Category Archives: Medical Devices

Contact lenses, drug delivery systems, surgical instruments, etc.

A Novel Micro Transfer Molding Process for Producing Microparticles with Non-Spherical Shape

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Summary:

Because of the harsh environment of the stomach and other parts of the digestive system, many drugs cannot be administered orally but must be delivered through alternative means. One alternative delivery method is through an inhaler that delivers the drugs into the lungs, which then transfer the drugs into the bloodstream. However, because the body’s air pathways trap particles before they enter the lungs, it is difficult to ensure the delivery of these drugs into the lungs, let alone the bloodstream. However, changing the shape of the drug delivery microparticles can minimize how many particles are trapped by the hairs in the airways. Therefore, the ability to mold microparticles into particular shapes and sizes is extremely desirable in these applications.

Researchers at the Ohio State University have discovered a novel micro transfer molding process for producing microparticles with different shapes and sizes. Microparticles can also be control the arrangement, shape, and size of micro- and nano-pores in a substrate. This aspect of the invention has the application for filtering devices: the invention can be implemented to control the size of particles that can enter or leave a device. Such filtering devices can be useful for biomedical devices such those that protect insulin-producing cells from the immune system in patients with autoimmune diseases. Tubes that control the flow into and out of the device can be made so that large particles such as insulin cells cannot escape and undesired large particles such as bacteria, viruses, and antibody molecules cannot enter while small particles such as sugar, water, and insulin are allowed to flow into and out of the container.

Potential Applications:

  • Drug delivery
  • Devices to protect cells from a defective immune system

Advantages:

Achieve bonding and surface modification on microfluidic devices

Fabrication of Micro-devices with Sandwich Structure

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Summary:

A variety of ways are currently used to manufacture polymer microparticles. They include spray drying, phase separation, and emulsification. However, the microparticles produced by these methods are typically limited to shapes that are spherical, and the sizes of particles produced are uneven.

Researchers at the Ohio State University have discovered a novel way of fabricating uniform polymer microparticles that addresses these shortcomings of current fabrication methods. The disclosed techniques have the advantages of increase geometrical control and applicability to a wide variety of polymers.

Potential Applications:

Drug delivery

Advantages:

More control over shape and size of microparticles allows more targeted drug delivery

Ultrasonic Irrigating Needle Device for Endodontics

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Summary:

This device utilizes the benefits of ultrasonic energy to significantly improve the cleaning of the entire root canal space while also effectively delivering irrigating, or other fluids, into the root canal space for improved distribution and placement of these fluids.

In Endodontics, research has shown that debridement, or removal of material from the root canal space, is of paramount importance for the success of a root canal to reduce the risk of infection and failure of the procedure. Traditional chemo-mechanical techniques using hand filing or contemporary rotary instrumentation remove the bulk of tissue and debris from the root canal space. However, it has been shown that tissue remains within the canal system in the apical third region of the canal and in areas that instruments cannot reach, i.e. isthmuses. Ultrasonic energy has been shown to improve cleaning/debridement of the root canal space as well as improve/enhance placement of medicaments, sealers and obturating materials.

Researchers at The Ohio State University have designed an ultrasonic endodontic device which can fit most currently available ultrasonic units. It has significant clinical benefits to practicing dentists and endodontists by providing enhanced debridement efficiency and thus, better clinical success.

Potential Applications:

Oral surgery

Advantages:

Removes material from root canal space that current techniques cannot reach

Biocompatible Polymeric Delivery Systems Having Functional Groups Attached to the Surface Thereof

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Summary:

Microspheres have vast potential for site specific drug delivery as well as delivery of diagnostic imaging agents. Specific biological molecular groups that are recognized by the target cells can be attached to the microsopheres, and the microspheres can then be injected directly in the target treatment area of the body. By doing so, drugs can be delivered directly to the targeted cells. Targeted delivery minimizes side effects, since the amount of traveling and therefore interaction with other parts of the body is greatly reduced. However, this potential has not yet been realized because current microsphere processing damages the desired characteristics of bioactive molecules.

Researchers at The Ohio State University have discovered a new method that now allows attachment of bioactive molecules in a manner that avoids exposure to these harsh conditions. The new process is based on a formulation that incorporates conjugatable groups on the microsphere surface. These conjugatable groups can subsequently be used to attach bioactive molecules using mild chemical reactions that will not damage desired characteristics. In addition, conjugation of groups can be done in a convenient manner, as the surface conjugatable microspheres can be stored for several weeks before final reaction with bioactive molecules.

Currently, conjugation to primary amine groups is possible and ultimately one should have the option of several different chemical moieties on a single microsphere. Thus, it may be possible to compose a conglomerate microsphere having specific polypeptides in a fixed ratio such as a combination of cytokines (IL-2) as well as tumor antigens resulting in potent cancer vaccines. Furthermore, because microspheres can be implanted directly in tissue, this formulation could prove useful for initiating a site- specific immune response that would be invaluable in the treatment of melanomas and other sarcomas that might benefit from such localized treatment.

Potential Applications:

Site-specific drug delivery

Advantages:

  • Bulk property of polymer to be recognized is preserved
  • Enhanced site recognition of the biopolymer, leading to a more targeted delivery

Non-Invasive Aortic Impingement and core and cerebral temperature manipulation method

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Summary:

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a method to deliver better treatment to patients after onset of cardiac arrest that increases the chance of a neurologically intact survival.Approximately one million people per year have cardiac arrests in the United States and less than 10% of these people are discharged from the hospital alive without neurologic damage. This technology relates generally to medical intervention and, more particularly, to the treatment of cardiac arrest patients, patients in various forms of shock and patients with head injury. This invention relates to a method and apparatus for non-invasive alteration of arterial blood pressure, myocardial and cerebral perfusion pressures, blood flow, cardiac output and cerebral and core temperatures. In particular, this device and method gives the caregiver the ability to treat the patient with therapeutic hypothermia, a treatment regimen that has been shown to reduce ischemic injury to the tissue following a period of insufficient systemic and/or cerebral blood flow. Studies have shown that patients at risk for ischemic brain injury who have been treated with therapeutic hypothermia have a better neurologic outcome.

Potential Applications:

Patients who have experienced cardiac arrest or other serious trauma and/or may benefit from therapeutic hypothermia.

Advantages:

Non-invasive method of altering arterial blood pressure, myocardial and cerebral perfusion pressures, blood flow, cardiac output and cerebral and core temperatures

Engineered Particulate Reinforcement of Polyimides

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Summary:

Researchers at the Ohio State University have discovered a new way to increase the toughness and the wear of materials by tuning particle characteristics. Plastics are often filled with inexpensive inorganic particles to improve the plastics’ wear and toughness. While it is well-known that these particles can provide significant benefits by simple property averaging, relatively little fine tuning of particle characteristics have taken place.

We have determined that these characteristics can have a dominant effect on the wear and toughness of a given polymer matrix, and this effect can be a more significant factor than the identity of the matrix itself. The results have borne this out: the toughness of a ""tuned"" commercial polyimide, Superimide 800, increased by a factor of ten over the unadulterated material. The large improvement that can be made to existing and new materials by simply fine tuning the characteristics of inorganic particles will have a significant impact on commericial airline, automotive, and other transportation industries that either use or will use polyimides as high temperature lightweight plastics.

Potential Applications:

  • Dentistry
  • Aerospace
  • Biomedical
  • Electronics
  • Automotives

Surgical Knot Applicator

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Summary:

Researchers at the Ohio State University have developed a simple, disposable, knot-tying device to be used during surgery. One of the most difficult aspects of laparoscopic surgery is knot tying or ligation of vessels and other tissues. Currently, ligation of these structures during laparoscopy requires the passing of sutures and the tying of knots remotely using videoscopic observation. Although several devices are available to facilitate this knot tying, all of them require the surgeon to use both hands and, in some cases, to use complicated knots and procedures.

Using the OSU technology, the new knot-tying device can be used to tie a knot completely around a vessel in a single one-handed motion. The device uses standard suture materials and also could be used in open surgery for rapid knot tying.

Potential Applications:

Suturing during surgery

Advantages:

  • Allows one-handed suturing, freeing up the other hand to perform other tasks
  • Simplifying suturing procedure, so mistakes rising from complicated suturing procedures can be reduced

A new carbon based electrochemical detector electrode method of making and uses

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Summary:

Researchers at the Ohio State University have discovered a novel way of making electrochemical detector electrodes with an amperometric glassy carbon electrode system. As opposed to traditional pH detector electrodes, these glassy carbon electrodes are made to withstand chemical attacks and remain stable across a large range of pressure, temperature, and pH conditions. Traditional detector electrodes can also be difficult to miniaturize, must be read by expensive meters, not mechanically robust, and can be potentially dangerous when used for food testing in the human body. The glassy carbon electrode system overcomes all the above limitations. Potential uses of these electrodes include industrial process control, analytical chemistry, biomedical monitoring including blood glucose testing, and medical diagnosis.

Potential Applications:

  • Industrial process control
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Biomedical monitoring
  • Medical diagnosis

Advantages:

  • Can withstand large range of pressure, temperature, and pH conditions
  • Easy to miniaturize
  • Mechanically robust
  • Safe to use inside the human body

Microspheres with Surface Conjugatable Groups for Drug Delivery

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Summary:

Microspheres have vast potential for site specific drug delivery as well as delivery of diagnostic imaging agents. Specific biological molecular groups that are recognized by the target cells can be attached to the microsopheres, and the microspheres can then be injected directly in the target treatment area of the body. By doing so, drugs can be delivered directly to the targeted cells. Targeted delivery minimizes side effects, since the amount of traveling and therefore interaction with other parts of the body is greatly reduced. However, this potential has not yet been realized because current microsphere processing damages the desired characteristics of bioactive molecules.

Researchers at The Ohio State University have discovered a new method that now allows attachment of bioactive molecules in a manner that avoids exposure to these harsh conditions. The new process is based on a formulation that incorporates conjugatable groups on the microsphere surface. These conjugatable groups can subsequently be used to attach bioactive molecules using mild chemical reactions that will not damage desired characteristics. In addition, conjugation of groups can be done in a convenient manner, as the surface conjugatable microspheres can be stored for several weeks before final reaction with bioactive molecules.

Currently, conjugation to primary amine groups is possible and ultimately one should have the option of several different chemical moieties on a single microsphere. Thus, it may be possible to compose a conglomerate microsphere having specific polypeptides in a fixed ratio such as a combination of cytokines (IL-2) as well as tumor antigens resulting in potent cancer vaccines. Furthermore, because microspheres can be implanted directly in tissue, this formulation could prove useful for initiating a site- specific immune response that would be invaluable in the treatment of melanomas and other sarcomas that might benefit from such localized treatment.

Potential Applications:

Site-specific drug delivery

Advantages:

  • Bulk property of polymer to be recognized is preserved
  • Enhanced site recognition of the biopolymer, leading to a more targeted delivery

Detecting Heart Muscle Viability Using Myocardial Electrical Impedance

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Summary:

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a method to monitor the viability of the heart muscle continuously in both the acute and chronic setting. The method measures myocardial electrical impedance, a parameter that varies predictably with many pathophysiologic changes in the heart muscle. Myocardial electrical impedance is directly correlated with myocardial ischemia (reduced blood flow in the heart muscle). Ischemia is a major factor in many common heart diseases, such as coronary artery, ischemic heart disease, heart valve disorders and heart transplant rejection.

Potential Applications:

  • Ischemic heart or coronary artery disease patients
  • Heart Transplant patients
  • In patients where myocardial ischemia is a major factor in their disease factor

Advantages:

The technology monitors the heart muscle continuously. In the acute setting, the technology can immediately assess the efficacy of cardiac procedures such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries, while the patient is still in the operating room. In the chronic long-term setting, the technology can assess the development of various heart diseases, so that the doctor can treat the patient earlier, thereby postponing or eliminating the need for major surgery. This technology could be implemented in at least three forms. In the acute setting, the technology could be a standalone monitor in the operating room during cardiac surgery. In the chronic long-term setting, the technology could be incorporated as a value-added improvement to existing implantable devices, such as pacemakers or defibrillators. Alternatively, the technology could be implemented as a stand-alone implantable device. In this chronic implantable implementation, myocardial electrical impedance would be read transdermally in the doctor’s office with a simple, safe, non-sterile procedure.