Electrical Impedance Tomography

This research aims to evaluate Bevonescein, a sterile intravenous drug, in patients undergoing minimally invasive abdominopelvic surgery. The study focuses on assessing the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of Bevonescein in highlighting nerves and ureters during surgery. It also investigates how the drug behaves in the body and the dose needed to produce clear fluorescent imaging for nerve and ureter visualization. Participants will receive Bevonescein during two study phases: a dose defining phase and a dose expansion phase for each surgical setting. The drug is given as an intravenous infusion, and the study uses specialized imaging systems to record fluorescence signals in targeted tissues. These phases help determine the optimal dose and gather safety and imaging data. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored with fluorescence system surveys approximately 28 days after dosing, plus or minus 5 days. Researchers will collect data on the drug's imaging effects and safety. The total duration includes screening, dosing, and follow-up assessments to evaluate Bevonescein’s performance during minimally invasive surgery.

Researchers are evaluating a new noninvasive system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze multiple types of imaging, including magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and computed tomography enterography (CTE), to help diagnose and predict outcomes for digestive diseases. This observational study collects and analyzes retrospective imaging, endoscopic, and clinical data from 21 centers in China to build and improve the AI model. The model will then be tested prospectively in two centers and its ability to locate lesions will be checked in real-world endoscopy settings. The study involves using a virtual endoscopy model to assist in diagnosis by integrating and analyzing multimodal imaging features. The AI system is designed to support diagnosis without any invasive procedures. The study will confirm the model's accuracy and effectiveness through retrospective data, prospective validation, and real-world deployment in clinical environments. Participants will contribute data from their imaging and endoscopic exams, with at least one technically adequate CT or MR scan and a high-quality colonoscopy performed within one month of imaging. Researchers will assess the AI model's diagnostic performance by measuring the area under the ROC curve (AUC) over six months. The study includes ongoing monitoring of data quality and imaging accuracy to ensure reliable validation of the AI system.

Researchers are studying how tissue elasticity varies in different types of pleural lesions. The study aims to test how well transthoracic shear-wave ultrasound elastography can distinguish between benign and malignant pleural lesions. This observational study gathers important information to improve diagnosis of pleural conditions. Participants will undergo transthoracic shear-wave ultrasound elastography, a non-invasive imaging method to assess tissue stiffness in pleural lesions. The study focuses on comparing elasticity measurements across different lesion types to validate the technique's predictive value. During the study, participants with pleural lesions or effusion will have ultrasound imaging performed. Researchers will assess the elasticity of the pleural tissue and evaluate the technique's accuracy in differentiating lesion types. The primary outcome is measured over six months, with no treatment interventions involved. Participants are monitored for their ability to hold their breath during imaging and other safety factors.

Researchers are evaluating how well neural networks trained on ultrasonic raw radiofrequency data can assess liver diseases in patients undergoing clinical ultrasound exams. The study aims to compare the performance of these neural networks against elastography and those trained on b-mode ultrasound images, as well as to see if they can distinguish focal liver lesions from healthy tissue. This research is conducted with patients who have a clinical indication for elastography or suspected liver lesions and involves collecting detailed ultrasound data for analysis. Participants scheduled for elastography will have both b-mode images and radiofrequency data collected during their ultrasound scans. For those with suspected focal liver lesions, ultrasound data is collected along with a definitive diagnosis obtained through standard clinical procedures such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound, biopsy, MRI, or CT, depending on what is normally done at the participating center. The study includes two groups: one focused on elastography data collection and another on focal lesion evaluation, all without randomization or masking. During the study, participants undergo clinical ultrasound examinations to capture both b-mode images and corresponding radiofrequency data. Additional tests or procedures may be performed to confirm diagnoses for focal liver lesions. Researchers will analyze the performance of the trained neural networks after the study concludes, approximately one year later. The total participation time varies, with assessments aligned to routine clinical care. Safety monitoring includes exclusion of recent liver interventions to avoid confounding results.

This research focuses on patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to understand how the prone position affects lung ventilation and inflammation. The study aims to determine the best duration for prone positioning therapy by observing changes in regional lung ventilation and inflammation markers using electrical impedance tomography (EIT). Researchers hope to clarify how prone positioning improves ventilation distribution by inflating collapsed alveoli and reducing overinflation. Participants will be observed while using the prone position therapy, with EIT employed to monitor continuous lung physiological changes. The study collects clinical, laboratory, imaging, and respiratory data before and after prone positioning over several days. Researchers will analyze biomarker changes and measure the response during up to five days of prone positioning. Participants will undergo serial arterial blood gas tests and other assessments as part of regular care. The primary measure is the response to prone positioning during treatment, while a secondary outcome is mortality at 28 days. The study involves continuous data collection during the prone position period, aiming to improve understanding of therapy duration and its effects on lung function and inflammation in ARDS patients.

This research aims to explore a new way to assess if patients are ready for surgery, focusing on those with gastric, oesophageal, or pancreatic cancer. Surgery for these cancers is very demanding, so doctors need reliable methods to predict if a patient can handle the procedure. Currently, fitness is tested using Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests (CPET), which involve cycling with increasing effort to measure oxygen use. However, CPET can be hard for some patients and requires many resources. This study investigates whether Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) of thigh muscle fat levels can serve as an alternative measure of surgical fitness. The study has two phases. In the first phase, 56 patients scheduled for major cancer surgeries will have MRS scans of their thigh muscles along with their usual CPET tests. The MRS scans will be done without delaying their treatment and can be scheduled within two weeks of referral. In the second phase, 25 healthy volunteers will have repeated MRS scans in a single session and again after two weeks to check the consistency of MRS measurements over time. Participants will undergo MRS scans, and for patients also CPET, with no changes to their normal treatment schedule. Researchers will compare the fat levels from MRS scans with CPET results to see if they correlate well. They will also study differences between patients who experience major complications and those who do not, and assess the repeatability of MRS results over short and long periods. The study will last up to two years to collect and analyze these outcomes.

Researchers are investigating whether combining transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) improves treatment for repetitive negative thinking (RNT) in patients who experience high levels of rumination. This study includes patients with generalized anxiety disorder or depressive disorder and compares active tDCS combined with CBT to sham (inactive) tDCS combined with CBT to evaluate their therapeutic effects. The study has two stages. In the first stage, participants attend weekly CBT group sessions called "Drop It" for 7 weeks, each followed by either active or sham tDCS applied for 30 minutes. In the second stage, after these sessions, participants use the tDCS devices at home daily for 4 weeks, continuing with either active or sham stimulation, then return for a final CBT session. Neuroimaging scans (EEG and fNIRS) are done at the start and after 3 months of therapy to measure brain activity. During the study, participants complete questionnaires assessing worry, depression, anxiety, and quality of life at baseline, after the therapy course, and at 3-month follow-up. Psychiatrists also evaluate participants at these points. Questionnaires measuring rumination are completed after each session. The main outcomes are the therapeutic effect of the combination therapy and the lasting impact of tDCS on CBT benefits, with safety and brain activity monitored over up to 3 months. Participation lasts approximately 3 months.

Researchers are evaluating the use of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to guide positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) settings in patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following trauma or major surgery. ARDS can be a serious complication requiring mechanical ventilation, but improper ventilator settings may worsen lung injury. This study aims to compare EIT-guided PEEP optimization with the conventional low oxygen and PEEP strategy to improve oxygen levels and respiratory function. The study randomly assigns adult patients to two groups. One group receives PEEP adjustments based on EIT, a bedside imaging device that monitors lung ventilation in real time. This involves sedation, airway suctioning, and a stepwise reduction of PEEP while monitoring lung collapse and overdistension to find the optimal PEEP level. The control group receives PEEP settings according to standard ARDS Network guidelines using a low oxygen and PEEP table. Both groups follow recommended ventilation and oxygenation protocols. Participants will be monitored for oxygenation and lung mechanics at baseline and daily for four days. Secondary measures include survival at 28 days, ventilator-free days, ICU and hospital stay lengths, barotrauma occurrence, use of rescue therapies, and organ function scores. Safety assessments include monitoring for blood pressure drops, oxygen saturation, and arrhythmias during PEEP titration. The trial will continue until December 2026, with comprehensive evaluations to assess the effects of EIT-guided PEEP on clinical outcomes in ARDS patients after trauma or surgery.

Researchers are evaluating a new PET radioligand called [11C]CHDI-00491009 to see if it can specifically bind to mutant huntingtin (mHTT) aggregates in the brains of people with Huntington's disease (HD). This first-in-human study uses an adaptive design with three groups based on Huntington's Disease Integrated Staging System (HD-ISS) stages, including healthy controls and participants with different HD stages. The study also explores biomarkers like somatic instability index and soluble mHTT to better understand the disease. The study involves three cohorts: Cohort 1 includes 3 healthy controls receiving one PET imaging session to validate tracer kinetics without mHTT target. Cohort 2 includes 6 HD-ISS Stage 3 participants and 6 matched healthy controls with PET imaging and MRI; some participants have repeat scans to assess variability. Cohort 3 includes 6 HD-ISS Stage 2 participants and 6 matched controls with similar imaging and optional cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Each cohort's results guide progression to the next, allowing detailed evaluation of the radioligand's suitability. Participants undergo PET imaging with a microdose injection of the radioligand lasting about 90 minutes per scan, along with MRI scans. Blood samples are collected at screening to assess biomarkers, and participants with HD may provide optional cerebrospinal fluid samples. The main measure is the radioligand's volume of distribution in the brain. Safety lab tests and clinical evaluations are done to monitor participant health throughout the study, which is designed to determine if the radioligand can be used as a biomarker for disease progression.

Researchers are investigating how muscles, tendons, and bones work together to produce movement using advanced imaging methods. This study focuses on developing and validating tools to measure and visualize three-dimensional joint anatomy and tissue dynamics during movement. The aim is to improve diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal impairments related to joint function by studying both normal and impaired joints using combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound techniques. Participants aged 5 to 95 years old, both with and without musculoskeletal impairments, will undergo MRI and ultrasound imaging. During MRI sessions, participants lie inside a scanner for up to 3 hours while moving specific joints briefly. Ultrasound will also capture detailed images of muscles and bones to assess joint components. The study involves static and dynamic imaging to create digital 3D models of joint tissues under functional conditions. Participants will be asked to perform brief joint movements during imaging and can communicate with staff at any time. The study measures include dynamic MRI assessments of tissue velocity and joint motion during knee movement, along with ultrasound imaging of muscles and bones. Safety screenings for MRI compatibility will be conducted, and the study monitors normal and impaired joint function over the course of the imaging sessions.