13081 results about "Kidney" patented technology

An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements, reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit, restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and restoration and maintenance of disc space height.

Methods for treating a renal associated disease condition in a subject are provided. The subject methods are characterized by modulating at least one portion of the subject's autonomic nervous system in a manner effective to treat a renal condition in the subject. Specifically, the methods may include modulating, e.g., increasing, a parasympathetic/sympathetic activity ratio in the subject. Also provided are compositions, kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.

A peritoneal-based (“bloodless”) artificial kidney processes peritoneal fluid without need for additional fluids (“waterless”). Fluid is separated into a protein-rich stream and a protein-free stream. The protein-rich stream is regenerated using a sorbent assembly, and its protein composition can be modified by removal of selected protein(s) (“dialysate-pheresis”). It is then reconstituted with additives and returned into the peritoneal cavity, thereby reducing protein-loss and providing oncotic-pressure for ultrafiltration. The protein-free stream is used to produce free water, and an alkaline or acid fluid for optimization of the composition of the regenerated stream. The unused protein-free stream can be used to “reverse flush” the separator to maintain its patency and the excess discarded for fluid-balance regulation. Compared to prior art, immobilization of urease allows more protein rich fluid to be regenerated and re-circulated into the peritoneal cavity for toxin removal and allows practicable development of portable and wearable artificial kidneys.

Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is a recently identified agent wherein the potential spectrum of PCV-2-associated disease has been expanded by evidence of vertical and sexual transmission and associated reproductive failure in swine populations. PCV-2 was isolated from a litter of aborted piglets from a farm experiencing late term abortions and stillbirths. Severe, diffuse myocarditis was present in one piglet associated with extensive immunohistochemical staining for PCV-2 antigen. Variable amounts of PCV-2 antigen were also present in liver, lung and kidney of multiple fetuses. Inoculation of female pigs with a composition including an immunogen from PCV-2 or an epitope of interest from such an immunogen or with a vector expressing such an immunogen or epitope of interest prior to breeding, such as within the first five weeks of life, or prior to the perinatal period, or repeatedly over a lifetime, or during pregnancy, such as between the 6th and 8th and/or the 10th and 13th weeks of gestation, can prevent myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2. In addition, innoculation of male and/or female pigs with the aforementioned compositions can be carried out to prevent transmission of PCV-2 from male to female (or vice versa) during mating. Thus, the invention involves methods and compositions for preventing myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2.

The invention provides articles of manufacture comprising biocompatible nanostructures comprising nanotubes and nanopores for, e.g., organ, tissue and/or cell growth, e.g., for bone, kidney or liver growth, and uses thereof, e.g., for in vitro testing, in vivo implants, including their use in making and using artificial organs, and related therapeutics. The invention provides lock-in nanostructures comprising a plurality of nanopores or nanotubes, wherein the nanopore or nanotube entrance has a smaller diameter or size than the rest (the interior) of the nanopore or nanotube. The invention also provides dual structured biomaterial comprising micro- or macro-pores and nanopores. The invention provides biomaterials having a surface comprising a plurality of enlarged diameter nanopores and/or nanotubes.

The present invention provides articles of manufacture comprising biocompatible nanostructures comprising significantly increased surface area for, e.g., organ, tissue and/or cell growth, e.g., for bone, tooth, kidney or liver growth, and uses thereof, e.g., for in vitro testing of drugs, chemicals or toxins, or as in vivo implants, including their use in making and using artificial tissues and organs, and related, diagnostic, screening, research and development and therapeutic uses, e.g., as drug delivery devices. The present invention provides biocompatible nanostructures with significantly increased surface area, such as with nanotube and nanopore array on the surface of metallic, ceramic, or polymer materials for enhanced cell and bone growth, for in vitro and in vivo testing, cleansing reaction, implants and therapeutics. The present invention provides optically transparent or translucent cell-culturing substrates. The present invention provides biocompatible and cell-growth-enhancing culture substrates comprising elastically compliant protruding nanostructure substrates coated with Ti, TiO₂ or related metal and metal oxide films.

The present invention is concerned with compounds of the general Formula I:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are useful as melanin concentrating hormone receptor antagonists, particularly MCH-1R antagonists. As such, compounds of the present invention are useful for the treatment or prevention of obesity or eating disorders associated with excessive food intake and complications thereof, osteoarthritis, certain cancers, AIDS wasting, cachexia, frailty (particularly in elderly), mental disorders stress, cognitive disorders, sexual function, reproductive function, kidney function, locomotor disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADD), substance abuse disorders and dyskinesias, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, memory function, and spinal muscular atrophy. Compounds of formula I may therefore be used in the treatment of these conditions, and in the manufacture of a medicament useful in treating these conditions. Pharmaceutical formulations comprising one of the compounds of formula (I) as an active ingredient are disclosed, as are processes for preparing these compounds.

A triple lumen stone balloon catheter (1) having a tapered distal end (9). A lumen (24) dedicated to transmitting contrast media is dimensioned and adapted to conform to the shape of a kidney in a main shaft of the catheter and conform to the shape of a crescent in a distal end of the catheter. The geometric shaping of the contrast media lumen (24) enables wall thickness to be maintained within acceptable ranges to sustain desirable mechanical characteristics while allowing for enhanced contrast media flow. A method for employing the balloon catheter (1) is also disclosed.

The present invention provides antisense compounds and methods for modulating the expression of target genes expressed in the kidney. In particular, this invention provides antisense oligonucleotide compounds optimized for targeting nucleic acid molecules expressed in the kidney. Such compounds are shown herein to efficiently modulate the expression of target genes SGLT2 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the kidney.

The present disclosure relates to a wearable dialysis system and method for removing uremic waste metabolites and fluid from a patient suffering from renal disease. Uremic waste metabolites can be removed by a wearable peritoneal dialysis device that regenerates the peritoneal dialysis solution without removing positively charged, essential ions from the solution and, consequently, the patient. Fluids can be removed from the blood of the patient by an implantable fluid removing device. Fluids are delivered to the bladder and preferably removed from the body of the patient through urination. The wearable dialysis system may be operated continuously or semi-continuously and be comfortably adapted to the body of the patient while allowing the patient to perform normal activities.

A ureteral stent is configured for improved patient comfort and aftercare. The stent can have one or more of the following features: a distal portion with a somewhat flattened, non-circular cross-section that provides reduced irritation and elimination of urine reflux; a proximal portion with a helical coil shape that allows self-anchoring of the stent below the kidney; and a portion along the body of the stent having a coil shape that allows self-adjustment of the stent with ureteral movement.

These and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing a novel method and compositions for the clinical treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. This invention involves use of systemically administered compositions which include primary amine derivatives of benzoic acid as carbonyl trapping agents. These primary therapeutic agents act by chemically binding to and sequestering the aldehyde and/or ketone products of lipid peroxidation. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation have been repeatedly demonstrated as a part of the non-enzymatic "inflammatory cascade" process which underlies the secondary etiology of chronic inflammatory diseases. p-Aminobenzoic acid (or PABA) is an example of the primary therapeutic agent of the present invention. PABA has a small molecular weight, is water soluble, has a primary amine group that reacts with carbonyl-containing metabolites under physiological conditions and is tolerated by the body in relatively high dosages and for extended periods. The carbonyl sequestering agents are used in combination with at least one co-agent so as to produce an additional beneficial physiological effect of an anti-inflammatory nature. Such compositions are administered systemically entirely via the oral route. Co-agents of the present invention include anti-oxidants and free radical trapping compounds (e.g., alpha-tocopherol), compounds having indirect anti-oxidant activity (e.g., selenium), vitamins (e.g., pyridoxine HCl), compounds which facilitate kidney drug elimination (e.g., glycine), metabolites at risk of depletion (e.g., pantothenic acid), sulfhydryl containing chemicals (e.g., methionine), compounds which facilitate glutathione activity (e.g., N-acetylcysteine), and non-absorbable polyamine co-agents (e.g., chitosan).

A URAT1 activity inhibitor containing a nitrogen-containing fused ring compound represented by the following formula [1]:

wherein each symbol is as defined in the description. The present invention is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of pathology showing involvement of uric acid, such as hyperuricemia, gouty tophus, acute gouty arthritis, chronic gouty arthritis, gouty kidney, urolithiasis, renal function disorder, coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease and the like.

A composition for delivering a tumor therapeutic agent to a patient includes a fast-release formulation of a tumor apoptosis inducing agent, a slow-release formulation of a tumor therapeutic agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. An apoptosis-inducing agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be administered before or concomitantly therewith. Nanoparticles or microparticles (e.g., cross-linked gelatin) of the therapeutic agent (e.g., paclitaxel) also may be used. The nanoparticles or microparticles may be coated with a bioadhesive coating. Microspheres that agglomerate to block the entrance of the lymphatic ducts of the bladder to retard clearance of the microparticles through the lymphatic system also may be employed. This invention also uses drug-loaded gelatin and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles and microparticles to target drug delivery to tumors in the peritoneal cavity, bladder tissues, and kidneys.

The present invention relates to the use of carbon monoxide (CO) as a biomarker and therapeutic agent of heart, lung, liver, spleen, brain, skin and kidney diseases and other conditions and disease states including, for example, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, interstitial lung diseases, idiopathic pulmonary diseases, other lung diseases including primary pulmonary hypertension, secondary pulmonary hypertension, cancers, including lung, larynx and throat cancer, arthritis, wound healing, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, peripheral vascular disease and pulmonary vascular thrombotic diseases such as pulmonary embolism. CO may be used to provide anti-inflammatory relief in patients suffering from oxidative stress and other conditions especially including sepsis and septic shock. In addition, carbon monoxide may be used as a biomarker or therapeutic agent for reducing respiratory distress in lung transplant patients and to reduce or inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation in transplant patients.

Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is a recently identified agent wherein the potential spectrum of PCV-2-associated disease has been expanded by evidence of vertical and sexual transmission and associated reproductive failure in swine populations. PCV-2 was isolated from a litter of aborted piglets from a farm experiencing late term abortions and stillbirths. Severe, diffuse myocarditis was present in one piglet associated with extensive immunohistochemical staining for PCV-2 antigen. Variable amounts of PCV-2 antigen were also present in liver, lung and kidney of multiple fetuses. Inoculation of female pigs with a composition including an immunogen from PCV-2 or an epitope of interest from such an immunogen or with a vector expressing such an immunogen or epitope of interest prior to breeding, such as within the first five weeks of life, or prior to the perinatal period, or repeatedly over a lifetime, or during pregnancy, such as between the 6and 8and/or the 10and 13weeks of gestation, can lower viral titer, prevent myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2. In addition, innoculation of male and/or female pigs with the aforementioned compositions can be carried out to prevent transmission of PCV-2 from male to female (or vice versa) during mating. Thus, the invention involves methods and compositions for preventing myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2.

The present invention relates to dialysis solutions for peritoneal dialysis, containing hydroxyethyl starch as the osmotically-active substance, electrolytes and, optionally, conventional additives, where the hydroxyethyl starch has a molecular weight Mw in the range from 10,000 to 150,000, a substitution MS in the range from 0.10 to 0.40, a substitution DS in the range from 0.09 to 0.35 and a substitution ratio C2/C6>=8. With this peritoneal dialysis solution it is possible, with an outstanding ultrafiltration, to maintain a longer dwell time, for example the dialysis solution can be utilized for a period of 12 hours in the CAPD without replacement. In addition, the inventive dialysis solution is also particularly advantageous for patients with residual kidney function. The resorption of the osmotically active substance is clearly diminished and even after a dwell time of 12 hours it amounts to a maximum of 60-70%.