Abstract: An electrolyte cell includes a membrane (114) supporting frame (104) which having an aperture (180) having a stepped sidewall, including a peripheral sealing ledge (182) in which is set a seal (184), a membrane (114) whose periphery is urged against the seal (114) by a subframe (202) mounted in the aperture (180), the sub-frame (202) being provided with vertically extending stand-offs (218) at each corner so as to define a cavity partially bounded by the frame (104) and sub-frame (202) at the top of bottom of the aperture (180), the top and bottom edges of the sub-frame (202) being provided with a plurality of through-holes (216).

Abstract: A synovial prosthetic member includes a body having an articulating surface and an anchor surface, the articulating surface being configured for articulation with another articulating surface of a synovial joint, the anchor surface being configured for cementing to bone, the body being composed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the anchor surface having been subjected to treatment by either ion implantation, ion beam assisted deposition, or sputter deposition.

Abstract: A guidance channel or conduit for promoting nerve regeneration includes a body constructed of a biocompatible polymeric material and having a first end for connection to a proximal stump of a severed nerve and a second end for connection to a distal stump of the severed nerve. The body includes a plurality of internal lumens extending between the first and second end to facilitate rejoining of the proximal and distal stumps of the severed nerve by providing increased surface area for Schwann cell adherence. A method for promoting nerve regeneration using a multi-lumen nerve guidance channel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon pump system including catheter-mounted pumping balloon configured to be positioned within a desired body passageway to pump a fluid through the body passageway. A stent is percutaneously deployed within the body passageway. The pumping balloon is percutaneously deployed within the stent such that the stent is interposed between the pumping balloon and the walls of the body passageway. The stent substantially limits the compliance of the body passageway, preventing the passageway in the vicinity of the pumping balloon from significantly expanding or contracting in response to forces generated by inflation and deflation of the pumping balloon. As a result, a volume of fluid substantially equivalent to a change in volume of the pumping balloon is displaced when the pumping balloon is inflated or deflated.

Abstract: An electromagnetic field source (EFS) for providing electromagnetic energy to a secondary coil, including two or more primary coils that each carry a time-varying current to produce an electromagnetic field, and a controller that selectively provides current to one or more primary coils based on their position with respect to the secondary coil. The secondary coil may be implanted in a human recipient and used to provide power for the operation of a medical device, such as an artificial heart or ventricular assist device. The invention also provides such a secondary coil and EFS, collectively referred to as a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) device. The primary coils of the EFS or TET may be housed in furniture. For example, they may be housed in a bed mattress or mattress pad on which the recipient rests, or in a blanket for covering the recipient.

Abstract: The present invention provides low resolution Raman spectroscopic systems and methods for in-vivo detection and analysis of a lesion in a lumen of a subject. The system uses a multi-mode laser attached to a catheter in making in-vivo Raman spectroscopic measurements of the lumen. The system includes a light collector and/or a light dispersion element as well as a detector to measure spectral patterns that indicate the presence of the lesion. Based on the spectral response of the lumen, the presence (or absence) of a lesion can be determined. In addition, the components of the lesion can also be identified based on the unique Raman spectrum associated with each component.

Abstract: This invention provides coded aperture imaging apparatus and methods for the detection and imaging of radiation which results from nuclear interrogation of a target object. The apparatus includes: 1) a radiation detector for detecting at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the object in response to nuclear excitation and for producing detection signals responsive to the radiation; 2) a coded aperture disposed between the detector and the object such that emitted radiation is detected by the detector after passage through the coded aperture; and 3) a data processor for characterizing the object based upon the detection signals from the detector and upon the configuration of the coded aperture.

Abstract: A method for treating in-stent restenosis using radiation having a wavelength sufficient to kill or promote cellular death (e.g., through programmed cell death), or otherwise remove smooth muscle cells which have proliferated, or which might otherwise proliferate, in the proximity of (i.e., within, around or adjacent to) a stent within a body lumen, causing (or potentially causing) at least partial blockage of the lumen. The treatment method includes irradiating smooth muscle cells in the region of the stenosis with non-ablative, cytotoxic radiation, such as UV radiation. A cytotoxic, photoactivatable chromophore may also be delivered to the treatment site prior to irradiation. The method can be used prophylactically or to treat in-stent restenosis after blockage has occurred without further damage to surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Drug delivery vehicles and catheter systems are disclosed for controlled release of therapeutic agents employing a permeable hydrogel membranes a reservoir for an inflation fluid carrying a therapeutic agent. The membrane devices of the present invention can be used in conjunction with a catheter or similar instrument having an elongated hollow body member and a lumen extending therethrough to permit fluid communication between a proximal infusion port and a permeable membrane disposed at the distal end of the catheter body. The membrane preferably comprises an expandable, hydrophilic polymer having a predetermined permeability with respect to an inflation fluid. One preferred hydrophilic polymer is a hydrogel capable of imbibing an aqueous solution to reach a state in which it comprises between 50% and 98% water by weight in equilibrium. In this state, the hydrogel membrane serves to control the rate of medicament delivery.

Abstract: A radial flow turbine has a rotor with an internal cavity that includes a vaporization section and a condensation section. The condensation section is disposed radially inward toward the shaft and the vaporization section extends radially outward adjacent to the surface of the rotor blade. The vaporization section includes a series of pockets for dispersing the cooling fluid within each blade, and a cascaded series of capture protrusions to distribute the liquid coolant to the successive radially-arrayed pockets. A working system includes a centrifugal compressor which feeds a compressed air fuel mixture to an annular combustion chamber that, in turn, feeds the combustion gases along a radial direction to impinge on the surface of the cooled radial flow rotor. Optionally, the system is a regenerative system including a heat exchange sub-assembly which couples heat from the exhaust stream to a position between the compressor and combustion chamber.

Abstract: Phototherapeutic instruments are disclosed having a light transmitting optical fiber with a flexible portion that facilitates passage of the instrument through a tortuous lumen within a patient and an outer support sheath slidably mounted about the fiber. In one preferred embodiment, the instrument includes a rigid light-emitting tip. The support sheath is configured to protect the more delicate optical fiber and provide support for the flexible portion of the optical fiber during penetration of the light-emitting tip into a patient's tissue. During insertion of the instrument into a tortuous lumen, the optical fiber is covered by the support sheath, allowing the light-emitting tip to deflect with ease as it travels along the tortuous lumen.

Abstract: A catheter capable of both sensing myocardial electrical activity and delivering ablating energy within myocardial tissue is disclosed. The catheter comprises electrodes on the outer sheath and contains a movable fiber optic cable that can be percutaneously advanced beyond the catheter body and into the myocardium for myocardial heating and coagulation, or modification of tissues responsible for cardiac arrhythmias. The fiber optic tip is designed to diffuse ablating energy radially to ablate a larger volume of tissue than is possible with a bare fiber optic tip. In addition, the tip is treated so that energy is not propagated in a forward direction, thus helping to prevent unwanted perforation of the heart tissue. Also disclosed is a method of cardioprotection from ischemia comprising inducing local hyperthermia in heart tissue.

Abstract: A low-profile, diffusive tip apparatus adapted for insertion into a body to deliver phototherapeutic radiation by scattering light in a substantially omnidirectional pattern includes a light-transmissive housing that is adapted for mounting, at its proximal end, onto a fiber optic cable, and, at its distal end, the housing defines or is joined to a light-transmissive cap having a diameter which is not substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber. The light transmissive cap region encloses a chamber or reservoir filled with an optically scattering medium and, preferably, hemispherical in shape with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of the housing.

Abstract: A magnetically operated blood pump includes a rotor with an impeller that rotates within a housing, and the housing fastens to a driver that preferably electromagnetically controls the speed and disposition of the impeller in response to sensed conditions. The impeller and housing constitute a disposable assembly in which permanent magnets embedded in the impeller stabilize its position to maintain pumping tolerances in at least one dimension, and also couple to external fields to rotate the impeller. In one embodiment concentric arrangements of cylinder magnets passively maintain radial centering, while coils in the driver are actuated to simultaneously produce a rotational torque and to correct axial or tilt displacements. In a preferred embodiment of this type, sensors around the periphery detect axial displacement and/or tilt as the impeller turns, while the drive circuit responds to the sensor signal to produce compensating phase changes in the coil drive signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing vapor-phase epitaxial growth on a substrate using a Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) process. The process is performed in a reactive chamber pressurized to greater than one atmosphere. The reactant gases to be deposited on the substrate are also pressurized to the equivalent pressure, and then introduced into the reactor chamber. By performing the MOCVD process at a pressure greater than one atmosphere, a reduced amount of reactant gas is required to complete the deposition process.

Abstract: A synovial prosthetic member includes a body having an articulating surface and an anchor surface, the articulating surface being configured for articulation with another articulating surface of a synovial joint, the anchor surface being configured for cementing to bone, the body being composed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the anchor surface having been subjected to treatment by either ion implantation, ion beam assisted deposition, or sputter deposition.

Abstract: A completely implantable apparatus is provided for treatment of tissue surrounding a cavity left by surgical removal of a brain tumor. The apparatus includes an inflatable balloon constructed for placement in the cavity. A subcutaneously implantable treatment fluid receptacle is provided for receiving a transdermal injection of a treatment fluid. A catheter connects the receptacle to the inflatable balloon. Various embodiments provide for simultaneous application of heat therapy and/or radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy to the remaining tissue surrounding the cavity from which the tumor was removed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming polarizing images on an oriented substrate with specially formulated inks are disclosed. The inks can contain a dichroic dye, water, and a humectant. The dichroic inks are particularly advantageous when printed on specially coated molecularly oriented sheets through the technology of ink jet printing. The ink molecules align themselves parallel to the oriented molecules of the oriented sheet thereby forming a light-polarizing image.

Abstract: Phototherapeutic instruments are disclosed for providing substantially uniform energy distribution to a major portion of an area exposed during phototherapy. These instruments include an element for directing radiation toward the walls of a lumen and a device for centering the radiation directing element within the lumen. The instruments also allow the flow of blood, therapeutic fluid, or air past the exposure site. The instruments are particularly useful as part of a fiber optic-based medical laser system for photodynamic therapy within the bronchia of the lung, blood vessels or other liquid-filled lumens.

Abstract: A stent for maintaining the patency of a body passage including an elongate flexible body, at least one lumen extending the length of the body, a filament disposed along the elongate flexible body for inhibiting the fracture of the body within the body passage, and a valve for preventing the passage of fluid along the lumen in one direction. The filament is helically wound about the length of the elongate body. Hydrophilic and microbial coatings are applied to the surfaces of the stent and the stent is preferably constructed of a bioresorbable material.