Abstract: A composition is provided that, when utilized in combination with warfarin, greatly improves the anticoagulant effects of warfarin in mammalian subjects. The composition is a compound having a naphthohydroquinone ring system substantially similar to the ring system of the reduced form of vitamin K1 and has the general formula: where R1 and R4 are hydrogen or acyl, R2 is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group with up to 6 carbons, and R3 is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group with up to 20 carbons, or R2 and R3 are part of a cyclic or polycyclic ring system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for use in treating a patient with an anticoagulant to optimize drug therapy and/or to prevent an adverse drug response. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for use in treating a patient with Coumadin® or a substance containing warfarin. Methods of the present invention utilize variables that include the patient's CYP4F2 genotype.

Abstract: A composition is provided that, when utilized in combination with warfarin, greatly improves the anticoagulant effects of warfarin in mammalian subjects. The composition is a compound having a naphthohydroquinone ring system substantially similar to the ring system of the reduced form of vitamin K1 and has the general formula: where R1 and R4 are hydrogen or acyl, R2 is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group with up to 6 carbons, and R3 is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group with up to 20 carbons, or R2 and R3 are part of a cyclic or polycyclic ring system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for use in treating a patient with an anticoagulant to optimize drug therapy and/or to prevent an adverse drug response. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for use in treating a patient with Coumadin® or a substance containing warfarin. Methods of the present invention utilize variables that include the patient's CYP4F2 genotype.

Abstract: A surgically implantable infusion port includes a housing portion, a penetrable elastomeric septum portion which cooperates with the housing portion for defining an interior cavity and a catheter element which extends outwardly from the interior cavity for dispensing medication therefrom at a predetermined location in the body of a patient. The elastomeric septum portion is penetrable by a hypodermic needle for dispensing medication in the interior cavity, and it is laterally compressed to enhance the ability of the septum portion to reseal itself after being repeatedly penetrated. A septum assembly including a similar laterally compressed septum element can also be utilized as a penetrable barrier between various liquids and gases.

Abstract: An electrical access port assembly includes an access port unit which is surgically implantable in the body of a patient and a pair of conductive needles which are operative for supplying electrical energy to the access port unit. The access port unit includes a body portion having a pair of access openings therein, a pair of penetrable elastomeric septa in the access openings, and an interior partition which divides the interior of the body portion into a pair of enclosed interior cavities, each of which is accessible through one of the penetrable septa. The access port unit further icludes an electrical contact in each of the cavities and a conductor wire attached to each of the contacts. The septa of the access port unit are self-sealingly penetrable by the conductive needles to electrically connect the needles to the contacts in the cavities in order to supply electrical energy to a predetermined location in the body of the patient through the conductor wires.

Abstract: An implantable infusion port for dispensing medication in the body of a patient comprises a septum which is preferably integrally molded from a nontoxic, rubberized material and has an interior cavity formed therein for receiving medication in the septum, and a catheter element which extends from the cavity to the exterior of the septum for dispensing medication in the body of a patient. The septum has a rounded dome-shaped configuration, and the infusion port is surgically implantable in the body of a patient so that it is positioned beneath the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the patient. After the infusion port has been implanted in the patient, medication can be introduced into the cavity by inserting a hypodermic needle through the skin of the patient and through the side wall of the septum.

Abstract: An implantable infusion port for dispensing medication in the body of a patient comprises a septum which is preferably integrally molded from a nontoxic, rubberized material and has an interior cavity formed therein for receiving medication in the septum, and a catheter element which extends from the cavity to the exterior of the septum for dispensing medication in the body of a patient. The septum has a rounded dome-shaped configuration, and the infusion port is surgically implantable in the body of a patient so that it is positioned beneath the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the patient. After the infusion port has been implanted in the patient, medication can be introduced into the cavity by inserting a hypodermic needle through the skin of the patient and through the side wall of the septum.

Abstract: An implantable infusion port for dispensing medication in the body of a patient comprises a septum which is preferably integrally molded from a nontoxic, rubberized material and has an interior cavity formed therein for receiving medication in the septum, and a catheter element which extends from the cavity to the exterior of the septum for dispensing medication in the body of a patient. The septum has a rounded dome-shaped configuration, and the infusion port is surgically implantable in the body of a patient so that it is positioned beneath the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the patient. After the infusion port has been implanted in the patient, medication can be introduced into the cavity by inserting a hypodermic needle through the skin of the patient and through the side wall of the septum.

Abstract: A gastrostomy-jejunal feeding tube comprises a gastrostomy tube having an enlarged resiliently, collapsible retainer element on the distal end thereof and a jejunal feeding tube which is removably received in the gastrostomy tube in a manner which allows fluids to pass through the gastrostomy tube despite the presence of the jejunal feeding tube therein. The gastrostomy-jejunal feeding tube is adapted to be installed in a patient so that the gastrostomy tube extends through the stomach wall, fascia and skin for draining fluids from the stomach and so that the jejunal feeding tube extends into the jejunum area of the intestines for feeding and medicating the patient. Since the jejunal feeding tube is removable from the gastrostomy tube it can be replaced without surgery, and since the retainer element is resiliently collapsible, it can be pulled outwardly through the stomach wall to allow the gastrostomy tube to be removed from the patient without surgery.