Abstract: A catheter has a proximal portion of relatively larger central lumen diameter and outer diameter, and a distal portion of relatively smaller central lumen diameter and outer diameter, the two portions being integral with one another so that cells delivered into the central lumen of the proximal portion will flow through and exit the central lumen of the distal portion, encountering a constriction at the junction of the two portions, for infusion into body tissue at a predetermined target site when the catheter is inserted into a designated natural body vessel or duct leading to the target site. The cells are delivered in a fluid under pressure through a central lumen of the catheter to exit distally from the lumen at the target site, and meander of exiting fluid pressure from a predetermined value is minimized by adjusting the fluid pressure at the point of entry into the catheter's central lumen accordingly.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treatment of cancer in a subject's body by intraluminal delivery of oncolytic viruses through a balloon catheter or alternative mechanism inserted in a blood vessel or duct leading to a target site of the cancer tissue, or for somatic cell gene therapy of single defective gene-caused other diseases or disorders by similar intraluminal delivery of non-oncolytic viruses to a target site of affected tissue and cells of the disease or disorder, wherein during delivery of the oncolytic or non-oncolytic virus, the designated vessel or duct is selectively occluded at both ends of the target site by two spaced-apart inflated balloons of the catheter to block perfusion therethrough and allow control of the volume of virus delivered to the target site so as to increase concentration and pressure of the virus thereat sufficient to enable viral penetration of an endothelial barrier of the vessel or duct without compromise thereof and into diseased cells in the vicinity of the target site toward a

Abstract: A method is described for repairing tissue of a selected organ from among heart, brain, liver, pancreas, kidney, and glands in a patient's body. In the method, stem cells that have the capability to repair tissue of the selected organ are intraluminally applied through a designated natural body vessel or duct leading to a predetermined target site of the tissue of the selected organ to be repaired. The stem cells are delivered into the respective vessel or duct through a catheter having a proximal portion of relatively larger central lumen diameter and outer diameter, and a distal portion of relatively smaller central lumen diameter and outer diameter, the two portions being integral with one another so that stem cells delivered into the central lumen of the proximal portion will flow through and exit the central lumen of the distal portion, the lumen diameter and length of each of the two portions being selected to minimize the pressure drop across the catheter during flow of the stem cells.

Abstract: A method for repairing tissue of a selected organ from among heart, brain, liver, pancreas, kidney, glands, and muscles in a patient's body. Adult stem cells that have the capability to repair tissue of the selected organ are recovered by harvesting from the patient's body. The harvested stem cells are then intraluminally applied through a designated natural body vessel. During the time the stem cells are being applied to the targeted tissue downstream, the designated vessel or duct is selectively occluded to increase concentration and pressure of the applied adult stem cells by the vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating data and signals through the Medical Implant Communication Service Band using a repeater or base station in the proximity to an implantable device within a patient is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the device is capable for early detection and monitoring of congestive heart failure in a patient. Impedance measurements, or other health parameters depending on the type of implantable device or sensor used, are sent using a bi-directional low-power radio operating in the MICS band to a nearby base station which may provide signal processing and analysis. The base station may have an interface to one or more communications networks to connect to a remote location. The system and method of the present invention permits a healthcare professional to monitor an ambulatory patient's condition at a remote location and to program the implanted device.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for evaluating the cardio-circulatory and pulmonary condition of a patient, including determining the patient's thoracic impedance based on information solely derived from the electrical energy generated by the patient's own heart.

Abstract: A method is described for repairing tissue of a selected organ from among heart, brain, liver, pancreas, kidney, and glands in a patient's body. In the method, stem cells that have the capability to repair tissue of the selected organ are intraluminally applied through a designated natural body vessel or duct leading to a predetermined target site of the tissue of the selected organ to be repaired. The stem cells are delivered into the respective vessel or duct through a catheter having a proximal portion of relatively larger central lumen diameter and outer diameter, and a distal portion of relatively smaller central lumen diameter and outer diameter, the two portions being integral with one another so that stem cells delivered into the central lumen of the proximal portion will flow through and exit the central lumen of the distal portion, the lumen diameter and length of each of the two portions being selected to minimize the pressure drop across the catheter during flow of the stem cells.

Abstract: A method is described for repairing tissue of a selected organ from among heart, brain, liver, pancreas, kidney, glands, and muscles in a patient's body. In the method, adult stem cells that have the capability to repair tissue of the selected organ are recovered by harvesting from the patient's body. The harvested stem cells are then intraluminally applied through a designated natural body vessel or duct leading to a predetermined target site of the tissue of the selected organ to be repaired. During the time the stem cells are being applied to the targeted tissue downstream, the designated vessel or duct is selectively occluded to increase concentration and pressure of the applied adult stem cells at the target site of the organ tissue.

Abstract: A device-implemented method is disclosed for early detection and monitoring of congestive heart failure in a patient. Ongoing measurements of impedance of a portion of the patient's body generally occupied by the lungs are performed by an implanted device, and, when the impedance measurements are determined by internal circuit components of the device to exceed a predetermined threshold value indicative of a need for immediate attention to a condition of congestive heart failure, a patient and/or physician alert is emitted by the device. An implant site at the left lower anterior lateral hemithorax is preferred.

Abstract: A method of identifying a patient at increased risk for myocardial infarction utilizes detection of a site or sites of pathologic vascular function in the coronary circulation of the patient. In the method, microbubbles are formed, each consisting of an encapsulated biocompatible gas characterized by rapid dissolution in blood, and the microbubbles are labeled with a prescribed antibody. These microbubbles are then injected into the patient's circulation to allow them to preferentially attach to a site of antigens specific to the pathologic vascular function in the coronary circulation. Ultrasonic energy is applied to the patient's coronary circulation at a level sufficient to burst the microbubbles that are preferentially attached to the targeted site and allow the encapsulated gas to escape from the burst microbubbles for absorption by the blood. Location of the targeted site is identified by detecting a signal representing reflectance of ultrasonic energy from the site.

Abstract: A method of repairing tissue of an organ in a patient's body includes co-culturing pluripotential stem cells obtained from the patient's body with cells obtained from a site other than the patient's body (i.e., non body cells) and having specific functions of the tissue to be repaired for mimicking by the stem cells and creating a specific microenvironment, maintaining the culture for a period of time sufficient for modification of the stem cells by acquisition of the specific functions of the non body cells; segregating the modified stem cells from the non body cells, and implanting only the modified stem cells to and at a site of the tissue to be repaired.