445 results about "Animal subject" patented technology

Implantable devices and methods for delivering drugs and other substances to locations within the body of a human or animal subject to treat or diagnose sinusitis and a variety of other disorders. The invention includes implantable substance delivery devices that comprise reservoirs and barriers that control the rate at which substances pass out of the reservoirs. The delivery devices may be advanced into the body using guidewires, catheters, ports, introducers and other access apparatus. In some embodiments the delivery devices may be loaded with one or more desired substance before their introduction into the body. In other embodiments the delivery devices are loaded and / or reloaded with a desired substance after the delivery device has been introduced into the body.

The present invention relates to a brace installation instrument placement that is mounted to anchors secured in an animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position a brace in a position more proximate the anchors. The brace can be indexed for insertion at a predetermined orientation with respect to the installation instrument. Methods and techniques for using the installation instrument are also provided.

Disclosed are devices and methods for emplacement of an expandable device in a body part of interest in human and animal subjects. In one embodiment, the expandable device comprises a cage that may be emplaced in the intervertebral disc for use in spine fusion techniques. The device is fashioned so that it may be delivered to the intervertebral disc by percutaneous means, such as via a cannula. Additionally disclosed are systems and kits employing the devices of the invention as well as methods of manufacturing the devices of the invention.

A system and method for eye gaze tracking in human or animal subjects without calibration of cameras, specific measurements of eye geometries or the tracking of a cursor image on a screen by the subject through a known trajectory. The preferred embodiment includes one uncalibrated camera for acquiring video images of the subject's eye(s) and optionally having an on-axis illuminator, and a surface, object, or visual scene with embedded off-axis illuminator markers. The off-axis markers are reflected on the corneal surface of the subject's eyes as glints. The glints indicate the distance between the point of gaze in the surface, object, or visual scene and the corresponding marker on the surface, object, or visual scene. The marker that causes a glint to appear in the center of the subject's pupil is determined to be located on the line of regard of the subject's eye, and to intersect with the point of gaze. Point of gaze on the surface, object, or visual scene is calculated as follows. First, by determining which marker glints, as provided by the corneal reflections of the markers, are closest to the center of the pupil in either or both of the subject's eyes. This subset of glints forms a region of interest (ROI). Second, by determining the gaze vector (relative angular or Cartesian distance to the pupil center) for each of the glints in the ROI. Third, by relating each glint in the ROI to the location or identification (ID) of a corresponding marker on the surface, object, or visual scene observed by the eyes. Fourth, by interpolating the known locations of each these markers on the surface, object, or visual scene, according to the relative angular distance of their corresponding glints to the pupil center.

A system and method for eye gaze tracking in human or animal subjects without calibration of cameras, specific measurements of eye geometries or the tracking of a cursor image on a screen by the subject through a known trajectory. The preferred embodiment includes one uncalibrated camera for acquiring video images of the subject's eye(s) and optionally having an on-axis illuminator, and a surface, object, or visual scene with embedded off-axis illuminator markers. The off-axis markers are reflected on the corneal surface of the subject's eyes as glints. The glints indicate the distance between the point of gaze in the surface, object, or visual scene and the corresponding marker on the surface, object, or visual scene. The marker that causes a glint to appear in the center of the subject's pupil is determined to be located on the line of regard of the subject's eye, and to intersect with the point of gaze. Point of gaze on the surface, object, or visual scene is calculated as follows. First, by determining which marker glints, as provided by the corneal reflections of the markers, are closest to the center of the pupil in either or both of the subject's eyes. This subset of glints forms a region of interest (ROI). Second, by determining the gaze vector (relative angular or cartesian distance to the pupil center) for each of the glints in the ROI. Third, by relating each glint in the ROI to the location or identification (ID) of a corresponding marker on the surface, object, or visual scene observed by the eyes. Fourth, by interpolating the known locations of each these markers on the surface, object, or visual scene, according to the relative angular distance of their corresponding glints to the pupil center.

Devices, systems and methods for retracting, lifting, compressing, supporting or repositioning tissues, organs, anatomical structures, grafts or other structures within the body of human or animal subjects for the purpose of treating a diseases or disorders and / or for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes and / or for research and development purposes or other purposes.

Devices, systems and methods for retracting, lifting, compressing, supporting or repositioning tissues, organs, anatomical structures, grafts or other structures within the body of human or animal subjects for the purpose of treating a diseases or disorders and / or for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes and / or for research and development purposes or other purposes.

Devices and methods for warming or cooling blood flowing through the vasculature of a human or animal subject so as to alter or control the temperature of all or part of the subject's body. Heat exchangers are positioned within the subject's vasculature and heated or cooled heat exchange fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger. For certain therapeutic applications, the heat exchanger and associated elements of the system have sufficient power to lower the subject's body temperature by at least 3 degrees C. in less than 30 minutes.

The present invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of phospholipase-related conditions. In particular, the invention provides a method of treating insulin-related, weight-related conditions and / or cholesterol-related conditions in an animal subject. The method generally involves the administration of a non-absorbed and / or effluxed phospholipase A2 inhibitor that is localized in a gastrointestinal lumen.

Monitoring the physiologic status of a human or animal subject includes detecting a blood vessel signal with a sensor. A physiologic time interval can be determined, and information related to the physiologic status of the subject can be analyzed and communicated.

Programmable infusion systems and method for controlled infusion of diagnostic or therapeutic substances (e.g., drugs, biologics, fluids, cell preparations, etc.) into the bodies of human or animal subjects.

Programmable infusion systems and method for controlled infusion of diagnostic or therapeutic substances (e.g., drugs, biologics, fluids, cell preparations, etc.) into the bodies of human or animal subjects.

The present invention provides devices and methods for use in the perfusion of organs and anatomical regions. In one aspect the present method provides a percutaneously deliverable device for supporting a vessel in a human or animal subject including means for supporting the vessel during delivery of a fluid thereto or collection of a fluid therefrom. In another aspect the invention provides a method for delivery or collection of a fluid to or from an organ or anatomical region in a human or animal subject, the method including the step of supporting a vessel associated with the organ or anatomical region. The devices and methods may be used to deliver, remove or recirculate a therapeutic agent to an organ or anatomical region.

Apparatus and method for eye gaze tracking in human or animal subjects without calibration of cameras, specific measurements of eye geometries or the tracking of a cursor image on a screen by the subject through a known trajectory. One embodiment includes one uncalibrated camera for acquiring video images of the subject's eye(s) and optionally having an on-axis illuminator, and a surface, object, or visual scene with embedded off-axis illuminator markers. The off-axis markers are reflected on the corneal surface of the subject's eyes as glints. The glints indicate the distance between the point of gaze in the surface, object, or visual scene and the corresponding marker on the surface, object, or visual scene.

Formed compositions for application to a bone surface of a human or animal subject, comprising: a bone material; and a carrier comprising denatured demineralized bone, where the composition is formed into a shape suitable for administration to the bone. Methods are provided for making formed compositions for application to a bone surface of a human or animal subject comprise mixing a demineralized bone and water; heating the mixture to form a carrier; mixing the carrier with bone to form a moldable composition; and molding the moldable composition to produce a formed composition. Several apparatuses are provided in which to hydrate the formed bone composition. Methods of hydrating a formed bone composition are also provided.

A system and method for use in iontophoretic anesthesia of a tympanic membrane are disclosed. The system generally includes an earplug and an electrode device. The earplug includes at least one sealing member for sealing the earplug in an ear canal. The sealing member includes microholes which vent fluid above a certain pressure threshold. A headset may connect the earplug to a second earplug. The method involves using the system on a human or animal subject.

A fluid dispensing system provides a non-contact method of monitoring the change in the fluid volume over time. This approach avoids the use of probes or sensors that come into direct contact with the fluid to be dispensed. The system comprises an apparatus comprising three chambers. The first chamber has a fixed volume and contains a pressurized gas. A solenoid valve is used to control the flow of gas from the first chamber into the second. The second chamber is sealed so that the combined mass of air in the first and second chambers remains fixed. The third chamber is adjacent to the second and contains medication in the form of incompressible fluid that is to be administered to a human or animal subject via a suitable delivery port. A piston is disposed between the second and third chambers and is movable responsive to the flow of gas into the second chamber to dispense fluid from the third chamber as desired. By sensing the pressure in the first and second chambers at any point in time, a processor is programmed to calculate the flow rate or dispensed volume of the fluid being delivered using principles derived from the Ideal Gas Law.

A disc replacement device is provided for replacing a spinal disc in an animal subject. The disc replacement device includes a shell, a fulcrum, and a damping sleeve. The shell further comprises a first portion adapted for articulating with the fulcrum such as a spherical stainless steel ball, and a second portion adapted for coupling with the damping sleeve.

An oral carrier strip for the delivery of an oral care composition to the oral cavity of a human or animal subject is provided. The strip includes a first portion adapted to contact a front facing side of a plurality of teeth. A second portion is provided to be folded around the teeth so as to contact a back facing side of the teeth. The first portion has a first perimeter patterned to substantially match a shape of an outer gingival tissue, and the second portion has a second perimeter opposite the first perimeter and patterned to match a shape of an inner gingival tissue. The second perimeter defines an aperture disposed in the second portion having a rounded notch positioned in a center portion of the strip, configured to prevent the strip from tearing when folded around the teeth.

Devices and methods for injecting or otherwise delivering multiple-component therapies to human or animal subjects. Devices having injectors (e.g., syringes) attached to biaxial or coaxial injection cannula(s) are used to deliver multiple components of a particular therapy such that those components become combined shortly before or upon exiting the injection cannula(s). In some embodiments, the injector devices of the present invention may include a first set of finger grips at a first location and a second set of finger grips at a second location. Also, in some embodiments, the injector devices of the present invention may include depth slops for controlling the depth within tissue at which the therapeutic substance is delivered. Also, in some embodiments, the injector devices of the present invention may include refill manifolds with attached syringes or other reservoirs containing the component substances to facilitate refilling of the injectors.

Catheters, implantable shunt devices and methods usable to establish passageways between blood vessels and / or other anatomical structures within the body of a human or animal subject.

Methods and devices for cutting strips of tissue from masses of tissue inside or outside of the bodies of human or animal subjects. The device generally comprises a) an elongate cutting tube that has a distal end and a lumen that opens through an opening in the distal end and b) first and second cutting edges formed on generally opposite edges of the distal end of the cutting tube and separated by a distance D. The device is advanced through tissue to cut a strip of tissue of approximate width W. Width W is approximately equal to distance D.

Methods to elevate progenitor and stem cell counts in animal subjects using compounds which bind to the chemokine receptor CXCR4 are disclosed. Preferred embodiments of such compounds are of the formulaZ-linker-Z′  (1)or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereofwherein Z is of the formulawherein A comprises a monocyclic or bicyclic fused ring system containing at least one N and B is H or an organic moiety of 1–20 atoms,Z′ is of the formula—Ar(Y)j;wherein Ar is an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety, and each Y is independently a non-interfering substituent and j is 0–3; and“linker” represents a bond, alkylene (1–6C) or may comprise aryl, fused aryl, oxygen atoms contained in an alkylene chain, or may contain keto groups or nitrogen or sulfur atoms.

Methods, systems and devices for delivering a diagnostic or therapeutic treatment, substance or device to a target area located within the body of a human or animal subject. A tissue penetrating catheter is positioned within a body lumen near the target area. A hollow penetrator is then advanced from the tissue penetrating catheter and penetrated from the body lumen in which the penetrating catheter is positioned into tissue in the direction of the target area. Thereafter, an elongate optical device (e.g., an optically equipped guidewire or catheter) is advanced through the hollow penetrator and continues to advance through tissue, in the direction of the target area. The elongate optical device is connected to an optical processing device (e.g., a spectrometer) which provides optically determined data (e.g., spectral reflectance, pH, oxygen concentration, temperature) indicating when the elongate optical device has entered the target area. The elongate optical device is then used to facilitate delivery of a diagnostic or therapeutic modality, substance or device into the target area.

The present invention provides a method of treating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and pain in an animal subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a dual serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein said dual serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor compound is characterized by a non-tricyclic structure and a greater inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake than serotonin reuptake, and wherein said compound is not administered adjunctively with phenylalanine or tyrosine. In particular, the use of milnacipran to treat FMS, CFS, and pain is disclosed.

Methods for the production of monoclonal antibodies specific to conformational epitope(s) of a prefibrilar aggregate(s) which contribute to amyloid fibril formation in human or animal subjects who suffer from amyloid diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's Disease) and the hybridomas and monoclonal antibodies produced therefrom. Also, the use of such monoclonal antibodies in the immunization of human or animal subjects against Alzheimer's Disease or other amyloid diseases and / or for the diagnosis or detection of Alzheimer's Disease or other amyloid diseases. The monoclonal antibodies may be administered concomitantly or in combination with anti-inflammatory agents, such as gold or gold containing compounds, to decrease neural inflammation associated with amyloid diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's Disease).

A compound which is 3-hydroxybutyl 3-hydroxybutyrate enantiomerically enriched with respect to (3R)-hydroxybutyl (3R)-hydroxybutyrate of formula (I) is an effective and palatable precursor to the ketone body (3R)-hydroxybutyrate and may therefore be used to treat a condition which is caused by, exacerbated by or associated with elevated plasma levels of free fatty acids in a human or animal subject, for instance a condition where weight loss or weight gain is implicated, or to promote alertness or improve cognitive function, or to treat, prevent or reduce the effects of neurodegeneration, free radical toxicity, hypoxic conditions or hyperglycaemia.