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Real time vascular imaging during solid organ transplantRelated Patent Categories: Drug, Bio-affecting And Body Treating Compositions, In Vivo Diagnosis Or In Vivo Testing, Diagnostic Or Test Agent Produces In Vivo FluorescenceReal time vascular imaging during solid organ transplant description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060239921, Real time vascular imaging during solid organ transplant. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to the field of medical imaging. Certain embodiments of the invention provide methods for imaging of vasculature in a subject. Certain other embodiments provide systems which are useful for imaging vasculature in a subject. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Imaging of biological tissues and organs assists doctors in both diagnosis and treatment. A variety of medical techniques which are suitable for imaging biological tissues and organs are known. These include traditional x-rays, ultra-sound, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computerized tomography (CT). A variety of dyes used in medical imaging have also been described including radio opaque dyes, fluorescent dyes, as well as, colormetric dyes (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,699,798; 5,279,298; 6,351,663; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/365,028). Imaging techniques and systems using fluorescent dyes have been described for the heart and eye (see, U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,298; U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/744,034 and 10/619,548, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety). Some dyes can serve both an imaging function, as well as a therapeutic function (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,933). [0003] Organ transplant is one area in which imaging methods and systems would prove useful. The demand for organ transplant continues to grow. The combined number of solid organ transplants in the US alone, is approximately 18,000 per year. Specifically the combined numbers for years 1997 and 1998 were: 1,692 lung transplants, 4,409 heart, 7,502 liver, 326 pancreas, 1,803 pancreas and kidney, and 20,956 kidney transplants (see, e.g., The U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Annual Report, 2004). [0004] Transplant procedures involve anastomosis. These anastomoses may be between, for example, two vessels, vessels and duct(s), two ducts, or vessels and ureter(s), two parts of a ureter, or the ureter and bladder. As such, solid organ transplant procedures would benefit from the pre-operative assessment of the patency of vessels, ducts, and ureters of the donor organs, and intra-operative and post-operative verification of anastomoses and the patency of blood vessels, ducts, and ureters of the transplanted organs, as well as other recipient blood vessels, ducts, and ureters. It would be particularly useful to provide real time, i.e. intra-operative visual confirmation regarding the verification of anastomoses and patency of vessels, e.g. vasculature. Traditional intra-operative imaging techniques, are frequently ineffective, expensive and inconvenient. The need therefore exists for methods and systems for imaging vessels associated with solid organ transplants which are safe, effective, convenient and cost effective. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In certain embodiments the invention provides a method of intra-operatively determining the patency of at least one vessel which is surgically joined to a transplanted organ in a recipient subject comprising: a) administering a fluorescent dye to the recipient subject; b) applying a sufficient amount of energy to the vessel such that the fluorescent dye fluoresces; c) obtaining a fluorescent image of the vessel surgically joined to a transplanted organ; and d) observing the image to determine if a fluorescent signal is continuous through the vessel, wherein a continuous fluorescent signal in the vessel indicates the vessel is patent. [0006] In certain embodiments the invention provides a portable system useful for imaging at least one vessel which is surgically joined to a transplanted organ in a recipient subject comprising: a) a fluorescent dye; b) an energy source capable of emitting sufficient energy such that the fluorescent dye fluoresces; and c) an imaging head. [0007] In certain embodiments the invention provides a portable system useful for imaging at least one vessel which is surgically joined to a transplanted organ in a recipient subject comprising : a) a fluorescent dye; b) an energy source capable of emitting sufficient energy such that the fluorescent dye fluoresces; c) an imaging head; d) an articulating arm; e) a computer and monitor; f) image processing software; g) an electrical power source; and h) a housing for containing a-g, wherein the housing comprises at least 2 wheels. In some embodiments the system may also comprise at least one of the following: a motion sensor; a distance sensor; a sterile drape; and a printer. [0008] In certain embodiments the invention provides a portable apparatus comprising a) an energy source capable of emitting sufficient energy such that a fluorescent dye fluoresces; b) an imaging head; c) an articulating arm; d) a computer and monitor; e) image processing software; f) an electrical power source; and g) a housing for containing a-f, wherein the housing comprises at least 2 wheels. In some embodiments the device may also comprise at least one of the following: a motion sensor; a distance sensor; a sterile drape; and a printer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the system of the invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of an electrical configuration. FIG. 1B shows an example of an optical configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0011] Organ transplants of various types are performed routinely. Solid organ transplants of all types require the joining of vessels, e.g., blood vessels in order to attach the donor organ. Some organ transplants, such as a pancreas transplant also require the joining of a duct to a lumen, e.g. the pancreatic duct to the digestive tract. Occlusion, due to, thrombosis, plaque, or free floating endothelial material, for example, is a risk associated with transplant surgery. The invention described herein, in certain embodiments, provides a method and a system which a surgeon can use intra-operatively to determine if an anastomosis created during transplant surgery is patent. The invention also provides a method and system to determine, pre-surgery, if a donor organ, or a vessel attached to a donor organ, is patent. [0012] Subject as used herein, refers to any animal. The animal may be a mammal. Examples of suitable mammals include, but are not limited to, humans, non-human primates, dogs, cats, sheep, cows, pigs, horses, mice, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. [0013] Recipient subject, as used herein, refers to a subject that is receiving a solid organ transplant. [0014] Donor subject, as used herein, refers to a subject that is donating a solid organ for transplant. [0015] Duct, as used herein, refers to a vessel having a lumen in which a liquid is carried or transported. In some living organisms ducts are found for example in liver and in glands, such as sweat glands, or the pancreas. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes via a duct, however, it also secretes insulin from the Islets of Langerhans directly into the blood without any duct. [0016] Arterial graft, as used herein, refers to a natural or synthetic vessel, which delivers blood to a transplanted solid organ. It can be derived from the donor subject, the recipient subject, or a different subject. It can include a vessel made from a synthetic material, or a naturally derived material (i.e. from a living organism) or a combination of a natural and synthetic material. [0017] Venous graft, as used herein, refers to a natural or synthetic vessel, which drains blood from a transplanted solid organ. It can be derived from the donor subject, the recipient subject, or a different subject. It can include a vessel made from a synthetic material, or a naturally derived material (i.e. from a living organism) or a combination of a natural and synthetic material. [0018] Vessel as used herein includes any tube having a lumen capable of transporting a fluid within a subject e.g., veins, arteries and ducts. Methods of the Invention Continue reading about Real time vascular imaging during solid organ transplant... Full patent description for Real time vascular imaging during solid organ transplant Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Real time vascular imaging during solid organ transplant patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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