Abstract: A device (2) for capturing and removing particles (58) from a body canal or vessel includes a sack (12) having a mouth (14) and a closed bottom (16) opposite mouth (14). A guide wire (4) is received through mouth (14) of sack (12) and is connected to closed bottom (16) of sack (12). A collapsible frame (8) is connected between guide wire (4) and mouth (14) of sack (12), with collapsible frame (8) biasing mouth (14) of sack (12) opened around guide wire (4). A containment collar (32) slidably receives guide wire (4), collapsible frame (8), and at least part of sack (12) therein. A pull wire (34) is connected to containment collar (32). Collapsible frame (8) can move from inside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is closed and outside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is biased open by collapsible flame (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrogel and organogel sensors as well as their application to continuous analyte monitoring. The sensor can include a hydrogel or organogel matrix. Standard and inverse designed are provided. In one embodiment, the matrix can include a molecular recognition agent for an analyte (e.g., a glucose analyte), and a volume resetting agent that reversibly binds with the molecular recognition agent. Reversible crosslinks between the molecular recognition agent and volume resetting agent can change the volume of the matrix upon interacting with the analyte via a competitive binding process. In various embodiments, the invention provides a hydrogel-based glucose sensor and sensors for continuous glucose monitoring. The glucose sensor can be based on a glucose-responsive hydrogel with a volume linearly correlated with glucose concentrations, such as about 0.05-50 mM, under physiological conditions. The invention thus provides a blood glucose monitor suitable for use in clinical settings.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrogel and organogel sensors as well as their application to continuous analyte monitoring. The sensor can include a hydrogel or organogel matrix. Standard and inverse designed are provided. In one embodiment, the matrix can include a molecular recognition agent for an analyte (e.g., a glucose analyte), and a volume resetting agent that reversibly binds with the molecular recognition agent. Reversible crosslinks between the molecular recognition agent and volume resetting agent can change the volume of the matrix upon interacting with the analyte via a competitive binding process. In various embodiments, the invention provides a hydrogel-based glucose sensor and sensors for continuous glucose monitoring. The glucose sensor can be based on a glucose-responsive hydrogel with a volume linearly correlated with glucose concentrations, such as about 0.05-50 mM, under physiological conditions. The invention thus provides a blood glucose monitor suitable for use in clinical settings.

Abstract: A cosmetic contact lens includes a first polymerized diffractive film of predetermined shape that is polymerized within a second polymer that supports the first polymerized diffractive film at a desired position and forms the contact lens.

Abstract: A cosmetic contact lens includes a first polymerized diffractive film of predetermined shape that is polymerized within a second polymer that supports the first polymerized diffractive film at a desired position and forms the contact lens.

Abstract: A device (2) for capturing and removing one or more particles (58) from a body canal or vessel includes a sack (12) having a mouth (14) and a closed bottom (16) opposite mouth (14). A guide wire (4) is received through mouth (14) of sack (12) and is connected to closed bottom (16) of sack (12). A collapsible frame (8) is connected between guide wire (4) and mouth (14) of sack (12), with collapsible frame (8) biasing mouth (14) of sack (12) opened around guide wire (4). A containment collar (32) slidably receives guide wire (4), collapsible frame (8), and at least part of sack (12) therein. A pull wire (34) is connected to containment collar (32). In response to relative movement between guide wire (4) and pull wire (34), collapsible frame (8) moves from inside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is closed and outside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is biased open by collapsible frame (8).

Abstract: A device (2) for capturing and removing one or more particles (58) from a body canal or vessel includes a sack (12) having a mouth (14) and a closed bottom (16) opposite mouth (14). A guide wire (4) is received through mouth (14) of sack (12) and is connected to closed bottom (16) of sack (12). A collapsible frame (8) is connected between guide wire (4) and mouth (14) of sack (12), with collapsible frame (8) biasing mouth (14) of sack (12) opened around guide wire (4). A containment collar (32) slidably receives guide wire (4), collapsible frame (8), and at least part of sack (12) therein. A pull wire (34) is connected to containment collar (32). In response to relative movement between guide wire (4) and pull wire (34), collapsible frame (8) moves from inside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is closed and outside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is biased open by collapsible frame (8).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a solid object from a body canal or vessel includes a coil of wire configured to slidably receive a guide wire and a sack having a mouth and a closed bottom opposite the sack. A resilient frame is connected between the coil of wire and the sack for biasing the mouth of the sack open around the coil of wire. The resilient frame is positionable between a collapsed state where the mouth of the sack is closed against the bias of the resilient frame and a deployed state where the mouth of the sack is biased open by the resilient frame.

Abstract: A device for capturing and removing particles from a body canal or vessel includes a sack having a mouth and a closed bottom. A guide wire received through the sack mouth is connected to the closed sack bottom. A collapsible frame biases the sack mouth opened around guide wire. A containment collar slidably receives guide wire, collapsible frame, and at least part of sack therein. A pull wire is connected to the containment collar. In response to relative movement between guide wire and pull wire, collapsible frame moves from inside the containment collar where the sack mouth is closed and outside the containment collar where mouth of sack is biased open by collapsible flame.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a solid object from a body canal or vessel includes a coil of wire configured to slidably receive a guide wire and a sack having a mouth and a closed bottom opposite the sack. A resilient frame is connected between the coil of wire and the sack for biasing the mouth of the sack open around the coil of wire. The resilient frame is positionable between a collapsed state where the mouth of the sack is closed against the bias of the resilient frame and a deployed state where the mouth of the sack is biased open by the resilient frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a solid object from a body canal or vessel includes a coil of wire configured to slidably receive a guide wire and a sack having a mouth and a closed bottom opposite the snack. A resilient frame is connected between the coil of wire and the sack for biasing the mouth of the sack open around the coil of wire. The resilient frame is positionable between a collapsed state where the mouth of the sack is closed against the bias of the resilient frame and a deployed state where the mouth of the sack is biased open by resilient frame.

Abstract: An optrode for insertion into a blood vessel can include at least one fiber optic, a sheath enclosing at least part of the fiber optic and sensor material in optical communication with one end of the fiber optic. The sensor material is operative for diffracting electromagnetic waves received from the fiber optic and is responsive to changes in an amount of glucose in contact therewith for changing a diffraction of the electromagnetic waves as a function thereof. A membrane covering a distal end of the sheath passes to the sensor material glucose from blood in contact with the side of the membrane opposite the sensor material. Electromagnetic waves input into the fiber optic cable are diffracted by the sensor material. A concentration of glucose in the blood can be estimated from the amount of diffraction of the electromagnetic waves. A signal can be output related to the estimated glucose concentration.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a solid object from a body canal or vessel includes a coil of wire configured to slidably receive a guide wire and a sack having a mouth and a closed bottom opposite the sack. A resilient frame is connected between the coil of wire and the sack for biasing the mouth of the sack open around the coil of wire. The resilient frame is positionable between a collapsed state where the mouth of the sack is closed against the bias of the resilient frame and a deployed state where the mouth of the sack is biased open by the resilient frame.

Abstract: A device (2) for capturing and removing one or more particles (58) from a body canal or vessel includes a sack (12) having a mouth (14) and a closed bottom (16) opposite mouth (14). A guide wire (4) is received through mouth (14) of sack (12) and is connected to closed bottom (16) of sack (12). A collapsible frame (8) is connected between guide wire (4) and mouth (14) of sack (12), with collapsible frame (8) biasing mouth (14) of sack (12) opened around guide wire (4). A containment collar (32) slidably receives guide wire (4), collapsible frame (8), and at least part of sack (12) therein. A pull wire (34) is connected to containment collar (32). In response to relative movement between guide wire (4) and pull wire (34), collapsible frame (8) moves from inside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is closed and outside containment collar (32) where mouth (14) of sack (12) is biased open by collapsible flame (8).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a solid object from a body canal or vessel includes a coil of wire configured to slidably receive a guide wire and a sack having a mouth and a closed bottom opposite the sack. A resilient frame is connected between the coil of wire and the sack for biasing the mouth of the sack open around the coil of wire. The resilient frame is positionable between a collapsed state where the mouth of the sack is closed against the bias of the resilient frame and a deployed state where the mouth of the sack is biased open by the resilient frame.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument used in minimally invasive procedures performed under either direct, endoscopic, fluoroscopic, or other visualization. The surgical instrument includes a frame which can be retracted into and extended from a sheath to form a loop and a sack having a mouth that is attached to the loop. The sack is used to encircle and capture foreign objects in body canals, cavities or organs. The wire frame is formed of a shape-memory-effect alloy wire in a super elastic state and previously trained to form the loop, the loop forming when the said wire frame is extended beyond the sheath. An invertor is connected to a closed end of the sack for urging the closed end of the sack toward the mouth of the sack.

Abstract: A vascular filter for capturing and removing emboli includes a sack having a mouth and a closed bottom opposite the mouth. A guide wire is received through the mouth of the sack and projected through the closed bottom of the sack. The closed bottom of the sack is connected to the projection of the guide wire therethrough. A collapsible frame is connected between the guide wire and the mouth of the sack. The collapsible frame biases the mouth of the sack open around the guide wire. A tube slidably receives the guide wire coaxially therein. The collapsible frame is moveable via the guide wire between outside the tube where the mouth of the sack is biased open by the collapsible frame and inside the tube where the mouth of the sack is closed, and vice versa.

Abstract: An implantable distractor that provides controlled forceful movement either to facing bone ends created by osteotomy or across cranial sutures for the purpose of fostering bone deposition to support bone growth (distraction osteogenesis). The improved Distractor adjusts separation of such through precise, forceful, incremental movements. The mechanism has an actuator powered by intermittent electrical current flow through a shape-memory-effect (SME) actuation component. The SME component deforms forcefully. This force is amplified to result in incremental separation of two plates affixed to bone on either side of the osteotomy or suture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument used in minimally invasive procedures performed under either direct, endoscopic, fluoroscopic, or other visualization. The present invention is also directed to a method of removing foreign objects from the body with the instrument. The surgical instrument includes a wire linkage and wire frame which can be retracted and extended to form a loop. A mouth of a sack is attached to the loop, said sack being used to encircle and capture foreign objects in body canals, cavities and organs. The wire frame is formed of a shape-memory-effect alloy wire, the alloy in a super elastic state and previously trained to form the loop, the loop forming when the said wire frame is extended beyond the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for enhancing high resolution ECG signals acquired with electrodes on the surface of a patient's thorax so that ventricular late potentials can be detected and observed. The ECG signals are detected, measured and digitized and are then processed to remove low frequency components and preferably, common mode signals. Enhancement is then accomplished by filtering out the remaining electrical interference caused by underlying muscle tissue, nerve tissue and environmental noise with a particular adaptive filtering technique.