Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated method of determining a kinetic state of a person. The method obtains accelerometer data from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person and processes the accelerometer data to determine a measure for the kinetic state. The present invention further relates to a device for determining a kinetic state of a person. The device comprises a processor configured to process data obtained from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person and to determine from the data a measure for the kinetic state. In the method and system the kinetic state is at least one of bradykinesia, dyskinesia, and hyperkinesia.

Abstract: A method of determining a state of progression in a subject of a disease or treatment having motion symptom comprises obtaining a time series of motion data from a motion detector worn on an extremity of the subject, over an extended period during usual activities of the subject; processing the motion data to produce a plurality of measures of kinetic state of the subject at a respective plurality of times throughout the extended period, each measure of kinetic state comprising at least one of: a measure for bradykinesia, and a measure for dyskinesia; determining a measure of dispersion of the measures of kinetic state; combining the measure of dispersion with at least one other data characteristic determined from the motion data, to produce a selection score; and generating an output indicating the selection score.

Abstract: A state of progression in an individual of a disease or treatment having motion symptoms is determined. A time series of accelerometer data is obtained from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person, over an extended period during everyday activities of the person. The accelerometer data is processed to produce a plurality of measures of kinetic state of the individual at a respective plurality of times throughout the extended period, each measure of kinetic state comprising at least one of: a measure for bradykinesia, and a measure for dyskinesia. A measure of dispersion of the measures of kinetic state is determined. An output is generated, indicating that motion symptoms are at an initial stage if the measure of dispersion is less than a threshold, or indicating that motion symptoms are at an advanced stage if the measure of dispersion is greater than the threshold.

Abstract: Assessing sleep state of an individual. A time series of accelerometer data is obtained from an accelerometer device mounted upon or to the individual. From the time series of accelerometer data a percentage of time in which the individual is substantially immobile (% TA) is determined. From the time series of accelerometer data a typical time of continuous immobility (MTI) is also determined. The % TA and MTI are combined such as by weighted sum, to produce a sleep score. If the sleep score exceeds a threshold, this is an indication that the individual is asleep.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated method of determining a kinetic state of a person. The method obtains accelerometer data from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person and processes the accelerometer data to determine a measure for the kinetic state. The present invention further relates to a device for determining a kinetic state of a person. The device comprises a processor configured to process data obtained from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person and to determine from the data a measure for the kinetic state. In the method and system the kinetic state is at least one of bradykinesia, dyskinesia, and hyperkinesia.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for improving maturation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in a patient in need of hemodialysis, which method entails applying a solution to the internal wall of a lumen of an AVF; and restoring or initiating blood flow in the AVF, wherein the solution comprises an effective amount of a synthetic proteoglycan comprises a glycan having from about 1 to about 80 collagen-binding peptide(s) bonded to the glycan. Also provided are methods for preparing a vascular graft for a bypass surgery, comprising contacting the internal wall of a section of a blood vessel with a solution comprising an effective amount of the synthetic proteoglycan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated method of determining a kinetic state of a person. The method obtains accelerometer data from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person and processes the accelerometer data to determine a measure for the kinetic state. The present invention further relates to a device for determining a kinetic state of a person. The device comprises a processor configured to process data obtained from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person and to determine from the data a measure for the kinetic state. In the method and system the kinetic state is at least one of bradykinesia, dyskinesia, and hyperkinesia.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are syringes having temperature modulation capabilities particularly with regard to changing the temperature of the material being ejected from or injected into the syringe and methods of use. In a specific embodiment of this invention, the syringe comprises a phase transition composition which is to be maintained in one phase within the syringe chamber and ejected in a different phase from the syringe.

Abstract: A state of progression in an individual of a disease or treatment having motion symptoms is determined. A time series of accelerometer data is obtained from an accelerometer worn on an extremity of the person, over an extended period during everyday activities of the person. The accelerometer data is processed to produce a plurality of measures of kinetic state of the individual at a respective plurality of times throughout the extended period, each measure of kinetic state comprising at least one of: a measure for bradykinesia, and a measure for dyskinesia. A measure of dispersion of the measures of kinetic state is determined. An output is generated, indicating that motion symptoms are at an initial stage if the measure of dispersion is less than a threshold, or indicating that motion symptoms are at an advanced stage if the measure of dispersion is greater than the threshold.

Abstract: Provided herewith is a needle for delivering dermal filler thread to a wrinkle in a patient. The needle can also be used to deliver the thread to a patient for the purposes of facial contouring. The needle comprises a coupler for attaching the thread to the needle and also a trocar to ease delivery through the skin.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for treating patent foramen ovale (PFO) involve advancing a catheter device to a position in a heart for treating a PFO, bringing tissues adjacent the PFO at least partially together, and applying energy to the tissues to substantially close the PFO acutely. Catheter devices generally include an elongate catheter body, at least one tissue apposition member at or near the distal end for bringing the tissues together, and at least one energy transmission member at or near the distal end for applying energy to the tissues. In some embodiments, the tissue apposition member(s) also act as the energy transmission member(s). Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like.

Abstract: Methods for treating anatomic tissue defects such as patent foramen ovale (PFO) generally involve positioning a distal end of an elongate catheter device at the site of the anatomic defect, exposing an expandable housing and energy transmission member out of the distal end of the catheter device, engaging the housing with tissues at the site of the anatomic defect, applying suction to the tissues via the housing to bring the tissues together; and applying energy to the tissues with the energy transmission member to substantially close the anatomic defect acutely. Apparatus generally include an elongate catheter body, a housing extending from a distal end of the catheter body for engaging tissues at the site of the anatomic defect, and an energy transmission member adjacent a distal end of the housing, the energy transmission member having at least one substantially planar surface.

Abstract: Methods for treating anatomic tissue defects such as a patent foramen ovale generally involve positioning a distal end of a catheter device at the site of the defect, exposing a housing and energy transmission member from the distal end of the catheter, engaging the housing with tissues at the site of the defect, applying suction or other approximating tool to the tissue via the housing to bring the tissue together, and applying energy to the tissue with the energy transmission member or to deliver a clip or fixation device to substantially close the defect. Apparatus generally include a catheter body, a housing extending from a distal end of the catheter body for engaging tissue at the site of the defect, and further adapted to house a fusing or fixation device such as an energy transmission member adjacent a distal end of the housing, or a clip or fixation delivery element.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for treating patent foramen ovale (PFO) involve advancing a catheter device to a position in a heart for treating a PFO, bringing tissues adjacent the PFO at least partially together, and applying energy to the tissues to substantially close the PFO acutely. Catheter devices generally include an elongate catheter body, at least one tissue apposition member at or near the distal end for bringing the tissues together, and at least one energy transmission member at or near the distal end for applying energy to the tissues. In some embodiments, the tissue apposition member(s) also act as the energy transmission member(s). Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) provide for applying energy to tissues adjacent the PFO with a catheter device to substantially close the PFO acutely. Apparatus generally includes a catheter device having at least one energy transmission member at or near its distal end configured to apply energy to PFO tissues to acutely, substantially close the PFO. Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like. Some embodiments of a catheter device fuirther include one or more tissue apposition members near the distal end for helping bring PFO tissues together, such as a PFO covering member, a vacuum applying member and/or the like. PFO closure via energy-based approaches of the invention may help prevent stroke, treat migraine headache, and possibly treat or prevent other medical conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) provide for applying energy to tissues adjacent the PFO with a catheter device to substantially close the PFO acutely. Apparatus generally includes a catheter device having at least one energy transmission member at or near its distal end configured to apply energy to PFO tissues to acutely, substantially close the PFO. Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like. Some embodiments of a catheter device further include one or more tissue apposition members near the distal end for helping bring PFO tissues together, such as a PFO covering member, a vacuum applying member and/or the like. PFO closure via energy-based approaches of the invention may help prevent stroke, treat migraine headache, and possibly treat or prevent other medical conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) provide for applying energy to tissues adjacent the PFO with a catheter device to substantially close the PFO acutely. Apparatus generally includes a catheter device having at least one energy transmission member at or near its distal end configured to apply energy to PFO tissues to acutely, substantially close the PFO. Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like. Some embodiments of a catheter device further include one or more tissue apposition members near the distal end for helping bring PFO tissues together, such as a PFO covering member, a vacuum applying member and/or the like. PFO closure via energy-based approaches of the invention may help prevent stroke, treat migraine headache, and possibly treat or prevent other medical conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) provide for applying energy to tissues adjacent the PFO with a catheter device to substantially close the PFO acutely. Apparatus generally includes a catheter device having at least one energy transmission member at or near its distal end configured to apply energy to PFO tissues to acutely, substantially close the PFO. Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like. Some embodiments of a catheter device further include one or more tissue apposition members near the distal end for helping bring PFO tissues together, such as a PFO covering member, a vacuum applying member and/or the like. PFO closure via energy-based approaches of the invention may help prevent stroke, treat migraine headache, and possibly treat or prevent other medical conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) generally involve use of a catheter having at least one closure device at its distal end. In some embodiments, the catheter also includes one or more energy transmission members for delivering energy to the closure device(s) and to the tissue adjacent the PFO to induce closure of the PFO. Closure devices may comprise, for example, a bioresorbable matrix or a non-resorbable matrix. In some embodiments, the closure device contains particles dispersed within the closure device to increase conductance and/or to reduce resistance and/or impedance. An exemplary method involves advancing a catheter to position its distal end into the tunnel of the PFO and fixing the closure device within the tunnel of the patent foramen PFO.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for treating patent foramen ovale (PFO) involve advancing a catheter device to a position in a heart for treating a PFO, bringing tissues adjacent the PFO at least partially together, and applying energy to the tissues to substantially close the PFO acutely. Catheter devices generally include an elongate catheter body, at least one tissue apposition member at or near the distal end for bringing the tissues together, and at least one energy transmission member at or near the distal end for applying energy to the tissues. In some embodiments, the tissue apposition member(s) also act as the energy transmission member(s). Applied energy may be monoploar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like.