Abstract: The present invention provides a dry powder that is suitable for use in forming a hydrogel and characterized by a stable composition at ambient conditions. The dry powder includes a prepolymer including a straight chain polyethylene glycol, and a thermally activated free radical initiator selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate. The present invention also provides a method of forming the dry powder, and a method of preparing a hydrogel where a reaction mixture is formed including the dry powder and a buffered aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for forming a material in an in situ medical device by initiating polymerization of water soluble polymer precursors in an aqueous solution during or after transport of the polymerizable solution from its storage container to a space inside the in situ medical device is described. The stored aqueous solution with water soluble precursors lacks a free radical initiator which, in a powder form, is introduced into the aqueous solution during or after its transport into the space inside the in situ medical device. This storage and delivery system provides greater stability to the stored aqueous solution, allowing it to be stored at ambient temperature and providing extended shelf life over the solutions used in existing in situ polymerization systems. The flexibility to store and deliver/transport only one aqueous solution, instead of requiring the use of two different solutions, is also a benefit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry powder that is suitable for use in forming a hydrogel and characterized by a stable composition at ambient conditions. The dry powder includes a prepolymer including a straight chain polyethylene glycol, and a thermally activated free radical initiator selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate. The present invention also provides a method of forming the dry powder, and a method of preparing a hydrogel where a reaction mixture is formed including the dry powder and a buffered aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry powder that is suitable for use in forming a hydrogel and characterized by a stable composition at ambient conditions. The dry powder includes a prepolymer including a straight chain polyethylene glycol, and a thermally activated free radical initiator selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate. The present invention also provides a method of forming the dry powder, and a method of preparing a hydrogel where a reaction mixture is formed including the dry powder and a buffered aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry powder that is suitable for use in forming a hydrogel and characterized by a stable composition at ambient conditions. The dry powder includes a prepolymer including a straight chain polyethylene glycol, and a thermally activated free radical initiator selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate. The present invention also provides a method of forming the dry powder, and a method of preparing a hydrogel where a reaction mixture is formed including the dry powder and a buffered aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry powder that is suitable for use in forming a hydrogel and characterized by a stable composition at ambient conditions. The dry powder includes a prepolymer including a straight chain polyethylene glycol, and a thermally activated free radical initiator selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate. The present invention also provides a method of forming the dry powder, and a method of preparing a hydrogel where a reaction mixture is formed including the dry powder and a buffered aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for forming a material in an in situ medical device by initiating polymerization of water soluble polymer precursors in an aqueous solution during or after transport of the polymerizable solution from its storage container to a space inside the in situ medical device is described. The stored aqueous solution with water soluble precursors lacks a free radical initiator which, in a powder form, is introduced into the aqueous solution during or after its transport into the space inside the in situ medical device. This storage and delivery system provides greater stability to the stored aqueous solution, allowing it to be stored at ambient temperature and providing extended shelf life over the solutions used in existing in situ polymerization systems. The flexibility to store and deliver/transport only one aqueous solution, instead of requiring the use of two different solutions, is also a benefit.

Abstract: A method for forming a material in an in situ medical device by initiating polymerization of water soluble polymer precursors in an aqueous solution during or after transport of the polymerizable solution from its storage container to a space inside the in situ medical device is described. The stored aqueous solution with water soluble precursors lacks a free radical initiator which, in a powder form, is introduced into the aqueous solution during or after its transport into the space inside the in situ medical device. This storage and delivery system provides greater stability to the stored aqueous solution, allowing it to be stored at ambient temperature and providing extended shelf life over the solutions used in existing in situ polymerization systems. The flexibility to store and deliver/transport only one aqueous solution, instead of requiring the use of two different solutions, is also a benefit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry powder that is suitable for use in forming a hydrogel and characterized by a stable composition at ambient conditions. The dry powder includes a prepolymer including a straight chain polyethylene glycol, and a thermally activated free radical initiator selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ammonium persulfate. The present invention also provides a method of forming the dry powder, and a method of preparing a hydrogel where a reaction mixture is formed including the dry powder and a buffered aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for forming a material in an in situ medical device by initiating polymerization of water soluble polymer precursors in an aqueous solution during or after transport of the polymerizable solution from its storage container to a space inside the in situ medical device is described. The stored aqueous solution with water soluble precursors lacks a free radical initiator which, in a powder form, is introduced into the aqueous solution during or after its transport into the space inside the in situ medical device. This storage and delivery system provides greater stability to the stored aqueous solution, allowing it to be stored at ambient temperature and providing extended shelf life over the solutions used in existing in situ polymerization systems. The flexibility to store and deliver/transport only one aqueous solution, instead of requiring the use of two different solutions, is also a benefit.

Abstract: A method for forming a material in an in situ medical device by initiating polymerization of water soluble polymer precursors in an aqueous solution during or after transport of the polymerizable solution from its storage container to a space inside the in situ medical device is described. The stored aqueous solution with water soluble precursors lacks a free radical initiator which, in a powder form, is introduced into the aqueous solution during or after its transport into the space inside the in situ medical device. This storage and delivery system provides greater stability to the stored aqueous solution, allowing it to be stored at ambient temperature and providing extended shelf life over the solutions used in existing in situ polymerization systems. The flexibility to store and deliver/transport only one aqueous solution, instead of requiring the use of two different solutions, is also a benefit.

Abstract: A method for forming a material in an in situ medical device by initiating polymerization of water soluble polymer precursors in an aqueous solution during or after transport of the polymerizable solution from its storage container to a space inside the in situ medical device is described. The stored aqueous solution with water soluble precursors lacks a free radical initiator which, in a powder form, is introduced into the aqueous solution during or after its transport into the space inside the in situ medical device. This storage and delivery system provides greater stability to the stored aqueous solution, allowing it to be stored at ambient temperature and providing extended shelf life over the solutions used in existing in situ polymerization systems. The flexibility to store and deliver/transport only one aqueous solution, instead of requiring the use of two different solutions, is also a benefit.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a means of combining and configuring specific hydrophilic and dielectric materials in such a way as to allow an antimony/reference electrode pH sensor to be packaged and stored dry yet become fully hydrated to an activated state after exposure to aqueous liquids. The sensor is packaged and stored dry to maintain component stability and minimize component degradation. When the user removes the sensor from the package and the sensor tip is submerged in a hydration (ion conduction) media or solution, the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the fluid to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick, which activates the pH sensor.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a means of combining and configuring specific hydrophilic and dielectric materials in such a way as to allow an antimony/reference electrode pH sensor to be packaged and stored dry yet become fully hydrated to an activated state after exposure to aqueous liquids. The sensor is packaged and stored dry to maintain component stability and minimize component degradation. When the user removes the sensor from the package and the sensor tip is submerged in a hydration (ion conduction) media or solution, the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the fluid to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick, which activates the pH sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring the breath chemistry of a patient's breath using a specially designed self-condensing sensor module mounted in a mask, nasal cannula, headband with boom apparatus, or similar device for directing the patients' breath towards the self-condensing sensor. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH provided by the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor provides for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values. The specially designed self-condensing sensor module incorporates a data transfer means, e.g. direct wiring or by providing a transmitter with an antenna for wireless transferring of the pH data to a processing receiver. The self-condensing pH sensor comprises a multi-tubular design with the outer tubular member housing a silver chloride reference element, an ion conducting path, and an antimony sensor plug isolated in an inner tubular member that is co-linearly or coaxially configured with the outer tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for monitoring a patient's breath chemistry comprising a plurality of components, including a self-condensing pH sensor distally mounted on a catheter, a transmitter with hydration sensing circuitry for the pH sensor, and processing receiver/data recorder. A specially designed self-condensing pH sensor is located on the distal end of a tubular catheter which is designed to be inserted into the patient's airway. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH is accomplished by using the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor, providing for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values. The self-condensing pH sensor comprises a multi-tubular design with the catheter tubular member housing a silver chloride reference element, an ion conducting path, and an antimony sensor element isolated within an inner tubular member that is co-linearly or coaxially configured with the outer catheter tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention is a system comprising an illumination means and is mounted on a catheter wherein said illumination is generally located in the distal end of the catheter. Locating the illumination means near the distal end will simplify and facilitate precise placement of a measurement device in close proximity to the desired location. In one example, a catheter with a distally mounted pH sensor benefits from the use of an illumination means in the patient's airway such as in the oropharynx region. The illumination source of the present invention addresses catheter insertion and location using a continuous or flashing light emitting diode (LED) embedded in the distal end of the catheter to provide a visual sighting means for the physician.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for evaluating the signal strength from the pH sensor to determine whether the sensor is hydrated sufficiently to accurately measure pH. This is accomplished by utilizing circuitry that periodically sends a low voltage signal to a suitable pH sensor and then receiving the resulting waveforms which are analyzed by a processing receiver. The electrical connection between a suitable pH sensor and hydration monitoring circuitry is generally hard wired. In one embodiment, a processing receiver is coupled with the hydration monitoring circuitry as a single apparatus. In a second embodiment, the processing receiver can be independent and located remote from the hydration monitoring circuitry. In this embodiment, the hydration monitoring circuitry and the processing receiver are electrically connected using either hard wired techniques or wireless technology. In addition, the processing receiver can include data recording capability.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and a means of constructing a pH sensor that can detect changes in pH levels of humidified gases and liquid samples. When electronically connected to a computerized or analog display means, sensitive quantitative measurements can be obtained. Given the construction of current pH devices available today, there is a need in the field for a novel, miniaturized, self-condensing pH probe that can be used in fluid or humidified gases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a container and method for shipping and storing frozen products. In particular, the present invention is directed to an insulated container for shipping and storing frozen tissue samples for an extended period of time, for example at least 72 hours. An exemplary embodiment of the container of the present invention includes a body having an open end and a product chamber lined with vacuum insulated panels, a spring assembly inside of the product chamber for supporting a lower cooling block and a stack of tissue packages (e.g. engineered tissue samples), and a lid assembly including one or more upper cooling blocks suspended therefrom. When the lid assembly is secured on the body of the container, the tissue packages are held in place between the upper and lower cooling blocks by the force of the spring assembly. The body of the container is dimensioned so that it may fit within an outer cardboard carton if desired for shipping.