Abstract: An apparatus and method of using the apparatus to prepare a biocompatible biodegradable matrix capable of supporting cells to form an implantable or engraftable surgical device. A matrix-forming fluid is contained within a chamber defined by top and bottom surfaces of a thermally conductive material and spacers defining the thickness of the matrix. The chamber is then cooled to freeze the solution at a controlled rate, resulting in a matrix with a desired and uniform thickness having symmetric and uniform reticulations. The apparatus and method reproducibly forms such a matrix, which may be populated with cells for transplantation and engraftment into a wound.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of using the apparatus to prepare a biocompatible biodegradable matrix capable of supporting cells to form an implantable or engraftable surgical device. A matrix-forming fluid is contained within a chamber defined by top and bottom surfaces of a thermally conductive material and spacers defining the thickness of the matrix. The chamber is then cooled to freeze the solution at a controlled rate, resulting in a matrix with a desired and uniform thickness having symmetric and uniform reticulations. The apparatus and method reproducibly forms such a matrix, which may be populated with cells for transplantation and engraftment into a wound.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating mixtures containing polymeric materials, e.g., collagen, to form a polymer that intercalates into the polymeric material. The treatment provides greater tensile strength to the mixture, among other advantages. The polymer is formed of a monomeric unit having at least one catechol group that is oxidized to a quinone upon polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ratio of two collagen-derived peptides which can be used to track the progression of joint destruction in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis or any destructive arthritis. In addition, the ratio can be used to screen for agents to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, it can also be used to monitor efficacy of current therapeutic regimens and determine the type of therapy that should be used to treat the arthritis (aggressive versus non-aggressive).

Abstract: The present invention provides products and methods for regulating the degradation of collagen, including type II collagen. Also encompassed are variants, inhibitors, and mimetics of type II collagen peptide fragments and inhibitors of the proteases producing these peptide fragments that are capable of modifying the degradation of collagen whereby the pathological effects of increased collagen destruction are reduced. In addition, the present invention provides methods for treating disease states wherein the disease state results directly or indirectly from the degradation of one or more collagen species. Furthermore, the present invention encompasses the screening of these peptide fragments for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating mixtures containing polymeric materials, e.g., collagen, to form a polymer that intercalates into the polymeric material. The treatment provides greater tensile strength to the mixture, among other advantages. The polymer is formed of a monomeric unit having at least one catechol group that is oxidized to a quinone upon polymerization.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating mixtures containing polymeric materials, e.g., collagen, to form a polymer that intercalates into the polymeric material. The treatment provides greater tensile strength to the mixture, among other advantages. The polymer is formed of a monomeric unit having at least one catechol group that is oxidized to a quinone upon polymerization.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation system for generating a data file storing stimulation patterns that can be provided to a stimulator is described. The system includes a host computer system for producing a data structure or data file that describes the patterns and a portable stimulator that using the data structure or data file applies electrical pulses to electrodes carried by a patient. The host computer system and the stimulator system each have a memory storing a table having control and pattern generation information with indexes into a table that separately stores electrode characterization data for each electrode used by the portable stimulator.

Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and computer program for sampling data corresponding to a property of an object and generating a feedback code indicating the quality of the sampled data. The apparatus includes (a) an input probe for generating digital data points at a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object; (b) an output device arranged to provide the feedback code; and (c) a processor electrically connected to the input probe and the output device and arranged to analyze the digital data and provide a feedback code indicating the quality of the digital data points. The processor is programmed to (i) assign each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete, unique compartments; (ii) determine a quality value for each of the compartments and assign to each compartment a feedback code representing the quality value; and (iii) transmit the feedback code to the output device.

Abstract: A method of treatment using immune system suppressor cells and immune system stimulator cells comprises providing stem cells; combining the stem cells with lymphoid-derived cells to produce a co-culture; adding lipopolysaccharide and a factor selected from the group consisting of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, macrophage colony stimulating factor, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and mixtures thereof to the co-culture; obtaining immune system suppressor cells and immune system stimulator cells from the co-culture; and introducing and the cells into a host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting cartilage degradation in a biological sample by identifying the presence of unwound type II collagen in the biological sample, said method comprising:contacting the biological sample with a monoclonal antibody which does not bind to native helical collagen but which does bind to an epitope on unwound type II collagen chains or fragments thereof, wherein said epitope has the following sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4):A-P(OH)-G-E-D-G-R-P(OH)-G-P-P(OH)-G-P; anddetecting the presence of the bound monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polynucleotides encoding all or a fragment of the P450 moiety of vitamin D1 .alpha.-Hydrdoxylase and polypeptides encoded thereby. It encompasses antibodies to the polynucleotides and hybridizing polynucleotides. The polynucleotides and polypeptides are used in methods of diagnosing and treating vitamin D-related disorders and of producing vitamin D metabolites. The invention also encompasses expression vectors and animal cells comprising the polynucleotides.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation system for generating a data file storing stimulation patterns that can be provided to a stimulator is described. The system includes a host computer system for producing a data structure or data file that describes the patterns and a portable stimulator that using the data structure or data file applies electrical pulses to electrodes carried by a patient. The host computer system and the stimulator system each have a memory storing a table having control and pattern generation information with indexes into a table that separately stores electrode characterization data for each electrode used by the portable stimulator.

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation system for generating a data file storing stimulation patterns that can be provided to a stimulator is described. The system includes a host computer system for producing a data structure or data file that describes the patterns and a portable stimulator that using the data structure or data file applies electrical pulses to electrodes carried by a patient. The host computer system and the stimulator system each have a memory storing a table having control and pattern generation information with indexes into a table that separately stores electrode characterization data for each electrode used by the portable stimulator.

Abstract: The invention features a method of generating a three-dimensional topography of a property of an object, by (a) generating digital data points at a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object, each digital data point including a property value and a position value corresponding to a particular sample point; (b) assigning each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete compartments based on the position value of the data point, each compartment corresponding to a unique location on the object and containing zero, one, or more digital data points; (c) determining a quality value for each of the compartments based on the quality of the digital data points assigned to that compartment, and assigning to each compartment a code representing the quality value; (d) generating and assigning new digital data points to each compartment having a code indicating an unacceptable quality value, the new data points corresponding to sample points on the object at a location corresponding to the compartme