Abstract: A treatment device for use in a vessel includes a catheter and a microvalve. A flexible low friction reconfigurable cover is attached at or adjacent a distal end of the microvalve. The cover is deployed between the occluder and the vessel wall to intervene between the occluder and the vessel wall during movement of the occluder relative to the vessel wall to reduce occurrence of vascular spasm.

Abstract: A vascular treatment device for use in a vessel includes a catheter and a microvalve occluder. The occluder includes braided elastic strands, each with a proximal portion, a central portion, and a distal portion, that are fixed to the outer surface of the catheter. The elastic strands. In an embodiment, the distal portions are attached circumferentially about an outer surface of the catheter at a location toward the distal end of the catheter, the central portions extend proximal and radially outward from the distal end, and the proximal portions of the strands are inverted back radially within the central portions are and coupled circumferentially about the outer surface of the catheter at a location proximally displaced from the distal portions. The proximal portion of the microvalve is coated in a fluid-impermeable membrane, and the distal portions of the strands are substantially uncoated.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent delivery system includes a catheter, a vascular occluder, a pressure sensor system, and a pump system. The vascular occluder is provided at the distal end of the catheter. The pressure sensor system is provided to sense pressure at the distal end of a catheter lumen, and provides feedback to the pump system. The pump system is adapted to control the rate of infusion of the therapeutic agent through the lumen of the catheter based on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor system. A method includes deploying the occluder in a vessel, and then sensing a pressure in the vessel. The therapeutic agent is infused into the vessel at a flow rate based on the sensed pressure.

Abstract: Provided are methods for labeling target molecules, such as nucleic acids, with fluorescent dye compounds having the formula One method embodiment includes contacting reactive group Z of the fluorescent dye compound with the target molecule such that reactive group Z reacts with the target molecule to form a covalent bond between the group and the target molecule. Another method embodiment includes contacting a fluorescent dye compound that further includes a first member of a binding pair, with a target molecule that includes a second member of the binding pair. Also provided are target molecules labeled with the fluorescent dye compounds.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes combination therapies comprising an antagonist of Programmed Death 1 receptor (PD-1) and a Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist that is a CpG-C type oligonucleotide, and the use of the combination therapies for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A device and method for forming NO-containing gas flow to treat a biological object is disclosed. The device may include an anode, a cathode, an interelectrode area between the cathode and the anode, an NO-containing gas flow outlet channel leading from the interelectrode area to a nozzle for directing and releasing the NO-containing gas flow from the device and a mechanism to adjust a relative position between the anode and the cathode to produce varying concentrations of NO. In addition, the device may include one or more features for interconnecting the various components to ensure proper and consistent assembly of the device.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel sugar derivatives which are intermediates for preparing senolytic agents that selectively kill senescent cells associated with numerous pathologies and diseases, including age-related pathologies and diseases.

Abstract: A method and system for buoyant separation of a target constituent of a sample, the method comprising: at a process chamber, combining a volume of substrates having a first density with the sample, thereby producing a population of target-bound complexes comprising the target constituent bound to at least a portion of the volume of substrates; within the process chamber, physically separating the population of target-bound complexes from the sample based upon interaction between the volume of substrates and an applied force; aggregating the population of target-bound complexes at a collection region of the process chamber; extracting the population of target-bound complexes from the process chamber; and processing the target constituent from the population of target-bound complexes for further analysis.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions which are useful for separating, isolating, detecting, and quantifying compounds of interest which have been modified chemically, enzymatically or catalytically from other compounds which have not been so modified. The modifications may take the form of functional groups which are gained, lost or retained by the compounds of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides that are synthetic modifications of Polar Assonant (PA) peptide including C-terminal PEGylation. The invention further provides methods of using least one synthetic peptide for regulating the complement system and interacting with neutrophils to alter their binding and activity.

Abstract: Methods provided by the present disclosure utilize extracorporeal shockwaves, mechanical impacts and/or principles of lithotripsy to break up a tissue sample into smaller fragments—clusters of cells and/or single cells—after which a desired cellular fraction can be isolated from the sample. Devices provided by the present disclosure deploy focused and/or directed shockwaves, and/or focused and directed mechanical impacts, to break apart a tissue sample. The devices maintain the sample in a sterile, closed environment during exposure to the shockwaves or mechanical impacts. Therefore, the shockwaves and/or mechanical impacts are generated outside of a closed device and are transmitted through one or more walls of the device into its interior, where the sample is located.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection device which includes a handle and a guard which together enclose a movable cartridge which can contain liquid material to be injected, and further enclose a movable injector that includes a needle, the needle being attached to a housing where the housing is attached to the cartridge, the device also including a delivery mechanism whereby the needle is moved from a retracted to an extended position, and independently the volume of the chamber may be adjusted to expel the contents thereof through the needle and into a subject in need thereof. The injection device may be communicatively connected to a control unit so as to provide a dermal injection system.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic peptides. The invention is directed to modifications of a synthetic peptide of 15 amino acids from the Polar Assortant (PA) peptide, which is a scrambled peptide derived from human Astrovirus protein. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to pharmaceutical formulations of the peptides including lipid-based formulations and formulations suitable for intravenous administration.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent delivery system includes a catheter, a vascular occluder, a pressure sensor system, and a pump system. The vascular occluder is provided at a distal end of the catheter. The pressure sensor system is provided to sense pressure at a distal end of a catheter lumen, and provides feedback to the pump system. The pump system is adapted to control a rate of infusion of a therapeutic agent through the catheter lumen based on the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor system. A method includes deploying the vascular occluder in a vessel, and then sensing a pressure in the vessel. The therapeutic agent is infused into the vessel at a flow rate based on the sensed pressure in the vessel.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic measurement probe includes an open-ended hollow radio-frequency (RF) waveguide; at least two RF feeds positioned within the open-ended hollow RF waveguide, wherein each RF feed is configured to provide RF energy; and a thermoacoustic transducer, wherein the open-ended hollow RF waveguide, in the form of a sleeve, surrounds and is mechanically joined to the thermoacoustic transducer.

Abstract: In an organ of interest in a patient is emplaced a set of sensors designed to monitor parameters of the organ of interest, including at least nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide level and at least one parameter from among the group consisting of tissue blood flow, blood hemoglobin, and tissue reflectance. Substantially continuously, a vitality index of the organ of interest is computed based at least in part on the parameters monitored by the sensors at the organ of interest. Another point of the patient is monitored continuously for a systemic reference, NADH level and at least two parameters from among the group consisting of blood flow (BFS), blood hemoglobin, and tissue reflectance. Substantially continuously, a systemic vitality index is computed from the measured systemic parameters. The vitality index of the organ of interest and systemic vitality index are monitored for a divergence in the temporal trend.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for methods of treating cancer and methods of delivering toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to solid tumors in the pancreas using a locoregional therapy through the vasculature. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of treating pancreatic cancer comprising administering TLR agonists to the pancreas.

Abstract: A system for buoyant separation includes a separation container. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include an automated instrument, one or more processing components, and/or any other components. A method for buoyant separation can include any or all of: manipulating the separation container; adding materials to the separation container; removing materials form the separation container; otherwise processing the separation container; and/or any other processes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for methods of treating cancer and methods of delivering toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to solid tumors in the liver using a locoregional therapy through the vasculature. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of treating metastases of uveal melanoma of the liver comprising administering TLR9 agonists to the liver.

Abstract: A mechanical prosthetic heart valve having a ring, multiple hinges, and multiple leaflets. The hinges are attached to the ring and are evenly spaced from one another along the inner circumference of the ring. Each leaflet is rotably attached to a hinge by an opening located in the center of the lower portion of the leaflets. The ring can include multiple protrusions located along the inner circumference of the ring. The protrusions of the ring limit the opening angle of the leaflets. By limiting the opening angle of the leaflets, wear and tear of the hinges and leaflets, as well as the probability of malfunction of the mechanical prosthetic heart valve are reduced. In addition, limiting the opening angle of the leaflets may increase the opening and closing speed of the leaflets, thus improving performance of the mechanical prosthetic heart valve when the patient is experiencing an elevated cardiac frequency.