Abstract: An apparatus and method for purifying a forensic sample using an automated extraction and purification system includes optical tweezers; an input channel through which the sample is introduced; a chamber which receives the sample from the input channel; a collection channel through which selected particles of the sample are removed; and an output through which unselected particles of the sample are removed. At least one buffer input channel is provided. The input channel may allow sedimentation of the sample into the chamber by gravity. In another arrangement, the system includes an optical trapping system; a first channel through which the sample is introduced; a second channel through which buffer is introduced; wherein the optical tweezers are used to move selected particles of the sample from the first channel to the second channel. The selected particles may be sperm. The optical tweezers preferably utilize holographic optical trapping.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for purifying a forensic sample using an automated extraction and purification system includes optical tweezers; an input channel through which the sample is introduced; a chamber which receives the sample from the input channel; a collection channel through which selected particles of the sample are removed; and an output through which unselected particles of the sample are removed. At least one buffer input channel is provided. The input channel may allow sedimentation of the sample into the chamber by gravity. In another arrangement, the system includes an optical trapping system; a first channel through which the sample is introduced; a second channel through which buffer is introduced; wherein the optical tweezers are used to move selected particles of the sample from the first channel to the second channel. The selected particles may be sperm. The optical tweezers preferably utilize holographic optical trapping.

Abstract: A porous balloon or other catheter structure is formed by creating specific size pores for delivering an agent to a body lumen. The pores can be created by passing matter or energy through the surface of the catheter structure, as by a laser or a projectile. In the case of a laser, the catheter structure can be reversed so that the inner surface becomes the outer surface to convert diverging pores into converging pores. In the case of projectiles, a pore size can be achieved by selecting an appropriate size and shaped projectile to obtain the desired characteristic. Alternatively, a material to make the catheter structure can include impurities that can be removed once the catheter structure is set, leaving pores where the material formed around the impurities.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering an agent to an injection site in a wall of a patient's body lumen, with an elongated shaft having a needle-through lumen slidably containing a needle therein, and an expandable member on the distal shaft section which has a collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. In the radially expanded configuration, the expandable member supports the shaft in a position spaced away from the body lumen wall, and the needle slidably exits the needle-through lumen in the extended configuration through the port spaced away from the body lumen wall as a portion of the expandable member maintains the position of the port section of the shaft in the body lumen. The expandable member typically has an open-walled, helical, or lobed configuration providing a perfusion path along the expandable member.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter device having an expandable member formed of a matrix of fiber elements with a therapeutic agent incorporated therein. The therapeutic agent can be coated on the fiber elements in a co-axial configuration. The fiber elements may also have a second coating including a protective substance surrounding the therapeutic agent. The matrix of fiber elements can be formed by electrospinning. A process of delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site includes providing an intraluminal catheter device having an expandable member formed of a matrix of fiber elements, the expandable member having a therapeutic agent dispersed therein, and advancing the catheter device at a desired treatment site. Once at the desired treatment site, fluid is introduced into the inflation lumen to expand the expandable member from a first profile to a second profile, and the therapeutic agent is delivered to the desired treatment site.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter device having an expandable member formed of a matrix of fiber elements, the expandable member including a hydrogel polymer having a therapeutic agent incorporated therein. The hydrogel polymer can be coated on the fiber elements in a co-axial configuration. The fiber elements may also have a second coating including a protective substance surrounding the hydrogel polymer having a therapeutic agent therein. The matrix of fiber elements can be formed by electrospinning. A process of delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site includes providing an intraluminal catheter device having an expandable member formed of a matrix of fiber elements, the expandable member including a hydrogel polymer having a therapeutic agent dispersed therein, and advancing the catheter device at a desired treatment site.

Abstract: This invention is generally related to therapeutic treatment of a coronary vessel wall, and more particularly, to systems and methods for improving uptake of therapeutic agents within the endothelium for enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents to a treatment site. A medical device is provided that is capable of reducing the pressure applied to a vessel wall and delivering a therapeutic agent into the vessel wall. Also, methods are described for using the device to facilitate delivery and uptake of a therapeutic agent into the vessel wall.

Abstract: A system for enlarging endothelium migration channels at a treatment site in a coronary vessel wall, to enable enhanced delivery of a therapeutic agent thereto. The system includes an enlarging agent, for enlarging endothelium migration channels at a treatment site in a coronary vessel wall. It also includes a delivery system, for delivering the enlarging agent to the treatment site, so that the enlarging agent will be delivered thereby to enlarge the endothelium migration channels at the treatment site, and for delivering the therapeutic agent to the delivery site. The therapeutic agent will thereby be delivered into the enlarged migration channels at the treatment site, to treat the treatment site with the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to balloon catheters for treating a luminal system of a patient. Specifically, the invention relates to catheters having a flexible membrane positioned at a distal portion of the catheter, the flexible membrane retained in a substantially unexposed conformation prior to deployment. Preferably the flexible membrane is capable of delivering a therapeutic agent to a localized environment when deployed to an exposed conformation.

Abstract: An agent delivery catheter having two or more axially spaced balloons and an inflation bridge providing fluid communication between the two balloons. The catheter generally has a proximal balloon, a distal balloon, and a tube defining an inflation bridge lumen which is located in part within the inflatable interiors of the balloons, and which extends therebetween, and which has a proximal port within the proximal balloon interior and a distal port within the distal balloon interior to thereby provide for inflation of the distal balloon by placing the distal balloon interior in fluid communication with the proximal balloon interior of the shaft.

Abstract: A method for charging a deformable intraocular lens into a receptacle through a slit or opening in the receptacle periphery, the lens in un-deformed state comprising a) a roughly disc shaped optic part configured to act as a lens when inserted into an eye and b) at least two elongated haptic legs, each leg having an inner end attached to the optic part, an outer end being free and intermediate points in between the inner end and the free end, each leg being curved in unstressed state and being flexible to at least a less curved configuration under stress. The method comprises the steps of i) stretching the legs to align the legs along a substantially straight line, ii) aligning or maintaining the substantially straight line over and substantially parallel with the slit or opening of the receptacle, and iii) transferring at least the two legs through the slit or opening into the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for charging a deformable intraocular lens into a receptacle through a slit or opening in the receptacle periphery, the lens in un-deformed state comprising a) a roughly disc shaped optic part configured to act as a lens when inserted into an eye and b) at least two elongated haptic legs, each leg having an inner end attached to the optic part, an outer end being free and intermediate points in between the inner end and the free end, each leg being curved in unstressed state and being flexible to at least a less curved configuration under stress. The method comprises the steps of i) stretching the legs to align the legs along a substantially straight line, ii) aligning or maintaining the substantially straight line over and substantially parallel with the slit or opening of the receptacle, and iii) transferring at least the two legs through the slit or opening into the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to balloon catheters for treating a luminal system of a patient. Specifically, the invention relates to catheters having a flexible membrane positioned at a distal portion of the catheter, the flexible membrane retained in a substantially unexposed conformation prior to deployment. Preferably the flexible membrane is capable of delivering a therapeutic agent to a localized environment when deployed to an exposed conformation.

Abstract: A spot cleaning apparatus comprises a housing, a fluid distribution system, a fluid recovery system, an agitation system, and a controller system to automatically monitor and control inputs and outputs to said systems for removal of spots and stains from a surface without attendance by a user. A suction nozzle and agitation device are mounted to the housing for movement over the surface to be cleaned relative to a stationary housing. Optionally, the spot cleaning apparatus can be operated in a manual mode.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosed invention comprises a servicing system appropriate for many environments, including medical environments. The servicing system may be used to position, organize, support, and move commonly used equipment and services in a desired area of a facility. The servicing system may include a suspension system, a service module, a detachable equipment support assembly, and a mobile platform for decoupling, docking, supporting, and moving the equipment support assembly to and from the service module. The suspension system may be fixedly secured to structural reinforcement members in a ceiling, the service module may be attached at a distal end of the suspension system, and the equipment support assembly may be removably attached to the service module.