Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating obesity in a subject are described. Some embodiments provide methods for administering pharmaceutical formulations including biocompatible emulsifiers in an amount effective to treat obesity. In some embodiments, pharmaceutical formulations include a combination of two or more biocompatible emulsifiers effective to treat obesity.

Abstract: A dermatological topical formulation such as a cream, ointment, or lotion containing an elastogenesis inducer and a systemic absorption retardant is described. Such a formulation achieves high local tissue concentration of the elastogenesis inducer in the vicinity of the application site, minimizes systemic absorption of the elastogenesis inducer, and maximizes a concentration of the elastogenesis inducer in dermis, resulting in formation or restoration of elastin fibers in adult skin. The formulation can further contain a skin penetration enhancer compound.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating obesity in a subject are described. Some embodiments provide methods for administering pharmaceutical formulations including biocompatible emulsifiers in an amount effective to treat obesity. In some embodiments, pharmaceutical formulations include a combination of two or more biocompatible emulsifiers effective to treat obesity.

Abstract: A group of pharmaceutical substances induce elevation of endogenous bile salts and acids via different mechanisms. The elevated circulating bile salts exert a beneficial effect in atherosclerosis by acting both as atherolytic and antiatherogenic agents. The result of the elevated circulating endogenous bile salt is the dissolution of cholesterol/lipidic aggregates of the atherosclerotic plaques.

Abstract: An intravaginal inflatable member impermeable to fluids capable when inflated of providing sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of exit of menstrual blood from the vaginal orifice. The inflatable member can be connected to an absorbent member or can be a stand alone device. Inflation of the inflatable member can be activated manually by the user or via an intravaginal applicator which has the dual function of inserting and delivering the device into the vagina and that of actuating the source of inflation to inflate the inflatable member.

Abstract: A Minimally Invasive Ventricular Assist Device for circulatory support of a failing heart apt to be inserted percutaneously bluntly via a thoracostomy a into a chest cavity of a patient in cardiac failure or cardiac arrest without the need for wide surgical opening of the chest.

Abstract: A catamenial device for blood leakage prevention composed of an inflatable member and an absorbent intravaginal member such as a tampon. The inflatable member houses a resiliently expandable inflation member generally made of open cell foam, and has an opening for airflow communication between the interior of the inflatable member and the outside environment. During insertion into a vaginal canal, the inflation member is inserted in a contracted state. Upon placement to proper vaginal location, the inflation member expands by resiliency drawing air from the ouside environment into the inflatable member via the opening in the inflatable member. Inflation of the inflatable member can be activated manually by the user or via an intravaginal applicator which has the dual function of inserting and delivering the device into the vagina and that of actuating the inflation of the inflatable member.

Abstract: An intravaginal inflatable member impermeable to fluids adapted to collect upon inflation, menstrual blood and also capable of [provide] providing sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of vaginal exit of menstrual blood. By being inflatable, the device is easily inserted and removed when deflated and is also capable of sealing off the blood collected avoiding the spillage of blood upon extraction and disposal. The inflation of the device can be conveniently initiated prior to insertion into vagina and completed with the device fully inserted or can be initiated and completed with the device already inserted into the vagina. Inflation of the device can be achieved without the use of an external pneumatic source, but with a self-inflating apparatus within the device. The cup shaped member can be used as a standing alone device or in combination with a vaginal tampon for the prevention of blood leakage.

Abstract: An intravaginal inflatable member impermeable to fluids capable when inflated of providing sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of exit of menstrual blood from the vaginal orifice. The inflatable member can be connected to an absorbent member or can be a stand alone device. Inflation of the inflatable member can be activated manually by the user or via an intravaginal applicator which has the dual function of inserting and delivering the device into the vagina and that of actuating the source of inflation to inflate the inflatable member.

Abstract: A catamenial device for blood leakage prevention composed of an inflatable member and an absorbent intravaginal member such as a tampon. The inflatable member houses a resiliently expandable inflation member generally made of open cell foam, and has an opening for airflow communication between the interior of the inflatable member and the outside environment. During insertion into a vaginal canal, the inflation member is inserted in a contracted state. Upon placement to proper vaginal location, the inflation member expands by resiliency drawing air from the ouside environment into the inflatable member via the opening in the inflatable member. [An intravaginal inflatable member impermeable to fluids capable when inflated of providing sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of exit of menstrual blood from the vaginal orifice. The inflatable member can be connected to an absorbent member or can be a stand alone device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cardiac resuscitation wherein the apparatus has an expandable member carried by a rigid stem and placeable inside the chest cavity adjacent to the heart by the tip end of the stem to effect pumping of the heart by applying and releasing pressure to the expandable member via a rigid stem from outside the chest cavity through the chest wall so as to alternately compress and decompress the heart and further includes numerous safety mechanisms to prevent injuries to the intrathoracic organs and mishaps. Compression and decompression may be achieved by moving the expanded expandable member toward the heart and away from it, or by alternatively expanding and contracting said expandable member to effect pumping of the heart.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to be used in CPR to promote diastolic filling of the heart in cardiac arrest situations during external or internal cardiac compression. A rigid backboard provided with a tilting apparatus to incline the backboard to a desired degree. The backboard can be also provided with a tiltable segment for forward head flexion. The body of a patient victim of cardiac arrest is placed supine over the rigid backboard and the backboard is tilted by actuation of the tilting apparatus to a desired angle thus positioning the patient with feet up and chest down, so that the lower extremities are higher than the abdomen and tilted down toward the abdomen, and the abdomen higher than the chest and tilted down toward the chest. Likewise, being the head flexed forward in respect to the remainder of the body, the head is positioned higher than the heart, and tilted down toward the heart.

Abstract: An intravaginal inflatable member impermeable to fluids adapted to collect upon inflation, menstrual blood and also capable of [provide] providing sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of vaginal exit of menstrual blood. By being inflatable, the device is easily inserted and removed when deflated and is also capable of sealing off the blood collected avoiding the spillage of blood upon extraction and disposal. The inflation of the device can be conveniently initiated prior to insertion into vagina and completed with the device fully inserted or can be initiated and completed with the device already inserted into the vagina. Inflation of the device can be achieved without the use of an external pneumatic source, but with a self-inflating apparatus within the device. The cup shaped member can be used as a standing alone device or in combination with a vaginal tampon for the prevention of blood leakage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cardiac resuscitation wherein the apparatus has an expandable member carried by a rigid stem and placeable inside the chest cavity adjacent to the heart by the tip end of the stem to effect pumping of the heart by applying and releasing pressure to the expandable member via a rigid stem from outside the chest cavity through the chest wall so as to alternately compress and decompress the heart and further includes numerous safety mechanisms to prevent injuries to the intrathoracic organs and mishaps. Compression and decompression may be achieved by moving the expanded expandable member toward the heart and away from it, or by alternatively expanding and contracting said expandable member to effect pumping of the heart.

Abstract: An apparatus for vascular access devices such as syringes and guidewires placement devices capable of differentiating type of blood vessel penetrated by a cannula, including a chamber in flow communication with the cannula, the chamber being adapted to house a vacuum pressure to accelerate backflow of blood from a blood vessel penetrated by the cannula and a slideable, displaceable member within the chamber, such as a piston, displaceable against a calibrated pressure sensitive resilient member such as a spring. The displaceable member is displaced against the pressure sensitive spring rearwardly by the blood pressure indicating to the operator the type of blood vessel penetrated by the cannula by the amount of rearward displacement of the piston in respect to a point reference tab located on the side wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A needle stick protecting device slideably mounted over medical needles having pointed tips, comprising at least two clamping members sliding over the needle shaft and joined together at their proximal end, automatically arresting in proximity of the needle tip upon passage of triggerng means beyond the needle tip, said triggering means projecting toward the needle from said clamping members. Said clamping of said clamping member on the needle shaft is bi-directional, as it occurring both in response to application of a force for forward sliding of the guard toward the needle tip and in response to a force applied to withdraw said guard from the needle tip. Another relevant feature of the device is the negligible friction opposed by said guard to forward sliding motion, said friction being variable and proportionally dependent to the force applied for forward sliding motion.

Abstract: An intravaginal inflatable member impermeable to fluids adapted to collect upon inflation, menstrual blood and also capable of provide sealable closure of the vaginal canal for the prevention of vaginal exit of menstrual blood. By being inflatable, the device is easily inserted and removed when deflated and is also capable of sealing off the blood collected avoiding the spillage of blood upon extraction and disposal. The inflation of the device can be conveniently initiated prior to insertion into vagina and completed with the device fully inserted or can be initiated and completed with the device already inserted into the vagina. Inflation of the device can be achieved without the use of an external pneumatic source, but with a self-inflating apparatus within the device. The inflatable member can be used as a standing alone device or in combination with a vaginal tampon for the prevention of blood leakage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cardiac resuscitation wherein the apparatus has an expandable member carried by a rigid stem and placeable inside the chest cavity adjacent to the heart by the tip end of the stem to effect pumping of the heart by applying and releasing pressure to the expandable member via a rigid stem from outside the chest cavity through the chest wall so as to alternately compress and decompress the heart and further includes numerous safety mechanisms to prevent injuries to the intrathoracic organs and mishaps. Compression and decompression may be achieved by moving the expanded expandable member toward the heart and away from it, or by alternatively expanding and contracting said expandable member to effect pumping of the heart.

Abstract: An intravaginal resiliently expandable member substantially impermeable to fluids combined with a generally cylindrical blood-absorbing member such as a tampon in such a manner to provide an intravaginal catamenial device with substantially preserved blood-absorption capability with respect to the catamenial devices currently in use while offering, at the same time, the advantage of reliably preventing leakage of menstrual blood from the vaginal orifice. The expandable member which is generally doughtnut-shaped with a central opening and engages the blood absorbing member within its central opening, is positioned, with respect to the generally cylindrical blood-absorbing member or tampon, around a rear or caudal segment of the blood absorbing member or tampon so as to leave a substantial portion of said blood-absorbing member exposed for blood absorption.

Abstract: A needle stick protective apparatus for medical devices having a hollow needle with a sharp tip, a vacuum chamber in flow communication with the hollow needle and a vacuum creating piston-plunger. The apparatus includes an interface member having a rear arm for engaging the piston-plunger and a front portion plate with a needle guard slideable over the needle up to the needle tip to enclose it and to irreversibly lock upon enclosure of the needle tip, shielding the needle tip to provide protection against needle sticks. The sliding of the needle guard over the needle is initiated and sustained, and in certain embodiments is completed, by posterior displacement of the vacuum creating piston-plunger engaged with the arm of the interface member upon blood vessel penetration by the needle. An engagement member converts the rearward displacement of the piston-plunger into a forward displacement of the interface member with the needle guard up to the needle tip.