Abstract: The disclosed invention is an improvement on the traditional measuring wheel. When the odometry information is combined with two robust attitude sensors and an on-board computer, the instrument is able to perform useful measurements such as the calculation of an area or the description of a non-linear contour, as well as the traditional distance measurements and other uses.
Abstract: An apparatus for providing ultrasonic energy for deposition in body tissue including an array of elements having at least two different sizes and at least one element being aperiodically spaced with the respect to other elements in the array. Excitation of the elements produces a beam of ultrasonic energy having reduced grating lobes. Reduced grating lobe magnitude permits improved ultrasonic beam focusing and/or the use of larger element sizes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 1996
Date of Patent:
October 24, 2000
Assignee:
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Inventors:
Erin Hutchinson, Mark Buchanan, Kullervo Hynynen
Abstract: A method of forming an implantable and retrievable immunoisolatory vehicle is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of first forming a jacket of biocompatible thermoplastic or hydrogel, and then loading the jacket with a core comprising a volume of at least 1 .mu.l and at least 10.sup.4 cells capable of secreting a biocompatible matrix comprising a hydrogel or extracellular matrix, said jacket having a molecular weight cutoff permitting passage of molecules thereacross to provide said biologically active product or said function.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 24, 1995
Date of Patent:
November 10, 1998
Assignee:
Brown University Research Foundation
Inventors:
Keith E. Dionne, Dwaine F. Emerich, Diane Hoffman, Paul R. Sanberg, Lisa Christenson, Orion D. Hegre, David W. Sharp, Paul E. Lacy, Patrick Aebischer, Alfred V. Vasconcellos, Michael J. Lysaght, Frank T. Gentile
Abstract: A nozzle assembly for forming hollow fibers, particularly a "Z-fiber" having longitudinally oriented trabeculae with the fiber wall, is disclosed. The nozzle assembly contains a replaceable nozzle cap, a replaceable seal-guide, and a retractable central bore used to supply core material for the hollow fibers. The Z-fibers are particularly useful in enabling cells, solutes, or the like, to enter the fiber wall and move longitudinally into the center of the fiber wall.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 1995
Date of Patent:
August 12, 1997
Assignee:
Brown University Research Foundation, Inc.
Inventors:
Frank T. Gentile, Michael J. Lysaght, Nicholas F. Warner
Abstract: The present invention is directed to microdrive apparatus useful in human stereotactic surgery. Such apparatus permits safe and accurate placement of a surgical instrument, such as a cannula, into a portion of the central nervous system, e.g. the brain and spinal cord, of a patient by simple mechanical operation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 24, 1994
Date of Patent:
July 1, 1997
Assignee:
CytoTherapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Nicholas Warner, Moses Goddard, John Mills