Patents Assigned to The Massachusetts General Hospital
  • In-vivo monitoring of circulating apoptotic cells
    Patent number: 7745155
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for performing in vivo flow cytometry. In one embodiments, selected circulating cells of interest of a subject are labeled with fluorescent probe molecules. The labeled cells are irradiated in-vivo so as to excite the fluorescent probes, and the radiation emitted by the excited probes is detected, preferably confocally. The detected radiation is then analyzed to derive desired information, such as relative cell count, of the cells of interest. In some embodiments, the circulating cells comprise apoptotic cells whose detection can allow, e.g., non-invasive monitoring of the efficacy of a cancer treatment, such as an anti-tumor or an anti-angiogenic therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: Charles P. Lin, Xunbin Wei, Dorothy Sipkins
  • Methods and Devices for Epithelial Protection During Photodynamic Therapy
    Publication number: 20100098677
    Abstract: Methods for preventing damage to the epidermis during PDT induced using a pre-photosensitizing agent are provided. The methods of the present invention utilize spatial confinement to control formation of a photoactive species from a topically-applied pre-photosensitizing agent. In one embodiment, thermal inhibition is used to prevent the metabolism of a pre-photosensitizing agent in epithelial tissue surrounding a treatment site. In another embodiment, a chemical inhibitor can be applied to the epithelial tissue to inhibit the conversion of a pre-photosensitizing agent into a phototoxic species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: Richard Rox Anderson, Bernhard Ortel, Eliot F. Battle, Edwin K. Joe
  • HIGHLY CRYSTALLINE POLYETHYLENE
    Publication number: 20100082101
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making highly crystalline polymeric material, for example, highly crystalline cross-linked and not cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making additive-doped highly crystalline polymeric material using high pressure and high temperature crystallization processes, medical implants made thereof, and materials used therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation dba Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: Orhun K. Muratoglu, Ebru Oral
  • PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20100041975
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for monitoring patient physiological data without the need for adhesives or wires to be connected to a patient. The system is also fully functional without the need for manipulation or intervention by a care provider or medical personnel. In particular, the system can include a pad having a plurality of electrical contacts or electrodes formed thereon in a predetermined pattern. The electrodes can be configured to sense electrical signals produced by a patient's body. A controller in communication with the electrodes can be configured to select and process signals from the electrodes and send the information derived from the electrical signals to an output device for displaying resulting physiological data so that the patient can be monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL D/B/A Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: Fred Chen, Henry Wu, Pei-Lan Hsu, Brad Stronger, Hongshen Ma, Robert L. Sheridan
  • HIGH MODULUS CROSSLINKED POLYETHYLENE WITH REDUCED RESIDUAL FREE RADICAL CONCENTRATION PREPARED BELOW THE MELT
    Publication number: 20090326659
    Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicants: Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun K. MURATOGLU, Stephen H. SPIEGELBERG, Gareth H. MCKINLEY
  • Catalytic radiofluorination
    Patent number: 7632485
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing radiofluorinated substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and alkenyl compounds. In a preferred embodiment, potassium fluoride-18 is used. Another aspect of the invention relates to piperazine compounds containing fluorine-18 that are useful as imaging agents. In certain embodiments, the piperazine compounds contain a quaternary amine. Another aspect of the invention relates to arylphosphonium compounds containing fluorine-18 that are useful as imaging agents. In certain embodiments, the phosphonium compound is a tetraaryl phosphonium salt. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of obtaining a positron emission image of a mammal, comprising the steps of administering to a mammal a compound of the invention, and acquiring a positron emission spectrum of the mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: David R. Elmaleh, Alan J. Fischman, Timothy M. Shoup
  • Methods to stimulate insulin production by pancreatic ?-cells
    Patent number: 7632812
    Abstract: The invention features a method of treating deficiency of insulin in a patient, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof hedgehog protein or nucleic acid in an amount effective to raise the level of insulin in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: Joel F Habener, Melissa K. Thomas
  • Topical Aminolevulinic Acid-Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris
    Publication number: 20090299268
    Abstract: Light treatments of sebaceous gland disorders with 5-aminolevulinic acid and photodynamic therapy are disclosed. A preferred treatment includes topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid to the skin followed by light exposures with repeated treatment at various intervals. At low doses of ALA and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in single or multiple treatments, improvement in the sebaceous gland disorder, e.g., acne, provides the discovery that diminishment in sebum secretion and the eradication of bacteria occurs. At high doses of ALA and a single high energy PDT treatment, permanent changes to the sebaceous gland and sebum secretion have been discovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventor: Richard Rox Anderson
  • METHODS AND DEVICES FOR THE SUSTAINED RELEASE OF MULTIPLE DRUGS
    Publication number: 20090274654
    Abstract: The invention relates to an drug delivery device and a method for delivering multiple drugs over a prolonged period of time. The drug delivery device has two or more unitary segments comprising a drug-permeable polymeric substance, wherein at least one of the segments further comprises a pharmaceutically active agent. The invention also relates to a method for the treatment of a benign ovarian secretory disorder in a female mammal, a method of contraception, and a method of relieving the symptoms associated with menopausal, perimenopausal and post-menopausal periods in a woman.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicants: The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eyal S. Ron, Robert S. Langer, William F. Crowley, JR.
  • METHODS FOR MAKING OXIDATION RESISTANT POLYMERIC MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20090265001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicants: Massachusetts General Hospital Corporation, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg
  • IMPLANT INSERTION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20090222019
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for measuring and/or controlling an amount of force applied to an implant or other element. In certain exemplary embodiments, an implant inserter tool is provided that includes a shaft having a proximal end that is adapted to receive a force and a distal end that is adapted to contact an implant. The inserter tool also include a force controlling element coupled to the shaft. In use, the distal end of the tool can be placed in contact with an implant or other element, and a force can be applied to the proximal end of the tool to drive the implant or other element into bone. The force controlling element can measure the amount of force applied to the inserter tool, thereby measuring the force applied to the implant or other element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION d/b/a MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
    Inventor: Timothy Bhattacharyya
  • ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT SUBSTITUTING KNEE REPLACEMENT PROSTHESIS
    Publication number: 20090210066
    Abstract: There is disclosed a total knee replacement prosthesis, which can substitute the function of an anterior and/or a posterior cruciate ligament. A femoral component containing two intercondylar surfaces and an intercondylar region, a tibial component having a tibial platform and a bearing component, and a protrusion from the bearing component also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation dba Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventor: Murali Jasty
  • High modulus crosslinked polyethylene with reduced residual free radical concentration prepared below the melt
    Patent number: 7569620
    Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignees: Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg, Gareth H. McKinley
  • PHOSPHORAMIDITE NUCLEOSIDE ANALOGS
    Publication number: 20090136940
    Abstract: Described are phosphoramidite nucleoside analog monomers, precursors thereof, and oligonucleotides including one or more of the monomers. The monomers can be used during automated synthesis of oligonucleotide derivatives, and allow for incorporation of one or several reporter groups, organic molecules, bio-molecules, small molecules or other chemical groups at the internucleoside phosphotriesters. Oligonucleotides including the monomers have a number of uses in therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicants: University of Massachusetts, Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: Alexei Bogdanov, Valeriy Metelev, David Tabatadze, Paul Zamecnik
  • Distraction Osteogenesis Methods and Devices
    Publication number: 20090088766
    Abstract: Methods and devices for distraction osteogenesis are disclosed employing an energy storage device and a controlled release of energy to provide a separating force. For example, bone expansion devices can include a first anchor element attachable to a first segment of bone, a second anchor element attachable to a second segment of bone, and an actuator for applying a separating force between the first and second anchor elements. The actuator can include a potential energy storage device and a controller for releasing energy from the energy storage device to provide the separating force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicants: Physical Sciences, Inc., THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION d/b/a MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
    Inventors: John C. Magill, Joseph R. Morency, Leonard B. Kaban, Maria Troulis
  • METHODS AND DEVICES FOR THE SUSTAINED RELEASE OF MULTIPLE DRUGS
    Publication number: 20090060982
    Abstract: The invention relates to an drug delivery device and a method for delivering multiple drugs over a prolonged period of time. The drug delivery device has two or more unitary segments comprising a drug-permeable polymeric substance, wherein at least one of the segments further comprises a pharmaceutically active agent. The invention also relates to a method for the treatment of a benign ovarian secretory disorder in a female mammal, a method of contraception, and a method of relieving the symptoms associated with menopausal, perimenopausal and post-menopausal periods in a woman.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicants: The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eyal S. Ron, Robert S. Langer, William F. Crowley, JR.
  • Method of reducing viral load
    Patent number: 7498130
    Abstract: Methods of activating ATIII in situ in a blood product are disclosed, as is the use of such methods and blood products in treating infectious diseases, inflammatory disorders and diseases or conditions that are mediated by thrombin activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventor: David R. Elmaleh
  • Use of Stem Cells, Method of Tissue Engineering, Use of Dental Tissues and Tooth Biological Substitute
    Publication number: 20090029322
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the use of stem cells of an animal species for obtainment of biological tooth substitute, in whole or in parts, to be implanted in organism of the same animal strain, wherein said stem cells can be adult cells. The present invention still aims to develop a method of tissue engineering for culturing cells capable to form dental tissue for production of a tooth biological substitute. The said dental tissue can used for the treatment of people suffering from loss, fail or lack of these tissues, and also for cosmetic use of those tissues for a morphological modifying on a patient dentition, for example, the patient may desire to, or need to, have a bigger or smaller dentition for any aesthetic reason.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: Silvio Eduardo Duailibi, Monica Talarico Duailibi, Pamela C. Yelick, Joseph P. Vacanti
  • Method And Apparatus For Photothermal Treatment Of Tissue At Depth
    Publication number: 20090024193
    Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth by applying optical radiation thereto of a wavelength able to reach the depth of the region and of a selected relatively low power for a duration sufficient for the radiation to effect the desired treatment while concurrently cooling tissue above the selected region to protect such tissue. Treatment may be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicants: PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC., THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION d/b/a MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
    Inventors: Gregory B. Altshuler, Andrei V. Erofeev, Henry H. Zenzie, R. Rox Anderson, Dierer Manstein, James Burke, III, Andrew Radl, Michael Z. Smirnov
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PARTICLE FOCUSING IN MICROCHANNELS
    Publication number: 20090014360
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: Mehmet Toner, Dino DiCarlo, Jon Edd, Daniel Irimia