Impact of inverse unequal height strut structure on the functional performance of an additively manufactured cardiovascular stent.

Recently, additive manufacturing (AM) has been investigated as an innovative method to manufacture stents due to its capability in producing complex and customized structures. In this paper, the cardiovascular stents of M-type and N-type with inverse unequal height strut structure and N-type with equal height strut structure were designed and manufactured by Selective Laser Melting (SLM). Following surface polishing, balloon expansion, plane compression and three-point bending experiments were carried out to evaluate the mechanical performance of the stent.

[Three-dimensional printed 316L stainless steel cardiovascular stent's electrolytic polishing and its mechanical properties].

The interventional therapy of vascular stent implantation is a popular treatment method for cardiovascular stenosis and blockage. However, traditional stent manufacturing methods such as laser cutting are complex and cannot easily manufacture complex structures such as bifurcated stents, while three-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides a new method for manufacturing stents with complex structure and personalized designs. In this paper, a cardiovascular stent was designed, and printed using selective laser melting technology and 316L stainless steel powder of 0-10 µm size.

Morphological measurements in computed tomography correlate with airflow obstruction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To determine the correlation between CT measurements of emphysema or peripheral airways and airflow obstruction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: PubMed, Embase and Web of Knowledge were searched from 1976 to 2011. Two reviewers independently screened 1,763 citations to identify articles that correlated CT measurements to airflow obstruction parameters of the pulmonary function test in COPD patients, rated study quality and extracted information.

Preoperative subtyping of meningiomas by perfusion MR imaging.

Introduction: This paper aims to evaluate the value of perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the preoperative subtyping of meningiomas by analyzing the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) of three benign subtypes and anaplastic meningiomas separately.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-seven meningiomas with peritumoral edema (15 meningothelial, ten fibrous, four angiomatous, and eight anaplastic) underwent perfusion MR imaging by using a gradient echo echo-planar sequence. The maximal rCBV (compared with contralateral normal white matter) in both tumoral parenchyma and peritumoral edema of each tumor was measured.

Perfusion MR imaging for differentiation of benign and malignant meningiomas.

Introduction: Our purpose was to determine whether perfusion MR imaging can be used to differentiate benign and malignant meningiomas on the basis of the differences in perfusion of tumor parenchyma and/or peritumoral edema.

Methods: A total of 33 patients with preoperative meningiomas (25 benign and 8 malignant) underwent conventional and dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MR imaging. Maximal relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and the corresponding relative mean time to enhance (rMTE) (relative to the contralateral normal white matter) in both tumor parenchyma and peritumoral edema were measured.

Workstation scheme and implementation for a medical imaging information system.

Objective: To discuss the scheme and implementation of workstation configuration for medical imaging information systems suitable to the practical situation in China.

Methods: The workstations were logically divided into picture archiving and communication system (PACS) workstations and radiology information system (RIS) workstations. The former applied to three kinds of diagnostic practice: the small matrix images, large matrix images and high resolution grayscale display applications.

[CT features and anatomic distribution of pleural dissemination in lung cancer].

Background: To study the CT appearance of lung cancer combined with pleural dissemination and its anatomic characteristics.

Methods: CT findings of 32 cases of lung cancer with pleural dissemination proved by surgery and pathology were analyzed.

Results: The main CT manifestations were pleural effusion (24 cases), visceral pleural dissemination with nodules (10 cases), parietal pleural dissemination with nodules (16 cases), and pleural thickening (31 cases).

[A preliminary application of MR dynamic time-resolved subtracted perfusion imaging to qualitative and partial quantitative evaluation of the blood supply by pulmonary artery in peripheral type lung cancer].

Background: To explore the application of MR time-resolved subtracted perfusion imaging to qualitatively and partially quantitatively evaluate blood supply by pulmonary artery in patients with peripheral type lung cancer.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with peripheral type lung cancer proved cytologically or/and histologically underwent MR perfusion study. The time-resolved subtracted imaging which provided the perfusion images in different phases were performed.

[The value of MR dynamic time-resolved subtracted imaging in evaluating the blood supply by systemic artery in patients with lung cancer].

Background: To explore the application value of MR dynamic time-resolved subtracted imaging in qualitative and quantitative assessment of blood supply by systemic artery in patients with lung cancer.

Methods: A prospective study using MR FSPGR pulse sequence dynamic scan after contrast enhancement was undertaken in fifty-one patients with lung cancer which were proved by cytology or/and histology. The time-resolved subtracted imaging were acquired using the pre- and post-enhanced images in different phases of pulmonary circulation during the first-pass period (FPP) of contrast agent.

[CT and MRI findings of cancerous invasion of the main pulmonary artery in lung cancer: the correlation with pathologic features and the value in making surgical plan].

Background: To study the correlation between CT/MRI features and surgical and pathological findings of cancerous invasion of the main pulmonary artery (CIMPA) in lung cancer and to evaluate the role of CT and MRI in making surgical plan.

Methods: CT findings in 15 cases and MRI findings in 13 cases were observed and blindly compared with surgical and pathological findings in this prospective study of 23 cases of central type lung cancer.

Results: The CT and MRI features showed as follows: the wall thickening sign in 73.