Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a lung biopsy with an apparatus capable of sealing tears within the lung and pleural space to reduce the risk of pneumothorax or pulmonary hemorrhage. The apparatus includes an RF ablation apparatus having a lung biopsy device an energy delivery device including at least one electrode designed to be deployed into target lung tissue, and a sensor. A closure device is operatively coupled to the elongated member to produce an immediate tight seal and promote healing at the tissue interface. A feedback control device is operatively coupled to the sensor and a RF source for controlling energy delivered to the electrodes.

Abstract: An improved microfluidics device and system for sample loading and injection are disclosed. The device includes three main channels—a separation channel, supply channel, and drain channel—for use in loading and injecting a sample from the supply channel. Pairs of peripheral channels connecting the supply channel with upstream and downstream regions of the separation channel, and connecting supply and drain channels to a downstream region of the separation channel promote fluid flow and/or ion in the channel network to effect (i) sample shaping in the separation channel, when an electrokinetic or pneumatic force is applied between the supply and drain channels, and (ii) sample pullback in the supply and drain channels, when an electrokinetic or pneumatic force is applied between opposite ends of the separation channel. The system incorporates the device, electrodes that interact with reservoirs in the device, and a control unit.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus includes an ablation energy source producing an electromagnetic energy output. A monopolar multiple antenna device is included and has a primary antenna with a longitudinal axis, a central lumen and a distal end, and a secondary antenna with a distal end. The secondary antenna is deployed from the primary antenna central lumen in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis. The primary antenna and secondary antennas are each electromagnetically coupled to the electromagnetic energy source.

Abstract: An RF treatment apparatus includes a catheter with a catheter lumen. A removable needle electrode is positioned in the catheter lumen in a fixed relationship to the catheter. The needle electrode includes a needle lumen and a needle electrode distal end. A removable introducer is slidably positioned in the needle lumen. The introducer includes an introducer distal end. A first sensor is positioned on a surface of the needle electrode or the insulator. An RF power source is coupled to the needle electrode and a return electrode. An insulator sleeve is slidably positioned around the electrode and includes a second sensor. Resources are associated with the electrodes, sensors as well as the RF power source for maintaining a selected power at the electrode independent of changes in current or voltage.

Abstract: An RF treatment apparatus includes a catheter with a catheter lumen. A removable needle electrode is positioned in the catheter lumen in a fixed relationship to the catheter. The needle electrode includes a needle lumen and a needle electrode distal end. A removable introducer is slidably positioned in the needle lumen. The introducer includes an introducer distal end. A first sensor is positioned on a surface of the needle electrode or the insulator. An RF power source is coupled to the needle electrode and a return electrode. An insulator sleeve is slidably positioned around the electrode and includes a second sensor. Resources are associated with the electrodes, sensors as well as the RF power source for maintaining a selected power at the electrode independent of changes in current or voltage.

Abstract: A cell necrosis apparatus has a flexible introducer including a lumen and a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue. An energy delivery device is positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue. The energy delivery device includes a first RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal portion and a second RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal portion. The first and second RF electrodes are deployable with curvature from the introducer at a selected tissue site in a lateral direction away from the periphery of the introducer.

Abstract: A treatment effective for removing or substantially reducing the amount of Cr+6 present in drinking water or wastewater is described. The method includes adding a stannous salt of a non-carbon acid, in an amount effective to reduce most or substantially all of the chromic ion in the water.

Abstract: An infusion array ablation apparatus includes an elongated delivery device having a lumen and an infusion array positionable in the lumen. The infusion array includes an RF electrode and at least a first and a second infusion member. Each infusion member has a tissue piercing distal portion and an infusion lumen. At least one of the first or second infusion members is positionable in the elongated delivery device in a compacted state and deployable from the elongated delivery device with curvature in a deployed state. Also, at least one of the first or second infusion members exhibits a changing direction of travel when advanced from the elongated delivery device to a selected tissue site. At least one infusion port is coupled to one of the elongated delivery device, the infusion array, the first infusion member or the second infusion member.

Abstract: Cytochrome P-450 assay methods and kits for the methods are provided employing a cytochrome P-450 enzyme, substrates characterized by having an oxidizable methylene group oxidized to an aldehyde and a fluorescent hydrazine. A fluorescent hydrazine is added to the reaction mixture and the resulting hydrazone analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. The method finds use in evaluating compounds for enzyme modulating activity.

Abstract: A method of creating a lesion in tissue with infusion includes providing an apparatus comprising a first elongated delivery device with a lumen, an obturator with a second elongated delivery device and an energy delivery device positional in a lumen of the first elongated delivery device. The energy device includes at least a first and a second RF electrode each with a tissue piercing distal portion, the first and second RF electrodes being deployable from the first elongated delivery device with curvature in a deployed state. The energy delivery device includes an infusion lumen and at least one infusion port. The obturator and second delivery device are introduced to a selected tissue site. The obturator is removed from a lumen of the second delivery device and the first delivery device and energy delivery device are introduced into the lumen of the second delivery device. The first and second RF electrodes are advanced from the first delivery device to at least partially surround a target tissue site.

Abstract: A tissue ablation apparatus comprises a first elongated delivery device including a lumen and an obturator with a tissue piercing distal end. The obturator is positionable in the lumen of the first elongated delivery device. A second elongated delivery device is positionable in the lumen of the first elongated delivery device. An energy delivery device is positionable in the second elongated delivery device. The energy delivery device includes at least a first and a second RF electrode each with a tissue piercing distal portion. The first and second RF electrodes are positionable in the second elongated delivery device in a compacted state and deployable from the second elongated delivery device with curvature in a deployed state. The first and second RF electrodes exhibit a changing direction of travel when advanced from the second elongated delivery device to a selected tissue site.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided using microfluidic devices for manipulating small volumes and determining a variety of chemical and physical events. The devices rely upon an opening to the atmosphere of a small volume in a zone, where a sample is placed in the zone where evaporation can occur. The zone is maintained in contact with a liquid medium that serves to replenish the liquid in the zone and maintain the composition of the mixture in the zone substantially constant. The diffusion of components in the zone is restricted during the course of the determination by the liquid flux into the zone.

Abstract: Ablation devices and associated methods are provided for use in palliative treatment of a bone tumor on or in a compact bone region. The bone treatment devices include an elongate probe having a distal end. A proximal end of the probe supports placement in a location at or adjacent to the bone tumor. Electrodes are carried within the probe for deployment from the distal end into the bone tumor. The electrodes may be shapable to create, upon deployment, an array of electrodes that defines a geometric area within the bone tumor. Application of energy, for example energy from a radio frequency (RF) source, to the area of the bone tumor via the electrodes destroys at least a portion of the nerve receptors located in or adjacent to the tumor and produces a reduction in pain associated with the bone tumor.

Abstract: Multilevel microfluidic structures and their use are provided for performing operations using electrokinetic or pneumatic force for moving sample components through and between levels. The devices have flow systems comprising microstructures including reservoirs, channels and vias, where each of the levels or lamina has a plurality of microstructures, and where the microstructures may communicate between levels.

Abstract: Cell based assays are performed in a microfluidic device, where the cells are introduced into a reservoir and are contacted with one or more agents prior to or during their residence in the reservoir or in a capillary channel connected to the reservoir. The cells are moved by electrokinesis individually from the reservoir to a detector, where the status of the cells as a result of contacting said agents is determined. Conditions are provided for moving the cells electrophoretically or by electroosmotic force, where the cells may be viable or fixed, natural or genetically modified.

Abstract: Integrated microfluidic devices comprising at least an enrichment channel (10) and a main electrophoretic flowpath (12) are provided. In the subject integrated devices, the enrichment channel and the main electrophoretic flowpath are positioned so that waste fluid flows away from said main electrophoretic flowpath through a discharge outlet (6). The subject devices find use in a variety of electrophoretic applications, including clinical assays, high throughput screening for genomics and pharmaceutical applications, point-or-care in vitro diagnostics, molecular genetic analysis and nucleic acid diagnostics, cell separations, and bioresearch generally.

Abstract: An RF treatment apparatus includes a catheter with a catheter lumen. A removable needle electrode is positioned in the catheter lumen in a fixed relationship to the catheter. The needle catheter includes a needle lumen and a needle electrode distal end. A removable introducer is slidably positioned in the needle lumen. The introducer includes an introducer distal end. A first sensor is positioned on a surface of the needle electrode or the insulator. An RF power source is coupled to the needle electrode and a return electrode. An insulator sleeve is slidably positioned around the electrode and includes a second sensor. Resources are associated with the electrode, sensors as well as the RF power source for maintaining a selected power at the electrode independent of changes in current or voltage.

Abstract: A cell necrosis apparatus comprises an elongated delivery device including a lumen and an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes at least a first and a second RF electrode each with a tissue piercing distal portion. The first and second RF electrodes are positionable in the elongated delivery device in a compacted state and deployable from the elongated delivery device with curvature in a deployed state. The first and second RF electrodes exhibit a changing direction of travel when advanced from the elongated delivery device to a selected tissue site. At least one infusion port is coupled to one of the elongated delivery device, the energy delivery device, the first RF electrode or the second RF electrode.

Abstract: A cell necrosis apparatus includes an introducer with a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue, an energy delivery including a plurality of electrodes and a slidable sensing member. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a tissue piercing distal end and is positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue. At least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is deployable with curvature from the introducer. The slidable sensing member is positionable within the introducer and electrically coupled to the energy delivery device. The sensing member is configured to measure a property of the energy delivery device or at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting target molecules, e.g. DNA sequences, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms, using a pair of nucleotide sequences, a primer and a snp detection sequence, where the snp detection sequence binds downstream from the primer to the target DNA in the direction of primer extension, or ligands and receptors. The methods employ e-tags comprising a mobility-identifying region joined to a detectable label and a target-binding region. The result of the binding of the target-binding region to the target is to have a bond cleaved in the starting material with the production of a detectable product with a different mobility from the starting material, where the different e-tags can be separated and detected.