Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a phosphatidylcholine-based opioid receptor antagonist formulation, as well as methods of their use and methods of their preparation are provided herein. Such pharmaceutical composition may be used for treating and preventing opioid-induced side effects in patients, and may be provided to chronic opioid users as well.

Abstract: Therapeutic particles contain metal ions and are characterized by the use of unique ligand sets capable of making the metal ion complex soluble in biological media to induce selective toxicity in diseased cells. The particles may comprise a polymeric base particle, at least one pharmaceutically active metal ion, including metal ions from more than one metal element, a ligand that is covalently attached to the polymeric base particle and attached to the metal ion via a stimuli-responsive bond, and a cell targeting component. When the metal ion-containing particle enters a pre-defined environment, the ligands binding the metal to the particle are broken, triggering release of the free metal ion while the original ligands remain covalently bound to the particle.

Abstract: There are disclosed compositions and methods to render nucleic acids resistant to nuclease digestion while maintaining sequence selective hybridization competency. The approach relies on utilizing nucleic acids as the polar head group of a nucleic acid-polymer amphiphile in order to assemble well-defined, discrete micellar nanoparticles. Dense packing of nucleic acid in the micelle corona allows for hybridization of complementary oligonucleotides while prohibiting enzymatic degradation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides POZ derivatives having a range of active functional groups allowing conjugation of POZ derivatives to a variety of target molecules under a wide range of reaction conditions to produce a hydrolytically stable target molecule-POZ conjugate. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides novel methods of synthesis for the disclosed POZ derivatives and hydrolytically stable target molecule-POZ conjugates created using the disclosed terminally activated monofunctional POZ derivatives. In one embodiment, the POZ derivative is a terminally activated monofunctional POZ derivative.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bladder cancer specific ligand peptides, comprising the amino acid sequence X1DGRX5GF (SEQ ID NO:1), and methods of their use, e.g., for imaging detection for diagnosis of bladder, tumor localization to guide transurethral resection of bladder cancer, imaging detection of bladder cancer for follow-up after the initial treatment that can replace or complement costly cystoscopy, imaging detection of metastatic bladder cancer, and targeted therapy for superficial and metastatic bladder cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid formulation of a combination of long-acting insulin and insulinotropic peptide, comprising insulin which is a physiologically active peptide, insulinotropic peptide, and albumin-free stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer comprises a buffer, a sugar alcohol, a non-ionic surfactant, and an isotonic agent; and a method for preparing the liquid formulation. The liquid formulation of the present invention does not contain a human serum albumin and potentially toxic factors to the body, and thus it has excellent storage stability for insulin conjugate and insulinotropic peptide conjugate at high concentration, without a risk of viral contamination.

Abstract: A method of delivering a cargo agent into cytosol of a cell can include: providing the delivery system of one of the embodiments described herein having the first and second delivery platforms; and administering the delivery system to a cell so as to cause targeting of two features on the cell so as to: cause endocytosis of the first and second delivery platforms of the delivery system into a common endosome, destabilize the endosome of the cell having the delivery system, release the cargo agent from the second linker; and release the cargo agent from the destabilized endosome into cytosol of the cell. A method of treating a disease can include: performing the method of method of delivering a cargo agent into cytosol of a cell in a subject having a disease, wherein the cargo agent is a therapeutic agent for the disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to conjugates in which a sterol is functionalized by an ether bond with a water-soluble polymer to which a guiding ligand is bound. These conjugates improve the physico-chemical and delivery properties of their carrying vesicles, making these more stable, homogeneous and effective. A method for their preparation, a pharmaceutical composition containing said liposomes, and their therapeutic use are described as well.

Abstract: A magnetic nanoparticles including a TRPV1 agonist, as well as methods of preparation and use, are described herein. A magnetically responsive pharmaceutical can include a core region having a magnetic nanoparticle (MNPs) and a TRPV1 protein agonist. Further, an exterior coating comprising a polymer can be formed around the core region. The magnetically responsive pharmaceutical can be administered to a recipient and directed to a target region using an external magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the incorporation of target sequences of microRNAs into the 3? UTR region of a gene of interest in nucleic acid vectors. The invention also provides for an expression system comprising such vectors, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such vectors, as well as methods of treating or preventing cardiovascular disease by using such vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray examinations and to the improvement of patient safety during such. More specifically the invention relates to X-ray diagnostic compositions having low concentrations of iodine and an optimized amount of electrolytes. The invention further relates to methods of X-ray examinations wherein a body is administered with an X-ray diagnostic composition comprising a low concentration of iodine and irradiated with a radiation dose.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compounds according to formula I that bind more specifically to mutated androgen receptors than to the wild type androgen receptors and therefore are useful as imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET) used in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing an antiseptic solution includes providing a container containing the antiseptic solution, the antiseptic solution having an initial purity, selecting a sterilization temperature from about 85° C. to about 135° C. and an sterilization time from about 1 minute to about 19 hours, heating the antiseptic solution to the selected sterilization temperature, maintaining the temperature for the selected sterilization time, and terminating the heating of the antiseptic solution when the sterilization time expires. After terminating the heating, the antiseptic solution has a post-sterilization purity. The sterilization temperature and the sterilization time are selected such that after terminating the heating, the antiseptic solution is sterile and has a post-sterilization purity of at least about 92% and the percentage point change in purity from the initial purity to the post-sterilization purity is at most about 5%.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing an antiseptic solution includes providing a container containing the antiseptic solution, the antiseptic solution having an initial purity, selecting a sterilization temperature from about 85° C. to about 135° C. and an sterilization time from about 1 minute to about 19 hours, heating the antiseptic solution to the selected sterilization temperature, maintaining the temperature for the selected sterilization time, and terminating the heating of the antiseptic solution when the sterilization time expires. After terminating the heating, the antiseptic solution has a post-sterilization purity. The sterilization temperature and the sterilization time are selected such that after terminating the heating, the antiseptic solution is sterile and has a post-sterilization purity of at least about 92% and the percentage point change in purity from the initial purity to the post-sterilization purity is at most about 5%.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents sanitization devices and methods. More particularly, the disclosure presents devices and methods that significantly reduce or eliminate the activity of germs, bacteria and/or other infectious microorganisms from objects such as TV remotes, cell phones, electronic devices and personal and other handheld devices. The devices and methods use a pre-cleaning component to substantially remove radiation blocking debris allowing the germicidal radiation to exposes areas of the object that would not be exposed if the debris had not been removed allowing for improved sanitization.

Abstract: Systems and methods for disinfecting/sanitizing various articles using disinfecting solutions and ultraviolet (UV) light. In one embodiment, an exemplary system includes a tank that contains a sanitizing liquid, coupled to a pipe system that includes multiple spray nozzles. A pump pumps the sanitizing liquid from the tank to the nozzles, which dispense the liquid to a disinfecting area. Some or all of the system may be mounted on a transportable mobile unit such as a trailer. In one embodiment, a portion including the tank and pump are mounted on the mobile unit and are connectable to a pipe system and nozzles that are permanently installed in a disinfecting area, such as the interior of a vehicle. Other embodiments are also possible.

Abstract: Devices and methods for defining a data set, referred to herein as a signature, for a particular device having interior channels. A baseline signature is established for the particular device while the particular device is known to be in a decontaminated condition. After use of the device and subsequent decontamination of the device, a signature for the particular device is determined and compared with the baseline signature to verify that the latter signature is within an acceptable range.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed which include a discharge lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light, a power circuit configured to operate the discharge lamp, and a reflector system configured to redirect ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge lamp. In some embodiments, the apparatuses include a support structure containing the power circuit and supporting the discharge lamp. In some of such embodiments, the reflector system is configured to redirect ultraviolet light propagating away from the support structure to a region exterior to the apparatus and which is between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from a floor of a room in which the apparatus is arranged. In other embodiments, the reflector system may be additionally or alternatively configured to redirect ultraviolet light propagating away from the support structure to encircle an exterior surface of the apparatus. In any case, the reflector system may, in some embodiments, include a repositionable reflector.

Abstract: A sterilization method for a medical instrument housed in a housing container includes a temperature-increasing step of housing the housing container in the autoclave and introducing high pressure steam into the autoclave to increase a temperature within the autoclave to a prescribed temperature, a cover sheet being thermally bonded to a peripheral wall portion of the container main body; a sterilizing step of holding the temperature within the autoclave at the prescribed temperature for a prescribed time to sterilize a medical instrument; and a cooling step of reducing the temperature within the autoclave. In the temperature-increasing step, the sterilizing step, and the cooling step, compressed gas is introduced into the autoclave under a steam atmosphere obtained by the introduction of the high pressure steam to increase a current pressure in the autoclave to higher than or equal to a pressure in the housing container and inhibit the cover sheet from peeling from the peripheral wall portion.

Abstract: A fragrance diffusion device includes: two opposing walls between them defining a cavity which extends transversally as far as a peripheral wall provided with an opening for diffusing fragrance to outside the device, several openings formed in each wall and which pass through same so as to allow, in the case of a first wall, the fragrance to pass into the cavity from a first zone which is adjacent to the first wall and separated from the cavity by this wall and, in the case of the second wall, the fragrance to pass from the cavity to a second zone which is adjacent to the second wall and separated from the cavity by this second wall, a duct passing through each of the two walls and extending into the zone adjacent to the relevant wall so as to place each zone in communication with the cavity.

Abstract: A fibrous super absorbent material is disclosed including a) a hydrophilic three-dimensional fibrous web consisting of a first population of fibrillated nanofibers, and a second population of fibrillated microfibers, both populations uniformly distributed throughout the three-dimensional fibrous web where the first population comprises at least 50% of the total fiber population and b) a population of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particles with a median size of less than 40 microns dispersed throughout the fibrous web. In various embodiments, a plurality of coarse (greater than 40 microns in diameter), fine from about (40 ?m to about 10 ?m in diameter), ultrafine (from about 10 ?m to about one ?m in diameter) and nanosize (less than one ?m in diameter) particles are dispersed into the fibrous structure to absorb liquids or remove contaminants or bacteria from the fluids.

Abstract: Provided herein are pre-formulations forming a biocompatible hydrogel polymer comprising at least one nucleophilic compound or monomer unit, at least one electrophilic compound or monomer unit, and optionally a therapeutic agent and/or viscosity enhancer. In some embodiments, the biocompatible hydrogel polymer covers a wound in a mammal and adheres to the surrounding skin tissue. In other embodiments, the hydrogel polymer is delivered into a joint space to treat joint disease or navicular disease.

Abstract: Provided is a method of making a polymeric material with a spatially controlled distribution of one or more additives including the steps of blending the one or more additives with a polymeric material, consolidating the polymeric material, heating at least a portion of at least one surface of the consolidated additive-blended polymeric material, and cooling the heated consolidated additive-blended polymeric material, thereby forming a polymeric material with a spatially controlled distribution of additive.

Abstract: A method of treating a renal, hepatic or enzyme-deficiency disorder in a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The method is effected by transplanting into the subject tissue derived from a human or porcine, kidney or liver, the kidney or liver being at a selected gestational stage.

Abstract: An osteoinductive composition, corresponding osteoimplants, and methods for making the osteoinductive composition are disclosed. The osteoinductive composition comprises osteoinductive factors, such as may be extracted from demineralized bone, and a carrier. The osteoinductive composition is prepared by providing demineralized bone, extracting osteoinductive factors from the demineralized bone, and adding the extracted osteoinductive factors to a carrier. Further additives such as bioactive agents may be added to the osteoinductive composition. The carrier and osteoinductive factors may form an osteogenic osteoimplant. The osteoimplant, when implanted in a mammalian body, can induce at the locus of the implant the full developmental cascade of endochondral bone formation including vascularization, mineralization, and bone marrow differentiation. Also, in some embodiments, the osteoinductive composition can be used as a delivery device to administer bioactive agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant derived from intestinal tissue and to an improved method for producing an implant from intestinal tissue. According to the invention, intestinal tissue comprising a tubular segment of intestine with at least part of its associated vasculature intact is processed by: perfusing the vasculature through a vessel thereof with at least one decellularising medium; and separately perfusing the tubular segment of intestine through its lumen with at least one decellularising medium. The new method greatly improves tissue processing as compared with the methods previously known in the art, in which decellularisation solutions were perfused into the tissue via the vasculature only, relying on diffusion to decellularise and purify the small bowel tissue.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a bone graft, comprising: providing a tooth, converting the tooth into a plurality of particles, and selecting from available particles a subset of particles. In some embodiments, the method is performed at a dental clinic. In some embodiments, the dental bone graft is an autograft produced by grinding a patient's tooth. According to some embodiments of the invention, there is provided an apparatus configured for connecting to a motor unit to produce a bone graft at a dental clinic, comprising: a housing encasing: a chamber sized to receive a tooth, a blade assembly positioned within the chamber and configured to pulverize the tooth, an accessible compartment in which a subset of tooth particles is collected, and one or more sieves positioned to sift particles that flow between the chamber and the accessible compartment.

Abstract: A method for producing a dispersion containing silver nanoparticles, in particular for producing bone cement or a coating agent for implants from a silver salt.

Abstract: A problem that the present invention is to solve is to provide a pellet-shaped composition for medical use mainly comprising a polyvinyl chloride resin and exhibiting antithrombotic property when merely being molded. The present invention is a pellet-shaped composition for medical use which comprises 1 to 120 part(s) by weight of a plasticizer and 0.01 to 5 part(s) by weight of a (meth)acrylate copolymer containing a hydrophobic (meth)acrylate unit and a hydrophilic (meth)acrylate unit to 100 parts by weight of a polyvinyl chloride resin, wherein number-average molecular weight of the (meth)acrylate copolymer is 7,000 to 50,000.

Abstract: This invention provides a new class of medical devices and implants comprising amorphous metal alloys. The medical devices and implants may be temporary or permanent and may comprise other materials as well, such as polymers, ceramics, and conventional crystalline or polycrystalline metal alloys. Specifically, this invention provides implantable surgical fabrics comprising amorphous metal alloys. The presence of amorphous metal alloys in these fabrics can serve a variety of purposes, including structurally reinforcing the surgical fabric and/or imparting to the fabric the ability to shield against harmful radiation. The fabric may be used inside or outside the body during medical procedures. Further, the implantable surgical fabrics may be woven or non-woven fabrics.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, compositions, systems and methods for occluding vascular structures and vascular malformations with radiopaque hydrogel filaments. The filaments can contain no support members and can be CT and MR compatible. Methods of forming such filaments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the aqueous outflow of fluid through a trabecular meshwork and into a Schlemm's canal of an eye. A liquid hydrogel precursor solution is introduced into the Schlemm's canal, during a medical procedure. The liquid hydrogel precursor solution is crosslinked to form a water-permeable flexible semi-solid hydrogel in the Schlemm's canal, during the medical procedure. The hydrogel is left in the Schlemm's canal upon conclusion of the medical procedure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices may directionally elute a first therapeutic agent that promotes the growth of endothelial cells and a second therapeutic agent that inhibits the growth of smooth muscle cells. In some embodiments, implantable medical devices may elute a first therapeutic agent such as an anti-proliferative drug from an abluminal side of the implantable medical device and a second therapeutic agent such as an endothelialization agent from a luminal side of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device comprising a hydrophobic analog of a medicament known to inhibit cell proliferation and migration. The invention also provides a method of treating a narrowing in a body passageway comprising placing an implantable medical device comprising a hydrophobic analog of a medicament known to inhibit cell proliferation and migration. The medicaments can be incorporated within or coated on the device. The invention further provides hydrophobic analogs of medicaments known to inhibit cell proliferation and migration.

Abstract: A suction canister cover is intended to hide the contents of a suction canister during a medical procedure from patients and other non-medical personnel who may become queasy at the sight of bodily fluids. The suction canister cover includes a base cover, a tubular lateral cover, an annular restraint, and a viewport. The base cover hides the bottom of the suction canister while the tubular lateral cover obscures the patients view through the sides of the suction canister. The annular restraint secures the suction canister cover to the suction canister to prevent the suction canister cover from being easily removed or sliding from the suction canister. The viewport allows medical personnel to view the volume of contents within the suction canister while keeping the contents blocked from patients and non-medical personnel.

Abstract: A catheter device and method for treating an artery with thrombus, the catheter comprising an inflatable member. A carrier catheter has a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be inserted percutaneously into an artery, the carrier catheter having a tubular body adjacent to a rear end of the inflatable member. An inflating tube passes through the tubular body and having an open front end in fluid communication with the inflatable member to inflate same. An infusion tube is adapted to infuse pharmacologic agents, the infusion tube passing through the tubular body and having an open front end extending beyond the inflatable member. An aspiration tube is adapted to aspire the thrombus, the aspiration tube passing through the tubular body and having an open front end between the carrier catheter and the inflatable member.

Abstract: A wound healing system for promoting healing of a wound of a patient includes a positive pressure source, a reduced pressure source, and a porous foam positioned in contact with the wound. The porous foam includes a plurality of flow channels in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source. The system further includes a filler member having a flexible wall defining an interior chamber. The interior chamber is in fluid communication with the positive pressure source, and a cover member is positioned over the filler member.

Abstract: The present application relates to a breast pump system comprising a vacuum pump, an actuator for driving the vacuum pump, and a power supply for supplying electrical power to a plurality of components including the actuator, and also to a method for use in such as system. An output voltage of the power supply is detected, and in response to the detected output voltage being less than a first threshold voltage, the supply of electrical power to a predetermined one of the plurality of components is suspended. Then, if the detected output voltage recovers to a level above a second threshold value, the supply of electrical power is resumed.

Abstract: The invention is a next generation miniature heart assist device developed in order to maintain the blood circulation in patients with severe heart failure, and is applied endovascularly to the large arteries. This device is technically a kind of synchronous servo electric motor using “direct drive technology”. It provides longer battery life and high blood flow. Small volume and very low energy consumption provide a much longer battery life and a high blood flow. As the outer surface of the parts placed into the blood vessel will be completely covered with the endothelial cells and the intima layer of the arteries in time, there will be no foreign surface contacting directly with blood. As a result, no thromboembolic event or any negative effect on the cellular components of blood is expected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contractible and expandable jacket configured to encase at least a portion of a patient's heart. The jacket has a plurality of individual contractile cells with each of the cells having a first electrically conductive coil and a second electrically conductive coil spaced from the first coil. The first coil preferably defines at least in part a first periphery of an inner nucleus of the cell and the second coil preferably defining at least in part an outer portion of the cell spaced outwardly from the inner nucleus. When electrical current passes through the first and second coils in opposite directions, the cell contracts and when electrical current passes through the first and second coils in the same direction the cell expands. Each of the individual cells has conductive appendages for conducting information to and from the individual cells.

Abstract: Provided is: a resin compound having an immobilized sugar chain, obtained by reacting a an epoxy-group-containing compound (B) with a hydrophilic resin (A), followed by reacting an amino-group-containing compound (C) therewith, and then reacting a sugar therewith; a virus-removal-polymer substrate obtained by coating the resin compound on a polymer support to immobilize a sugar chain that can adsorb a virus; and a biocompatible material using the resin compound.

Abstract: A method of delivering a medicament to a limb of a patient body includes isolating a circulatory system of the limb from a circulatory system of the patient body, wherein the limb circulatory system is substantially all limb arteries and substantially all limb veins located between an isolation region and an end of the limb. A perfusion catheter is inserted into a limb artery in an antegrade position, while a collection catheter is inserted into a limb vein in a retrograde position. The blood flow of the limb circulatory system is then circulated by collecting the blood flow with the collection catheter and delivering the blood flow with the perfusion catheter. A medicament is perfused into the limb circulatory system with the perfusion catheter.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply device and biological cleaning device that, by supplying a sterile liquid including low-flow, low-pressure microbubbles, can dramatically increase cleaning effects and clean quickly and neatly without damaging a biological tissue. A liquid supply device 3, having a supply flow path 2 for supplying a liquid containing microbubbles to a cleaning instrument 1 for cleaning an organism and to a cleaning target such as a medical instrument, is characterized by being provided with a tube pump 5 for delivering the liquid to the supply flow path 2 and a microbubble generator B that is provided midway on the supply flow path 2 and is for causing microbubbles to be generated in the liquid.

Abstract: A prefilled syringe outer cylinder packaging includes a container having an upper face that has an upper face opening; an outer cylinder holding member that is located in the container and includes at least one outer cylinder holding opening part; at least one prefilled syringe outer cylinder that is held by the outer cylinder holding member; and a removable sheet-shaped lid member that seals the upper face opening of the container. The prefilled syringe outer cylinder includes: an outer cylinder main body part; a flange part; a nozzle part that is provided at a tip part of the outer cylinder main body part and has a tip opening part at its tip; and a distal cylindrical part that covers the nozzle part, has a diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the outer cylinder main body part, and passes through the outer cylinder holding opening part.

Abstract: An equipment mounting apparatus on which a plurality of equipment devices are mountable, each equipment device having, in a memory thereof, drug dosage information associated with drug usage location information, includes a main body having a plurality of installation portions, each installation portion being configured to receive one of the equipment devices. Each of the equipment devices is configured such that, when the drug usage location information is specified, the equipment device displays the related drug dosage information based on the drug usage location information that is specified. The equipment mounting apparatus is configured to set a standard specifying drug usage location information and to use the standard specifying drug usage location information to cause the drug usage location information of each of the plurality of equipment devices to coincide with the standard specifying drug usage location information.

Abstract: Excess gas generated by and within electrolytic drug-pump devices is managed by strategically facilitating catalytic recombination or sequestration of excess electrolysis gases in void regions where such gases are most likely to accumulate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drug container, comprising a flexible bag with a distal end connectable to a discharge nozzle, wherein the bag is compressible by a compression means, wherein the compression means is arranged as an axle attached to an opposite end of the bag and arranged to be rotated so as to spirally wind the bag about the axle.

Abstract: Needle assemblies with valves and related methods are disclosed. An exemplary needle assembly includes a needle hub with a needle attached to a distal end of the needle hub and a catheter hub having a wall structure defining an interior cavity and a catheter tube extending distally therefrom having the needle projecting through the catheter tube. A valve with a cylindrical walled structure and a disc with a plurality of slits and flaps are located in the interior cavity of the catheter hub in which the cylindrical walled structure defines an open proximal end. A plurality of flexible ribs can be included and connect to an interior wall surface of the cylindrical walled structure and the disc with an actuator disposed inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub and having a distal end sized and shaped to project into the open proximal end of the valve.

Abstract: An alert device for use with an intravenous drip, comprises two induction ends and a control unit. The control unit comprises a circuit module, an alarm module and a power module. The two induction ends are located on a pipe of the intravenous drip and are contacting with an injection solution inside the pipe. The two induction ends are electrically connected to the control unit by wires. The circuit module detects the induction ends to determine whether the induction ends are in an open-loop status or not. The circuit module connects to the alarm module. The power module supplies power for the control unit. The induction ends uses the injection solution as a conducting means to form an electrically closed loop; when the induction ends do not contact with the injection solution, the induction ends become an open-loop, and thus the alarm module generates alarm signals.

Abstract: A trace control system for an intravenous drip includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A cover is mounted to a side of the housing. The cover and the housing together define a receiving space. The inlet and the outlet are provided on an outer periphery of the housing and intercommunicate with the receiving space. A shaft unit is received in the receiving space. An impeller is coupled to the shaft unit and includes at least one vane. At least two magnetic elements are provided on the at least one vane. A magnetically inductive actuator is mounted to the outer periphery of the housing and detects the at least two magnetic elements. A controller is coupled to the magnetically inductive actuator and controls operation timing of the magnetically inductive actuator.