Abstract: A thermochromic device includes a base including a surface and an image provided on the surface of the base. A layer of thermochromic material covers at least a portion of the image provided on the surface of the base. When a temperature of the layer of thermochromic material changes across a predetermined magnitude, a visual characteristic of the layer of thermochromic material changes from a first condition, such as being opaque, to a second condition, such as being transparent or translucent.

Abstract: Novel lactones of polysaccharide carboxylic acids, and methods for the preparation of a variety of conjugates therefrom, as well as the novel conjugates, are provided. Conjugates include metallo-coordinated cisplatin (and carboplatin), as well as conjugates of ellipticinium, aminoglutethimide, mitoxantrone, mitoguazone, cis 3-hexen-1-ol, and other nucleophilic biologically effective agents. Also provided are conjugates via a coupling agent of biologically effective agents, such as Vitamin E, DTPA, TAXOL and TAXOTERE.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a tabletop is provided for positioning a patient for diagnostic imaging of a body part. The tabletop preferably rests on a diagnostic imaging table for supporting a patient during diagnostic imaging. The tabletop is defined by (a) a top support surface for supporting a patient being imaged and (b) a bottom support surface for contacting the diagnostic imaging table. A recess, defined in the top support surface, is configured to accommodate a patient support. The recess has a depth sufficient for allowing for vertically positioning a patient on the patient support.

Abstract: A tabletop useful for accurate positioning of a patient for imaging and diagnosis, so that patient positioning in subsequent medical treatments, such as radiation therapy, accurately and precisely correlates with the imaging data. The tabletop of the present invention is a solid flat tabletop adapted to fit over or as an insert in a conventional CT imaging or scan table and provides a flexible support section in which the flexible support material is tensioned to provide a vertical deflection corresponding to the vertical deflection of a flexible patient support of a treatment simulator or linear accelerator. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible support section may be removed and inserted into the treatment table to provide an exact correlation in vertical deflection during treatment.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a tabletop is provided for positioning a patient for diagnostic imaging of a body part. The tabletop preferably rests on a diagnostic imaging table for supporting a patient during diagnostic imaging. The tabletop is defined by (a) a top support surface for supporting a patient being imaged and (b) a bottom support surface for contacting the diagnostic imaging table. A recess, defined in the top support surface, is configured to accommodate a patient support. The recess has a depth sufficient for allowing for vertically positioning a patient on the patient support.

Abstract: Graduated catheters including, but not limited to, graduated urethral and ureteric catheters are provided, the catheters each comprising a catheter tube, an expandable portion, and at least one indicator. The position of at least one indicator may be determined by an extracorporeal imaging method. A kit comprising a matched pair of graduated catheters is also provided, wherein the position within a bodily lumen of a subject of at least one indicator of a graduated locator catheter of the kit has a known relationship to the position within the bodily lumen of at least one indicator of a graduated delivery catheter of the kit. Brachytherapy methods are also provided, including methods of treating urethral and ureteric strictures, prostate cancer, and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Abstract: A tabletop useful for accurate positioning of a patient for imaging and diagnosis, so that patient positioning in subsequent medical treatments, such as radiation therapy, accurately and precisely correlates with the imaging data. The tabletop of the present invention is a solid flat tabletop adapted to fit over or as an insert in a conventional CT imaging or scan table and provides a flexible support section in which the flexible support material is tensioned to provide a vertical deflection corresponding to the vertical deflection of a flexible patient support of a treatment simulator or linear accelerator. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible support section may be removed and inserted into the treatment table to provide an exact correlation in vertical deflection during treatment.