Abstract
Removal of
epileptogenic brain areas where seizures originate can offer patients with
refractory epilepsy, the chance of being free of seizures. The resection has be
balanced against the preservation of eloquent cortical areas to reduce
postoperative morbidity. Screening technologies such as EEG, fMRI, PET, and
SPECT provide general location but not the exact boundaries of the
seizure-inducing brain areas. Although Electrocorticography (ECoG) can delineate
such boundaries, it requires prolonged recordings with electrodes implanted
long term and hence increasing risks of hemorrhage, infection, and cerebral
edema. Other techniques such as Intraoperative MRI and fMRI unfortunately demand
a high standard of infrastructure and maintenance.FIU inventors
have invented a method based on hybrid spectroscopy imaging to detect and
differentiate epileptogenic from eloquent and normal cortices. A method for
identifying epileptogenic cortices in a brain may include detecting areas in
the brain that are undergoing cerebral blood volume low-frequency oscillations,
areas that are undergoing blood oxygen low-frequency oscillations; mapping
clusters of the brain which the cerebral blood volume low-frequency
oscillations are negatively correlated with the blood oxygenation low-frequency
oscillations, and analyzing the time-based relationship between the clusters of
the brain that are undergoing negatively correlated low-frequency oscillations
to determine areas causing negatively correlated low-frequency oscillations to
occur elsewhere. The methods can provide epileptogenic cortex detection and
hence improve the outcome of epilepsy surgery. Benefit
· Precise detection of seizure-inducing brain areas. · No need for prolonged electrode implants.Market Application
The method has applications in treating patients with the Intraoperative epileptic cortex.
Abstract
Florida International University inventors created a methodology
to detect tumors primarily in pediatric patients. A combined point-detection
and imaging system device is utilized to detect brain tumors and their margins
to high accuracy based on distinct morphological, biochemical, and
physiological attributes to reduce the elimination of healthy brain tissue and
maximize the removal of tumor cells.Utilization of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy using long
wavelength light is effective in differentiating between tumors and normal
brain tissue. Preliminary in vivo studies show that adding regional hemodynamic
characteristics improved on differentiability. This enhancement in brain tumor
detection will improve patient prognoses and reduce financial and emotional
strain experienced by both the patients and their families.Current technologies for establishing tumor borders are
either not sensitive enough and result in tumor cells being left behind or are
expensive and difficult to implement. Due to these limitations, neurosurgeons
will often rely on subjective, inaccurate visual inspection. This technology
would be an addition to existing microscopes used for neurosurgery.Benefit
Improves accuracy of detection of brain tumors and their margins than existing technologiesResults in minimal removal of normal brain tissueMaximal removal of tumor cellsDoes not require additional equipment to implement since it uses existing neurosurgical microscopesMarket Application
Pediatric brain tumor surgeryAid in pediatric epilepsy surgeryEasily adaptable to detection in other tissues.
Abstract
Zika virus, a mosquito-borne
pathogen, has been linked to occurrences of microcephaly when the virus is
passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Currently, enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
are two major laboratory methods available for detecting Zika virus (ZIKV).
These methods can be used to detect the virus, for example, within 3-10 days following
the onset of symptoms. However, the ELISA test adopted for detecting Zika virus
has limitations due to cross reactivity of the antibodies with other species of
the Flavivirus genus such as, for example, dengue virus. In addition, ELISA is
cumbersome for healthcare workers to carry and utilize. Because these methods
are typically carried out in laboratories only, the turn-around time for
confirmed laboratory diagnostics results can take up to days, causing
significant delays in diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, these test methods
are unable to detect Zika virus at low detection limits, which can result in
misidentification of the viral infection at an early stage.FIU inventors have developed
methods for the detection of zika virus at low level with micro-electrochemical
ZIKV immunosensors functionalized with Zika virus binding ligands such as
monoclonal Zika virus antibodies and Zika non-structural proteins. These
methods include contacting the immunosensing substrate with a biological
sample, applying a frequency to the sensing device, monitoring changes in
resistance response of the sensing device as Zika virus or Zika virus-infected
cells bind with their binding ligands; and finally, quantifying the amount of
ZIKV by comparing the measured resistance response with a pre-determined
calibration curve. These methods allow for a rapid (operation time around 40
minutes) and selective detection of ZIKV in wide concentration range with a low
detection limit (10 pM).Benefit
Suitable for use in clinical and field settings Enable early diagnosis of zika virus infection Allow for a sensitive, and selective detection of zika virus within 40 minutes Determine treatment effectivenessMarket Application
Diagnostic screening for zika virus infection at early stage Assessment of diseases progression and therapy efficacy
