Neoprobe Corporation

The Ohio State University

Biocrystal, Ltd.

Actis Corporation

R. H. Burton Company

Floyd Bell Associates Inc.

Canaby Technologies Corporation

Marlin O Thurston

Karl W Olson

Emilio Barbera-Guillem

Raymond C Ramsey

Dennis Joseph Denen

Richard D Gilson

Ronald W Ventola

Raymond Craig Ramsey

Edward W Martin

Richard Cushman Orahood

Ely S Zofan

Dale A Slifko

Helen Thurston, Legal Representative

Mark W Arnold

Michael D Magill

John R Davis

A method for detecting antigen associated with adenocarcinoma commences by forming aI conjugate of a preferential locator, such as an antibody, and introducing the conjugate into a patient suspected of having adenocarcinoma. Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning of the patient reveals sites of accumulated conjugate, such sites including lymph nodes. The course of treatment of the patient then is determined by the amount of revealed lymph nodes.

Method of determining the course of treatment for a patient having adenocarcinoma

System, method and apparatus wherein a probe employing non-imagining optics is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescing (e.g., nanocrystal) tracer at the body of a patient. Excitation components within the probe working end are utilized to excite the nanocrystals to fluoresce at wavelengths in the near infrared region, such fluorescent energy is homogenized by interacting with involved tissue to provide a uniform fluorescing intensity over the surface of a photo-detector. Initialization and background determination procedures are described along with a technique for determining statistically significant levels of fluorescing activity.

System, method and apparatus for the detection of patient-borne fluorescing materials

System, method and apparatus wherein a probe employing non-imagining optics is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescing nanocrystal tracer at the body of a patient. Excitation components within the probe working end are utilized to excite the nanocrystals to fluoresce at wavelengths in the near infrared region, such fluorescent energy is homogenized by interacting with involved tissue to provide a uniform fluorescing intensity over the surface of a photo-detector. Initialization and background determination procedures are described along with a technique for determining statistically significant levels of fluorescing activity.

System, method and apparatus for the detection of patient-borne fluorescing nanocrystals

A magnetic sheet assembly for application to a device adapted for magnetic separation, the magnetic sheet assembly comprising: a magnetic sheet; a permanent, pressure sensitive adhesive; a carrier sheet; and a non-permanent pressure sensitive adhesive. Also provided is a method of mounting and removably adhering the magnetic sheet assembly to a surface of a device for magnetic separation, the method comprising the steps of aligning the magnetic sheet assembly with the surface of the device; and pressing the aligned magnetic sheet assembly in placing its non-permanent adhesive face into adhesive contact with the surface of the device.

Magnetic sheet assembly for magnetic separation

A hand-held surgical probe is provided with a crystal detector mount architecture wherein a rigid mounting of key components is achieved. In one embodiment, the crystal detector mount is supported and suspended by a vibration damping suspension externally located with respect to the crystal detector mount. The crystal detector mount architecture and vibration damping suspension act to reduce a variety of noise phenomena.

Radiation responsive surgical probe apparatus

A hand-held radiation probe is configured having a crystal thickness as well as a bias generated electrical field which have values to cause the semiconductor crystal to operate in a trapping-dependent operational mode wherein a trapping of substantially all carriers generated by radiation impinging upon the crystal forward face are trapped. The bias level voltage is selected to achieve adequate photopeak heights and to permit the windowing out of lower energy Compton scattering and other noise phenomena.

Radiation probe with compound semiconductor crystal performing in a trapping-dependent operational mode

Provided is a system and continuous flow process for producing monodisperse semiconductor nanocrystals comprising reservoirs for the starting materials, a mixing path in which the starting materials are mixed, a first reactor in which the mixture of starting materials is mixed with a coordinating solvent and in which nucleation of particles occurs, a second reactor in which controlled growth of the nanocrystals occurs, and a growth termination path in which the growth of the nanocrystals is halted.

Continuous flow process for production of semiconductor nanocrystals

Provided is a magnetic separation device comprising a container having one or more outer surfaces; at least one magnetic sheet; and a physical coupler that is used to detachably secure the container to the magnetic sheet. A method of using the magnetic separation device according to the present invention comprises obtaining a fluid containing a mixed population of biological molecules, from which it is desired to separate at least one subpopulation of biological molecules; mixing the fluid with a magnetic separation reagent; contacting the mixture with the fluid holding chamber of the magnetic separation device; incubating the mixture for a sufficient time to allow for complexes to form between the subpopulation of biological molecules and the magnetic separation reagent; positioning the magnetic separation device in a position that magnetically attracts the complexes towards the magnetic sheet, and thereby holds them in position in the container; and removing the remainder of the fluid from the magnetic separation device.

Device and method for magnetic separation of biological molecules

A surgical probe wherein a heat sterilizable and reusable detector component is combined with a disposable handle and cable assembly. The reusable detector component incorporates a detector crystal and associated mountings along with preamplifier components. It is formed having a positioning shaft extending therefrom to a contact supporting surface carrying a pattern of electrical contact surfaces. The disposable handle employs an insert member having a receiving cavity. The electrical contact carrying tip of the shaft moves into electrical engagement with a pattern of electrical contacts mounted within the handle in conjunction with a permanently affixed flexible cable.

Surgical probe apparatus and system

System and apparatus particularly suited for tracking a radiopharmaceutical present within a lymph duct and locating a sentinel node within which the radiopharmaceutical has concentrated. A smaller, straight, hand-held probe is employed carrying two hand actuable switches. For tracking procedures, the probe is moved in an undulatory manner wherein the location of the radiopharmaceutical containing duct is determined by observing a graphics readout developed preferably employing a circularly accessed data memory. When the region of the sentinel node is approached, a switch on the probe device is actuated by the surgeon to carry out a sequence of squelching operations until a small node locating region is defined. At that point in the procedure, the straight small probe will be pointed at and in adjacency with the radiopharmaceutical containing sentinel node. The probe-mounted switches are configured to apply preset current levels upon the probe pre-amplifier power supply. These levels are detected, identified by a discriminator and emulating signals are generated. A sterilizable remote switch provides a squelch threaded level trim function.

Remotely controlled apparatus and system for tracking and locating a

The method for identifying a sentinel lymph node located within a grouping of regional nodes at a lymph draininage basin associated with neoplastic tissue wherein a radiopharmaceutical is injected at the situs of the neoplastic tissue. This radiopharmaceutical migrates along a lymph duct toward the drainage basin containing the sentinel node. A hand-held probe with a forwardly disposed radiation detector crystal is maneuvered along the duct while the clinician observes a graphical readout of count rate amplitudes to determine when the probe is aligned with the duct. The region containing the sentinel node is identified when the count rate at the probe substantially increases. Following incision, the probe is maneuvered utilizing a sound output in connection with actuation of the probe to establish increasing count rate thresholds followed by incremental movements until the threshold is not reached and no sound cue is given the surgeon. At this point of the maneuvering of the probe its detector will be in adjacency with the sentinel node which then may be removed.

Radiation based method locating and differentiating sentinel nodes

A probe instrument which is formed having a unitary housing with indented switch actuating surfaces intended for surgical procedures employs internally disposed piezoelectric switching components within an elongate internally disposed switch receiving channel. The forward end of the instrument supports a crystal containing detector assembly with a preamplifier and associated leads which extend within a detector signal channel spaced from the switch receiving channel and protected therefrom by a shield wall. The piezoelectric components are held in preloaded association adjacent outwardly disposed switch actuating surfaces by a dual wedge switch support assembly. An elongate cable is permanently attached to the rearward end of the housing component through the utilization of a medical grade silicone seal and relief component.

Apparatus and system for detecting and locating photon emissions with

Intended for use in a pathology laboratory, the apparatus includes a multi-segment crystal array over which is positioned a platform supported receiving region with a pattern carrying indicia emulating and in registry with the pattern of the crystal array segments. The tissue carrying a radiolabeled locator is positioned on the receiving region and the photon emission count values for each segment are compiled and displayed at a computer monitor or as a print-out in conjunction with crystal segment identification. Observation of the count values by a pathologist then shows the location over a segment of highest count value at which locator is more likely to be concentrated. Sectioning then is carried out at that location.

Crystal array based localizer for tissue sampling

A crystal containing detector particularly suited for use in immunoguided surgery capable of detecting gamma emissions present at tumor sites. The instrument utilizes a cadmium-zinc-telluride detector crystal which may be retained within a finger mount positioned over the surgeon's finger. Within this mount there also is incorporated a first preamplification stage designed to accumulate charge signals from the detector as well as to drive a relatively short length of cable to a second preamplification stage located, for example, within a housing at the surgeon's upper arm. The small finger mounted probe may be moved between operative orientations at the underside of the tip of the finger to stand-by orientations at the top of the finger adjacent the knuckles. In an additional embodiment, the finger probe incorporates a sodium iodide crystal, the scintillations from which are transmitted via a short length of fiber optic cable to an upper arm mounted housing which contains a photomultiplier tube. Signals from the remote, arm-mounted housing then are transmitted via longer cabling or the like to a control console.

Radiation responsive surgical instrument

A laparoscopic instrument is provided having a hand-grippable base to which an elongate accessing tube is connected which extends to a tip. Extending inwardly from the tip is a detection support region within which is formed a radiation transmissive window. Immediately spaced from and behind the window there is positioned a detecting crystal such as cadmium telluride which is retained in a crystal mount structure having an architecture designed for minimizing noise generation occasioned from microphonic (piezoelectric) phenomena and the like.

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Marlin O Thurston