摘要:
The invention provides a method of treating a heart to remodel gap junctions, obtain gap junctional remodeling and/or alteration or effective refractory period comprising contacting linked multiple electrode pairs to an epicardial surface of a heart, and connecting the electrode pairs to a pacemaker to apply periodic electrical signals to the epicardial surface through the electrode pairs, the signals being applied for a sufficient time and having characteristics sufficient to remodel gap junctions, obtain gap junctional remodeling and/or alteration of effective refractory period in the heart. The invention also provides a device comprising a strip of electrode material having mounted thereon linked multiple electrode pairs arranged in two columns.
摘要:
A humidifier uses a field of hydrophobic, nanotubes (e.g., vertically aligned carbon nanotubes) to humidify a gas. Voids in the field form liquid flow channels that are wide enough for liquid water to pass through. The nanotubes are spaced close enough to each other to prevent the water from escaping the channels. Water in the channels is absorbed by gas that flows and/or diffuses between the nanotubes. Humidity levels in the gas can be measured and controlled to a desired level by controlling the rate of flow of gas through the humidifier, controlling heating of the gas, and/or adjusting the total area of molecular transfer from the water to the gas by providing multiple banks of nanotubes and controlling the number of banks through which the gas flows.
摘要:
An implantable device that (a) has an analog input configured to detect analog electrical signals and (b) is configured to accept RF commands can be retrofitted to prevent unauthorized access by modifying the software of the implantable device to (1) accept control commands that arrive via the analog input and (2) ignore control commands that arrive via the RF transceiver. Ultrasound communications can then be detected and inductively coupled onto a lead that is connected to the analog input. In some embodiments, the modified implantable device can only be controlled via ultrasound signals at all times to improve security. In other embodiments, the modified implantable device can only be controlled via non-ultrasound signals (e.g., RF signals) for short periods of time after the system has been unlocked in response to receipt of a specific ultrasound signal.
摘要:
Blood or other fluids can be caused to interact with a gas by providing a plurality of fluid flow channels that are surrounded by nanotubes, each of the channels having an inflow end and an outflow end, wherein each of the channels is wide enough for the blood to flow through, and wherein the nanotubes are spaced close enough to each other to retain the fluid within the channels when the blood is flowing through the channels. The fluid is then passed through the through the channels while a gas is passed through the spaces between the nanotubes outside the fluid flow channels. This permits the gas to interact with the fluid in the channels.
摘要:
An apparatus, method and system for detecting a position within a body are provided. A dipole that is free to rotate or oscillate within a capsule is inserted at a target location within the body. The dipole can be either electric or magnetic, and the dipole rotates or oscillates within the capsule when an alternating or rotating electric or magnetic field is applied in the vicinity of the dipole. Ultrasound energy is impinged upon the target location and a position of the dipole is determined based on detected ultrasound reflections.
摘要:
Cells that are in the process division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective destruction of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages rapidly dividing cells like bacteria, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing. Since the vulnerability of the dividing cells is strongly related to the alignment between the long axis of the dividing cells and the lines of force of the electric field, improved results can be obtained when the field is sequentially imposed in different directions.
摘要:
Methods and apparatuses for monitoring the level of glucose or other constituents in live subjects are disclosed. Stem cells are obtained from the subject and processed into cells that change their optical characteristics in response to a level of the constituent. The responsive cells are formed into clusters and implanted into in the subject's body at locations that permit optical monitoring from outside the subject's body. The implanted cell clusters are illuminated and the reflected illumination from each of the cell clusters is detected. Changes in the optical characteristics of the cell clusters that correspond to the responses of the cell clusters are identified, and the identified changes are mapped to a constituent level based on calibration data for each cell cluster. An indication of the constituent level in the subject is then output.
摘要:
Cells that are in the process division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective disruption of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages or disrupts rapidly dividing cells like parasites, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing.
摘要:
AC electric fields at particular frequencies and field strengths have been shown to be effective for destroying rapidly proliferating cells such as cancer cells. The effectiveness of such fields is improved when the field is sequentially switched between two or more different directions. The effectiveness of such fields can be improved even further by choosing the rate at which the field is switched between the various directions.
摘要:
An electro-mechanical battery includes a support member. The electro-mechanical battery also includes a first rotating frame. The first rotating frame is supported by the support member and configured to rotate about an axis. The electro-mechanical battery also includes at least one battery, which is supported by the first rotating frame. A mechanical coupling system is configured to store rotational kinetic energy in the first rotating frame and facilitate retrieval of the rotational kinetic energy. The electro-mechanical battery also includes a rotating electrical connection between the support member and the at least one battery. The rotating electrical connection is configured to permit charging of the at least one battery and discharging of the at least one battery while the first rotating frame is rotating.