57 results about "Joint fluid" patented technology

A joint aspirate-facilitating device is provided including a flexible main panel that is secured to the joint to be aspirated. An inflatable bladder is secured to the main panel and is placed in contact with the soft tissues overlying and surrounding the joint space. The bladder is used to apply pressure to selected areas of the joint to compress the fluid sacs in the joint. An access opening is formed in the main panel designating the location where joint fluid is to be aspirated. The joint fluid is directed to flow to the area of the joint exposed at the access opening based on the shape of the bladder that compresses surrounding areas of the fluid sacs. A conventional hand pump may pressurize the bladder or the bladder may be filled with a viscous gel material to generate pressure. Multiple access openings may be formed on the main panel designating locations where aspiration is to be conducted. For multiple access openings, plugs may be used to fill those openings where aspiration is not conducted, thereby maximizing joint fluid flow only to the selected location where aspiration is to be conducted. An ultrasound probe may be attached and incorporated into the device to confirm joint fluid displacement into the targeted location prior to need aspiration. A disposable molded sterile dressing may applied to the access opening to reduce the risk of infections. The device can be used on any joint of the body, and the particular shape of the main panel and bladder accommodates maximum joint fluid flow to the point where aspiration is desired.

This invention relates to: a method for differentiating osteoclast precursor cells (preosteoclasts) into osteoclasts, which comprises culturing the preosteoclasts in the absence of accessory cells; a method for isolating preosteoclasts, which comprises culturing peripheral blood or joint fluid in the absence of cytokine for 1 to 3 weeks; an preosteoclasts, which is obtainable by the above method; a method for differentiating the preosteoclasts obtained by the above method into osteoclasts, which comprises culturing the preosteoclasts in the absence of accessory cell; an osteoclast, which is obtainable by the above method; a method for screening agents for treating metabolic bone diseases, which comprises using the preosteoclasts or the osteoclasts as described above; and agents for treating metabolic bone diseases, which is obtainable by the above screening method.

A chamber for testing the reactivity of patient fluids to a metallic implant alloy, such as CoCrMo, and a method of determining the reactivity of the patent to the alloy. A sealed mini-electrochemical cell incorporates the alloy surface as well as reference and counter electrodes coupled to a potentiostat for performing electrochemical measurements of the alloy surface while it is in direct contact with freshly harvested human fluids. Freshly obtained body fluids are thus assessed in terms of their bioelectrochemical reactivity with the alloy surface as a measure of the likely reactivity of the patient to the alloy if it were to be implanted into the patient.

The invention relates to a composition for preventing and treating joint soft tissue injury and complications thereof. A complex formulation, which comprises bone collagen, sodium hyaluronate, mangosteen extract, pomegranate extract and vitamin C in specific proportions, is prepared. The composition has an anti-inflammatory effect, since the generation of PGE2 is reduced by lowering the activity of COX2. Meanwhile, the composition accelerates the restoration and generation of cartilage tissue and joint fluid and lowers the degree of joint inflammation.

Tissue implants prepared for the repair of tissues, especially avascular tissues such as cartilage. One embodiment presents an electric potential capable of receiving and accumulating desirable factors or molecules from surrounding fluid when exposed to dynamic loading. In another embodiment the implant promotes tissue conduction by retarding, restricting and controlling cellular invasion through use of gradients until competent tissue forms. Further embodiments of the tissue implants may be formed into a multi-phasic device that provides deep tissue mechanical stimulus by conduction of mechanical and fluid forces experienced at the surface of the implant.