Abstract: A medical retrieval device and method used in endoscopic procedures to retrieve stones has a shaft comprising a sheath with a lumen and a drive wire slidably disposed within the lumen for operating a stone entrapping mechanism on the distal end of the retrieval device. The shaft, sheath and drive wire each have proximal, intermediate and distal portions, and each of the corresponding portions are in generally similar locations along the longitudinal length of the device. The stone entrapping mechanism is constructed of a plurality of flexible elements that are outwardly disposed to form an entrapment space and having an open and closed configuration. Configuration of the flexible elements and the entrapment space vary within the stone entrapment mechanism.

Abstract: A conjugate is disclosed herein, wherein the conjugate includes a ligand having the ability to specifically and stably bind to an external receptor or binding site on a tumor vasculature endothelial cell, wherein the external receptor or binding site is specific for tumor vasculature endothelial cells. The conjugate also includes an anticancer agent that is selectively toxic to cancer cells operatively attached to the ligand. The anticancer agent may be L-methioninase. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the conjugate are also disclosed, as well as methods of treating a cancer tumor or cancer cells with a therapeutically effective amount of the conjugate.

Abstract: Chimeric proteins comprising soluble Tissue Factor (sTF) and another subunit (e.g., annexin V) are described. The proteins promote blood clotting and/or inhibit cancer by targeting sTF to specific receptors such as phosphatidyl serine (PS) on activated cells. These chimeric proteins are useful in treating patients with excessive bleeding due to inborn problems, drug therapy, trauma or surgery and/or as an anti-cancer therapy, for example by causing blood vessels feeding cancers to become clotted, thereby preventing adequate flow of blood to a tumor, which in turn will lead to tumor inhibition and death or may be used in a therapy to cause clotting within blood vessels that pose a threat in the subject in non-cancerous conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to anti-cancer uses of ionophores of which clioquinol (5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline) is a prototype drug. The present invention is further directed toward using ionophores such as clioquinol alone, or in combination with metals (e.g., zinc or copper, manganese) as anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic agents. This invention further relates to the potentiation of the anti-cancer properties of polyunsaturated fatty acids when used in conjunction with the ionophores of the present invention. The invention is also directed to the therapeutic or prophylactic use of pharmaceutical compositions containing the ionophores of the present invention, and to methods of treating cancer as well as other disease states associated with unwanted angiogenesis and/or cellular proliferation, such as diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis, by administering effective amounts of such compounds.

Abstract: A tissue removing device and brush construction, and more particularly, a cytology brush construction which is intended to be utilized in conjunction with a specimen sampling device for the collection of microbiological biopsy specimen from a body cavity. The brush construction is attained by the provision of at least one initially flat element which may have at least one or opposing longitudinal outer edges in either a wavy-linear configuration, rectilinear form, or which may incorporate a multiplicity of closely spaced, parallel slits cut in from at least one longitudinal edge so as to leave a central longitudinal connecting web in the element.

Abstract: A guide useful for guiding a catheter within a blood vessel is formed of a single length of shape memory alloy. The guide has a central portion of uniform diameter and substantially identical tapered end portions each terminating in enlarged diameter portions defining smoothly rounded beads which function to reduce trauma to the lumen of a blood vessel.