Abstract: The invention is directed to a prosthetic kidney, to methods of making a prosthetic kidney and to methods of treating kidney disease with a prosthetic kidney. The prosthetic kidney comprises nephron analogs on the exterior surface and an enclosed porous membrane structure equipped with an effluent channel for collecting and draining urine from the device. The nephron analogs are prepared by implanting a device containing renal tubule analogs on the membrane structures and inducing angiogenesis to form glomeruli-like structures. The renal tubule analogs are prepared by seeding kidney cells on the porous membrane structure and culturing this composite in vitro.

Abstract: A spacing apparatus for use with radiation therapy devices, and in particular, for use with a brachytherapy device. The spacing apparatus is useful in that the instrument is effective to limit the amount of radiation that comes into contact with the sensitive tissue proximate to the extraction site, and thereby protect sensitive tissue from overheating or hotspots, and/or protect against radiation exposure outside of the patient's body which may affect healthcare providers or others who might come close to the patient. In particular, the spacing apparatus is effective to control the proximity of a brachytherapy device to the outer surface of the sensitive tissue proximate to a surgical extraction site.

Abstract: An infuser for transferring hazardous treatment fluids to and from a medical application includes a spill containing housing having a medical application connecting element and a syringe seat. The syringe seat of the infuser leads to a syringe connecting element that provides a fluid coupling between the syringe and a fluid passage leading to the medical application connecting element. The interior of the housing can be sealed against leaks, for example, by providing the housing in two portions with a gasket provided between the portions. A fluid tight coupling between the syringe and the interior of the housing may be created by integrally forming a septum with the gasket and coupling the syringe with the syringe connecting element through the septum. The infuser can also be provided with two syringe seats so that two different fluids can be transferred. In one embodiment, a second syringe connecting element is provided in fluid-tight communication with a second fluid passage.

Abstract: A biventricular cardiac prosthesis has a flow balance control system to balance blood flow through the left and right sides of the prosthesis to maintain a patient's left atrial pressure within physiologic bounds. The prosthesis can be configured to have flow characteristics so that a signal representative of the difference in hydraulic pumping pressures on the left and right sides of the prosthesis is representative of the difference between left and right atrial pressures of a patient having the prosthesis implanted. This signal can be used as a control signal to drive the prosthesis so that left atrial pressure is approximately equal to right atrial pressure, and within physiologic bounds. A specific prosthesis includes left and right pumping sections, each having a blood pumping chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber, with a reciprocating hydraulic pump driving systole alternately on the right and left sides.

Abstract: A biventricular cardiac prosthesis has a flow balance control system to balance blood flow through the left and right sides of the prosthesis to maintain a patient's left atrial pressure within physiologic bounds. The prosthesis can be configured to have flow characteristics so that a signal representative of the difference in hydraulic pumping pressures on the left and right sides of the prosthesis is representative of the difference between left and right atrial pressures of a patient having the prosthesis implanted. This signal can be used as a control signal to drive the prosthesis so that left atrial pressure is approximately equal to right atrial pressure, and within physiologic bounds. A specific prosthesis includes left and right pumping sections, each having a blood pumping chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber, with a reciprocating hydraulic pump driving systole alternately on the right and left sides.

Abstract: The invention provides a transcutaneous energy transfer device having an external primary coil and an implanted secondary coil inductively coupled to the primary coil, electronic components subcutaneously mounted within the secondary coil and a mechanism which reduces inductive heating of such components by the magnetic field of the secondary coil. For one embodiment of the invention, the mechanism for reducing inductive heating includes a cage formed of a high magnetic permeability material in which the electronic components are mounted, which cage guides the flux around the components to prevent heating thereof. For an alternative embodiment of the invention, a secondary coil has an outer winding and either a counter-wound inner winding or an inner winding in the magnetic field of the outer winding. For either arrangement of the inner coil, the inner coil generates a magnetic field substantially canceling the magnetic field of the outer coil in the area in which the electronic components are mounted.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for producing multilayered artificial organs comprising heterogenous polylayers. Polylayers comprising homogenous cell populations are created on one side of a biocompatible substrate such that a chimeric interface is produced between the heterogenous polylayers. Cellular interaction at the chimeric interface produce an interstitial biomaterial with morphological and functional characteristics that resemble the natural in vivo organ. An artificial organ is produced by creating a first cultured polylayer of cells derived from an isolated population of smooth muscle cells on a substrate in the shape of an organ, and creating a second cultured polylayer of cells derived from a cell population different from the smooth muscle cell population.