Abstract: An infusion container includes a main body portion with side walls, and top and bottom portions. The bottom portion has an included angle, the included angle being between 30-120 degrees. The included angle serves to channel cells to be infused into a patient out of the container, to reduce waste and damage to the cells. A method of infusion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A health-related emergency mobile alert system to facilitate communication, care and intervention during critical events. The system communicates with medical monitors, which measure and collect a subject's physiological data and vital signs information. A service provider maintains a database with the subject's medical records and an emergency contact list. When a critical event is detected, a two-way mobile communication device that is configured to communicate with the medical monitor transmits the physiological data and location coordinates of the subject to the service provider, and a conference call with members of the emergency contact list is initiated to help facilitate aid to the subject. The two-way mobile communication device may include a speaker and GPS technology. It may also include self-activating features wherein pre-recorded messages conveying potential dangers are transmitted to the subject when the subject's physiological data and vital signs reflect precarious levels.

Abstract: An organ transportation device includes a fluid-tight organ container and structure within the organ container for engaging an organ within the organ container. A base assembly is provided, and structure for rotating the organ engaging structure and the organ relative to the base assembly. The base assembly can have a motor and a battery to provide for rotation of the organ container during shipping.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting rejection of insulin-producing tissue in a graft recipient, as well as methods and compositions for prolonging graft survival or function; for reversing graft rejection or restoring function of an impaired graft; and, for inducing immunological tolerance to grafted, insulin-producing tissue. The present methods and compositions are suitable for treatment or prophylaxis of defects in metabolic control of blood glucose homeostasis, including defects manifested as diabetes mellitus (DM).

Abstract: A orbital shaker for cell extraction includes a digestion chamber and structure for translating the digestion chamber. Structure is also provided for rotating the digestion chamber. A method of performing cell extraction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container for shipping items in an aircraft includes a shipping compartment and an expandable chamber for receiving gas from the shipping compartment. At least one conduit connects the expandable chamber to the shipping department so as to permit the flow of gas therebetween. A method for shipping items in an aircraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container for shipping items in an aircraft includes a shipping compartment and an expandable chamber for receiving gas from the shipping compartment. At least one conduit connects the expandable chamber to the shipping department so as to permit the flow of gas therebetween. A method for shipping items in an aircraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: An organ preservation container includes a gas impermeable housing for containing an organ. At least two liquids having different densities and forming a liquid-liquid interface are also contained in the housing. A closure for hermetically sealing the housing is provided. A structure is provided within the housing for engaging the organ and for maintaining a portion of the organ at the liquid-liquid interface such that the organ will be maintained partially in both of the liquids. A method for preserving the organ is also described.

Abstract: A device for receiving implanted biological material includes a porous outer wall defining an inner space, a fluid manifold assembly for selectively infusing at least one of immunosuppressive and growth factor media to said space, and a pump structure operatively coupled to the manifold assembly. The device may comprise an additional plunger body for being disposed in said space and so as to define a peripheral gap between the plunger and the perforated wall of the device.

Abstract: A container for shipping items in an aircraft includes a shipping compartment and an expandable chamber for receiving gas from the shipping compartment. At least one conduit connects the expandable chamber to the shipping department so as to permit the flow of gas therebetween. A method for shipping items in an aircraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for storing organs, cells, and tissues, includes the steps of providing a gas impermeable container; providing a preservation solution containing dissolved oxygen; placing the preservation solution into the container with the organ, cell or tissue; and hermetically closing said container. A system for storing organs, cells, and tissue includes a gas impermeable organ container for the organs, cells and tissue. A hermetically sealable solution container is provided for storing a preservation solution. The preservation solution contains dissolved oxygen. A dispensing structure is provided for placing the solution into the organ container. The preservation solution can include an oxygen-carrier solution and UW solution. The oxygen-carrier solution can be perfluorocarbon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting cells from organs in which a digestion chamber includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and a separator for retaining the organ and permitting the cells and the physiologically compatible medium to exit the outlet. The digestion chamber can also includes at least one agitation member having an interior with at least one void. An agitation member for extracting cells from organs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for storing organs, cells, and tissues, includes the steps of providing a gas impermeable container; providing a preservation solution containing dissolved oxygen; placing the preservation solution into the container with the organ, cell or tissue; and hermetically closing said container. A system for storing organs, cells, and tissue includes a gas impermeable organ container for the organs, cells and tissue. A hermetically sealable solution container is provided for storing a preservation solution. The preservation solution contains dissolved oxygen. A dispensing structure is provided for placing the solution into the organ container. The preservation solution can include an oxygen-carrier solution and UW solution. The oxygen-carrier solution can be perfluorocarbon.

Abstract: A system for extracting cells from organs includes a digestion chamber for containing a physiologically compatible medium with at least one protease. The chamber has at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and retains the organ and permits cells to exit the outlet. A conduit is provided for supplying the physiologically compatible medium to the digestion chamber. A heating apparatus has a heating surface and structure for removably securing an adjustable length of the conduit against the heating surface of the heating apparatus. The conduit is removably secured against the heating surface to heat the physiologically compatible medium. A method for extracting cells from organs and a heating apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A orbital shaker for cell extraction includes a digestion chamber and structure for translating the digestion chamber. Structure is also provided for rotating the digestion chamber. A method of performing cell extraction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for achieving hemolymphopoietic chimerism is disclosed. The method involves the steps of administering to a recipient a bone seeking radiopharmaceutical; transplanting bone marrow-derived cells into the recipient; and transiently suppressing lymphocyte response so as to induce hemolymphopoietic chimerism. The method is useful for decreasing rejection of transplanted organs, tissues or cells and for treating autoimmune diseases. The present invention has the advantage of inducing hemolymphopoietic chimerism without the need for external radiation or harsh cytotoxic drugs. The present invention has the additional advantage of significantly prolonging tolerance to an organ, cell, or tissue transplant.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are: a composition including at least one glycosaminoglycan, e.g., CIS, at least one perfluorinated substance and at least one alginate, e.g., sodium alginate, wherein: the at least one glycosaminoglycan and/or the perfluorinated substance and/or the alginate are cross-linked or polymerized, e.g., the alginate is cross-linked or polymerized, for instance by addition of an inorganic salt, such as a calcium salt; or the at least one glycosaminoglycan, the perfluorinated substance and the alginate are covalently bound, e.g., by means of a coupling reaction involving a linker molecule such as DVS; or the at least one glycosaminoglycan and/or the perfluorinated substance and/or the alginate are cross-linked or polymerized, e.g., the alginate is cross-linked or polymerized, for instance by addition of an inorganic salt, such as a calcium salt, and the at least one glycosaminoglycan and the alginate are covalently bound, e.g.

Abstract: An improved culture medium suitable for culture of pancreatic islets, and methods of use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting cells from organs in which a digestion chamber includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and a separator for retaining the organ and permitting the cells and the physiologically compatible medium to exit the outlet. The digestion chamber can also includes at least one agitation member having an interior with at least one void. An agitation member for extracting cells from organs is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting rejection of insulin-producing tissue in a graft recipient, as well as methods and compositions for prolonging graft survival or function; for reversing graft rejection or restoring function of an impaired graft; and, for inducing immunological tolerance to grafted, insulin-producing tissue. The present methods and compositions are suitable for treatment or prophylaxis of defects in metabolic control of blood glucose homeostasis, including defects manifested as diabetes mellitus (DM).