopy has spread
to all major areas of biological research. As researchers are finding
more and more applications for this powerful technique the need for
enhanced performance and enhanced capabilities is also increasing. The
improvements provided in the present technology are simply added to
existing MPM and therefore present excellent commercial opportunities.
Inventors: Jay R. Knutson (NHLBI).
Related Publications
1. U.S. Patent Application Publication US-2008-0063345 A1, March
13, 2008.
2. Presentation, 7th EBSA European Biophysics Congress, July 11-15,
2009, Genova, Italy (https://EBSA2009.org).
3. CA Combs, AV Smirnov, JD Riley, AH Gandjbakhche, JR Knutson, RS
Balaban. Optimization of multiphoton excitation microscopy by total
emission detection using a parabolic light reflector. J Micros. 2007
Dec;228(Pt3):330-337.
Patent Status: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/224,772 filed 10
Jul 2009 (HHS Reference No. E-236-2009/0-US-01).
Related Technology: U.S. Patent Application No. 11/979,600 filed 06
Nov 2007, now allowed (HHS Reference No. E-257-2005/0-US-04).
Licensing Status: Available for licensing.
Licensing Contacts: Uri Reichman, PhD, MBA; 301-435-4616;
UR7a@nih.gov; or Michael Shmilovich, JD; 301-435-5019;
shmilovm@mail.nih.gov.
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The NHLBI Laboratory of
Molecular Biophysics is seeking statements of capability or interest
from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop,
evaluate, or commercialize an enhanced method of multiphoton microscopy
that is suitable for the spectral imaging of biological samples. Please
contact Brian W. Bailey, PhD at bbailey@mail.nih.gov for more
information.
Dated: December 24, 2009.
Richard U. Rodriguez,
Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of
Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. E9-31074 Filed 12-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P
