Abstract:
The invention provides reagents and methods for highly efficient generation of adenoviral vectors by homologous recombination. The present invention provides unique shuttle vectors and an improved methodology for co-transfection of a shuttle vector and a helper plasmid into 293 cells to generate E1-deleted, E1 / E3-deleted, E1 / E2a / E3-deleted or E1 / E3 / E4 / protein IX-deleted adenoviral vectors.
Abstract:
A multiple lumen access device for use in providing a single entry port into the human body for selectively introducing medical implements therethrough and for providing simultaneous auxiliary access into the body. The multiple lumen access device (10, 400, 500, 520, 550) includes a multiple lumen sheath (404, 506, 530) which may have an outer tube (12, 422) and structure defining a device lumen (30, 31, 130, 230, 330, 426, 574, 582, 586) located therein. The inner structure may be an inner tube (24, 124, 224, 324, 432). The outer tube and inner structure are located so as to define at least one auxiliary lumen (36, 37, 48, 49, 138, 140, 142, 236, 248, 336, 428, 584, 588) which may be located between the exterior surface of the inner tube and the interior surface of the outer tube. Embodiments include flexible inner tubes which can be flexed between relaxed and expanded/contracted positions wherein the relative cross-sectional areas of the device lumen and auxiliary lumens are varied. The access device further includes a valve (70, 418, 502, 514, 528, 532, 554) which provides sealing of the device lumen. The valve may be provided in a lumen junction housing (56, 402), or separate from the housing either permanently or removably connected with the device lumen. Alternatively, a multiple lumen sheath (560) may be passed through a valve (554) leading to a conventional introducer (564). The valve may also be molded separately as a rigid insert (418) and retained in a cavity (450) formed in a flexible junction housing.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for treating a biological fluid with light and for inactivating contaminants in biological fluid. The biological fluid is contacted with a light source (24) providing a high intensity light to the biological fluid. The biological fluid may include a quantity of a photochemical agent that, when activated by light, is operable to cause inactivation of at least some of the contaminants. The apparatus includes a light box (10), including a retractable shutter assembly (26) that encloses the light source (24). The shutter assembly (26) includes a cylindrical tube (41) that, when raised, shields the light source (24). In addition, cylindrical tube (28), attached to platform (36) of base assembly (22), encloses the light source (24) and the shutter assembly (26).
Abstract:
Systems and methods treat plasma carrying contaminants and cellular matter that are capable of entraining contaminants. The systems and methods separate cellular matter from the plasma by filtration, thereby removing contaminants entrained within the cellular matter. The system and methods add to the plasma a photoactive material. The systems and methods emit radiation at a selected wavelength into the plasma to activate the photoactive material and thereby eradicate the contaminant that is free of entrainment by cellular matter.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions for treating renal failure patients are provided. Pursuant to the present invention, a renal failure patient is provided with an intravenous or dialysis solution that includes a therapeutically effective amount of L-carnosine. In part, the L-carnosine will prevent the renal failure patient from developing L-carnosine deficiency.
Abstract:
A clamp for a medical device such as an infusion pump has a plurality of orientations adapted to grip either substantially vertical or horizontal gripped members (16) and has an actuation knob (66) with extensible arms (70, 72) wherein the arms are operative to provide greater available torque to remove the clamp than is available to apply the clamp.
Abstract:
A medical infusion pump is disclosed which provides for greatly improved accuracy in the delivery of medicaments to a patient. Among the various features included in the instant invention is a pumping body which serves to deform and reform a tube so as to maintain the initial cross section thereof and thereby preserve the output accuracy of the pump. Also disclosed with regard to the pumping body is a wholly mechanical synchronization of the pumping body and valves associated therewith and coactive with the aforementioned synchronization a mechanical linearization of output of the pumping body per each pumping cycle. Additionally, several features which serve to enhance the utility of the instant invention are also included therein among which is an associated assembly operative to automatically load or disload a tube or IV set into or out of the pumping body. Associated with the assembly operative to automatically load or disload a tube and disclosed herein is an assembly operative to selectively open or close a slide clamp associated with the tube in such a way as to ensure that the tube is occluded such that in combination with the valves associated with the pumping body, a condition of free-flow of medicament is never realized. Additionally disclosed are sensor housings adapted to measure various quantities associated with fluid flowing through the tube wherein the housings are with associated components adapted to achieve a substantially normal orientation with respect to the sidewall of the tube and in the achieving of such normal orientation, expressing an essentially zero elastic stress gradient across the tube.
Abstract:
An aortic valve sizing obturator apparatus for employment in determining the correct size of an aortic annulus. The apparatus includes a cylindrical obturator body with a flange member formed thereabout. At least the under surface of the flange member is of a non-planar, multi-curvate configuration to thereby be complementary in shape to the annulus of an aortic valve when seated in the annulus during size determination. Within the cylindrical obturator body can be disposed a handle connector to which a handle can be attached during placement of the obturator apparatus within an annulus. The present invention also includes methodology for determining the size of an aortic valve annulus by employing a plurality of differently-sized aortic valve sizing obturators defined above and individually seating them sequentially within the aortic annulus until an obturator that reflects annulus size is located.
Abstract:
Administration of stroma-free cross-linked hemoglobin during standard cardiac pulmonary resuscitation procedures enhances return of spontaneous circulation following electrical defibrillation. The difficulty in restoring spontaneous circulation directly correlates with a generally poor prognosis in cases of cardiac arrest. The therapeutic effect of hemoglobin as an adjunct to conventional treatment may thereby improve survival.
Abstract:
During the purification of pharmaceutical grade cross-linked hemoglobin mixtures of cross-linked and uncross-linked hemoglobin are heated in the presence of nonstoichiometric amounts of oxygen, resulting in the selective precipitation of the uncross-linked hemoglobin. After separation of the precipitated uncross-linked tetramers, the cross-linked hemoglobin remaining in the supernatant is so purified that a further chromatography purification step is unnecessary. This hemoglobin is highly cross-linked, absolutely free of chromatography fines, and has a low methemoglobin content.