Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for the treatment of a sleep disorder through stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve or the geniohyoid muscle of a patient, e.g. a human patient. In general, the system comprises three components, namely a sensing component 50, a stimulation component 100, and a control system 200. In some embodiments, the control system 200 may be embedded within the sensing component 50, or the control system 200 may be embedded within the stimulation component 100.

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by either the inability to produce insulin (Type 1 diabetes) and or as insensitivity to insulin secreted by the body (Type 2 diabetes). In either case, the body is unable to efficiently move blood glucose across cell membranes to be utilized. This leads to a variety of local and systemic detrimental effects. Current treatments for diabetes focus on exogenous insulin administration and dietary control. Provided herein are treatments of diabetes using a cellular therapy to ameliorate symptoms associated with both reduced insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. Using induced-pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, beta-like (?-like) cells similar to the endogenous insulin secreting cells were derived. These ?-like cells secreted insulin in response to glucose, and corrected a hyperglycemic phenotype in a mouse model of Type 2 diabetes via an iPS cell transplant.

Abstract: The present invention describes stem cells and progenitor cells derived from hemangiomas, including testing of angiogenic inhibitors using these cells. The invention as described is useful in providing a process to culture and propagate hemangioma stem cells and generate xenograft models to develop treatments for infantile hemangiomas and other types of vascular lesions.

Abstract: The present invention describes stem cells and progenitor cells derived from hemangiomas, including testing of angiogenic inhibitors using these cells. The invention as described is useful in providing a process to culture and propagate hemangioma stem cells and generate xenograft models to develop treatments for infantile hemangiomas and other types of vascular lesions.

Abstract: A delivery device delivery system and a method for delivering substances into blood vessels. The delivery device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an outer surface. A first substance reservoir is disposed within the body and at least one cannula extends from the first end of the body. The cannula includes a cannula tip having a cannula opening therethrough and a cannula sheathing defining an interior passage in fluid communication with the first substance reservoir. A means is provided for delivering the first substance from the first substance reservoir through one of the at least one cannula, and a means is provided for delivering the second substance through one of the at least one cannula.

Abstract: An imaging system for locating subcutaneous blood vessels and a method for locating subcutaneous blood vessels using the system. The system includes at least one infrared emitter an infrared detector, a computing unit that enhances images and outputs enhanced images in substantially real time, a display device for displaying enhanced images, and a power source. The method includes the steps of preparing a body target area, putting on the headset, powering up the system, locating a target blood vessel, inserting a needle into the target blood vessel, and performing the medical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention describes stem cells and progenitor cells derived from hemangiomas, including testing of angiogenic inhibitors using these cells. The invention as described is useful in providing a process to culture and propagate hemangioma stem cells and generate xenograft models to develop treatments for infantile hemangiomas and other types of vascular lesions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.

Abstract: An apparatus for the placement and monitoring of the position of an intraluminal indwelling catheter using an infrared (IR) signal encoded in the catheter and the detection of the IR signal by an IR optical detector. IR emitted from the catheter or IR reflected from the catheter may encode the IR signal into the catheter. The catheter includes a partially opaque flash chamber having a backing with optical properties that contrast with that of blood to allow the detector to image the blood filling the chamber and verify a successful insertion.

Abstract: A needle insertion system and method. The insertion system includes an imaging system and a needle. The imaging system includes at least one infrared emitter an infrared detector, a computing unit, a display device, and a power source. The method includes the steps of preparing a body target area, putting on the headset, powering up the system, locating a target blood vessel, picking up the needle, aligning the needle with the target blood vessel, inserting the needle, advancing the needle until a sufficient depth of penetration has been reached, and withdrawing the needle.

Abstract: Methods for detecting occlusions and leakages in subcutaneous blood vessels. The method is performed using an infrared imaging system having at least one infrared emitter, an infrared detector, a computing unit, a display, and a power source. The method includes preparing a body target area, supplying power from to the system components, accessing a target blood vessel, introducing a substance into the vessel, locating the vessel such that images of the vessel are captured by the infrared detector and displayed on the display; and examining flow patterns of the substance through the vessel by viewing the images on the display.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to view an anatomical structure such as a blood vessel in high contrast with its surrounding tissue. The system and method may be used to produce an image of an anatomical structure using reflected electromagnetic radiation singularly scattered from target tissue. The system and method may also provide same-side illumination and detection of reflected electromagnetic radiation in a convenient integral imaging device. The system and method may also provide helmet mounted imaging technology in a single integral helmet which allows the wearer to view an anatomical structure located within a patient such that the image is continuously oriented according to the orientation of the helmet wearer's head. The system and method may also be used in the performance of venipuncture. The system and method may provide for improved contrast between any anatomical structure and its surrounding tissue for use in any imaging system.

Abstract: An imaging system for locating subcutaneous blood vessels and a method for locating subcutaneous blood vessels using the system. The system includes at least one infrared emitter an infrared detector, a computing unit that enhances images and outputs enhanced images in substantially real time, a display device for displaying enhanced images, and a power source. The method includes the steps of preparing a body target area, putting on the headset, powering up the system, locating a target blood vessel, inserting a needle into the target blood vessel, and performing the medical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of introducing a substance into a living body by forming a plurality of areas on the stratum corneum of the skin such that each area has an enhanced permeability through to the capillary layer. A single laser beam is generated to irradiate the areas on the skin with subablative laser energy to perforate the skin to specific depths without substantially ablating the skin. The substance is introduced into the body by bringing the substance in contact with the areas of enhanced permeability. The present invention further provides lasers comprising a crystal with a partial matte surface-mirror element in combination with a beam splitter to generate a plurality of laser beams substantially concurrently from the single laser beam or with an acousto-optical modulator to sequentially deflect the single laser beam at a plurality of angles.

Abstract: An apparatus for sectioning fresh unfixed tissue into very thin layers with preserved tissue architecture, antigenicity, mRNA content, and amenable to 3-D computer reconstruction. An electro-discharge machine (EDM) to accurately slice tissues through electro-dissociation of the tissue without mechanical or thermal damage. The tissue sample is placed on a holder submerged in a cooling bath comprising a liquid such as saline or water to minimize thermal effects and to provide a sink for dissociated ions. A cutting tool is electrically biased with respect to the tissue sample. A computer controlled EDM machine with x-y-z translation stage slices the tissue as defined by a predetermined program. The liquid in the cooling bath may be cooled to minimize tissue heating during cutting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.

Abstract: A device to guide the placement of the catheter needle more accurately by placing the needle with a mechanical firing mechanism. The device is an integrated handheld unit comprising an ultrasonic probe with a miniature display and a mechanical firing mechanism that holds the catheter needle and deploys it into the target. The device is connected to an external ultrasound machine which provides the imaging for the device. The display provides a graphical user interface to assist in alignment with the target. The depth of placement of the catheter is set by moving a horizontal indicator over the target display using thumb switches on the handle of the device. The thumb switches are connected to a servo motor or the like that adjusts the angle at which the catheter is deployed. The servo motor simultaneously adjusts the distance of the catheter from the skin of the patient to compensate for the change in the length of the path to the target caused by the change in deployment angle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a themally conductive tip containing an electrical resistance heating element. The thermally conductive tip is mounted on the end of a fiber that contains the electrical power leads and other electrical leads connecting to monitoring devices associated with the tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.