Abstract: Oxygen levels in biological tissue or systems can be measured by the phosphorescence quenching method using phosphorescent porphyrin probes, also referred to as a dendritic oxygen probes, with controllable quenching parameters and defined biodistributions. Provided are a “next generation” of oxygen sensors with substantially improved phosphorescence emission for better imaging capabilities, ease of use, increasing the quantum efficiency (phosphorescence intensity) and extending their range of applicability including constructing a class of oxygen sensors for making measurements in organic media. In addition, provided are methods for synthesizing new porphyrin constructs in which the porphyrin is made less flexible and more planar, changing with decrease internal quenching, and thereby increasing the phosphorescence emission used for oxygen sensing.

Abstract: The invention is related to window blind automation and provides a removable device for blind control and automation. The invention is also related to a method for blind control and automation. The device is attached to window blinds headrail with magnets, hooks or other means and the tilter or the cords are put inside the mechanism. The device has a hole where the adaptor is inserted. There are different types of small adaptors for different types of tilters. There is a light sensor for ambient light which might be hidden under semi-transparent plastic or be visible on the enclosure. In the lower part of the drawing the version for vertical blinds is shown. At the side of the verticals there is a metal shaft and the device connects to it with a gear wheel. For verticals, the device is attached to the side of the headrail.

Abstract: Oxygen levels in biological tissue or systems can be measured by the phosphorescence quenching method using phosphorescent porphyrin probes, also referred to as a dendritic oxygen probes, with controllable quenching parameters and defined biodistributions. Provided are a “next generation” of oxygen sensors with substantially improved phosphorescence emission for better imaging capabilities, ease of use, increasing the quantum efficiency (phosphorescence intensity) and extending their range of applicability including constructing a class of oxygen sensors for making measurements in organic media. In addition, provided are methods for synthesizing new porphyrin constructs in which the porphyrin is made less flexible and more planar, changing with decrease internal quenching, and thereby increasing the phosphorescence emission used for oxygen sensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-soluble nanoparticles and methods for making such nanoparticles. Specifically, the invention relates to dendrimerization to enhance the solubility of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Oxygen levels in biological tissue or systems can be measured by the phosphorescence quenching method using phosphorescent porphyrin probes, also referred to as a dendritic oxygen probes, with controllable quenching parameters and defined biodistributions. Provided are a “next generation” of oxygen sensors with substantially improved phosphorescence emission for better imaging capabilities, ease of use, increasing the quantum efficiency (phosphorescence intensity) and extending their range of applicability including constructing a class of oxygen sensors for making measurements in organic media. In addition, provided are methods for synthesizing new porphyrin constructs in which the porphyrin is made less flexible and more planar, changing with decrease internal quenching, and thereby increasing the phosphorescence emission used for oxygen sensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 2,2?-di-substituted dipyrrins. The invention also relates to methods for the preparation of 2,2?-disubstituted dipyrrins, and to the use of 2,2?-disubstituted dipyrrins in, for example, sensing, imaging and laser applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-soluble nanoparticles and methods for making such nanoparticles. Specifically, the invention relates to dendrimerization to enhance the solubility of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Oxygen levels in biological tissue or systems can be measured by the phosphorescence quenching method using phosphorescent porphyrin probes, also referred to as a dendritic oxygen probes, with controllable quenching parameters and defined biodistributions. Provided are a “next generation” of oxygen sensors with substantially improved phosphorescence emission for better imaging capabilities, ease of use, increasing the quantum efficiency (phosphorescence intensity) and extending their range of applicability including constructing a class of oxygen sensors for making measurements in organic media. In addition, provided are methods for synthesizing new porphyrin constructs in which the porphyrin is made less flexible and more planar, changing with decrease internal quenching, and thereby increasing the phosphorescence emission used for oxygen sensing.

Abstract: A method of real-time imaging of dissolved oxygen concentration, comprising adding an oxygen-quenched phosphorescent composition to a sample, exciting phosphorescence in the composition by illuminating the sample with pulses of light, detecting phosphorescence intensity as a function of position in the sample at first and second times following exciting pulses of light, determining oxygen concentration from the phosphorescence detected at the first and second times, generating an image of the oxygen concentration as a function of position, and repeating the exciting, detecting, determining, and image generating steps to produce a series of images showing the oxygen concentration varying over time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 2,2?-di-substituted dipyrrins. The invention also relates to methods for the preparation of 2,2?-disubstituted dipyrrins, and to the use of 2,2?-disubstituted dipyrrins in, for example, sensing, imaging and laser applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to imaging nanoprobe and methods of use thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to long-lived oxygen-insensitive nanoprobe comprising a lumisescent moeity with a long excited state lifetime, embedded in a dendrimer, wherein said dendrimer is internally cross-linked and has hydrophilic peripheral layer.

Abstract: Provided is a durable tissue pH/pCO2 and/or tissue oxygen sensitive probe of sufficient strength to withstand direct tissue pressures in vivo, the probe comprising one or more sensor chambers within a biocompatible, gas-permeable membrane containing together in a single chamber, or in separate chambers, respectively, a pH sensitive fluorophor from which pCO2 level(s) are calculated when the fluorophor is excited and the resulting fluorescence is measured and/or an oxygen sensitive phosphor solution producing oxygen quenchable phosphorescence when excited. Further provided is a tissue pH/pCO2 and/or tissue oxygen detection and measurement system comprising the probe, and methods for use of the probe and the system to directly, rapidly and accurately measure tissue pH/pCO2 and/or tissue oxygen levels in a patient without reliance on blood vessels or fluid protection of the probe.

Abstract: A method of real-time imaging of dissolved oxygen concentration, comprising adding an oxygen-quenched phosphorescent composition to a sample, exciting phosphorescence in the composition by illuminating the sample with pulses of light, detecting phosphorescence intensity as a function of position in the sample at first and second times following exciting pulses of light, determining oxygen concentration from the phosphorescence detected at the first and second times, generating an image of the oxygen concentration as a function of position, and repeating the exciting, detecting, determining, and image generating steps to produce a series of images showing the oxygen concentration varying over time.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising an optically-guided catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen. A light-emitting means is coupled to the catheter, the catheter is inserted into place in the patient, and light is emitted as a point or points from a selected location, usually the distal tip, of the catheter to which it is coupled. The system further comprises an external detection device that detects the transdermally projected light, emitted by the light-emitting point from within the patient, thereby indicating precise placement of the catheter within the patient. A system and method for three-dimensional visualization using an internally positioned light emitter and an externally positioned detection array are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved, reliable and efficient way of measuring the oxygen concentration gradient in a sample by a novel apparatus and accompanying method of calculating linear oxygen concentrations within the sample, permitting diagnostic testing, for example, of the effects of a developmental or metabolic change in a cell or tissue, in vitro or in vivo, in response to disease, injury radiation, or mechanical or chemical intervention, or simply to changed circumstances, or to measure the oxygen permeability of a membrane or plastic. The apparatus in a preferred embodiment comprises a core digital signal processor (DSP), having sufficient memory (RAM and ROM) to perform the necessary calculations, to control output of excitation light from a light source, and to collect phosphorescent lifetime data; and signal processors (A/D and D/A).

Abstract: A method is described for determining the effect of a drug or drugs on an attached culture of cells comprising (i) dissolving the phosphorescent compound, of known or predetermined quenching constant and lifetime at zero oxygen, in a culture medium at a selected temperature comprising an attached culture of test cells; (ii) introducing the drug(s), whose effect on the test cells is to be determined, into the culture medium; (iii) illuminating the culture medium with pulsed or modulated light at a level sufficient to cause the phosphorescent compound to emit measurable phosphorescence; (iv) measuring the emitted phosphorescence; and (v) calculating the phosphorescence lifetime and oxygen concentration gradient in the medium, thereby determining the effect of the drug on the respiration rate of the cells at the selected temperature. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compounds for the measurement in vivo of oxygen in living tissue. The compounds preferably comprise a substituted porphyrin which is soluble in aqueous solution which is capable of absorbing an amount of energy and subsequently releasing the energy as phosphorescent light. In preferred embodiments, the porphyrin has an absorption band which is at a wavelength in the near infra-red window of living tissue and the phosphorescence is quenched by molecular oxygen according to the Stern-Volmer relationship.

Abstract: A detection device for three-dimensional tissue oxygen measurement in animals and humans comprising an array of fiber optics effective for transmitting emitted phosphorescent light, and further comprising an array of phosphorescent detectors and an excitation light emitter, forming a matrix and effective for sequential introduction of pulses of excitation light from a plurality of sites in said matrix.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for growth detection and identification of microorganisms in a culture medium comprising providing a culture medium comprising a solubilized oxygen-quenchable phosphorescent compound, inoculating said culture medium with a substrate suspected of being associated with one or more microorganism, and detecting microorganism growth and identifying said microorganism by causing said phosphorescent compound to phosphoresce and observing quenching of oxygen in said culture of said compound.

Abstract: This invention relates to phosphorescent probes effective for oxygen measurement in human or animal tissue comprising a porphyrin chromophore capable of releasing absorbed energy as phosphorescent light and a dendrimer, wherein said porphyrin chromophore comprises the core of the dendrimer.