Abstract:
A nasal cannula is provided having a first and second nasal plug connected to a gas supply such as oxygen. A holder frictionally engages each nasal plug and a connector connects the two holders. The plugs are movable along the length of the connector to allow adjustment of the spacing between nasal plugs to accommodate a person's nostrils but with sufficient friction to retain the selected position. The plugs are rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the connector to adjust the orientation of the plug within a nostril relative to a patient's face, but with sufficient friction to retain the selected position. One of the connector or holder is removably fastened to the patient's face. A regulator is interposed in the gas supply to vary the flow rate and pressure to meet predetermined patterns.
Abstract:
An imaging system can use high-energy electrons at a low dose level to generate 3D computed tomography images and/or 2D radiographic images of living tissue and other objects. In some embodiments, a nozzle directs a source of high-energy electrons to the imaging target, and a detector system detects physical quantities of electrons that interact with the imaging target. In some embodiments, a computer system can calculate estimated paths taken by individual electrons within the imaging target, determine interactions between voxels of a digitized image of the imaging target and individual electrons, and reconstruct a digitized image of the imaging target based at least in part on the determined interactions between individual electrons and voxels. The imaging target can include but is not limited to living tissue, humans, pediatric patients, small animals, and other objects, such as those used in industrial applications.
Abstract:
A composition for reducing bacterial biofilm formation after endodontic therapy comprising water, ethanol, benzalkonium chloride, citric acid, and Triton X-100. A method of making a composition for reducing bacterial biofilm. A method for reducing bacterial biofilm formation after a dental procedure.
Abstract:
A method of treating or inhibiting progress of dementia and/or macular degeneration in a mammal involves administering compositions containing siRNA to heme oxygenase- 1 (HO-I) or heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2), a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, a caspase inhibitor, or a metalloporphyrin in a manner that permits access to brain sites and/or the macula of the patient.
Abstract:
A mobile telemedicine device for use in disasters and emergency response comprising four or more wheels connected to a drive train and a main compartment. The main compartment comprises an interior portion and an exterior portion and a supplemental compartment connected to the main compartment. Communications ports are connected to the exterior, and the supplemental compartment. Patient care tables are located in the main compartment. A method for using an all terrain mobile telemedicine vehicle, first driving the mobile telemedicine device to a disaster or emergency location and lowering and deploying a vehicle from the storage compartment to search for patients in need of medical services.
Abstract:
A radiation treatment system (100) for accurately delivering radiation to a targeted site within a cancer patient (108) that includes a modular patient support system and a patient positioner (114). The modular patient support system includes a modularly expandable patient pod (200) and at least one immobilization device, such as, for example, a rigid moldable foam cradle. The patient pod (200) includes a generally hemi-cylindrical support shell (212) that extends longitudinally between proximal edge (214) and distal edge (216), and transversely between two lateral edges. In one embodiment, the lateral edges are tapered to minimize edge effects that result when radiation beams traverse the lateral edges.
Abstract:
A substance for preventing, delaying the onset of, or treating one or more than one autoimmune disease, the substance comprising a polynucleotide construct comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding the pro-apoptotic protein BAX and encoding one or more than one autoantigen for the autoimmune disease. A method for preventing, delaying the onset of or treating an autoimmune disease in a patient comprising selecting a patient who is susceptible to developing the autoimmune disease, who is developing the autoimmune disease or who has the autoimmune disease and administering to the patient one or more than one dose of a polynucleotide construct comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding the pro-apoptotic protein BAX and encoding one or more than one autoantigen for an autoimmune disease, or comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding the adenoviral protein E3-GP19k, or comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding DeltaBCL-2.
Abstract:
A tiered communications architecture for managing network traffic in a distributed system (100). Communication between client or control computers and a plurality of hardware devices is administered by agent and monitor devices whose activities are coordinated to reduce the number of open channels or sockets. The communications architecture also improves the transparency and scalability of the distributed system by reducing network mapping dependence. The architecture is desirably implemented in a proton beam therapy system (115) to provide flexible security policies which improve patient safety and facilitate system maintenance and development.
Abstract:
A patch applicator has an elongate body with an inner lumen and an outer lumen arranged concentrically. First and second connectors are provided and correspond to the inner and outer lumens, respectively. A patch is also provided. In operation, a source of vacuum is connected to the first connector and draws a vacuum through the inner lumen. The inner lumen is then applied to a patch to releasably hold the patch. The patch is advanced within the patient until it is placed on top of and over a wound in tissue. The source of vacuum is then transferred to the second connector and pulls a vacuum through the outer lumen to clear bodily fluid from a field around the wound. After the field is cleared, the source of vacuum is removed and replaced by a source of flowable adhesive. Adhesive is injected through the outer lumen onto the patch and tissue surrounding the patch. The patch applicator holds the patch in place, allowing the adhesive to set. A release rod is advanced through the first connector and through the inner lumen into contact with the patch. The applicator is then removed from the patch, followed by the release rod. Thus, an adhesive patch is attached to close an opening in tissue.
Abstract:
An apparatus for facilitating the locating, everting, and closing of an opening in a blood vessel. The apparatus can include a closure instrument having an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends. The elongated member has a vacuum lumen extending at least a portion of the length thereof for conveying a vacuum and terminating in a vacuum port adjacent the distal end of the elongated member. The distal end of the elongated member is dimensioned to be positioned proximal a vessel opening in a blood vessel whereby vessel edge portions defining the vessel opening are at least partially drawn toward the vacuum port in response to a vacuum conveyed through the vacuum lumen. At least one surgical clip is mounted adjacent the distal end of the elongated member and is adapted to be formed to an at least partially formed condition thereof. The one clip is positioned with respect to the vacuum port so as to engage the vessel edge portions drawn toward the vacuum port when the clip is moved to the formed condition, thus at least partially closing the vessel opening. A method for locating, everting, and closing an opening in a blood vessel is also disclosed.