Abstract: Slurries comprise liquid water, about 2% to about 70% ice by volume, and one or more additives affecting flowability and/or tonicity of the slurry. Solutions for making a slurry comprise liquid water and one or more additives affecting flowability of the slurry. Flowability of the slurry relates to ice particles capable of flowing through a cannula, such as a needle. The slurry is suitable for injection into subcutaneous fat of a human subject for removal of adipose tissue.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of a small profile device for preparation and/or delivery of cold slurry into the human body. The cold slurry can be generated within the device itself or within a separate small chamber, both of which produce a cold slurry using a cooling source and an injectable fluid. The delivery device provides continued agitation to the fluid/slurry through rotation and/or vibration of blades within the device. The fluid/cold slurry is cooled/kept cool through the use of an external cooling device, such as a cooling sleeve, that at least partially surrounds the delivery device. The cooling sleeve can cool or maintain the temperature of the cold slurry through a number of mechanisms. The cold slurry can be delivered using a device in accordance with the present invention to any tissue inside the body, including subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, and brown fat.

Abstract: The present invention provides biological molecules for use in detecting, identifying and/or removing microbes and microbial components; diagnostic, therapeutic and filtration devices comprising the biological molecules; and systems and methods for treating fluids using the biological molecules and devices of the invention.

Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods for capturing, detecting and identifying one or more microbes or microbe components and/or treating infectious disease using microbe-targeting molecules (MTMs) are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides biological molecules for use in detecting, identifying and/or removing microbes and microbial components; diagnostic, therapeutic and filtration devices comprising the biological molecules; and systems and methods for treating fluids using the biological molecules and devices of the invention.

Abstract: Methods are described for preparing samples including biological, environmental, and food products for microbial analysis. Microbes and microbe components in the sample can be treated with antimicrobial compounds and a matrix solution to permit fast and accurate characterization using analysis techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

Abstract: The present invention provides a cold solution and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The cold solution can comprise liquid and/or solid ice particles. In one embodiment, the method comprises delivering a cold solution to target tissue where the target tissue can be fat tissue located in one or more of an airway, a neck, a thorax, a diaphragm, a face, or an abdomen.

Abstract: A substantially solid solution is provided, which includes water and optionally one or more additives, wherein about 71% to about 100% of the water by volume is in a solid state. The substantially solid solution may be administered to a subcutaneous fat layer of a subject, in order to reduce or remove adipocytes through freezing. The substantially solid solution may be generated in a mold, or at a point of delivery, and may be administered by any suitable device or administered directly to a treatment site via an incision.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cold solution and method for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. The cold solution can comprise liquid and/or solid ice particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for controlling a cold slurry that is delivered to a target tissue and for limiting heat transferring from surrounding tissue to the target tissue. In particular, a balloon structure is deployed at or near a point of delivery to act as a physical and/or thermal barrier. In some instances, the balloon structure can act as a pressure device obstructing the flow of warm blood into a treatment area, which can melt the cold slurry.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for controlling a cold slurry that is delivered to a target tissue and for limiting heat transferring from surrounding tissue to the target tissue. In particular, a balloon structure is deployed at or near a point of delivery to act as a physical and/or thermal barrier. In some instances, the balloon structure can act as a pressure device obstructing the flow of warm blood into a treatment area, which can melt the cold slurry.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for making a cold slurry at a point of delivery. A point of delivery device delivers cold slurry components to a location at or near a target tissue. The components are combined to form the cold slurry at or near the point of delivery. This approach to generating a cold slurry at the point of delivery allows the characteristics of the cold slurry, such as temperature, particle shape and particle size, to be maintained and controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to targeted delivery of a cold slurry underneath a patient's skin to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin. The “target” tissue can be muscle tissue that when cooled cannot contract and cause wrinkles/lines in the skin to appear. The target tissue can also be adipose tissue that causes overlying tissue to sag and form wrinkles/lines. The cold slurry induces apoptosis, and reduces the size of the tissue, and causes the connective tissue supporting the skin to thicken and tighten, thereby reducing wrinkles/lines. Skin can also be tightened with cold slurry injected into the dermis layer of the skin or within the layers of the oral mucosa making a cold slurry treatment ideal for reducing the appearance of baggy skin after a patient loses weight and or for treating obstructive sleep apnea. Cold slurry can also be used to treat cellulite and acne.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to targeted delivery of a cold slurry underneath a patient's skin to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin. The “target” tissue can be muscle tissue that when cooled cannot contract and cause wrinkles/lines in the skin to appear. The target tissue can also be adipose tissue that causes overlying tissue to sag and form wrinkles/lines. The cold slurry induces apoptosis, and reduces the size of the tissue, and causes the connective tissue supporting the skin to thicken and tighten, thereby reducing wrinkles/lines. Skin can also be tightened with cold slurry injected into the dermis layer of the skin or within the layers of the oral mucosa making a cold slurry treatment ideal for reducing the appearance of baggy skin after a patient loses weight and or for treating obstructive sleep apnea. Cold slurry can also be used to treat cellulite and acne.

Abstract: A cold slurry syringe with enhanced features is provided for delivering a cold slurry into the human body. The syringe includes a syringe body for holding a volume of cold slurry, a plunger that slides within the syringe body for ejecting the cold slurry, and a tapered syringe head for delivering an even flow of cold slurry. An agitator can be added to keep the cold slurry from agglomerating and clogging the syringe. Insulation added around the syringe can keep the cold slurry from melting too quickly. A ball screw drive can be added to provide a smooth and consistent application of pressure as the cold slurry is delivered. The cold slurry flow can be enhanced by adding a streamline flow feature that reduces the occurrence of eddies or swirls inside the syringe. This feature can also help maintain the composition and consistency of the cold slurry.

Abstract: A slurry is injected into a subject at a treatment site selected from the group consisting of (i) a deep subcutaneous fat layer, (ii) a superficial subcutaneous fat layer, and (iii) the deep subcutaneous fat layer and the superficial subcutaneous fat layer. Fat cells in the selected treatment site are ablated by the slurry. For example, the slurry is injected into (i) the deep subcutaneous fat layer only, (ii) the superficial subcutaneous fat layer only, (iii) the deep subcutaneous fat layer followed by the superficial subcutaneous fat layer, (iv) the superficial subcutaneous fat layer followed by the deep subcutaneous fat layer, or (v) the deep subcutaneous fat layer and the superficial subcutaneous fat layer simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating sterile slurry are provided. The slurry may be injected into subcutaneous fat of a subject to facilitate weight reduction or improve cosmetic appearances. Systems for generating a slurry comprise a repository for receiving a solution, a generator for generating the slurry from the solution, and a port for transferring the slurry from the system. Methods for generating a slurry comprise receiving a solution in a slurry generator, and generating slurry from the solution, wherein the slurry comprises ice particles capable of flowing through a cannula. Systems include continuous flow systems, agitated systems, and hybrid continuous flow and agitation systems.

Abstract: Slurries comprise liquid water, about 2% to about 70% ice by volume, and one or more additives affecting flowability and/or tonicity of the slurry. Solutions for making a slurry comprise liquid water and one or more additives affecting flowability of the slurry. Flowability of the slurry relates to ice particles capable of flowing through a cannula, such as a needle. The slurry is suitable for injection into subcutaneous fat of a human subject for removal of adipose tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating slurry for injection are provided. Systems comprise a container and a device. The container comprises a solution for administration via an injection needle of a predetermined size. The device is capable of receiving the solution and producing a slurry having ice particles capable of flowing through the injection needle. Methods comprise selecting a container having the solution, receiving the solution in the device, and producing, in the device, the slurry having ice particles capable of flowing through the injection needle.

Abstract: The present invention is a cold solution for reducing adipose tissue or fat. Delivering the cold solution to a region of lipid-rich tissue induces the natural cell death of adipocytes and thereby reduces the tissue. Following cell death, localized panniculitis or inflammation of the tissue leads to further reduction as adipocytes are removed as a result of phagocytosis. The cold solution does not have ice particles. One or more additives, including salt, sugar, thickeners, freezing point depressants, surfactants, and excipients can be added to the cold solution to facilitate/enhance fat reduction. Fat reduction by cold solution injection can be used to improve one's appearance or to treat a weight-related disorder, such as obesity.