47 results about "Musculoskeletal impairment" patented technology

A method of treating a subject having a musculoskeletal disorder includes administering to a subject's articular site in need thereof an effective amount of a hyaluronic acid (HA) composition. In one embodiment, the HA composition includes an HA derivative, wherein carboxyl functionalities of the hyaluronic acid derivative are each independently derivatized to include an N-acylurea or 0-acyl isourea, or both N-acylurea and 0-acyl isourea. In another embodiment, the HA composition includes a crosslinked HA gel that is prepared by reacting an uncrosslinked HA with a biscarbodiimide in the presence of pH buffer in a range of between about 4 and about 8. The composite can optionally include at least one second bioactive agent other than the HA derivative, such as a steroid.

Disclosed are water-soluble gel-based compositions for the delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors that express nucleic acid segments encoding therapeutic constructs including peptides, polypeptides, ribozymes, and catalytic RNA molecules, to selected cells and tissues of vertebrate animals. Also disclosed are gel-based rAAV compositions are useful in the treatment of mammalian, and in particular, human diseases, including for example, cardiac disease or dysfunction, and musculoskeletal disorders and congenital myopathies, including, for example, muscular dystrophy, acid maltase deficiency (Pompe's disease), and the like. In illustrative embodiments, the invention provides rAAV vectors comprised within a biocompatible gel composition for enhanced viral delivery / transfection to mammalian tissues, and in particular to vertebrate muscle tissues such as a human heart or diaphragm tissue.

A non-invasive device for assisting the treatment of any kind of musculoskeletal disorder, including but not exclusive of those of joint, limb, and spine disorders, includes a brace, sleeve, flexible pad, or any combination of the three, a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon, wherein the plurality of electrodes transmit at least three electrophysical modalities, and a stimulation control unit having interactive software to establish a controlled sequence of transmission of the at least three electrophysical modalities and communicating the controlled sequence to the electrodes. The at least three electrophysical modalities are chosen from a group consisting of neuromodulating functional electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation, and heat therapy stimulation. The stimulation control unit also provides feedback data using the electrodes for monitoring and integration with the interactive software to analyze and assess biomechanical, neuromuscular, and neurological responses to the device.

The invention features methods, compositions, and kits for treating an immunoinflammatory disorder, an ophthalmic disorder, a musculoskeletal disorder or pain associated therewith, a periodontal disease, or a disease or condition associated with an increased serum CRP level.

An electrohydraulic shock wave-generating system for extracorporeal therapy of renal stones or musculoskeletal disorders includes a shock wave generator, a micro high-sensitivity camera, and a gap-controlling unit. The shock wave generator includes a truncated ellipsoidal bowl and two electrodes, each electrode having a portion inside the bowl, with a gap being defined between the electrodes. The micro high-sensitivity camera acquires an image of the electrodes for finding a size of the gap. The gap-controlling unit controls the size of the gap and moves at least one of the electrodes to adjust the size of the gap. A medical treatment for fragmenting stones or for curing musculoskeletal disorders can be carried out without increasing the operational voltage applied to the electrodes under gap control provided by the system. The system also includes a computer control unit to provide automatic control of the gap.

The present invention is a wrist massager particularly applying to the wrist part of human being adopting acupressure theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in order to circumvent wrist musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It comprises a wrist band operably engaged a control panel 4 and a motorised cushion housing 2 with protruding massage means3. The wrist band added with size-adjustable mechanism is designed for users to fit their wrist into the massager comfortably and firmly. It contains a motor / motors to produce vibration and deliver reciprocating and / or rotary massaging effect via the massage means3. Alternatively, the wrist massager is a plate 8 with planar bottom and a housing placed on the surface of the plate 8. A detachable massaging means protrudes from the surface of the said housing.

Medical devices with novel spark gap electrode designs, able to control manually or automatically the electrodes gap are provided. These devices are used to generate a shock wave created by the rapid expansion and collapse of a plasma bubble that is formed between two spark gap electrodes placed in a special liquid medium, when a high differential voltage (kV) is applied to the electrodes. The resulting shock wave impacts a reflector to direct the energy into the body of an animal or a human toward the desired treatment location. This electro-hydraulic principle to create acoustic shock waves as a method of treatment is in use in the medical (lithotripsy, orthopedic use, wound treatment, burns, post-operative treatment, pain treatment, diagnosis, skin and organ transplantation supporting devices, arteriosclerosis treatment), cosmetic (treatment of scars and cellulite) and veterinary (treatment of musculoskeletal disorders) fields.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for exercising the lower limbs, in particular for exercising lower limbs. The devices are suitable for training the lower limbs of persons suffering from paraplegia or hemiplegia or musculoskeletal disorders in general. In some aspects, the present invention relates to powered articulated systems (ASs) and to the rehabilitation by aid of said ASs. The parallel or hybrid ASs of the invention are based on a parallel or hybrid, lambda-type framework and are controlled by a data processing unit. The ASs are preferably controlled by a closed-loop, real time control system.

A non-invasive device for assisting the treatment of any kind of musculoskeletal disorder, including but not exclusive of those of joint, limb, and spine disorders, includes a brace, sleeve, flexible pad, or any combination of the three, a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon, wherein the plurality of electrodes transmit at least three electrophysical modalities, and a stimulation control unit having interactive software to establish a controlled sequence of transmission of the at least three electrophysical modalities and communicating the controlled sequence to the electrodes. The at least three electrophysical modalities are chosen from a group consisting of neuromodulating functional electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation, and heat therapy stimulation. The stimulation control unit also provides feedback data using the electrodes for monitoring and integration with the interactive software to analyze and assess biomechanical, neuromuscular, and neurological responses to the device.

The present invention relates to the identification of two microRNAs, miR-499 and miR-208b, that repress fast skeletal muscle contractile protein genes. Expression of miR-499 and / or miR-208b can be used to repress fast fiber genes and activate slow fiber genes in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Inhibition of miR-499 and / or miR-208b is proposed as a treatment for cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, and / or heart failure. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising antagonists and agonists of miR-499 and miR-208b function are also disclosed.

Medical devices with novel spark gap electrode designs, able to control manually or automatically the electrodes gap are provided. These devices are used to generate a shock wave created by the rapid expansion and collapse of a plasma bubble that is formed between two spark gap electrodes placed in a special liquid medium, when a high differential voltage (kV) is applied to the electrodes. The resulting shock wave impacts a reflector to direct the energy into the body of an animal or a human toward the desired treatment location. This electro-hydraulic principle to create acoustic shock waves as a method of treatment is in use in the medical (lithotripsy, orthopedic use, wound treatment, burns, post-operative treatment, pain treatment, diagnosis, skin and organ transplantation supporting devices, arteriosclerosis treatment), cosmetic (treatment of scars and cellulite) and veterinary (treatment of musculoskeletal disorders) fields.

The present invention relates to the identification of two microRNAs, miR-499 and miR-208b, that repress fast skeletal muscle contractile protein genes. Expression of miR-499 and / or miR-208b can be used to repress fast fiber genes and activate slow fiber genes in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Inhibition of miR-499 and / or miR-208b is proposed as a treatment for cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, and / or heart failure. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising antagonists and agonists of miR-499 and miR-208b function are also disclosed.

Disclosed are devices, systems and methods that utilize bioprinters to form scaffold structures in situ to facilitate treatment of the musculoskeletal or skin disorders in patients. A method for treating a musculoskeletal disorder of a patient includes positioning a bioprinter at a situs of the musculoskeletal disorder, or a situs of a skin injury, in the patient. The method includes extruding a hydrogel formulation from the bioprinter into the situs. The method includes curing the hydrogel formulation in the situs. The hydrogel formulation has a composition effective to generate, upon the curing, a scaffold structure in the situs to facilitate muscle hypertrophy, or skin wound healing, in the situs.

The invention features methods, compositions, and kits for the treatment of pain, pruritus, immunoinflammatory disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and the reduction of serum C reactive protein (CRP) in a patient having a disease or conditions associated with an increased CRP level. The methods, compositions, and kits of the invention provide for a combination therapy including an SSRI and a corticosteroid.

A method for setting desired trajectories of movement of an exoskeleton for enabling movement in a user with a musculoskeletal disorder, a device for assisting walking in a user and a method for controlling said device enable walking in predetermined modes of movement in a user with limited mobility or complete immobility of the lower limbs but normal functioning of the upper limbs and upper part of the body. The invention enables such users to move with a gait pattern similar to the gait pattern of a person without a musculoskeletal disorder, while also providing the user with the possibility of independently changing movement mode and gait parameters, such as stride length, step height and pace, using a control panel 32. The invention comprises a part worn by the user, which includes a motorized lower limb exoskeleton 1 equipped with a control device 35, embodied in an on-board controller 85 of the exoskeleton 1, and a non-worn part, which includes an external computer 86 for a specialized assistant and a system 43 for determining the parameters of desired trajectories of movement of the exoskeleton 1 in a Cartesian coordinate system. Control signals for the exoskeleton 1 actuators are generated taking into consideration the mass and inertial properties of body segments of the user and of elements of the exoskeleton 1, as well as requirements regarding the quality of control. 3 independent claims and 6 dependent claims, 9 drawings

The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing cardiac disorders in a subject in need thereof by inhibiting the expression or function of both miR-499 and miR-208 in the heart cells of the subject. In particular, specific protocols for administering inhibitors of the two miRNAs that achieve efficient, long-term suppression are disclosed. In addition, the invention provides a method for treating or preventing musculoskeletal disorders in a subject in need thereof by increasing the expression or activity of both miR-208 and miR-499 in skeletal muscle cells of the subject.

The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing cardiac disorders in a subject in need thereof by inhibiting the expression or function of both miR-499 and miR-208 in the heart cells of the subject. In particular, specific protocols for administering inhibitors of the two miRNAs that achieve efficient, long-term suppression are disclosed. In addition, the invention provides a method for treating or preventing musculoskeletal disorders in a subject in need thereof by increasing the expression or activity of both miR-208 and miR-499 in skeletal muscle cells of the subject.

Provided is a formulation containing amorphous or microcrystalline calcium carbonate finely interspersed with organic matter in a ratio of 10 parts of the carbonate per 1 to 3 parts of the organic matter, wherein the organic matter consists of chitin and polypeptide. The formulation is efficient in treating various pathological conditions, including proliferative diseases, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders.

The invention provides methods for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders relating to the Hedgehog pathway, including but not limited to muscular dystrophy (e.g., Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) using agents that agonize Sonic Hedgehog (shh), and thereby, the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Said agonizing agents include, e.g., the compounds of the invention (e.g., a compound of Formula I). The invention also provides methods of screening for agents that are capable of increases the proliferation of muscle and / or muscle precursor cells.

A method of treating a subject having a musculoskeletal disorder includes administering to a subject's articular site in need thereof an effective amount of a hyaluronic acid (HA) composition. In one embodiment, the HA composition includes an HA derivative, wherein carboxyl functionalities of the hyaluronic acid derivative are each independently derivatized to include an N-acylurea or O-acyl isourea, or both N-acylurea and O-acyl isourea. In another embodiment, the HA composition includes a crosslinked HA gel that is prepared by reacting an uncrosslinked HA with a biscarbodiimide in the presence of pH buffer in a range of between about 4 and about 8. The composite can optionally include at least one second bioactive agent other than the HA derivative, such as a steroid.

Provided is a formulation containing amorphous or microcrystalline calcium carbonate finely interspersed with organic matter in a ratio of 10 parts of the carbonate per 1 to 3 parts of the organic matter, wherein the organic matter consists of chitin and polypeptide. The formulation is efficient in treating various pathological conditions, including proliferative diseases, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders.

The invention relates to inhibition of SDF-1α expression in subacromial bursa cells by CXCR-4 inhibitors. Bursal cell migration in response to SDF-α stimulation is also decreased in the presence of CXCR4 inhibitors. Accordingly, provided are methods for treating or ameliorating a musculoskeletal disorder.

The present invention relates to gene therapy delivery and expression systems comprising at least one helper-dependent adenoviral vector containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding for proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) or a biologically active fragment thereof. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one helper-dependent adenoviral vector containing said nucleic acid sequence encoding for proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), or a homolog thereof from any other species, or a biologically active fragment thereof. The invention also relates to the use of the novel gene therapy delivery and expression system according to the invention for use in the prevention and / or treatment of camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis (CACP), or a musculoskeletal disorder such as a joint disorder or joint disease.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for exercising the lower limbs, in particular for exercising lower limbs. The devices are suitable for training the lower limbs of persons suffering from paraplegia or hemiplegia or musculoskeletal disorders in general. In some aspects, the present invention relates to powered articulated systems (ASs) and to the rehabilitation by aid of said ASs. The parallel or hybrid ASs of the invention are based on a parallel or hybrid, lambda-type framework and are controlled by a data processing unit. The ASs are preferably controlled by a closed-loop, real time control system.

The invention provides methods for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders relating to the Hedgehog pathway, including but not limited to muscular dystrophy (e.g., Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) using agents that agonize Sonic Hedgehog (shh), and thereby, the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Said agonizing agents include, e.g., the compounds of the invention (e.g., a compound of Formula I). The invention also provides methods of screening for agents that are capable of increasing the proliferation of muscle and / or muscle precursor cells.

An improved block system may comprise a plurality of individual members, each member geometrically equivalent in shape and equivalent in size in two dimensions, while being of varying thickness. The plurality of blocks may be of malleable and / or semi-compressible material, and covered with fabric or material suitable to easy cleaning and sterilization. The plurality of blocks are utilized in a manner either singly or in groups to accommodate and support a individual's head and neck while the individual is being treated for musculoskeletal disorders. The invention may be utilized with a standing or supine individual. The plurality of blocks are further of a shape making them easily handleable and stackeable by a therapist, physical trainer, or other professional. The invention may also be utilized in a like manner to support an individual's head and neck while performing other exercises or tasks requiring head support.