Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Other

Arnold Melman

George J Christ

Robert E Bidwell

Jan Geliebter

Jamil Rehman

Clifford Bleustein

Joseph Arezzo

A non-invasive quantitative somatosensory apparatus is provided for evaluating erectile dysfunctions and involves the applications to the glans penis of two different temperatures. If the patient is unable to differentiate the difference in temperature, a diagnosis of neurologic dysfunction can be made with greater than 90% reliability. The apparatus of this invention provides a relatively simple device to assess a patient's neurological response to therapies.

Non-invasive, quantitative somatosensory apparatus for the evaluation of erectile dysfunction

The present invention is directed towards a method of regulating smooth muscle tone, comprising the introduction, into smooth muscle cells of a subject, of a DNA sequence encoding a protein involved in the regulation of smooth muscle tone, and expression of the DNA sequence in a sufficient number of smooth muscle cells of the subject to regulate smooth muscle tone in the subject. Specifically, the invention provides methods of gene therapy for treating erectile dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, and other smooth muscle disorders. The present invention also provides recombinant viral and non-viral vectors comprising DNA encoding a protein involved in the regulation of smooth muscle tone. Further provided by the present invention is a smooth muscle cell which expresses a gene encoding a protein involved in the regulation of smooth muscle tone.

Method of enhancing relaxation of penile smooth muscle by introduction of DNA encoding maxi-K potassium channel protein

Gene therapy for regulating penile smooth muscle tone

Gene therapy for regulating bladder smooth muscle tone

The present invention is directed towards gene therapy for erectile dysfunction through delivery and expression of a recombinant vector containing a DNA sequence encoding a protein involved in the regulation of smooth muscle tone into a smooth muscle cell. Also provided by the present invention is a method of inducing penile erection in a subject comprising the introduction and expression of a DNA sequence encoding a protein involved in the regulation of smooth muscle tone into a sufficient number of cells of the subject to induce penile erection in the subject. The present invention also provides a recombinant vector comprising the DNA of or corresponding to at least a portion of the genome of a virus, which portion is capable of directing the expression of a DNA sequence, and DNA encoding a protein involved in the regulation of smooth muscle tone operably linked to the viral DNA and capable of being expressed as a functional gene product in the target cell. Also provided by the present invention is a smooth muscle cell which expresses a gene encoding a protein involved in the regulation of smooth muscle tone.

Gene therapy for alleviating erectile dysfunction

A drainage catheter system including a catheter, a collection bag, and a collection bag saddle, is provided. The catheter includes a catheter body having an interior lumen, an elongate tubular sheath operatively associated with the catheter body, and a layer of lubricant disposed between the catheter body and the tubular sheath. The sheath is inflatable after deployment to provide sealing engagement with an inner wall of the urethra. One end of the catheter body is adapted to be connected to the collection bag which includes a fluid entry portion having a one-way fluid valve, a gas separation chamber, and a one-way gas valve. The collection bag also includes a main liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid entry portion and a sealed drainage member for permitting drainage of the main liquid reservoir. The collection bag saddle facilitates attachment of the collection bag to a patient's body, and includes a main body portion, a plurality of mounting pads attached thereto including adhesive backings, and collection bag mounting structure formed in the main body portion.

Drainage catheter system

A urethral catheter assembly is disclosed which includes an elongate catheter body having an expandable retention balloon provided at a distal end thereof, and a progressively deployable lubricated sheath which encloses the exterior surface of the catheter body. Once deployed, the sheath permits relative movement of the catheter body relative to the urethra without causing discomfort or trauma to the patient.

Growing community of inventors

Ardsley, NY, United States of America

Arnold Melman