Abstract: A technique for body contouring or the removal of undesired fat cells or soft tissue in which a tumescent solution is injected among the fat cells to suspend the fat cells. After suspension, using an external ultrasonic generator, ultrasonic waves are transmitted through the skin to the fat cells. The ultrasonic waves damage the fat cells and also assists in disrupting the connective tissue between the fat cells. The fat cells are then removed either through the body's natural actions of "sloughing" dead or damaged cells, or by liposuction techniques which suction the cells from the site.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a method for repairing focal arthritic defects in a mammalian joint, especially in a human knee. The method involves the steps of forming a roughened, bleeding surface of cancellous bone within the defect; forming a plug of osteocartilaginous tissue from an undamaged site within the joint or from another joint; removing the plug from the undamaged site; and inserting the plug into the defect, positioning the plug against the roughened bleeding surface, and holding the plug in place for a time sufficient to allow a blood clot to form between the plug and the roughened bleeding surface, whereby the plug is secured by adhesive properties of the clot.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a varix, including the steps of: (a) placing a system for observing whether the varix is open or closed into a region adjacent to the varix; (b) placing a system for sensing pressure into a region adjacent to the varix; (c)temporarily increasing the pressure in the region adjacent to the varix so that the varix collapses; (d) simultaneously observing the varix with the observing system and monitoring the pressure in the region adjacent to the varix with the pressure sensing system when the varix closes or reopens. Also, a device for evaluating a varix, including: (a) a system for observing whether the varix is open and generating an observing system output; and (b) a system for sensing the pressure in the region adjacent to the varix and generating a pressure sensing output.

Abstract: A method of treatment of humans suffering from the Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factor (CHDRF) Syndrome which comprises administering, by a pharmaceutically effective mode, a drug composition selected from the group consisting of opiate antagonists or anti-opioids, and drugs which substantially equally reduce the amounts of catecholamines bound to all catecholamine binding sites, is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for revascularization of a patient's coronary artery system which obviate the need to place the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. A method is provided for revascularizing a patient while the-heart is beating, and includes performing at least one minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft procedure, or other cardiac surgical procedure, and contemporaneously performing at least one catheter-based procedure in at least one coronary artery. The catheter-based procedure(s) may be either therapeutic or diagnostic or both, and may involve delivering at least one catheter to a coronary artery via a surgical or percutaneous opening in the thoracic cavity or via a percutaneous opening at a location peripheral to the thoracic cavity. The catheter-based procedure or procedures is performed contemporaneously with the bypass graft procedure, and specifically prior to, during, or after anesthetizing the patient for purposes of the bypass graft procedure.

Abstract: A method for examining the breast tissue of an individual for the presence of lumps or a change in texture, which method includes the steps of:applying to the skin of the individual in the area of the breast tissue while the skin is substantially dry an amount of an aqueous emulsion or gel composition effective to lubricate the skin; andfeeling the skin of the individual by hand for a lump or thickening in the underlying tissue;whereby the lubricating effect of the emulsion or gel composition increases the tactile sensation of the texture of the breast tissue.

Abstract: A method for planning surgery on a body portion is provided in the steps of gathering image data, storing the image data, reading the image data into a computer, generating a three-dimensional computer model of the body portion from the image data, identifying anatomical features relevant to the surgery, and defining at least one desired correction to anatomical structures to be accomplished by the surgery. Also, a method for performing surgery on a body portion is provided in the steps of loading surgical plan data into a computer, registering a three-dimensional computer model of the body portion stored in the surgical plan data to the body portion, providing at least one surgical tool, positioning the surgical tool relative to the body portion and performing the surgery. Further, a jig assembly is provided in the form of a femoral docking jig, a femoral contouring jig, and a tibial jig.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implanting a testicular prosthetic device includes creating a passageway into the interior of an animal's scrotum which contains a tunica vaginalis; incising the tunica vaginalis containing a testis attached to a spermatic cord; severing the spermatic cord; removing the testis through the passageway and inserting a prosthetic device through the passageway and into the lumen of the tunica and closing the tunica. The second testis is similarly removed from its tunica vaginalis through the same passageway and a similar prosthetic device is placed in the cavity created. The tunica may be drawn outwardly, thought the passageway, and removal of the testis by incising the tunica and severing the spermatic cord may be performed outside the animal. The tunica may also be severed and the prosthetic device placed directly within the scrotal sac. The testicular implant is generally kidney-shaped and is sized to fit the tunica.

Abstract: A method of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia includes (a) inserting a catheter into an epidural space in a patient; (b) performing a spinal anesthesia for the patient; (c) monitoring an analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia in the patient; (d) in the event that the analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia is found to be insufficient in the patient, injecting a physiological saline solution through the catheter into the epidural space, thereby rapidly expanding the analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia in the patient. Preferably, the analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia is monitored at a point of time about 10 minutes after the spinal anesthesia. It is also preferred that the amount of injection of the physiological saline solution be adjusted as a function of the height of the patient to rapidly raise the analgesic level of the spinal anesthesia to a desired level in the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the variability of cardiovascular parameters, having a photoplethysmographic (PPG) probe, including a modulated first light source and a photodetector, a demodulator connected to the photodetector for demodulating PPG signals detected by the photodetector, an analog to digital converter for digitizing the demodulated signals, and a processor for repeatedly analysing the PPG signals for a predetermined number of times. A method for measuring the variability of cardovascular parameters.

Abstract: A cholecystoscopic laser-sclerosis surgical procedure for the elimination of a human gallbladder in a single session using a local anesthesia, which utilizes a specially-designed cholecystoscopic cannula to couple the gallbladder fundus to the cannula by forcing a ring of gallbladder tissue into a groove in the cannula, by performing an operative endoscopy inside the gallbladder, closing the cystic duct meatus using a forceps, sealing the cystic duct using electrocoagulation, removing the gallstones, ablating the mucous membrane of the gallbladder by using a CO2 laser, injecting a biological cement into the gallbladder, applying a vacuum in order to collapse the gallbladder, eliminating the gallbladder tissue within the cannula by using a CO2 laser or electrocoagulation, and finally, releasing the coupling of the cannula to the gallbladder fundus and removing the cholecystoscopic cannula. The gallbladder disappears by means of atrophy.

Abstract: Methods are provided for measuring the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), and for lowering the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts, which are predicated on the discovery that such AGEs and their precedent glycotoxins are present in tobacco and its byproducts. More particularly, the methods focus on the observation that individuals who smoke or otherwise use tobacco have increased levels of AGEs relative to non-smoking individuals. The present methods relate to the measurement of AGE levels in both individuals and in tobacco and its byproduct, smoke, and to the treatment of such individuals with agents capable of reacting with glycosylation products to either avert or diminish the accretion of AGEs in the body.

Abstract: To anchor a suture, the suture is inserted through passages which are spaced apart along and extend transversely to a longitudinal central axis of an anchor. When the anchor is moved into body tissue, a first portion of the suture extends from the first passage in the anchor through an opening in the body tissue to a location disposed to one side of the body tissue. A second portion of the suture extends from the second passage in the anchor through the opening in the body tissue. The suture is tensioned to apply force to the anchor. The force applied to the anchor by the suture initiates tipping of the anchor and movement of an end surface on the anchor across a leading end surface on an inserter member.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter with a porous substrate having a humectant, such as sodium pyroglutamate, dispersed therein to absorb moisture from the tobacco smoke thereby wet-filtering the tobacco smoke. Also, a tobacco smoke filter with a porous substrate having microcapsules dispersed therein. The microcapsules have a humectant such as sodium pyroglutamate. The microcapsules further preferably have one or more of methylcellulose, chlorophyllin and at least one vegetable oil.

Abstract: This invention provides an assay to monitor antithrombic activity of a Factor IXa compound infused into circulation of a patient which includes: (a) obtaining Factor IXa-deficient plasma; (b) mixing the plasma from step (a) with diatomaceous and with plasma from the patient; (c) incubating the mixture with a source of lipid and calcium chloride under conditions suitable for clot formation; and (d) measuring time necessary for clot formation in the incubate, thereby monitoring the antithrombic activity of the Factor IXa compound infused into the circulation of the patient.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing a disease of a fingernail, a toenail, the skin, or a mucus membrane using a confocal microscope to observe abnormal structures within the fingernail, the toenail, the skin, or the mucus membrane respectively and comparing the characteristics of those structures to corresponding characteristics structures known to be associated with a disease state is taught herein. A method of monitoring the progress of a treatment of a diseases of a fingernail, a toenail, the skin, or a mucus membrane using a confocal microscope to observe changes over time of an infected area is also taught.

Abstract: Methods for transcutaneous and non-bloody in vivo determination of an analyte in blood which includes spectroscopically generating at least one first signal corresponding to at least one analyte quantity in a region of a body and at least one second signal corresponding to at least one water quantity in the region of the body, determining the at least one analyte quantity based on the at least one first signal and the at least one water quantity based on the at least one second signal, calculating a concentration of the analyte in water by forming a ratio of an analyte value calculated on the basis of the at least one analyte quantity and a water value calculated on the basis of the at least one water quantity and calculating a concentration of the analyte in blood based on the ratio of the analyte value and the water value.

Abstract: A method for the imaging of a particular volume of plant or animal tissue, wherein the plant or animal tissue contains at least one photo-active molecular agent. The method includes the steps of treating the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue with light sufficient to promote a simultaneous two-photon excitation of the photo-active molecular agent contained in the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue, photo-activating at least one of the at least one photo-active molecular agent in the particular volume of the plant or animal tissue, thereby producing at least one photo-activated molecular agent, wherein the at least one photo-activated molecular agent emits energy, detecting the energy emitted by the at least one photo-activated molecular agent, and producing a detected energy signal which is characteristic of the particular volume of plant or animal tissue.

Abstract: A video assisted thoracoscopic transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) surgical method includes making at least two spaced incision ports between the ribs of a patient proximate the patient's heart; inserting through one of the ports a thoracoscopic TMR handpiece assembly for creating a channel through the heart wall; inserting through the other incision port a thoracoscope connected to a video display system; viewing the heart of the patient through the video display system and positioning the handpiece assembly relative to the heart; and actuating the handpiece assembly to create a channel through the wall of the patient's heart.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to techniques and apparatus for infusing drugs into the brain to treat movement disorders resulting in abnormal motor behavior. The invention employs an implantable pump and a catheter, the catheter having a proximal end coupled to the pump and a discharge portion for placement adjacent a predetermined infusion site in the brain for infusing therapeutic dosages of the one or more drugs into the brain. The pump is operated to discharge a predetermined dosage of the one or more drugs through the discharge portion of the catheter into the infusion site. A sensor may be used in combination with the implantable pump and catheter, whereby the sensor generates a signal relating to the extent of the abnormal motor behavior. The therapeutic dosage is regulated so that the dosage is adjusted in response to an increase in the abnormal behavior to decrease the abnormal motor behavior.