| Vanderbilt University Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120120226 | TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY FOR IMAGING LIVE CELLS - In one aspect, the present invention relates to a microfluidic chamber. In one embodiment, the microfluidic chamber has a first sub-chamber and at least one second sub-chamber. The first sub-chamber has a first window and a second window. Both the first window and the second window are transparent to electrons of certain energies. The second window is positioned substantially parallel and opposite to the first window defining a first volume therebetween. The first window and the second window are separated by a distance that is sufficiently small such that an electron beam that enters from the first window can propagate through the first sub-chamber and exit from the second window. The at least one second sub-chamber is in fluid communication with the first sub-chamber and has a second volume that is greater than the first volume of the first sub-chamber. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120089017 | LIGANDS TO RADIATION-INDUCED MOLECULES - A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120088791 | AMIDOBIPIPERIDINECARBOXYLATE M1 ALLOSTERIC AGONISTS, ANALOGS AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME - In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having a general structure: Formula (I) which are useful as allosteric agonists of the M | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120085449 | High Energy Density Elastic Accumulator and Method of Use Thereof - The invention is an accumulator which stores energy by deforming from its original shape in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator returns to its original shape. At least one part of the novelty of the accumulator is that it captures elastic strain energy of a stretched bladder, as opposed to relying on gases and metals for energy storage as is usually seen in conventional accumulators. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120058109 | REELIN RESCUES COGNITIVE FUNCTION - Disclosed are methods of influencing, and enhancing, cognitive function by increasing, and/or preventing interference with, Reelin levels as well as Reelin signaling. Cognitive function is improved, in a subject in need thereof, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of Reelin, a Reelin-specific modulator or an agonist of a lipoprotein receptor to the subject. The lipoprotein receptor can be selected from candidates such as ApoER2 and VLDLR. As disclosed herein, agonists of the lipoprotein receptor for use with the inventive method include APC, Sep and Fc-RAP. In addition to administering exogenous Reelin, a Reelin-specific modulator, such as a recombinant Reelin fragment, can be used to increase Reelin levels and/or signaling. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120041685 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING RADIATION DOSE AND DISTRIBUTION USING MEDIUM-DEPENDENT-CORRECTION BASED ALGORITHMS (MDC) - Systems and methods for accurately calculating radiation doses in biological tissues exposed to a radiation source are provided. In the systems and methods first, a radiation dose is computed to geometry of water equivalent medium of the biological tissues, expressed in computed tomography (CT) volumetric images. A Medium-Dependent-Correction factor that is a function of an effective bone depth matrix and the incident x-ray beam is obtained and tabulated. Using patient material and density data derived from CT images, the effective bone thickness can be calculated from a specific x-ray source. Finally, a Medium-Dependent-Correction factor that is a function of an effective bone depth matrix is used to accurately determine the radiation dose distributions to biological tissues. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120029340 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BONE STRUCTURES - Systems and methods for characterizing bone structures are provided for characterizing bone structures. In the system and method, one or more | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120022683 | LATERAL POSITION DETECTION AND CONTROL FOR FRICTION STIR SYSTEMS - An apparatus and computer program are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021189 | Pre-coated surfaces for analysis - Sample preparation can be a tedious and time consuming task. For example, MALDI imaging of tissue samples can require the tedious process of hand or robotically spotting solutions containing chemical species referred to as “matrix” onto a tissue sample prior its mass spectral analysis. Provided is a process for preparing a sample comprising immersing a solid support that has a surface comprising a first part that is more hydrophilic than a second part into a target compound solution, wherein the target compound is deposited primarily onto the more hydrophilic part; and/or applying and evaporating the target compound solution onto the substrate to produce the pre-coated substrate. A tissue or other sample may then be placed on the substrate for analysis. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120016256 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND MEASURING CONDITION OF ESOPHAGEAL MUCOSA AND INDICATIONS OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE - A mucosal impedance measuring system that is capable of direct and accurate impedance measurements of esophageal mucosa includes example multi-channel intraluminal impedance catheters with inflatable and deflatable components for positioning the impedance sensor electrodes in direct contact with the esophageal mucosa on the inside surface of the esophagus. Impedance measurements from multiple locations in the esophagus are processed for indications of mucosal damage that are indicative of damage due to gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and Barrett's esophagus. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015428 | METERING ROTARY NANOPUMP, METHOD OF FABRICATING SAME, AND APPLICATIONS OF SAME - In one aspect of the present invention, a pump includes a cam having a cam shaft, wherein the cam shaft has an axis, an exterior surface and M fins spaced-apart formed on the exterior surface along the axis; and at least one fluidic flow channel having an inlet and an outlet, disposed on a substrate, wherein the at least one fluidic flow channel helically surrounds the cam shaft such that when the cam shaft driven by the cam rotates, the M fins of the cam shaft compresses the at least one fluidic flow channels to produce a wave of compression that actuates a peristaltic flow of fluid therein so as to direct a desired amount of the fluid toward one of the inlet and the outlet. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015376 | Free Solution Measurement Of Molecular Interactions By Backscattering Interferometry - Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatuses for the free solution measurement of molecular interactions by backscattering interferometry (BSI). Molecular interaction can be detected between analytes in free-solution wherein at least one of the analytes is label-free and detection is performed by back-scattering interferometry. Further, molecular interaction can be detected between analytes in free-solution, wherein at least one of the analytes is label-free, wherein one of the analytes is present in a concentration of less than about 5.0×10 | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120010601 | ORTHOPEDIC CEMENT AND USE OF SAME IN RADIATION THERAPY - A method of treating diseased tissue in a patient, the diseased tissue being proximate a hardened previously implanted bone cement including relatively high atomic number elements in a patient. The method includes generating a photon beam and directing the generated photon beam into the patient in a direction such that at least a portion of the photon beam impinges on the hardened bone cement and generates Compton interaction knock-out electrons from the high atomic number elements included in the hardened bone cement as a result of interaction of the at least a portion of the photon beam with the bone cement, wherein the direction of the photon beam is such that the at least a portion of the photon beam impinges on the hardened bone cement so that at least some of the Compton interaction knock-out electrons impinge upon the diseased tissue. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010483 | INTRA-OPERATIVE USE OF FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY AND APPLICATIONS OF SAME - In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process for intra-operatively providing anatomical guidance in endocrine surgery. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of illuminating tissues in the neck area of a living subject with a beam of light having a predetermined wavelength, obtaining Raman data from light scattered from the illuminated tissues, finding Raman signatures corresponding to thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the obtained Raman data, and identifying the thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the corresponding Raman signatures. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120004736 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR VOLITIONAL CONTROL OF JOINTED MECHANICAL DEVICES BASED ON SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY - Systems and methods for controlling a weight bearing member having at least one powered joint are provided. A system includes a velocity reference module for receiving myoelectric control signals from a user during a non-weight bearing mode for the powered joint and generating a velocity reference for the powered joint based on the myoelectric control signals. The system further includes a volitional impedance module for generating a torque control signal for actuating the powered joint based at least on the velocity reference. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120003729 | CAPILLARY PERFUSED BIOREACTORS WITH MULTIPLE CHAMBERS - A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110319913 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PERCUTANEOUS COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION - A method and apparatus of percutaneous cochlear implantation (PCI). In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of (a) implanting a plurality of anchor members in a skull of a patient surrounding an ear of the patient, (b) attaching a docking frame to the plurality of anchor members, wherein the docking frame has a docking platform and a plurality of fiducial members, (c) acquiring a computed-tomography (CT) image of an area of the patient's head including the ear and the plurality of fiducial members, (d) determining a centroid of each of the plurality of fiducial members and a trajectory for a PCI according to the CT image, (e) configuring a parallel robot by a computer processor according to the CT image such that a top platform of the parallel robot is aligned with the trajectory with respect to the centroids of the plurality of fiducial members, (f) attaching the configured parallel robot to the docking frame, and (g) performing the PCI using one or more surgical tools received by the top platform of the parallel robot. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110295353 | PATENT BODY LUMEN STENT - A stent implantable in a patent body lumen. The stent comprises a contiguous wire body having a plurality of sequential reversal coils that, when deployed in the patent lumen, are each configured to conform to the shape of the patent lumen and collectively have sufficient radial strength to prevent substantial narrowing of the patent lumen. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295271 | APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AN ADJUSTABLE SURGICAL PLATFORM - In one aspect, an apparatus for supporting an adjustable surgical platform is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a supporting platform portion with a body portion that defines bore along a central axis. Arm portions with engaging means extend radially from the supporting platform portion. The apparatus also includes a shaft portion extending from the supporting platform portion in a first direction, with a shaft body portion that defines a bore along a longitudinal axis B. The bore of the shaft body portion is in communication with the bore of the supporting platform portion. The apparatus further includes a base portion connected to the shaft portion, and that defines a bore in communication with the bore of the shaft portion and the bore of the supporting platform portion. Mounting means are configured to secure the base portion to a region of interest of a living subject. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295125 | Apparatus and method for radio frequency ablation of a liver tumor in liver tissues - A method for detecting death process of a cell or tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of illuminating the cell or tissue of the living subject with a coherent light, collecting fluorescent light returned from the illuminated cell or tissue of the living subject, identifying a NAD(P)H peak of a spectrum of the collected fluorescent light with a wavelength, λ | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294202 | BIOREACTORS WITH MULTIPLE CHAMBERS - A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor has a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a chamber therebetween for receiving the cells and the liquid medium. The bioreactor further has a barrier dividing the chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber, wherein the barrier has a porosity to allow the first subchamber and the second subchamber in fluid communication and allow at least one predetermined type of cells to permeate between the first subchamber and the second subchamber. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110270148 | PERCUTANEOUS COLLATERAL BYPASS - A bypass provided by a bypass conduit disposed in a vessel which is collateral to an occluded vessel. The bypass conduit comprises a helical wire body having a plurality of connectors connecting adjacent turns of the helical body. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110246403 | Method and System for Automated Supervised Data Analysis - The invention relates to a method for automatically analyzing data and constructing data classification models based on the data. In an embodiment of the method, the method includes selecting a best combination of methods from a plurality of classification, predictor selection, and data preparatory methods; and determining a best model that corresponds to one or more best parameters of the classification, predictor selection, and data preparatory methods for the data to be analyzed. The method also includes estimating the performance of the best model using new data that was not used in selecting the best combination of methods or in determining the best model; and returning a small set of predictors sufficient for the classification task. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110243992 | METHODS OF ENHANCING THE IMMUNOGENICITY OF MYCOBACTERIA AND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANCER, TUBERCULOSIS, AND FIBROSING LUNG DISEASES - Whole-cell vaccines and methods for enhancing the immunogenicity of cellular microorganisms for use in producing protective immune responses in vertebrate hosts subsequently exposed to pathogenic bacteria or for use as vectors to express exogenous antigens and induce responses against other infectious agents or cancer cells. The present invention involves an additional method of enhancing antigen presentation by intracellular bacteria in a manner that improves vaccine efficacy. After identifying an enzyme that has an anti-apoptotic effect upon host cells infected by an intracellular microbe, the activity of the enzyme produced by the intracellular microbe is reduced by expressing a mutant copy of the enzyme, thereby modifying the microbe so that it increases immunogenicity. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110237602 | METHOD FOR TREATING SCHIZOPHRENIA AND RELATED DISEASES - The invention relates to a method for treating schizophrenia and/or related diseases comprising administering lurasidone and a mGluR2 ligand to a mammal in need thereof. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110230895 | ADJUSTABLE SURGICAL PLATFORM AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT USING SAME - In one aspect, the present invention relates to a surgical instrument for providing an access to a target of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument has a bearing member, a shaft member and a probe. The bearing member has a first end portion, an opposite, second end portion, a body portion defined therebetween having a longitudinal axis, and a shoulder portion extending from the second end portion. The body portion defines a bore therein along the longitudinal axis. The shoulder portion defines a passage substantially coaxial with and in communication with the bore. The shaft member has an first end portion and an opposite, second end portion, and is slidably received in the bore of the bearing member. The shaft member defines a space extending from the first end portion to the second end portion. The probe has a working end portion and is received in the space of the shaft member such that the working end portion is extendable through the passage of the shoulder portion of the bearing member to reach a target of interest of a living subject so as to provide an access thereto. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229525 | MODULATION OF CYTOKINE SIGNALING - Cell penetrating suppressor of cytokine signaling (CP-SOCS) molecules engineered to be resistant to intracellular degradation are discussed. Methods of treating diseases associated with cytokine signaling include one or more CP-SOCS degradation resistant molecules. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110224803 | POWERED LEG PROSTHESIS AND CONTROL METHODOLOGIES FOR OBTAINING NEAR NORMAL GAIT - A powered leg prosthesis includes powered knee joint comprising a knee joint and a knee motor unit for delivering power to the knee joint. The prosthesis also includes a prosthetic lower leg having a socket interface coupled to the knee joint and a powered ankle joint coupled to the lower leg opposite the knee joint comprising an ankle, joint and an ankle motor unit to deliver power to the ankle joint. The prosthesis further includes a prosthetic foot coupled to the ankle joint, at least one sensor for measuring a real-time input, and at least one controller for controlling movement of the prosthesis based on the real-time input. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110221749 | Photolithographed Micro-Mirror Well For 3D Tomogram Imaging of Individual Cells - A micro-mirror well. In one embodiment the micro-mirror well includes a plurality of planar mirrors arranged around an axis of symmetry and inclined to form a pyramid well, where each of the plurality of planar mirrors is capable of reflecting light emitting from an object of interest placed inside the pyramid well. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110217316 | GBS Toxin Receptor Compositions and Methods of Use - Methods are provided for preventing or attenuating pathoangiogenic conditions by administering at least one GBS toxin receptor polypeptide or at least one immunogenic fragment thereof. Also provided are a composition that includes a GBS toxin receptor polypeptide and a method for making such a composition. In another embodiment of the invention, immunized animals also receive GBS toxin, immunocompatible antibodies to the GBS toxin receptor, and/or expanded autologous T cells to the GBS toxin receptor. Also included in this invention are methods of identifying additional GBS toxin receptors. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110213293 | LIGANDS TO RADIATION-INDUCED MOLECULES - A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110202324 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ACCELERATING SIMULATION OF RADIATION TREATMENT - A method for estimating a radiation dose and distribution for a target volume is provided. The method includes receiving a simulated dose array ( | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201032 | Immunosensors: scFv-linker design for surface immobilization - An apparatus and methods for binding an analyte of interest in a sample are provided. The apparatus comprises a substrate with an exposed surface with an compound, that is electrostatically charged or capable of forming hydrogen bonds, provided bound to the solid substrate. A recombinant single chain antibody (scFv) molecule specific for the analyte of interest, having one or more amino acids with charged or hydrogen-bond forming sidechains in a linker polypeptide portion, is bound to the layer on the solid substrate. When the analyte of interest is present in the sample the scFv binds the analyte to the solid substrate. The apparatus can be used with an immunoglobulin layer to detect Fc receptors, so as to detect microorganisms such as | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110194066 | ILLUMINATED LOW-VISION SPECTACLES - Lighted reading glasses for individuals with low vision. In one embodiment, the reading glasses include a frame for supporting lenses having an oculus dexter side and an oculus sinister side, at least one oculus dexter lens supported by the frame on the oculus dexter side, and at least one oculus sinister lens supported by the frame on the oculus sinister side, each of the at least one oculus dexter lens and the at least one sinister lens having an induced prism in a range between about 4 PD and about 22 PD and a lens power that is greater than about +4.00 diopters and less than about +20.00 diopters such that each of said lenses focuses at a distance that is greater than about 5 cm and less than about 25 cm, and at least one light source having a predetermined light strength oriented to project light to provide a predetermined lighted area in a predetermined field. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110189193 | CELL LINES AND HOST NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCES RELATED TO INFECTIOUS DISEASE - Host nucleic acids and host proteins that participate in viral infection, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A, and Ebola virus, have been identified. Interfering with or disrupting the interaction between a host nucleic acid or host protein and a virus or viral protein confers an inhibition of or resistance to infection. Thus, interfering with such an interaction in a host subject can confer a therapeutic or prophylactic effect against a virus. The sequences identified can be used to identify agents that reduce or inhibit viral infection. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110184306 | DEVICE FOR TREATING PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - The invention includes a recordation and stimulation system for determining and delivering an electrical stimulation treatment based upon the current status of neuronal activity of a subject. The system include components for detecting neuronal activity in a subject's brain and, based upon the information received, determine an appropriate electrical stimulation treatment for the subject. The system allows immediate adjustments to the stimulation treatment as the needs of the subject change over time. The invention also includes a method for determining whether a subject has early Parkinson's Disease or advanced Parkinson's Disease. The method includes the steps of acquiring information regarding neuronal discharges in certain areas of the brain, creating a ratio based upon the neuronal activity, and determining whether a previous medical diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease is accurate. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110178394 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POINT-BASED RIGID REGISTRATION WITH ANISOTROPIC WEIGHTING - Systems and methods for performing computer-assisted procedures are provided. In the systems and methods, a current rigid transformation is applied to a first set of points with respect to a second set of poi s to obtain a current transformed set of points. Thereafter, a linearized transformation is determined that minimizes a weighted fiducial registration error between the current transformed set and the second set. An updated rigid transformation is then obtained based on the current rigid transformation, the translation vector of the linearized transformation, and a rotation matrix that is closest to the linearized matrix of the linearized transformation, followed by applying the updated rigid transformation to the first set to obtain an updated transformed set of points. Finally, if motion associated with such updating fails to meet some criterion, the determining, obtaining, and applying are iteratively repeated using the updated rigid transformation and the updated transformed set. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110172725 | NERVE STIMULATOR AND METHOD USING SIMULTANEOUS ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL SIGNALS - An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110172552 | ACOUSTIC SLEEP APNEA MONITOR - The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for monitoring an individual for an irregular respiratory event. The present invention discloses a sleep apnea monitor for monitoring an individual for an apneic event. The monitor includes a microphone for detecting tracheal sounds related to respiration so that irregular lengths of time between such sounds may activate an alert of the medical condition. The method of monitoring an individual for an irregular respiratory event includes attaching the monitor in a nonintrusive manner to a location around the throat area. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110160800 | SYSTEM AND METHODS OF DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION FOR POST-OPERATION PATIENTS - A method for programming a deep brain stimulator implanted in a target region of a brain of a living subject for optimal stimulation, wherein the deep brain stimulator comprises at least one electrode having a plurality of electrode contacts spaced apart from each other, and any portion of the brain of the living subject is identifiable by a set of corresponding spatial coordinates. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of creating an efficacy atlas in which any spatial coordinates for a position in a target region of the brain of the living subject are related to a position with corresponding atlas coordinates in the efficacy atlas, and each position in the atlas coordinates of the efficacy atlas is associated with an efficacy of stimulation at a corresponding position in the spatial coordinates of the brain of the living subject; acquiring a position of each electrode contact of the at least one electrode in the spatial coordinates of the brain of the living subject; mapping the acquired position of each electrode contact of the at least one electrode in the spatial coordinates of the brain of the living subject onto a corresponding position in the efficacy atlas so as to determine the efficacy of stimulation at the acquired position in the spatial coordinates of the brain of the living subject; and selecting one or more electrode contacts having the highest efficacy for stimulation. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110118597 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT DISABLEMENT VIA IMAGE-GUIDED POSITION FEEDBACK - A system for selectively disabling a surgical instrument operating in a surgical site of a region of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the system includes means for noninvasively placing a number of fiducial markers in an anatomic space of the region of interest of the living subject, means for pre-operatively measuring a location of each fiducial marker in the anatomic space, an imaging acquisition device for pre-operatively acquiring an image volume from the region of interest of the living subject, a probe for intra-operatively monitoring a location of the surgical instrument in the anatomic space, and a controller configured to perform the steps of identifying a centroid of each fiducial marker in the image volume, registering the identified centroid of each fiducial marker in the image volume to the measured location of the corresponding fiducial marker in the anatomic space to determine a registration transformation, mapping the monitored location of the surgical instrument in the anatomic space onto a corresponding location in the image volume by an inverse of the registration transformation, and generating a signal to disable the surgical instrument when the mapped location of the surgical instrument is substantially close to a boundary of the surgical site of the region of interest in the image volume. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110117008 | USE OF AVICINS TO DELIVER THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS - The present invention provides compositions of avicins and avicin mixtures that enhance topical, percutaneous, transmucosal, transepithelial, transendothelial or transdermal transport of agents including diagnostic molecules, therapeutic drugs and cosmetic materials. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110098569 | Method and Apparatus for Standardizing Ultrasonography Training Using Image to Physical Space Registration of Tomographic Volumes from Tracked Ultrasound - A clinical and training apparatus that collects and processes physical space data while performing an image-guided procedure on an anatomical area of interest includes a calibration probe, a tracked ultrasonic probe, a wireless tracking device that tracks the ultrasonic probe in space and an image data processor. The physical space data provides three-dimensional coordinates for each of the physical points. The image data processor includes a memory holding instructions. The instructions include determining registrations used to indicate position in image space and physical space; using the registrations to map into image space, image data describing the physical space of the tracked ultrasonic probe and the anatomical area of interest; and constructing a three-dimensional (3D) volume based on ultrasonic image data. The apparatus includes a storage medium that stores a plurality of 3D volumes acquired by the image data processor for later retrieval. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110097423 | Gene Prognosis Predictor Signature for Colorectal Carcinoma - The present invention is drawn to methods of assessing colorectal cancer prognosis by examining the expression of particular genes disregulated in this disease state. Subjects exhibiting disregulation in one or more of these genes will have a higher risk of cancer recurrence and death. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110084326 | Densely-Paced Films of Lanthanide Oxide Nanoparticles Via Electrophoretic Deposition - A method of forming a film of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of: (a) providing a first substrate with a conducting surface and a second substrate that is positioned apart from the first substrate, (b) applying a voltage between the first substrate and the second substrate, (c) immersing the first substrate and the second substrate in a solution that comprises a plurality of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles suspended in a non-polar solvent or apolar solvent for a first duration of time effective to form a film of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles on the conducting surface of the first substrate, and (d) after the immersing step, removing the first substrate from the solution and exposing the first substrate to air while maintaining the applied voltage for a second duration of time to dry the film of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles formed on the conducting surface of the first substrate. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110083672 | TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE HAVING A CUFFED INNER CANNULA - A tracheostomy tube for use with a neck plate having an aperture. The tracheostomy tube comprises an elongate outer cannula having a lumen and configured to extend through the aperture; an elongate inner cannula having a lumen and an inflatable cuff, and configured to extend through the lumen of the outer cannula such that the cuff extends beyond a distal end of the outer cannula; and an interlocking mechanism configured to releasably secure a proximal end of the inner cannula to a proximal end of the outer cannula. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110082871 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE MAPPING AND VISUAL ATTENTION - A method is described for mapping dense sensory data to a Sensory Ego Sphere (SES). Methods are also described for finding and ranking areas of interest in the images that form a complete visual scene on an SES. Further, attentional processing of image data is best done by performing attentional processing on individual full-size images from the image sequence, mapping each attentional location to the nearest node, and then summing all attentional locations at each node. More information is available through this method since attentional processing is repeatedly done on each image in the sequence. An attentional point that has persisted in several adjacent images will have a higher activation value and, therefore, will be deemed more salient than an attentional point found in only one image. Therefore, the confidence that a location deemed salient by this method is an actual salient feature is greater than with the alternative processing methods in which attentional processing is performed only once on the image reconstructed from the foveal windows posted on the SES. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110059452 | METHODS OF SCREENING FOR GASTRIC CANCER - Method and systems are provided for diagnosing or monitoring a gastric cancer in a subject. Such methods include providing a biological sample from the subject; determining an amount in the sample of at least one biomarker, selected from the group consisting of: CDH17 and OLFM4; and comparing the amount of the at least one biomarker in the sample, if present, to a control level of the at least one biomarker. Such systems include a probe for selectively binding each of at least one biomarker. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058252 | BOTTOMLESS MICRO-MIRROR WELL FOR 3D IMAGING FOR AN OBJECT OF INTEREST - A bottomless micro-mirror well. In one embodiment, the bottomless micro-mirror well includes a substrate having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a body portion between the first surface and the opposite, second surface, where the body portion defines an inverted pyramidal well having at least three side surfaces extending to each other and defining an opening between a first sidewall and a second sidewall of the body portion, and where each of the at least three side surfaces is configured to reflect light emitting from an object of interest. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110054326 | DIRECT VISUALIZATION CATHETER - An endoscopic device providing direct visualization of a surgical procedure, such as a surgical procedure in which there is significant body and/or artificially introduced fluids is provided. This endoscopic device comprises catheter with a lumen in which a transparent gel may be housed. During the surgical operation the transparent gel may be dispensed at the target site to displace the body fluids, such as blood. A visualization tool housed in the catheter may then be inserted into the gel to allow a surgeon to view the target site through the gel. Additionally, the catheter may comprise a surgical tool(s) that a surgeon may use to perform an operation at the target site. After completion of the operation, the gel and tools may be retracted back into the catheter and removed from the patient's body. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110041982 | LATERAL POSITION DETECTION AND CONTORL FOR FRICTION STIR SYSTEMS - Friction stir methods are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110005625 | SOLENOID VALVE ASSEMBLY - A solenoid valve including a spool received within a housing. The spool is configured to move to multiple positions within the housing. The housing includes supply ports, exhaust ports, and outlet ports. When the spool is in a specific location, two outlet ports are in fluid communication with each other. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100298953 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A SURGICAL PROSTHESIS - In one aspect, the present invention relates to a medical device for positioning a surgical prosthesis on a fascial defect of a tissue wall. In one embodiment, the medical device has a removable flexible member having a body portion having at least one magnetic section, and a magnet member positioned in relation to the at least one magnetic section such that a movement of the magnet member causes the flexible member to move accordingly. The surgical prosthesis is detachably attachable to the flexible member, and the flexible member is introducible into and removable from a body cavity. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100298846 | ADJUSTABLE UNIVERSAL SURGICAL PLATFORM - A surgical platform usable for performing a surgical procedure. In one embodiment, the surgical platform comprises a base portion configured to receive at least one probe; a plurality of adjustable legs configured to support the base portion, each adjustable legs having a first end portion and an opposite, second end potion defining a length therebetween; and at least one movable portion configured to adjust the length of at least one adjustable leg. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100297082 | WEIGHT-BEARING POLYURETHANE COMPOSITES AND METHODS THEREOF - Present inventions present composites of particles and polymers, as well as methods of making such composite and uses thereof. A low or non-porous composite comprises a plurality of bone particles; and polyurethane components with which the bone particles are combined. Provided composites can be prepared in a one-shot process. Alternatively or additionally, composites can be prepared by compression molding under a high pressure. Before or after implantation, provided composites may be set to form a hardened state of composites that provides mechanical strength and supports the in-growth of cells. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100254996 | SYNERGISTIC TREATMENT OF CELLS THAT EXPRESS EPHA2 AND ERBB2 - The present invention relates to methods of treating hyperproliferative cells that express EphA2 and ErbB2. The present invention further relates to methods of selecting patient populations for treatment methodologies. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100254910 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC TARGETING OF COX-2 - The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions that selectively bind cyclooxygenase-2 and comprise a therapeutic and/or diagnostic moiety. Also provided are methods for using the disclosed compositions for diagnosing (i.e., by imaging) a target cell and/or treating a disorder associated with a cyclooxygenase-2 biological activity. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100252009 | High Inertance Liquid Piston Engine-Compressor and Method of Use Thereof - Disclosed herein is a high inertance liquid piston engine-compressor and method of use thereof. The high inertance engine-compressor is light weight, portable and for use with pneumatically actuated devices that may have periods of inactivity between periods of pneumatic use. The present invention provides a power generation system that is for use with mobile or portable devices which need a portable long lasting energy source. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100240710 | Use of Pyridoxamine to Treat and/or Prevent Disease Processes - Methods for treating and/or preventing at least one symptom of a disorder associated with oxidative stress, carbonyl stress, or combinations thereof in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods include administering to the subject an effective amount of pyridoxamine, an analog or derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of any of the foregoing. Also provided are methods for treating or preventing a nephropathy, acute renal injury, acute renal failure, or combinations thereof in a subject, and formulations adapted for intravenous administration comprising pyridoxamine, an analog or derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of any of the foregoing. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100222785 | ANCHOR DRIVER - A surgical instrument for securing an anchor in a target area of the skull of a living subject to a predetermined driving depth. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument has a driver member, a bit member, a cap member that has a body portion forming a bore therein along a longitudinal axis, wherein inside the bore, a first inner surface is formed with an engagement length and a shape that is complimentary to a shaped surface of a driving engagement portion of the driver member to allow it to have a slidable engagement with the cap member, and a base member that has a body portion and an anchor engagement portion, wherein the engagement length of the first inner surface of the cap member equals the predetermined driving depth. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222750 | REPLENISHABLE DRUG DELIVERY IMPLANT FOR BONE AND CARTILAGE - A spinal implant comprising one or more integrated walls spaced apart to define an interior cavity configured to retain bone graft material, and having at least one aperture providing a pathway between the interior cavity and an exterior environment of the implant; wherein at least one of the one or more walls has a lumen therein, the lumen terminating at a post-operatively accessible refill port and at one or more drug delivery ports disposed in a surface of the at least one wall, and configured to allow drugs to flow from the refill port to the one or more delivery ports. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100214562 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR NON-INVASIVELY EVALUATING A TARGET OF INTEREST OF A LIVING SUBJECT - In one aspect, the present invention relates to a probe using integrated confocal reflectance imaging, confocal Raman spectroscopy, and gross spatial imaging for non-invasively evaluating a target of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the probe includes a casing with a first end and an opposite, second end, a first optical port, a second optical port, and a third optical port, where the first and second optical ports are located at the first end of the casing and the third optical port is located at the second end of the casing such that the first and third optical ports define a first optical path between them and the second and third optical ports define a second optical path between them, respectively, where each of the first and second optical paths has a first portion and a second portion, where the second portions of the first and second optical paths are substantially overlapped and proximal to the third optical port, and where the probe also includes a collimation lens, a coupling lens, an objective lens assembly, a first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror, a band pass filter, a long pass filter, a scanning member, an electronic imaging device, and a focus control device, where the collimation lens, the band pass filter, and the second mirror are placed at the first portion of the first optical path, where the coupling lens, the long pass filter, and the first mirror are placed at the first portion of the second optical path, and where the third mirrors, the scanning member, and the objective assembly are placed at the overlapped second portion of the first and second optical paths. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100184056 | Sample collection and measurement in a single container by back scattering interferometry - This invention provides a device and method for collection and analysis of heterogeneous samples in a single sample container by back scattering interferometry. The sample container is configured to allow collection of a heterogeneous sample, such as blood, from a subject, separation of insoluble materials, such as blood cells by, for example, centrifugation, and mounting on a back scattering interferometer for analysis. In certain embodiments the container is a capillary tube and the interferometer comprises a mounting to hold the capillary tube in position for analysis. The device and method allow point-of-care analysis of samples. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100179564 | MICROSTEREOTACTIC TABLE - The present invention, in another aspect, relates to a microstereotactic table. In one embodiment, the microstereotactic table includes a plate member having a first surface, an opposite, second surface, a body portion defined therebetween, a plurality of leg members, each of them removably engaged with the plate member, respectively, and a passage is formed between the first surface and the opposite, second surface of the body portion of the plate member and along a longitudinal axis, wherein a step is formed within the passage, and wherein the step is formed such that the distance from the step to one of the first surface and the opposite, second surface along the longitudinal axis is a predetermined length. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100174292 | Surgical instrument for placing a prosthesis into a target area of a living subject - One aspect of the present invention relates to a surgical instrument for placing a prosthesis into a target area of a living subject. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a body member, a shaft extending away from the body member for securing the prosthesis, an engaging member engaged with the body member and the shaft, for engaging the prosthesis, and an actuator connected to the engaging member, for moving between a first position in which the engaging member is disengaged from the prosthesis and a second position in which the engaging member is engaged with the prosthesis. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100145200 | SPATIALLY OFFSET RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY OF LAYERED SOFT TISSUES AND APPLICATIONS OF SAME - The present invention in one aspect relates to a method for surgical margin evaluation of tissues during breast conserving therapy at a surgical site of interest. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of acquiring a plurality of spatially offset Raman spectra from the surgical site of interest, identifying tissue signatures from the plurality of spatially offset Raman spectra, and determining surgical margins of the surgical site from the identified tissue signatures. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100140324 | LATERAL POSITION DETECTION FOR FRICTION STIR SYSTEMS - A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path. In one embodiment, the friction stir system can be embodied as a closed loop tracking system, such as a robot-based tracked friction stir welding (FSW) or friction stir processing (FSP) system. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100098592 | POROUS MEMBRANE WAVEGUIDE SENSORS AND SENSING SYSTEMS THEREFROM FOR DETECTING BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL TARGETS - A sensor for sensing at least one biological target or chemical target is provided. The sensor includes a membrane includes a membrane material that supports generation and propagation of at least one waveguide mode, where the membrane material includes a plurality of voids having an average size<2 microns. The sensor also includes at least one receptor having structure for binding to the target within the plurality of voids, and an optical coupler for coupling light to the membrane sufficient to generate the waveguide mode in the membrane from photons incident on the optical coupler. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100081678 | INDOLE COMPOUNDS AND THEIR USE AS RADIATION SENSITIZING AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENTS - Indole derivatives that are useful in the treatment of cancer as a chemotherapeutic agent or radiosensitizing agent. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100076184 | GBS TOXIN RECEPTOR - A novel GBS toxin receptor, and methods for its preparation and use are provided. GBS toxin receptor polynucleotides and polypeptides are provided as well as detection, screening, and therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions involving such polynucleotides and polypeptides. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100049180 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDITIONING ANIMAL TISSUE USING LASER LIGHT - Systems and methods for prophylactic measures aimed at improving wound repair. In some embodiments, laser-mediated preconditioning would enhance surgical wound healing that was correlated with hsp70 expression. Using a pulsed laser (λ=1850 nm, Tp=2 ms, 50 Hz, H=7.64 mJ/cm | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100038658 | Polymer light-emitting diode and fabrication of same by resonant infrared laser vapor deposition - A polymeric light-emitting diode (PLED) and methods of making same. In one embodiment, the PLED comprises a substrate, a layer of a first conductive material formed on a surface of the substrate, a layer of a conductive polymeric material deposited on the layer of the first conductive material, a layer of a luminescent polymeric material deposited on the layer of the conductive polymeric material, and a layer of a second conductive material formed on the layer of the luminescent polymeric material, wherein at least one of the layer of the conductive polymeric material and the layer of the luminescent polymeric material is deposited by the laser vapor deposition (LVD). | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100027008 | On-Chip Polarimetry for High-Throughput Screening of Nanoliter and Smaller Sample Volumes - A polarimetry technique for measuring optical activity that is particularly suited for high throughput screening employs a chip or substrate ( | 02-04-2010 |
| 20090294511 | LATERAL POSITION DETECTION FOR FRICTION STIR SYSTEMS - A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path. In one embodiment, the friction stir system can be embodied as a closed loop tracking system, such as a robot-based tracked friction stir welding (FSW) or friction stir processing (FSP) system. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090292363 | INTERVERTEBRAL PROSTHESIS - A prosthesis for replacing a native disc between first and second adjacent vertebral bodies. The prosthesis includes a compliant element having a first composition and a geometry for providing a plurality of element stiffnesses for the compliant element substantially matching spatial stiffnesses of the native disc. The prosthesis also includes an upper plate of the first or a second composition, the upper plate having opposed inner and outer surfaces, the upper plate inner surface having a first retaining structure for affixing a position of the first end of the compliant element, and a lower plate of the first or a second composition, the lower plate having opposed inner and outer surfaces, the lower plate inner surface having a second retaining structure for affixing a position of the second end of the compliant element. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090292211 | Methods and Apparatus for Optical Spectroscopic Detection of Cell and Tissue Death - A method for detecting death process of a cell or tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of illuminating the cell or tissue of the living subject with a coherent light, collecting fluorescent light returned from the illuminated cell or tissue of the living subject, identifying a NAD(P)H peak of a spectrum of the collected fluorescent light with a wavelength, λ | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090265018 | POWERED LEG PROSTHESIS AND CONTROL METHODOLOGIES FOR OBTAINING NEAR NORMAL GAIT - A powered leg prosthesis includes powered knee joint comprising a knee joint and a knee motor unit for delivering power to the knee joint. The prosthesis also includes a prosthetic lower leg having a socket interface coupled to the knee joint and a powered ankle joint coupled to the lower leg opposite the knee joint comprising an ankle joint and an ankle motor unit to deliver power to the ankle joint. The prosthesis further includes a prosthetic foot coupled to the ankle joint, at least one sensor for measuring a real-time input, and at least one controller for controlling movement of the prosthesis based on the real-time input. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090252678 | COX-2-TARGETED IMAGING AGENTS - The presently disclosed subject matter provides a method for synthesizing a radiological imaging agent by reacting a COX-2-selective ligand with a compound comprising a detectable group, wherein the COX-2-selective ligand is a derivative of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) comprising an ester moiety or a secondary amide moiety. Also provided are compositions that are synthesized using the method, as well as methods of using the compositions of the presently disclosed subject matter. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090221804 | GBS Toxin Receptor Compositions and Methods of Use - Methods are provided for preventing or attenuating pathoangiogenic conditions by administering at least one GBS toxin receptor polypeptide or at least one immunogenic fragment thereof. Also provided are a composition that includes a GBS toxin receptor polypeptide and a method for making such a composition. In another embodiment of the invention, immunized animals also receive GBS toxin, immunocompatible antibodies to the GBS toxin receptor, and/or expanded autologous T cells to the GBS toxin receptor. Also included in this invention are methods of identifying additional GBS toxin receptors. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090215654 | Capillary Perfused Bioreactors with Multiple Chambers - A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090185190 | TEMPERATURE-STABLE INTERFEROMETER - This invention provides an interferometer for detecting analyte in a microfluidic chip. The device maintains a stable temperature at the chip with variation of no more than 5 microdegrees C. and/or no more than 20 microdegrees C. in the medium through which the optical train travels from a source of coherent light to the chip when ambient temperature changes up to 5 degrees centigrade over five minutes. The device comprises thermally isolated compartments that hinder heat transfer from one part of the instrument to another and temperature regulators that regulate temperature of the chip and the optical train compartment as a function of temperatures at the chip, in the compartment, and ambient. The invention also provides a microfluidic system that can deliver 1 microliter of sample to a sensing area with loss in analyte concentration of less than 5%. The device has an adaptor that mates with a micropipette tip and short channel length and small volume to the sensing area. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090170201 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF MAKING EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS - The invention relates to cell proliferation, cell differentiation, male infertility, male fertility and to compositions and methods involved therein. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090169868 | Methods and apparatus for transferring a material onto a substrate using a resonant infrared pulsed laser - A method for transferring a material onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of directing a coherent light of a wavelength resonant with a vibrational mode of the material at the material to vaporize the material, depositing the vaporized material on the substrate in a form that is essentially same chemically as the material, and selectively heating the deposited material at one or more positions of the substrate to form a film thereon. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090086577 | Acoustic source localization system and applications of the same - A system for locating an acoustic source from an acoustic event of the acoustic source. In one embodiment, the system includes a sensor network having a plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes each located in a predetermined position encountering acoustic waves generated by an acoustic event passing proximate to the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes, where the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes are synchronized to a common time base such that when the acoustic event is detected, information of the acoustic waves from each of the plurality of spatially separated sensor nodes is obtained and broadcasted through the sensor network. The system further includes a base station for receiving information of the acoustic waves broadcasted from the sensor network and processing the received information of the acoustic waves so as to locate the acoustic source of the acoustic event. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090069871 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR OPTICAL STIMULATION OF NEURAL TISSUES - The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of generating at least one beam of radiation; introducing at least one of one or more chromophores and one or more optical agents to a target neural tissue; and delivering the at least one beam of radiation to the target neural tissue, wherein the at least one beam of radiation is delivered with a radiant exposure that causes a thermal gradient in the target neural tissue, thereby stimulating the target neural tissue. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090068700 | Device and methods for monitoring the status of at least one cell - A device and methods for monitoring status of at least one cell, wherein the cell has a membrane forming a substantially enclosed structure and defining an intracellular space therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device includes a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, a second substrate supported by the first substrate, the second substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface, a body portion between the first surface and the second surface, a first side surface and an opposite second side surface, wherein the body portion defines a first passage between the first side surface and the second side surface and an opening on the first surface of the second substrate and in fluid communication with the first passage, and sidewalls positioned above the first surface of the second substrate. In one operation mode, when a first medium is introduced into the first passage, the intracellular space of the cell is in fluid communication with the first passage with the first medium, a sensor measures the response of the cell to the first medium. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090060308 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC SEGMENTATION OF ONE OR MORE CRITICAL STRUCTURES OF THE EAR - A system and method for automatic segmentation of a structure of interest of an ear are disclosed, where the structure of interest includes the facial nerve and chorda tympani. In one embodiment, the method combines an atlas-based approach with a minimum cost path finding algorithm. A structure model is constructed from a plurality of preoperative image volumes to have a centerline of the structure of interest in an atlas with each point along the centerline being associated with expected values for characteristic features, and used to create a spatially varying cost function that includes geometric information. A three-dimension minimum cost accumulating path is computed using the cost function, which is used to extract the centerline of the structure of interest. The centerlines are then expanded into the full structures using a level-set algorithm with a spatially-varying speed function, so as to segment of the structure of interest. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090036897 | ANCHOR DRIVER WITH ASSURED SEATING - A surgical instrument for securing an anchor in a target area of the skull of a patient, wherein the anchor has a shaped surface, a top and a base. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a driver having a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween forming a bore therein along a longitudinal axis, where the bore is configured to allow the anchor to be received therein, a first inner surface formed inside the bore proximate to the first end, wherein the first inner surface is formed with a shape that is complimentary to the shaped surface of the anchor, and a second inner surface formed inside the bore and between the first inner surface and the second end, wherein the second inner surface is formed with a shape that is different from that of the first inner surface. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090035778 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR CORRELATING GENETIC MARKERS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS - The present invention provides, in certain aspects, a method of identifying a subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, comprising detecting in the subject the presence of a nucleotide variant in the interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain gene, whereby the presence of said variant identifies the subject as having an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090021724 | COMBINED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY-OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (RS-OCT) SYSTEM AND APPLICATIONS OF THE SAME - An apparatus for evaluating a target of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a first light source for generating a broadband light, a second light source for generating a monochromatic light, a beamsplitter optically coupled to the first light source for receiving the broadband light and splitting it into a reference light and a sample light, a reference arm optically coupled to the beamsplitter for receiving the reference light and returning it into the beamsplitter, and a probe having a working end placed proximal to a target of interest of a living subject, optically coupled to the beamsplitter and the second light source for receiving the sample light and the monochromatic light, delivering them from the working end to the target of interest, collecting from the working end a backscattering light and a Raman scattering light that are obtained from interaction of the sample light and the monochromatic light with the target of interest, respectively, and returning the backscattering light into the beamsplitter so as to generate an interference signal between the returned backscattering light and the returned reference light in the beamsplitter. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090021254 | Methods for Arbitrary Shape Selective Excitation Summed Spectroscopy and Applications of Same - In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for NMR measurements of an arbitrarily shaped region of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of applying a broad bandwidth of RF pulses to the arbitrarily shaped region of interest to obtain a corresponding spectrum, wherein substantially entire range of chemical shifts in the spectrum is excited from the arbitrarily shaped region of interest, interleaving a plurality of radial k-lines in radial k-space per excitation with non-selective refocusing pulses and obtaining spatial localization for the spectrum of the arbitrarily shaped region of interest. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20080234573 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE ORIENTATION AND POSITION OF A BONE-IMPLANTED ANCHOR - In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for determining the position and orientation of an anchor attached to the skull of a patient from a topographic image of the anchor acquired therefrom. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of simulating an image of the anchor that matches the acquired topographic image of the anchor, determining the position and orientation of the anchor from the simulated image of the anchor, and determining the position and orientation of the anchor in the acquired topographic image of the anchor from the position and orientation of the anchor determined from the simulated image of the anchor. The simulating step comprises the step of modeling the anchor with an object that has a geometric shape simpler than that of the anchor. | 09-25-2008 |
