Abstract: An intubation assisting device includes an elongate stylet having a lens at a distal end thereof, a flexible bellows region proximal to the lens, and a semi-malleable region proximal to the flexible bellows. The stylet is mountable upon a body portion that has a handle mountable thereto. The body and styler have internally disposed therein an optical fiber assembly that enables a physician to view a patient's internal anatomy during an intubation procedure with the aid of an eyepiece disposed at a proximal end of the body portion. A pair of control cables extend within the bellows region of the stylet to the exterior of the device to facilitate articulation of the distal end of the stylet.

Abstract: A method for suppressing an immune response in a mammal by treating the mammal with an effective amount of spiperone derivative that is without significant neuroleptic effect due to decreased binding to serotonin and/or dopamine receptors as compared with unmodified or uncomplexed spiperone, or due to topical application which maximizes local immunosuppression while limiting systemic absorption and neuroleptic effects. The spiperone derivatives are capable of inhibiting classic contact hypersensitivity reactions.

Abstract: A system for remontaging EEG signals includes acquiring a first set of bipolar signals in a first montage defined by the locations of electrodes on a patient, synthesizing a second set of bipolar signals corresponding to a second montage defined by the electrode locations, and displaying, printing, or recording the second set of signals. Preferably, the first set of bipolar signals is converted to a set of monopolar signals, from which bipolar signals corresponding to any desired montage defined by the electrode location may be synthesized. This system permits remontaging of signals without the drawbacks of existing remontaging systems, which use monopolar signal acquisition.

Abstract: A purified protein, factor J, which has inhibitory properties which prevent the formation or the dissociation of Cl complex and a method of purification for said protein. The method including the following sequential chromatography steps: anion exchange QAE-"SEPHADEX", heparin-"SEPHAROSE" affinity, "MONO Q" and hydroxylapatite.

Abstract: A purified protein, factor J, which has inhibitory properties which prevent the formation or the dissociation of Cl complex and a method of purification for said protein. The method including the following sequential chromatography steps: anion exchange, QAE-"SEPHADEX", heparin-"SEPHAROSE" affinity, "MONO Q" and hydroxylapatite.

Abstract: A technique and an apparatus are disclosed for the detection of cancer using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Specifically, NMR parameters for protons of lipid methyl and/or methylene groups are determined and compared against a corresponding value for healthy patients. In the preferred embodiments, an improved NMR spectrometer is employed to provide a spectrum for non-water components of blood, blood serum or blood plasma and the width of the methyl and/or methylene groups is automatically measured at half-height as a determination of spin-spin relaxation time (T.sub.2) which is the parameter used for purposes of comparison with healthy controls. Suppression of the water proton signal is employed where necessary in order to obtain a suitable spectrum for the non-water component protons. In the event that a positive reading is obtained, the level of plasma triglycerides is determined and if it is high, the patient's bodily fluid sample is further subjected to C-13 nuclear magnetic spectroscopy.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a cutaneous, ocular, or mucosal pathological condition which is associated with immune response in a human or other mammal, that includes topical application of an effective amount of spiperone or a spiperone derivative or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, in a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier for topical application.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA molecule consisting of segments of DNA from different genomes which have been joined end-to-end outside of living cells, and the progeny of such a recombinant DNA molecule, which recombinant DNA molecule (1) has the capacity to infect a host cell and to be maintained therein, and (2) comprises a DNA coding sequence selected from the group consisting of:(a) the CLCP-encoding sequence shown in FIG. 1,(b) a DNA sequence which hybridizes to the CLCP-encoding sequence shown in FIG. 1, and which encodes a polypeptide which (i) cross-reacts with an antibody to CLCP or to denatured CLCP, (ii) exhibits lysophospholipase activity, and (iii) forms dipyramidal crystals under conditions permitting CLC formation; and(c) a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide encoded by any of the foregoing DNA sequences.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of an obstructive portion of a urinary passageway of a mammal, comprising the steps of providing a stent thermally self-movable between a first condition in which the stent is rigid and generally tubular, and a second condition in which the stent is flexible and compressible, moving the stent in the second condition through a catheter to the obstructive portion of the urinary passageway while maintaining the stent in its second condition by flowing a cool solution through the stent, moving the stent out of the catheter and into the obstructive portion of the urinary passageway, and discontinuing the flow of cool solution, whereby the stent is caused by body temperature, or by the flow of a warm solution, to assume its first condition to hold open the obstructive portion of the urinary passageway.

Abstract: An ambulatory electroencephalography (EEG) system includes a self-powered recording apparatus adapted to be worn by a patient. The recording apparatus includes an A/D converter and a digital memory capable of storing digital data representing analog waveform signals derived from a large number of electrodes secured to the patient. Recording of digital waveform data is governed by a controller, which upon the occurrence of a neurologically significant event (such as actuation of a switch by the patient or detection of EEG waveforms indicating a seizure state) causes the storage of waveform data over an interval immediately preceding the event and immediately following the event.

Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant purified human protein in substantial quantities which has both adipsin and complement D activity. The invention also provides materials and methods to produce the protein. In addition, antibodies immunoreactive with this protein are useful to diagnose metabolic defects attributable to adipsin deficiency or complement D deficiency. The protein can be used to treat obesity caused by adipsin deficiency or to treat subjects for infection.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and an apparatus for peroxidizing lipoproteins and introducing them into a person infected with a virus such as HIV to help that person fight the disease. Peroxidized low density lipoproteins are shown to preferentially kill HIV-infected cells as well as the HIV virus.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for the detection of cancer using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Specifically, NMR parameters for protons of lipid methyl and/or methylene groups are determined and compared against a corresponding value for healthy patients. In the preferred embodiments, an NMR spectrometer is employed in conjunction with a Fourier transformer to provide a spectrum for non-water components of blood, blood serum or blood plasma and the width of the methyl and/or methylene groups is measured at half-height as a determination of spin-spin relaxation time (T.sub.2) which is the parameter used for purposes of comparison with healthy controls. Suppression of the water proton signal is employed where necessary in order to obtain a suitable spectrum for the non-water component protons.

Abstract: A technique and an apparatus are disclosed for the detection of cancer using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Specifically, NMR parameters for protons of lipid methyl and/or methylene groups are determined and compared against a corresponding value for healthy patients. Suppression of the water proton signal is employed where necessary in order to obtain a suitable spectrum for the non-water component protons. In the event that a positive reading is obtained, the level of plasma triglycerides is determined and if it is high, the patient's bodily fluid sample is further subjected to second proton nuclear magnetic spectroscopy. The area or the intensity of the portion correlating to 2.0 and 2.8 ppm of the resonance line generated in the second NMR is measured which discriminates between true and false positive results from the proton NMR reading and determines the presence or absence of cancer in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treating disease states in a living patient using oxidized lipoproteins, preferably low density peroxidized lipoproteins. Methods and apparatus are provided for preparing the oxidized lipoproteins. It has been discovered that diseased cells, characterized by an increased number of lipoprotein receptors or an enhanced ability to take up lipoproteins are more susceptible than healthy cells to the the cytotoxic effect of oxidized lipoproteins. Oxidized lipoproteins are used to treat disease states such as cancer, malaria and viral infections such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Proton and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy is used to measure the degree and effect of treatment with oxidized lipoproteins.

Abstract: A method for preparing a ds DNA from a ss DNA template, which method includes:(a) providing a first DNA strand;(b) adding a homopolymeric oligonucleotide tail to the 3' end of the first DNA strand, to yield a tailed first DNA strand;(c) providing a ss homopolymeric oligonucleotide primer complementary to a portion of the tail;(d) contacting the primer with the tailed first DNA strand;(e) synthesizing, in the presence of the primer and the tailed first DNA strand, a second DNA strand complementary to the first DNA strand; and(f) removing the tail and the primer from the first and second DNA strands, respectively; provided that one or both of the tail and the primer contain(s) RNA.

Abstract: A method of inducing tolerance to a foreign antigen in a mammal, by administering an IL-2-receptor-positive-cell-destroying amount of a substance capable of destroying IL-2-receptor-positive cells which are newly activated in response to the antigen, to a degree which supresses the mammal's humoral immune response to a subsequent challenge with the antigen.

Abstract: A laser ablation catheter system guided by ultrasound sonography particularly useful for removing atherosclerotic plaque from coronary arteries of patients with heart disease and it method of use are detailed. Ultrasound is employed at the tip of the catheter to determine where the plaque is with reference to the arterial wall. After a sonographic image is made, an ablative laser element is aimed at the plaque to ablatively remove the plaque under computer guidance. In one embodiment, the laser is able to fire in a forward direction after first determining the laser's path to be intralumnal in order to create or recanalize a central channel. In another embodiment, the laser is able to fire circumferentially at the arterial wall guided as to depth and direction by the ultrasound computer interface. Both functions may be provided in one laser angioplasty catheter system. The system also includes manual and computer safety overrides.

Abstract: An improved bone cement is comprised of a particulate biocompatible calcium phosphate ceramic and particulate resorbable calcium salt dispersed in a cross-linked biodegradable polyester matrix. The polymer/salt-particle composite exhibits good biomechanical strength/modulus characteristics with surgically acceptable cure times. When used for sustained release of biologically active agents in a physiological environment, controlled release of biological agents that are mixed into the composite can be achieved as the cement biodegrades. When used for bone/implant fixation, or as a filler or cement for bone repair, gradual biodegradation of the cement composite permits, under suitable circumstances, evantual replacement of the cement with developing bone tissue.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of atherosclerosis in a mammal by destruction of atheromatous plaque is disclosed. The disclosed method includes injecting a hematoporphyrin into the mammal for selective uptake into the atheromatous plaque, and delivering light to the diseased vessel so that the light activates the hematoporphin for lysis of the plaque. The preferred method utilizes a balloon catheter equipped with flexible optical fibers for transmission of light from an external source for illumination of the interior of the inflated balloon. By inflation of the balloon, the opaque blood between the balloon and the atheromatous plaque is displaced to facilitate activation of the hematoporphyrin. The balloon may be illuminated and inflated and deflated in a cycle responsive to the patient's pulse so as to minimize interference with blood flow.