Abstract: An assay to detect the presence of live hepatitis viruses in vitro. Bone marrow cells of leukemic cell line cells are exposed to a body fluid or biological preparation to be tested and the cells are placed in suspension. When using bone marrow cells, growth factors to the bone marrow stem cells are added. It has been determined that presence of a live hepatitis virus suppresses the growth of colonies of the stem cells. Therefore, if the number of colonies growing in the mixture are less than that number present in a culture of cells exposed to a sample that has been determined to contain no live virus, live hepatitis virus is present in the sample tested. The assay is particularly useful to determine the presence of live hepatitis B virus in a vaccine.

Abstract: A portable superabsorbent personnel stretcher and exactable on-demand isolation tent article is provided which is easily transportable, durable, and can be prepared in both sterile and non-sterile formats. The combination superabsorbent stretcher and isolation tent provides a fluid-absorbing capacity and capability via fibers able to absorb at least 15 times their own weight in fluid. The invention also provides portable means for erecting the collapsed isolation tent on-demand and portable means for transporting the combined stretcher and isolation tent in both collapsed and erected states.

Abstract: A method of lysing unwanted, non-malignant cells in a mammal, the cells having on their surfaces a receptor for a growth factor, and the method including administering to the mammal a cell-lysing amount of a substance characterized in that it has specific affinity for the receptor of the growth factor and has the ability to effect the lysis of the cells.

Abstract: A urethral catheter having an adjustable dilating balloon length for dilating a prostatic urethra and a method for using same. The device includes a catheter to which a Foley balloon is affixed at the distal end, and to which a dilating balloon is annularly affixed, and includes means to independently expand and contract the balloons. Concentrically encompassing the catheter is a sheath or ring, which in one embodiment slides along the outside of the catheter. With the method of the present invention, the affected prostatic urethra is measured using a cystoscope and a calibrated catheter or other known measurement means. The sheath of an adjustable catheter of one embodiment of the present invention is set to the measured length by covering a portion of the dilating balloon with the sheath. The dilating catheter is inserted through the urethra until the balloon at the distal end is located within the bladder, at which point it is inflated and the dilating catheter is anchored in position.

Abstract: A method to preserve and sterilize biological tissues by exposing the tissue to microwave irradiation, thereby limiting tissue exposure to standard organic preservatives and retaining tissue pliability and other qualities that characterize natural, unpreserved tissue.

Abstract: Method to remove an eccentric vascular obstruction by excision with laser energy, preferably excimer laser energy, delivered through a mobile fiber optic shelf, and collecting the excised section within a housing.Apparatus to perform a surgically smooth excision of an eccentric vascular obstruction whereby a mobile fiber optic shelf delivers excimer laser energy to the obstruction to sever the obstruction from the vessel wall, a housing collects the excised section through a radially located cut-out window, the mobile fiber optic shelf traps the excised section within the housing, and a laser light collector prevents the escape of laser energy after application to the obstruction wherein the excised obstruction is physically removed from a patient's body.

Abstract: A masked intraocular lens for implantation into a human eye is presented. The mask, which blocks only part of the lens body, together with the pupil of the eye, defines a small aperture in the eye when the pupil is constricted, thereby increasing the depth of focus, as a pinhole camera does. When the pupil of the eye is dilated, additional light is allowed to pass through the pupil around the mask and to reach the retina to allow a person to see in dimmer light conditions. In one embodiment, the mask defines a small circular aperture and a larger exterior annulus; the small circular aperture has an additional power intermediate between that needed for distance and close vision. Also provided is a method for treating a patient with cataracts comprising replacing the patient's lens with the lens of the invention.

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 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 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 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: Apparatus for performing subselective arteriography or angioplasty on an internal mammary artery or graft which avoids dissection or stenosis of the internal mammary artery or graft. A catheter having a balloon and a proximal port delivers an angiographic dye or a device for treating vascular obstructions to the internal mammary artery or graft from a stable position within the subclavian artery.Method for injecting angiographic dye into an internal mammary artery or graft. A catheter having and a balloon and a proximal port is inserted over a guide wire into a subclavian artery and inflated at a point distal to the junction of the subclavian artery and the internal mammary artery or graft. An angiographic dye is delivered through the proximal port and flows into the internal mammary artery or graft.Method for cannulation of an internal mammary artery or graft which avoids dissection or stenosis of the internal mammary artery or graft.

Abstract: An isolation, sterilization and maximum observation (ISMO) tent for the isolation of a corpse during a medical procedure and to contain matter spilling from the corpse. The ISMO tent includes a frame and a form fitted translucent sheet supported by the frame, and will preferably have a continuous elastic band secured to the bottom edge of the sheet and an absorbent material, treated with disinfectant, in close proximity thereto to prevent spillage of infectious material.

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, eventual replacement of the cement with developing bone tissue.

Abstract: A method to determine the cholesterol level in a patient in a non-invasive manner by delivering a beam of light to a patient's eye. The intensity of light scattered from the aqueous of the eye and the mobility of the protein scatterers in the eye are measured and compared to a control.An apparatus to detect the cholesterol level in a patient in a non-invasive manner which delivers a beam of light to a patient's eye, collects the scattered light from the patient's eye and correlates the scattered light to a cholesterol level measurement.

Abstract: The region surrounding the balloon utilized in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is heated by means within the balloon or within the skin of the balloon upon inflation of the balloon such that disrupted tissues of the plaque in the arterial wall are heated in order to fuse together fragmented segments of tissue and to coagulate blood trapped within dissected planes of tissue and within fissures created by wall fracture such that upon subsequent balloon deflation a smooth cylindrically-shaped channel results, thereby to prevent collapse of any flap of material which could cause either abrupt arterial closure and an acute myocarSTATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHThe funding for work described herein was provided in part by the Federal Government, under a grant from the National Institute of Health. The Government may have certain rights in this invention.

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.

Abstract: A device is described which includes an optical fiber or fiber bundle for transmission of laser energy with a proximal end for connection to a laser source and a distal end to which a heat generating tip or cap is securely, but detachably, affixed with a hot-melt adhesive. The heat generating tip serves to generate heat by absorption of laser energy for cauterization of tissue surrounding the neck of an aneurysm or other vascular opening to be occluded. The device is used for intravascular laser coagulation of arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations and arteriovenous fistulas. The heat generating tip of the device is positioned intravascularly within the neck of the aneurysm or other vascular opening to be occluded and laser energy is transmitted through the optical fiber to heat the tip and thereby coagulate the tissue surrounding the tip.

Abstract: Method to detect and/or determine the presence of cancer cells in mammals, including humans, and to monitor the progress of treatment for cancer. A human protein marker, the assay-marker, has been ascertained of the molecular weight 70,000-74,000, which is secreted by cancer cells at levels 10-fold or greater than that observed with normal cells. An assay is described where the assay-marker or an antigenically analogous protein, the analog-marker, is used to prepare antibodies to the assay-marker. The antibodies are then reacted with blood or serum samples to determine the level of the assay-marker in the sample. Thus, the assay essentially comprises (1) providing an antibody to the protein described above (2) reacting the antibody of step 1 with the sample to be tested and (3) measuring the level of the reacted antibody to detect and/or determine the presence and/or quantity of cancer cells.

Abstract: An efficient process design for purifying large quantities of specific antibodies by affinity chromatography is disclosed. By utilizing the process strategy described, large scale production of highly purified hybridoma antibodies and other proteins becomes feasible.The initiation of the process centers on production of hybridoma proteins which bind to a commonly available inexpensive protein such as human serum albumin (HSA) with which large quantities of a protein such as mouse immunoglobulin can be isolated by affinity chromatography. The mouse immunoglobulin is covalently linked to an inert matrix, such as Sepharose beads and this affinity reagent is used to purify a large quantity of a hydridoma protein such as rat anti-mouse IgG antibody. This rat anti-mouse IgG antibody can then be linked to Sepharose beads and can be used as a general affinity reagent for the purification of any mouse immunoglobulin.

Abstract: A tube anchoring device for anchoring gastrostomy and similar surgical tubing, for use in conjunction with a flanged pectin and polymethylcellulose wafer where, in one embodiment, the tube anchoring device comprises a tube, for receiving the surgical tubing, having at one end at least three radially projecting legs, designed to extend to and snap under the flange of the wafer, thereby releasably and painlessly securing the surgical tube in a manner that also facilitates easy inspection and cleaning of the incision and minor repair of the wafer without removal of the anchoring device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for treating obstructive prostatism in which a urethral catheter having a remotely fixed annular balloon is inserted into the urethra and urged therethrough until it is adjacent to the prostate gland. The annular balloon is inflated until the prostate has been forced back from around the urethra. A distally fixed Foley-type balloon may additionally be used to position the annular balloon with respect to the prostate. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between the bladder neck and the bottom of the prostate gland is first determined in order that the attending physician may use an annular balloon of the appropriate length, so as to optimize the effectiveness of the treatment. In order to measure this distance, a calibrated catheter is inserted through the urethra up into the bladder and then anchored at one end to the bladder neck by means of a balloon located at the distal end.