Methods and apparatuses for applying energy to a target tissue or cell are described herein. These methods and apparatuses may use one or more pairs of stimulating electrodes and a dedicated ground electrode to locally apply energy to a target tissue or cell at or adjacent the dedicated ground electrode.
Disclosed herein is a method of fabrication used in conjunction with simplified fabrication process such as sheet cutting or additive material manufacturing which can cure many deficiencies of laminar bonding or assembly processes including curing of micro-voids or delamination between layers of a component, as well as enabling the combination of components to form a more complex assembly. This method includes the steps of: providing a first component having been formed of a plurality of planar layers; providing a compaction vessel; providing a granular support medium to the interior of the compaction vessel; placing the first component into the granular support medium within the compaction vessel so as to fully encompass the first component or component assembly; heating the granular support and the primary component within the compaction vessel; and applying a compaction force so as to bond or re-fuse the planar layers together.
B29C 43/36 - Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
B29C 43/18 - Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding materialApparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles
B29C 43/20 - Making multilayered or multicoloured articles
B29C 43/32 - Component parts, details or accessoriesAuxiliary operations
B29K 21/00 - Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
B29K 105/08 - Condition, form or state of moulded material containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns
B29K 105/14 - Condition, form or state of moulded material containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of short lengths, e.g. chopped filaments, staple fibres or bristles oriented
B32B 5/02 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by structural features of a layer comprising fibres or filaments
B32B 5/12 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by structural features of a layer comprising fibres or filaments characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of adjacent layers
B32B 5/26 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by the presence of two or more layers which comprise fibres, filaments, granules, or powder, or are foamed or specifically porous one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer also being fibrous or filamentary
B32B 27/12 - Layered products essentially comprising synthetic resin next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
B32B 27/18 - Layered products essentially comprising synthetic resin characterised by the use of special additives
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
3.
COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING AND/OR PREVENTING LUNG INJURY
Provided are methods for treating and/or preventing diseases, disorders, and/or conditions associated with viral infections in subjects, which in some embodiments can include administering to the subject an effective amount of a PTP4A3 inhibitor. In some embodiments, the disease, disorder, and/or condition is characterized by lung damage, ALI, ARDS, or any combination thereof. Also provided are methods for reducing or inhibiting virus-induced alveolar inflammation and/or damage, methods for reducing or inhibiting induction of inflammatory cytokines and/or chemokines in subjects, methods for reducing or inhibiting pulmonary diseases, disorders, and/or conditions associated with viral infections, or pulmonary damage resulting therefrom, methods for preventing and/or treating chemical damage to lungs, uses of PTP4A3 inhibitors in the presently disclosed methods.
A61K 31/4365 - Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic ring systems the heterocyclic ring system having sulfur as a ring hetero atom, e.g. ticlopidine
An apparatus for electrical stimulation of tissue includes: a first pair of electrodes configured to contact a person and convey a first AC current through tissue of the person; a second pair of electrodes configured to contact the person and convey a second AC current through tissue of the person; and a controller configured to control the first and second AC currents such that they have substantially the same frequency and substantially opposite phases except during at least one distortion that is introduced in the first AC current and/or the second AC current. The first and second pairs of electrodes are configured to be positioned on the person such that the first and second AC currents are simultaneously conveyed through target tissue of the person, where the first and second AC currents are configured to substantially cancel each other in target tissue except during the at least one distortion.
Various implementations include an ultrasound needle guidance device. The device includes a coupling body and at least one needle holder portion. The coupling body is configured to fixedly couple to an ultrasound probe that is able to produce an ultrasonic beam along a scanning plane. The needle holder portion has a rotational axis and defines a needle opening having an opening central axis extending perpendicularly to the rotational axis. The needle holder portion is rotationally coupled to the coupling body such that the needle holder portion is rotatable about the rotational axis relative to the coupling body from a first position to a second position. The needle holder portion is configured such that, when the coupling body is coupled to the ultrasound probe, the opening central axis is disposed within the scanning plane in all positions in a range from the first position to the second position.
A61M 5/32 - NeedlesDetails of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hubAccessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the bodyDevices for protection of needles
Various implementations include an ultrasound needle guidance device. The device includes a coupling body and at least one needle holder portion. The coupling body is configured to fixedly couple to an ultrasound probe that is able to produce an ultrasonic beam along a scanning plane. The needle holder portion has a rotational axis and defines a needle opening having an opening central axis extending perpendicularly to the rotational axis. The needle holder portion is rotationally coupled to the coupling body such that the needle holder portion is rotatable about the rotational axis relative to the coupling body from a first position to a second position. The needle holder portion is configured such that, when the coupling body is coupled to the ultrasound probe, the opening central axis is disposed within the scanning plane in all positions in a range from the first position to the second position.
An apparatus and methods for performing ablation of myocardial tissues are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of ablation electrode configurations to which nanosecond pulsed electric fields are applied. The methods relate to therapies to treat cardiac arrhythmias, such as, atrial fibrillation and scar-related ventricular tachycardia, amongst others. The affected myocardial tissues are ablated creating a plurality of lesions enabled by the nanosecond pulsed electric fields applied to either penetrating electrodes, endo-endo electrodes, or endo-epi electrodes. Different electrophysiological tests are performed to assess the application of nanosecond pulsed electric field ablation to specific desired tissue location within the heart. Test results show the potential to overcome limitations of current ablation therapies, thereby providing patients and doctors a superior treatment for cardiac arrhythmias.
Methods and apparatuses for applying energy to a target tissue or cell are described herein. These methods and apparatuses may use one or more pairs of stimulating electrodes and a dedicated ground electrode to locally apply energy to a target tissue or cell at or adjacent the dedicated ground electrode.
Methods and apparatuses are described herein for inactivation of bacterial biofilms using sub-microsecond pulsed electric field application to an affected surface or region. In some examples, a bacterial biofilm may be inactivated while planktonic bacteria in the vicinity of the biofilm are not inactivated. These methods and systems provide an electrical-based therapeutic modality for which bacteria in biofilms may have difficulty developing resistance, unlike antibiotic therapies.
Provided are methods for treating and/or preventing diseases, disorders, and/or conditions associated with viral infections in subjects, which in some embodiments can include administering to the subject an effective amount of a PTP4A3 inhibitor. In some embodiments, the disease, disorder, and/or condition is characterized by lung damage, ALI, ARDS, or any combination thereof. Also provided are methods for reducing or inhibiting virus-induced alveolar inflammation and/or damage, methods for reducing or inhibiting induction of inflammatory cytokines and/or chemokines in subjects, methods for reducing or inhibiting pulmonary diseases, disorders, and/or conditions associated with viral infections, or pulmonary damage resulting therefrom, methods for preventing and/or treating chemical damage to lungs, uses of PTP4A3 inhibitors in the presently disclosed methods.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VARIABLE DENSITY SINTERED CERAMIC USING APPLICATION OF ALTERNATING VOLTAGE TO AQUEOUS CERAMIC SUSPENSION WITH ICE-TEMPLATING
A method and apparatus for forming variable density ceramic structures, where the method includes: obtaining a ceramic powder having an ultrafine particle size; mixing the ceramic powder into a suspension fluid thus forming a ceramic suspension; providing a mold configured to retain the ceramic suspension; providing a plurality of electrodes about the mold; applying an alternating voltage to the electrodes thus forming alternating electric currents through the suspension thus causing accumulation of ceramic particles on at least one of the electrodes; reducing the temperature of the suspension thus inducing the formation of ice crystals therein necessary for ice-templating; freeze drying the frozen suspension into a porous state; and sintering the ceramic particles into a solid architecture retaining a common final structure with the ceramic particles in the porous state.
A system and method for the detection and system impact mitigation of bots in Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the system including a smart auditor configured to interface with and control a power supply of an IoT device, the smart auditor being configured to measure and transmit power usage information of the IoT device. The system then utilizing a historical database and various IoT devices and associated power usage patterns to identify anomalies in power usage by the IoT device based on historical data, utilize machine learning to recognize normal and non-normal power usage patterns, and generate a command to shut off power to the IoT device upon detection of malicious botnet activity. The system including encryption protocols to maintain privacy during communication of the power usage information as well as maintain integrity and secrecy regarding model information from the historical database.
Methods and apparatuses are described herein for inactivation of bacterial biofilms using sub-microsecond pulsed electric field application to an affected surface or region. In some examples, a bacterial biofilm may be inactivated while planktonic bacteria in the vicinity of the biofilm are not inactivated. These methods and systems provide an electrical-based therapeutic modality for which bacteria in biofilms may have difficulty developing resistance, unlike antibiotic therapies.
A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
14.
Targeted remote electrostimulation by interference of bipolar nanosecond pulses
Provided herein are methods of generating a biologically effective unipolar nanosecond electric pulse by superposing two biologically ineffective bipolar nanosecond electric pulses and related aspects, such as electroporation and/or therapeutic applications of these methods to non-invasively target electrostimulation (ES) selectively to deep tissues and organs.
Systems and methods of enhancing membrane permeabilization in a cell are provided. An example method includes disposing the cell between a first electrode and a second electrode and applying a plurality of electrical pulses between the first electrode and the second electrode. In the systems and methods, the plurality of electrical pulses include at least two trains of pulses separated by an interval greater than about 10 s. Further, the amplitude of the electrical pulses is selected to be greater than about 0.2 kV/cm.
A method and system for delivering a molecule to a specific area of a tissue by controlling temperature and impedance is presented. The method is generally comprised of applying heat to a biological structure, such as cells or tissues, to heat the biological structure to a preset temperature after which at least one electroporation pulse is administered to the biological structure. Impedance is measured as a feedback control mechanism after each pulse and pulse parameters are adjusted accordingly until desired impedance is reached. The system generally comprises an electroporation system capable of generating at least one pulse, measuring impedance and measuring temperature. The method may be used to deliver a molecule such as a vaccine or therapeutic to a biological structure, such as for prevention or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
An apparatus and methods for performing ablation of myocardial tissues are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of ablation electrode configurations to which nanosecond pulsed electric fields are applied. The methods relate to therapies to treat cardiac arrhythmias, such as, atrial fibrillation and scar-related ventricular tachycardia, amongst others. The affected myocardial tissues are ablated creating a plurality of lesions enabled by the nanosecond pulsed electric fields applied to either penetrating electrodes, endo-endo electrodes, or endo-epi electrodes. Different electrophysiological tests are performed to assess the application of nanosecond pulsed electric field ablation to specific desired tissue location within the heart. Test results show the potential to overcome limitations of current ablation therapies, thereby providing patients and doctors a superior treatment for cardiac arrhythmias.
A method and system for delivering a molecule to a specific area of a tissue by controlling temperature and impedance is presented. The method is generally comprised of applying heat to a biological structure, such as cells or tissues, to heat the biological structure to a preset temperature after which at least one electroporation pulse is administered to the biological structure. Impedance is measured as a feedback control mechanism after each pulse and pulse parameters are adjusted accordingly until desired impedance is reached. The system generally comprises an electroporation system capable of generating at least one pulse, measuring impedance and measuring temperature.
Resistively loaded dielectric biconical antenna apparatuses, including systems and devices, that may be used to transmit very short electrical pulses (e.g., nanosecond, sub-nanosecond, picosecond, etc.) into tissue non-invasively at energy levels sufficient to invoke biological changes in the tissue. These resistively loaded dielectric biconical antenna apparatuses may include a resistor ring reducing internal reflection and reducing energy loss, as well as delivering longer pulses (e.g. microsecond to millisecond) to tissue.
H01Q 13/24 - Non-resonant leaky-waveguide or transmission-line antennas Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave constituted by a dielectric or ferromagnetic rod or pipe
A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
A61N 1/372 - Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising sending context information from a mobile wireless device through a control channel to a network server; receiving a policy at the mobile wireless device from the network server, wherein the policy assigns a video streaming bit rate to the mobile wireless device based on the context information; and implementing the policy to control a video streaming session between the mobile wireless device and a media server over a data channel. The context information may include information about the mobile wireless device and/or a user of the mobile wireless device. The policy may be different for each mobile wireless device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Methods and apparatuses (systems, devices, etc.) for treating biological tissue to evoke one or more desirable biological and/or physiological effects using pulsed electric fields in the sub-microsecond range at very low electric field strength (e.g., less than 1 kV/cm) but at high (e.g., megahertz) frequencies.
Methods and apparatuses (systems, devices, etc.) for treating biological tissue to evoke one or more desirable biological and/or physiological effects using pulsed electric fields in the sub-microsecond range at very low electric field strength (e.g., less than 1 kV/cm) but at high (e.g., megahertz) frequencies.
A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61N 1/40 - Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling
Methods and apparatuses (systems, devices, etc.) for treating biological tissue to evoke one or more desirable biological and/or physiological effects using pulsed electric fields in the sub-microsecond range at very low electric field strength (e.g., less than 1 kV/cm) but at high (e.g., megahertz) frequencies.
A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
A61N 1/40 - Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
24.
TARGETED REMOTE ELECTROSTIMULATION BY INTERFERENCE OF BIPOLAR NANOSECOND PULSES
Provided herein are methods of generating a biologically effective unipolar nanosecond electric pulse by superposing two biologically ineffective bipolar nanosecond electric pulses and related aspects, such as electroporation and/or therapeutic applications of these methods to non-invasively target electrostimulation (ES) selectively to deep tissues and organs.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
Provided herein are methods of generating a biologically effective unipolar nanosecond electric pulse by superposing two biologically ineffective bipolar nanosecond electric pulses and related aspects, such as electroporation and/or therapeutic applications of these methods to non-invasively target electrostimulation (ES) selectively to deep tissues and organs.
Provided herein are methods of generating a biologically effective unipolar nanosecond electric pulse by superposing two biologically ineffective bipolar nanosecond electric pulses and related aspects, such as electroporation and/or therapeutic applications of these methods to non-invasively target electrostimulation (ES) selectively to deep tissues and organs.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
Systems and methods for treatment of a biological tissues including target tissues and other tissues. The method includes elevating a temperature of the target tissues above a physiological temperature of the biological tissues to treatment temperature, and generating an electric field extending through at least a portion of the target tissues using a pre-defined sequence of short voltage pulses applied between at least two electrodes. In the method, the treatment temperature is maintained during the generating. Further, the pre-defined sequence is selected such that a magnitude of the electric field generated is sufficient to induce electromanipulation in the portion of the target tissues without substantially elevating of the temperature of the portion of the target tissues above the treatment temperature.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61N 1/40 - Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling
A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
A61B 18/18 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
A61B 18/20 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
A61N 5/067 - Radiation therapy using light using laser light
A61B 18/24 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibreHand-pieces therefor with a catheter
28.
Treatment of biological tissues using subnanosecond electric pulses
A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system can deliver electric pulses to a targeted region within a biological tissue. The system includes an antenna assembly and a lens. The antenna assembly is configured to generate and direct electromagnetic radiation. The lens is configured to be positioned between a surface of the biological tissue and the antenna assembly. The lens can have a plurality of lossy portions. The lens can be configured to be adjustable to create a patient-specific desired electric field distribution by selective positioning of the plurality of lossy portions within the lens.
Methods of enhancing membrane permeabilization in a cell are provided. A method includes disposing the cell between a first electrode and a second electrode and applying a plurality of electrical pulses between the first electrode and the second electrode. In the method, the plurality of electrical pulses include at least two trains of pulses separated by an interval greater than about 10 s. Further, the amplitude of the electrical pulses is selected to be greater than about 0.2 kV/cm.
Methods for a new, drug-free therapy for treating solid skin tumors through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (“nsPEFs”) are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are melanoma cells, and the applied nsPEFs penetrate into the interior of tumor cells and cause tumor cell nuclei to rapidly shrink and tumor blood flow to stop. This new technique provides a highly localized targeting of tumor cells with only minor effects on overlying skin.
An apparatus and methods for performing ablation of myocardial tissues are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of ablation electrode configurations to which nanosecond pulsed electric fields are applied. The methods relate to therapies to treat cardiac arrhythmias, such as, atrial fibrillation and scar-related ventricular tachycardia, amongst others. The affected myocardial tissues are ablated creating a plurality of lesions enabled by the nanosecond pulsed electric fields applied to either penetrating electrodes, endo-endo electrodes, or endo-epi electrodes. Different electrophysiological tests are performed to assess the application of nanosecond pulsed electric field ablation to specific desired tissue location within the heart. Test results show the potential to overcome limitations of current ablation therapies, thereby providing patients and doctors a superior treatment for cardiac arrhythmias.
Disclosed herein are methods and devices for stimulating an immune response to a disease in a subject, which involves passing sub-microsecond long pulses of electric fields having an amplitude between 5 kV/cm and 68 kV/cm through an abnormal growth of a subject sufficient to suppress myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) or regulatory T cell (Treg) production, increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) production, or stimulate dendritic cell activation in the subject.
A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61N 1/36 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers
Systems and methods for treating or manipulating biological tissues are provided. In the systems and methods, a biological tissue is placed in contact with an array of electrodes. Electrical pulses are then applied between a bias voltage bus and a reference voltage bus of a distributor having switching elements associated with each of the electrodes. The switching elements provide a first contact position for coupling electrodes to bias voltage bus, a second contact position for coupling electrodes to the reference voltage bus, and a third contact position for isolating electrodes from the high and reference voltage buses. The switching elements are operated over various time intervals to provide the first contact position for first electrodes, a second contact position for second electrodes adjacent to the first electrodes, and a third contact position for a remainder of the electrodes adjacent to the first and second electrodes.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
34.
Methods and devices for using sub-microsecond electric pulses to trigger apoptosis
The methods disclosed herein are directed towards improving ablation efficiency associated with applying nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP) to tissue. In particular, applying nsEP to tissue can open pores in the cellular membranes of the tissue. These pores can be kept open longer by cooling the tissue. The combined application of nsEP and the cooling of tissue may have synergistic effects on triggering apoptosis of cells in the tissue. This allows for numerous practical benefits associated with nsEP-based tissue ablation to be realized. For instance, nsEP of lower pulse strength or lower numbers of pulses to be used, which can be provided by smaller pulse generators operating on less power.
A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
A61B 18/02 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
35.
METHODS AND DEVICES FOR USING SUB-MICROSECOND ELECTRIC PULSES TO TRIGGER APOPTOSIS
The methods disclosed herein are directed towards improving ablation efficiency associated with applying nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP) to tissue. In particular, applying nsEP to tissue can open pores in the cellular membranes of the tissue. These pores can be kept open longer by cooling the tissue. The combined application of nsEP and the cooling of tissue may have synergistic effects on triggering apoptosis of cells in the tissue. This allows for numerous practical benefits associated with nsEP-based tissue ablation to be realized. For instance, nsEP of lower pulse strength or lower numbers of pulses to be used, which can be provided by smaller pulse generators operating on less power.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61B 18/02 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques
36.
Low-energy defibrillation with nanosecond pulsed electric fields
Methods for terminating fibrillation in a fibrillating heart employing nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) are disclosed. nsPEF defibrillation demonstrates its effectiveness as a new defibrillation modality, achieving reliable defibrillation with energies that are an order of magnitude lower than those needed for conventional defibrillation (millisecond shocks with mono- and bi-phasic waveforms). Tests did not reveal any negative effect of nsPEF defibrillation on cardiac tissue, in particular, cardiac tissue treated with nsPEFs does not exhibit a baseline shift in the optical transmembrane potential signal (distinctive feature that indicates electroporation), or changes in action potential duration or shape. The mechanism of nsPEF defibrillation is likely different from conventional defibrillation since it does not rely on membrane charging but on the basis of displacement currents that flow within nanoseconds after the shock is applied. nsPEFs provide the technology for the next generation of defibrillators that help emergency medical services to treat patients effectively.
A method and apparatus are provided for delivering an agent into a cell through the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields (“nsPEF's”). The method includes circuitry for delivery of an agent into a cell via known methods followed by the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell in order to facilitate entry of the agent into the nucleus of the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing gene expression in a cell comprising the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell. An apparatus for generating long and short pulses according to the present invention is also provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator capable of producing a first pulse having a long duration and low voltage amplitude and a second pulse having a short duration and high voltage amplitude.
A method of inducing local cell death in patient tissue is provided. The method includes generating first and second radiation, conveying the radiation to a focusing element, and focusing the radiation on a target with the focusing element. A system for inducing local cell death in patient tissue is also provided. The system includes a power source for generating narrowband and/or ultra-wideband radiation, and a focusing element for focusing the radiation on a target.
A61B 18/18 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system includes a lens having a hollow, substantially hemispherical shape with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a substantially hemispherical cavity for inserting the biological tissues. The system further includes an antenna assembly for generating and directing electromagnetic radiation towards the outer surface. In the system, the lens is configured to direct the electromagnetic energy to an area in the cavity, a dielectric constant of the lens at the inner surface substantially matches a dielectric constant of the biological tissues, the dielectric constant monotonically increases from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the electromagnetic energy is generated via a series of pulses having a transient of less than about 1 nanosecond.
Catheter devices can include an elongate housing extending along a major axis, the elongate housing comprising a first end an opening. The catheter devices can also include an electrode assembly disposed in the elongate housing and including deformable electrodes with respective electrode distal ends, where the electrode distal ends each consist of respective member portions and respective tip portions. The electrode assembly is slidably movable within the housing along the major axis to allow the electrode distal end portions to transition between a first retracted position and a second extended position. The catheter device is configured such that an average distance between the tip portions in the second position is configured to be greater than an average distance between the tip portions in the first position the tip portions are positioned substantially in a same plane when the electrode assembly is in the second position.
A61B 1/00 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopesIlluminating arrangements therefor
A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
A61B 1/018 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopesIlluminating arrangements therefor characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor for receiving instruments
A61B 1/04 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopesIlluminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
A61B 1/06 - Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopesIlluminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
41.
Radio frequency plasma method for uniform surface processing of RF cavities and other three-dimensional structures
A method for efficient plasma etching of surfaces inside three-dimensional structures can include positioning an inner electrode within the chamber cavity; evacuating the chamber cavity; adding a first inert gas to the chamber cavity; regulating the pressure in the chamber; generating a plasma sheath along the inner wall of the chamber cavity; adjusting a positive D.C. bias on the inner electrode to establish an effective plasma sheath voltage; adding a first electronegative gas to the chamber cavity; optionally readjusting the positive D.C. bias on the inner electrode reestablish the effective plasma sheath voltage at the chamber cavity; etching the inner wall of the chamber cavity; and polishing the inner wall to a desired surface roughness.
Methods for treating tumors employing HSp90 inhibitors in combination with nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) are disclosed. The methods are directed to induce regulated cell death (RCD) in tumor cells and tissues. Further, Hsp90 inhibitors in combination with nsPEF are used at low non-toxic concentrations, thereby reducing the side-effects associated with these drugs. Additionally, nsPEFs are employed at lower electric fields and/or with fewer number of pulses than when nsPEFs are employed alone. Further, the mechanisms by which nsPEFs and Hsp90 inhibitors act upon cancer cells are different, thereby combining these treatments results in a synergistic effect.
Methods for terminating fibrillation in a fibrillating heart employing nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) are disclosed. nsPEF defibrillation demonstrates its effectiveness as a new defibrillation modality, achieving reliable defibrillation with energies that are an order of magnitude lower than those needed for conventional defibrillation (millisecond shocks with mono- and bi-phasic waveforms). Tests did not reveal any negative effect of nsPEF defibrillation on cardiac tissue, in particular, cardiac tissue treated with nsPEFs does not exhibit a baseline shift in the optical transmembrane potential signal (distinctive feature that indicates electroporation), or changes in action potential duration or shape. The mechanism of nsPEF defibrillation is likely different from conventional defibrillation since it does not rely on membrane charging but on the basis of displacement currents that flow within nanoseconds after the shock is applied. nsPEFs provide the technology for the next generation of defibrillators that help emergency medical services to treat patients effectively.
An imaging and recordation system is provided. The system includes a high-power, focusing antenna for illuminating biological tissue. The system further includes a power source for powering the antenna. The system further includes a data acquisition module, for recording the dielectric properties of tissues illuminated by the high-power, focusing antenna. The system illuminates the tissues using ultrashort electrical pulses.
The present disclosure describes methods for intracellular electromanipulation of proteins using nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs). The nsPEFs have effects on proteins in addition to permeabilizing cellular membranes. The nsPEFs induce a Ca2+-dependent dissipation of the mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm), which is enhanced when high frequency components are present in fast rise-fall waveforms. Ca2+ is shown to have little or no effect on propidium iodide uptake as a measure of plasma membrane poration and consequently intracellular membranes. Since Ca2+-regulated events are mediated by proteins, actions of nsPEFs on proteins that regulate and/or affect the mitochondria membrane potential are possible. Given that nsPEF-induced dissipation of ΔΨm was more effective when high frequency components were present in fast rise time waveforms, the effects on proteins are due to these high frequency components. These results present direct evidence that nsPEFs affect proteins and their functions by affecting their structure.
Methods for a new, drug-free therapy for treating solid skin tumors through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (“nsPEFs”) are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are melanoma cells, and the applied nsPEFs penetrate into the interior of tumor cells and cause tumor cell nuclei to rapidly shrink and tumor blood flow to stop. This new technique provides a highly localized targeting of tumor cells with only minor effects on overlying skin.
Catheter devices can include an elongate housing extending along a major axis, the elongate housing comprising a first end an opening. The catheter devices can also include an electrode assembly disposed in the elongate housing and including deformable electrodes with respective electrode distal ends, where the electrode distal ends each consist of respective member portions and respective tip portions. The electrode assembly is slidably movable within the housing along the major axis to allow the electrode distal end portions to transition between a first retracted position and a second extended position. The catheter device is configured such that an average distance between the tip portions in the second position is configured to be greater than an average distance between the tip portions in the first position the tip portions are positioned substantially in a same plane when the electrode assembly is in the second position.
Catheter devices can include an elongate housing extending along a major axis, the elongate housing comprising a first end an opening. The catheter devices can also include an electrode assembly disposed in the elongate housing and including deformable electrodes with respective electrode distal ends, where the electrode distal ends each consist of respective member portions and respective tip portions. The electrode assembly is slidably movable within the housing along the major axis to allow the electrode distal end portions to transition between a first retracted position and a second extended position. The catheter device is configured such that an average distance between the tip portions in the second position is configured to be greater than an average distance between the tip portions in the first position the tip portions are positioned substantially in a same plane when the electrode assembly is in the second position.
An apparatus and methods for performing ablation of myocardial tissues are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of ablation electrode configurations to which nanosecond pulsed electric fields are applied. The methods relate to therapies to treat cardiac arrhythmias, such as, atrial fibrillation and scar-related ventricular tachycardia, amongst others. The affected myocardial tissues are ablated creating a plurality of lesions enabled by the nanosecond pulsed electric fields applied to either penetrating electrodes, endo-endo electrodes, or endo-epi electrodes. Different electrophysiological tests are performed to assess the application of nanosecond pulsed electric field ablation to specific desired tissue location within the heart. Test results show the potential to overcome limitations of current ablation therapies, thereby providing patients and doctors a superior treatment for cardiac arrhythmias.
Methods for making multiple walled nested coaxial nanostructures and devices incorporating the coaxial nanostructures are disclosed. The coaxial nanostructures include an inner nanostructure, a first outer nanotube disposed around the inner nanostructure, and a first annular channel between the inner nanostructure and the first outer nanotube. The coaxial nanostructures have extremely high aspect ratios, ranging from about 5 to about 1,200, or about 300 to about 1200.
B01D 67/00 - Processes specially adapted for manufacturing semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus
B01D 69/02 - Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or propertiesManufacturing processes specially adapted therefor characterised by their properties
C23C 16/01 - Chemical coating by decomposition of gaseous compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, i.e. chemical vapour deposition [CVD] processes on temporary substrates, e.g. on substrates subsequently removed by etching
F04B 19/00 - Machines or pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups
51.
Electromanipulation of cells and other biological tissues by pulsed electric fields at elevated temperatures
Systems and methods for treatment of a biological tissues comprising target tissues and other tissues. The method includes elevating a temperature of the target tissues above a physiological temperature of the biological tissues to treatment temperature, and generating an electric field extending through at least a portion of the target tissues using a pre-defined sequence of short voltage pulses applied between at least two electrodes. In the method, the treatment temperature is maintained during the generating. Further, the pre-defined sequence is selected such that a magnitude of the electric field generated is sufficient to induce electromanipulation in the portion of the target tissues without substantially elevating of the temperature of the portion of the target tissues above the treatment temperature.
A61N 1/30 - Apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61N 1/40 - Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling
A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
A61B 18/18 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
A61B 18/20 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
A61B 18/24 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibreHand-pieces therefor with a catheter
A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
A61N 5/067 - Radiation therapy using light using laser light
52.
GREEN PROCESS TO HYDROLYZE CARBOHYDRATES FROM TOBACCO BIOMASS USING SUBCRITICAL WATER
Processes for recovering sugars and nicotine from a tobacco biomass include feeding a biomass of tobacco plants and subcritical water to a reactor (20), hydrolyzing the biomass of tobacco plants with the subcritical water at a temperature between about 150°C and 305°C and recovering a liquid product and a solid product from the reactor, wherein the liquid product contains water-soluble sugars and nicotine.
A system and method for detecting and isolating a shadow of buildings or structures of interest within an input image. The building or structure of interest is localized by the system using region based geometric active contour modeling, and the present approach is able to overcome complexity of pattern and structure by a sequence of global and local processing to remove image data from clutter.
Described herein are carboxylated biochar compositions and methods for creating advanced biochar materials with higher cation exchange capacity and free of potential toxic components for use as filtration materials and as biochar soil amendment and carbon sequestration agent to help control climate change for energy and environmental sustainability on Earth.
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, (USA)
Inventor
Knisley, Dr. Stephen
Abstract
A device is provided for measuring the progress of a treatment for pectus excavatum, the treatment incorporating an implanted elongated pectus bar having ends defining and end-to-end distance. The device includes a caliper for measuring the end-to-end distance of the pectus bar and a device for determining sternal force in part from the change in end-to-end distance.
Described herein are fertilizers for enhancing the carbon sequestration properties of soil. The fertilizers described herein include algae comprising algaenan. In one aspect, the fertilizer includes (a) one or more organic nitrogen sources, (b) one or more synthetic nitrogen sources, and (c) algae comprising algaenan. The fertilizers and fertilizer compositions release nitrogen at a predictable rate over time, which can enhance growth of plants that are fertile with the composition described herein.
A system for treatment of biological tissues is provided. The system includes a lens having a hollow, substantially hemispherical shape with an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a substantially hemispherical cavity for inserting the biological tissues. The system further includes an antenna assembly for generating and directing electromagnetic radiation towards the outer surface. In the system, the lens is configured to direct the electromagnetic energy to an area in the cavity, a dielectric constant of the lens at the inner surface substantially matches a dielectric constant of the biological tissues, the dielectric constant monotonically increases from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the electromagnetic energy is generated via a series of pulses having a transient of less than about 1 nanosecond.
Provided herein are methods of optimizing energy recovery from oilseeds. The methods disclosed provide at least the ability to swell oilseeds and disrupt the cell walls (hulls) without changing the functionality and quality of oil; the process integration of oil extraction and green coal production to maximize the energy recovery in the form of crude oil and green coal from oilseeds; and heat integration during processing stages including subcritical water pretreatment, oil extraction, and subcritical water carbonization to minimize the process heat requirement.
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY REASEARCH FOUNDATION (USA)
Inventor
Foteinos, Panagiotis
Chrisochoides, Nikos
Abstract
A system, recording medium, and methods therefor for generating mesh from an image. The method includes processing a parallel real-time Image-to-Mesh conversion using an algorithm (PI2M) for processing an image; wherein the system is configured to process the image without surface extraction pre-processing. The method includes recovering boundaries for an image and generating meshes through a sequence of dynamic insertion and deletion of points in a Delaunay fashion. The image can be a three-dimensional medical image. The system implementing the method can be configured to process images for at least one of finite element analysis, simulation, interpolation, computer vision, or robotics.
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY REASEARCH FOUNDATION (USA)
Inventor
Foteinos, Panagiotis
Chrisochoides, Nikos
Abstract
A system, recording medium, and methods therefor for generating mesh from an image. The method includes meshing a 4D medical image, and simulating a time-evolving medical condition with the 4D medical image. The method comprises recovering an underlying hyper- surface of a moving object; and filling the volume of the hyper-surface with sliver free pentatopes. The system implementing the method can be configured to process images for at least one of finite element analysis, simulation, interpolation, computer vision, or robotics
A system, method, device, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a program, for processing brain image data using a three-variable solver, the variables being a Point Correspondence, a Deformation Field, and a Resection Region, and resolving the three variables with a Nested Expectation and Maximization (NEM) framework.
A61B 5/05 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fieldsMeasuring using microwaves or radio waves
A61B 19/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories for surgery or diagnosis not covered by any of the groups A61B 1/00-A61B 18/00, e.g. for stereotaxis, sterile operation, luxation treatment, wound edge protectors(protective face masks A41D 13/11; surgeons' or patients' gowns or dresses A41D 13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M 1/00)
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
62.
A POLYMER-BASED MICROFLUIDIC RESISTIVE SENSOR FOR DETECTING DISTRIBUTED LOADS, METHODS, AND PROCESSES FOR FABRICATING THE SAME
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY REASEARCH FOUNDATION (USA)
Inventor
Hao, Julie (zhili)
Beskok, Ali
Cheng, Peng
Gu, Wenting
Ghosh, Arindam
Liao, Boxiong
Liao, Yuxi
Abstract
A device, method, and process for fabricating a sensor comprising a polymer-based microfluidic sensing platform for detecting distributed loads. The sensing platform comprises a polymer microstructure; and an electrolyte-enabled distributed transducer. The electrolyte-enabled distributed transducer comprises: a microchannel formed in the unitary polymer microstructure configured to hold an electrolyte; and an electrode underneath the microchannel. The microfluidic sensing platform is configured to detect distributed loads at the micron-millimeter scale.
G01L 1/20 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in ohmic resistance of solid materials or of electrically-conductive fluidsMeasuring force or stress, in general by making use of electrokinetic cells, i.e. liquid-containing cells wherein an electrical potential is produced or varied upon the application of stress
63.
PRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM SELECT COAL AND ALGAL BIOMASS MIXTURES
Hydrocarbons suitable for commercial use or further refining are produced by a process that mixes an aliphatic-rich biomass and coal to obtain a feedstock. The feedstock is then subjected to a conversion process to produce a product mixture. The bio-oil, or hydrocarbons, is separated from the resulting product mixture for use or further processing. Separating the bio-oil can be done, for example, using liquid-liquid extraction to obtain an organic phase comprising the bio-oil, an aqueous phase and a solid residue. Also provided is a feedstock comprising an aliphatic-rich biomass and coal.
C10G 3/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids
C10G 1/02 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by distillation
C10L 1/32 - Liquid carbonaceous fuels consisting of coal-oil suspensions or aqueous emulsions
An adiabatic logic family that is suitable for use with a dual-phase sinusoidal power clock as the driver. The core of all circuits in this family consists of two pMOS transistors, PI and P2, and two nMOS transistors, N3 and N4, These transistors provide the drive that provides the circuit outputs, which are complementary outputs in all cases. The logic function and its complement are specified by nMOS switching circuits that connect to N3 and N4 respectively. Unlike other adiabatic families, where the logic function switching networks are in the same path as the output networks, the proposed family decouples the logic function from the core driver circuit. The adiabatic logic family can achieve substantial reductions in energy dissipation when compared to traditional CMOS circuits.
H03K 19/08 - Logic circuits, i.e. having at least two inputs acting on one outputInverting circuits using specified components using semiconductor devices
Methods of enhancing membrane permeabilization in a cell are provided. A method includes disposing the cell between a first electrode and a second electrode and applying a plurality of electrical pulses between the first electrode and the second electrode. In the method, the plurality of electrical pulses include at least two trains of pulses separated by an interval greater than about 10 s. Further, the amplitude of the electrical pulses is selected to be greater than about 0.2 kV/cm.
Gas treatment systems and methods are provided. A system includes at least one device defining a space and having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The device also includes an electrode assembly, where the electrode assembly includes a dielectric plate, at least one first electrode, at least one second electrode, and a conductive layer. The electrodes are elongate electrodes disposed on a first major surface of the dielectric plate and arranged substantially in parallel. Further, the conductive layer extends over a second major surface of the dielectric plate, is electrically coupled to the one of the electrodes, and is electrically isolated from the other electrode. The system includes a circuit configured for generating a pulsed electric field between the electrodes.
B01J 19/00 - Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in generalTheir relevant apparatus
C01B 3/10 - Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen by reaction of inorganic compounds containing electro-positively bound hydrogen, e.g. water, acids, bases, ammonia, with inorganic reducing agents with metals by reaction of water vapour with metals
67.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED DENTAL IMPLANTATION
An automated dental implantation method and system using an image-guided robotic system in order to insure the accurate insertion of a dental implant within a patient's jaw bone. Patient-specific 3D models are reconstructed from preoperative Cone-beam CT images and implantation planning is performed with the virtual models. A two-step registration procedure is applied to transform the preoperative plan of the implant insertion into intra-operative operations of a robot. The two-step registration process includes registration between a virtual coordinate system and a reference coordinate system and registration between the reference coordinate system and an operation coordinate system in order to avoid direct contact between the robot and the patient during the setup stage, thus ensuring the safety of the patient.
A one-piece dental implant consisting of multiple roots to provide long term stability. The surface area of the dental implant can be of various configurations, peaks, dimples, cavities and grooves, vertical or horizontal, to allow for attachment in the biological environment. The surface of the dental implant has a precision engineered 3-dimensional bio-material scaffold attached that is designed to heal around the implant and promote acceptance in the patient's body. The one-piece dental implant has a shape that is optimized for automated robotic placement-site drilling and stress distribution. A method for designing a dental implant model for use with robotic site preparation of a dental implant insertion is also disclosed.
A material processing device that couples a spark discharge to a laser multicharged ion source to enhance the production of multicharged ions and increases ionization while simplifying structure. The processing device is capable of laser generation of multicharged ions for applications such as deposition and implantation. The ion beam of the device includes an electrostatic energy selector for controlling the energy of the ions used in processing. Some processing devices have the option to select ion charge over a wide range. The ability to select ions from a large spread of kinetic energy, and optionally with different charge states, offers a processing device with flexibility and applications in the areas of nanotechnology, microelectronics, and semiconductor processing.
Systems and methods for treating or manipulating biological tissues are provided. In the systems and methods, a biological tissue is placed in contact with an array of electrodes. Electrical pulses are then applied between a bias voltage bus and a reference voltage bus of a distributor having switching elements associated with each of the electrodes. The switching elements provide a first contact position for coupling electrodes to bias voltage bus, a second contact position for coupling electrodes to the reference voltage bus, and a third contact position for isolating electrodes from the high and reference voltage buses. The switching elements are operated over various time intervals to provide the first contact position for first electrodes, a second contact position for second electrodes adjacent to the first electrodes, and a third contact position for a remainder of the electrodes adjacent to the first and second electrodes.
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
Systems and methods for treatment of a biological tissues comprising target tissues and other tissues. The method includes elevating a temperature of the target tissues above a physiological temperature of the biological tissues to treatment temperature, and generating an electric field extending through at least a portion of the target tissues using a pre-defined sequence of short voltage pulses applied between at least two electrodes. In the method, the treatment temperature is maintained during the generating. Further, the pre-defined sequence is selected such that a magnitude of the electric field generated is sufficient to induce electromanipulation in the portion of the target tissues without substantially elevating of the temperature of the portion of the target tissues above the treatment temperature.
A61N 1/40 - Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling
A61B 18/08 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by means of electrically-heated probes
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
Disclosed is a distortion invariant system, method and computer readable medium for detecting the presence of one or more predefined targets in an input image. The input image and a synthetic discriminant function (SDF) reference image are correlated in a shift phase-encoded fringe-adjusted joint transform correlation (SPFJTC) correlator yielding a correlation output. A peak-to-clutter ratio (PCR) is determined for the correlation output and compared to a threshold value. A predefined target is present in the input image when the PCR is greater than or equal to the threshold value.
Methods of fractionating proteins and lipids in algae are provided. The methods can extract peptides and amino acids from algae, can produce components used in food or fertilizer, and can improve algal biomass feed for biofuel production, as mom-limiting examples. One embodiment of a method as disclosed herein comprises providing a feed material of algae saturated with water to a reactor, bringing the water saturating the algae to a subcritical temperature within the reactor and separating a reactor effluent into solids and liquid.
C12P 21/04 - Cyclic or bridged peptides or polypeptides, e.g. bacitracin
C12P 7/64 - FatsFatty oilsEster-type waxesHigher fatty acids, i.e. having at least seven carbon atoms in an unbroken chain bound to a carboxyl groupOxidised oils or fats
C07K 14/405 - Peptides having more than 20 amino acidsGastrinsSomatostatinsMelanotropinsDerivatives thereof from algae
C11B 1/10 - Production of fats or fatty oils from raw materials by extracting
C12N 1/12 - Unicellular algaeCulture media therefor
A plasma generator having a dielectric body; a first end wall and a second end wall attached or coupled to each end of the dielectric body to define a cavity within the dielectric body, and wherein the second end wall includes at least one discharge aperture formed therein; at least one gas inlet formed proximate the first end of the dielectric body; at least one anode located within the cavity of the dielectric body, wherein the at least one anode includes at least one anode aperture; at least one hollow discharge nozzle associated with each discharge aperture, and extending from the second end wall to a nozzle aperture, such that when a generated plasma is produced, the generated plasma flows through each discharge aperture, each associated discharge nozzles, and each associated nozzle aperture; and at least one cathode formed at least substantially around a portion of each discharge nozzle.
A61B 18/08 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by means of electrically-heated probes
75.
PRODUCTION AND SEPARATION OF GLYCEROL-RELATED PRODUCTS USING VARIOUS FEED STOCKS
Disclosed are processes for producing glycerol-related products. One process for producing glycerol-related products comprises introducing glycerol and an alkylation reagent to a substantially oxygen free environment. Another process for producing glycerol-related products comprises introducing a glycerol and tetramethylammonium hydroxide to a substantially oxygen free environment.
C10G 3/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oxygen-containing organic materials, e.g. fatty oils, fatty acids
C10L 1/02 - Liquid carbonaceous fuels essentially based on components consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen only
C10L 1/08 - Liquid carbonaceous fuels essentially based on blends of hydrocarbons for compression ignition
C07C 67/03 - Preparation of carboxylic acid esters by reacting an ester group with a hydroxy group
C07C 67/08 - Preparation of carboxylic acid esters by reacting carboxylic acids or symmetrical anhydrides with the hydroxy or O-metal group of organic compounds
Use of an algal for biodiesel fuel selected for growing strain of production, the genus Desmodesmus wherein said strain was under high nutrient conditions and is characterized as having a determined fatty by acid nuclear methyl ester content of 2.6% magnetic resonance analysis, nitrogen content of 11.3% and a carbon content of 46.3%. Given the growth and elemental composition of this strain t the instant algal strain is of particular use as a biomass source for biofuel lipids and/or biodiesel fuel production.
Disclosed are processes for producing glycerol-related products. One process for producing glycerol-related products comprises introducing glycerol and an alkylation reagent to a substantially oxygen free environment. Another process for producing glycerol-related products comprises introducing a glycerol and tetramethylammonium hydroxide to a substantially oxygen free environment.
Disclosed herein is the use of terrestrial plant materials (e.g., leaves and bark) that contain biopolymer materials to produce hydrocarbon-rich crude oils that can be refined further into hydrocarbon-based biofuels, via the hydrous pyrolysis method, which involves heating to subcritical temperatures and pressures in an aqueous medium. One can also isolate the aliphatic biopolymers and utilize them as feedstocks for production of the hydrocarbon-rich crude via hydrous pyrolysis.
C07C 1/20 - Preparation of hydrocarbons from one or more compounds, none of them being a hydrocarbon starting from organic compounds containing only oxygen atoms as hetero atoms
C07C 4/22 - Preparation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbons containing a larger number of carbon atoms by depolymerisation to the original monomer, e.g. dicyclopentadiene to cyclopentadiene
79.
Low temperature plasma generator having an elongate discharge tube
A plasma generator for delivering a generated plasma to an area that is a distance from the area where the plasma is initially generated, including a dielectric tube portion extending from a gas inlet to a discharge aperture; an anode formed at least substantially around a portion of the discharge tube, wherein the anode is electrically coupled, via an electrical connection, to a power supply; a cathode formed at least substantially around a portion of the discharge tube, wherein the cathode is electrically coupled, via an electrical connection, to the power supply; and an elongate discharge tube attached or coupled to the discharge aperture such that when a generated plasma is produced, the generated plasma flows through the discharge tube.
Systems and methods for treatment of a heated exhaust gas including hydrocarbons are provided. A method includes providing a first gas including a gaseous mixture of vaporized diesel fuel and steam and treating the first gas using at least one corona discharge including a combination of streamers to transform the first gas into a second gas including volatile partially oxidized hydrocarbons (PO-HC) and hydrogen gas (H2), the combination of streamers including primarily surface streamers. The method also includes extracting at least a portion of vaporized diesel fuel and steam from the second gas to form a third gas and directing a combination of the third gas and the exhaust gas into a nitrogen oxides (NOx) reduction reactor.
Methods of enhancing membrane permeabilization in a cell are provided. A method includes disposing the cell between a first electrode and a second electrode and applying a plurality of electrical pulses between the first electrode and the second electrode. In the method, the plurality of electrical pulses include at least two trains of pulses separated by an interval greater than about 10s. Further, the amplitude of the electrical pulses is selected to be greater than about 0.2 kV/cm.
A nanoparticle translocation device includes a first reservoir having a first reservoir electrode, a second reservoir having a second reservoir electrode, and at least one nanopore providing fluid communication between the first and second reservoirs. The device also includes one or more inner electrode portions on an inner wall of the nanopore and one or more outer electrode portions disposed on an outer wall of the nanopore. The device further includes at least one DC voltage supply for selectively applying a DC voltage to each of the first reservoir electrode, the second reservoir electrode, and the outer electrode layer, where the inner electrode portions, the outer electrode portions, and the nanopore are in a substantially coaxial arrangement.
G01F 1/64 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using electric or magnetic effects by measuring electrical currents passing through the fluid flowMeasuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using electric or magnetic effects by measuring electrical potential generated by the fluid flow, e.g. by electrochemical, contact, or friction effects
83.
METHOD FOR SCALING PLASMA REACTORS FOR GAS TREATMENT AND DEVICES THEREFROM
Systems and methods for the treatment of a gas are provided. A method includes providing multiple discharge chambers defined by dielectric sections, where each of the discharge chambers comprises sets of electrodes for producing electric fields in the discharge chambers, where the dielectric sections and the sets of electrodes are arranged to define a volume that inhibits the formation of volume-streamers and the discharge chambers are configured to prevent pulsed electric fields generated in adjacent discharge chambers from substantially interacting. The method also includes directing the gas into the discharge chambers and treating the gas using a corona discharge in the discharge chambers produced by a pulsed electric field generated by each of the sets of the first and second electrodes in the discharge chambers, where the pulsed electric field is configured to produce the corona discharge to have surface-streamers and volume-streamers.
Systems and methods for treating or manipulating biological tissues are provided. In the systems and methods, a biological tissue is placed in contact with an array of electrodes. Electrical pulses are then applied between a bias voltage bus and a reference voltage bus of a distributor having switching elements associated with each of the electrodes. The switching elements provide a first contact position for coupling electrodes to bias voltage bus, a second contact position for coupling electrodes to the reference voltage bus, and a third contact position for isolating electrodes from the high and reference voltage buses. The switching elements are operated over various time intervals to provide the first contact position for first electrodes, a second contact position for second electrodes adjacent to the first electrodes, and a third contact position for a remainder of the electrodes adjacent to the first and second electrodes.
A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
A61N 1/18 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
A61N 1/30 - Apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis
85.
MULTI-ELECTRODE ELECTRICAL PULSE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT OF BIOLOGICAL TISSUES
Systems and methods for treating or manipulating biological tissues are provided. In the systems and methods, a biological tissue is placed in contact with an array of electrodes. Electrical pulses are then applied between a bias voltage bus and a reference voltage bus of a distributor having switching elements associated with each of the electrodes. The switching elements provide a first contact position for coupling electrodes to bias voltage bus, a second contact position for coupling electrodes to the reference voltage bus, and a third contact position for isolating electrodes from the high and reference voltage buses. The switching elements are operated over various time intervals to provide the first contact position for first electrodes, a second contact position for second electrodes adjacent to the first electrodes, and a third contact position for a remainder of the electrodes adjacent to the first and second electrodes.
A61B 18/18 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
86.
System and methods of treatment using electromagnetic illumination
A method of inducing local cell death in patient tissue is provided. The method includes generating first and second radiation, conveying the radiation to a focusing element, and focusing the radiation on a target with the focusing element. A system for inducing local cell death in patient tissue is also provided. The system includes a power source for generating narrow-band and/or ultra-wideband radiation, and a focusing element for focusing the radiation on a target.
A61B 18/18 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
Disclosed herein is the production of hydrocarbon based fuel from micro-organisms and algae that comprise algaenan without requiring prior removal of water, as well as the production of hydrocarbon based fuel directly from the algaenan itself. Also disclosed herein are feed material for the processes disclosed herein comprising modified algae and algaenan that selectively produce hydrocarbon of desired chain lengths, along with the process of modifying the algae and algaenan. Also disclosed herein is the production of both hydrocarbon and organic fertilizer from algae without the need to remove the water from the algae prior to processing.
Disclosed herein is the production of hydrocarbon based fuel from micro-organisms and algae that comprise algaenan without requiring prior removal of water, as well as the production of hydrocarbon based fuel directly from the algaenan itself. Also disclosed herein are feed material for the processes disclosed herein comprising modified algae and algaenan that selectively produce hydrocarbon of desired chain lengths, along with the process of modifying the algae and algaenan. Also disclosed herein is the production of both hydrocarbon and organic fertilizer from algae without the need to remove the water from the algae prior to processing.
Described is a direct method for the fabrication of resorcinarene nanocapsules by photopolymerization of compounds of formula (I), such as resorcinarene tetraalkene tetrathiol (RTATT), in the absence of any template or preorganization. Further, by varying the polymerization media, a variety of other polymeric architectures like lattices, fibrous networks, and nanoparticles were obtained. The morphology and structure were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These morphologically distinct resorcinarene polymeric architectures contain residual thiol and ene functional groups offering potential functionalization opportunities.
C08F 136/22 - Homopolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, at least one having two or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds the radical having three or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds
Systems and methods for cardiac rhythm management using a plurality of electrodes are provided, where at least one of the plurality of electrodes is in contact with a cardiac site. In the system and method, at least one sequence of electrical pulses is generated for electrically stimulating cardiac tissues using either of cathodal stimulation and anodal stimulation. Further, the at least one sequence of electrical pulses is applied to the cardiac tissue. In the system and method, the pulse widths in at least a portion of the at least one sequence of electrical pulses are configured to be less than about 1us and to have an amplitude and a frequency so that a threshold for the cathodal stimulation of the cardiac tissues and a threshold for the anodal stimulation of the cardiac tissues are substantially the same.
A method and device for treating a condition aggravated by the presence of amyloid fibrils is disclosed. The method includes applying a plurality of ultra-short pulses to target tissue comprising amyloid fibrils. The plurality of ultra-short pulses produce an electric field in the target tissue sufficient to change a molecular structure of the amyloid fibrils without causing the death, destruction, or serious injury of healthy cells surrounding the target tissue. For example, the plurality of ultra-short pulses can be sufficient to change the molecular structure of amyloid fibrils without causing apoptosis or necrosis of surrounding cells. The ultra-short pulses can be applied using an electrode device or a wideband antenna. The ultra-short pulses can have a duration ranging from 1 ps to 10 ns, an amplitude ranging from 100 V to 1MV, and can apply an electrical field to the target tissue ranging from 1kV/cm to 1MV/cm.
A61B 18/18 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
A61N 1/18 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
A method and device for treating a condition aggravated by the presence of amyloid fibrils is disclosed. The method includes applying a plurality of ultra-short pulses to target tissue comprising amyloid fibrils. The plurality of ultra-short pulses produce an electric field in the target tissue sufficient to change a molecular structure of the amyloid fibrils without causing the death, destruction, or serious injury of healthy cells surrounding the target tissue. For example, the plurality of ultra-short pulses can be sufficient to change the molecular structure of amyloid fibrils without causing apoptosis or necrosis of surrounding cells. The ultra-short pulses can be applied using an electrode device or a wideband antenna. The ultra-short pulses can have a duration ranging from 1 ps to 10 ns, an amplitude ranging from 100 V to 1 MV, and can apply an electrical field to the target tissue ranging from 1 kV/cm to 1 MV/cm.
A61N 1/20 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes continuous direct currents
A61N 1/32 - Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
A61B 18/12 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
Disclosed are processes for producing glycerol related products. One process comprises introducing a biomass and an alkylation reagent to a substantially oxygen free environment, hydrolyzing at a temperature at or above 200° C. one or more lipid glycerides in the biomass, methylating one or more fatty acids in the biomass with methyl groups from the alkylation reagent, wherein the hydrolyzing and methylating occur contemporaneously and separating resulting biodiesel and methylated glycerol-related products from a residue of the biomass by condensation.
A61K 31/20 - Carboxylic acids, e.g. valproic acid having a carboxyl group bound to an acyclic chain of seven or more carbon atoms, e.g. stearic, palmitic or arachidic acid
94.
Apparatus for generating electrical pulses and methods of using same
A method and apparatus are provided for delivering an agent into a cell through the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields (“nsPEF's”). The method includes circuitry for delivery of an agent into a cell via known methods followed by the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell in order to facilitate entry of the agent into the nucleus of the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing gene expression in a cell comprising the application of nanosecond pulse electric fields to said cell. An apparatus for generating long and short pulses according to the present invention is also provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator capable of producing a first pulse having a long duration and low voltage amplitude and a second pulse having a short duration and high voltage amplitude.
Methods for a new, drug-free therapy for treating solid skin tumors through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (“nsPEFs”) are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are melanoma cells, and the applied nsPEFs penetrate into the interior of tumor cells and cause tumor cell nuclei to rapidly shrink and tumor blood flow to stop. This new technique provides a highly localized targeting of tumor cells with only minor effects on overlying skin.
A method and device for aggregating algae in an aqueous solution is disclosed. The method can include providing an algae feed comprising a liquid and algae dispersed therein. The algae feed can be aggregated by applying a nanosecond pulsed electric field to the algae feed. The nanosecond pulsed electric field can include a plurality of electric pulses having a pulse duration ranging from 1 to 1,000 nanoseconds. The method can also include separating an aggregated algae stream from the algae feed and feeding the aggregated algae stream to a lipid extraction operation.
A method of treating a patient is described herein. The method can include the steps of identifying a target that contains biological tissue and directing one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation at the target. The pulses of electromagnetic radiation can cause a temperature increase per unit of time in the biological tissue. Additionally, the temperature increase per unit of time can cause the change in the cell function in the biological tissue and can be within a range of approximately one degree Celsius per second to approximately one degree Celsius per microsecond.
A microhollow cathode discharge assembly capable of generating a low temperature, atmospheric pressure plasma micro jet is disclosed. The microhollow assembly has two electrodes: an anode and a cathode separated by a dielectric. A microhollow gas passage is disposed through the three layers. In some embodiments, the passage is tapered such that the area at the first electrode is larger than the area at the second electrode. When a potential is placed across the electrodes and a gas is directed through the gas passage, then a low temperature micro plasma jet can be created at atmospheric pressure or above.
Multiple walled nested coaxial nano structures, methods for making multiple walled nested coaxial nanostructures, and devices incorporating the coaxial nanostructures are disclosed. The coaxial nanostructures include an inner nanostructure, a first outer nanotube disposed around the inner nanostructure, and a first annular channel between the inner nanostructure and the first outer nanotube. The coaxial nanostructures have extremely high aspect ratios, ranging from about 5 to about 1,200, or about 300 to about 1200.
B82B 1/00 - Nanostructures formed by manipulation of individual atoms or molecules, or limited collections of atoms or molecules as discrete units
B82B 3/00 - Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures by manipulation of individual atoms or molecules, or limited collections of atoms or molecules as discrete units
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