Abstract: There is provided a table for positioning a patient for a medical procedure on a breast, the table comprising: a solid frame surrounding a perimeter of the table; and a membrane-like contour surface for a surrounding breast area, wherein the surface comprises an aperture for the breast to be pendantly suspended therethrough, and the surface is adjusted to a shape of the patient's body. Preferably, the membrane-like contour surface covers the entire surface area of the table. Alternatively, it can be limited to a section that will cover an area from approximately the bottom of the rib cage to the collar bone when the patient is lying face down on the table.

Abstract: A system and method of incubating a liquid is provided. The system is well-suited for incubating small volumes of liquid at high temperatures. The liquid may be a reaction mixture comprising a glycoprotein. During the incubation process, oligosaccharides may be removed from the glycoprotein.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media relating the display of scattering and/or absorption characteristics of an optical medium. For scattering measurements, a Hartmann-Shack calibration image of a measurement system is acquired to define a first plurality of point spread functions. A Hartmann-Shack test image of the medium is acquired to define a second plurality of point spread functions. A shift is determined between the test image and the calibration image. A point spread of each of the second plurality of point spread functions is measured, each of the second plurality of point spread functions including a component due to optical aberration of the medium and a component due to scatter. The component due to optical aberration is determined using the shift. The component due to optical aberration is deconvolved to determine the component due to scatter. A display of the local scattering characteristics is generated using the component due to scatter.

Abstract: A table is provided for positioning a patient for a medical procedure on a breast, the table comprising: a supporting platform having a back end for supporting the patient's legs and a front end for supporting the patient's torso while the patient is in a prone position, and a cavity at the front end for allowing the breast and a surrounding axilla region to be pendantly suspended therethrough; and an armrest for positioning and supporting a forearm such that a shoulder adjacent to the axilla region is at a desired height, wherein the armrest is lower than the platform.

Abstract: There is provided a table for positioning a patient for a medical procedure on a breast, the table comprising: a supporting platform having a back end for supporting the patient's legs and a front end for supporting the patient's torso while the patient is in a prone position, and a cavity at the front end for allowing the breast and a surrounding axilla region to be pendantly suspended therethrough; wherein the table has a lateral depression for allowing an arm and a shoulder adjacent to the breast to extend over the table and be lowered such that skin from the axilla region is relaxed and extends through the cavity, and the table is configured to provide the depression on each side of the cavity in a position where a right shoulder would be when a right breast.

Abstract: Polar, monolithic CEC columns having an amine and/or cyano functional stationary phase are used to separate complex mixtures of saccharides. Using the positive-ion mode of detection for neutral saccharides, detection conditions were optimized to low-femtomole sensitivities with the use of an ion trap mass spectrometer. The described column technology provides a universal system for separating a wide range of carbohydrates: mono- and oligosaccharides with the intact reducing end, as well as saccharide alditols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for wavelength selection in a multi-wavelength TPSF or CW-based optical imaging system. This consists of identifying several chromophores in a highly turbid medium and selecting optimized wavelengths whereby using these wavelengths optimizes the deduction of the chromophore concentrations. Such chromophore concentrations may be combined to deduce other properties of the turbid medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds, compositions, and methods that are particularly useful in photodynamic therapy. In particular, the inventive compounds, compositions, and methods relate to the formation of cytotoxic radical species in the presence of light. Significantly, the compounds, compositions, and methods of the present invention do not require the presence of oxygen in the photodynamic therapy and, as such, rely on a unimolecular mechanism for producing the radicals. The inventive compounds, compositions, and methods can be used, for example, in the treatment of cancers as well as infections caused by microorganisms such as protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: A device and methods for filtering blood clot particles from blood from patient undergoing treatment for a thrombotic condition with a catheter are described. The device comprises a housing having a first end defining a fluid port, an opposite end defining a suction port, and a valve member disposed between the fluid port and the reservoir. The valve member has a semipermeable membrane portion permeable to blood but impermeable to blood clot particles and a one way valve portion having an open position permitting passage of fluid and particles from the fluid port to the reservoir and a closed position blocking passage of particles between the reservoir and the fluid port.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the identification, biochemical characterization and therapeutic use of agents which impact PTEN, p53, PI-kinase and AKT mediated cellular signaling.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for detecting dental caries (including residual caries) during treatment thereof. A dental handpiece in accordance with the present invention includes both an integral drill head (or other apparatus for excavating caries) and an integral light source operable to cause tooth luminescence. The light source is configured whereby tooth luminescence is caused when the dental handpiece is placed in operable position to treat the tooth with the drill head. During treatment, an observer can differentiate carious tooth substance from non-carious tooth substance due to the luminescent characteristics of each. Specifically, it has been found that when illuminated with a blue-violet light, the carious region of a tooth will appear as a red-orange central region surrounded by an intensely luminescent region of green color. The aforementioned intensely luminescent region is positioned intermediate the red-orange central region and a dark outer ring.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for optical imaging of a light scattering object. The method comprises the detection of one or more time-gates of a temporal point spread function (TPSF) to be used to construct an image of optical properties of the object. The method also comprises the simultaneous detection of two or more selected time-gates using a time-gated camera. The method enables more efficient spatial-temporal acquisition of optical signals for imaging purposes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for providing prolonged-release of therapeutic agents by way of in situ stereotaxic implantation in specific loci, including pathways, to treat know disorders. One or more microstructures comprising therapeutic agents and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are implanted, for example, through a cannula. The microstructures are of a sufficient size and shape to prevent dispersion from the implant site.

Abstract: There is provided a method and a system for determining the concentration of chromophores and reconstructing images in turbid media, such as animal tissues, using a continuous wave optical approach. In particular the approach is based on measurements of attenuation signals and the calculation of concentrations of chromophores using a predetermined scatter law. The system comprises a continuous wave photon migration model calculator coupled to an optical source and detector for estimating concentrations of chromophores and scatter parameters used in image reconstruction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media relating the display of scattering and/or absorption characteristics of an optical medium. For scattering measurements, a Hartmann-Shack calibration image of a measurement system is acquired to define a first plurality of point spread functions. A Hartmann-Shack test image of the medium is acquired to define a second plurality of point spread functions. A shift is determined between the test image and the calibration image. A point spread of each of the second plurality of point spread functions is measured, each of the second plurality of point spread functions including a component due to optical aberration of the medium and a component due to scatter. The component due to optical aberration is determined using the shift. The component due to optical aberration is deconvolved to determine the component due to scatter. A display of the local scattering characteristics is generated using the component due to scatter.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the methods of using the H4-1BB protein, ligands to this protein, and various mAbs either directed against H4-1BB or other molecules that can be used therapeutically. The nature and importance of the H4-1BB molecule provides the ligands and related co-stimulatory molecules the ability to enhance or suppress T-cell activation and proliferation. By treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with one of the four anti-H4-1BB monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein activation or inhibition of the immune response is seen. Also disclosed herein is cDNA for the human receptor H4-1BB. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from murine cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: A thrombectomy treatment system and method are provided. The system includes a catheter for insertion into the vascular system of a patient so that a tip of the catheter is positioned in the vicinity of a blood clot to be removed from the patient. A suction source is provided to withdraw the blood clot from the patient through the catheter. A filtration device functions to remove the blood clot from the accompanying blood. The filtered blood is collected in a blood collection device. A blood reinfuser communicates with the blood collection device to reinfuse the filtered blood back into the patient.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for providing prolonged-release of therapeutic agents by way of in situ stereotaxic implantation in specific loci, including pathways, to treat known disorders. One or more microstructures comprising therapeutic agents and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are implanted, for example, through a cannula. The microstructures are of a sufficient size and shape to prevent dispersion from the implant site.