Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090054884 | METHOD OF LIGATING HOLLOW ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES - A catheter includes a plurality of expandable primary leads to deliver energy to a fallopian tube, a vein such as a hemorrhoid or an esophageal varix, or another hollow anatomical structure requiring ligation or occlusion. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that the leads can receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. | 02-26-2009 |
20090137998 | EXPANDABLE VEIN LIGATOR CATHETER HAVING MULTIPLE ELECTRODE LEADS, AND METHOD - A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with an anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a secondary lead is surrounded by the primary leads, and extends beyond the primary leads. The secondary lead includes an electrode at the working end of the catheter. The secondary lead can have a polarity opposite to the polarity of the primary leads in a bipolar configuration. The polarity of the leads can be switched and the catheter can be moved during treatment to ligate an extended length of the vein. The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. | 05-28-2009 |
20110160813 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A CATHETER RELATIVE TO AN ANATOMICAL JUNCTION - An electrode catheter is introduced into a vein or other hollow anatomical structure, and is positioned at a treatment: site within the structure. The end of the catheter is positioned near a junction formed in the structure. This junction can be the sapheno-femoral junction. The position of the catheter near the junction is determined based on a signal from a device associated with the catheter within the structure. A fiber optic filament which emits light is used with the catheter or a guide wire over which the catheter is advanced. The light is visible externally from the patient. The light dims and may no longer externally visible at the sapheno-femoral junction where the catheter moves past the deep fascia and toward the deep venous system. The position of the catheter can be determined based on this external observation. The position of the catheter can also be determined based on measured parameters such as temperature or flow rate within the structure, and the measured changes in one or more of these parameters as the catheter nears the junction. The hollow anatomical structure can be compressed for this procedure. The position of the catheter can also be determined mechanically by including a hook-shaped tip on the catheter or guide wire which would physically engage the junction. | 06-30-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090135659 | ROOM TEMPERATURE DRIFT SUPPRESSION VIA SOFT PROGRAM AFTER ERASE - Providing for suppression of room temperature electronic drift in a flash memory cell is provided herein. For example, a soft program pulse can be applied to the flash memory cell immediately after an erase pulse. The soft program pulse can help to mitigate dipole effects caused by non-combined electrons and holes in the memory cell. Specifically, by utilizing a relatively low gate voltage, the soft program pulse can inject electrons into the flash memory cell proximate a distribution of uncombined holes associated with the erase pulse in order to facilitate rapid combination of such particles. Rapid combination in this manner reduces dipole effects caused by non-combined distributions of opposing charge within the memory cell, reducing room temperature program state drift | 05-28-2009 |
20090154251 | ALGORITHM FOR CHARGE LOSS REDUCTION AND Vt DISTRIBUTION IMPROVEMENT - Methods and systems for accurately programming or erasing one or more memory cells on a selected wordline of a memory device are provided. In one embodiment, the memory device comprises a memory array, a threshold voltage measuring component configured to measure a threshold voltage of each memory cell on the selected wordline of the memory array, and an average threshold voltage determining component configured to determine an average threshold voltage result uniquely associated with the selected wordline, based on the measured threshold voltages. The memory device is configured to program one or more of the memory cells to a predefined program level relative to the determined average threshold voltage, or to erase memory cells of the selected wordline to the determined average threshold voltage. The method is particularly useful for multi-level flash memory cells to reduce charge loss while improving data reliability and Vt distributions of the programmed element states. | 06-18-2009 |
20090189212 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING A DOPED REGION WITH A GROUP 13 ATOM - An electronic device includes a memory cell. The memory cell includes a semiconductor region, a first current-carrying electrode adjacent to the semiconductor region, and a first dopant-containing region adjacent to a first current-carrying electrode. The semiconductor region includes a Group 14 atom and the first dopant-containing region includes a Group 13 atom. The Group 13 atom has an atomic number greater than the atomic number of the Group 14 atom. | 07-30-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100010374 | Body fluid sampling device - sampling site interface - An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes: a housing, the housing comprising a first opening; a skin interface member disposed in the first opening, the skin interface member comprising an inner member having a second opening, and an outer member at least partially surrounding the inner member and attached to the first opening; and at least one skin-penetration member configured and arranged to project within the second opening. Arrangements having alternatively constructed skin interface members are also described. | 01-14-2010 |
20110098599 | Fluid Sample Transport Devices and Methods - Arrangements are provided including a fluid transport tube, or a needle, having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a lumen having an inner diameter. At least one fluid transport enhancing projection is disposed in the lumen and extends from the second end toward the first end. A discreet, wearable blood glucose monitor including such arrangements is also described. | 04-28-2011 |
20130158432 | BODY FLUID MONITORING AND SAMPLING DEVICES AND METHODS - An integrated monitoring and body fluid sampling device constructed to permit digital as well as alternate-site body fluid sampling and analysis, the device comprising: a housing; at least one skin-penetration member; and a member constructed for the application of circumferential or vacuum pressure to an appendage; wherein the member is detachably or retractably connected to the housing in a manner such that the integrated monitoring and body fluid sampling device can perform digital or alternate-site body fluid sampling and analysis. Additional arrangements and techniques are also described. | 06-20-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090075345 | Methods for Genotyping with Selective Adaptor Ligation - The present invention provides methods for reducing the complexity of a nucleic acid sample to interrogate a collection of target sequences. Complexity reduction can be accomplished by fragmenting the nucleic acid sample with a restriction enzyme that has at least one variable position in the recognition sequence. In some aspects adaptors that ligate to some but not all possible overhangs generated by digestion are ligated to the fragments. This selective adaptor ligation allows for selective amplification of a subset of the fragments using primers complementary to the adaptor sequence. In another aspect primers that are complementary to a subset of the fragments after adaptor ligation are used for amplification. Amplified fragments may be analyzed to genotype polymorphisms by hybridization to an array of probes that are complementary to target sequences that will be amplified. | 03-19-2009 |
20090239764 | ARRAY-BASED TRANSLOCATION AND REARRANGEMENT ASSAYS - Methods for detecting genomic rearrangements are provided. In one embodiment, methods are provided for the use of paired end tags from restriction fragments to detect genomic rearrangements. Sequences from the ends of the fragments are brought together to form ditags and the ditags are detected. Combinations of ditags are detected by an on-chip sequencing strategy that is described herein, using inosine for de novo sequencing of short segments of DNA. In another aspect, translocations are identified by using target specific capture and analysis of the captured products on a tiling array. | 09-24-2009 |
20100144542 | METHODS FOR HIGH THROUGHPUT GENOTYPING - Methods for genotyping polymorphisms using allele specific probes are disclosed. A training set is used to generate a model for each polymorphism to be interrogated. The training set is used to obtain an estimate of the asymmetry between an intensity measurement for a first allele and an intensity measurement for a second allele of the same polymorphism. The intensity measurement obtained for a test sample is adjusted using the estimate of asymmetry prior to using the intensity measurements to make a genotyping call. In preferred embodiments the adjustment is applied to polymorphisms that have a likelihood of being heterozygous that is above a specified threshold. | 06-10-2010 |
20110009294 | Methods for Genotyping Selected Polymorphism - Methods for genotyping polymorphisms using a locus specific primer that is complementary to a region near a selected polymorphism are described. Methods for synthesizing pools of locus specific primers that incorporate some degenerate positions are also disclosed. A plurality of different sequence capture probes are synthesized simultaneously using degenerate oligonucleotide synthesis. The sequence of the locus specific regions of the capture probes are related in that they have some bases that are identical in each sequence in the plurality of sequences and positions that vary from one locus specific region to another. The sequences are selected based on proximity to a polymorphism of interest and because they conform to a similar sequence pattern. | 01-13-2011 |
20110029251 | Methods for Identifying DNA Copy Number Changes - Methods of identifying allele-specific changes in genomic DNA copy number are disclosed. Methods for identifying homozygous deletions and genetic amplifications are disclosed. An array of probes designed to detect presence or absence of a plurality of different sequences is also disclosed. The probes are designed to hybridize to sequences that are predicted to be present in a reduced complexity sample. The methods may be used to detect copy number changes in cancerous tissue compared to normal tissue. The methods may be used to diagnose cancer and other diseases associated with chromosomal anomalies. | 02-03-2011 |
20110160092 | Methods for Selecting a Collection of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms - The invention relates to the selection of a collection of relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms across a genome to design a nucleic acid probe array. As such, the invention relates to diverse fields impacted by the nature of genetics, including biology, medicine, and medical diagnostics. | 06-30-2011 |
20110251798 | Methods for high throughput genotyping - Methods for genotyping polymorphisms using allele specific probes are disclosed. A training set is used to generate a model for each polymorphism to be interrogated. The training set is used to obtain an estimate of the asymmetry between an intensity measurement for a first allele and an intensity measurement for a second allele of the same polymorphism. The intensity measurement obtained for a test sample is adjusted using the estimate of asymmetry prior to using the intensity measurements to make a genotyping call. In preferred embodiments the adjustment is applied to polymorphisms that have a likelihood of being heterozygous that is above a specified threshold. | 10-13-2011 |
20120010087 | Methods for Genotyping - Novel methods and kits are disclosed for reducing the complexity of a nucleic acid sample to interrogate a collection of target sequences, for example, to discriminating between alleles at polymorphic positions in a genome. Complexity reduction can be accomplished by extension of a capture probes followed by amplification of the extended capture probe using common primers. The capture probes may be locus specific and allele-specific. The amplified sample may be hybridized to an array designed to interrogate the desired fragments for the presence or absence of a polymorphism. In some aspects the methods employ allele-specific extension of oligonucleotides that are complementary to one of the alleles at the 3′ end of the oligonucleotide. The allele-specific oligonucleotides are resistant to proof reading activity from a polymerase and may be extended in an allele-specific manner by a DNA polymerase with a functional 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity. | 01-12-2012 |
20120214704 | Methods for Identifying DNA Copy Number Changes - Methods of identifying allele-specific changes in genomic DNA copy number are disclosed. Methods for identifying homozygous deletions and genetic amplifications are disclosed. An array of probes designed to detect presence or absence of a plurality of different sequences is also disclosed. The probes are designed to hybridize to sequences that are predicted to be present in a reduced complexity sample. The methods may be used to detect copy number changes in cancerous tissue compared to normal tissue. The methods may be used to diagnose cancer and other diseases associated with chromosomal anomalies. | 08-23-2012 |
20130012405 | Circulating miRNA Biomaker Signatures - Methods for diagnosis and surveillance of complex multi-factorial disorders such as cancer by screening of easily accessible biomarkers are disclosed. Highly stable cell free Circulating Nucleic Acids (CNA) present as both RNA and DNA species have been discovered in the blood and plasma of humans. Correlations between tumor-associated genomic/epigenetic/transcriptional changes and alterations in CNA levels are strong predictors of the utility of this biomarker class as clinical indicators. Methods for using microRNAs (miRNAs) representing a class of naturally occurring small non-coding RNAs of 19-25 nt as markers that can associate their specific expression profiles with cancer development are disclosed. Methods for isolating plasma fractions for the study of miRNA biomarkers and for measurement of circulating miRNA levels are disclosed. | 01-10-2013 |
20130017966 | Methods for Genotyping with Selective Adaptor Ligation - The present invention provides methods for reducing the complexity of a nucleic acid sample to interrogate a collection of target sequences. Complexity reduction can be accomplished by fragmenting the nucleic acid sample with a restriction enzyme that has at least one variable position in the recognition sequence. In some aspects adaptors that ligate to some but not all possible overhangs generated by digestion are ligated to the fragments. This selective adaptor ligation allows for selective amplification of a subset of the fragments using primers complementary to the adaptor sequence. In another aspect primers that are complementary to a subset of the fragments after adaptor ligation are used for amplification. Amplified fragments may be analyzed to genotype polymorphisms by hybridization to an array of probes that are complementary to target sequences that will be amplified. | 01-17-2013 |
20140378340 | Methods for Genotyping - Novel methods and kits are disclosed for reducing the complexity of a nucleic acid sample to interrogate a collection of target sequences, for example, to discriminating between alleles at polymorphic positions in a genome. Complexity reduction can be accomplished by extension of a capture probes followed by amplification of the extended capture probe using common primers. The capture probes may be locus specific and allele-specific. The amplified sample may be hybridized to an array designed to interrogate the desired fragments for the presence or absence of a polymorphism. In some aspects the methods employ allele-specific extension of oligonucleotides that are complementary to one of the alleles at the 3′ end of the oligonucleotide. The allele-specific oligonucleotides are resistant to proof reading activity from a polymerase and may be extended in an allele-specific manner by a DNA polymerase with a functional 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity. | 12-25-2014 |
20150031567 | miRNA Biomarkers For Ulcerative Colitis - Methods for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis using miRNA biomarkers for these diseases are provided. Differential expression of the miRNA biomarkers in blood fractions, e.g., platelets, of diseased individuals as compared to expression levels in normal individuals indicates the presence of IBD or ulcerative colitis. Also provided are microarrays for use in the diagnostic methods, wherein the features of the microarray consist essentially of nucleic acid sequences that hybridize to the miRNA biomarkers and normalization controls. | 01-29-2015 |