Abstract: Methods for creating an interactive gaming environment are provided. In various embodiments, methods of the present invention may include initializing an interactive game application at a game server which is then characterized as having an active status, notifying a lobby server concerning the active status of the game server, registering the application with a universe management server via the lobby server, and allowing users to join the interactive gaming environment. The users joining the interactive gaming environment may be identified by a server key obtained from the game server.

Abstract: Methods for creating an interactive gaming environment are provided. In various embodiments, methods of the present invention may include initializing an interactive game application at a game server which is then characterized as having an active status, notifying a lobby server concerning the active status of the game server, registering the application with a universe management server via the lobby server, and allowing users to join the interactive gaming environment. The users joining the interactive gaming environment may be identified by a server key obtained from the game server.

Abstract: Method and devices to administer a bioactive material within a vessel while maintaining nearly-constant pressure within the vessel are disclosed. In one embodiment the methods and devices include a multi-lumen catheter to administer bioactive materials and simultaneously drain or evacuate excess fluid or bio-inactive materials at an aneurysm site within a vessel.

Abstract: A multi-user online application network computing configuration maintains application level information at a portal or lobby server, rather than at each individual application server or host machine. Users can therefore learn about and select a desired application, such as an online game, through communication with the lobby server. After appropriate authorization processing, users can contact the associated application server, such as a game host, to begin their participation. The lobby server can therefore reduce the bandwidth requirements and other operating demands on the application server. In addition, cross-application communications in real-time are facilitated through the lobby server concept. The multi-user application environment also provides a common data model for maintaining user information, such as for establishing a ladder ranking system in the online gaming context in which user achievements are recorded and shared among users and among the different game applications.

Abstract: Systems for communication across multiple game applications are provided. In various embodiments, systems of the present invention may include a first application server hosting a first game application, a second application server hosting a second game application that is different from the first game application, a first client device for interaction with the first game application, a second client device for interaction with the second game application, and a universe management server for maintaining information about the first client device and the second client device. The information maintained in the universe management server may include game application interaction information, which allows the universe management server to facilitate real-time communication between a user of the first client device and a user of the second client device. The universe management system may further receive communications from both client devices via the first and second application server.

Abstract: Systems for communication across multiple game applications are provided. In various embodiments, systems of the present invention may include a first application server hosting a first game application, a second application server hosting a second game application that is different from the first game application, a first client device for interaction with the first game application, a second client device for interaction with the second game application, and a universe management server for maintaining information about the first client device and the second client device. The information maintained in the universe management server may include game application interaction information, which allows the universe management server to facilitate real-time communication between a user of the first client device and a user of the second client device. The universe management system may further receive communications from both client devices via the first and second application server.

Abstract: Methods for creating an interactive gaming environment are provided. In various embodiments, methods of the present invention may include initializing an interactive game application at a game server which is then characterized as having an active status, notifying a lobby server concerning the active status of the game server, registering the application with a universe management server via the lobby server, and allowing users to join the interactive gaming environment. The users joining the interactive gaming environment may be identified by a server key obtained from the game server.

Abstract: Systems for balancing distribution of participants in a gaming environment are provided. In various embodiments, systems of the present invention may include multiple application servers each hosting a common game application, a lobby server for assigning new client devices to one of the application servers, and a universe manager for receiving reports from each of the application servers concerning the status of the game application. The universe manager may further instruct the lobby server to reallocate assignment of subsequent new client devices in order to balance the number of client devices assigned to each application servers.

Abstract: Methods for ameliorating stent graft migration and endoleak using treatment site-specific platelet gel compositions in combination with stent grafts are disclosed. Also disclosed are platelet gel compositions directly to treatment sites before, during or after stent graft implantation. Additional embodiments include medical devices having platelet gel coatings and/or platelet gel delivery devices useful for treating aneurysms.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and apparatus for minimizing the risks inherent in endovascular grafting for blood vessel therapy and repair. The invention involves delivering adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, progenitor cells, fibroblasts, or smooth muscle cells to the diseased blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and apparatus for minimizing the risks inherent in endovascular grafting for blood vessel therapy and repair. The invention involves delivering adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, progenitor cells, fibroblasts, or smooth muscle cells to the diseased blood vessel.

Abstract: A method of increasing retention, survival and proliferation of transplanted cells in diseased or damaged tissue types or organ by providing transplanted cells with autologously-derived platelet cells and forming a autologously-derived platelet gel prior or during administration to the tissue type or organ through a delivery device and immobilizing the transplanted cells in the tissue type or organ system.

Abstract: Cell delivery compositions including shear thinning polymers and their use in cell delivery are described. The cell delivery compositions include shear thinning polymers that confer higher viscosity when at rest and decreased viscosity when subject to shear stress when dissolved or suspended in a carrier liquid. These shear thinning properties can facilitate cell delivery. Shear thinning polymer solutions may be used to deliver cells to particular tissue sites in a subject.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ameliorating stent graft migration and endoleak using treatment site-specific cell growth promoting compositions in combination with stent grafts are disclosed. Also disclosed is coating of autologous growth factor compositions onto stent grafts prior to stent graft implantation. Additional embodiments include stent grafts having autologous growth factor composition coatings useful for treating aneurysms.

Abstract: Method and devices to administer a bioactive material within a vessel while maintaining nearly-constant pressure within the vessel are disclosed. In one embodiment the methods and devices include a multi-lumen catheter to administer bioactive materials and simultaneously drain or evacuate excess fluid or bio-inactive materials at an aneurysm site within a vessel.

Abstract: Methods for ameliorating stent graft migration and endoleak using treatment site-specific cell growth promoting compositions in combination with stent grafts are disclosed. Also disclosed are application of cell growth promoting compositions such as, but not limited to, autologous platelet gel compositions directly to treatment sites before, during or after stent graft implantation. Additional embodiments include medical devices having autologous platelet gel coatings and/or autologous platelet gel delivery devices useful for treating aneurysms.

Abstract: A method involves selecting a type of cell for implantation into a mammal and identifying the specific gravity or density of the cell type. Then, a carrier liquid is selected which has a specific gravity or density within a range of specific gravities or densities which approximately matches the specific gravity or density of the selected cell type. A liquid for delivery of growth cells into tissue of a mammal is also provided in which the density of a carrier fluid component is matched to the density of the cells being consistently delivered by the carrier fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel stimulatory device for the controlled production of angiogenic growth factors. More specifically, the present invention provides a subthreshold pulse generator for the local production of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and apparatus for aiding aneurysm repair using local delivery of therapeutic agents. In one embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided an intravascular treatment device comprising a stent graft including one or more therapeutic agents in a time-release coating.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and apparatus for minimizing the risks inherent in endovascular grafting for blood vessel therapy and repair. The invention involves delivering adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, progenitor cells, fibroblasts, or smooth muscle cells to the diseased blood vessel.