Abstract: Pump and cannula systems inserted through the right side and/or left side of the heart provide protection against collapse of the heart chambers and veins and arteries and provide supplemental blood flow through same to enable beating heart bypass surgery on all vessels of the heart, including lateral and posterior vessels. The invention eliminates the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machines. The invention further provides stents adapted for protecting from vein, artery, atrium and/or ventricle collapse during beating heart bypass surgery.

Abstract: A resuscitation apparatus includes a fluid pathway in fluid communication with a source of medical fluid, an interface unit for attaching the fluid pathway to the cardiovascular system of a mammal suffering from impaired blood flow in order to establish an artificial circulation in the mammal utilizing the medical fluid, and heat exchange apparatus that provides intense cooling to quickly chill the medical fluid a sufficient amount to slow a metabolic rate of an organ of a mammal into which the medical fluid is introduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of male incontinence and a method for female cystocele repair are disclosed in which a sling material is positioned between the descending rami of the pubic bone. In such an operation a “hammock-like” sling material is positioned below the urethra in males, or below the posterior bladder wall in the case of cystocele in females.

Abstract: A method of reducing tissue volume for treatment of airway obstruction, obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, prostate tumor, and other pathologies comprising: applying a cryoprobe with a diameter preferably less than about 2 mm and with a sharp tip to first freeze the affected interstitial tissue of the soft palate, base of the tongue, tonsils or adenoids, singularly or in combination, or to the prostate, or other tissue, and then applying the same cryoprobe to heat the treated tissue.

Abstract: A method for determining the shortest distance between the periphery of a lesion and the cut edge of the tissue specimen utilizing a cylindrical tissue specimen. The cylindrical tissue specimen is placed inside a fixative transmitting cylindrical canister for fixation. After the tissue specimen has been fixed and embedded, it is cross-section sliced in planar slices that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fixed cylindrical tissue specimen. The slicing can be performed with the tissue specimen remaining inside the cylindrical canister or the tissue specimen can be removed from the canister prior to slicing. The tissue slices are mounted on slides and the slides are evaluated to select the slide showing the lesion periphery nearest to the cut edge of the specimen. The shortest distance between the periphery of the lesion and the cut edge of the specimen is measured. Preferably, the measured distance is adjusted for artifacts in the fixation, mounting, embedding and slicing processes.

Abstract: A method of treating an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using human growth hormone to prevent most of the complications and the destructive process of cells and collagen framework which are linked to the AMI. This treatment can be used alone or in combination with other well-known methods of treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method inhibits a disease process in a luminal structure of a subject by introducing into the luminal structure a balloon catheter with radioactive fluid containing a complex of a radionuclide and a chelating agent in an amount effective to inhibit the disease process.

Abstract: A therapy for preventing tumor recurrence in patients with Ta, T1, and Tis transitional cell carcinoma. The therapy is an adjuvant intravesical therapy, i.e., it is employed on patients following transurethral resection of the Ta, T1, or Tis carcinoma. The therapy comprises the steps of reducing the volume of urine in the bladder of the patient to a value of about 10 ml or less; and then administering an aqueous solution containing at least 2 mg/ml of MMC to the bladder of the patient for a period of at least about 120 minutes. The volume of solution administered to the bladder of the patient is at least about 20 ml. Preferably, the therapy is administered to the patient weekly multiple times. Preferably, the therapy further comprises the step of reducing the amount of urine produced by the patient during the time MMC is administered to the patient to a value of 1 ml/min or less.

Abstract: A method for delaying the onset, retarding the progression, and causing regression of atherosclerosis in a mammal comprises: (a) treating an aliquot of mammalian blood ex vivo with at least one stressor selected from the group consisting of a temperature above or below body temperature, ultraviolet light and an oxidative environment; and (b) administering the aliquot of blood treated in step (a) to the mammal, wherein the aliquot has a volume sufficient to achieve a reduction in lipid levels in the mammal.

Abstract: A percutaneous system for bypassing a restriction in an artery of a mammal having an aorta includes providing a graft having a body portion with a first end, a second end and a lumen therebetween. First and second expandable stents are provided at the first and second ends of the graft, respectively. Apertures are formed in the artery, distal of the restriction, and in the aorta and the graft is inserted between the apertures. At least a portion of the first stent is inserted through the aperture in the artery and the stent is deployed to connect the first end of the graft within the artery. The second stent is positioned such that a first expandable portion is outside the aorta and a second expandable portion is within the aorta. The first and second expandable portions of the second stent are expanded to have outer diameters at least as large as the aperture in the aorta to anchor the first end of the graft in the aorta such that the lumen in the graft communicates with the aorta and the artery.

Abstract: Methods of reforming degenerated intervertebral discs. Hybrid materials useful in methods of reforming degenerated intervertebral discs.

Abstract: A treatment plan for patients suffering from a thrombotic event can be determined by measuring membrane bound and/or soluble P-selectin. The degree of reperfusion can be determined by assessing the level of soluble P-selectin subsequent to reperfusion. Additionally, predicting whether thrombolytic therapy will induce reperfusion can be determined by measuring the level of membrane bound P-selectin prior to reperfusion.

Abstract: A method of performing trabeculodissection to treat glaucoma uses a galvanometric scanning laser delivery system. A scleral flap is cut to expose the treatment area of the trabecular meshwork. The arc of the treatment area is made as wide as the trabecular meshwork limited by the circumference of the limbal area around the patient's eye. A laser, preferably of the excimer type, is used to treat small test areas in successive discrete zones along the arc of the treatment area in the bed of the scleral flap to determine the precise depth of ablation required over the entirety of each zone to promote filtration without penetration of the treatment zone. The laser then treats discrete zones over the length of the arc to remove in scan layers so as to process discrete ablated zones of minimal residual thickness. The treatment of successive zones allows ablation along the length of the treatment arc without interference from actively draining aqueous.

Abstract: A restriction in a restricted vessel lying closely proximate the heart is bypassed. An aperture is formed in a supply vessel suitable for providing a blood supply. An aperture is formed in the restricted vessel distal of the restriction. Heart tissue is removed from the surface of the heart to form a channel in the heart tissue between the aperture in the supply vessel and the aperture in the restricted vessel distal of the restriction. The channel is covered to form a conduit to conduct blood from the supply vessel to the restricted vessel distal of the restriction.

Abstract: A method for treating the heart and associated vessels and tissues, by controlling the temperature of the pericardial space and/or introducing therapeutic agents, drugs or the like thereto, includes providing a fluid, liquid(s), gas(es) or mixtures thereof, with or without therapeutic agents, drugs or the like, and heating and/or cooling, this fluid. At a time proximate to the heating and/or cooling of the fluid, the pericardial space is accessed by pericardiocentesis, such that the pericardium is punctured and the pericardial space is instrumentized at a location, and in particular, a location where treatment is desired. The heated and/or cooled fluid is then delivered to the pericardial space. At a time after delivery, the fluid is withdrawn from the pericardium, through either the same catheter, or through another catheter at different point along the pericardium, that was also instrumentized (catheterized) by standard pericardiocentesis procedures.

Abstract: Birthwear is provided comprising a top (shirt) and a bottom (pants) wherein the bottom has a front cloth layer and back cloth layer and an inner (crouch) seam (inseam) having a plurality of releasably coupled elements (snaps) releasably attaching the front layer to the back layer. The top also preferably has a pocket on the front layer containing a hole for insertion of monitoring wires. The top preferably has an upper seam which runs along the shoulder and arms of the garment which has a plurality of coupling elements (snaps) for releasably coupling the upper end of a front layer of the shirt with a upper end of a back layer of the shirt. The shirt preferably also has a back seam which runs from the neck of the shirt to the waist of the shirt along the center of the back providing the back with two back portions which are releasably coupled with coupling elements (snaps) for permitting selective access to the back of the wearer.

Abstract: The invention produces osteoinductive bone using a controlled-flow apparatus. The apparatus allows for the controlled extraction of undesirable constituents from a body tissue. The invention provides for the demineralization of ground bone particles or pieces of cancellous or cortical bone which permits the controlled and reproducible demineralization of bone to produce bone which is maximally osteoinductive. It has been demonstrated that ground cadaveric bone which is demineralized to a residual calcium level approximating 2% by dry weight of bone is optimally osteoinductive as assayed using in vivo and in vitro assays of osteoinductivity. The controlled-flow apparatus includes one or more solution containers which supply solutions to be pumped into one or more vessels filled with tissue samples to be extracted. Solvent outflowing from the vessels can be monitored for pH, calcium ion concentration or conductivity as a basis for determining when extraction is complete.

Abstract: An in situ treatment of an organ, such as a kidney, of a living body, having a disease or tumor. The method includes: subjecting a diseased or tumorous organ, such as a kidney, to an effective amount of a therapeutic agent, by infusing the agent via blood entering the organ, creating an isolated section in a major vein spanning the area where the tributary veins connect with the major vein, the major vein and tributary veins being directly associated with the organ; passing contaminated effluent blood from the tributary veins of the organ to the isolated section and capturing the effluent blood therein; and, evacuating the captured blood from the isolated section without exposing the contaminated effluent blood to other organs or tissues of the body and without interrupting the general circulation in the system of the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supplying retrograde perfusion of chronically ischemic myocardium by forming one or more transmural passageways between a cardiac chamber and the coronary venous vasculature. The placement, size and number of the passageways are selected, and portions of the venous vasculature or coronary ostium optionally partially or completely occluded, to maintain a parameter related to the pressure attained in the venous vasculature to a value less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for predicting whether a pregnant woman will be able to carry a fetus to viability by determining her immunological responsiveness to recall antigens. Women, particularly women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion, who have a responsiveness that is no higher than the responsiveness of women known to have had a successful pregnancy, have a high probability of maintaining gestation until viability.