1568 results about "Line of therapy" patented technology

A medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two internally-cooled probe assemblies, and one or more cooling devices to provide cooling to at least one of the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies may be configured in a bipolar mode, whereby current flows preferentially between the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies and system described herein are particularly useful to deliver radio frequency energy to a patient's body. RF energy delivery may be used for various applications, including the treatment of pain, tumor ablation and cardiac ablation.

The present invention relates to improved ophthalmic diagnostic measurement or treatment methods or devices, that make use of a combination of a high speed eye tracking device, measuring fast translation or saccadic motion of the eye, and an eye position measurement device, determining multiple dimensions of eye position or other components of eye, relative to an ophthalmic diagnostic or treatment instrument.

A device, a system and a method for treating heart valve regurgitation. The annulus reshaping device comprises a base and a plurality of legs radially arranged there upon. The device can transform from a delivery configuration wherein it is deliverable by catheter to a treatment site, into a deployment configuration, and then a treatment configuration for treating valvular regurgitation. The device is implanted into the annulus of a heart valve, and the legs of the device can be telescopically withdrawn to apply an inward force to the annulus. The system comprises a device slidably received within a catheter. The method of treatment comprises delivering a device to a treatment area, via catheter, releasing the device from the catheter, positioning the legs of the device on a valve annulus, and applying an inward force to the annulus to reduce the regurgitation.

A first method for ultrasound uterine medical treatment includes obtaining an end effector having an ultrasound medical-treatment transducer assembly, identifying a blood vessel which supplies blood to a portion of the uterus, and medically treating the blood vessel with ultrasound from the transducer assembly to substantially seal the blood vessel to substantially stop the supply of blood from the blood vessel to the portion of the uterus. In one example, shrinkage of a uterine fibroid is accomplished through use of the end effector endoscopically inserted into the uterus. A second method for ultrasound uterine medical treatment includes endoscopically inserting the end effector into the uterus and medically treating the endometrium lining with ultrasound from the transducer assembly to ablate a desired thickness of at least a portion of the endometrium lining to substantially stop abnormal uterine bleeding from the endometrium lining.

Disclosed is a system and method for treatment of skin disorders. More particularly, the disclosed invention is directed toward the treatment of acne and acne scarring by treating sebaceous oil glands and the surrounding tissue with an exogenous chromophore composition and then exposing the target tissue to visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light to inhibit the activity of the oil gland and eliminate acne bacteria. The treatment method of the present invention may be futher augmented by enhancing the penetration of the topical composition into the oil gland and surrounding tissue through the use of procedures including enzyme peeling, microderm abrasion, or ultrasound.

An implantable stimulator and monitor measures a group of heart failure parameters indicative of the state of heart failure employing EGM signals, measures of blood pressure including absolute pressure P, developed pressure (DP=systolic P-diastolic P), and / or dP / dt, and measures of heart chamber volume (V) over one or more cardiac cycles. These parameters include: (1) relaxation or contraction time constant tau (.tau.); (2) mechanical restitution (MR), i.e., the mechanical response of a heart chamber to premature stimuli applied to the heart chamber; (3) recirculation fraction (RF), i.e., the rate of decay of PESP effects over a series of heart cycles; and (4) end systolic elastance (E.sub.ES), i.e., the ratios of end systolic blood pressure P to volume V. These heart failure parameters are determined periodically regardless of patient posture and activity level. The physician can determine whether a particular therapy is appropriate, prescribe the therapy for a period of time while again accumulating the stored patient data for a later review and assessment to determine whether the applied therapy is beneficial or not, thereby enabling periodic changes in therapy, if appropriate. Drug therapies and electrical stimulation therapies, including PESP stimulation, and pacing therapies including single chamber, dual chamber and multi-chamber (bi-atrial and / or bi-ventricular) pacing can be delivered. In patient's prone to malignant tachyarrhythmias, the assessment of heart failure state can be taken into account in setting parameters of detection or classification of tachyarrhythmias and the therapies that are delivered.

The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating proliferative diseases (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include, for example, radiation, surgery, administration of chemotherapeutic agents, or combinations thereof. Also provided are methods of administering to an individual a drug taxane in a nanoparticle composition based on a metronomic dosing regime.

The invention provides an at least partially non-invasive method for treatment of a non-tumorous lung, often for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or the lung. In a first aspect, a method for treatment of a non lung of a patient comprises directing radiation from outside the patient toward one or more target treatment regions of the lung so as to inhibit the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating proliferative diseases (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include, for example, radiation, surgery, administration of chemotherapeutic agents (such as an anti-VEGF antibody), or combinations thereof. Also provided are methods of administering to an individual a drug taxane in a nanoparticle composition based on a metronomic dosing regime.

A non-invasive variable depth ultrasound treatment method and system comprises a variable depth transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. An exemplary variable depth transducer system can comprise a transducer configured to provide treatment to more than one region of interest, such as between a deep treatment region of interest and a superficial region of interest, and / or a subcutaneous region of interest. The variable depth transducer can comprise a transduction element having a piezoelectrically active layer, matching layers and / or other materials for generating radiation or acoustical energy. The variable depth transducer may be configured to operate at moderate frequencies within the range from approximately 750 kHz to 20 MHz or more. In addition, the transduction element may be configured with a variable depth device comprising one or more materials configured to allow for control and focusing / defocusing of the acoustic energy to more than one region of interest.

Monoclonal anti-human CD20 antigen binding antibodies containing human IgG3 constant domains are provided. These antibodies possess effector functions that render them well suited for use in therapeutic methods, especially treatments wherein inhibition of B cell function or B cell number is therapeutically desirable.

A non-invasive ultra-high frequency ultrasound treatment method and system are provided. An exemplary method and system comprise a high-frequency ultrasound transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient such that the superficial and / or subcutaneous regions of the patient can be treated. An exemplary high-frequency ultrasound transducer system comprises a control system and a transducer configured to provide treatment to the superficial and / or subcutaneous regions of interest. The high-frequency ultrasound transducer may be configured to operate at higher frequencies and controlled power levels to provide treatment to the superficial and / or subcutaneous regions of interest. For example, higher frequencies within the range from approximately 20 MHz to 500 MHz or more may be utilized.

A non-invasive variable depth ultrasound treatment method and system comprises a variable depth transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. An exemplary variable depth transducer system can comprise a transducer configured to provide treatment to more than one region of interest, such as between a deep treatment region of interest and a superficial region of interest, and / or a subcutaneous region of interest. The variable depth transducer can comprise a transduction element having a piezoelectrically active layer, matching layers and / or other materials for generating radiation or acoustical energy. The variable depth transducer may be configured to operate at moderate frequencies within the range from approximately 750 kHz to 20 MHz or more. In addition, the transduction element may be configured with a variable depth device comprising one or more materials configured to allow for control and focusing / defocusing of the acoustic energy to more than one region of interest.

The invention provides methods for diagnosis or prognosis of cardiovascular disease involving the detection of an elevated amount of MIC-1 in a test body sample. The invention also provides methods for treatment of cardiovascular disease and other chronic inflammatory disease.

A medical treatment device includes: a pair of holding members configured to grasp a target part to be connected in a body tissue; an energy application portion provided on at least one holding member of the pair of holding members, the energy application portion being configured to contact the target part when the target part is grasped by the pair of holding members to apply energy to the target part; and a processor including hardware. The processor is configured to cause the energy application portion to: apply high-frequency energy to the target part for a first period; apply ultrasound energy to the target part for a second period subsequent to the first period; and apply heat energy to the target part for a third period subsequent to the second period.

A non-invasive ultra-high frequency ultrasound treatment method and system are provided. An exemplary method and system comprise a high-frequency ultrasound transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient such that the superficial and / or subcutaneous regions of the patient can be treated. An exemplary high-frequency ultrasound transducer system comprises a control system and a transducer configured to provide treatment to the superficial and / or subcutaneous regions of interest. The high-frequency ultrasound transducer may be configured to operate at higher frequencies and controlled power levels to provide treatment to the superficial and / or subcutaneous regions of interest. For example, higher frequencies within the range from approximately 20 MHz to 500 MHz or more may be utilized.

The invention disclosed herein relates generally to immunotherapy and, more specifically, to therapeutic methods for treating tumors and cancerous tissues by first inducing necrosis or apoptosis (e.g., cryotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, ultrasound therapy, or a combination thereof applied against at least a portion of the tumor or cancerous tissue), and then delivering one or more se doses of antigen presenting cells (e.g., autologous dendritic cells) intratumourally or proximate to the tumor or cancerous tissue, but only after a selected period of time sufficient for the bioavailablity of liberated cancer-specific antigens (monitored over the selected period of time) resulting from the necrosis or apoptosis to be at or near a maximum value. The present invention provides an alternative strategy to the ex vivo loading of target antigen to antigen presenting cells such as, for example, enriched autologous dendritic cells for purposes of enhancing an immune response.

The invention provides methods of screening for a compound for promoting wakefulness in a mammal. The method is practiced by providing a compound that is a PrRP receptor agonist and determining the ability of the compound to promote wakefulness. Also provided by the invention are methods of screening for a compound for promoting sleep in a mammal. The methods are practiced by providing a compound that is a PrRP receptor antagonist and determining the ability of the compound to promote sleep. In addition, the invention provides a method of promoting wakefulness in a mammal. The method is practiced by administering to a mammal an effective amount of a PrRP receptor agonist. The invention further provides a method of promoting sleep in a mammal. The method is practiced by administering to a mammal an effective amount of a PrRP receptor antagonist.

Different types of cardiac arrhythmia are classified based on the morphology of the arrhythmic beats. Cardiac beats associated with an arrhythmic episode are compared to a plurality of representative beat morphologies, each representative beat morphology characterizing a type of arrhythmia of the heart. An arrhythmic episode may be classified as a particular type of arrhythmia if the morphology of the arrhythmic cardiac beats matches a representative beat morphology characterizing the particular type of arrhythmia. An appropriate therapy for the particular type of arrhythmia may be selected based on the arrhythmia classification. A particular type of arrhythmia may be associated with one or more therapies used to treat the arrhythmia. The therapy used to treat the arrhythmia may comprise a therapy identified as a previously successful therapy.

An energy therapy device is provided that utilizes an array of energy-emitting elements to stimulate Qi energy flow along acupuncture meridians. Energy-emitting elements are activated and deactivated sequentially to produce an energy wave. The energy wave is brought into contact with, or in close proximity to, anatomical sites on a patient's body that have underlying acupuncture meridians. The energy wave produced by the energy therapy device stimulates the flow of Qi energy resulting in a number of therapeutic benefits including pain relief, and reduction of inflammation.

A device, a system and a method for treating heart valve regurgitation. The annulus reshaping device comprises a base and a plurality of legs radially arranged there upon. The device can transform from a delivery configuration wherein it is deliverable by catheter to a treatment site, into a deployment configuration, and then a treatment configuration for treating valvular regurgitation. The device is implanted into the annulus of a heart valve, and the legs of the device can be telescopically withdrawn to apply an inward force to the annulus. The system comprises a device slidably received within a catheter. The method of treatment comprises delivering a device to a treatment area, via catheter, releasing the device from the catheter, positioning the legs of the device on a valve annulus, and applying an inward force to the annulus to reduce the regurgitation.

The invention relates to the improvement in the treatment of certain neural disorders / diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and other motor disorders. The invention relates to drug compositions and dosage forms comprising said drug composition; methods of manufacturing the drug compositions and dosage forms; and methods of treatment, comprising administering the drug composition and dosage form to an individual. In certain embodiments, the drug compositions and dosage forms comprise carbidopa and levodopa in a formulation suitable for once-daily administration.

A medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two internally-cooled probe assemblies, and one or more cooling devices to provide cooling to at least one of the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies may be configured in a bipolar mode, whereby current flows preferentially between the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies and system described herein are particularly useful to deliver radio frequency energy to a patient's body. RF energy delivery may be used for various applications, including the treatment of pain, tumor ablation and cardiac ablation.

Disclosed are safe, simple and effective broad-spectrum treatments for halitosis and other microbial infections of the nondental upper respiratory tract useful to treat bacterial and other microorganism species, including anaerobic bacteria. Electromagnetic radiative energy including visible, and optionally, thermal, RF and / or microwave wavelengths, is topically applied to internal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract to destroy or incapacitate superficial microorganisms without the use of antibiotics. One useful apparatus is a handheld energy applicator having a light output head suitable for treating the back of the tongue and the tonsils and which may be interchangeably provided with extensions to reach the sinuses. The energy applicator can be supported and guided by a mounting device held between the subject's teeth, if desired. Useful embodiments of the invention include preparative treatment of the target surfaces with a photosensitizing agent such as an oxidizing agent or a complementary stain. Optionally a pre-treament procedure may be employed to remove detritus and microfloral overgrowths that may mask more deeply resident target microorganisms. Novel treatments include treatment of halitosis by destruction of bacterial species associated with halitosis, such as Atopobium parvulum, by application of non-ionizing radiative energy to the tonsils and the back of the tongue. Another embodiment comprises a candy bar incorporating a halitosis treatment lamp disposed within the candy.

Disclosed are therapeutic methods for the treatment of disease material involving administration of a thermotherapeutic magnetic composition, which contains single-domain magnetic particles attached to a target-specific ligand, to a patient and application of an alternating magnetic field to inductively heat the thermotherapeutic magnetic composition. Also disclosed are methods of administering the thermotherapeutic magnetic material composition. The thermotherapeutic methods may be used where the predetermined target is associated with diseases, such as cancer, diseases of the immune system, and pathogen-borne diseases, and undesirable targets, such as toxins, reactions associated with organ transplants, hormone-related diseases, and non-cancerous diseased cells or tissue.

Disclosed are medicaments, pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical kits, and methods based on combinations of at least one HCV protease inhibitor and at least one HCV polymerase inhibitor but not HCV-796; for concurrent or consecutive administration in treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms of HCV, or disorders associated with HCV in a subject in need thereof.

The invention relates generally to treatment of solid cancers. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-field charged particle cancer therapy method and apparatus coordinated with negative ion beam creation, ion beam focusing, charged particle acceleration, patient rotation, and / or patient respiration. Preferably, the charged particle therapy is performed on a patient in a partially immobilized and repositionable position. Proton delivery is preferably timed to patient respiration via control of charged particle beam injection, acceleration, and / or targeting methods and apparatus.