Abstract: A burr hole cover is configured to be recessed in a burr hole formed in a patient and includes a base and a cap provided with complementary features to allow a portion of a medical device, such as a brain lead, to be situated in the burr hole cover and then secured by rotation of the cap relative to the base. The features include channels on the base and matching cut-outs on the cap, and slots and locking pockets on the base that are configured to be aligned with locking tabs and locking protrusions on the cap. Because the burr hole cover is recessed in the burr hole, the medical device can extend proximally of the burr hole at the level of the cranium. A bottom surface of the cap may be provided with guides for the lead extending distally in towards the brain.

Abstract: A burr hole cover is configured to be recessed in a burr hole formed in a patient and includes a base and a cap provided with complementary features to allow a portion of a medical device, such as a brain lead, to be situated in the burr hole cover and then secured by rotation of the cap relative to the base. The features include channels on the base and matching cut-outs on the cap, and slots and locking pockets on the base that are configured to be aligned with locking tabs and locking protrusions on the cap. Because the burr hole cover is recessed in the burr hole, the medical device can extend proximally of the burr hole at the level of the cranium. A bottom surface of the cap may be provided with guides for the lead extending distally in towards the brain.

Abstract: A burr hole cover is configured to be recessed in a burr hole formed in a patient and includes a base and a cap provided with complementary features to allow a portion of a medical device, such as a brain lead, to be situated in the burr hole cover and then secured by rotation of the cap relative to the base. The features include channels on the base and matching cut-outs on the cap, and slots and locking pockets on the base that are configured to be aligned with locking tabs and locking protrusions on the cap. Because the burr hole cover is recessed in the burr hole, the medical device can extend proximally of the burr hole at the level of the cranium. A bottom surface of the cap may be provided with guides for the lead extending distally in towards the brain.

Abstract: A burr hole cover is configured to be recessed in a burr hole formed in a patient and includes a base and a cap provided with complementary features to allow a portion of a medical device, such as a brain lead, to be situated in the burr hole cover and then secured by rotation of the cap relative to the base. The features include channels on the base and matching cut-outs on the cap, and slots and locking pockets on the base that are configured to be aligned with locking tabs and locking protrusions on the cap. Because the burr hole cover is recessed in the burr hole, the medical device can extend proximally of the burr hole at the level of the cranium. A bottom surface of the cap may be provided with guides for the lead extending distally in towards the brain.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly basic solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly basic solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a concentration of radioisotope below the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for release to a sanitary sewer as defined in applicable federal regulations.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. An apparatus is provided that immerses the biologically infectious waste material in a highly alkaline solvent which is then heated. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a decreased concentration of radioisotope.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system, method and apparatus is provided for chemically reducing waste. The apparatus includes a substantially alkaline-resistant vessel having a temperature sensor positioned in thermal communication therewith, a heater in thermal communication with the vessel, a substantially alkaline-resistant magnetic stir rod adapted to be positioned within the vessel, and a magnetic stirrer adapted to produce a rotating magnetic field within the vessel capable of spinning a magnetic stir rod positioned therein. The apparatus further includes a water inlet valve operationally connected to the vessel and a water outlet valve operationally connected to the vessel. An electronic controller is connected in electric communication to the heater, to the magnetic stirrer, to the water inlet valve, to the water outlet valve, and to the temperature sensor and is adapted to maintain the temperature of the substantially alkaline resistant vessel substantially at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly alkaline solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly alkaline solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a decreased concentration of radioisotope.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly alkaline solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly alkaline solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a decreased concentration of radioisotope.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly alkaline solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly alkaline solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a decreased concentration of radioisotope.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system, method and apparatus is provided for chemically reducing waste. The apparatus includes a substantially alkaline-resistant vessel having a temperature sensor positioned in thermal communication therewith, a heater in thermal communication with the vessel, a substantially alkaline-resistant magnetic stir rod adapted to be positioned within the vessel, and a magnetic stirrer adapted to produce a rotating magnetic field within the vessel capable of spinning a magnetic stir rod positioned therein. The apparatus further includes a water inlet valve operationally connected to the vessel and a water outlet valve operationally connected to the vessel. An electronic controller is connected in electric communication to the heater, to the magnetic stirrer, to the water inlet valve, to the water outlet valve, and to the temperature sensor and is adapted to maintain the temperature of the substantially alkaline resistant vessel substantially at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly basic solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly basic solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a decreased concentration of radioisotope.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly basic solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly basic solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a concentration of radioisotope below the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for release to a sanitary sewer as defined in applicable federal regulations.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system, method and apparatus is provided for chemically reducing waste. The apparatus includes a substantially alkaline-resistant vessel having a temperature sensor positioned in thermal communication therewith, a heater in thermal communication with the vessel, a substantially alkaline-resistant magnetic stir rod adapted to be positioned within the vessel, and a magnetic stirrer adapted to produce a rotating magnetic field within the vessel capable of spinning a magnetic stir rod positioned therein. The apparatus further includes a water inlet valve operationally connected to the vessel and a water outlet valve operationally connected to the vessel. An electronic controller is connected in electric communication to the heater, to the magnetic stirrer, to the water inlet valve, to the water outlet valve, and to the temperature sensor and is adapted to maintain the temperature of the substantially alkaline resistant vessel substantially at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for safely treating and disposing of infectious biomedical waste and other hazardous materials is disclosed. The method involves alkaline hydrolysis of infectious agents contained in regulated medical waste or hazardous waste solutions. The infectious waste is immersed into a highly basic solvent (>130° C.,>2.79 atm) until the hydrolyzable matter is fully digested, thereby forming a sterile solution and sterile solid waste. The sterile solution and solid waste may then be disposed of through standard means, such as in a sanitary sewage system or local landfill facility. The method also provides for the treatment of lipid soluble hazardous material contained in the regulated medical waste.

Abstract: A method for safely treating and disposing of infectious biomedical waste and other hazardous materials is disclosed. The method involves alkaline hydrolysis of infectious agents contained in regulated medical waste or hazardous waste solutions. The infectious waste is immersed into a highly basic solvent (>130° C., >2.79 atm) until the hydrolyzable matter is fully digested, thereby forming a sterile solution and sterile solid waste. The sterile solution and solid waste may then be disposed of through standard means, such as in a sanitary sewage system or local landfill facility. The method also provides for the treatment of lipid soluble hazardous material contained in the regulated medical waste.

Abstract: A method for disposing of animal tissue containing radioactive materials by producing a solution containing a substantially de minimis concentration of radioactive materials through alkaline hydrolysis and dilution of the animal tissue containing the radioactive materials followed by disposing of the de minimis solution in a sewage system or septic system. Additionally, an apparatus for practicing the above method which comprises a tank capable of forming a closed reaction vessel with a highly basic solvent therein. The apparatus further comprises a means for heating the highly basic solvent and means for filtering and removing the solution of de minimis radioactivity formed within the tank.

Abstract: To localize targets within the body (i.e., fixed intravascular antigens on emboli, neovascular endothelium, endothelium altered by regional inflammation) antibodies are linked via dextran spacer arms to rapidly cleared, Tc-99m labeled, microspheres. A micron-sized, albumin microsphere has been synthesized that is designed to enhance target surface interaction and to have a high antibody loading capacity. Stable, hydrophilic microspheres are produced from a pH dependent refolding of albumin followed by heat annealing. To couple dextran, the microspheres are derivatized with succinic anhydride and then linked via carbodiimide to succinic dihydrazide. After periodate oxidized dextran forms hydrazone linkages to the microspheres, additional dihydrazide coupled to the dextran spacer arm is used to link periodate oxidized IgG via its Fc domain carbohydrate. A milligram of the resulting 0.5-1.0 micron microspheres contains 50 to 350 ug of dextran and up to 10.sup.5 covalently bound IgG molecules per microsphere.