565results about "Luminescence/biological staining preparation" patented technology

The present invention is directed to novel compositions and methods utilizing delivery agents or nanoparticles that include protein cages with modified and / or unmodified subunits and various agents, such as therapeutic and / or imaging agents located on the interior and / or exterior surface of the protein cages.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon.In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

The invention provides materials, devices and methods for marking biopsy sites for a limited time. The biopsy-marking materials are ultrasound-detectable bio-resorbable powders, with powder particles typically between about 20 microns and about 800 microns in maximum dimension, more preferably between about 300 microns and about 500 microns. The powders may be formed of polymeric materials containing cavities sized between about 10 microns and about 500 microns, and may also contain binding agents, anesthetic agents, hemostatic agents, and radiopaque markers. Devices for delivering the powders include tubes configured to contain the powders and to fit within a biopsy cannula, the powders being ejected by action of a syringe. Systems may include a tube containing powder, and a syringe containing sterile saline. The tube may be configured to fit within a biopsy cannula such as a Mammotome® or SenoCor 360™ cannula.

A biopsy site marker having at least one small marker body or pellet of bioresorbable material such as gelatin, collagen, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid which has a radiopaque object, preferably with a non-biological configuration. The at least one bioresorbable body or pellet with a radiopaque object is deposited into the biopsy site, by an delivery device that includes an elongated tubular body with a piston slidable within the tubular body. One end of the tube is placed into the biopsy site. At least one but preferably several marker bodies or pellets are deposited sequentially into the biopsy site through the tube. At least the bioresorbable materials of the detectable markers remain present in sufficient quantity to permit detection and location of the biopsy site at a first time point (e.g., 2 weeks) after introduction but clear from the biopsy site or otherwise do not interfere with imaging of tissues adjacent the biopsy site at a second time point (e.g., 5-7 months) after introduction.

Improved fluoresced imaging (FI) and other sensor data imaging processes, devices, and systems are provided to enhance display of different secondary types of images and reflected light images together. Reflected light images are converted to a larger color space in a manner that preserves the color information of the reflected light image. FI or secondary images are transformed to a color range within the larger color space, but outside the color area of the reflected light images, allowing the FI or secondary images to be combined with them in a manner with improved distinguishability of color. Hardware designs are provide to enable real-time processing of image streams from medical scopes. The combined images are encoded for an electronic display capable of displaying the larger color space.

Cavity and sentinel lymph node marking 412 devices, marker delivery devices, and methods are disclosed. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the cavity by radiographic, mammography, echogenic, or other noninvasive imaging techniques. A composition and method are disclosed for locating the sentinel lymph node in a mammalian body to determine if cancerous cells have spread thereto. The composition is preferably a fluid composition consisting of a carrier fluid and some type of contrast agent; alternatively, the contrast agent may itself be a fluid and therefore not need a separate carrier fluid. This composition is capable of (1) deposition in or around a lesion and migration to and accumulation in the associated sentinel node, and (2) remote detection via any number of noninvasive techniques. Also disclosed is a method for remotely detecting the location of a sentinel node by (1) depositing a remotely detectable fluid in or around a lesion for migration to and accumulation in the associated sentinel node and (2) remotely detecting the location of that node with a minimum of trauma and toxicity to the patient. The composition and method may serve to mark a biopsy cavity, as well as mark the sentinel lymph node. The marking methods also may combine any of the features as described with the marking device and delivery device.

These are biopsy cavity marking devices and methods. The devices and methods include a bioabsorbable filler body and a detectable marker attached to the filler body, where the detectable marker has a predetermined shape. The detectable marker may be mammographic, radiopaque, echogenic, or palpable. The predetermined shape may be non-spherical, a barb, a sphere, a ring, a wire, or a band. It may also be affixed to the interior of the body or to the surface of the body. In another embodiment, the device may include a bioabsorbable filler body and a detectable marker attached to the filler body, where the detectable marker is a wire. Methods of using these devices to mark a biopsy cavity are also included.

A medical imaging system provides simultaneous rendering of visible light and fluorescent images. The system may employ dyes in a small-molecule form that remain in a subject's blood stream for several minutes, allowing real-time imaging of the subject's circulatory system superimposed upon a conventional, visible light image of the subject. The system may provide an excitation light source to excite the fluorescent substance and a visible light source for general illumination within the same optical guide used to capture images. The system may be configured for use in open surgical procedures by providing an operating area that is closed to ambient light. The systems described herein provide two or more diagnostic imaging channels for capture of multiple, concurrent diagnostic images and may be used where a visible light image may be usefully supplemented by two or more images that are independently marked for functional interest.

Disclosed is a method for the treatment and / or diagnosis of cancer, using bacterial cell-derived microvesicles, which is highly effective in cancer therapy with a significant reduction in side effects. Also, a method is provided for delivering of a drug therapeutic or diagnostic for a disease, using bacterial cell-derived microvesicles loaded with the drug, thereby treating and diagnosing the disease effectively and specifically.

The invention is directed biopsy site markers and methods of marking a biopsy site, so that the location of the biopsy cavity is readily visible by conventional imaging methods, particularly by ultrasonic imaging. The biopsy site markers of the invention have high ultrasound reflectivity, presenting a substantial acoustic signature from a small marker, so as to avoid obscuring diagnostic tissue features in subsequent imaging studies, and can be readily distinguished from biological features. The several disclosed embodiments of the biopsy site marker of the invention have a high contrast of acoustic impedance as placed in a tissue site, so as to efficiently reflect and scatter ultrasonic energy, and preferably include gas-filled internal pores. The markers may have a non-uniform surface contour to enhance the acoustic signature. The markers have a characteristic form which is recognizably artificial during medical imaging. The biopsy site marker may be accurately fixed to the biopsy site so as to resist migration from the biopsy cavity when a placement instrument is withdrawn, and when the marked tissue is subsequently moved or manipulated.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon.In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

The invention provides materials, devices and methods for marking biopsy sites for a limited time. The biopsy-marking materials are ultrasound-detectable bio-resorbable powders, with powder particles typically between about 20 microns and about 800 microns in maximum dimension, more preferably between about 300 microns and about 500 microns. The powders may be formed of polymeric materials containing cavities sized between about 10 microns and about 500 microns, and may also contain binding agents, anesthetic agents, hemostatic agents, and radiopaque markers. Devices for delivering the powders include tubes configured to contain the powders and to fit within a biopsy cannula, the powders being ejected by action of a syringe. Systems may include a tube containing powder, and a syringe containing sterile saline. The tube may be configured to fit within a biopsy cannula such as a Mammotome® or SenoCor 360™ cannula.

The present invention relates to a delivery platform that can be used to genetically modify a target in a plant or an alga. In one instance, polypeptides and / or polynucleotides can be delivered using silica delivery platforms, e.g., silica carriers or protocells. Such platforms can be employed to control gene activation and repression in the plant or alga.

This invention relates to an in-vivo diagnostic method based on near infrared radiation (NIR radiation) that uses water-soluble dyes and their biomolecule adducts, each having specific photophysical and pharmaco-chemical properties, as a contrast medium for fluorescence and transillumination diagnostics in the NIR range, to new dyes and pharmaceuticals containing such dyes.

The present invention is directed to a non-isotopic methods for the in vitro and in vivo detection of hydroxyapatite-positive cells and structures.

The invention relates generally to the field of plasmonics, and more specifically, in one embodiment, it relates to fabricating elements in whole or in part using one or more self-assembling elements comprised of purified, synthetic and or recombinant protein molecule elements and or their accessory elements, and in particular, composed of at least one or more Clathrin and or Coatomer I / II protein molecules, forming one or more self-assembling structure and framework elements of one or more molecular weights, dimensions, geometries, symmetries, configurations and combinations. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method using one or more nanoscale metal surface elements that, when one or more appropriate types or forms of energies are applied to one or more types of metal elements, emit one or more preferred types or forms of surface-plasmon-enhanced electromagnetic radiation and energy.

The present invention describes a method for identification and labeling of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and the presence or absence of lymph node metastases as an important diagnostic and prognostic factor in early stage cancers of all types. The method, know as Molecular Lymphatic Mapping, uses traditional dye / radioactive tracer based techniques in conjunction with a nucleic acid marker to identify and label the SLN, not only for current diagnostic methods, but for archival purposes. In addition, MLM can be used to deliver a therapeutic gene or genes to the SLN to activate tumor immunity to tumor cells, and / or to inhibit tumor metastases. The methods may be combined with therapeutic intervention including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The present invention provides compounds comprising a bicyclic aryl moiety, such as 2H-phthalazin-1-one or derivatives thereof, compositions comprising the same, and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, the present invention provides compounds of the formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a hydrate, a solvate, or a prodrug thereof; where Q1, Q2 and Y are those defined herein.

PCT No. PCT / US97 / 20981 Sec. 371 Date May 20, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date May 20, 1999 PCT Filed Nov. 13, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO99 / 25388 PCT Pub. Date May 27, 1999N-demethylated and N,N-demethylated derivatives of toluidine blue O and compositions which include these derivatives and the conformational isomers of toluidine blue O. Improved methods for the detection of dysplastic oral tissue using such compositions. Processes for synthesis of toluidine blue O products, in which a complexing agent is introduced prior to the last stage of oxidation of a three-step synthesis from N,N-dimethyl- rho -phenylenediamine. An HPLC method for characterizing toluidine blue O products in which the mobile phase is an aqueous solution of an organic acid.

The invention relates to a method of identifying / monitoring active atherosclerotic plaques associated with blood vessel walls wherein the plaques comprise activated macrophages having accessible binding sites for a ligand. The method comprises the steps of administering to a patient being evaluated for atherosclerosis an effective amount of a composition comprising a conjugate of a ligand and a chromophore capable of emitting light under predetermined conditions, allowing sufficient time for the ligand conjugate to bind to the activated macrophages, subjecting the blood vessels to the predetermined conditions using a catheter-based device, and identifying active plaques by detecting light emitted by the chromophore using a catheter-based device or by using an external imaging technique. The invention also relates to a similar method wherein a chemical moiety capable of emitting radiation is conjugated to the ligand.

The present invention relates to a phenothiazinium compound of Formula (I): wherein: A and B each independently is in which R' and R'' each independently is a linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group, or R' and R'' together with the N atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring; and where X<p-> is a counteranion and P is 1, 2 or 3; except for the compounds in which A and B are both either -N(CH3)2 or -N(CH2CH3)2 for use in a treatment that requires removal, deactivation or killing of unwanted tissues or cells. The invention also relates to compositions comprising the compounds of Formula I, to selected compounds of Formula I, use of the compounds of Formula I as medicaments and as a PDT agent or a photodiagnostic agent, a conjugate or composite formed between a compound of Formula I and a polymer; and to a method for sterilising fluids in which the fluid is passed over the conjugate or composite whilst it is illuminated. The compounds are biologically active photosensitisers which are strongly photocytotoxic and have application in the areas of photodynamic therapy (PDT), as well as for the diagnosis and detection of medical conditions and related uses in photochemical internalisation, in the production of cancer vaccines, in the treatment and prevention of microbial infections and in photodisinfection or photosterilisation.

Compounds and methods of using these compounds to treat neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease, are provided. The compounds that are provided for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases can be represented by a general formula (I): wherein R1 is Me, Et or PhCH2; R2 is H, PhCH2 or 6-Me-3-Py-(CH2)2; and R3 is H, Me or Br. The solid line accompanied by the dotted line i.e. represents a single or double bond and salts thereof with pharmacologically acceptable acids and quaternary derivatives.

Various exemplary embodiments provide protocell nanostructures and methods for constructing and using the protocell nanostructures. In one embodiment, the protocell nanostructures can include a core-shell structure including a porous particle core surrounded by a shell of lipid bilayer(s). The protocell can be internalized in a bioactive cell. Various cargo components, for example, drugs, can be loaded in and released from the porous particle core of the protocell(s) and then delivered within the bioactive cell.