Fluorescence Imaging

Researchers are conducting a pilot study to evaluate a new portable 0.7 Tesla (T) MRI brain scanner developed at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR). This study aims to demonstrate the human brain imaging capabilities of this innovative device, which is designed to be compact and more accessible compared to traditional MRI machines. The study uses a unique high-temperature superconducting magnet-based scanner that is lightweight, weighing only 400 kg, and requires no cryogens. The device allows participants to sit normally with clear sightlines to the room and produces lower noise during scanning, enhancing comfort during the procedure. Participants will undergo brain imaging using the portable 0.7 T MRI scanner. Researchers will assess the quality of the images obtained on the first day of scanning as the primary outcome. The study includes healthy volunteers aged 18 and older who can consent for themselves and have no contraindications for MRI. The total duration and follow-up details are not specified.

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 evaluating the safety and feasibility of early post-operative brain PET-MRI imaging in adults who have undergone surgery for suspected glioblastoma. The study aims to validate specific nuclear imaging parameters to improve detection of residual tumor tissue compared to standard gadolinium-enhanced MRI. This prospective interventional diagnostic study will include 15 patients at a single site in France, focusing on imaging within 48 hours after surgery and monitoring for side effects related to the imaging procedures. Participants will undergo combined PET-MRI imaging using 18F-DOPA as the radiotracer and gadolinium-based contrast for MRI enhancement. The PET scan involves an intravenous injection of 18F-DOPA at 2 MBq/kg with static brain acquisition starting immediately after injection. MRI sequences include diffusion, spectroscopy, perfusion, and angiography scans. Patients will be monitored for radiation exposure and any adverse events during and after imaging, with a total monitoring period of 24 hours post-procedure. During the study, participants receive a pre-surgical baseline evaluation including medical history, PET-MRI, and MRI scans within 30 days to 2 days before surgery. After surgery, informed consent is obtained, followed by post-operative PET-MRI imaging and monitoring in the nuclear medicine department. Dosimetry measurements occur over 24 hours to assess radiation exposure. Safety assessments include observation for hypersensitivity or side effects related to gadolinium or 18F-DOPA. The study lasts approximately 24 hours per patient, with follow-up managed by the usual neurosurgical care team.

Diabetes is a widespread chronic condition that leads to high risks of cardiovascular problems and lower limb amputations. This research explores how Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging (SFDI), a noninvasive optical method, can assess blood flow changes before and after lower limb revascularization procedures like angioplasty in diabetic patients. The trial aims to determine if SFDI can provide objective feedback to predict outcomes and aid early intervention to save limbs. Participants will undergo SFDI imaging on both the treated and untreated feet, focusing on the heel and pad areas. Imaging is done before and after the angioplasty procedure on the same day to capture changes in tissue oxygen saturation and hemoglobin. This pilot study involves 15 diabetic patients having lower limb arterial angioplasty. During the study, participants will have noninvasive foot assessments using SFDI to monitor tissue oxygen levels and blood flow. Researchers will compare these imaging results with toe pressure measurements to evaluate changes in perfusion caused by angioplasty. The primary measure is the change in tissue oxygen saturation immediately before and after the procedure. The overall participation lasts around the intervention day with imaging assessments pre- and post-operation.

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of using preoperative aerosol inhalation of Indocyanine Green (ICG) solution to improve thoracoscopic surgery for congenital lung malformations in children. This study focuses on children aged between 3 months and 14 years who have been diagnosed with congenital lung malformations, aiming to help surgeons accurately identify and remove affected lung tissue. Before surgery, children undergo pulmonary ventilation function evaluation and enhanced lung CT scans. Approximately 30 minutes before surgery, they inhale an ICG solution dissolved in saline at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. During surgery, a fluorescence thoracoscope is used to clearly differentiate normal lung tissue from diseased tissue by fluorescence staining. The lesion boundaries are marked, and lung tissue is carefully dissected using specialized surgical tools. After removing the lesion, the surgical area is examined for bleeding or air leaks, followed by chest drainage tube placement. Participants are followed up 3 to 6 months after surgery with outpatient visits including pulmonary CT scans and lung function tests. Measurements such as tidal volume, inhalation/exhalation time ratio, peak time ratio, and peak volume ratio are compared before and after surgery. Researchers also monitor the rate of residual disease at 3 months and hospital stay length up to 14 days to assess outcomes and safety.

Researchers are conducting a study to compare bone mineral density (BMD) measurements from two types of low-dose X-ray exams: EOSedge and traditional DXA. The study aims to determine if the T-scores calculated from these two imaging methods agree. This multi-center, prospective, controlled, cross-sectional agreement study involves participants who either need EOSedge imaging as part of their routine care or volunteers undergoing non-diagnostic imaging. Participants will undergo both EOSedge and DXA scans. EOSedge exams will be performed as usual for evaluating spinal or orthopedic conditions, while DXA exams will be done as study-prescribed or standard care, ideally on the same day as EOSedge but up to 60 days apart. Healthy volunteers will receive both imaging tests, and those receiving EOSedge imaging as standard care will also receive an additional DXA scan. During the study, participants will have demographic and diagnostic information collected via case report forms and complete a questionnaire before the DXA scan. The researchers will assess the agreement of T-scores between the two imaging methods over a period of up to 60 days. The total duration of participation covers consent through completion of image acquisition. Safety is monitored by excluding participants with conditions affecting imaging quality or safety risks.

Researchers are conducting a precision study to compare bone mineral density (BMD) measurements obtained from two low-dose x-ray exams using EOSedge biplanar full-body or full-spine imaging. The study aims to determine the measurement precision between the BMD assessments from these two exams. This single-center, prospective study involves 30 subjects who are indicated for radiography to evaluate spinal or other orthopedic conditions. Participants will undergo two EOSedge imaging exams during the study. The first exam is performed as part of their standard care, while the second exam is performed immediately afterward with repositioning between scans. The imaging outputs will be used for post-study calculations of BMD. Demographic and diagnostic information will be collected through case report forms, and subjects will complete a questionnaire based on international guidelines prior to the BMD scan. During the study, participants will be involved from consent through completion of both imaging exams. Researchers will review the precision of BMD measurements specifically for the spine and hip regions. Safety considerations include monitoring for any factors that may affect image quality or participant positioning. The study duration for each participant involves the imaging procedures on the same day, and data collected will inform the precision of BMD assessment using EOSedge technology.

This research aims to evaluate whether a digital education program designed for dental professionals can improve the quality of intraoral radiographic examinations. The study focuses on whether this program enhances both the quality of radiographic images and the theoretical and practical understanding of image quality among dental professionals. The study is part of a larger project involving dental professionals in general dental care in the County of Västerbotten, Sweden. Participants will be divided into two groups through cluster randomization of dental clinics. One group will have access to a digital education program lasting approximately six hours, available for three months, offering further education in intraoral radiographic examinations. The other group will not receive this intervention and will serve as the control group. After three months, all participants will be invited to complete a theoretical test. During the study, researchers will assess the quality of radiographic images taken by participants at the start and after three months. They will also analyze theoretical competence with a test one month after the intervention. About 80 dental professionals have consented to participate. The study will monitor changes in practical and theoretical skills to understand the impact of the digital education program.

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.