1783results about How to "Reduce infection" patented technology

A surgical fastener for use with an anastomosis of two tissues includes a base leg and an upright leg. The base leg is selectively deformable and includes a traumatic tip for piecing tissue. The surgical fastener also includes at least one capillary disposed on the base leg which has a reservoir defined therein for retaining a liquid, e.g., bioadhesive, bonding agent, medicament, etc. Each of the capillaries is ruptureable upon deformation of the surgical fastener to dispense the liquid to the anastomosis site.

A device and technique for a sutureless wound closure, which limits the risks of rupture and scarring, is described. The device includes a one-piece surgical fastener generally shaped in a curve along the width of the surgical fastener. The fastener includes a tissue insertion tongue with a plurality of tissue attachment points for fixing the fastener to skin tissue. The fastener also includes a clasp for engaging an identical surgical fastener. The surgical fastener can also be a two-piece structure including a male connecting strap and a female connector. Both pieces include a tissue-connecting mechanism for fixing to skin tissue. The female connector includes an engagement clasp for securing the male connecting strap to the female connector.

A woven mesh is provided for supporting tissue or an organ within a female patient's pelvis, and a method for using the same. The mesh includes a central portion having a width, a length, first and second ends, and first and second side edges, and first and second wing portions extending from the first and second ends of the central portion respectively. The first and second wing portions each have a width, a length, and first and second peripheral edges. The width of the wing portions are each greater than the width of the central portion, and when positioned within the female patient, the central portion is positioned below and supports the tissue or organ. A mesh is also provided having woven fibers with voids therebetween, and having a central portion and first and second ends. The average size of the voids at least in the central portion is at least 25–50 mm², and when positioned within the patient, the central portion is positioned below and supports the tissue or organ.

An implant and sleeve combination for at least partial insertion into a bone and/or cartilage. The implant includes a lower portion and the sleeve includes a cavity designed to at least partially receive the lower portion of the implant.

This invention provides a treatment regimen that is effective in inhibiting chemotherapy-induced apoptosis and promoting cell survival. The invention also relates to a treatment regimen that confers resistance to caspase activation, thereby inhibiting caspase-mediated, proteolytic cleavage of functional cellular enzymes. Specifically, subjects undergoing chemotherapy are first exposed to a pretreatment regimen. Under this regimen, a GLP-2 receptor activator, such as h[GLY2]-GLP2, is administered each day for a predetermined beneficial period, e.g., three consecutive days. Approximately about 1 week following pretreatment, the subjects are exposed to an appropriate chemotherapy treatment regimen. Pretreatment with a GLP-2 receptor activator followed by administration of chemotherapeutic agents improves cell survival, reduces bacteremia, attenuates epithelial injury, and inhibits cellular apoptosis. Moreover, it does not impair the effectiveness of chemotherapy nor result in weight loss. The anti-apoptotic effects of GLP-2 may be useful in the reduction of cytoxicity and bacterial infection induced by chemotherapeutic agents.

A method for internal fixation of vertebra of the spine to facilitate graft fusion includes steps for excising the nucleus of an affected disc, preparing a bone graft, instrumenting the vertebrae for fixation, and introducing the bone graft into the resected nuclear space. Disc resection is conducted through two portals through the annulus, with one portal supporting resection instruments and the other supporting a viewing device. The fixation hardware is inserted through small incisions aligned with each pedicle to be instrumented. The hardware includes bone screws, fixation plates, engagement nuts, and linking members. In an important aspect of the method, the fixation plates, engagement nuts and linking members are supported suprafascially but subcutaneously so that the fascia and muscle tissue are not damaged. The bone screw is configured to support the fixation hardware above the fascia. In a further aspect of the invention, a three component dilator system is provided for use during the bone screw implantation steps of the method.

The invention provides compositions and methods for utilizing synthetic human milk oligosaccharides as prebiotics.

A sexual stimulation apparatus which may comprise a plurality of light sources for photostimulation and microbe reduction of the vagina, clitoris, or both; a plurality of vibrators for mechanical stimulation of the vagina, clitoris, or both; a plurality of modes of operation for achieving improved sexual stimulation in a user; a handle for ease of operation; a controller and programmable memory for containing modes of operation and driving the light sources and vibrators of the invention; a vaginal finger; a clitoral finger; a handle for ease of use; a keypad for user entry of commands; a charging and programming port; and a power source which may be a rechargeable battery which may be rechargeable by direct, inductive or other means; and a handle for ease of operation. The invention also comprises a flexible covering that provides smooth sliding engagement with the vagina and clitoris of a user.

The present invention discloses a method for the treatment of Flaviviridae infection that includes the administration of a 2′-branched nucleoside, or a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug and/or salt thereof, to a human in need of therapy in combination or alternation with a drug that directly or indirectly induces a mutation in the viral genome at a location other than a mutation of a nucleotide that results in a change from seine to a different amino acid in the highly conserved consensus sequence, XRXSGXXXT (Sequence ID No. 63), of domain B of the RNA polymerase region, or is associated with such a mutation. The invention also includes a method to detect a mutant strain of Flaviviridae and a method for its treatment.

The present invention relates to feed additives for cloven-hooved animals. The invention provides methods for making a biological compositions comprising yeast cells that can improve the immune functions of such animals such that the incidence of foot and mouth disease is reduced. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing the biological compositions, and methods of using the biological compositions as feed additives.

The present invention relates to delivery containers designed to deliver fluids for infusion to patients in a predetermined sequence, and methods for their construction and use. The containers described herein integrally comprise a plurality of non-fluidly connected chambers. The containers may be configured to deliver a volume of each medication of an infusion therapy in a predetermined sequence, duration, and/or interval from these chambers; alternatively, a container may be part of a larger device that provides the necessary hardware to perform such predetermined delivery. The container provides improved infusion therapy administration by reducing opportunities for error, infection, adverse drug interactions, or other complications.

The present invention relates to feed additives for prevention of E. coli infection in cattle. The invention provides methods for making a biological compositions comprising yeast cells that can improve the immune functions of cattle such that the incidence of E. coli infection is reduced. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing the biological compositions, and methods of using the biological compositions as feed additives.

Antisense oligonucleotides are provided which are complementary to at least a portion of HCV RNA and specifically hybridizable therewith. These oligonucleotides can be administered to inhibit the replication of Hepatitis C virus in vivo or in vitro and to treat Hepatitis C virus-associated disease. These compounds can be used either prophylactically or therapeutically to reduce the severity of diseases associated with Hepatitis C virus.

An ultraviolet razor blade treatment system for providing a cleaning treatment to a shaving razor is disclosed. The ultraviolet razor blade treatment system can include a shaving razor cleaning unit that has at least one ultraviolet radiation source and sensor to clean surfaces of the shaving razor for purposes of disinfection, sterilization, and/or sanitization.

The present invention is directed to mutants of HCV NS3/4A protease. More particularly, the present invention identifies mutant of HCV NS3/4A protease that are resistant to drug treatment.

The invention discloses an automated instrument applied to nucleic acid extraction and continuous operation process of a mass spectrum sample application chip in biomass spectrometry analysis of a nucleic acid sample. The automated instrument comprises three main devices, namely, a nucleic acid extraction and purification device, a nucleic acid liquor relief distributing device and a mass spectrum chip sample application device, wherein nucleic acid in body fluid is extracted by using a magnetic bead method, a mechanical arm is utilized to complete a nucleic acid extraction action, the extracted nucleic acid is dispensed onto a sample board through a dispenser, a pipettor is used for transferring the sample board onto a chip sample application instrument, and the mass spectrum and relatedinformation of the nucleic acid are obtained through laser sampling of a mass spectrometer, so that the nucleic acid is analyzed rapidly, directly and continuously. The automated instrument is high-precision in controlling the volume of dispensed liquor, high-cleanliness in controlling the quality of the dispensed liquor and high-efficiency in meeting sample application requirements of large-batch samples; meanwhile, the samples are uniformly distributed under the control of a computer program, volume errors and possible foreign pollution caused by manual operation are avoided, and the speed and efficiency in sample application are increased at the same time.

An antimicrobial lubricant combines an antimicrobial agent, preferably silver based, with a silicone lubricant. This is achieved by first formulating a lubricant solution that has a non-volatile silicone lubricant and a volatile solvent carrier. An antimicrobial agent is added to the lubricant solution. The solution is then subjected to ultrasonic energy so that the antimicrobial agent is uniformly mixed with the lubricant in the solution. The solution containing the antimicrobial lubricant may be sprayed onto a medical device, for example the outer surface of the catheter of a peripheral IV catheter. After the solvent flashes off, a coat of uniform antimicrobial lubricant is formed on the catheter surface. The antimicrobial lubricant coating facilitates the insertion of the catheter to a patient, and at the same time prevents the growth of microorganisms from the device and infection to the patient.

Compositions and methods include a new strain of Bacillus velezensis having growth promoting activity and activity against plant pathogens. The compositions are useful for benefiting plant growth and/or conferring protection against a pathogenic infection when applied to plant foliage, flowers, fruits, bark, roots, seeds, callus tissue, grafts, cuttings, surrounding soil or growth medium, and soil or growth medium concomitant with sowing seed and planting callus tissue, grafts, and cuttings. The compositions containing the Bacillus velezensis RTI301 strain can be applied alone or in combination with other microbial, biological, or chemical insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, bacteriocides, herbicides, plant extracts, plant growth regulators, and fertilizers. In one example, the Bacillus velezensis RTI301 strain can be delivered to the plant as part of an integrated pest management program, with other microbial or chemical insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, bacteriocides, herbicides, plant extracts, and plant growth regulators.

Topical exposure of nitric oxide gas to wounds such as chronic non-healing wounds may be beneficial in promoting healing of the wound and in preparing the wound bed for further treatment and recovery. Nitric oxide gas may be used, for example, to reduce the microbial infection and burden on these wounds, manage exudate secretion by reducing inflammation, upregulate expression of endogenous collagenase to locally debride the wound, and regulate the formation of collagen. High concentration of nitric oxide ranging from about 160 to 400 ppm may be used without inducing toxicity in the healthy cells around a wound site. Additionally, exposure to the high concentration for a first treatment period reduces the microbial burden and inflammation at the wound site and increase collagenase expression to debride necrotic tissue at the wound site. After a first treatment period with high concentration of nitric oxide, a second treatment period at a lower concentration of nitric oxide preferably ranging from about 5-20 ppm may to provided to restore the balance of nitric oxide and induce collagen expression to aid in the closure of the wound.

The present invention provides a coating comprising a bioactive material and an antimicrobial agent, wherein the concentration of said antimicrobial agent varies throughout the thickness of the coating.

A method and apparatus for suture-less placement of an occluding patch in which release of the device can be accelerated. In one embodiment, an inactive form of an adhesive is applied on the area of the patch that will come into contact with cardiac tissue; this allows for the introduction and necessary manipulation of the catheter system until activation of the adhesive occurs. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the adhesive properties of certain polymeric materials are relied upon rather than their ability to cure or harden into a specific shape. In another embodiment, the patch is immediately released utilizing a detaching mechanism on the balloon or the balloon catheter which supports the patch; the patch along with the inflated balloon remain on the cardiac structure occluding the opening.

The present invention relates to an improved cerebrospinal fluid shunt system comprising a coating covering at least part of the system and a flow restricting component exerting a passive and essentially constant resistance to flow. The present invention also relates to methods for implanting different catheters of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt system into a brain ventricle and the sinus system, respectively, of an individual. The present invention further relates to methods for shunting cerebrospinal fluid from a brain ventricle to the sinus system of an individual.