Abstract: Systems and methods for performing shear wave elastography using push and/or detection ultrasound beams that are generated by subsets of the available number of transducer elements in an ultrasound transducer. These techniques provide several advantages over currently available approaches to shear wave elastography, including the ability to use a standard, low frame rate ultrasound imaging system and the ability to measure shear wave speed throughout the entire field-of-view rather than only those regions where the push beams are not generated.

Abstract: Cystic lesions can be treated by electroporation. For example, this document describes methods and devices for endoscopic ultrasound-guided ablation of cystic lesions using a needle for electroporation.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for improving the training on the use of tourniquets. For example, methods and devices for confirming the proper pressure of a tourniquet using a tourniquet training device are provided.

Abstract: This document provides surgical retractor devices and systems. For example, this document provides a weighted surgical retractor system. In one example embodiment, this document provides a weighted Deaver retractor system that includes a selectable amount of weight that can be releasably coupled to a shaft of the retractor. The surgical retractors provided herein can be used during a variety of surgical procedures, including surgical procedures performed on the abdomen, thoracic regions, limbs, and so on. In some embodiments, the surgical retractors provided herein are well-suited for retraction of the vaginal canal for hysterectomy surgery, and for other procedures for which vaginal retraction is necessary.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a soft tissue device, such as a transverse carpal ligament cutting device having one or more balloons that are deflated when the device is in an inactive position and are inflated when the device is in an active position. Other embodiments provide a soft tissue cutting method, such as a method of cutting a transverse carpal ligament that uses a soft tissue cutting device.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for spatial molecular analysis from tissue is provided. For example, a method of spatially mapping a tissue sample is provided with a microarray having a plurality of wells, wherein adjacent wells are separated by a shearing surface; overlaying said microarray with a tissue sample; applying a deformable substrate to an upper surface of said tissue sample; applying a force to the deformable substrate, thereby forcing underlying tissue sample into the plurality of wells; shearing the tissue sample along the shearing surface into a plurality of tissue sample islands, with each unique tissue sample island positioned in a unique well; and imaging or quantifying said plurality of tissue sample islands, thereby generating a spatial map of said tissue sample. The imaging and/or quantifying may use a nucleic acid amplification technique.

Abstract: This specification describes systems, methods, devices, and other techniques for activating muscle groups in a mammal using an implantable epidural electrical stimulation (EES) system, and for using spinal landmarks to determine implant locations for an EES probe. In some aspects, a first set of electrodes of an EES system is provided at a first set of locations on the dura mater of a spine of a mammal, the first set of locations on the dura mater corresponding to a first muscle group of the mammal, a second set of electrodes is provided at a second set of locations on the dura mater of the spine of the mammal, the second set of locations on the dura mater corresponding to a second muscle group of the mammal, and the first and second sets of locations on the dura mater are stimulated by electrically energizing the first and second sets of electrodes.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, formulations and kits for treating a patient with triple-negative breast cancer with nanoparticle complexes comprising a carrier protein (e.g., albumin), paclitaxel and a binding agent specific for a target antigen expressed by the cells (e.g., an anti-VEGF antibody).

Abstract: Described herein are methods, formulations and kits for treating a patient with cancer with anti-VEGF antibodies and albumin-bound chemotherapeutic/anti-VEGF antibody nanoparticle complexes.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions of antibodies and carrier proteins and methods of making and using the same, in particular, as a cancer therapeutic. Also described are lyophilized compositions of antibodies and carrier proteins and methods of making and using the same, in particular, as a cancer therapeutic.

Abstract: This document describes methods and materials for improving the delivery of electroporation. For example, this document describes methods and devices for delivering electroporation while mitigating risks of ventricular fibrillation.

Abstract: This invention relates to antibody-albumin nanoparticle complexes comprising albumin, an antibody with binding specificity for a cancer antigen (e.g. panitumumab), and paclitaxel, wherein the nanoparticle complex has been pre-formed in vitro such that the nanoparticle complex has antigen-binding specificity (e.g. EGFR binding specificity), for the purpose of providing cancer (e.g. EGFR-related cancer) treatments in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A behavioral state of a brain is classified by automatically selecting one or more sensors based on the signals received from each sensor and one or more selection criteria using one or more processors, calculating at least one measured value from the signal(s) of the selected sensor(s), classifying the behavioral state as: (a) an awake state whenever the measured value(s) for the selected sensor(s) is lower than a first threshold value, (b) a sleep state (N2) whenever the measured value(s) for the selected sensor(s) is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and the measured value(s) is not greater than a second threshold value, or (c) a slow wave sleep state (N3) whenever the measured value(s) from the selected sensor(s) is greater than the first threshold value and the measured value(s) is greater than the second threshold value, and providing a notification of the classified behavioral state.

Abstract: A nutritional health supplement is provided for the brain.

Abstract: A balloon guiding sheath may include an elongated sheath comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inner tube, an outer tube surrounding the inner tube, an access port, a distal port, and a working lumen extending through an interior portion of the elongated sheath between the access port and the distal port. The balloon guiding sheath may also include an inflatable balloon located on an outer surface of the elongated sheath adjacent the distal end. The balloon guiding sheath may include a plurality of inflation holes extending through a side wall of the elongated sheath. The elongated sheath may be sized and configured to enable direct insertion into a patient's vasculature through an arteriotomy in at least one of a femoral artery and vertebral artery to position the inflatable balloon at a target site.

Abstract: Methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of the ultrasound transducer, are described. The described methods can effectively separate shear wave signals from signals corresponding to residual motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer. The systems and methods described here also provide for real-time visualization of shear waves propagating in the subject.

Abstract: Described here are systems and method for using ultrasound to localize a medical device to which an active ultrasound element that can transmits ultrasound energy is attached. Doppler signal data of the medical device are acquired while the active element is transmitting acoustic energy, and the Doppler signal data are processed to detect symmetric Doppler shifts associated with the active element. The systems and methods described in the present disclosure enable tracking and display of one or more locations on or associated with the medical device.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, the invention provides a method for distinguishing between lymphoma types based on gene expression measurements. In embodiments, the invention distinguishes between PMBCL and DLBCL based on gene expression signatures, and can further distinguish between DLBCL subtypes. In embodiments of the invention, the distinctions are used in methods of treatment.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to methods for treating a patient having a plurality of HLA-negative cancer cells or cancer cells with reduced HLA expression with IFN-alpha in an amount sufficient to expand and/or activate immune cells such that the activated and/or expanded immune cells kill one or more of HLA-negative cancer cells or the cancer cells with reduced HLA expression.

Abstract: A needle guard for a manual tattooing device includes a device body and a spring-loaded plunger having a tattoo needle at one end. The plunger is mounted for translational movement within the device body by manual activation of the plunger. The device includes a locking mechanism such that, in a first position, the plunger can be translated to extend the tattoo needle outside of the device body. However, in a second position of the locking device, translational movement of the plunger is prevented, which in turn prevents the exposure of the tattoo needle outside the confines of the device body.