Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically monitoring and controlling pressure in a body part are disclosed. The systems include an implantable tube with one open end of the tube implanted in the body part, an implantable valve coupled with the tube having at least one open state and a closed state, an implantable sensor for measuring pressure, and an implantable control device coupled with the sensor and the valve. The control device switches the valve between the at least one open state and the closed state, based on pressure information received from the sensor. When the valve is in the at least one open state, the tube drains fluids from the body part due to a difference of pressure between the open ends of the tube. Methods for using the systems to administer drugs and monitor and control fluid pressures in various biological systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to protecting cells, tissues and organs against the damaging effects of ionizing or other damaging agents associated with radiation or chemotherapy, or degenerative diseases or processes of various organs that elicit the production of free radicals or oxidants such as peroxides, superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals or nitric oxides, or heavy metal cations. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with methoxypolyethylene glycol chelate methyl esters that are useful as protectors against tissue damage by penetrating the cell membrane to donate electrons to free radical oxidants and remove heavy metals that may react with peroxides to produce the reactive hydroxyl radical, or remove Ca++ that may be released from organelles. These chelate esters will also have utility in reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to protecting cells, tissues and organs against the damaging effects of ionizing or other damaging agents associated with radiation or chemotherapy, or degenerative diseases or processes of various organs that elicit the production of free radicals or oxidants such as peroxides, superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals or nitric oxides, or heavy metal cations. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with methoxypolyethylene glycol thioester chelate methyl esters that are useful as protectors against tissue damage by penetrating the cell membrane to remove electrons from free radical oxidants and remove heavy metals that may react with peroxides to produce the reactive hydroxyl radical, or remove Ca++ that may be released from organelles. These chelate esters will also have utility in reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to protecting cells, tissues and organs against the damaging effects of ionizing or other damaging agents associated with radiation or chemotherapy, or degenerative diseases or processes of various organs that elicit the production of free radicals or oxidants such as peroxides, superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals or nitric oxides, or heavy metal cations. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with methoxypolyethylene glycol thioester chelate methyl esters that are useful as protectors against tissue damage by penetrating the cell membrane to donate electrons to free radical oxidants and remove heavy metals that may react with peroxides to produce the reactive hydroxyl radical, or remove Ca++ that may be released from organelles. These chelate esters will also have utility in reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to protecting cells, tissues and organs against the damaging effects of ionizing or other damaging agents associated with radiation or chemotherapy, or degenerative diseases or processes of various organs that elicit the production of free radicals or oxidants such as peroxides, superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals or nitric oxides, or heavy metal cations. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with methoxypolyethylene glycol thioester chelate methyl esters that are useful as protectors against tissue damage by penetrating the cell membrane to donate electrons to free radical oxidants and remove heavy metals that may react with peroxides to produce the reactive hydroxyl radical, or remove Ca++ that may be released from organelles. These chelate esters will also have utility in reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically monitoring and controlling pressure in a body part are disclosed. The systems include an implantable tube with one open end of the tube implanted in the body part, an implantable valve coupled with the tube having at least one open state and a closed state, an implantable sensor for measuring pressure, and an implantable control device coupled with the sensor and the valve. The control device switches the valve between the at least one open state and the closed state, based on pressure information received from the sensor. When the valve is in the at least one open state, the tube drains fluids from the body part due to a difference of pressure between the open ends of the tube. Methods for using the systems to administer drugs and monitor and control fluid pressures in various biological systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to protecting cells, tissues and organs against the damaging effects of ionizing or other damaging agents associated with radiation or chemotherapy, or degenerative diseases or processes of various organs that elicit the production of free radicals or oxidants such as peroxides, superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals or nitric oxides, or heavy metal cations. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with methoxypolyethylene glycol thioester chelate methyl esters that are useful as protectors against tissue damage by penetrating the cell membrane to remove electrons from free radical oxidants and remove heavy metals that may react with peroxides to produce the reactive hydroxyl radical, or remove Ca++ that may be released from organelles. These chelate esters will also have utility in reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Abstract: Water- and lipid-soluble cannabinoid compounds that are agonists for CB1 and CB2 receptors are provided. The cannabinoid compounds are useful for the treatment of retinal neurodegenerative disorders such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to protecting cells, tissues and organs against the damaging effects of ionizing or other damaging agents associated with radiation or chemotherapy, or degenerative diseases or processes of various organs that elicit the production of free radicals or oxidants such as peroxides, superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals or nitric oxides, or heavy metal cations. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with methoxypolyethylene glycol thioester chelate methyl esters that are useful as protectors against tissue damage by penetrating the cell membrane to remove electrons from free radical oxidants and remove heavy metals that may react with peroxides to produce the reactive hydroxyl radical, or remove Ca++ that may be released from organelles. These chelate esters will also have utility in reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Abstract: Derivatives useful in the protection of living organisms against damage due to free radical reactions derived from methoxypolyethylene glycols (MPEG), which are modified by chemically attaching chelating groups in an amide or amine linkage to the nonmethyl end of the polymer. Such chelating groups include ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), and ethylene glycol aminoethyl ether tetraacetic acid (EGTA), and pharmacologically acceptable salts or esters thereof.