Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, and an elongated shaft extending from the housing. The elongated shaft has a proximal end secured to the housing, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and a first axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated shaft. Surgical fasteners are disposed in the elongated shaft. The surgical fasteners are stacked at an angle relative to the first axis of the elongated shaft. A distal end cap having a surgical fastener dispensing window is secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has a firing system disposed in the housing, and an actuator coupled with the firing system for activating the firing system to dispense the surgical fasteners through the surgical fastener dispensing window.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other techniques for monitoring, including non-invasive monitoring, of biological markers based on the interaction, temporal association, or coincidence of brain activity and periphery activity in a mammal are provided. Systems and methods for generating a behavioral state-independent representation of cardiac activity and for identifying cardiac events and/or brain-periphery, e.g., brain-cardiac, temporal associations useful as biomarkers of disease such as, e.g., neurologic disease, in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for modulating spreading depression in the brain.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other techniques for monitoring, including non-invasive monitoring, of biological markers based on the interaction, temporal association, or coincidence of brain activity and periphery activity in a mammal are provided. Systems and methods for generating a behavioral state-independent representation of cardiac activity and for identifying cardiac events and/or brain-periphery, e.g., brain-cardiac, temporal associations useful as biomarkers of disease such as, e.g., neurologic disease, in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other techniques for monitoring, including non-invasive monitoring, of biological markers based on the interaction, temporal association, or coincidence of brain activity and periphery activity in a mammal are provided. Systems and methods for generating a behavioral state-independent representation of cardiac activity and for identifying cardiac events and/or brain-periphery, e.g., brain-cardiac, temporal associations useful as biomarkers of disease such as, e.g., neurologic disease, in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: An ultra-low field pre-pulse Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PMRI) system for a head includes RF coils defining a bore for head access, a pre-pulse coil outside the RF coils, and a coil assembly including a main magnetic field coil and gradient coils outside the pre-pulse coil. The PMRI system includes a first cylindrical shield concentric with the RF coils and made from conductive materials. The first cylindrical shield partially encloses the RF coils and inside the pre-pulse coil for shielding the RF coils from environmental electromagnetic disturbances.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for modulating spreading depression in the brain.

Abstract: An ultra-low field pre-pulse Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PMRI) system for a head includes RF coils defining a bore for head access, a pre-pulse coil outside the RF coils, and a coil assembly including a main magnetic field coil and gradient coils outside the pre-pulse coil. The PMRI system includes a first cylindrical shield concentric with the RF coils and made from conductive materials. The first cylindrical shield partially encloses the RF coils and inside the pre-pulse coil for shielding the RF coils from environmental electromagnetic disturbances.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other techniques for monitoring, including non-invasive monitoring, of biological markers based on the interaction, temporal association, or coincidence of brain activity and periphery activity in a mammal are provided. Systems and methods for generating a behavioral state-independent representation of cardiac activity and for identifying cardiac events and/or brain-periphery, e.g., brain-cardiac, temporal associations useful as biomarkers of disease such as, e.g., neurologic disease, in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a technology for making a dendritic cell vaccine suitable for high volume manufacturing and distribution. Human stem cells are differentiated in a multi-step protocol to generate cell populations bearing a dendritic cell phenotype. The cells are loaded by pulsing with a specific tumor antigen, or by activation of an inducible transgene. The primed dendritic cells are powerful components of a vaccination strategy to elicit an immune response against tumor-associated antigens like telomerase. Vaccines and reagent combinations prepared according to this invention can be used on demand as off-the-shelf products for treating cancer.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for producing differentiated cells from a stem cell population for use wherever a relatively homogenous cell population is desirable. The cells contain an effector gene under control of a transcriptional control element (such as the TERT promoter) that causes the gene to be expressed in relatively undifferentiated cells in the population. Expression of the effector gene results in expression of a cell-surface antigen that can be used to deplete the undifferentiated cells. Model effector sequences encode glycosyl transferases that synthesize carbohydrate xenoantigen or alloantigen, which can be used for immunoseparation or as a target for complement-mediated lysis. The differentiated cell populations produced are suitable for use in tissue regeneration and non-therapeutic applications such as drug screening.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a technology for making a dendritic cell vaccine suitable for high volume manufacturing and distribution. Human stem cells are differentiated in a multi-step protocol to generate cell populations bearing a dendritic cell phenotype. The cells are loaded by pulsing with a specific tumor antigen, or by activation of an inducible transgene. The primed dendritic cells are powerful components of a vaccination strategy to elicit an immune response against tumor-associated antigens like telomerase. Vaccines and reagent combinations prepared according to this invention can be used on demand as off-the-shelf products for treating cancer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a technology for making a dendritic cell vaccine suitable for high volume manufacturing and distribution. Human stem cells are differentiated in a multi-step protocol to generate cell populations bearing a dendritic cell phenotype. The cells are loaded by pulsing with a specific tumor antigen, or by activation of an inducible transgene. The primed dendritic cells are powerful components of a vaccination strategy to elicit an immune response against tumor-associated antigens like telomerase. Vaccines and reagent combinations prepared according to this invention can be used on demand as off-the-shelf products for treating cancer.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for selecting a cell that has undergone genetic alteration by homologous recombination from amongst a population of cells that do not have the alteration. The successfully targeted cells are identified and separated according to surface glycosylation that has changed as a result of the homologous recombination. The recombination event may inactivate an endogenous gene, or introduce a transgene, either of which encodes a carbohydrate modulating enzyme, such as ?(1,3)galactosyltransferase or ?(1,2)fucosyltransferase. Altering carbohydrate modulating enzymes can be done for producing tissue with altered carbohydrate determinants, or as a means for tracking inactivation or insertion of other genetic elements for a variety of purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods of modifying the neuronal activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising, one or more of the following steps, measuring the neuronal activity of a neural system; and applying an oriented electric field to said neural system effective to modify the neuronal activity of the neural system, wherein the magnitude and polarity of said applied electric field is changed in response to the measured neuronal activity. The present invention also relates to devices and methods for treating brain disorders, such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, comprising, one or more of the following steps, applying a sub-threshold and oriented electric field in situ to the brain of a patient having such a disorder in an amount effective to reduce the abnormal activity of the brain, wherein the electric field is applied through field electrodes in contact with the brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods of modifying the neuronal activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising, one or more of the following steps, measuring the neuronal activity of a neural system; and applying an oriented electric field to said neural system effective to modify the neuronal activity of the neural system, wherein the magnitude and polarity of said applied electric field is changed in response to the measured neuronal activity. The present invention also relates to devices and methods for treating brain disorders, such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, comprising, one or more of the following steps, applying a sub-threshold and oriented electric field in situ to the brain of a patient having such a disorder in an amount effective to reduce the abnormal activity of the brain, wherein the electric field is applied through field electrodes in contact with the brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods of modifying the neuronal activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising, one or more of the following steps, measuring the neuronal activity of a neural system; and applying an oriented electric field to the neural system effective to modify the neuronal activity of the neural system, wherein the magnitude and polarity of the applied electric field is changed in response to the measured neuronal activity. The present invention also relates to devices and methods for treating brain disorders, such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, comprising, one or more of the following steps, applying a sub-threshold and oriented electric field in situ to the brain of a patient having such a disorder in an amount effective to reduce the abnormal activity of the brain, wherein the electric field is applied through field electrodes in contact with the brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods of modifying the neuronal activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising, one or more of the following steps, measuring the neuronal activity of a neural system; and applying an oriented electric field to said neural system effective to modify the neuronal activity of the neural system, wherein the magnitude and polarity of said applied electric field is changed in response to the measured neuronal activity. The present invention also relates to devices and methods for treating brain disorders, such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, comprising, one or more of the following steps, applying a sub-threshold and oriented electric field in situ to the brain of a patient having such a disorder in an amount effective to reduce the abnormal activity of the brain, wherein the electric field is applied through field electrodes in contact with the brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods of modifying the neuronal activity of a neural system comprising neurons, comprising, one or more of the following steps, measuring the neuronal activity of a neural system; and applying an oriented electric field to said neural system effective to modify the neuronal activity of the neural system, wherein the magnitude and polarity of said applied electric field is changed in response to the measured neuronal activity. The present invention also relates to devices and methods for treating brain disorders, such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, comprising, one or more of the following steps, applying a sub-threshold and oriented electric field in situ to the brain of a patient having such a disorder in an amount effective to reduce the abnormal activity of the brain, wherein the electric field is applied through field electrodes in contact with the brain.

Abstract: A DC electric field is applied to brain tissue in parallel alignment with urons thereof during periods of brief duration while the tissue is undergoing epileptic activity. The electric field is controllably changed in polarity and magnitude to modify such epileptic activity based on data obtained by recording such activity through electrodes that are isopotentially aligned within the electric field imposed on a slice of the brain tissue.