Endovascular deep brain stimulation: Investigating the relationship between vascular structures and deep brain stimulation targets

BackgroundEndovascular delivery of current using ‘stentrodes’ – electrode bearing stents – constitutes a potential alternative to conventional deep brain stimulation (DBS). The precise neuroanatomical relationships between DBS targets and the vascular system, however, are poorly characterized to date.ObjectiveTo establish the relationships between cerebrovascular system and DBS targets and investigate the feasibility of endovascular stimulation as an alternative to DBS.MethodsNeuroanatomical targets as employed during deep brain stimulation (anterior limb of the internal capsule, dentatorubrothalamic tract, fornix, globus pallidus pars interna, medial forebrain bundle, nucleus accumbens, pedunculopontine nucleus, subcallosal cingulate cortex, subthalamic nucleus, and ventral intermediate nucleus) were superimposed onto probabilistic vascular atlases obtained from 42 healthy individuals. Euclidian distances between targets and associated vessels were measured. To determine the electrical currents necessary to encapsulate the predefined neurosurgical targets and identify potentially side-effect inducing substrates, a preliminary volume of tissue activated (VTA) analysis was performed.ResultsSix out of ten DBS targets were deemed suitable for endovascular stimulation: medial forebrain bundle (vascular site: P1 segment of posterior cerebral artery), nucleus accumbens (vascular site: A1 segment of anterior cerebral artery), dentatorubrothalamic tract (vascular site: s2 segment of superior cerebellar artery), fornix (vascular site: internal cerebral vein), pedunculopontine nucleus (vascular site: lateral mesencephalic vein), and subcallosal cingulate cortex (vascular site: A2 segment of anterior cerebral artery). While VTAs effectively encapsulated mfb and NA at current thresholds of 3.5 V and 4.5 V respectively, incremental amplitude increases were required to effectively cover fornix, PPN and SCC target (mean voltage: 8.2 ± 4.8 V, range: 3.0–17.0 V). The side-effect profile associated with endovascular stimulation seems to be comparable to conventional lead implantation. Tailoring of targets towards vascular sites, however, may allow to reduce adverse effects, while maintaining the efficacy of neural entrainment within the target tissue.ConclusionsWhile several challenges remain at present, endovascular stimulation of select DBS targets seems feasible offering novel and exciting opportunities in the neuromodulation armamentarium.     

悬浮阵列技术在研究与临床中的应用

悬浮阵列技术是一种以荧光编码微球为核心,集流式细胞、激光分析、高速数字信号处理等多种技术于一体的多指标并行分析技术平台,可一次同时准确定量检测100种不同的生物分子;具有高通量、高灵敏度,并行检测等特点;常用于免疫分析、核酸研究、酶学分析、受体、配体识别分析等研究.     

Array compression for MRI with large coil arrays.

Arrays with large numbers of independent coil elements are becoming increasingly available as they provide increased signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and improved parallel imaging performance. Processing of data from a large set of independent receive channels is, however, associated with an increased memory and computational load in reconstruction. This work addresses this problem by introducing coil array compression. The method allows one to reduce the number of datasets from independent channels by combining all or partial sets in the time domain prior to image reconstruction. It is demonstrated that array compression can be very effective depending on the size of the region of interest (ROI). Based on 2D in vivo data obtained with a 32-element phased-array coil in the heart, it is shown that the number of channels can be compressed to as few as four with only 0.3% SNR loss in an ROI encompassing the heart. With twofold parallel imaging, only a 2% loss in SNR occurred using the same compression factor.     

一种新的正交参数选优法及其在非线性回归分析中的应用

非线性回归分析是工程中经常采用的一种用来估计数学模型参数的方法，该方法能否顺利运用与参数初始值的选择有极大关系。本研究提出一种新的正交参数选优法——阻尼正交表法，它不仅可以保证非线性回归分析算法的顺利收敛，而且能够显著提高后者的收敛速度，进而极大改善非线性回归分析算法的应用性能。本研究的数值试验及心肌造影超声心动图定量分析应用实例表明，作为对传统正交参数选优法的一种改进，阻尼正交表法在科学与工程计算或信号与信息处理领域有着很好的应用前景。     

东芝DFP-2000A数字减影系统故障检修

介绍东芝DFP-2000A数字减影系统维修实例,并论述该机图像存储系统采用的RAID3等级的磁盘阵列。     

基于人工嗅觉的呈香物质识别方法

研究了人工嗅觉在物质识别中的应用，概述了使用模式识别辨别物质气味的基本原理，详细介绍了人工嗅觉系统的硬件设计，算法和软件实现方法，最后使用本系统对不同香气物质进行了识别，取得了较好的结果。     

Multicoil Dixon chemical species separation with an iterative least-squares estimation method.

This work describes a new approach to multipoint Dixon fat-water separation that is amenable to pulse sequences that require short echo time (TE) increments, such as steady-state free precession (SSFP) and fast spin-echo (FSE) imaging. Using an iterative linear least-squares method that decomposes water and fat images from source images acquired at short TE increments, images with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and uniform separation of water and fat are obtained. This algorithm extends to multicoil reconstruction with minimal additional complexity. Examples of single- and multicoil fat-water decompositions are shown from source images acquired at both 1.5T and 3.0T. Examples in the knee, ankle, pelvis, abdomen, and heart are shown, using FSE, SSFP, and spoiled gradient-echo (SPGR) pulse sequences. The algorithm was applied to systems with multiple chemical species, and an example of water-fat-silicone separation is shown. An analysis of the noise performance of this method is described, and methods to improve noise performance through multicoil acquisition and field map smoothing are discussed.     

Construction and validation of a Parkinson's disease mutation genotyping array for the Parkin gene.

Parkin mutations account for the majority of familial and sporadic early onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) cases with a known genetic association. More than 100 mutations have been described in the Parkin gene that includes homozygous, compound heterozygous, and single heterozygous mutations. We have designed a Parkin mutation genotyping array (gene chip) that includes published Parkin sequence variants and allows their simultaneous detection. The chip was validated by screening 85 PD cases and 47 controls previously tested for Parkin mutations. Similar genotyping microarrays have been developed for other genetically heterogeneous diseases including age-related macular degeneration. Here, we show the utility of a genotyping array for Parkinson's disease by analysis of 60 subjects from the Genetic Epidemiology of Parkinson Disease (GEPD) study that includes 15 early-onset PD case probands and 45 relatives.     

STANDARD IMAGING TECHNIQUES OF ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND‐GUIDED FINE‐NEEDLE ASPIRATION USING A CURVED LINEAR ARRAY ECHOENDOSCOPE

Standard imaging techniques using a curved linear array echoendocope are summarized to facilitate the attainment of expertise in endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration, and to promote the widespread use of this diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Typical images of the mediastinal organs, the bilio‐pancreatic systems and neighboring organs by scanning from the esophagus, stomach, duodenal bulb, and descending portion of the duodenum, are shown in a sequential manner. The basic techniques of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration are also presented.     

NEWLY DEVELOPED ULTRASOUND ENDOSCOPE WITH AN ELECTRONIC RADIAL ARRAY TRANSDUCER

A prototype electronic radial scan ultrasound endoscope has been developed by Olympus (Tokyo, Japan) for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) study. The ultrasound view‐angle of this model is 360° vertical to the scope. Though the diameter of the scanner and the shaft of the scope is bigger than those of the present mechanical radial scan model, clinical manipulation of the new scope is the same as that of the present model. Image quality of the ultrasound picture demonstrated by the electronic radial model was as clear as those provided by the mechanical radial scan model. Ultrasound penetration was better and satisfactory because of less echoic reduction compared to the mechanical radial model. The newly developed electronic radial model can be evaluated as an ultrasound endoscope for the next generation. The advantage of this system is to facilitate the clinical use of color Doppler function and tissue harmonic imaging, and this system can be operated by the same monitor unit as a convex model of ultrasound endoscope.