Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane for supporting cells, especially RPE cells. The membrane is useful in the treatment of conditions such as age related macular degeneration.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method and apparatus for registering two medical images with one another. A first medical image including a representation of a biological organ of a subject or for a population is obtained and the surface of the organ is identified in the first medical image. The identified surface is then used to construct a 3D geometric surface model of the organ. The geometric model is used to derive a motion model that incorporates information on the physical material properties of the organ and external forces that cause the organ to move and deform. A second medical image including a representation of the organ of the subject (or another subject, in the case that the first medical image is an atlas image) is obtained and an alignment is determined between a first surface normal vector field for the organ surface, derived from the geometric model, and a second surface normal vector field for the organ surface, derived by filtering the second medical image.

Abstract: The present invention presents a mixture comprising charge-stabilized metallic nanoparticles and a photosensitizer, a method for making such mixture, and a method of using such mixture for killing or preventing the growth of microbes.

Abstract: This invention relates to biomimetic implants containing mammalian cells which are induced by their environment to produce gradients of diffusible factors. This may be useful in eliciting a physiological pro-angiogenic response which stimulates angiogenesis and revascularisation in tissue adjacent the implant, for example in therapeutic applications in which increased angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis is required. This may also be useful in providing biomimetic mammalian cell niches for cell culture and differentiation.

Abstract: A method for manipulating domain pinning and reversal in a ferromagnetic material comprises applying an external magnetic field to a uniaxial ferromagnetic material comprising a plurality of magnetic domains, where each domain has an easy axis oriented along a predetermined direction. The external magnetic field is applied transverse to the predetermined direction and at a predetermined temperature. The strength of the magnetic field is varied at the predetermined temperature, thereby isothermally regulating pinning of the domains. A magnetic storage device for controlling domain dynamics includes a magnetic hard disk comprising a uniaxial ferromagnetic material, a magnetic recording head including a first magnet, and a second magnet. The ferromagnetic material includes a plurality of magnetic domains each having an easy axis oriented along a predetermined direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for deploying an implant. Preferably the device (10) deploys a flexible implant in an eye. In one embodiment, the device comprises a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end is constructed and arranged to cause said implant to be flexed into a curved configuration when in a carried position and the device is configured to urge said flexed implant from said carried position to a deployed position. Embodiments with removable tips (13) and wheel actuators (14) are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for use in the treatment of an individual suffering from liver disease, including: (a) means for selectively removing albumin from the blood of the individual; and (b) means for selectively removing endotoxin from the blood of the individual.

Abstract: A method for assessing liver function in an individual, which method comprises determining the level of methylarginine(s) (such as ADMA and/or SDMA) and the ratio of ischemia modified albumin (IMA): albumin ratio (IMAR) in the individual, thereby to assess liver function in the individual.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of biomaterials with variable stiffness by subjecting a gel which varies in at least one dimension to plastic compaction. These biomaterials may be useful, for example, for the directional control or guidance of cells within tissue equivalent implants.

Abstract: A method for assessing prognosis in an individual suffering from liver failure, which method comprises detecting endotoxin in the individual, for example by determining the neutrophil function in the individual. The method can be used to determine whether there is an increased risk of infection in the individual, an increased risk of organ failure in the individual, an increased risk of mortality in the individual and/or an increased risk that the individual will not respond positively to treatment with an immunosuppressive agent, a steroid or an antibiotic.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for manipulating electromagnetic radiation such as laser beams. A method and apparatus for correcting magnification chromatic aberration utilises one or more dispersive lenses such that long wavelength components are magnified less than short wavelength components. A telecentric relay is preferred to achieve this aim. Further, the use of polarisers to block the undesired zeroth order components of diffraction emanating from acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) is disclosed. Furthermore, specific designs of AOD including narrow transducer AODs which produce a diverging acoustic wave and AODs having two transducers and a selection switch are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of ornithine in the manufacture of a medicament for use in combination with at least one of phenylacetate and phenylbutyrate for preventing or treating liver decompensation or hepatic encephalopathy. The invention also relates to use of at least one of phenylacetate and phenylbutyrate in the manufacture of a medicament for use in combination with ornithine for preventing or treating liver decompensation or hepatic encephalopathy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of registering image data for a series of images acquired over a period of time. The images may be acquired from a medical imaging device, such as an MRI scanner. The method allows image-by-image registration to a partially compressed dataset in which motion artifacts are suppressed in a series of target images generated to resemble the original dynamic data. The registration process is refined with each iteration of the process. The method uses Principal Component Analysis which allows accurate registration to be performed without the need to make any assumptions about pharmacokinetic model parameters, which not only avoids the problems of accurate model-fitting but permits the use of much larger target areas of the dataset.

Abstract: The present invention provides a T-cell receptor (TCR) which binds to a peptide from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) phosphoprotein pp65 having the amino acid sequence NLVPMVATV (SEQ ID No. 1) when presented by a major histocompatability complex (MHC) molecule. The present invention also provides a nucleotide sequence encoding such a TCR, a vector comprising such a nucleotide sequence and its use to produce a CMV-specific T-cell. The present invention also provides the use of CMV-specific T-cell for cellular immunotherapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery of known molecule “DPPA-2” and a so-called “cancer-testis antigen.” DPPA-2 is also a possible cancer stem cell marker. One can determine presence of cancer by assaying for the molecule, and also prevent or treat cancer via administration of the molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the detection of particulates in a sample, wherein the particulates are introduced into a plasma and the potential difference between a common electrode and each of a plurality of indicator electrodes is measured. The invention further provides an electrode array and an apparatus which can be used for the potentiometric detection of particulates in a sample.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for manipulating electromagnetic radiation such as laser beams. A method and apparatus for correcting magnification chromatic aberration utilizes one or more dispersive lenses such that long wavelength components are magnified less than short wavelength components. A telecentric relay is preferred to achieve this aim. Further, the use of polarizers to block the undesired zeroth order components of diffraction emanating from acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) is disclosed. Furthermore, specific designs of AOD including narrow transducer AODs which produce a diverging acoustic wave and AODs having two transducers and a selection switch are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical clip (5) is provided for clipping a tubular structure (9) in vivo to ligate the tubular structure. The clip comprises first and second clip portions (6, 7). A hinge portion (8) is provided connecting the clip portions together and to enable the clip portions to be hinged together from an open clip condition to a closed clip condition thereby to ligate a tubular structure placed between the clip portions. A lock is provided for locking the clip portions together in the closed clip condition. In the closed clip condition the clip has a substantially smooth external profile, for example including blunt ends (21), so as to reduce the possibility of the clip (in use) eroding surrounding tissue structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of ornithine in the manufacture of a medicament for use in combination with at least one of phenylacetate and phenylbutyrate for preventing or treating liver decompensation or hepatic encephalopathy. The invention also relates to use of at least one of phenylacetate and phenylbutyrate in the manufacture of a medicament for use in combination with ornithine for preventing or treating liver decompensation or hepatic encephalopathy.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of molecular physiology. Specifically, this invention relates to the prevention and/or treatment of vasculoproliferative conditions, especially those of the eye and in the treatment of tumours that exhibit vascular proliferation. Levels of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (Lrg1) have been demonstrated to be increased in patients suffering from such conditions and animal models of such conditions. Antagonists of Lrg1 can be used to prevent and/or treat vasculoproliferative conditions.