Abstract: A fuzzy inference system for use in modulating radiation treatment includes a fuzzifer for inputting imaging data, and inference device operatively to the fuzzifer for analyzing the imaging data and determining radiation treatment target from non-treatment target, and a defuzzifier for modulating radiation treatment pursuant to the analysis from the inference device.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus for attaching a medical device to a patient includes an attachment feature attached to the medical device and configured to cooperate with one or more surgical staples to facilitate stapling of the medical device to the patient. The attachment feature includes a staple receiving portion including two ends, each of which has a staple retaining end disposed adjacent thereto. The staple receiving portion is configured to receive surgical staples, and the staple retaining ends are configured to inhibit the staple receiving portion from dislodging from the surgical staples.

Abstract: A method of treating heart failure and improving cardiac function by administering stem cell products to a heart in need of treatment, whereby the stem cell products improve cardiac muscle function thereby treating heart failure and improving cardiac function. A method of enriching or regenerating damaged myocardium by administering stem cell products to damaged myocardium. Stem cell products for use in treating heart failure are also provided. A composition for enriching and regenerating damaged myocardium, the composition having stem cell products in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: There is provided a method of promoting neurogenesis by administering a therapeutic amount of a nitric oxide donor compound to a patient in need of neurogenesis promotion. Also provided is a compound for providing neurogenesis having an effective amount of a nitric oxide donor sufficient to promote neurogenesis. A nitric oxide compound for promoting neurogenesis is also provided. Further, a method of augmenting the production of brain cells and facilitating cellular structural and receptor changes by administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide donor compound to a site in need of augmentation is provided. There is provided a method of increasing both neurological and cognitive function by administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide donor compound to a patient.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus for attaching a medical device to a patient includes an attachment feature attached to the medical device and configured to cooperate with one or more surgical staples to facilitate stapling of the medical device to the patient. The attachment feature includes a staple receiving portion including two ends, each of which has a staple retaining end disposed adjacent thereto. The staple receiving portion is configured to receive surgical staples, and the staple retaining ends are configured to inhibit the staple receiving portion from dislodging from the surgical staples.

Abstract: The present invention includes a comprehensive replacement fluid system and method for the delivery of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) to extracorporeal blood circuits, wherein the system may include an online clearance monitor (OCM) and a circuit effluent online sensor system (OSS) for the continuous determination of patient plasma content of ultrafilterable soultes.

Abstract: A therapeutic for use in inducing angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, the therapeutic including angiogenesis and vasculogenesis inducing factors isolated from stem cells in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable cell therapy. A method of amplifying the production of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis inducing factors secreted by exposing stem cells to and co-culturing the stem cells with a compound for increasing the production of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis inducing factors. Angiogenesis and vasculogenesis inducing factors isolated and purified from stem cells for use in a therapy. A process for obtaining the angiogenesis and vasculogenesis inducing factors as set forth above, the process including the steps of isolating and purifying human mesenchymal stem cells from tissue prior to differentiation and then culture expanding the mesenchymal stem cells to produce a tool for neurological and musculoskeletal therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing the presence and progress of pathologies characterized by an accumulation of the extracellular matrix components by measuring the level of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in a sample. The method of the present invention is directed to diagnosing kidney fibrosis and associated renal disorders, in particular, complications associated with diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention includes a comprehensive replacement fluid system and method for the delivery of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) to extracorporeal blood circuits, wherein the system may include an online clearance monitor (OCM) and a circuit effluent online sensor system (OSS) for the continuous determination of patient plasma content of ultrafilterable solutes.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a delivery vehicle including sickle red blood cells carrying a moiety. The moiety can be any type of diagnostic or therapeutic agent. The present invention further provides for a method of diagnosing systemic hypoxia, acidosis, or hypertonicity by administering sickle red blood cells to a patient and detecting the location of the sickle red blood cells. Additionally, the present invention provides for a method of therapeutic treatment of systemic hypoxia, acidosis, or hypertonicity by administering sickle red blood cells to a patient. Further, the present invention provides for a delivery vehicle that specifically localizes or concentrates at systemic hypoxia, acidosis, or hypertonicity areas. The delivery vehicle is used in diagnosing and therapeutically treating these areas of hypoxia, acidosis, or hypertonicity also. The present invention further provides for a method of making the delivery vehicle described herein.

Abstract: There is provided a method of promoting neurogenesis by administering a therapeutic amount of a nitric oxide donor compound to a patient in need of neurogenesis promotion. Also provided is a compound for providing neurogenesis having an effective amount of a nitric oxide donor sufficient to promote neurogenesis. A nitric oxide compound for promoting neurogenesis is also provided. Further, a method of augmenting the production of brain cells and facilitating cellular structural and receptor changes by administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide donor compound to a site in need of augmentation is provided. There is provided method of increasing both neurological and cognitive function by administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide donor compound to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating tissue damage caused by ischemia in a patient which comprises administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound which is an inhibitor of cathepsin B or cathepsin L, but which is not as an effective inhibitor of calpain relative to cathepsin B or cathepsin L or both and which compound is a peptidyl diazomethyl ketone.

Abstract: The present invention is an isolated and purified DNA sequence which encodes a vertebrate mRNA for a neuron specific protein, neuronatin. The mRNA is selectively expressed in brain tissue during rapid brain growth when there is a surge in neuronal proliferation and migration and is repressed in adult tissue. In the human, the genomic DNA is as set forth in SEQ ID No:6 and the cDNA has a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No:5, with the gene mapped to human chromosome 20q11.2-12. The deduced protein is a proteolipid that appears to have a role in ion channel regulation during brain development.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for measurement of oxygen saturation of venous blood for use with a central venous catheter (60) are described. The apparatus (10) includes a fiber optic bundle (12) having a distal end (14) and a proximal end (16). The fiber optic bundle (12) further includes afferent and efferent light-conducting fibers (18) for sending signals and receiving signals for generating oxygen saturation measurements. A sheath (28) is disposed about the fiber optic bundle (12) for encapsulating and protecting the fiber optic bundle (12) and exposing the distal end (14) of the fiber optic bundle (12). The apparatus (10) includes a locking device (30) for locking the fiber optic bundle (12) relative to a catheter (11) into which the fiber optic bundle (12) is inserted to fix the relative relationship between the fiber optic bundle (12) and the catheter (11) when disposed in situ during an oxygen saturation measurement procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to peptides which decrease the half-life of active plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. This invention further relates to methods and compositions for using peptides which decrease the half-life of active plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Further, the invention includes methods and compositions useful in clot lysis.

Abstract: A vascular structure, including an artery, vein or vessel, with a peripheral wall defining a cavity and having a localized abnormal wall is treated by inserting a device of a hydrogel material into the cavity; and then hydrating and expanding the hydrogel material until the device occludes the localized abnormal wall, sealing it from the cavity of the vascular structure.

Abstract: A plasminogen, which has a label incorporated into an active site thereof such that said plasminogen is enzymatically and catalytically inactive upon its conversion to plasmin, and an enzymatically and catalytically inactive plasmin with a label incorporated into an active site thereof.A method of making a labelled plasminogen which is enzymatically and catalytically inactive upon conversion to plasmin is provided along with an assay method which utilizes a labelled plasminogen.

Abstract: A unique catheter for percutaneous access of the peritoneal cavity, such as in peritoneal dialysis, comprising a flexible tubular member having a distal portion being caudally disposed with the periotoneal cavity and a proximal portion passing through subcutaneous and cutaneous tissues and extending externally downward along the abdominal wall. Distal and proximal portions are each angularly joined to a linear connecting portion which is substantially disposed only through the rectus muscle. The connecting portion having a length generally co-extensive with the thickness of the rectus muscle. Porous cuff means for tissue ingrowth being carried on at least the connecting portion and preferably extending the length of the connecting portion. The distal and proximal portions of the catheter being non-planar with each other.