Abstract:
A device (10) for aligning a patient for delivering a plurality of radiation beams comprising a patient support surface (12), a coarse alignment subsystem (14) connected to the patient support surface, and a fine alignment subsystem connected to the patient support surface (16). A method of aligning a patient for delivering a plurality of radiation beams from a plurality of device positions comprising compensating for flexion of a radiation beam delivery device within a gantry during movement of the radiation beam delivery device from a first device position to a second device position by using a set of predetermined data describing the flexion behavior of the radiation beam delivery device so that the target tissue within the patient is placed at the beamline center for the radiation beam delivery device at the second device position.
Abstract:
An improved device and method are provided for securing the urethra to the bladder in surgery. A trocar is provided for insertion into the urethra. The trocar is removably secured to the urethra for advancement of the proximal end toward the bladder. A sheath is inserted and secured to the bladder in order to assist in the advance of the bladder toward the urethra. The improved system permits medical personnel to clamp the urethra and bladder without the need for insertion of time consuming and laborious sutures. A method of securing the urethra and bladder using the disclosed apparatus is also provided.
Abstract:
A DNA construct that encodes, upon expression in a plant cell, a fusion protein comprising a multimeric cholera toxin B subunit and a first immunogenic antigen from a causal factor of a mammalian disease. A DNA construct that encodes, upon expression in a plant cell, a fusion protein comprising a cholera toxin A2 subunit, a multimeric cholera toxin B subunit, a first immunogenic antigen from a causal factor of a mammalian disease, and a first immunogenic antigen from a causal factor of a mammalian disease. A method of inducing partial or complete immunity to an infectious disease in a mammal comprising providing to the mammal for oral consumption an effective amount of the plant transformed with a construct according to the present invention
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for beamline security in radiation beam treatment facilities. The system monitors and controls the radiation beam steering system to safeguard against wrong-path and multiple-path conditions which could otherwise lead to accidental radiation exposure. One aspect of the method involves comparing the beam path configuration signals to signals corresponding to a requested beam configuration to check for agreement, as well as singular path configuration. Controller checks are performed using complimentary-redundant logical communication paths applied to the state of the beam steering system. Upon detection of any one of several possible error conditions, such as over-heating, communication link failure, unauthorized personnel entry and multiple path condition, the beamline power supplies are disabled, preventing transfer of the radiation beam to the treatment room.
Abstract:
A patient motion monitoring system (102) for use in a proton therapy center (100) is disclosed. The patient monitoring system (102) includes a plurality of position detector assemblies (162) with each position detector assembly (162) being constructed of a flexibly rigid support arm (132) attached to a position sensor (130). Each support arm (132) of the plurality of position detector assemblies (162) is detachably mounted to a supporting structure so as to allow the corresponding position sensor (130) to be positioned adjacent a patient (104) who is receiving proton therapy. Furthermore, each position sensor (130) of the plurality of position detector assemblies (162) generates a position signal that is indicative of the distance between a front surface of the position sensor, and an adjacent surface of the patient. The patient motion monitoring system (102) further includes a controller (160) which is adapted to receive each position signal from the plurality of position detector assemblies (162), a display (144), and an alarm (148) to indicate if a patient has moved out of position.
Abstract:
A radiation treatment apparatus comprises a source of charged particles, preferably protons, for producing a particle beam, and a scattering foil for changing the diameter of the charged particle beam. The scattering foil is configured so that its thickness is both uniform and continuously adjustable throughout a range of thicknesses.
Abstract:
A non-virulent, recA defective mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis. The Porphyromonas gingivalis strain which is deposited at ATCC under accession number 202109. Also a method of decreasing the growth rate or reproduction rate of Porphyromonas gingivalis in a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal at least one dose of Porphyromonas gingivalis according to the present invention. Further, a method of preventing or treating a Porphyromonas gingivalis infection such as periodontitis in a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal at least one dose of Porphyromonas gingivalis according to the present invention. Also, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a non-virulent, recA defective mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Abstract:
A compound having formula (I) in which R1, R2 independently are OH, OOC-R3 or O-R3, and R3 is an unsubstituted or substituted C1-C6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or phenyl group. The compound is useful as a natriuretic and anti-hypertensive agent.
Abstract:
The disclosure is related to a system and method for operating a traction device to detect blood flow patterns in a subject for managing neuropathy related conditions through intraneural facilitation (INF). According to an embodiment, the INF system and method rely on the traction device for positioning the subject in one or more positions, and a processing device for processing intervening signals obtained by a probe positioned on the subject. The signals received from the probe may be used to determine a two dimensional (2D) plane blood flow pattern. Detected changes in the measured blood flow may be used to determine if further traction device positions are required to ensure that the intervening signals demonstrate normal blood flow patterns with improvements to the neuropathy condition. The 2D flow pattern may calculate at least one of Volume Flow (VF) and Pulsatility Index (PI) for each set of signals received.