Abstract: Provided are an active energy ray-curable urethane (meth)acrylate and an active energy ray-curable composition for paints and coating agents having abrasion resistance and lubricity, and uses thereof. The curable urethane (meth)acrylate has a long chain alkyl group having 13 to 25 carbon atoms and an active energy ray-curable functional group and is modified with polycaprolactone. The urethane (meth)acrylate is obtainable by reacting an organic isocyanate having three or more isocyanate groups in one molecule, a long chain alkyl alcohol, and a polycaprolactone-modified hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate. On the other hand, the active energy ray-curable composition contains the urethane (meth)acrylate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the pressure of a fluid. A flexible barrier separates the fluid from the pressure receiving surface of a pressure sensing device. The pressure of the fluid is transferred through the flexible barrier to the pressure receiving surface. The flexible barrier may be in abutting juxtaposition with or may be spaced apart from the pressure sensing surface. In either case, the flexible barrier is coupled or held in defined relationship to the pressure sensing surface such that the pressure receiving surface will receive the substantially actual pressure of the fluid even when the pressure of the fluid is less than the ambient atmospheric pressure. Coupling of the flexible barrier to the pressure receiving surface may be achieved by any suitable means, including adhesive or the application of a full or partial vacuum between the flexible barrier and the pressure receiving surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing myocardial infarction, or lessening the size/severity of an evolving myocardial infarction, by cooling at least the affected area of the myocardium using an intravascular heat exchange catheter. The heat exchange catheter may be inserted into the vasculature (e.g., a vein) and advanced to a position wherein a heat exchanger on the catheter is located in or near the heart (e.g., within the vena cava near the patient's heart). Thereafter, the heat exchange catheter is used to cool the myocardium (or the entire body of the patient) to a temperature that effectively lessens the metabolic rate and/or oxygen consumption of the ischemic myocardial cells or otherwise protects the ischemic myocardium from undergoing irreversible damage or infarction.

Abstract: Compounds, preparations and methods for immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune disorders, graft rejection and/or graft/host disease. Therapeutically effective amounts of certain substituted triarylmethane compounds, such as 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole, are administered to mammalian patients to selectively inhibit the calcium-activated K+ channel (IKCa1) in lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, platelets or endothelial cells without concomitant inhibition of P450-dependent enzyme systems, resulting in reduction of antigen-, cytokine-, or mitogen-induced calcium entry through store operated calcium channels in these cells, suppression of cytokine production by these cells, and inhibition of activation of these cells. Such inhibition of the Ca++ activated K+ channel (IKCa1) prevents the pre-Ca++ stage of cell activation and thus causes immunosuppression and an anti-inflammatory response.

Abstract: Medical devices for insertion into the body of human or veterinary patients, wherein the device comprises a) a working element (e.g. a wire, a guidewire, a tube, a catheter, a cannula, a scope (e.g., rigid or flexible endoscope, laparoscope, sigmoidoscope, cystoscope, etc.) a probe, an apparatus for collecting information from a location within the body (e.g., an electrode, sensor, camera, scope, sample withdrawal apparatus, biopsy or tissue sampling device, etc.) which has an outer surface and b) a continuous or non-continuous coating on the outer surface of the working element. The outer surface of the working element is prepared to create a surface topography which promotes mechanical or frictional engagement of the coating to the working element. In some embodiments the coating is a lubricious coating and/or a swellable coating.

Abstract: There is provided a gear for preventing a user from lapsing into an apneic state by maintaining the body of said user in an inclined posture during said user's sleep. The gear includes a clothing body worn by said user and a pad. The clothing body includes a back body and a front body. The pad is attached to the back body of the clothing body and extends in the longitudinal direction. The pad includes a plurality of segments arranged along the longitudinal direction, capacities of the segments are different from each other, and each segment is expanded in accordance with the capacity thereof by a fluid to be supplied to each segment.

Abstract: 3-Deoxyflavonoid compounds and methods for inhibiting T-cell activity and treating diseases and disorders (e.g., autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, ALS, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.). In some cases the efficacy and/or duration of action of luteolin and/or other 3-dioxyflavinoid compounds may be increased by administering such compounds along with Rutin, a Rutin congener and/or a Rutin derivative. Also, in some cases, first pass metabolism of luteolin or other 3-deoxyflavinoids may be avoided by administering such compounds by parenteral routes (e.g., sublingual, buccal, intranasal, injection, etc.).

Abstract: A compact gradient index rod lens that can be manufactured without decreasing the amount of incident light. The gradient index rod lens includes a lens body radially distributing refractive indexes. The lens body has a cross sectional outline formed by removing at least part of a peripheral portion of an original lens body.

Abstract: A catheter system for controlling the body temperature of a patient by modifying the temperature of blood flowing within a blood vessel of the patient. The catheter system comprises a catheter body having a heat exchange region in contact with the blood; and a mechanism for moving the heat exchange surface, thereby increasing heat exchange between the heat exchange surface and blood flowing past the heat exchange surface. Various methods of moving the heat exchange surface are disclosed.

Abstract: Transluminal methods and apparatus for causing arterial blood to flow through a vein of a mammalian patient, in a direction opposite normal venous blood flow, after an arterial blood containing conduit has been purposely or inadvertently connected to the vein. The method includes the use of a transluminally inserted vessel lumen occluding apparatus to at least partially block (e.g., occlude, embolize or close) the lumen of the vein at a location that is proximal to the location at which the arterial blood containing conduit is connected to the vein. The apparatus comprises a radially expandable lumen blocking device that is implantable in the vein lumen and catheters and other apparatus for implanting the radially expandable lumen blocking device into the lumen of the vein.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for utilizing the vascular system as a conduit to reach other vascular and extravascular locations within the body. Included are methods for revascularization wherein the extravascular passageways are formed to permit blood flow between vascular locations. Also included are methods for performing transvascular interstitial surgery (TVIS) wherein extravascular passageways are formed from a blood vessel to another vascular or non-vascular intracorporeal location. Also disclosed are devices usable for forming extravascular passageways in accordance with the invention, or for modifying, valving, maintaining or closing such passageways.

Abstract: It has a fastening system (FIG. 1 ) of manual operation by a simple effort, being this system designed in order to disconnect the system in case of an internal increase of pressure occur protecting this way the rest of the system and the gas supply from this pressure increase. It also contains a retention valve (FIG. 2) to seal the steel container when disconnected. The relief valve (FIG. 3) placed inside the retention valve pin, purposes only to liberate the excess gas in order to have the pressure back to the standard safety level, being very important in case of accident and/or fire the relief valve pressure level is higher than the automatic disconnection pressure level in case the transmission system is in operation, this way first the fastening system is liberated and after the relief valve is liberated, but lower than the maximum test pressure of the steel container.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating catheter that is usable to advance a tissue penetrator from within a blood vessel, through the wall of the blood vessel to a target location. The catheter includes at least one stabilizing device thereon for stabilizing catheter prior to advancing the tissue penetrator. The tissue penetrator may extend through a lumen in the body of the catheter and project transversely through an exit port. The stabilizing device may be located closely adjacent to the exit port, or may surround the exit port. The stabilizing device may be one or more balloons, or other mechanical structure that is expandable into contact with the inner luminal wall of the blood vessel. Desirably, the exit port is forced into contact with the blood vessel wall to shorten the distance that the tissue penetrator projects from the catheter body to the target location. The catheter is particular useful for forming blood flow tracts between blood vessels, in particular in coronary revascularization procedures.

Abstract: Methods for bypassing total or near-total obstructions in arteries or other anatomical conduits. A guidewire is advanced through the lumen of the artery or anatomical conduit upstream of the obstruction and past the obstruction. In navigating past the obstruction, this guidewire may advance through tissue that is located within the wall of the artery or anatomical conduit and/or through tissue that is located outside of the wall of the artery or anatomical conduit. After this guidewire has been advanced past the obstruction, a penetrating catheter that is equipped with an orientation element is advanced over that guidewire. The orientation element is then used to aim a penetrator back into the lumen of the obstructed artery or conduit, downstream of the obstruction. The penetrator is then advanced into the lumen of the obstructed artery or conduit, downstream of the obstruction, and a final guidewire is advanced through the penetrator and into the lumen of the artery or conduit downstream of the obstruction.

Abstract: An endovascular catheter device capable of heat and gas exchange with a patient's bloodstream comprises a catheter shaft, a heat exchanger, and a gas exchange element. The heat exchanger and the gas exchange element are in fluid communication with one or more internal lumens of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft may be connected to a control system that permits a heat exchange fluid to be delivered to the heat exchanger, and that permits a gas to be delivered to the gas exchange element. The catheter device may also comprise one or more flow disruption devices to disrupt the laminar flow of blood around the catheter device. The catheter device may be used to cool and oxygenate a patient's blood, and improve organ function.

Abstract: A catheter for exchanging heat with a body fluid is disclosed. The catheter includes a main shaft and a heat exchange region having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a length and opposed ends. Each of the elements is attached on at least one of its ends to the shaft and disposed so that when inserted in a fluid body cavity having body fluid therein, the body fluid may circumferentially surround each heat exchange element along a portion of the length of the heat exchange element. The catheter includes a fluid circulation path therein, which desirably includes the hollow lumen within each of heat exchange elements. The heat exchange elements may be connected at two points along the shaft using manifolds that are in fluid communication with fluid flow paths within the shaft. Alternatively, the heat exchange elements may be connected at only one point and be permitted to float in a proximal or distal direction with respect to the catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lowering the body temperature of a patient while reducing shivering by using a heat exchange device in combination with an &agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonist, a non-opiod analgesic monoamine uptake inhibitor or neuropeptide that temporarily reduces shivering. The devices disclosed include a catheter having a heat exchange balloon thereon with heat exchange fluid circulating through the interior of the balloon. The heat exchange balloon is placed in the vasculature of a patient, and heat exchange fluid at a temperature other than the temperature of the blood in the vasculature is circulated through the interior of the balloon to add or remove heat from the blood of the patient. Various &agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonist &agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonists, non-opiod analgesic monoamine uptake inhibitors and neuropeptides are disclosed including dexmedetomidine, nefopam, neurotensin and anticonvulsant medications and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Methods for (a) preventing hypoxic damage to a potentially transplantable organ or tissue prior to explanation of that organ or tissue from the body of a mammalian transplant donor and (b) preventing rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue in a human or veterinary transplant recipient. The methods comprise placing a heat exchange apparatus in the vasculature of the donor or recipient and using that heat exchange apparatus to cool at least a portion of the body of the donor or recipient to a temperature below normothermia (e.g. below normothermia and sometimes between about 30° C. and about 36° C.).

Abstract: Method for preparing an implantable device for a sustained delivery of a substance within a body of a human or an animal subject, the method including; dissolving a biocompatible polymer in a suitable solvent solution to produce a polymer-solvent solution; adding the substance to the polymer-solvent solution to produce a polymer-solvent solution-substance admixture; drying the polymer-solvent solution-substance admixture to form a substantially dry mass; and one or more of the following three steps: (1) adding a second polymer-solvent solution-substance admixture to the dry mass and this second polymer-solvent solution-substance admixture is then allowed to dry; and/or, (2) refrigerating the mass; and/or, (3) adding a liquid to the mass to cause the mass to soften and thereafter manipulating the softened mass to a desired shape.

Abstract: Methods for reducing kidney damage induced by radiographic contrast medium or another nephrotoxic drug or substance administered to or generated by a patient include reducing the temperature of the patient by positioning an endovascular heat exchange device in a blood vessel of the patient and adjusting the temperature of the device to cause a reduction in the patient's temperature. The patient's temperature may be reduced prior to, during, and/or after, the administration of the contrast medium. The methods may also include administering an anti-shivering mechanism to the patient to reduce shivering caused by the reduction in the patient's temperature. The methods may also include disrupting the laminarity of blood flow around the device to enhance the temperature exchange between the device and the blood flowing around the device. The endovascular heat exchange device may be an endovascular heat exchange catheter.