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Amino Creative, LLC. Specializing in conceptualization, communication, and clarity for science and medicine. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Archive

October 21, 2025 In

Periprosthetic Joint Infection

An illustration for a review article on periprosthetic joint infection. The illustration depicts: A, microorganism biofilms on the implant surface in a patient with an infected knee arthroplasty; B, common joint replacements;  C, the external appearance of PJI of the knee, with swelling, erythema, a wound that is open at the bottom with drainage, and a sinus tract (not all these clinical manifestations are present in every patient.)

N Engl J Med. 2023; 388:251-262.

October 21, 2025 In

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

One of a series of illustrations created for a NEJM Interactive medical case on thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). TTP is caused by severely low ADAMTS13 activity, leading to impaired cleavage of ultralarge von Willebrand factor multimers, platelet-rich microthrombi formation, and end-organ ischemia. TTP is characterized by a relatively lower rate of renal failure and a relatively higher rate of severe thrombocytopenia and neurologic manifestations.

N Engl J Med. 2022; 387:e41.

October 16, 2025 In

Hunting for a Diagnosis

Series of illustrations created for a new video case series, NEJM Double Takes. This video highlights the effects of climate change on health through an illustrative patient case. Viewers are guided through the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, laboratory studies, and treatment, culminating in the final diagnosis.

May 14, 2021 In

Structural Heart Disease Intervention and New Onset Conduction Disturbances

A series of illustrations for a research article published in Structural Heart reviewing the anatomy of the heart’s conduction system in the proximity of structural heart disease defects. The illustrations demonstrate how the anatomy in individuals with certain atrial and ventricular septal defects has clinical significance: undergoing percutaneous interventions can contribute to risk of developing inadvertent conduction disturbances.

These illustrations explore a number of anatomical considerations and serve as a lead-in to the discussion of emerging strategies to address complications caused by procedures in this population.

November 25, 2020 In

Left atrial appendage occlusion and peri-device leaks

A series of illustrations for a research article published in Structural Heart investigating the clinical significance and diagnostic assessment of peri-device leaks (PDL) after interventions targeting the left atrial appendage (LAA), for the reduction of cardioembolic risk in individuals with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

These illustrations explore a few of the anatomical considerations and possible pathological mechanisms concerning PDL after LAA occlusion or closure procedures. These types of patient-to-patient variations and challenges in device planning, placement, and outcomes demonstrate an opportunity to develop better modalities to identify and quantitate PDL.

April 19, 2020 In

A Novel Approach to Ablation Therapy

A series of illustrations was created for a medical device company investigating a novel ablation approach using a high-power, low-current radiofrequency ablation catheter (Sphere-9/Affera, Inc).

One key challenge in creating focal lesions is to do so with adequate coverage and depth, yet minimal-to-no injury to surrounding anatomy beyond the epicardium. In these selected illustrations (published in 2 research articles), several moments in cross-section were selected to compare the capabilities of a conventional ablation catheter and that of a novel expandable, lattice-structured catheter, in both thick and thin tissue applications.

Dynamic semi-realistic rendering is combined with clear color differences, measurements, and labeling to help the reader compare the researchers’ experimental findings regarding the dimensions of resistive and conductive heating—aspects that have different tissue injury profiles, and which create distinct, lasting lesion patterns.

Barkagan M, et al. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2019.12(4):e007879.

Kitamura T, et al. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2019.30(9):1644-1651.

April 17, 2020 In

BBB Permeability by Nanoparticles and Changes in Tumor Development

An illustration accompanying an in-depth review article published in ACS Central Science. The article examines how tumorigenesis affects blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and how nanomaterial properties affect uptake and retention in brain tissue, with the goal of creating more patient-specific, predictive treatment approaches.

This illustration demonstrates a progression of changes in the tumor microenvironment of a mouse model in the study. Shown are relative degree of BBB breakdown, large and small nanoparticle permeability across the BBB, and tumor-associated vascularization during early, middle, and late stages of tumor development.

December 23, 2018 In

Food Allergies Science Initiative

A series of illustrations created for the Food Allergies Science Initiative (FASI) at the Broad Institute, as part of their public awareness and funding campaigns.

The images provide an overview of the anatomical and cellular basis of food ‘quality control,’ involving detection by taste, smell, and specialized ‘nutrient-sensing’ and ‘toxin-sensing’ cells, joined with neural and immune pathway regulation.

Current FASI research focuses on unravelling this complex system, elucidating mechanisms of inflammatory and immune responses to particular foods, and making advances in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

September 6, 2018 In

Minimum information reporting in bio-nano experimental literature

This illustration accompanies an article published in Nature Nanotechnology. It highlights the importance of  improving one of many barriers to progress in the multidisciplinary field of biological application of nanotechnology (‘bio-nano’)—that of standards of experiment reporting in scientific publication. The article proposes components in 3 main categories: material and biological characterization, and experimental protocol details.