Stem cell and immune cell therapies are being investigated as a potential therapeutic modality for CNS disorders, performing functions such as targeted drug or growth factor delivery, tumor cell destruction, or inflammatory regulation. Despite promising preclinical studies, delivery routes for maximizing cell engraftment, such as stereotactic or intrathecal injection, are invasive and carry risks of hemorrhage and infection. Recent developments in MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) technology have significant implications for treating focal CNS pathologies including neurodegenerative, vascular and malignant processes. MRgFUS is currently employed in the clinic for treating essential tremor and Parkinson's Disease by producing precise, incisionless, transcranial lesions. This non-invasive technology can also be modified for non-destructive applications to safely and transiently open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to deliver a range of therapeutics, including cells. This review is meant to familiarize the neuro-interventionalist with this topic and discusses the use of MRgFUS for facilitating cellular delivery to the brain. A detailed and comprehensive description is provided on routes of cell administration, imaging strategies for targeting and tracking cellular delivery and engraftment, biophysical mechanisms of BBB enhanced permeability, supportive proof-of-concept studies, and potential for clinical translation.

Comment on "Generation of cold low divergent atomic beam of indium by laser ablation" [Rev. Sci. Instrum.76, 113302 (2005)] Rev. Sci. Instrum. 80, 047101 (2009); 10.1063/1.3100177 Thermal beam of metastable krypton atoms produced by optical excitation Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78, 023103 (2007); 10.1063/1.2437193One-dimensional laser cooling of an atomic beam in a sealed vapor cell Am.Filamentless operation of a high-power electron bombardment furnace used for refractory metals atom beam generation Rev. Sci. Instrum. 71, 3031 (2000)We present the design and fabrication of a resistively heated high temperature atomic beam source for spectroscopic studies of refractory metals. The beam source consists of cylindrical shape crucible made of tantalum enclosed by a 0.05 mm thick tantalum foil to heat the crucible by radiation. The atomic beam sources can be operated continuously for several hours under stable conditions for up to 2300°C. The design is simple and versatile and atomic beams of any element can be generated. This source has been used to study the Rydberg states of elements requiring high temperature such as uranium, tin, etc.

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Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a non-invasive therapeutic modality showing promise for treatment of a multitude of disease indications. Its effects on tissue are immediate, precise, and less likely to affect healthy tissues in the body as opposed to other forms of treatment like systemic chemotherapy, surgical techniques and radiation. Many of these now FDA-approved procedures, including ablation of uterine fibroids, prostate metastases, and thalamic tracts for treatment of essential tremor, are provided under image guidance and have dramatically reduced the risk of complications and the need for post-procedural hospital stays (

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