AJAY K. WAKHLOO is Professor of Radiology, Neurological Surgery, and Neurology, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. in Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders from the University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. Dr. Wakhloo is a member of many professional societies, including the American Society of Neuroradiology and American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He has been recognized twice as one of the Best Doctors in America, holds six patents, has coauthored two books, and has written or contributed to over 180 journal articles and book chapters.

MATTHEW J. GOUNIS is Director, New England Center for Stroke Research, Assistant Professor of Radiology, University of Massachusetts, and an associated faculty member of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Dr. Gounis received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA. His work has been recognized by awards from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Johnson and Johnson, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and Sigma Xi; and he has contributed to over 80 book chapters, journal articles and conference proceedings.

BARUCH B. LIEBER is Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Radiology, and Co-Director of the Endovascular Research Center at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA. He obtained his Ph.D. in Hemodynamics from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He has contributed to over 180 publications in book chapters, journal articles and conference proceedings. Dr. Lieber is a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and has received three Merit Awards for Scientific Excellence.

ROBERT A. MERICLE is Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, and Director of the Neurosurgery Residency Pr