Evaluating the efficacy of three carrier screening workflows designed to identify at-risk carrier couples.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of three different carrier screening workflows designed to identify couples at risk for having offspring with autosomal recessive conditions.

Methods: Partner testing compliance, unnecessary testing, turnaround time, and ability to identify at-risk couples (ARCs) were measured across all three screening strategies (sequential, tandem, or tandem reflex).

Results: A total of 314,100 individuals who underwent carrier screening were analyzed.

Catheter-based ultrasound hyperthermia with HDR brachytherapy for treatment of locally advanced cancer of the prostate and cervix.

A clinical treatment delivery platform has been developed and is being evaluated in a clinical pilot study for providing 3D controlled hyperthermia with catheter-based ultrasound applicators in conjunction with high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. Catheter-based ultrasound applicators are capable of 3D spatial control of heating in both angle and length of the devices, with enhanced radial penetration of heating compared to other hyperthermia technologies. Interstitial and endocavity ultrasound devices have been developed specifically for applying hyperthermia within HDR brachytherapy implants during radiation therapy in the treatment of cervix and prostate.

Catheter-based ultrasound devices and MR thermal monitoring for conformal prostate thermal therapy.

Catheter-based ultrasound applicators have been developed for delivering hyperthermia or high-temperature thermal ablation of cancer and benign disease of the prostate. These devices allow for control of heating along the length and angular expanse during therapy delivery. Four types of transurethral applicators were devised for thermal treatment of prostate combined with MR thermal monitoring: sectored tubular transducer devices with directional heating patterns and rotation; planar and curvilinear devices with narrow heating patterns and rotation; and multi-sectored tubular devices capable of dynamic angular control without applicator movement.