Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body having an oscillating driver, an interface surface mechanically coupled to the driver, and an inflatable balloon disposed near the interface surface. The balloon may be an angioplasty balloon, in which case the interface surface will deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a blood vessel as part of an angioplasty or related procedure. Alternatively, the catheter may comprise a pair of axially spaced-apart isolation balloons, in which case the interface surface can deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a treatment region defined between said balloons. The energy can thus act to mix or enhance penetration of a treatment held between said balloons in performing a vascular treatment procedure.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body having an oscillating driver, an interface surface mechanically coupled to the driver, and an inflatable balloon disposed near the interface surface. The balloon may be an angioplasty balloon, in which case the interface surface will deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a blood vessel as part of an angioplasty or related procedure. Alternatively, the catheter may comprise a pair of axially spaced-apart isolation balloons, in which case the interface surface can deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a treatment region defined between said balloons. The energy can thus act to mix or enhance penetration of a treatment held between said balloons in performing a vascular treatment procedure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for localizing intravascular lesion in a body lumen. In exemplary embodiments, the methods comprise providing or acquiring an image of the body lumen and displaying information about the lesion with or on the image. In some configurations the information is obtained with an intravascular catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to in vivo evaluation of labeled lesions within a body lumen using a catheter having an array of radiation detectors. The present invention provides catheters and methods which detect radiotracers which have bound to vulnerable plaque. The radiation detectors can be coupled to a signal processor through a delay line so as to reduce the number of transmission lines traveling through the catheter to the outside of the body. The radiation detectors can be semiconductor detectors or optical detectors.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body having an oscillating driver, an interface surface mechanically coupled to the driver, and an inflatable balloon disposed near the interface surface. The balloon may be an angioplasty balloon, in which case the interface surface will deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a blood vessel as part of an angioplasty or related procedure. Alternatively, the catheter may comprise a pair of axially spaced-apart isolation balloons, in which case the interface surface can deliver ultrasonic or other vibratory energy into a treatment region defined between said balloons. The energy can thus act to mix or enhance penetration of a treatment held between said balloons in performing a vascular treatment procedure.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for conducting assays. One such method comprises providing in combination a first bibulous member zone ("first zone") and a liquid medium containing a component. The first zone has non-diffusively bound thereto a reagent interreactive with the component. Conditions are selected wherein the liquid medium and at least a portion of the component contained therein traverse all of the first zone and migrate by capillary migration into a second bibulous member zone ("second zone"). The second zone is of a different composition than the first zone and is incapable of specifically binding the component except when an analyte is to be detected and the method further includes causing a reagent to become bound to the first bibulous member zone in relation to the amount of analyte present.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for detecting the incorporation of a hapten into a protein or macromolecule are disclosed. The compounds comprise haptens bound directly or indirectly to a chromophoric group and a macromolecule-reactive group, whereby incorporation of the hapten into a protein or other macromolecule may be detected.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for conducting an assay for an analyte. The method comprises causing a specific binding pair member in a first aqueous medium to become bound to a first bibulous member by contacting a portion of the first bibulous member with the medium. The first bibulous member is in liquid receiving relationship with an absorbent member. The contacting is carried out under conditions wherein the first medium traverses the first bibulous member and at least a portion of the absorbent member by capillary action. The method further comprises causing the first bibulous member to come into liquid receiving relationship with a second bibulous member. A reagent in a second aqueous medium is absorbed by and preferably becomes non-diffusively bound to the second bibulous member in relation to the presence of analyte in the first medium.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for conducting assays. One such method comprises providing in combination a first bibulous member zone ("first zone") and a liquid medium containing a component. The first zone has non-diffusively bound thereto a reagent interreactive with the component. Conditions are selected wherein the liquid medium and at least a portion of the component contained therein traverse all of the first zone and migrate by capillary migration into a second bibulous member zone ("second zone"). The second zone is of a different composition than the first zone and is incapable of specifically binding the component except when an analyte is to be detected and the method further includes causing a reagent to become bound to the first bibulous member zone in relation to the amount of analyte present.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for conducting assays. One such method comprises providing in combination a first bibulous member zone ("first zone") and a liquid medium containing a component. The first zone has non-diffusively bound thereto a reagent interreactive with the component. Conditions are selected wherein the liquid medium and at least a portion of the component contained therein traverse all of the first zone and migrate by capillary migration into a second bibulous member zone ("second zone"). The second zone is of a different composition than the first zone and is incapable of specifically binding the component except when an analyte is to be detected and the method further includes causing a reagent to become bound to the first bibulous member zone in relation to the amount of analyte present.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for conducting an assay for an analyte. The method comprises causing a specific binding pair member in a first aqueous medium to become bound to a first bibulous member by contacting a portion of the first bibulous member with the medium. The first bibulous member is in liquid receiving relationship with an absorbent member. The contacting is carried out under conditions wherein the first medium traverses the first bibulous member and at least a portion of the absorbent member by capillary action. The method further comprises causing the first bibulous member to come into liquid receiving relationship with a second bibulous member. A reagent in a second aqueous medium is absorbed by and preferably becomes non-diffusively bound to the second bibulous member in relation to the presence of analyte in the first medium.

Abstract: An electrophoresis-based assay system for detection of one or more target substances, i.e. an analyte tagged with fluorescent binding agents. The analyte is reacted with an excess amount of fluorescently tagged binding agent. The reaction mixture is subjected to electrophoresis and the migration of bound and free fluorescent substances are timed at a location where there is a spatial and optical differentiation of the two substances. An optical detector supplies signals corresponding to fluorescent amplitudes of the two substances. The free fluorescent substance arrives at a time expected from calibration runs. This optical signal is a marker for a second time, either earlier or later, when the bound substance should have arrived. Recorded data is searched to establish the relation between free and bound dye among the recorded optical signals. An absence of a bound dye signal infers the absence of target analyte in a sample.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for detecting the incorporation of a hapten into a protein or macromolecules are disclosed. The compounds comprise haptens bound directly or indirectly to a chromophoric group and a macromolecules-reactive group, whereby incorporation of the hapten into a protein or other macromolecules may be detected. The disclosure includes a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n.sub.1 is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;n.sub.2 is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;R.sub.1 is either a carboxytetramethyl-rhodamyl, sulforhodamyl101, or dinitrophenylaminohexanoyl group; andR.sub.2 is --CO.sub.2 H, --NH.sub.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for conducting assays. One such method comprises providing in combination a first bibulous member zone ("first zone") and a liquid medium containing a component. The first zone has non-diffusively bound thereto a reagent interreactive with the component. Conditions are selected wherein the liquid medium and at least a portion of the component contained therein traverse all of the first zone and migrate by capillary migration into a second bibulous member zone ("second zone"). The second zone is of a different composition than the first zone and is incapable of specifically binding the component except when an analyte is to be detected and the method further includes causing a reagent to become bound to the first bibulous member zone in relation to the amount of analyte present.

Abstract: The present invention describes a class of dyes for use in staining cell samples and methods of making such dyes. A preferred class of dyes known as detergent dyes which possess the ability to stain cells in whole blood and are only slowly leached or lost from the stained cells over time are described. The present invention has application, for example, to blood typing for the determination of the presence of blood group antigens A, B, AB, O, and D (Rh.sub.o) and antibodies to such antigens.

Abstract: An electrophoresis-based assay system for detection of one or more target substances, i.e. an analyte tagged with fluorescent binding agents. The analyte is reacted with an excess amount of fluroescently tagged binding agent. The reaction mixture is subjected to electrophoresis and the migration of bound and free fluorescent substances are timed at a location where there is a spatial and optical differentiation of the two substances. An optical detector supplies signals corresponding to fluorescent amplitudes of the two substances. The free fluorescent substance arrives at a time expected from calibration runs. This optical signal is a marker for a second time, either earlier or later, when the bound substance should have arrived. Recorded data is searched to establish the relation between free and bound dye among the recorded optical signals. An absence of a bound dye signal infers the absence of target analyte in a sample.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a specific binding member bound to first particles in a liquid medium is disclosed. The method comprises providing in combination (1) a liquid medium suspected of containing a specific binding member bound to first particles, (2) means for agglutinating the first particles in relation to the presence of the specific binding member, and (3) second particles having the same or a different specific binding member for said means for agglutinating bound thereto, thereby providing for said means to agglutinate the second particles. Agglutination of the first and second particles are separately detectible and distinguishable by spectroscopic measurement. The medium is incubated and agglutination of each of the particles is determined spectroscopically without separating the first and second particles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for conducting an assay for an analyte. The method comprises causing a specific binding pair member in a first aqueous medium to become bound to a first bibulous member by contacting a portion of the first bibulous member with the medium. The first bibulous member is in liquid receiving relationship with an absorbent member. The contacting is carried out under conditions wherein the first medium traverses the first bibulous member and at least a portion of the absorbent member by capillary action. The method further comprises causing the first bibulous member to come into liquid receiving relationship with a second bibulous member. A reagent in a second aqueous medium is absorbed by and preferably becomes a non-diffusively bound to the second bibulous member in relation to the presence of analyte in the first medium.

Abstract: The present invention describes a class of dyes for use in staining cell samples and methods of making such dyes. A preferred class of dyes known as detergent dyes which possess the ability to stain cells in whole blood and are only slowly leached or lost from the stained cells over time are described. The present invention has application, for example, to blood typing for the determination of the presence of blood group antigens A, B, AB, O, and D (Rh.sub.o) and antibodies to such antigens.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the presence in a sample of a member of a specific binding pair ("sbp member") consisting of ligand and its homologous receptor. The sample is combined in an aqueous medium with (1) a complementary sbp member wherein at least the sbp member or the complementary sbp member is bound to the surface of a cell and (2) a fuorescent agent capable of being incorporated into the cell. The presence of the sbp member is indicated by a change in fluorescence of the unseparated cell suspension as a result of agglutination of the cells.The present invention has particular application to blood typing, for example, for the determination of the presence of blood group antigens A, B, AB, O, and D (Rh.sub.o) and antibodies to such antigens.