Abstract: A magnetic microparticle drug carrier comprising mesoporous iron oxide is described. The drug carrier has an average diameter in a range of 0.5-1.2 ?m, a BET surface area ranging from 50-300 m2/g, and a pore volume ranging from 0.15-0.65 cm3/g. The drug carrier is made using a hard mesoporous silica template which is completely removed from the deposited iron oxide. The drug carrier may be loaded with high amounts of hydrophilic anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs and/or hydrophobic hormonal anticancer drugs, and released in a pH-controlled manner inside cancerous cells. Compared to free drugs, the drug microparticle carrier displays enhanced drug accumulation inside tumor tissues, deeply penetrates into a tumor region and kills the tumor cells inside. The designed carriers described here entrap and release different kinds of anticancer drugs in a controlled manner for synergistic combinatorial chemo/hormonal cancer therapy.

Abstract: A hybrid ID system for a medical practitioner and patient care includes a hybrid electronic ID/key having a transmitter device having circuitry for storing ID data and transmitting a signal containing the ID data, and a key having a predetermined shape on a surface of the hybrid electronic ID/key. A radio frequency receptor device having circuitry, storing location information, that detects the signal containing ID data, a matching detection section configured to match the predetermined shape of the key, and a movement tracking portion that tracks movement of the predetermined shape as the key is rotated. A computer system including a patient database is configured to receive the ID data in conjunction with the location information from the radio frequency receptor device when the predetermined shape is completely rotated to a final position, and store the ID data, location information, together with patient data associated with the location.

Abstract: A bifunctional expandable stent delivery assembly having a bifunctional expandable stent, a breakable cover, and a balloon. The bifunctional expandable stent has a balloon-expandable body portion and a self-expandable trumpet portion. The breakable cover fits over only the self-expandable trumpet portion and prevents self-expansion. The balloon is used to expand the balloon-expandable portion, which breaks the breakable cover and allows the self-expandable trumpet portion to self-expand. A method of stenting a patient using the bifunctional expandable stent delivery assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A device suitable for guiding a trajectory of a surgical shunt or needle comprising two protractors on a curved frame configured to fit over, or attach to, the skull of a patient, wherein the two protractors are respectively oriented in a circular dimension and anterior-posterior/medio-lateral directions. A method for using the device to guide a surgical needle, probe, shunt or other instrument during surgery.

Abstract: A method for applying a regional block of the articular sensory branch of femoral (FN), obturator (ON) and accessory obturator nerves (AON) comprising injection of an anesthetic at a single needle entry point into a these nerves anatomical sites. Another aspect of this technology is a kit for performing this method.

Abstract: A finger protector to prevent lacerations to the fingers of a surgeon during suturing. A kit comprising the finger protector and a method of using it during surgery.

Abstract: A magnetic microparticle drug carrier comprising mesoporous iron oxide is described. The drug carrier has an average diameter in a range of 0.5-1.2 ?m, a BET surface area ranging from 50-300 m2/g, and a pore volume ranging from 0.15-0.65 cm3/g. The drug carrier is made using a hard mesoporous silica template which is completely removed from the deposited iron oxide. The drug carrier may be loaded with high amounts of hydrophilic anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs and/or hydrophobic hormonal anticancer drugs, and released in a pH-controlled manner inside cancerous cells. Compared to free drugs, the drug microparticle carrier displays enhanced drug accumulation inside tumor tissues, deeply penetrates into a tumor region and kills the tumor cells inside. The designed carriers described here entrap and release different kinds of anticancer drugs in a controlled manner for synergistic combinatorial chemo/hormonal cancer therapy.

Abstract: A system for quickly determining antibiotic sensitivity of a microorganism comprising a triangular-shaped plate and cover for culturing, recovering, and re-suspending recovered microbial colonies and a second triangular-shaped plate comprising a non-liquid medium cut with concentric trenches over which the re-suspended microbial colonies are distributed by centrifugation and contacted with antimicrobial strips or disks.

Abstract: A ethically sound, safe, feasible, and cost-effective microsurgery practice technique that can easily be practiced by trainees having different skill levels and an adjustable device for holding and manipulating vascular tissue during microsurgery practice, especially for practicing anastomoses.

Abstract: Methods of preparing hollow charge transfer co-crystals with reproducible habits and morphology are disclosed. The disclosed methods utilize surfactant to guide the crystal growth in aqueous solutions. The size and shape of the co-crystal can be controlled by the surfactant used, the concentration of the surfactant, and electron donor and electron acceptor, incubation temperature, and mixing condition.

Abstract: A positioning splint for safely and securely positioning a pediatric patient into a lithotomy position. The splint comprises a toroid, wedge-shaped splint having an anterior and posterior jaw which is attached to shoulder straps or a jacket/vest that holds the splint in place during use. The wedge splint and shoulder attachments are padded. The wedge splint may have a disposable covering. Methods of using the splint to position a patient for urinary catheterization as well as for other procedures, exams and surgeries requiring unobstructed access to the perineal and anorectal areas. Additional wrist/hand and ankle/leg straps are used for conscious patients who are uncooperative or incompetent patients or in the case of a patient with involuntary movement disorders.

Abstract: A plant-based composition containing an alcohol extract of Tecoma species (e.g. Tecoma stans) and an exogenous carrier and/or excipient. Also provided is a composition including a mixture of three acids, namely corosolic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid, which can be found in the Tecoma species. Methods of treating skin lesions (e.g. warts, corns, calluses, and umbilical granulomas) and reducing symptoms associated with the skin lesions using such compositions are specified.

Abstract: A method for detecting chromosomal abnormalities comprising conversion of a chromosomal image into an ideogram which is compared to a control or standard ideogram of a chromosome; or converting an ideogram of a chromosome into a chromosomal image.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition containing an anti-proliferative compound, named Tecomaphorbide, which is identified and isolated from Tecoma plants (e.g. Tecoma stans). The pharmaceutical composition may contain a derivative and/or a salt of Tecomaphorbide. A process of obtaining Tecomaphorbide from Tecoma plants is specified. A method of treating cancer (e.g. leukemia, lymphoma, breast, colon, and prostate cancer) with the pharmaceutical composition is also provided.

Abstract: Maillard reaction products produced by heating carbohydrates with one or more amino acids (e.g., lysine), at basic pH and for a selected reaction time at a particular concentration in solution, can exhibit inhibitory activity against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

Abstract: A steerable endovascular catheter which can be used and for diagnosis and endovascular treatment of vascular diseases. Methods of diagnosis and endovascular treatment comprising steering the catheter through vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: A plant-based composition containing an alcohol extract of Tecoma species (e.g. Tecoma stans) and an exogenous carrier and/or excipient. Also provided is a composition including a mixture of three acids, namely corosolic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid, which can be found in the Tecoma species. Methods of treating skin lesions (e.g. warts, corns, calluses, and umbilical granulomas) and reducing symptoms associated with the skin lesions using such compositions are specified.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing dissolution properties of a drug, especially anti-inflammatory drugs administered by aerosol into the respiratory system. The apparatus shortens the time it takes for a drug to dissolve and thus provides for rapid testing of new drugs for quality control as well as for regulatory purposes. It is suitable for evaluating bioequivalence or to study the pharmacokinetics of drugs administered into the respiratory system. This method shortens dissolution times for testing a drug to about 10 and 20 minutes and thus provides for rapid testing.

Abstract: A damping dental post key configured to implant a dental root post for restoration of a tooth is described. The dental post key includes a body for handling and a post carrier having a key shape with respect to a head portion of the dental root post. During implantation of the dental post, rotation of the body compresses a set of springs in contact with the post carrier reducing a reaction force to a tooth root. In this way a limited force will be applied and a root fracture can be prevented. Further, the dental post key can be configured to have a fixed movement in a counterclockwise direction to remove the dental post and a free quarter-cycle movement with effort in a clockwise direction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for treating a cancer patient by administering an agent that depletes intracellular ATP along with a purine analog, such as fludarabine. It is also directed to a method for selecting a patient having cancer cells susceptible to depletion of their intracellular ATP.