Main Menu

The invention pertains to devices for directly infusing cellular therapeutics into patient bone. The device monitors intra-bone pressure using pressure sensors disposed at its proximal end and adjusts infusion pressures during infusion such that intra-bone pressure does not exceed levels of systemic blood pressure. Such devices, apparatus and methods are particularly suitable for use in performing bone marrow transplants, particularly transplants that utilize cord blood as a stem cell source.

This technology describes the use of novel mutated anthrax protective antigen (PA) protein variants to target tumor cells and tumor vasculature. NIH scientists have engineered two PA variants that selectively complement one another and combine to form active octamers that target tumor cells. This controlled oligomeric activation of the PA proteins makes the likelihood of toxicity to non-tumor cells very low since non-tumor tissue does not express certain cell-surface proteases required to activate the PA variants.

This is a non-surgical tricuspid annuloplasty to treat functional tricuspid valve regurgitation, meaning regurgitation with intact valve leaflets. The device is delivered using novel catheter techniques into the pericardial space and positioned along the atrioventricular groove. A compression member is positioned along the tricuspid annular free wall and tension applied through a variably-applied tension element. In the best embodiment, the compression member has an M shaped portion with at least two inflection points between the segments of difference curvatures.

Reporter gene-based assays are used extensively in high-throughput screening (HTS) to identify chemical modulators of cellular pathways for drug discovery and development. However, such screening frequently results in a large number of false “hits” due to interactions of screened compounds with reporter proteins, producing confounding results. Thus, validation of results using these assays often involves significant time and expense.

This invention pertains to a bore covering for creating controlled environments and specifically for maintaining temperature within the bore of an MRI scanner. The bore covering includes a covering sheet with fastening means (e.g., weak-tack adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive or low-tack adhesive) around its inner surfaces that permits reversible attachment to the scanner. The adhesive ends can be peeled away to expose an edge of the bore opening or the entire sheet may be constructed with peel away gaps so that warm air can be pumped into the bore.

Traumatic Brain injury (TBI) often results from head impact and is a major cause of death and disability. Brain injuries vary in severity and can be associated with hemorrhaging, swelling, inflammation, and death of brain tissue. Inventors at NINDS developed a novel approach to treating brain injuries that involves transcranial application of small molecules.

Due to the disorganized nature of blood vessels that run through tumors, chemotherapeutic agents often fail to penetrate tumors and kill cancer cells at the tumor’s center. This can lead to ineffective chemotherapeutic treatments, because tumors can quickly grow back if the entire tumor is not destroyed. NIH researchers have developed a therapeutic agent that solves this problem facing current chemotherapy treatments.

Type I interferons play a critical role in both innate and adaptive immunity through the stimulation of the IFNAR1 which initiates interferon signaling in response to viral and bacterial infections. However, abnormal interferon signaling is associated with human diseases, such as lupus. The present invention discloses six hybridomas that produce mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for the extracellular domain of human IFNAR1. Two of the monoclonal antibodies are able to bind IFNAR1 and reduce interferon signaling.

The invention pertains to a device and method for transcatheter correction of cardiovascular abnormalities, such as the delivery of prosthetic valves to the heart. Featured is a device implant for closing a caval-aortic iatrogenic fistula created by the introduction of a transcatheter device from the inferior vena cava into the abdominal aorta. The occlusion device includes an expandable transvascular implant with an elastomeric surface capable of extending between a vein and artery which conforms to the boundaries of an arteriovenous fistula tract between the artery and vein.

Many potential nucleic acid therapeutics have not transitioned from the research laboratory to clinical application in large part because delivery technologies for these therapies are not effective. Most nucleic acid delivery technologies are lipid-based or positively charged and require chemical or physical conjugation with the nucleic acid. These delivery systems are often therapeutically unacceptable due to toxicity or immune system reactivity.