Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resorbable balloon designed to contain bone cement for vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty applications is described. The resorbable balloon can be inserted into a vertebral body following vertebral cavitation and filled with bone cement. The balloon remains in place in the vertebral body and resorbs over time. Methods and apparatus are also described for delivering therapeutic agents using collapsible, resorbable balloons. The balloons may be nested and filled with various therapeutic agents that are released over time at rates dependent upon structures and degradation rates of the balloons. Furthermore, the function of the hollow devices can encompass both encapsulation and therapeutic substance delivery roles simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resorbable balloon designed to contain bone cement for vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty applications is described. The resorbable balloon can be inserted into a vertebral body following vertebral cavitation and filled with bone cement. The balloon remains in place in the vertebral body and resorbs over time. Methods and apparatus are also described for delivering therapeutic agents using collapsible, resorbable balloons. The balloons may be nested and filled with various therapeutic agents that are released over time at rates dependent upon structures and degradation rates of the balloons. Furthermore, the function of the hollow devices can encompass both encapsulation and therapeutic substance delivery roles simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resorbable balloon designed to contain bone cement for vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty applications is described. The resorbable balloon can be inserted into a vertebral body following vertebral cavitation and filled with bone cement. The balloon remains in place in the vertebral body and resorbs over time. Methods and apparatus are also described for delivering therapeutic agents using collapsible, resorbable balloons. The balloons may be nested and filled with various therapeutic agents that are released over time at rates dependent upon structures and degradation rates of the balloons. Furthermore, the function of the hollow devices can encompass both encapsulation and therapeutic substance delivery roles simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making and using composites and scaffolds as implantable devices useful for tissue repair, guided tissue regeneration, and tissue engineering. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of making and using compression molded resorbable thermoplastic polymer composites which can be subsequently processed with non-organic solvents to create porous, resorbable thermoplastic polymer scaffolds or composite scaffold with interconnected porosity. Furthermore, these composites or scaffolds can be coated with an organic and/or inorganic material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resorbable balloon designed to contain bone cement for vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty applications is described. The resorbable balloon can be inserted into a vertebral body following vertebral cavitation and filled with bone cement. The balloon remains in place in the vertebral body and resorbs over time. Methods and apparatus are also described for delivering therapeutic agents using collapsible, resorbable balloons. The balloons may be nested and filled with various therapeutic agents that are released over time at rates dependent upon structures and degradation rates of the balloons. Furthermore, the function of the hollow devices can encompass both encapsulation and therapeutic substance delivery roles simultaneously.

Abstract: Composition derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicines, medicinal plants and extracts thereof, are provided. These compositions can be used as chemopreventive and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel immunogenic composition and vaccine, processes for producing them and methods for immunization against infections and disease caused by group A Streptococci. The compositions include group A streptococcal polysaccharide covalently linked to protein or liposomes to form immunogenic conjugates. The method of immunization for this invention comprises administering to an individual an immunogenic amount of group A polysaccharide. The group A polysaccharide may be administered as a vaccine either on its own, conjugated to proteins or conjugated to liposomes. Additionally, the group A polysaccharides may be associated with an adjuvant. This invention is particularly useful for providing both active and passive immunogenic protection for those populations most at risk of contracting group A Streptococcal infections and disease namely adults, pregnant women and in particular infants and children.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified pneumolysin polypeptides that retain the immunogenic nature of pneumolysin but have reduced or undetectable hemolytic activity compared to native pneumolysin. The invention also provides a method for generating novel pneumolysin variants with these desired characteristic properties. The invention also provides immunogenic compositions useful as pharmaceutical compositions including vaccines in which non-toxic, modified pneumolysin is used to stimulate protective immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The vaccines may be compositions in which the modified pneumolysin is conjugated to bacterial polysaccharides or may be carried on an attenuated viral vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a cell carrier portion containing regenerative cells, e.g., stem and progenitor cells, and a cell carrier containment portion. The device is useful for the treatment of bone related disorders, including spinal fusion related disorders and long bone or flat bone related defects. The device may be used in conjunction with disclosed automated systems and methods for separating and concentrating regenerative cells.

Abstract: Compositions derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicines, medicinal plants and extracts thereof, are provided for the prevention and treatment of cancers especially lung cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer and leukemia. The composition is also useful for treating Helicobacter pylori infection The composition is also useful for treating or preventing a chronic inflammatory condition. The composition is also useful for treating or preventing cardiovascular disease. The composition is also useful for treating or preventing cerebral vascular disease. The compositions are useful as adjuncts to conventional surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments in patients with cancer. Preferred compositions of the invention contain the herbal ingredients Sophora tonkinensis, Polygonum bistorta, Prunella vulgaris, Sonchus brachyotus, Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz, and Dioscorea bulbifera.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the treatment or prevention of cancer, H. pylori infections, chronic inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular diseases or cerebral vascular diseases in a mammal, comprising the administration of the mammal of an effective amount of a composition containing a matrine component and dictamnine. Another aspect of the invention relates to a composition comprising at least 15 &mgr;mole of a matrine component and at least 0.15 &mgr;mole of dictamnine.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the manufacture of a herbal composition, said process comprising: a. subjecting a matrine containing plant material, in the absence of a plant material derived from the species Dictamnus, to an extraction with an aqueous solvent, optionally followed by a concentration step, to produce a herbal extract I; b. subjecting a plant material derived from the species Dictamnus, to an extraction with an aqueous solvent, optionally followed by a concentration step, to produce a herbal extract II; c. mixing the herbal extracts I and II; d. provided the resulting mixture contains a significant amount of water, drying the mixture to a water content of less than 6 wt. %. The herbal composition according to the present invention may advantageously be used in a method of treating or preventing cancer, H. pylori infections, chronic inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular diseases or cerebral vascular diseases in mammals.

Abstract: Compositions derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicines, medicinal plants and extracts thereof, are provided for the prevention and treatment of cancers especially cancer of the lung, esophagus, stomach, oral cavity and prostate as well as for treating Helicobacter pylori infection. The compositions of the invention are obtained through specific techniques and have demonstrated efficacy for chemoprevention of cancers of the lung, esophagus, stomach, and the oral cavity as well as exhibiting in vitro activity against prostate cancer and leukemic cell lines. The compositions are useful as adjuncts to conventional surgery or radiotherapy treatments in patients with esophageal cancer. The compositions are effective as a treatment for H. pylori infection. Currently, there is no effective chemopreventive agent for these cancers. The current invention addresses a special need in cancer control.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention a spinal fixation system includes an elongated spinal element (11) configured to extend adjacent the spine, and a plurality of fixation elements (15) each engagable to the spine and to the elongated spinal element (11). The embodiment further includes an extension member (28) having a head portion (30) defining a variable angle surface and an elongated portion (29) extending from the head portion, and a clamping member (31) for clamping the extension member (28) to the elongated spinal element (11). The clamping member (31) defines a mating surface configured for mating engagement with the variable angle surface of the extension member (28) to permit orientation of the elongated portion (29) of the extension member (28) at a plurality of angles relative to the elongated spinal element (11).

Abstract: An iliac screw includes a smooth distal shank (35), a threaded proximal shank (37) and a proximal head portion (38). The smooth distal shank (35) is configured to penetrate the cancellous bone of the iliac wings, while the threaded shank (37) carries bone threads configured for engagement with the cortical or the cancellous bone. The head portion (38) is configured for engagement with an elongated fixation member, such as a spinal rod.