Abstract: Techniques using one or more drugs, electrical stimulation or both to treat addictions by means of an implantable signal generator and electrode and an implantable pump and catheter. A catheter is surgically implanted in selected sites in the brain to infuse the drugs, and one or more electrodes are surgically implanted in the brain at selected sites to provide electrical stimulation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for treating and diagnosing autoimmune diseases, and in particular for treating and detecting rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment is described with a new class of anti-RA drug, namely compounds that inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis.

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy is a new adjunctive therapy for filtration surgery that does not use chemotherapy agents or radiation, but uses pharmacologically-active sensitizing compounds to produce a titratable, localized, transient, post operative avascular conjunctiva. A photosensitizing agent in a biological system is selectively activated by delivering the photosensitive agent to the biological system and laser activating only a spatially selected portion of the delivered photosensitive agent. The activated portion of the photosensitive agent reacts with the biological system to obtain a predetermined biological effect. As a result, an improved spatial disposition and effectuation of the biological effect by the photosensitive agent in the biological system is achieved.

Abstract: A method for destroying residual lens epithelial cells in an eye in order to prevent the occurrence of posterior chamber opacification. A solution containing a basement membrane binding agent conjugated to a cytotoxic agent is introduced into the lens capsule. The solution is maintained in the lens capsule for a period of time sufficient to permit the basement membrane binding agent to bind to basement membranes within the lens capsule. The solution is then removed from the lens capsule, whereby a portion of the basement membrane binding agent remains bonded to basement membranes within the lens capsule, thereby exposing residual lens epithelial cells disposed on the basement membrane to the cytotoxic agent.

Abstract: The need for the delivery of insulin by injection can be reduced or eliminated by a method whereby an aerosolized insulin formulation is delivered to a patient's lungs and the rate at which the insulin is absorbed into the blood is increased by the use of an inhale-exhale breathing maneuver. Particles of insulin delivered to the surface of lung tissue will be absorbed into the circulatory system. The rate of absorption is enhanced by instructing the patient to inhale maximally and thereafter exhale maximally. This maneuver causes a spike in the rate at which insulin enters the circulatory system thereby increasing the rate at which glucose is removed from the circulatory system. The insulin may be a dry powder but is preferably in a liquid formulation delivered to the patient from a hand-held, self-contained device which automatically releases an aerosolized burst of formulation.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition, kit, and method of forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to said profile. The large liposomes are dimensioned larger than fenestrations of an endothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids in the liver so that the liposomes are too large to readily penetrate the fenestrations. The therapeutically effective amounts are in the range of about 10 mg to about 1600 mg phospholipid per kg body weight per dose.

Abstract: A process for evaluating the type A ultraviolet radiation induced damage to the skin and/or the dermis. The invention also relates to a method of evaluating substances capable of modulating the damage induced in the skin and/or dermis by type A ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) is used to treat patients who are undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Before cardiopulmonary bypass begins, a liquid that contains FDP is intravenously infused in the patient, preferably for about 10 to 30 minutes, to allow the FDP to enter the heart and lung tissue while the heart is still beating. FDP can also be added to cardioplegia solution; in addition, FDP can be injected after bypass is terminated, but if post-bypass injection is used, steps should be taken to avoid excess lactic acid accumulation, which appears to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. To prevent or control lactic acidosis, a buffering or alkalizing agent, such as sodium bicarbonate, or an agent which reduces lactic acid formation, such as dichloroacetate, can be used.

Abstract: A method for endoluminally treating a pathological defect is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of introducing first and second graftstents through respective first and second access sites on a first side of a pathological defect; advancing the graftstents until each extends across the defect and is positioned within a common body passageway on a second side of the pathological defect; and drawing the graftstents together within the common body passageway.

Abstract: A non-invasive self-referencing ion-sensitive probe is used to measure ion efflux from an embryo or an oocyte to determine viability and developmental potential.

Abstract: Method for diagnosis of inflammatory conditions in the intestinal canal of humans, characterized in that NO is measured in the lumen of the intestines. The NO level obtained is then compared with the level obtained for healthy individuals or with the level obtained for the same individual at another occasion. An increased level compared to the normal levels in the intestines of the healthy population is an indication of an inflammatory condition in the intestine.

Abstract: A method for intraoperatively administering Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) to a highly vascularized target tissue. The method of PDT begins with the introduction of an exogenous photosensitizing agent into the target tissue-associated vasculature. Upon entry of the photosensitizer into the vasculature, the target tissue is immediately exposed to phototherapeutic light having a wavelength suitable for photoactivating the photosensitizer within the target tissue-associated vasculature. Continued illumination of the target tissue affects destruction of the vasculature within the tissue without requiring the photosensitizer to accumulate within the nonvascular tissue cells prior to photoactivation. The destruction of the vasculature supplying the target tissue destroys the target tissue. The method eliminates the prior art procedural step of waiting for the photosensitive compound to accumulate within the target tissue cells prior to administering photoactivating light to the target tissue.

Abstract: A method of controlling the Sleep pattern of a baby by monitoring its state of sleep to ensure that it enters rapid eye movement sleep to ensure proper development of its central nervous system. If the baby does not enter the rapid eye movement sleep phase, then the baby may be frozen and is reawakened and comforted with smiles and laughter before being returned to sleep.

Abstract: A method for surgical dissection, sizing and for expansion of a tissue pocket in a naturally occurring fascial cleft for use in plastic surgery applications and other applications where it is desirable to dissect an anatomically defined and bounded tissue pocket, determine the appropriate size of a prosthesis to be implanted into the tissue pocket and, if necessary, further expand the tissue overlying the tissue pocket. An inflatable device which performs the three distinct functions of dissection, sizing and tissue expansion is used. In a preferred method, a dissecting balloon device is tunneled bluntly to a desired location within a fascial cleft in the female breast. The device is then inflated to dissect tissue layers adjacent the fascial cleft until ligaments defining boundaries of the fascial cleft are reached, to create a tissue pocket extending to the ligamentous boundaries.

Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes only minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: Paraxial rays and marginal rays entering the eye do not share a common point of focus in emmetropes, adults usually having a slightly positive spherical aberration. There is provided a method of treatment and prevention of myopia by inducing positive spherical aberration in the myopic eye. The cornea 30 of a myopic eye 31 is fitted with a lens 32 having its outer surface 34 formed having increasing dioptric power away from the axis 35 of the lens and cornea 30. Paraxial light rays 36 entering the central portion 37 of the lens 32 are focused on the retina 40 of the eye 31, producing a clear image of an object. Marginal light rays 41 entering the peripheral portion 42 of the cornea 30 are focused in a plane between the cornea 30 and the retina 40, and produce positive spherical aberration of the image on the latter. This positive spherical aberration produces a physiological effect on the eye which tends to inhibit growth of the eye, thus mitigating the tendency for the myopic eye to grow longer.

Abstract: Using an external ultrasonic generator, ultrasonic waves are transmitted through the skin to the cells and tumescent solution. The ultrasonic waves disrupt the connective tissue between the cells.

Abstract: A method for preventing closure of a body piercing opening during medical procedures that necessitate removal of a metallic body jewelry. The method includes the stage of sterilizing a piece of non-metallic body jewelry; disengaging the piece of metallic body jewelry from an existing body piercing opening; and inserting the piece of non-metallic body jewelry into the existing body piercing opening to prevent its closure. Upon termination of the medical procedure, the piece of non-metallic body jewelry is removed from the opening and disposed of, and the piece of metallic body jewelry is reinserted into the existing body piercing opening. The disposable non-metallic body piercing jewelry is fabricated from a thermally and medically insert plastic, and emulates the structure and shape of permanent metallic body jewelry that is usually worn in piercing openings.

Abstract: In order to bypass a restriction in a parent vessel, a first site in a branch vessel branching from the aorta is accessed intraluminally. An occlusion is formed at the first site, and the aperture is formed in the branching vessel, intraluminally, proximal of the first site. An aperture is formed in the parent vessel distal of the restriction, and a lumen is formed which communicates between the branching vessel proximal of the occlusion, and the parent vessel distal of the restriction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dissecting a first layer of tissue from a second layer of tissue and thereafter holding open an anatomic space for the performance of a surgical procedure. The method includes steps of making an incision in a body, introducing a deflated balloon dissector into the incision, inflating the balloon dissector to effect dissection of the first layer of tissue from the second layer of tissue, deploying a retractor within the anatomic space in order to hold open the anatomic space, and optionally deflating or evacuating the balloon dissector to open a cavity for surgical manipulations. The apparatus includes a combined dissector-retractor having a balloon retractor disposed upon the surface of the balloon dissector and integrated therewith.