7698 results about "Stem cell" patented technology

A method and apparatus for analyzing and treating internal tissues and, in particular, tissues affected by myocardial infarct. The apparatus includes a catheterized device integrating an optical probe and treatment delivery system. The probe component includes fiber optic lines that can be used in conjunction with infrared spectroscopy to analyze various characteristics of tissues, including chemical, blood, and oxygen content, in order to locate those tissues associated with myocardial infarct, to determine the best location for applying treatment, and to monitor treatment and its effects. Physically integrated with the probe component is a treatment component for delivering treatments including stem cell and gene therapy, known for having beneficial effects on tissues associated with myocardial infarct. A control system coordinates operation of the catheter, including performing chemometric analysis with the use of model data, and for providing control and visual feedback to an operator.

A system for delivering a fluid comprising cells to tissue of a patient includes a container holding an injection fluid and a powered drive. A sensor system provides a measurement indicative of at least shear forces on the cells to a control system. Based at least in part on this measurement, the control system is adapted to transmit a control signal to the powered drive for pressurizing the contents of the container to deposit cells within the tissue of a patient via a fluid path and a patient interface. As an example, the cells can be pregenitor or stem cells.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, characterizing, and diagnosing cancer. In particular, the present invention provides gene expression profiles associated with solid tumor stem cells, as well as novel stem cell cancer markers useful for the diagnosis, characterization, and treatment of solid tumor stem cells.

Methods and materials for culturing primate-derived primordial stem cells are described. In one embodiment, a cell culture medium for growing primate-derived primordial stem cells in a substantially undifferentiated state is provided which includes a low osmotic pressure, low endotoxin basic medium that is effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells. The basic medium is combined with a nutrient serum effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells and a substrate selected from the group consisting of feeder cells and an extracellular matrix component derived from feeder cells. The medium further includes non-essential amino acids, an anti-oxidant, and a first growth factor selected from the group consisting of nucleosides and a pyruvate salt.

Medical procedure trays and related methods are provided to accommodate joining a first non-sterile medical device with a second sterile medical device and maintaining required sterilization of the second sterile medical device to perform an associated medical procedure. One example of such medical procedures includes biopsy of a bone and / or associated bone marrow using a non-sterile powered drive and a sterile biopsy needle or biopsy needle set. Medical procedure trays and related methods may also be provided for use during aspiration of bone marrow and / or stem cell transplant procedures. Each medical procedure tray may include a containment bag or sterile sleeve. A coupler assembly, one or more sharps protectors, a biopsy sample ejector and / or associated ejector funnel may also be included. Some medical procedure trays may allow engaging a non-sterile powered driver with one end of a coupler assembly and sealing the non-sterile powered driver in a sterile sleeve or containment bag without compromising sterility of other components in the medical procedure tray.

The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides an improved method for the formation of pancreatic endoderm, pancreatic hormone expressing cells and pancreatic hormone secreting cells. The present invention also provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells without the use of a feeder cell layer.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, characterizing, and diagnosing cancer. In particular, the present invention provides gene expression profiles associated with solid tumor stem cells, as well as novel stem cell cancer gene signatures useful for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of solid tumor stem cells.

A new class of poly(beta-amino alcohols) (PBAAs) has been prepared using combinatorial polymerization. The inventive PBAAs may be used in biotechnology and biomedical applications as coatings (such as coatings of films or multilayer films for medical devices or implants), additives, materials, excipients, non-biofouling agents, micropatterning agents, and cellular encapsulation agents. When used as surface coatings, these PBAAs elicited different levels of inflammation, both in vitro and in vivo, depending on their chemical structures. The large chemical diversity of this class of materials allowed us to identify polymer coatings that inhibit macrophage activation in vitro. Furthermore, these coatings reduce the recruitment of inflammatory cells, and reduce fibrosis, following the subcutaneous implantation of carboxylated polystyrene microparticles. These polymers may be used to form polyelectrolyte complex capsules for cell encapsulation. The invention may also have many other biological applications such as antimicrobial coatings, DNA or siRNA delivery, and stem cell tissue engineering.

Disclosed are compositions, systems and methods for treating a subject's body, body part, tissue, body fluid cells, pathogens, or other undesirable matter involving the administration of a targeted thermotherapy that comprises a bioprobe (energy susceptive materials that are attached to a target-specific ligand). Such targeted therapy methods can be combined with at least one other therapy technique. Other therapies include hyperthermia, direct antibody therapy, radiation, chemo- or pharmaceutical therapy, photodynamic therapy, surgical or interventional therapy, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, and medical imaging, such as MRI, PET, SPECT, and bioimpedance. The disclosed therapies may be useful in the treatment of a variety of indications, including but not limited to, cancer of any type, such as bone marrow, lung, vascular, neuro, colon, ovarian, breast and prostate cancer, epitheleoid sarcomas, AIDS, adverse angiogenesis, restenosis, amyloidosis, tuberculosis, cardiovascular plaque, vascular plaque, obesity, malaria, and illnesses due to viruses, such as HIV.

The invention provides systems and methods for the generation of lymphocytes having a unique antigen specificity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods of virally infecting cells from bone marrow with one or more viral vectors that encode antigen-specific antibodies for the production of, for example B cells and T cells. In some embodiments, the viral vectors include an IRES or 2A element to promote separation of, for example, the α subunit and β subunit of a T cell receptor (TCR) or heavy and light chains of a B-cell antibody. The resulting lymphocytes, express the particular antibody that was introduced in the case of B cells and TCR in the case of T cells. The lymphocytes generated can be used for a variety of therapeutic purposes including the treatment of various cancers and the generation of a desired immune response to viruses and other pathogens. The resulting cells develop normally and respond to antigen both in vitro and in vivo. We also show that it is possible to modify the function of lymphocytes by using stem cells from different genetic backgrounds. Thus our system constitutes a powerful tool to generate desired lymphocyte populations both for research and therapy. Future applications of this technology may include treatments for infectious diseases, such as HIV / AIDS, cancer therapy, allergy, and autoimmune disease.

The present invention provides a method of extracting and recovering embryonic-like stem cells, including, but not limited to pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, from an exsanguinated human placenta. A placenta is treated to remove residual umbilical cord blood by perfusing an exsanguinated placenta, preferably with an anticoagulant solution, to flush out residual cells. The residual cells and perfusion liquid from the exsanguinated placenta are collected, and the embryonic-like stem cells are separated from the residual cells and perfusion liquid. The invention also provides a method of utilizing the isolated and perfused placenta as a bioreactor in which to propagate endogenous cells, including, but not limited to, embryonic-like stem cells. The invention also provides methods for propagation of exogenous cells in a placental bioreactor and collecting the propagated exogenous cells and bioactive molecules therefrom.

A system for delivering a fluid comprising cells to tissue of a patient, includes: a least a first container for holding an injection fluid in which the agent is carried; a first powered drive in operative connection with the container, the first powered drive being operable to pressurize contents of the container; a control system in operative connection with the first powered drive and operative to control the first powered drive; a fluid path in fluid connection with the container, the fluid path including a patient interface adapted to deposit the cells within tissue of the patient; a sensor system; and a communication system in connection with at least the control system and the sensor system. The communication system is adapted to provide information to the control system. The control system in adapted to transmit a control signal to at least the first powered drive based at least in part on information provided to the control system. The cells can for example be pregenitor cells or stem cells.

The present invention provides improved compositions and methods for the collection of stem cells from an organ, e.g., placenta. The invention provides a stem cell collection composition comprising an apoptosis inhibitor and, optionally, an enzyme such as a protease or mucolytic enzyme, vasodilator, necrosis inhibitor, oxygen-carrying perfluorocarbon, or an organ preserving compound. The invention provides methods of using the stem cell collection composition to collect stem cells and to preserve populations of stem cells.

Cells present in processed lipoaspirate tissue are used to treat patients. Methods of treating patients include processing adipose tissue to deliver a concentrated amount of stem cells obtained from the adipose tissue to a patient. The methods may be practiced in a closed system so that the stem cells are not exposed to an external environment prior to being administered to a patient. Compositions that are administered to a patient include a mixture of adipose tissue and stem cells so that the composition has a higher concentration of stem cells than when the adipose tissue was removed from the patient.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, characterizing, and diagnosing cancer. In particular, the present invention provides gene expression profiles associated with solid tumor stem cells, as well as novel stem cell cancer markers useful for the diagnosis, characterization, and treatment of solid tumor stem cells.

A method of augmenting an intervertebral disc nucleus by injecting or otherwise adding to a disc nucleus a plurality of particles of natural, collagen-rich tissue. The mean particle size of the pieces of natural, collagen-rich tissue may be between 0.25 mm and 1.0 mm. The particles may be dehydrated before implantation, and rehydrated after implantation, or they may be implanted in a “wet” state—such as a slurry or gel. Radiocontrast materials may be included to enhance imaging of the injected material. Other additives may include analgesics, antibiotics, proteoglycans, growth factors, stem cells, and / or other cells effective to promote healing and / or proper disc function.

Materials and methods for treating tissue defects in human or animal tissues using implantable cells are described. Further, culture techniques and factors for enhancing these procedures, and cell survival and adaptation are described. Many of the tissue defects may be treated with autologous cells, while applications involving non-autologous cells or stem cells are also described.

An improved method of nuclear transfer involving the transplantation of donor differentiated cell nuclei into enucleated oocytes of the same species as the donor cell is provided. The resultant nuclear transfer units are useful for multiplication of genotypes and transgenic genotypes by the production of fetuses and offspring, and for production of isogenic CICM cells, including human isogenic embryonic or stem cells. Production of genetically engineered or transgenic mammalian embryos, fetuses and offspring is facilitated by the present method since the differentiated cell source of the donor nuclei can be genetically modified and clonally propagated.

The present invention provides methods for de-differentiating somatic cells into stem-like cells without generating embryos or fetuses. More specifically, the present invention provides methods for effecting the de-differentiation of somatic cells to cells having stem cell characteristics, in particular pluripotency, by introducing RNA encoding factors inducing the de-differentiation of somatic cells into the somatic cells and culturing the somatic cells allowing the cells to de-differentiate.

Previous methods for culturing human embryonic stem cells have required either fibroblast feeder cells or a medium which has been exposed to fibroblast feeder cells in order to maintain the stem cells in an undifferentiated state. It has now been found that if high levels of fibroblast growth factor are used in a medium with gamma amino butyric acid, pipecholic acid, lithium and lipids, the stem cells will remain undifferentiated indefinitely through multiple passages, even without feeder cells or conditioned medium. A humanized matrix of human proteins can be used as a basement matrix to culture the cells. New lines of human embryonic stem cells made using these culture conditions, the medium and the matrix, will never have been exposed to animal cells, animal products, feeder cells or conditioned medium.

The present invention discloses one kind of tissue engineering liver unit and its construction process. The tissue engineering liver unit containing vascular endothelial cell and liver cell is prepared through in vitro pre-introducing liver cell and vascular endothelial cell with mesenchyme stem cell, separate combining with albumen glue containing induction factor and filling to the inner wall and outer wall of one tubular rack, coating with one outer enclosure to form a cell complex, and further culturing the cell complex in culture liquid. The present invention obtains great amount of seed cells for liver tissue engineering with mesenchyme stem cell and combines the seed cells with proper bioactive material to obtain auxiliary liver function structure unit. The tissue engineering liver unit may be transplanted to body of hepatic failure patient to compensate and replace liver function. The present invention provides one new treating way.

The present invention provides methods for culturing, expanding and differentiating stem cells, particularly human embryonic stem cells. The methods comprise culturing the stem cells for a period of time on a collagen biofabric, particularly a collagen biofabric derived from the amniotic membrane, chorion, or both, from mammalian placenta.

The invention is in the area of pleuripotent stem cells generated from adipose tissue-derived stromal cells and uses thereof. In particular, the invention includes isolated adipose tissue derived stromal cells that have been induced to express at least one phenotypic characteristic of a neuronal, astroglial, hematopoietic progenitor, or hepatic cell. The invention also includes an isolated adipocyte tissue-derived stromal cell that has been dedifferentiated such that there is an absence of adipocyte phenotypic markers.

The present invention provides methods and compositions for the production of glial cells and oligodendrocytes from placenta stem cells. The invention further provides for the use of these glia and oligodendrocytes in the treatment of, and intervention in, for example, trauma, ischemia and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in the treatment of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Microfluidic devices and methods that use cells such as cancer cells, stem cells, blood cells for preprocessing, sorting for various biodiagnostics or therapeutical applications are described. Microfluidics electrical sensing such as measurement of field potential or current and phenomena such as immiscible fluidics, inertial fluidics are used as the basis for cell and molecular processing (e.g., characterizing, sorting, isolation, processing, amplification) of different particles, chemical compositions or biospecies (e.g., different cells, cells containing different substances, different particles, different biochemical compositions, proteins, enzymes etc.). Specifically this invention discloses a few sorting schemes for stem cells, whole blood and circulating tumor cells and also extracting serum from whole blood. Further medical diagnostics technology utilizing high throughput single cell PCR is described using immiscible fluidics couple with single or multi cells trapping technology.

The invention relates to the technical field of cosmetics, in particular to a natural plant extract composition and application thereof in the cosmetics. The natural plant extract composition is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 0.1 to 10 parts of plant stem cells, 2 to 10 parts of grapefruit extracts, 1 to 10 parts of radix asparagi extracting solution, 1 to 10 parts of gingko extracts, 5 to 10 parts of lucid ganoderma extracting solution, and 1 to 5 parts of burdock extracting solution. The natural plant extract composition provided by the invention not only has remarkable moisturizing and anti-aging effect, but also has the effects in removing acnes, adjusting grease secretion, resisting inflammation and relieving, and can be used for preparing moisturizing, anti-aging or acne-removing cosmetics.

Previous methods for culturing human embryonic stem cells have required either fibroblast feeder cells or a medium which has been exposed to fibroblast feeder cells in order to maintain the stem cells in an undifferentiated state. It has now been found that if high levels of fibroblast growth factor, gamma amino butyric acid, pipecholic acid, lithium and transforming growth factor beta are added to the medium in which the stem cells are cultured, the stem cells will remain undifferentiated indefinitely through multiple passages, even without feeder cells or conditioned medium.

Methods are described to more efficiently produce cells of the endoderm and pancreatic lineage from mammalian pluripotent stem cells. These methods provide a simple, reproducible culture protocol using defined media components to enable consistent, large-scale production of pancreatic cell types for research or therapeutic uses.

The present invention relates to methods for production of undifferentiated or differentiated embryonic stem cell aggregate suspension cultures from undifferentiated or differentiated embryonic stem cell single cell suspensions and methods of differentiation thereof.

Stem cells, including those designated as multipotent amniotic fluid stem cells (MAFSC) cells are found in the amniotic fluid of mammals, including humans. MAFSCs are fetal, multipotent stem cells that can be used for any desired stem cell utility, including treatment of individuals in need of tissue replacement or gene therapy. Methods of banking MAFSCs derived from the amniotic fluid cells of pregnant individuals are disclosed. Amniotic fluid-derived cells are banked for the purpose of access to transplantation antigen-compatible or syngeneic multipotent stem cells.