Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of providing personal and medical information in a portable manner. The present invention also allows the user to easily update and modify the information contained in the device. Briefly, a storage element, preferably having a standard computer interface, most preferably a USB port, is disclosed. Sets of data structures that allow the user to incorporate information about their medical history and profile are provided on the storage element. The data structures also allow the user to enter images, such as jpeg, tiff or bitmap files, to further augment their history. These data structure also allow the health care provider to quickly and easily access the relevant information in a timely and organized manner. The storage element also contains the required software application needed to view the data structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides ligand/anti-ligand assays for detecting and/or measuring adherent proteins, including lipophilic serum or plasma proteins, such as serum amyloid A (SAA) and apolipoprotein Al (apoAl); cytokines such as IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alpha; pentraxins, such as CRP; and globular serum or plasma proteins such as albumin.

Abstract: A method of growing anchorage-dependent cells is disclosed in which a substrate includes a hydrogel is employed. The hydrogel is formed from an aqueous solution gelled with a crosslinked polymer of a hydrophilic monomer and includes a macromolecule capable of supporting cell growth.

Abstract: A corneal prosthesis including an optical element having an optically transparent central portion and an anterior surface capable of supporting a layer of epithelial cells, the optical element being made of optical material having water content between 50% and 90% and a tensile strength greater than 20 kg/cm.sup.2, and a porous outer skirt secured to the periphery of said element, said skirt being sufficiently porous to permit cell ingrowth and tissue attachment. Also disclosed are methods of making, seeding and using corneal implants having epithelial layers thereon and porous implant material of a coherent mass of randomly oriented fibers having an interconnected network of pores.

Abstract: A method for determining the quantity of a connective tissue or muscle tissue breakdown product in a body fluid from an animal includes steps of providing a standard comprising the breakdown product having a label, the standard having a known specific activity, combining the standard and a sample of the body fluid, removing from the combined standard and sample a purified breakdown product fraction containing labelled breakdown product from the standard together with breakdown product from the sample, and measuring the specific radioactivity of the fraction as a measure of the quantity of the breakdown product in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides ligand/anti-ligand assays for detecting and/or measuring adherent proteins, including lipophilic serum or plasma proteins, such as serum amyloid A (SAA) and apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1); cytokines such as IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF alpha; pentraxins, such as CRP; and globular serum or plasma proteins such as albumin.

Abstract: A method for determining a connective tissue breakdown product in a body fluid from an animal includes steps of providing a standard comprising the breakdown product having a radioactive label, the standard having a known specific radioactivity, combining the standard and a sample of the body fluid, removing from the combined standard and sample a purified breakdown product fraction containing labelled breakdown product from the standard together with breakdown product from the sample, and measuring the specific radioactivity of the fraction as a measure of the quantity of the breakdown product in the sample. Also, methods for assessing a condition of a selected connective tissue in an animal in vivo, and for assessing in vivo a disease process that includes destruction of a specified connective tissue component, and for assessing in vivo the efficacy of a therapy for treatment of such a disease process, include the steps of the method for determining a connective tissue breakdown product.

Abstract: A corneal prosthesis including an optical element having an optically transparent central portion and an anterior surface capable of supporting a layer of epithelial cells, the optical element being made of optical material having water content between 50% and 90% and a tensile strength greater than 20 kg/cm.sup.2, and a porous outer skirt secured to the periphery of said element, said skirt being sufficiently porous to permit cell ingrowth and tissue attachment. Also disclosed are methods of making, seeding and using corneal implants having epithelial layers thereon and porous implant material of a coherent mass of randomly oriented fibers having an interconnected network of pores.

Abstract: A method of growing anchorage-dependent cells is disclosed in which a substrate comprising a hydrogel is employed. The hydrogel is formed from an aqueous solution gelled with a crosslinked polymer of a hydrophilic monomer and includes a macromolecule capable of supporting cell growth.

Abstract: A holding device for seeding cells on a surface of a prosthesis including chamber means for partially defining a first chamber with the first surface, and sealing means for providing a seal between the chamber means and the prosthesis so as to isolate the seeding surface from another portion of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A method of growing anchorage-dependent cells is disclosed in which a substrate comprising a hydrogel is employed. The hydrogel is formed from an aqueous solution gelled with a crosslinked polymer of a hydrophilic monomer and includes a macromolecule capable of supporting cell growth.