Main Menu

This technology includes Cyclopentane-modified Peptide Nucleic Acids (cp-PNAs) which can be combined with (forced-intercalation) FIT-PNAs to create highly sensitive probes that detect the presence of complementary RNA sequences. We have studied the beneficial effects of incorporating cyclopentane groups into the backbone of PNAs, which leads to proper preorganization of the PNA backbone into the conformations needed to bind complementary RNA sequences. The cp-PNAs typically have improved thermodynamic stability for binding to complementary nucleic acids compared to unmodified PNAs.

This technology includes a product for local delivery of alkaline phosphatase for the treatment of periodontal disease. Our laboratory has discovered that factors regulating phosphate metabolism and specifically the appropriate balance between phosphate (Pi) and pyrophosphate (PPi) at local sites are needed for formation (development), maintenance and regeneration of the tooth root surface (cementum), periodontal ligament (PDL) and surrounding alveolar bone, i.e., the periodontal apparatus.

This technology includes a system for automatic artifact-free measurement and visualization of tissue strain by MRI at native resolution. The investigation of regional soft tissue mechanical strain can serve as a unique indicator for different related disorders. For example, measurement of myocardial tissue during contraction can help calculate, track, and assess cardiac stress. Currently, methods such as tagging MRI (tMRI) are used for imaging soft tissue deformation. Despite being well validated, methods such as tMRI suffer from low spatial and temporal resolution.

This technology includes a versatile intravascular 3D intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter that can operate under conventional X-ray and MRI for use during interventional cardiac procedures. The 3D MRICE and custom, GPU-based, real-time imaging system are also included. Structural heart disease affects more than 2.9% of the US population, and common interventional procedures can be difficult because of limitations in catheter devices and inadequate image guidance.

This technology includes an interventional device to occlude the left atrial appendage to prevent thrombus formation. Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with formation of thrombus in the left atrial appendage. Standard preventative treatment involves anticoagulation, which is not tolerated by all patients. Existing devices necessitate improvement because they need trans-septal puncture and anticoagulation to prevent thrombus or are prone to life-threatening complications.

This technology includes a technique to improves detection of myocardial scar compared with conventional bright-blood late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) techniques. Dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement (DB-LGE) improves tissue delineation with signal suppression of the blood pool based on T2-preparation pulse that is relatively independent from the blood flow velocities and improves scar detection in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.