Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for detecting and quantifying protease that is sensitive, rapid, and capable of screening numerous samples of small volume. Also provided by the present invention is a method for diagnosing disorders associated with connective tissue destruction in a subject by detecting and quantifying a particular protease in a biological sample. Further provided by the present invention is a method of detecting inhibitors of the activity of a protease by detecting primary amines that are exposed by the enzymatic degradation of a protease substrate.

Abstract: A pad which permits a quantitative estimate of urinary incontinence includes three zones: a core zone having a defined urine absorption capacity and undergoing a first color change as it becomes wetted with urine; an inner zone having a urine absorption capacity greater than the capacity of the core zone and undergoing a second color change when it becomes wetted with urine; and an outer zone having a urine absorption capacity greater than the capacity of the inner zone and undergoing a third color change when it becomes wetted with urine. Each of the first, second and third color changes is visually distinct. The inner zone is concentrically disposed about the core zone, and the outer zone is concentrically disposed about the inner zone; alternatively, the inner zone is disposed at one end of the core zone, and the outer zone is disposed at the other end of the core zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for detecting and quantifying protease that is sensitive, rapid, and capable of screening numerous samples of small volume. Also provided by the present invention is a method for diagnosing disorders associated with connective tissue destruction in a subject by detecting and quantifying a particular protease in a biological sample. Further provided by the present invention is a method of detecting inhibitors of the activity of a protease by detecting primary amines that are exposed by the enzymatic degradation of a protease substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for detecting and quantifying protease that is sensitive, rapid, and capable of screening numerous samples of small volume. Also provided by the present invention is a method for diagnosing disorders associated with connective tissue destruction in a subject by detecting and quantifying a particular protease in a biological sample. Further provided by the present invention is a method of detecting inhibitors of the activity of a protease by detecting primary amines that are exposed by the enzymatic degradation of a protease substrate.

Abstract: An intravaginal pessary for treating prolapses includes a flexible core having a longitudinal axis and being disposed in a three dimensional configuration. The longitudinal dimension of the core along its longitudinal axis is modifiable within limits by manual pressure, both before and after insertion of the pessary into a vagina, the core being non-resiliently expandable and contractible within limits to modify the longitudinal dimension. A first longitudinal portion of the core is meshingly engageable with a second longitudinal portion of the core intersecting the first longitudinal portion of the core to lock within limits the longitudinal dimensions of the core intermediate the first and second longitudinal portions. The first and second longitudinal portions are manually separable, both before and after insertion of the pessary into the vagina, to unlock the longitudinal dimension of the core intermediate the first and second longitudinal portions.

Abstract: A finger protector, for use by surgical personnel under a surgical glove during a surgical procedure to prevent a finger puncture or cut, includes a puncture- and cut-resistant flexible, thin tube. The tube is open at one end and closed at an opposite end, the tube tapering outwardly from the closed end to the open end. The tube is adapted to extend over the entire circumference of a finger from a fingertip to at least the third metacarpal-phalangeal joint, and combines levels of proprioception and flexibility suitable for surgical purposes. Preferably the tube is formed of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), about 0.080 cm thick, and extends substantially over at least the palmar surface and sides of the remainder of the finger, at least up to the second metacarpal-phalangeal joint.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of enhancing wound healing utilizing scatter factor, either alone or in combination with a growth factor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of diagnosing and screening for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Urine from an individual suspected of having transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is analyzed for the presence of an increased level of scatter factor, an increased level of scatter factor indicating that said individual has bladder cancer. This invention further relates to a method of monitoring bladder cancer activity by measuring the level of scatter factor in urine, and to a method of determining the prognosis of an individual having bladder cancer by measuring the level of scatter factor in tumor extract from the individual.

Abstract: An ultrasound method and apparatus for classification of tissue in a region of interest in a body. The raw ultrasound return data is digitized and processed without the need for human visual analysis of pixel-scale video images. Tissue classification is done by correlation of the relative amount of energy in selected frequency bands of the power spectrum of the returned demodulated ultrasound data to that of known tissue samples.

Abstract: An apparatus for fusing cells which includes a multichamber syringe having a first chamber containing a suspension of cells, a second chamber containing a suspension of cells, and a third chamber containing at least 40% by volume polyethylene glycol (PEG). The exit passageways of the chambers being braided such that the downstream ends thereof are beveled and face one another at the same level. The relative cross sections of the chambers being of a diameter such that a desired ratio of the suspensions and solution form in midair a mixture of 15% to 25% PEG by volume. The apparatus also includes a non-linear tube in fluid communication with the syringe for receiving the mixture therefrom and a device for causing a reciprocating passage of the mixture through the non-linear tube.

Abstract: Certain patients undergoing clozapine drug therapy may be vulnerable to agranulocytosis. It has been found that agranulocytosis vulnerability is correlated with the presence of HLA antigens B38, DR4 and DQw3. Accordingly, a method is provided for detecting such patients, and an HLA kit is provided.

Abstract: A vesicovaginal apparatus for ambulatory monitoring of the detrusor pressure exerted by a bladder includes a first transducer configured and dimensioned for insertion into and retention by the bladder of a wearer during ambulatory motion for sensing the total pressure within the bladder, and a second transducer configured and dimensioned for insertion into and retention by the vagina of a wearer during ambulatory motion for sensing the pressure within the vagina. A portable recorder in operative communication with the first and second transducers records the total pressure sensed in the bladder and the pressure sensed in the vagina, with the difference indicating the detrusor pressure exerted by the bladder of the wearer.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a woman with gross cystic disease will develop breast cancer is provided. The method comprises analyzing human breast cyst fluid for the presence of a unique factor which has a retention time on an Amino Carbohydrate HPLC column of between about 6.4 minutes and about 6.7 minutes. The presence of this factor is diagnostically predictive for breast cancer.

Abstract: A biologically active agent extracted from female breast cyst fluids displays anti-hypertensive activity in mammals. The agent is also useful in the treatment of congestive heart disease, atrial fibrillation and idiopathic edema in mammals.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for depositing a plurality of discrete liquid assay test samples onto an absorbent assay support. Pursuant to the invention, a guide and positioning device is provided to receive and position a device for dispensing a plurality of discrete test samples such that the dispensing device is operable to dispense the plurality of test samples in accordance with a predetermined pattern. A planar absorbent assay support device is positioned at a position which is vertically spaced and aligned below the guide and positioning device to receive the discrete test samples dispensed by the dispensing device. In this manner, a plurality of discrete test sample spots may be rapidly absorbed onto the absorbent assay support device in accordance with the predetermined pattern for efficient, simultaneous processing in a chosen immunoassay system.

Abstract: Prader-Willi Syndrome is alleviated by administering of a 3-oxo or hydroxy substituted 5-beta-androstan-17-one to an individual having the syndrome.

Abstract: A topical hematoporphyrin composition, the method for its production, and a method for its use in the treatment of human papillomavirus disease are described. The hematoporphyrin composition is capable of being absorbed by diseased tissue, thus enabling destruction of the tissue upon exposure to 625 to 635nm light.