1689 results about "Humans tissues" patented technology

Devices and methods for non-invasively measuring at least one parameter of a sample, such as the presence of a disease condition, progression of a disease state, presence of an analyte, or concentration of an analyte, in a biological sample, such as, for example, a body part. In these devices and methods, temperature is controlled and is varied between preset boundaries. The methods and devices measure light that is reflected, scattered, absorbed, or emitted by the sample from an average sampling depth, d_av, that is confined within a region in the sample wherein temperature is controlled. According to the method of this invention, the sampling depth d_av, in human tissue is modified by changing the temperature of the tissue. The sampling depth increases as the temperature is lowered below the body core temperature and decreases when the temperature is raised within or above the body core temperature. Changing the temperature at the measurement site changes the light penetration depth in tissue and hence d_av. Change in light penetration in tissue as a function of temperature can be used to estimate the presence of a disease condition, progression of a disease state, presence of an analyte, or concentration of an analyte in a biological sample. According to the method of this invention, an optical measurement is performed on a biological sample at a first temperature. Then, when the optical measurement is repeated at a second temperature, light will penetrate into the biological sample to a depth that is different from the depth to which light penetrates at the first temperature by from about 5% to about 20%.

An ablation catheter having distal and proximal ends for performing ablation on a human tissue region comprises at least one electrode. These elements are formed on a conductive sheet situated at the distal end of the catheter. A flex circuit assembly couples the at least one electrode to a measurement and power circuit attached to the proximal end of the catheter. The measurement and power circuit supplies power to the at least one electrode via the flex circuit.

An implantable medical device system advantageously utilizes low frequency (e.g., about 1-100 kHz) transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) for supplying power from an external control module to an implantable medical device, avoiding power dissipation through eddy currents in a metallic case of an implant and/or in human tissue, thereby enabling smaller implants using a metallic case such as titanium and/or allowing TET signals of greater strength thereby allowing placement more deeply within a patient without excessive power transfer inefficiencies.

This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.

An apparatus and method for non-invasive measurement of glucose in human tissue by quantitative infrared spectroscopy to clinically relevant levels of precision and accuracy. The system includes six subsystems optimized to contend with the complexities of the tissue spectrum, high signal-to-noise ratio and photometric accuracy requirements, tissue sampling errors, calibration maintenance problems, and calibration transfer problems. The six subsystems include an illumination subsystem, a tissue sampling subsystem, a calibration maintenance subsystem, an FTIR spectrometer subsystem, a data acquisition subsystem, and a computing subsystem.

The present invention relate to a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel construct having a wide range of mechanical strengths for use as a human tissue replacement. The hydrogel construct may include a tissue scaffolding, a low bearing surface within a joint, or any other structure which is suitable for supporting the growth of tissue.

Methods and apparatus for treatment of anatomic defects in human tissues, such as patent foramen ovale (PFO), atrial or ventricular septal defects, left atrial appendage, patent ductus arteriosis, blood vessel wall defects and certain electrophysiological defects, involve positioning a distal end of an elongate catheter device at the site of the anatomic defect, engaging tissues at the site of the anatomic defect to bring the tissues together, and applying energy to the tissues with the catheter device to substantially close the anatomic defect acutely. Apparatus generally includes an elongate catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a vacuum application member coupled with the distal end for engaging tissues at the site of the anatomic defect and applying vacuum to the tissues to bring them together, and at least one energy transmission member coupled with the vacuum application member for applying energy to tissues at the site of the anatomic defect to substantially close the defect acutely.

A method for collecting optical data at two morphologically similar, substantially non-overlapping, and preferably adjacent, areas on the surface of a tissue, while the temperature in each area is being maintained or modulated according to a temperature program. The optical data obtained are inserted into a mathematical relationship, e.g., an algorithm, that can be used to predict a disease state (such as the diabetes mellitus disease state) or the concentration of an analyte for indicating a physical condition (such as blood glucose level). This invention can be used to differentiate between disease status, such as, for example, diabetic and non-diabetic. The method involves the generation of a calibration (or training) set that utilizes the relationship between optical signals emanating from the skin under different thermal stimuli and disease status, e.g., diabetic status, established clinically. This calibration set can be used to predict the disease state of other subjects. Structural changes, as well as circulatory changes, due to a disease state are determined at two morphologically similar, but substantially non-overlapping areas on the surface of human tissue, e.g., the skin of a forearm, with each area being subjected to different temperature modulation programs. In addition to determination of a disease state, this invention can also be used to determine the concentration of an analyte in the tissues. This invention also provides an apparatus for the determination of a disease state, such as diabetes, or concentration of an analyte, such as blood glucose level, by the method of this invention.

A surgical stent made of biocompatible material for implantation in human tissue to enable blood and nutrients to flow from an area of vascular tissue to an area of tissue with little or no vasculature.

A tissue ablation system for ablating human tissue wherein sensing and ablation procedures are performed and controlled independently. A sensing wire is positioned distally to the ablation region and is adapted to pass thorough the ablation device such that it may move with or independently of the ablation device without obstructing the surface tissue interface of the ablation energy. The ablation device can ablate a substantial portion of a circumferential region of tissue, for example at or near the location where the pulmonary vein extends from the atrium. The tissue ablation system comprises an ablation device comprised of an elongated catheter with a proximal region and a distal region and an ablation element located proximate the distal region of the catheter. A sensing device having an elongated body with a proximal portion and a distal portion is adapted to be positioned within a vessel at or near a vessel ostium, wherein the sensing device is adapted to be slidably received within a lumen of the ablation device. The sensing device, a guide wire for example, may be shaped in various configurations to allow sensing device such as electrodes disposed thereon to contact the vessel wall near the ablation region. In this fashion, the sensing and ablation procedures are de-coupled such that the sensing device does not interfere or obstruct the ablation member's interface with the tissue.

A system has been constructed that recapitulate the features of a capillary bed through normal human tissue. The system facilitates perfusion of three-dimensional (3D) cell monocultures and heterotypic cell co-cultures at the length scale of the capillary bed. A major feature is that the system can be utilized within a “multiwell plate” format amenable to high-throughput assays compatible with the type of robotics commonly used in pharmaceutical development. The system provides a means to conduct assays for toxicology and metabolism and as a model for human diseases such as hepatic diseases, including hepatitis, exposure-related pathologies, and cancer. Cancer applications include primary liver cancer as well as metastases. The system can also be used as a means of testing gene therapy approaches for treating disease and inborn genetic defects.

An implantable medical lead for spinal cord, peripheral nerve or deep brain stimulation comprises a lead body which includes a deformable sigma segment preferably in the shape of a sine wave and a lead paddle coupled to the lead body at the distal end thereof. The lead body at its proximal end may be coupled to an implantable pulse generator, additional, intermediate wiring or other stimulation device. The lead paddle may comprise a plurality of electrode contacts for providing electrical stimulation to targeted human tissue. The lead body, which defines the sigma segment, in a plane, couples the lead paddle and pulse generator. The sigma segment provides flexing and bending of the wire when a patient shifts or moves, and especially provides longitudinal extension between the pulse generator and lead paddle.

Described herein are tissue grafts derived from the placenta. The grafts are composed of at least one layer of amnion tissue where the epithelium layer has been substantially removed in order to expose the basement layer to host cells. By removing the epithelium layer, cells from the host can more readily interact with the cell-adhesion bio-active factors located onto top and within of the basement membrane. Also described herein are methods for making and using the tissue grafts. The laminin structure of amnion tissue is nearly identical to that of native human tissue such as, for example, oral mucosa tissue. This includes high level of laminin-5, a cell adhesion bio-active factor show to bind gingival epithelia-cells, found throughout upper portions of the basement membrane.

A device for measuring parameters of human tissue includes a multielectrode catheter for taking multiple measurements of the electrical characteristics of the human tissue, a concentric tube catheter located inside the multielectrode catheter, for providing structural support to the multi-electrode catheter and for serving as a conduit for advancing or withdrawing the multielectrode catheter over its surface; and an imaging catheter located inside the concentric tube catheter for taking multiple measurements of anatomical characteristics of the human tissue.

PCT No. PCT/CH97/00031 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 28, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 28, 1998 PCT Filed Jan. 31, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/28755 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 14, 1997An impression system includes an impression cap (4) for transferring an end, protruding from a human tissue structure, of an implant (1) which is fitted in the human body, including possible superstructures, to a master cast. The outwardly directed implant end has an undercut contour on its outside, and the impression cap (4) has a geometry which complements the undercut contour and engages therein. The undercut contour is formed either by an implant geometry tapering in a trumpet shape towards the implant bed, or by a recess near the implant end. Taking an impression and producing a master cast are greatly simplified with the impression system. In addition, the actual geometrical situation on the patient can be transferred to the master cast with greater precision.

Conductive elastomeric circuits are used in various simulated physiological structures such as tissues and organs, enabling feedback to be provided indicating whether a simulated task is being performed correctly. For example, a surgical trainer has a simulated human tissue structure made of an elastomeric composition, at least one reinforcing layer of a fibrous material, and at least one flexible electrical circuit. The surgical trainer preferably includes multiple areas for practicing surgical skills, each with evaluation circuits for providing feedback regarding that skill. Conductive elastomers are also incorporated into other types of medical training simulators, to similarly provide feedback. In another embodiment, a simulated organ has a conductive elastomeric circuit in the periphery of the simulated organ, enabling feedback to be provided to evaluate whether a person is properly manipulating the organ in response to a manual applied pressure.

Described are conjugates formed by an antibody fragment covalently attached to a non-proteinaceous polymer, wherein the apparent size of the conjugate is at least about 500 kD. The conjugates exhibit substantially improved half-life, mean residence time, and/or clearance rate in circulation as compared to the underivatized parental antibody fragment. Also described are conjugates directed against human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human p185 receptor-like tyrosine kinase (HER2), human CD20, human CD18, human CD11a, human IgE, human apoptosis receptor-2 (Apo-2), human tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), human tissue factor (TF), human α4β7 integrin, human GPIIb-IIIa integrin, human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human CD3, and human interleukin-2 receptor α-chain (TAC) for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

The present application discloses devices that ablate human tissue. The device comprises a catheter with a shaft through which an ablative agent can travel, a liquid reservoir and a heating component, which may comprise a length of coiled tubing contained within a heating element, wherein activation of said heating element causes said coiled tubing to increase from a first temperature to a second temperature and wherein the increase causes a conversion of liquid within the coiled tubing to vapor, a reusable cord connecting the outlet of the reservoir to the inlet of the heating component, and a single use cord connecting a pressure-resistant inlet port of a vapor based ablation device to the outlet of the heating component.

A treatment device which uses cold red and infrared radiation for the photodynamic stimulation of cells, especially cells of human tissue. The described device produces a constant energy radiation by the use of semiconductor and/or laser diodes, which furthermore radiate light in several separate wavelengths due to a special operation mode. With help of sensors the advanced controller system is able to test the patients for the needed radiation doses in order to avoid overstimulation. Furthermore the radiation openings in the applicators are advantageously covered with a polarization filter, whereby the absorption in the irradiated tissue is increased. The basic equipment consists of a standpillar, with which machine applicators are connected with a jointed arm. The machine applicators are adapted for the treatment of large area tissues, for example, the back of humans. The standpillar is freely movable on wheels and includes a control mechanism, whereby the various parameters for therapy can be adjusted and switched ON and OFF. The standpillar is also connected to a hand applicator designed for the treatment of small tissue areas, e.g., acupuncture points. Another version of the hand applicator is especially devised for dental treatment, whereby the head piece of the hand applicator can be connected with an expander containing an optical fiber. Photodynamic substances are introduced into tissue to be treated, which enhances the effects of light irradiation by the inventive device.