Device for Closure of Transvascular or Transcameral Access Ports

This technology includes part of transcatheter aortic valve replacement and to enable non-surgical thoracic aortic aneurysm endograft repair. The invention enables a completely new way to access the arterial circulation to allow introduction of large devices, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, percutaneous left ventricular assist devices, and thoracic aortic endografts. It also can be used in most labeled and off-label applications of Amplatzer (AGA Medical, St Jude) nitinol occluder devices to occlude intracardiac holes and to allow non-surgical direct access to the heart.

Systems and Methods for Applying Pressure to the Heart for the Treatment of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation

This technology includes structures and methods for cinching a band around the heart for treating conditions including tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). When positioned appropriately along the atrioventricular groove, the band is tightened around the heart which narrows the tricuspid annulus and relieves TR.

Helical Guidewires and Related Systems for Transcatheter Heart Valve Procedures

This technology includes a guidewire purpose-built for delivery of bulky transcatheter heart valves (THV). Conventional THV guidewires are rigid and have a distal tip shaped like a pigtail to prevent apical ventricular perforation. This invention is a 3-dimensional helical or antihelical curve that can protect against apical perforation, possibly better, and that allows subtle 3-mensional deflection to aid the operator in achieving coaxiality or overcoming delivery obstacles such as calcific spicules.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-feeder Cell Line

This technology includes irradiated Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (EBV-LCL) as feeder cells for the ex vivo expansion of natural killer (NK) cells. EBV-LCL feeder cells, altered by radiation to prevent uncontrolled growth, provide a supportive environment for NK cells to multiply effectively. This method addresses the challenge of obtaining sufficient quantities of functionally active NK cells, which are crucial components of the immune system known for their ability to target and destroy tumor cells and virally infected cells.

A Method to Guide Protocol Development for Magnetic Resonance Thermometry

This technology includes tools to guide optimization of thermometry imaging/post-processing protocols. Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) thermometry is a widely used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based technique to monitor changes in tissue temperature in response to thermal therapy. The use of PRF thermometry with thermal therapy procedures is indispensable to ensure delivery of desired thermal dose to the target tissue, and to minimize unintended damage to the normal tissue.

A Principal Component Analysis Based Multi-baseline Phase Correction Method for PRF Thermometry

This technology includes a novel Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based approach to correct motion related B0 changes in PRF thermometry. Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) thermometry is a widely used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based technique to monitor changes in tissue temperature in response to thermal therapy. The use of PRF thermometry with thermal therapy procedures is indispensable to ensure delivery of desired thermal dose to the target tissue, and to minimize unintended damage to the normal tissue.

Antibody to Mitochondrial Uniporter (MCU

This technology includes a generated polyclonal antibody in rabbit that detects the mitochondrial uniporter (MCU) protein. This antibody was created by immunizing rabbits with a synthesized sequence of the MCU protein and can be used to identify and quantify MCU protein in various tissues. The polyclonal nature of the antibody ensures it recognizes multiple epitopes on the MCU, enhancing detection reliability. This technology is crucial for understanding MCU's role in mitochondrial function and mammalian physiology.

A Method to Remove Fluid-motion Related Artifacts in Magnetic Resonance Thermometry Images Using Magnetic Field Gradients

This technology includes the incorporation of a magnetic field gradient waveform (consisting of two or more pulses) between excitation and encoding to eliminate signal from moving fluid for imaging applications. Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) thermometry is a widely used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) based technique to monitor changes in tissue temperature in response to thermal therapy. The use of PRF thermometry with thermal therapy procedures is indispensable to ensure delivery of desired thermal dose to the target tissue, and to minimize unintended damage to the normal tissue.

A Pre-emphasis Technique Based on the Temperature-dependent Gradient System Behavior for Trajectory Correction in MR Imaging

This technology includes the determination of temperature dependent temporal deviations of the real from the intended gradient waveforms and k-space trajectories during MRI image acquisition, and the use of appropriate temperature dependent pre-compensations to avoid or reduce the image distortion caused by these temporal deviations on the gradient waveforms and k-space trajectories, which will improve imaging quality.

Highly Efficient Gene Transfer into Primary and Expanded Human Natural Killer Cells by Lentiviral Transduction for Cancer Therapy

This technology includes an efficient lentiviral vector-based method for gene transfer into NK cells and demonstrates a stable and long-term robust expression of transgenes for the treatment of cancer. High gene transfer rates into primary cells being transduced and the ability to produce high titers of virus particles for large-scale transduction of patient cells are prerequisites for clinical trials. Lentiviral vectors can be produced in high titer and concentrated without compromising their transduction efficiency.