 Patent Application Title |
Patent App Num. |
Date |
| Method and device for identification of nucleated red blood cells from a maternal blood sample | 20120021508 | 20120126 |
| A method for concentrating and isolating nucleated cells, such as a maternal and fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBC's), in a maternal whole blood sample. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for preparing to analyze and analyzing the sample for identification of fetal genetic material as part of prenatal genetic testing. The invention also pertains to methods and apparatus for discriminating fetal nucleated red blood cells from maternal nucleated red blood cells obtained from a blood sample taken from a pregnant woman.
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| Identification of differentially represented fetal or maternal genomic regions and uses thereof | 20120021919 | 20120126 |
| The present invention provides a novel approach for identification and characterization of differentially represented fetal or maternal genomic regions in maternal circulation. Identification of overrepresented fetal genomic regions in the maternal circulation according to the present invention permit accurate analysis of fetal DNA without the need for enrichment or purification, which provides a simpler, more accurate and efficient prenatal diagnosis in early pregnancy. The present invention is particularly useful for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis during early pregnancy (e.g., during the first trimester).
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| Fetal ecg monitoring | 20120016209 | 20120119 |
| A method for fetal monitoring includes acquiring electrical signals from a set of electrodes, for example, a set of surface electrodes applied to a maternal abdominal region. The electrical signals are analyzed, including by performing a morphological analysis of fetal electrocardiogram signals. A clinical indicator is then determined from a result of performing the morphological analysis.
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| Microfluidic device for cell separation and uses thereof | 20120006760 | 20120112 |
| The invention features methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood). The method begins with the introduction of a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size,... |
| Methods for determining fraction of fetal nucleic acids in maternal samples | 20120010085 | 20120112 |
| The invention provides compositions and methods for determining the fraction of fetal nucleic acids in a maternal sample comprising a mixture of fetal and maternal nucleic acids. The fraction of fetal nucleic acids can be used in determining the presence or absence of fetal aneuploidy.
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| Enrichment and identification of fetal cells in maternal blood and ligands for such use | 20120003643 | 20120105 |
| The present invention relates to enrichment and/or identification of fetal cells of a maternal blood sample using fetal cell specific ligands and/or fetal cell specific hybridization probes. Enriched or identified fetal cells may be subjected to steps of detection or diagnosis, wherefore the present invention enables non-invasive prenatal diagnostics.
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| Marker for prenatal diagnosis and monitoring | 20120003650 | 20120105 |
| The present invention relates to new methods for diagnosing a pregnancy-associated disorder by analyzing fetal DNA present in the mother's blood. More specifically, this invention relies on the discovery that the maspin gene is differentially methylated in fetal DNA and in maternal DNA and provides these new diagnostic methods, which distinguish fetal DNA from maternal DNA and detect prenatal disorders based on abnormalities in fetal DNA level and methylation status.
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| Noninvasive diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy by sequencing | 20110319272 | 20111229 |
| Disclosed is a method to achieve digital quantification of DNA (i.e., counting differences between identical sequences) using direct shotgun sequencing followed by mapping to the chromosome of origin and enumeration of fragments per chromosome. The preferred method uses massively parallel sequencing, which can produce tens of millions of short sequence tags in a single run and enabling a sampling that can be statistically evaluated. By counting the number of sequence tags mapped to a predefined window in each chromosome, the over- or under-representation of any chromosome in maternal plasma DNA contributed by an aneuploid fetus can be detected. This method does not require the differentiation of fetal versus maternal DNA. The median count of autosomal values is used as a normalization constant to account for differences... |
| Differential detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms | 20110319298 | 20111229 |
| This patent application claims processes and compositions of matter that enable the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that distinguish the genomes of two individual organisms in the same species, as well as that distinguish the paternal and maternal genetic inheritance of a single individual, as well as distinguish the genomes of cells in special tissues (e.g. cancer tissues) within an individual from the genomes of the standard cells in the same individuals, as well as the SNPs that are discovered using these processes and compositions. Two steps are essential to the invention disclosed in this application. The first step provides four sets of primers, which are designated “T-extendable”, “A-extendable”, “C-extendable”, and “G-extendable”. These primers, when targeted against a reference genome as a template, add (respectively)... |
| Method and device for identification of nucleated red blood cells from a maternal blood sample | 20110311960 | 20111222 |
| A method for concentrating and isolating nucleated cells, such as a maternal and fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBC's), in a maternal whole blood sample. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for preparing to analyze and analyzing the sample for identification of fetal genetic material as part of prenatal genetic testing. The invention also pertains to methods and apparatus for discriminating fetal nucleated red blood cells from maternal nucleated red blood cells obtained from a blood sample taken from a pregnant woman.
... |
| Methods and compositions for universal size-specific pcr | 20110294699 | 20111201 |
| Provided herein are products and processes for the amplification, detection and sequencing of short-stranded nucleic acid in the presence of a high background of long-stranded genomic material (e.g., host or maternal nucleic acids). The methods rely on the use of inside and outside primers introduced at varying concentrations, as well as universal amplification reactions that preferentially amplify short, low copy number nucleic acid.
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| Methylation-specific competitive allele-specific taqman polymerase chain reaction (cast-pcr) | 20110287424 | 20111124 |
| In some embodiments, the present inventions relates generally to compositions, methods and kits for use in discriminating between different methylated and/or unmethylated nucleic acid loci. In certain embodiments, the inventions provides for detecting or quantitating undifferentiated embryonic stem cells in a population of differentiated cells. The invention is also useful for discriminating between fetal versus maternal cells, or healthy versus infected cells, or normal versus cancerous cells, or detecting reduction in viral load or measuring therapeutic efficiency in a patient, and more.
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| Size-based genomic analysis | 20110276277 | 20111110 |
| Systems, methods, and apparatuses for performing a prenatal diagnosis of a sequence imbalance are provided. A shift (e.g. to a smaller size distribution) can signify an imbalance in certain circumstances. For example, a size distribution of fragments of nucleic acids from an at-risk chromosome can be used to determine a fetal chromosomal aneuploidy. A size ranking of different chromosomes can be used to determine changes of a rank of an at-risk chromosome from an expected ranking. Also, a difference between a statistical size value for one chromosome can be compared to a statistical size value of another chromosome to identify a significant shift in size. A genotype and haplotype of the fetus may also be determined using a size distribution to determine whether a sequence imbalance... |
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| Non-invasive fetal rhd genotyping from maternal whole blood | 20110262916 | 20111027 |
| The present invention discloses methods of determining the RhD genotype of subject. In particular, the invention provides a non-invasive method of determining fetal RhD genotype from a maternal biological sample containing fetal cells. The invention also provides novel probes and primers useful in the described methods. Kits and mixtures comprising the novel probes and primers are also disclosed.
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| System and method for acquiring and displaying abdominal emg signals | 20110251512 | 20111013 |
| A system and method for acquiring and processing abdominal EMG signals from a maternal patient to indicate when a maternal patient should push to progress the labor toward delivery. Raw abdominal EMG signals are acquired and processed in a central unit designed to isolate the patient and any internal circuitry from electrical shock. The central unit has a circuit board that amplifies and filters the EMG signal, then transmits the signal to an A/D converter, after which the digitized signal is transmitted to a computer for further processing and subsequent display of a signal representative of abdominal activity. The system may also acquire and process uterine EMG signals that can be evaluated in conjunction with the abdominal EMG signals.
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| Non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits | 20110251076 | 20111013 |
| Blood plasma of pregnant women contains fetal and (generally >90%) maternal circulatory extracellular DNA. Most of said fetal DNA contains ≦500 base pairs, said maternal DNA having a greater size. Separation of circulatory extracellular DNA of <500 base pairs results in separation of fetal from maternal DNA. A fraction of a blood plasma or serum sample of a pregnant woman containing, due to size separation (e.g. by chromatography, density gradient centrifugation or nanotechnological methods), extracellular DNA substantially comprising ≦500 base pairs is useful for non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits (including the fetal RhD gene in pregnancies at risk for HDN; fetal Y chromosome-specific sequences in pregnancies at risk for X chromosome-linked disorders; chromosomal aberrations; hereditary Mendelian genetic disorders and corresponding genetic markers; and traits decisive... |
| Noninvasive diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy by sequencing | 20110246083 | 20111006 |
| Disclosed is a method to achieve digital quantification of DNA (i.e., counting differences between identical sequences) using direct shotgun sequencing followed by mapping to the chromosome of origin and enumeration of fragments per chromosome. The preferred method uses massively parallel sequencing, which can produce tens of millions of short sequence tags in a single run and enabling a sampling that can be statistically evaluated. By counting the number of sequence tags mapped to a predefined window in each chromosome, the over- or under-representation of any chromosome in maternal plasma DNA contributed by an aneuploid fetus can be detected. This method does not require the differentiation of fetal versus maternal DNA. The median count of autosomal values is used as a normalization constant to account for differences... |
| Non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits | 20110245482 | 20111006 |
| Blood plasma of pregnant women contains fetal and (generally>90%) maternal circulatory extracellular DNA. Most of said fetal DNA contains ≦500 base pairs, said maternal DNA having a greater size. Separation of circulatory extracellular DNA of <500 base pairs results in separation of fetal from maternal DNA. A fraction of a blood plasma or serum sample of a pregnant woman containing, due to size separation (e.g. by chromatography, density gradient centrifugation or nanotechnological methods), extracellular DNA substantially comprising ≦500 base pairs is useful for non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits (including the fetal RhD gene in pregnancies at risk for HDN; fetal Y chromosome-specific sequences in pregnancies at risk for X chromosome-linked disorders; chromosomal aberrations; hereditary Mendelian genetic disorders and corresponding genetic markers; and traits decisive for... |
| Methods for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities | 20110244451 | 20111006 |
| Chromosomal abnormalities are responsible for a significant number of birth defects, including mental retardation. The present invention is related to methods for non-invasive and rapid, prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities based on analysis of a maternal blood sample. The invention exploits the differences in DNA between the mother and fetus, for instance differences in their methylation states, as a means to enrich for fetal DNA in maternal plasma sample. The methods described herein can be used to detect chromosomal DNA deletions and duplications. In a preferred embodiment, the methods are used to diagnose chromosomal aneuploidy and related disorders, such as Down's and Turner's Syndrome.
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| Noninvasive measurement of uterine emg propagation and power spectrum frequency to predict true preterm labor and delivery | 20110237972 | 20110929 |
| A method operable to more accurately predict true preterm labor and delivery is provided. Trans-abdominal uterine electromyography (EMG) and power spectrum (PS) analysis can identify electrical signals characteristic of labor at term and preterm with relatively high positive and negative predictive values. The use of propagation velocity (PV) of uterine EMG signals may either be done independently or in conjunction with PS analysis. This method involves applying at least two pairs of electrodes to a maternal abdomen. The time associated with measuring a voltage spike of a propagating myometrial wave traveling through the pairs of electrodes allows the amount of time required for the propagating myometrial wave to transverse the distance between electrodes to be determined. With this information a propagation velocity (PV) of the propagating... |
| Use of female mammal's urine for determination of fetal gender related characteristics | 20110230453 | 20110922 |
| The present invention also provides a method of conceiving a baby of a desired gender in a female by applying to the female a pharmaceutical formulation with a specific sex hormone composition.
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| Method and apparatus for non-invasive fetal oximetry | 20110218413 | 20110908 |
| Method and apparatus to non-invasively measure fetal blood oxygen saturation levels. Optical sensors capable of producing and detecting multiple wavelengths of tissue penetrating light are placed on the surface of the maternal abdomen, and the light beams directed to pass through at least a portion of the uterus containing the fetus. The fetal heart rate is monitored by Doppler ultrasound, and pure maternal optical signal related to maternal arterial blood flow are also measured. The optical sensors collect composite signals containing both maternal and fetal hemoglobin absorption spectral data and modulated by their respective pulsatile blood flows. The composite signals processed in the time domain and frequency domain, the pure maternal pulsatile optical signal used to extract the maternal contribution to the composite signal, and the... |
| Interactive education system with physiological modeling | 20110207105 | 20110825 |
| Patient simulator systems for teaching patient care are provided. In some instances, the patient simulator systems include a patient body comprising one or more simulated body portions. Generally, the patient simulator systems of the present disclosure provide physiological modeling. In one embodiment, the patient simulator includes a maternal simulator comprising a maternal circulatory model, a maternal cardiac ischemia model, and a maternal respiratory model and a fetal simulator comprising a fetal circulatory model, a fetal cardiac ischemia model, and a fetal central nervous system model. A controller in communication with the maternal and fetal simulators coordinates parameters of the maternal circulatory model, the maternal cardiac ischemia model, the maternal respiratory model, the fetal circulatory model, the fetal cardiac ischemia model, and the fetal central nervous system... |
| Sequencing methods and compositions for prenatal diagnoses | 20110201507 | 20110818 |
| The invention provides methods for determining aneuploidy and/or fetal fraction in maternal samples comprising fetal and maternal cfDNA by massively parallel sequencing. The method comprises a novel protocol for preparing sequencing libraries that unexpectedly improves the quality of library DNA while expediting the process of analysis of samples for prenatal diagnoses.
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| System and method for acquiring and displaying uterine emg signals | 20110190652 | 20110804 |
| A system and method for acquiring and processing uterine EMG signals from a maternal patient. Raw uterine EMG signals are acquired and processed in a central unit designed to isolate the patient and any internal circuitry from electrical shock. The central unit has a circuit board that amplifies and filters the EMG signal, then transmits the signal to an AID converter, after which the digitized signal is transmitted to a computer for further processing of the signal and subsequent display of a signal representative of uterine activity. The system and method provide a more accurate measurement of uterine EMG signals than a tocodynamometer or IUPC, and are useful in predicting delivery or monitoring the patient during post partum uterine activity.
... |
| Two stage enrichment of cell-free fetal dna in maternal plasma | 20110183338 | 20110728 |
| The present invention provides methods for enriching fetal nucleic acid in a biological sample from a maternal host. Also provided are methods for detecting the presence or absence of markers in fetal, tumor, or neoplastic nucleic acid. The methods can include treating the biological sample with DNase and, optionally, performing whole genome amplification on the treated samples. The biological sample can be, for example, a blood sample.
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| Fetal heart monitoring | 20110172540 | 20110714 |
| Fetal heart rate monitoring using ultrasound by means of a transducer in contact with the maternal abdomen. The transducer (11) is driven by a transmit amplifier (12), a receive amplifier (13) amplifies the echoes detected by the transducer. While the receive gate is open, demodulator (14) multiplies the received signal by the local oscillator signal. The sum of the frequencies is removed by low-pass filter (15), while the difference of the frequencies is the Doppler frequency of the received signal which passes through the filter to be digitised by ADC (16), the Rx gate opening a fixed delay after the end of the transmit pulse. A number of range bins are chosen and two ADC readings are made for each bin in intervals during the Rx... |
| Diagnosis of fetal abnormalities using polymorphisms including short tandem repeats | 20110171638 | 20110714 |
| The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, i.e. aneuploidy. In addition, the present invention provides methods to determine when there are insufficient fetal cells for a determination and report a non-informative case. The present invention involves quantifying regions of genomic DNA from a mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying DNA polymorphisms from the mixed sample.
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| Method for isolating short-chain nucleic acids | 20110160446 | 20110630 |
| The invention relates to a method and kits for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids, in particular, short-chain nucleic acids, from a nucleic acid containing starting material, characterised by the following method steps: (a) bonding the nucleic acids to a nucleic acid bonding support material, wherein the starting material is brought into contact with the nucleic acid bonding support material in the presence of at least one chaotropic compound and preferably isopropanol, wherein the isopropanol is present in a concentration of ≧25% (v/v) and ≦35% (v/v), (b) optional elution of the bonded nucleic acids from the nucleic acid bonding support material. Said method is particularly suitable for the purification of foetal DNA from maternal blood.
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| Methods and compositions for detecting genetic material | 20110159499 | 20110630 |
| This invention provides compositions and methods for detecting differences in copy number of a target polynucleotide. In some cases, the methods and compositions provided herein are useful for diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormalities, when the starting sample is maternal tissue (e.g., blood, plasma). The methods and materials described apply techniques for allowing detection of small, but statistically significant, differences in polynucleotide copy number.
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| Means and methods for the detection and isolation of fetal and embryonic cells and nucleic acid from maternal body fluid | 20100323354 | 20101223 |
| The present invention is related to the use of an interaction partner of a high mobility group protein of the HMGA family for the detection of fetal and embryonic cells in a maternal body fluid.
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| Marker for prenatal diagnosis and monitoring | 20100323352 | 20101223 |
| The present invention relates to new methods for diagnosing a pregnancy-associated disorder by analyzing fetal DNA present in the mother's blood. More specifically, this invention relies on the discovery that the maspin gene is differentially methylated in fetal DNA and in maternal DNA and provides these new diagnostic methods, which distinguish fetal DNA from maternal DNA and detect prenatal disorders based on abnormalities in fetal DNA level and methylation status.
... |
| Detection of maternal alcohol exposure | 20100311067 | 20101209 |
| The present invention provides methods, compositions, and systems for detecting in utero alcohol exposure by detecting expression level changes in certain biomarkers (e.g., in placental tissue). In certain embodiments, the biomarkers are selected from glucocorticoid receptor (GR), thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TRα), iodothyronine deiodinase III (Dio3) and G-protein α-subunit (Gsα).
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| Method for the detection of chromosomal aneuploidies | 20100311046 | 20101209 |
| The non-invasive detection of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies is demonstrated. Alleles of fetal RNA-SNPs present in a biological sample (e.g. maternal blood) containing fetal RNA are detected and quantified in order to determine the ratio of the alleles. This ratio is compared to a standard control consisting of euploid fetuses. Deviation of allele ratio indicates the presence of chromosomal aneuploidy.
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| Methods and compositions for identifying a fetal cell | 20100304978 | 20101202 |
| The present invention provides methods and compositions for specifically identifying a fetal cell. An initial screening of approximately 400 candidate genes by digital PCR in different fetal and adult tissues identified a subset of 24 gene markers specific for fetal nucleated RBC and trophoblasts. The specific expression of those genes was further evaluated and verified in more defined tissues and isolated cells through quantitative RT-PCR using custom Taqman probes specific for each gene. A subset of fetal cell specific markers (FCM) was tested and validated by RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in blood samples from non-pregnant women, and pre-termination and post-termination pregnant women. Applications of these gene markers include, but are not limited to, distinguishing a fetal cell from a maternal cell for fetal cell... |
| Interactive education system for teaching patient care | 20100304347 | 20101202 |
| An interactive education system for teaching patient care to a user is described. The system comprises a patient simulator; a virtual instrument for use with the patient simulator in performing patient care activities; means for sensing an interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator, and means for providing feedback to the user regarding the interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator. In one aspect, the system includes a maternal simulator, a fetal simulator, and a neonatal simulator.
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| Methods and compositions for the extraction and amplification of nucleic acid from a sample | 20100297710 | 20101125 |
| Provided herein are methods, compositions and kits to extract and relatively enrich by physical separation or amplification short base pair nucleic acid in the presence of a high background of genomic material (e.g., host or maternal nucleic acids).
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| Diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy by quantification of genomic dna from mixed samples | 20100291571 | 20101118 |
| The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, i.e. aneuploidy. In addition, the present invention provides methods to determine when there are insufficient fetal cells for a determination and report a non-informative case. The present invention involves quantifying regions of genomic DNA from a mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying DNA polymorphisms from the mixed sample.
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| Methods of treating a diabetic embryopathy | 20100291069 | 20101118 |
| Maternal diabetes can lead to a developmental malformation of an embryo. A developmental malformation caused by maternal diabetes is commonly referred to as a diabetic embryopathy. There is currently no effective treatment for reducing or inhibiting a diabetic embryopathy. To this end, the present invention is drawn to novel methods of treating a diabetic embryopathy.
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| Solid phase cell isolation and/or enrichment method | 20100285581 | 20101111 |
| The present invention concerns a solid phase method for isolating and/or enriching predetermined cells from a sample. Such methods are used e.g. to isolate and enrich predetermined cells like fetal cells from a sample of maternal peripheral blood, tumor cells from a sample of body fluid or stem cells from a fluid or fluidized sample of body tissue or body fluid. The solid phase isolation method of the present invention is used for isolating predetermined cells from a sample containing such predetermined cells by binding the predetermined cells to a solid surface. According to the invention the sample is contacted with the solid surface and then removed from the solid surface, wherein the sample or a washing buffer contains a polyol during or after contacting the... |
| Fetal monitoring device and methods | 20100274145 | 20101028 |
| Described herein are fetal and/or maternal monitoring devices, systems and methods using UWB medical radar. These devices and systems may include a UWB sensor providing high-resolution and reliable simultaneous monitoring of multiple indicators of fetal and/or maternal health, such as fetal heart rate, fetal heart rate variability, fetal respiration, fetal gross body movement, maternal contractions, maternal heart rate, maternal respiration, and other derivative parameters during virtually all stages of pregnancy and during delivery. The sensor allows novel collection of physiological data using a single sensor or multiple sensors to develop individual and aggregate normal motion indices for use in determining when departure from normal motion index is indicative of fetal or maternal distress.
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| Methods for detecting fetal abnormality | 20100273675 | 20101028 |
| The invention relates to a method of identifying fetal abnormality from a maternal blood sample by capturing an image of a fetal nucleated red blood cell obtained from the maternal blood sample; inputting probe intensities for a plurality of nucleic acid probes that bind fetal nucleic acids of interest; analyzing the probe intensities; and generating a diagnostic output according to results of the analysis. In some embodiments, the probes are specific to a chromosome.
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| Processes and compositions for methylation-based enrichment of fetal nucleic acid from a maternal sample useful for non invasive prenatal diagnoses | 20100273165 | 20101028 |
| Provided are compositions and processes that utilize genomic regions that are differentially methylated between a mother and her fetus to separate, isolate or enrich fetal nucleic acid from a maternal sample. The compositions and processes described herein are particularly useful for non-invasive prenatal diagnostics, including the detection of chromosomal aneuplodies.
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| Markers for prenatal diagnosis and monitoring | 20100267034 | 20101021 |
| Methods and kits are provided for diagnosing, monitoring, or predicting preeclaimpsia in a pregnant woman, trisomy 18 and trisomy 21 in a fetus, as well as for detecting pregnancy in a woman, by quantitatively measuring in the maternal blood the amount of one or more RNA species derived from a set of genetic loci and comparing the amount of the RNA species with a standard control.
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| Identification of genes implicated in the virulence of streptococcus agalactiae | 20100261618 | 20101014 |
| Group B streptococcus is an important cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in many part of the world. The invention is a method of identification of novel targets for inhibitors preventing septicemic dissemination of Streptococcus agalactiae, a model of Gram positive bacteria, in order to treat bacterial infections using these virulence determinant.
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| Non-invasive fetal genetic screening by digital analysis | 20100256013 | 20101007 |
| The present methods are exemplified by a process in which maternal blood containing fetal DNA is diluted to a nominal value of approximately 0.5 genome equivalent of DNA per reaction sample. Digital PCR is then be used to detect aneuploidy, such as the trisomy that causes Down Syndrome. Since aneuploidies do not present a mutational change in sequence, and are merely a change in the number of chromosomes, it has not been possible to detect them in a fetus without resorting to invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Digital amplification allows the detection of aneuploidy using massively parallel amplification and detection methods, examining, e.g., 10,000 genome equivalents.
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| Non-invasive fetal genetic screening by digital analysis | 20100255493 | 20101007 |
| The present methods are exemplified by a process in which maternal blood containing fetal DNA is diluted to a nominal value of approximately 0.5 genome equivalent of DNA per reaction sample. Digital PCR is then be used to detect aneuploidy, such as the trisomy that causes Down Syndrome. Since aneuploidies do not present a mutational change in sequence, and are merely a change in the number of chromosomes, it has not been possible to detect them in a fetus without resorting to invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Digital amplification allows the detection of aneuploidy using massively parallel amplification and detection methods, examining, e.g., 10,000 genome equivalents.
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| Non-invasive fetal genetic screening by digital analysis | 20100255492 | 20101007 |
| The present methods are exemplified by a process in which maternal blood containing fetal DNA is diluted to a nominal value of approximately 0.5 genome equivalent of DNA per reaction sample. Digital PCR is then be used to detect aneuploidy, such as the trisomy that causes Down Syndrome. Since aneuploidies do not present a mutational change in sequence, and are merely a change in the number of chromosomes, it has not been possible to detect them in a fetus without resorting to invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Digital amplification allows the detection of aneuploidy using massively parallel amplification and detection methods, examining, e.g., 10,000 genome equivalents.
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| Identification and isolation of fetal cells and nucleic acid | 20100240054 | 20100923 |
| The present invention provides methods, antibodies and kits useful for detecting the presence of a fetal cell and/or fetal nucleic acids in a biological sample obtained from a maternal host. It also provides methods and kits for isolating fetal nucleic acid from maternal cervical mucus samples, and for testing or screening the isolated fetal nucleic acid for genetic abnormalities in fetuses.
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| Obstetrics simulation and training method and system | 20100227303 | 20100909 |
| In the modern practice of obstetrics, the military is in the position of having experts in both simulation training for obstetric emergencies and teamwork training. The military has the potential to train better and provide the safest environment possible with these resources. Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention provides an obstetrics simulation system, comprising an articulating maternal birthing simulator. The maternal birthing simulator is a full size and full-body female having an intubeable airway with a chest rise component, a forearm having a medication receiving component, and/or a fetal heart sound component. Additionally, the maternal birthing simulator includes a head descent and cervical dilation monitor, a placenta positionable in at least two locations, two or more removable dilating cervices, and/or postpartum vulval suturing inserts.
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| Methods for predicting trisomy 21 in a fetus | 20100216250 | 20100826 |
| The present invention relates to biomarkers in maternal serum samples and methods for predicting whether a fetus has Trisomy 21 during the first trimester of pregnancy based on the differential expression of a combination, or subcombination, of the same.
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| Methods for detecting fetal nucleic acids and diagnosing fetal abnormalities | 20100216153 | 20100826 |
| The invention generally relates to methods for detecting fetal nucleic acids and methods for diagnosing fetal abnormalities. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for determining whether fetal nucleic acid is present in a maternal sample including obtaining a maternal sample suspected to include fetal nucleic acids, and performing a sequencing reaction on the sample to determine presence of at least a portion of a Y chromosome in the sample, thereby determining that fetal nucleic acid is present in the sample. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for quantitative or qualitative analysis to detect fetal nucleic acid in a maternal sample, regardless of the ability to detect the Y chromosome, particularly for samples including normal nucleic acids from a female fetus.
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| Methods for detecting fetal nucleic acids and diagnosing fetal abnormalities | 20100216151 | 20100826 |
| The invention generally relates to methods for detecting fetal nucleic acids and methods for diagnosing fetal abnormalities. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for determining whether fetal nucleic acid is present in a maternal sample including obtaining a maternal sample suspected to include fetal nucleic acids, and performing a sequencing reaction on the sample to determine presence of at least a portion of a Y chromosome in the sample, thereby determining that fetal nucleic acid is present in the sample. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for quantitative or qualitative analysis to detect fetal nucleic acid in a maternal sample, regardless of the ability to detect the Y chromosome, particularly for samples including normal nucleic acids from a female fetus.
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| Maternal and fetal monitor ultrasound transducer | 20100191119 | 20100729 |
| An ultrasound transducer and method of producing same takes advantage of the properties of two differing materials to optimize the transducer. More specifically, the transducer has one or more emitters made of lead zirconate titanate PZT) crystals that are affixed to a wearable material made of polyvinylildene fluoride (PVDF). As such, the PZT crystals are an effective emitter of ultrasound energy into an object and/or area of interest, such as a patient for maternal and/or fetal care monitoring, while the PVDF material has a low impedance and therefore effectively receives the ultrasound energy returned from the object and/or area of interest. The PVDF material comprises a wearable form factor, whereby the transducer utilizes different properties of different materials and combines them into a common transducer.
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| Fetal monitoring | 20100185108 | 20100722 |
| A system for monitoring a fetus during gestation comprises an input for receiving a plurality of electric signals measured on a surface of a maternal body; and means for providing a fetal electrocardiogram based on the received electric signals and based on an orientation of the fetus, wherein the fetal electrocardiogram represents a projection of a fetal cardiac potential vector according to a predetermined projection direction that is fixed with respect to the fetus. The fetal vector electrocardiogram is projected according to the projection direction. An at least partial representation of a fetal vector electrocardiogram is provided in dependence on the plurality of electric signals and indicative of a time path of an electrical field vector generated by a fetal heart of the fetus.
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| Preservation of fetal nucleic acids in maternal plasma | 20100184069 | 20100722 |
| A method for preserving and processing fetal nucleic acids located within maternal plasma is disclosed, wherein a sample of maternal blood containing fetal nucleic acids is treated to reduce both cell lysis of the maternal blood cells and deoxyribonuclease (DNase) and ribonuclease (RNase) activity within the fetal nucleic acids. The treatment of the sample aids in increasing the amount of fetal nucleic acids that can be identified and tested while maintaining the structure and integrity of the fetal nucleic acids.
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| Detecting genetic abnormalities | 20100184043 | 20100722 |
| The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for detecting genetic abnormalities. The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for comparing alleles in a sample containing both maternal and fetal nucleic acids in order to identify genetic abnormalities.
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| Detecting genetic abnormalities | 20100184044 | 20100722 |
| The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for detecting genetic abnormalities. The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for comparing alleles in a sample containing both maternal and fetal nucleic acids in order to identify genetic abnormalities.
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| Supplemention of maternal diet | 20100178281 | 20100715 |
| The use of probiotic bacteria in the manufacture of a composition for administration to a woman in at least the third trimester of pregnancy for prevention of gestational diabetes, normalising plasma glucose concentration and/or increasing insulin sensitivity.
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| Situ methods for gene mapping and haplotyping | 20100173309 | 20100708 |
| The present invention is directed to in situ methods for providing a definitive haplotype of a subject. The haplotype information generated by the methods described herein is more accurate than that provided by prior art methods that only give an inferred haplotype. Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides an in situ method for obtaining genetic information for a polyploid subject, the method including the steps of obtaining a biological sample from the subject, the sample containing: (i) at least one paternally-derived DNA molecule, and/or (ii) at least one maternally-derived DNA molecule, analyzing any one or more of the paternally- or maternally-derived DNA molecules for nucleotide sequence information, wherein the step of analyzing determines whether any two DNA markers are present in cis on one... |
| Methods for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities | 20090325232 | 20091231 |
| Chromosomal abnormalities are responsible for a significant number of birth defects, including mental retardation. The present invention is related to methods for non-invasive and rapid, prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities based on analysis of a maternal blood sample. The invention exploits the differences in DNA between the mother and fetus, for instance differences in their methylation states, as a means to enrich for fetal DNA in maternal plasma sample. The methods described herein can be used to detect chromosomal DNA deletions and duplications. In a preferred embodiment, the methods are used to diagnose chromosomal aneuploidy and related disorders, such as Down's and Turner's Syndrome.
... |
| Restriction endonuclease enhanced polymorphic sequence detection | 20090317818 | 20091224 |
| Provided in part herein is an improved method for the detection of specific polymorphic alleles in a mixed DNA population. The method comprises enriching the relative percentage of a given polymorphic allele that is exponentially amplifiable by PCR. Provided also are methods for selectively enriching target nucleic acid, for example, fetal nucleic acid in a maternal sample. In the case of detecting fetal nucleic acid in a maternal sample, a restriction enzyme is introduced that can discriminate between the alleles of a polymorphic site. In some embodiments, the maternal allele is digested and nucleic acid comprising the paternal allele is relatively enriched.
... |
| Non-invasive, prenatal, in-vitro method for detecting the normal healthy condition, the condition of a healthy carrier or the condition of a carrier inflicted with cystic fibrosis | 20090317797 | 20091224 |
| The invention relates to a non-invasive, prenatal, in-vitro method for detecting the normal healthy condition, the condition of a healthy carrier or the condition of a carrier inflicted with cystic fibrosis, from the fetal cell(s) from a maternal sample, comprising the DNA of an individual to be tested. The invention also relates to oligonucleotide primers and to their use within the scope of a non-invasive, prenatal, in-vitro method for detecting the condition of a healthy carrier or of a carrier inflicted with cystic fibrosis.
... |
| Taqman mgb probe useful for detecting the mitochondrial gene c1494t mutation associated with maternally inherited deafness and the use thereof | 20090311679 | 20091217 |
| The present invention relates to a real time quantitative TaqMan MGB probe useful for detecting the mitochondrial gene C1494T mutation associated with maternally inherited deafness and the use thereof. The present invention design a Taqman mutant probe and a wild type MGB probe, and a pair of primers. A maternally inherited deafness associated with mitochondrial gene C1494T mutation can be diagnosed by the method of real time quantitative Taqman MGB probe. This method is characteristic of easily operating, fast, high specificity, high sensitivity, and the interpretation of the result is intuitionistic, accurate and reliable. It's suitable for large scale screen and preventive examination of mitochondrial gene C1494T mutation associated with maternally inherited deafness.
... |
| Early diagnosis of congenital abnormalities in the offspring of diabetic mothers | 20090305259 | 20091210 |
| The present invention relates to the identification of a series of biomarkers, the detection of which is prognostic for women at risk of becoming hyperglycemic during pregnancy and/or fetuses at risk of developing congenital anomalies as a result of maternal hyperglycemia.
... |
| Diagnosis of fetal abnormalities using polymorphisms including short tandem repeats | 20090280492 | 20091112 |
| The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, i.e. aneuploidy. In addition, the present invention provides methods to determine when there are insufficient fetal cells for a determination and report a non-informative case. The present invention involves quantifying regions of genomic DNA from a mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying DNA polymorphisms from the mixed sample.
... |
| Diagnosis of fetal abnormalities using polymorphisms including short tandem repeats | 20090280492 | 20091112 |
| The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, i.e. aneuploidy. In addition, the present invention provides methods to determine when there are insufficient fetal cells for a determination and report a non-informative case. The present invention involves quantifying regions of genomic DNA from a mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying DNA polymorphisms from the mixed sample.
... |
| Fetal ecg monitoring | 20090259133 | 20091015 |
| A method for fetal monitoring includes acquiring electrical signals from a set of electrodes, for example, a set of surface electrodes applied to a maternal abdominal region. The electrical signals are analyzed, including by performing a morphological analysis of fetal electrocardiogram signals. A clinical indicator is then determined from a result of performing the morphological analysis.
... |
| Novel pharmaceutical preparation for preeclampsia, eclampsia, and toxemia, and their related symptoms and related disorders of pregnancy | 20090232789 | 20090917 |
| A therapeutic agent for the treatment of toxemia, preeclampsia and eclampsia and the method for preparing the therapeutic agents is disclosed. The therapeutic agent is a stable pharmaceutical preparation containing, but not limited to, digestive/pancreatic enzymes. The therapeutic agent may be manufactured by a variety of encapsulation technologies. Delivery of the therapeutic agent may be made orally, through injection, by adherence of a medicated patch or other method. Further, a method of using of a biomarker, the presence of chymotrypsin in the maternal GI tract to determine the likelihood of developing preeclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension, and eclampsia/toxemia is disclosed.
... |
| Reducing/oxidizing activity of maternal urine as indicator of fetal gender related characteristics | 20090233321 | 20090917 |
| The present invention provides a method for determining the gender of an unborn child by assaying the overall reducing/oxidizing or redox activity of the maternal urine or other body fluid. The method can be used to determine fetal gender at any time point during the entire pregnancy, the earliest being the first day of a missed menstruation. The body fluid may be processed before assaying. Processing may involve aging the body fluid, or purification of various fractions. The methods of the present invention also provide for a means for pre-conception baby gender planning by assaying the overall redox activity of a non-pregnant female's urine or other body fluid. The overall redox activity of a urine sample correlates with the gender specific compatibility of the ovum being... |
| Method of delivery of nucleic acids to a developing embryo | 20090235373 | 20090917 |
| Methods to introduce genetic material, such as DNA, to embryos, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method involves preparing the pregnant mother to receive the genetic material into a blood transport vessel which passes to the embryo, avoiding a maternal capillary bed and introducing the material under low pressure so as not to kill the pregnant animal. The effectiveness of the method is such that the nucleic acid has been expressed in all the cells of the embryo and in the postnatal mouse, including the primordial germ cells, thus making the nucleic acid germ line heritable.
... |
| Novel pharmaceutical preparation for preeclampsia, eclampsia, and toxemia, and their related symptoms and related disorders of pregnancy | 20090232789 | 20090917 |
| A therapeutic agent for the treatment of toxemia, preeclampsia and eclampsia and the method for preparing the therapeutic agents is disclosed. The therapeutic agent is a stable pharmaceutical preparation containing, but not limited to, digestive/pancreatic enzymes. The therapeutic agent may be manufactured by a variety of encapsulation technologies. Delivery of the therapeutic agent may be made orally, through injection, by adherence of a medicated patch or other method. Further, a method of using of a biomarker, the presence of chymotrypsin in the maternal GI tract to determine the likelihood of developing preeclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension, and eclampsia/toxemia is disclosed.
... |
| Reducing/oxidizing activity of maternal urine as indicator of fetal gender related characteristics | 20090233321 | 20090917 |
| The present invention provides a method for determining the gender of an unborn child by assaying the overall reducing/oxidizing or redox activity of the maternal urine or other body fluid. The method can be used to determine fetal gender at any time point during the entire pregnancy, the earliest being the first day of a missed menstruation. The body fluid may be processed before assaying. Processing may involve aging the body fluid, or purification of various fractions. The methods of the present invention also provide for a means for pre-conception baby gender planning by assaying the overall redox activity of a non-pregnant female's urine or other body fluid. The overall redox activity of a urine sample correlates with the gender specific compatibility of the ovum being... |
| Method of delivery of nucleic acids to a developing embryo | 20090235373 | 20090917 |
| Methods to introduce genetic material, such as DNA, to embryos, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method involves preparing the pregnant mother to receive the genetic material into a blood transport vessel which passes to the embryo, avoiding a maternal capillary bed and introducing the material under low pressure so as not to kill the pregnant animal. The effectiveness of the method is such that the nucleic acid has been expressed in all the cells of the embryo and in the postnatal mouse, including the primordial germ cells, thus making the nucleic acid germ line heritable.
... |
| Use of whole bacterial cells (actinomycetales) for maternal administration to modulate offspring immune response | 20090226490 | 20090910 |
| Use of a composition comprising a whole cell of a bacterium from a genus of aerobic organisms in the order of Actinomycetales in the manufacture of a medicament for modulating the immune response of a recipient wherein said composition is administered to a subject and said recipient is exposed to a bodily of said subject whilst said recipient is an infant. Preferably the medicament is used for the prevention and/or treatment of one or more of: an infection, an allergy, an autoimmune-based disease and a neoplasm in said recipient.
... |
| Method of treating parturient placental mammals in order to reduce maternal and/or uterine exhaustion | 20090220617 | 20090903 |
| The present invention relates to a method of facilitating the birth process of placental mammals, especially to a method of reducing delays in the birth process and, thereby, complications resulting there from that may negatively affect the health and wellbeing of the mother and increase the incidence of stillbirths and/or neonatal mortality. According to the present invention delays in parturition that result from maternal and/or uterine exhaustion may be prevented or reduced by the administration of an effective amount of one or more psychomotor stimulants to the parturient mammal prior to and/or during parturition. Said psychomotor stimulant is selected from the group comprising xanthines and amphetamines.
... |
| Detection of fetal cells from maternal blood | 20090220933 | 20090903 |
| The present application relates to methods for identification of foetal cells and generation and isolation of binding members recognising foetal cells. Said methods may further be used for other purposes relating to characterisation of biological samples and biological antigens. The methods are characterised by the applicability in situations where the interesting objects are present in a limited amount, or where the interesting objects are intermixed with other material, thus the methods are suitable for use in situations where the ratio of the interesting material compared to other material is low. The application discloses methods for use of detecting foetal cells and method of generating/isolating binding members towards antigenic material of low abundancy.
... |
| Rules-based system for maternal-fetal care | 20090216564 | 20090827 |
| A rules-base patient care method for managing the care of a plurality of pregnant patients from a remote command center for use in healthcare locations using patient-specific rules for each of the plurality of pregnant patients. A patient rules generator creates rules for the patients. Performance measures indicative of the ability of a rule to predict changes in the condition of the patient are acquired by the rules generator. A determination is made from the rules performance measures whether to revise the rule. A rules engine applies a rule to selected data elements stored in the database to produce an output indicative of a change in the medical condition of a pregnant patient and/or a fetal patient. The output from the rules engine is used to... |
| Rules-based system for maternal-fetal care | 20090216564 | 20090827 |
| A rules-base patient care method for managing the care of a plurality of pregnant patients from a remote command center for use in healthcare locations using patient-specific rules for each of the plurality of pregnant patients. A patient rules generator creates rules for the patients. Performance measures indicative of the ability of a rule to predict changes in the condition of the patient are acquired by the rules generator. A determination is made from the rules performance measures whether to revise the rule. A rules engine applies a rule to selected data elements stored in the database to produce an output indicative of a change in the medical condition of a pregnant patient and/or a fetal patient. The output from the rules engine is used to... |
| Rules-based system for maternal-fetal care | 20090216564 | 20090827 |
| A rules-base patient care method for managing the care of a plurality of pregnant patients from a remote command center for use in healthcare locations using patient-specific rules for each of the plurality of pregnant patients. A patient rules generator creates rules for the patients. Performance measures indicative of the ability of a rule to predict changes in the condition of the patient are acquired by the rules generator. A determination is made from the rules performance measures whether to revise the rule. A rules engine applies a rule to selected data elements stored in the database to produce an output indicative of a change in the medical condition of a pregnant patient and/or a fetal patient. The output from the rules engine is used to... |
| Rules-based system for maternal-fetal care | 20090216564 | 20090827 |
| A rules-base patient care method for managing the care of a plurality of pregnant patients from a remote command center for use in healthcare locations using patient-specific rules for each of the plurality of pregnant patients. A patient rules generator creates rules for the patients. Performance measures indicative of the ability of a rule to predict changes in the condition of the patient are acquired by the rules generator. A determination is made from the rules performance measures whether to revise the rule. A rules engine applies a rule to selected data elements stored in the database to produce an output indicative of a change in the medical condition of a pregnant patient and/or a fetal patient. The output from the rules engine is used to... |
| Rules-based system for maternal-fetal care | 20090216564 | 20090827 |
| A rules-base patient care method for managing the care of a plurality of pregnant patients from a remote command center for use in healthcare locations using patient-specific rules for each of the plurality of pregnant patients. A patient rules generator creates rules for the patients. Performance measures indicative of the ability of a rule to predict changes in the condition of the patient are acquired by the rules generator. A determination is made from the rules performance measures whether to revise the rule. A rules engine applies a rule to selected data elements stored in the database to produce an output indicative of a change in the medical condition of a pregnant patient and/or a fetal patient. The output from the rules engine is used to... |
| Extrapolating ica knowledge from one epoch to another for improved fetal ecg separation | 20090209874 | 20090820 |
| A method of utilizing a maternal-fetal monitoring system to monitor the physiological properties of both a maternal patient and a fetus. A series of ECG electrodes are placed across the maternal patient's abdomen and receives ECG input waveforms across sixteen separate channels. The sixteen channels of information are processed using an ICA algorithm to generate a series of ICA output waveforms and a transfer matrix. Following the current epoch, the transfer matrix is applied to the input waveforms on a continuous basis. The conditioned input waveforms are displayed immediately following the first epoch and prior to the expiration of a subsequent epoch. The transfer matrix for the second epoch is combined with the transfer matrix for the first epoch to generate an updated transfer matrix. Various... |
| Extrapolating ica knowledge from one epoch to another for improved fetal ecg separation | 20090209874 | 20090820 |
| A method of utilizing a maternal-fetal monitoring system to monitor the physiological properties of both a maternal patient and a fetus. A series of ECG electrodes are placed across the maternal patient's abdomen and receives ECG input waveforms across sixteen separate channels. The sixteen channels of information are processed using an ICA algorithm to generate a series of ICA output waveforms and a transfer matrix. Following the current epoch, the transfer matrix is applied to the input waveforms on a continuous basis. The conditioned input waveforms are displayed immediately following the first epoch and prior to the expiration of a subsequent epoch. The transfer matrix for the second epoch is combined with the transfer matrix for the first epoch to generate an updated transfer matrix. Various... |
| Mesenchymal stem cells as a vehicle for ion channel transfer in syncytial structures | 20090203002 | 20090813 |
| The present invention provides a method of selectively amplifying fetal DNA sequences from a mixed, fetal-maternal source. This method utilizes differential methylation to allow for the selective amplification of trophoblast/fetal specific sequences from DNA mixtures that contain a high proportion of non-trophoblast/fetal DNA. The invention also provides methods of using the amplified fetal DNA sequences for aneuploidy detection.
... |
| Diagnosis of fetal abnormalities using nucleated red blood cells | 20090181421 | 20090716 |
| The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing a condition in a fetus by enriching and enumerating circulating red blood cells with the possible combination of results from maternal serum marker screens.
... |
| Method of fetal and maternal ecg identification across multiple epochs | 20090177101 | 20090709 |
| A method of utilizing maternal-fetal monitoring system to monitor the physiological properties of both a maternal patient and a fetus. The method places a series of ECG electrodes across the maternal patient's abdomen and receives ECG input waveforms across a plurality of separate channels. The method processes the channels using an ICA algorithm to generate a series of ICA output waveforms. The ICA output waveforms are analyzed for each individual epoch to determine which of the channels include a maternal signal or a fetal signal source. Based upon the determination of which channel includes the fetal and maternal signals, further processing is carried out on the ICA output waveform on the identified channel to obtain physiological properties for the patient and the fetus. During the next... |
| Methods for detecting dna originating from different individuals | 20090170102 | 20090702 |
| In a first aspect, the present invention features methods for differentiating DNA species originating from different individuals in a biological sample. These methods may be used to differentiate or detect fetal DNA in a maternal sample or to differentiate DNA of an organ donor from DNA of an organ recipient. In preferred embodiments, the DNA species are differentiated by observing epigenetic differences in the DNA species such as differences in DNA methylation. In a second aspect, the present invention features methods of detecting genetic abnormalities in a fetus by detecting fetal DNA in a biological sample obtained from a mother. In a third aspect, the present invention features methods for differentiating DNA species originating from an organ donor from those of an organ recipient. In a... |
| Non-invasive fetal genetic screening by digital analysis | 20090170113 | 20090702 |
| The present methods are exemplified by a process in which maternal blood containing fetal DNA is diluted to a nominal value of approximately 0.5 genome equivalent of DNA per reaction sample. Digital PCR is then be used to detect aneuploidy, such as the trisomy that causes Down Syndrome. Since aneuploidies do not present a mutational change in sequence, and are merely a change in the number of chromosomes, it has not been possible to detect them in a fetus without resorting to invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Digital amplification allows the detection of aneuploidy using massively parallel amplification and detection methods, examining, e.g., 10,000 genome equivalents.
... |
| Non-invasive fetal genetic screening by digital analysis | 20090170114 | 20090702 |
| The present methods are exemplified by a process in which maternal blood containing fetal DNA is diluted to a nominal value of approximately 0.5 genome equivalent of DNA per reaction sample. Digital PCR is then be used to detect aneuploidy, such as the trisomy that causes Down Syndrome. Since aneuploidies do not present a mutational change in sequence, and are merely a change in the number of chromosomes, it has not been possible to detect them in a fetus without resorting to invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Digital amplification allows the detection of aneuploidy using massively parallel amplification and detection methods, examining, e.g., 10,000 genome equivalents.
... |
| Chromosomal analysis by molecular karyotyping | 20080318235 | 20081225 |
| The invention provides a method of karyotyping (for example for the detection of trisomy) a target cell to detect chromosomal imbalance therein, the method comprising: (a) interrogating closely adjacent biallelic SNPs across the chromosome of the target cell (b) comparing the result at (a) with the SNP haplotype of paternal and maternal chromosomes to assemble a notional haplotype of target cell chromosomes of paternal origin and of maternal origin (c) assessing the notional SNP haplotype of target cell chromosomes of paternal origin and of maternal origin to detect aneuploidy of the chromosome in the target cell. Also provided are related computer-implemented embodiments and systems.
... |
| Modulation of developmental immune programming and protection against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infectious diseases, and cancer | 20080311152 | 20081218 |
| Maternal adaptive immunity conveys temporary humoral immune protection to neonates. The disclosure demonstrates the influence of the in utero environment on adult atherosclerosis and provides evidence for persistent effects of maternal immunization on adult immune responses. The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for immunization and more particularly for actively modulating the fetal programming of the immune system for the purpose of preventing or treating immune-modulated diseases. The disclosure also provides interventions to protect offspring and immunized subjects against insulin resistance.
... |
| Diagnostic test for inflammatory endothelial dysfunctions in pregnancies | 20080311603 | 20081218 |
| The present invention relates to a diagnostic test for inflammatory endothelial dysfunctions in pregnant women. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method of diagnosing or evaluating the risk of contracting an inflammatory endothelial dysfunction of the maternal compartment comprising the following steps: a) detecting the plasma levels of long pentraxin PTX3 in blood samples taken from a pregnant woman; b) comparing the PTX3 plasma level data, obtained according to step a), with statistically significant PTX3 plasma level data of normal pregnant population.
... |
| Proteomic analysis of biological fluids | 20080299594 | 20081204 |
| The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal/fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns the identification of the proteome of amniotic fluid (multiple proteins representing the composition of amniotic fluid) and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal/fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, or chromosomal defects.
... |
| Method of fetal cell enrichment | 20080254460 | 20081016 |
| The present invention provides a method of enriching fetal cells in a maternal blood sample wherein cells which are CD34+ and capable of adhering to a solid support are selected, an analysable sample of fetal cells obtainable by the methods of the invention and a kit for use in the methods of the invention. There is also provided a method of fetal gender determination and a method of diagnosing a fetal genetic abnormality.
... |
| Methods for prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidy | 20080241848 | 20081002 |
| Methods are disclosed for the automated prenatal genetic diagnosis of aneuploidy using an automated fluorescence microscope, conducted on samples of maternal blood that have been hybridized with FISH probes.
... |
| Products containing highly unsaturated fatty acids for use by women during stages of preconception, pregnancy and lactation/post-partum | 20080226745 | 20080918 |
| A method and product for improving maternal and child health through nutrition. Omega-6 fatty acid and/or omega-3 fatty acid are provided to a woman and/or child prior to, during and/or after pregnancy to improve the health of the woman and her child. The ratios of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids vary during various stages, e.g., pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and post-pregnancy. The omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can be in a variety of forms, such as at least one of highly purified algal oil comprising 70% by weight or more of the desired HUFA, triglyceride oil combined with phospholipid, phospholipid, protein and phospholipid combination, or dried marine microalgae.
... |
| Rare cell analysis using sample splitting and dna tags | 20080220422 | 20080911 |
| The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, e.g. aneuploidy. The present invention involves labeling regions of genomic DNA in each cell in said mixed sample with different labels wherein each label is specific to each cell and quantifying the labeled regions of genomic DNA from each cell in the mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying labeled DNA polymorphisms from each cell in the mixed sample.
... |
| Detoxifying pre-treated lignocellulose-containing materials | 20080171370 | 20080717 |
| The invention relates to a process of detoxifying pretreated lignocellulose-containing maternal by subjecting pre-treated material to a detoxifying compound capable of binding 1) pre-treated lignocellulose degradation products and/or 2) acetic acid. The detoxifying compound may also be an amidase and/or and anhydrase. The invention also relates to a process of producing a fermentation product including a detoxification process of the invention.
... |
| Methods and compositions for therapeutic treatment | 20080161248 | 20080703 |
| Methods and compositions are described for the modulation of central nervous system and/or fetal effects of calcineurin inhibitors. Methods and compositions are described for the modulation of efflux transporter activity to increase the efflux of calcineurin inhibitors out of a physiological compartment and into an external environment. In particular, the methods and compositions disclosed herein provide for the increase of efflux transporter activity at Blood-Tissue, blood-CSF and placental-maternal barriers to increase the efflux of calcineurin inhibitor from physiological compartments, including central nervous system and fetal compartments.
... |
| Circulating mrna as diagnostic markers | 20080153090 | 20080626 |
| Methods and kits are provided for diagnosing, monitoring, or predicting the conditions of pre-eclaimpsia, fetal chromosomal aneuploidy, and pre-term labor in a pregnant woman, as well as for detecting pregnancy in a woman, by quantitatively measuring in the maternal blood the amount of one or more mRNA species encoding human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit (hCG-β), human placental lactogen (hPL), human corticotropin releasing hormone (hCRH), KiSS-1 metastasis-suppressor (KISS1), tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TPFI2), placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1), or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and comparing the amount of the mRNA species with a standard control.
... |
| Fetal physiology during maternal surgery or diagnosis | 20080153920 | 20080626 |
| The occurrence of hypercapneic acidosis in a fetus during a laparoscopic procedure carried out on a pregnant female, is prevented or ameliorated by inclusion in or addition to the carbon dioxide insufflation gas, of a nitric oxide donor, e.g., ethyl nitrite. Administration of nitric oxide donor in insufflation gas causes increase in fetal cerebral oxygenation.
... |
| Electrode interface system | 20080139967 | 20080612 |
| An electrode interface system for providing a connection between at least one electrode and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the electrode(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The electrode interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the electrode(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynometer.
... |
| Blind adaptive filter extraction of fetal electrocardiogram signal estimate | 20080125668 | 20080529 |
| A blind adaptive filter of an apparatus in an example employs a frequency domain ECG-feature vector and a time domain ECG feature vector with a maternal ECG parameter estimate and a set of candidate fetal ECG estimates that satisfy the frequency domain ECG-feature-vector, to extract a fetal ECG signal estimate from raw abdominal ECG signals of a pregnant female. The fetal ECG signal estimate satisfies the frequency domain ECG feature-vector and the time domain ECG feature vector.
... |
| Methods and systems to determine fetal sex and detect fetal abnormalities | 20080108071 | 20080508 |
| Non-invasive methods for determining the sex of a human fetus and predicting other genetic abnormalities are disclosed. The methods include screening a maternal sample for biomarkers known to be associated with risk of genetic abnormalities; removing all or substantially all nucleated and anucleated cell populations from the maternal sample to obtain a remaining material; detecting in the remaining material, the presence of nucleic acid; and determining the sex of the fetus from the nucleic acid wherein the presence of a certain marker is indicative of a male fetus; performing an ultrasound scan which yields quantitative measurements of the fetus; and interpreting the results of the genetic abnormality screening in conjunction with the ultrasound measurements.
... |
| Method of assessing breastfeeding | 20080108882 | 20080508 |
| The invention includes methods of assessing the health of a breastfeeding relationship that include clinical assessment in four categories. A first assessment involves a determination of maternal and infant contentment. A second assessment involves a determination of comfort. A third assessment involves a determination of milk production. A fourth assessment involves a determination assessing infant swallowing.
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| Methods and compositions for the amplification, detection and quantification of nucleic acid from a sample | 20080096766 | 20080424 |
| The invention relates to methods and kits for the amplification, detection and quantification of a nucleic acid from a sample. The methods of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including, but not limited to, the detection and quantification of fetal nucleic acid from maternal plasma, the detection and quantification of circulating nucleic acids from neoplasms (malignant or non-malignant), accurate pooling analysis for low frequency alleles, or any other application requiring sensitive quantitative analysis of nucleic acids.
... |
| Cable monitoring apparatus | 20080081954 | 20080403 |
| A cable monitoring apparatus includes a housing having an input interface adapted to electrically connect to one end of a medical cable and an output interface adapted to electrically connect to an electrical system. Signal processing circuitry is incorporated within the housing for receiving a medical signal from the medical cable via the input interface and for selectively passing the medical signal to the electrical system via the output interface when in a first mode of operation, and has application software for selectively testing functionality of the medical cable when in a second mode of operation. The medical signal may include at least one monitoring signal selected from a group consisting of fetal and maternal medical signals. Preferably, the at least one monitoring signal is generated... |
| Non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits | 20080071076 | 20080320 |
| Blood plasma of pregnant women contains fetal and (generally>90%) maternal circulatory extracellular DNA. Most of said fetal DNA contains .Itoreq.500 base pairs, said maternal DNA having a greater size. Separation of circulatory extracellular DNA of .Itoreq.500 base pairs results in separation of fetal from maternal DNA. A fraction of a blood plasma or serum sample of a pregnant woman containing, due to size separation (e.g. by chromatography, density gradient centrifugation or nanotechnological methods), extracellular DNA substantially comprising .Itoreq.500 base pairs is useful for non-invasive detection of fetal genetic traits (including the fetal RhD gene in pregnancies at risk for HDN; fetal Y chromosome-specific sequences in pregnancies at risk for X chromosome-linked disorders; chromosomal aberrations; hereditary Mendelian genetic disorders and corresponding genetic markers; and traits decisive for... |
| Ream wrap packaging with tear tapes | 20080061120 | 20080313 |
| A packaging for reams of cut paper involving tear tapes made of plastic or paper maternal inserted into the ream wrap. The tear tapes may be pulled to tear off and open one end of the wrapped ream, leaving the remaining packaging intact to serve as a storage and dispenser for partial reams of paper.
... |
| Vaccination of young animals against lawsonia intracellularis infections | 20080063648 | 20080313 |
| The present invention provides a method of vaccinating a young animal against L. intracellularis infection comprising the step of administering to said animal an effective dose of L. intracellularis antigen. It also provides a method of vaccinating an animal, preferably a young animal, having anti-L.intracellularis antibodies or is exposed to anti-L.intracellularis antibodies. In particular, those anti-L.intracellularis antibodies are maternally derived antibodies.
... |
| Procurement, isolation and cryopreservation of maternal placental cells | 20080064098 | 20080313 |
| Methods, processes and systems for procuring, isolating and cryopreserving at least one viable, multipotent maternal placental stem cell is provided. Viable maternal placental stem cells are also provided. The maternal placental stem cell of the invention expresses the cell surface marker CD117 and at least one of the cell surface markers selected from the group consisting of CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD166, SSEA-3 and SSEA-4 and has low or no expression of at least one of the cell surface markers selected from the group consisting of CD34, CD45, CD133, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81. The methods and process comprise generally obtaining a piece of placental tissue from a whole placenta, disaggregating the placental tissue with mechanical separation or enzymatic digestion, collecting and concentrating placental cells comprising maternal... |
| Diagnostic and therapeutic treatments related to mitochondrial disorders | 20080057039 | 20080306 |
| Abstract: The invention is based in part on the discovery that chromosomal disorders such as Down Syndrome can be diagnosed by assessing maternal mitochondrial status. Thus the invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and related products for chromosomal disorders such as Downs Syndrome, for example, for identifying a risk of fetal Downs syndrome and methods of mitigating that risk. The methods also re useful for other therapies where it is desirable to manipulate mitochondria such as tissue generation.
... |
| Diagnosis of fetal abnormalities using polymorphisms including short tandem repeats | 20080050739 | 20080228 |
| The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, i.e. aneuploidy. In addition, the present invention provides methods to determine when there are insufficient fetal cells for a determination and report a non-informative case. The present invention involves quantifying regions of genomic DNA from a mixed sample. More particularly the invention involves quantifying DNA polymorphisms from the mixed sample.
... |
| Prevention of damage in hippocampus of fetus/newborn infant due to maternal gestational hypertension | 20080038288 | 20080214 |
| The present invention provides a method for preventing or ameliorating neural damage in a mammalian fetus or a newborn infant, which is caused by maternal gestational hypertension (GH). The method includes orally administering germination activated sporoderm-broken Ganoderma lucidum spores (“GLSs”) to a pregnant mammal having GH. The neural damage includes a decrease in hippocampal cell proliferation and neuron number. The present invention further provides a method for preventing or ameliorating the increased expression of hippocampal hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1a) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a mammalian embryo caused by maternal GH.
... |
| Diagnosis of fetal abnormalities by comparative genomic hybridization analysis | 20080026390 | 20080131 |
| The present invention provides systems, apparatuses, and methods to detect the presence of fetal cells when mixed with a population of maternal cells in a sample and to test fetal abnormalities, e.g. aneuploidy. The present invention involves performing comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis when fetal cells are present in a mixed population of cells. The present invention involves detecting the presence of fetal cells in a mixed maternal sample by detecting the presence of non-maternal alleles in said sample. Furthermore, the present invention also involves correlating the presence of fetal cells in a mixed sample with CGH analysis results to detect a fetal abnormality or declare a test non-informative.
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| Novel markers for prenatal diagnosis and monitoring | 20070275402 | 20071129 |
| This application provides the use of novel fetal markers for prenatal diagnosis and monitoring of certain pregnancy-related conditions. More specifically, the invention resides in the discovery that certain CpG islands located on fetal chromosome 21 demonstrate a methylation profile that is distinct from that of the corresponding CpG islands located on maternal chromosome 21. This application also provides kits for diagnosing or monitoring of the relevant conditions.
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| Monoclonal antibodies with specificity for fetal erythroid cells | 20070275418 | 20071129 |
| The present invention concerns a monoclonal antibody and corresponding hybridoma cells and antigens suitable for isolating fetal cells from maternal blood. The monoclonal antibody reacts with a surface antigen present on fetal red blood cells including their nucleated precursor cells, but not with surface antigens on adult erythroid cell.
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| Microfluidic device for cell separation and uses thereof | 20070264675 | 20071115 |
| The invention features methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood). The method begins with the introduction of a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size,... |
| Microfluidic device for cell separation and uses thereof | 20070259424 | 20071108 |
| The invention features methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood). The method begins with the introduction of a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size,... |
| Fetal heart monitoring | 20070260154 | 20071108 |
| An apparatus for detecting a fetal heartbeat includes circuitry to convert acoustic energy representative principally of a maternal heartbeat into a first electrical signal and circuitry to convert acoustic energy representative of a maternal heartbeat and a fetal heartbeat into a second electrical signal. The apparatus also includes circuitry to process the first and second electrical to provide an electrical signal principally representative of the fetal heartbeat and circuitry to determine pitch periods of the signal principally representative of the fetal heart beat.
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| Passive phonography heart monitor | 20070260155 | 20071108 |
| A fetal heart monitor device includes a channel to receive a first signal representative of acoustic energy principally from a maternal heartbeat and a second signal representative of acoustic energy including a fetal heart beat. The device includes a computing device including a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor and non-volatile storage operatively coupled to the processor, the non-volatile storage storing a computer program including instructions to cause the processor to process the first and second electrical signals into an electrical signal representative of the acoustic energy emitted by the fetal heart.
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| Enrichment of circulating fetal dna | 20070243549 | 20071018 |
| A non-invasive screening or diagnostic method for determining the likelihood of a fetus with a genetic abnormality or a potential pregnancy complication, which utilizes a liquid blood sample from a pregnant woman. Antibodies specific to a section of histone 3.1 which is exposed to a far greater extent in chromatin of fetal origin than in chromatin of maternal origin are used to sequester and isolate such fetal nucleosomes including the associated fetal DNA. Following isolation/enrichment of such fetal DNA, genetic analysis is carried out using known molecular diagnostics.
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| Microfluidic device for cell separation and uses thereof | 20070231851 | 20071004 |
| The invention features methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood). The method begins with the introduction of a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size,... |
| Trophoblast preservation/pretreatment medium and method | 20070224588 | 20070927 |
| An aqueous preservation medium for the selective preservation of trophoblasts obtained in a sample of cervical mucus which permits transportation of such sample to a laboratory facility for analysis and selectively preserves fetal trophoblasts in said sample while presenting conditions that are antagonistic to many maternal cells.
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| Novel catheter sensor | 20070225584 | 20070927 |
| A fetal monitoring device directed to a maternal bladder insert having at least one sensor on the distal end to detect fetal vital signs and uterine activity, and methods for detecting fetal vital signs and uterine activity using the device. The bladder insert is preferably a catheter with an integrated electrode for detecting fetal heart rate and uterine electromyography. Furthermore, the device transmits this data to a monitoring system for diagnosis and observation.
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| Ferroportin1 nucleic acids and proteins | 20070218055 | 20070920 |
| Positional cloning has been carried out to identify the gene responsible for the hypochromic anemia of the zebrafish mutant weissherbst. The gene, ferroportin1, encodes a novel multiple-transmembrane domain protein, expressed in the yolk sac. Zebrafish ferroportin1 is required for the transport of iron from maternally-derived yolk stores to the circulation, and functions as an iron exporter when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Human and mouse homologs of the ferroportin1 gene have been identified. The invention includes isolated polynucleotides, vectors and host cells comprising nucleotide sequences encoding Ferroportin1 proteins and variants thereof, including those having iron transport function. The invention also includes polypeptides encoded by ferroportin1 genes and variants of such polypeptides, and fusion polypeptides comprising a Ferroportin1 or a portion thereof. Methods to produce a Ferroportin1, methods... |
| Functional and anatomical delivery simulator | 20070218442 | 20070920 |
| A delivery simulator may include a fetal system comprising at least a fetal head. The fetal system may be configured to simulate the behavior of at least one part of a fetus, a maternal system configured to simulate the behavior of at least one part of a mother's body interacting with the fetus, and a device for establishing the position of at least one point of the fetal head. The device may include at least one marker element positioned on the fetal head, and at least one fixed element linked to said marker element and placed at a distance from the fetal head.
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| Fetal surveillance | 20070213627 | 20070913 |
| Fetal behaviour is monitored by receiving ECG data from a set of electrodes attached to a materrial body. A waveform pre-processor identifies a succession of fetal ECG complex waveforms within the received data and a waveform processor determines differences in the processor succession of fetal ECG complex waveforms over time. An event logger determines from the determined differences a number of fetal movements during the period of time. Fetal spatial presentation and/or position within the uterus may also be determined from fetal ECG data acquired from a plurality of electrodes positioned on the maternal abdomen in a predetermined configuration. A number of fetal ECG complex waveforms are identified within the data, and each of the waveforms is compared with a set of predetermined fetal ECG complex... |
| Method for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis | 20070207466 | 20070906 |
| The present invention is directed to methods of detecting nucleic acids in a biological sample. The method is based on a novel combination of a base extension reaction, which provides excellent analytical specificity, and a mass spectrometric analysis, which provides excellent specificity. The method can be used, for example, for diagnostic, prognostic and treatment purposes. The method allows accurate detection of nucleic acids that are present in very small amounts in a biological sample. For example, the method of the present invention is preferably used to detect fetal nucleic acid in a maternal blood sample; circulating tumor-specific nucleic acids in a blood, urine or stool sample; and donor-specific nucleic acids in transplant recipients. In another embodiment, one can detect viral, bacterial, fungal, or other foreign nucleic... |
| Non-invasive fetal genetic screening by digital analysis | 20070202525 | 20070830 |
| The present methods are exemplified by a process in which maternal blood containing fetal DNA is diluted to a nominal value of approximately 0.5 genome equivalent of DNA per reaction sample. Digital PCR is then be used to detect aneuploidy, such as the trisomy that causes Down Syndrome. Since aneuploidies do not present a mutational change in sequence, and are merely a change in the number of chromosomes, it has not been possible to detect them in a fetus without resorting to invasive techniques such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Digital amplification allows the detection of aneuploidy using massively parallel amplification and detection methods, examining, e.g., 10,000 genome equivalents.
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| Devices and methods for enrichment and alteration of cells and other particles | 20070196820 | 20070823 |
| The invention features a device for the deterministic separation of analytes coupled to a reservoir containing a reagent that alters a magnetic propert of the analyte. Exemplary methods include the enrichment of a sample in a desired analyte (e.g., using deterministic separation) or the alteration of a desired analyte in the device. The devices and methods may be advantageously employed to enrich for rare cells, e.g., fetal cells or epithelial cells, present in a sample, e.g., maternal blood.
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| Intrapartum monitor patch | 20070191728 | 20070816 |
| The invention provides an integrated patch for the non-invasive monitoring of a laboring woman. The patch incorporates biopotential electrodes for sensing fetal ECG and EMG indicative of myometrial activity. The patch also incorporates a processor for extracting labor activity and fetal heart activity after filtering out maternal ECG from the composite biopotential signal present on the abdomen of the pregnant woman. The fetal monitor patch is thin, flexible, and incorporates a battery and biopotential amplifier network. In the preferred embodiment, the patch is disposable and worn continuously during labor or later stages of pregnancy. In a hospital embodiment for intrapartum monitoring, the patch wirelessly transmits fetal heart activity and myometrial activity to a bedside monitor or a remote monitoring station.
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| Screen for pre-eclampsia | 20070185200 | 20070809 |
| It has been demonstrated that the level of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) increases in women that subsequently develop pre-eclampsia or whose fetus subsequently develops intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and that ADMA plays a key role in the development of maternal hypertension. Accordingly, the level of ADMA in a pregnant woman can be used to determine whether or not a pregnant woman is at risk of developing pre-eclampsia or whether or not a fetus is at risk of developing IUGR. Furthermore, antagonists of ADMA activity are useful in the inhibition or prevention of pre-eclampsia or inhibition or prevention of IUGR.
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| Birthing simulator | 20070172804 | 20070726 |
| Maternal and fetal birthing simulators are disclosed. The maternal simulator has a rotatable pelvis, legs articulated at the hip and knee joints, and a deformable covering that simulates the feel of the skin and underlying tissues. The maternal birthing simulator may optionally be used with a pressure-based uterine propulsive system. The fetal simulator has an extensible spine, a movable head, movable clavicles, and arms articulated at the shoulder and elbow joints, and may include sensors to measure spinal extension, head rotation, applied traction force, and brachial plexus displacement. Fetal brachial plexus strain simulators and simulation methods are also disclosed.
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| Microfluidic device for cell separation and uses thereof | 20070172903 | 20070726 |
| The invention features methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood). The method begins with the introduction of a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size,... |
| Compositions and methods for preventing infection | 20070173481 | 20070726 |
| This invention relates to cholesterol-sequestering agents and methods of using cholesterol-sequestering agents to prevent infection. The compositions of the invention can be used to reduce or prevent maternal to fetal transmission of a microorganism and/or to reduce or eliminate a microorganism present in a blood sample or a blood product.
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| Proteomic analysis of biological fluids | 20070161125 | 20070712 |
| The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal/fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns a comprehensive proteomic analysis of human amniotic fluid (AF) and cervical vaginal fluid (CVF), and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal/fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, pre-term labor, and/or chromosomal defects. The invention further concerns the identification of biomarkers and groups of biomarkers that can be used for non-invasive diagnosis of various pregnancy-related disorders, and diagnostic assays using such biomarkers.
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| Growth of foreign cells in fetal animals facilitated by conditional and selective destruction of native host cells | 20070134212 | 20070614 |
| Foreign cells can be grown in fetal non-mammalian hosts for the production of transplant organs and tissues, the development of new therapeutic agents, and the production of biological factors and drugs. Tissue-specific injury to fetal host target cells is carried without substantial injury to the maternal host or foreign cells, providing an environment in which the injured tissue can be regenerated with the foreign cells.
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| Identification of fetal dna and fetal cell markers in maternal plasma or serum | 20070134658 | 20070614 |
| The present invention relates to the identification of fetal specific nucleic acids and fetal cell markers in maternal plasma or serum. In particular, the present invention relates to methods which rely on the analysis of polymorphic alleles of a population to determine an allele which is possessed by the fetus but absent from the mother. Fetal specific alleles identified using the methods of the invention can be used to quantify fetal DNA from maternal plasma or serum. In addition, antigens encoded by alleles identified using the methods of the invention can be targeted in methods of isolating or detecting fetal cells.
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| Nucleic acids and methods for producing seeds with a full diploid complement of the maternal genome in the embryo | 20070136895 | 20070614 |
| The present invention relates to DYAD genes, mutants thereof, and use of them for making plants that retain heterozygosity of the female parent plant. The invention also encompasses plants, plant tissues, and seeds of plants that have a dyad phenotype and so retain heterozygosity of the female parent, either constitutively or conditionally. The invention is useful for propagating desired hybrid phenotypes in a manner of an apomictic plant and for increasing the ploidy of a plant genotype, which may result in plants having increased biomass.
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| Interactive education system for teaching patient care | 20070122785 | 20070531 |
| An interactive education system for teaching patient care to a user is described. The system comprises a patient simulator; a virtual instrument for use with the patient simulator in performing patient care activities; means for sensing an interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator, and means for providing feedback to the user regarding the interaction between the virtual instrument and the simulator. In one aspect, the system includes a maternal simulator, a fetal simulator, and a neonatal simulator.
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| Methods and compositions for treating pain | 20070087977 | 20070419 |
| Methods and compositions are described for the modulation of central nervous system and/or fetal effects of substances. Methods and compositions are described for the modulation of efflux transporter activity to increase the efflux of drugs and other compounds out of a physiological compartment and into an external environment. In particular, the methods and compositions disclosed herein provide for the increase of efflux transporter activity at blood-brain, blood-CSF and placental-maternal barriers to increase the efflux of drugs and other compounds from physiological compartments, including central nervous system and fetal compartments.
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| Maternal chelation for embryo, fetal, and infant benefit | 20070077586 | 20070405 |
| This invention teaches the use of chelating agents to diagnose and treat metal toxins in a patient. Chelation agents are given to the mother for the benefit of the baby. Metal toxins such as lead, arsenic, mercury, tin, antimony, aluminum and others are known to cause miscarriages, birth defects, maldevelopment of the organs and tissues and maldevelopment of the brain. Chelation treatments of the mother can prevent these problems in the embryo, fetus and infant. Removal of lead and mercury and other toxins allows improved development of the offspring, both during the chelation and alter the chelation is discontinued. Determining whether a mother who has just delivered a baby has elevated levels of heavy metals can also be used to identify the elevated metals of the... |
| Rationally designed polysaccharide lyases derived from chondroitinase b | 20070065424 | 20070322 |
| The invention relates to rationally designed polysaccharide lyases and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to modified chondroitinase B. The modified chondroitinase B enzymes of the invention are useful for a variety of purposes, including cleaving and sequencing polysaccharides such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as well as removing polysaccharides from a solution. The invention also includes methods of inhibiting anticoagulant activity, inhibiting angiogenesis, treating cancer, and inhibiting maternal malarial infection.
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| Methods for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities | 20070059707 | 20070315 |
| Chromosomal abnormalities are responsible for a significant number of birth defects, including mental retardation. The present invention is related to methods for non-invasive and rapid, prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities based on analysis of a maternal blood sample. The invention exploits the differences in DNA between the mother and fetus, for instance differences in their methylation states, as a means to enrich for fetal DNA in maternal plasma sample. The methods described herein can be used to detect chromosomal DNA deletions and duplications. In a preferred embodiment, the methods are used to diagnose chromosomal aneuploidy and related disorders, such as Down's and Turner's Syndrome.
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| Markers for prenatal diagnosis and monitoring | 20060252068 | 20061109 |
| Methods and kits are provided for diagnosing, monitoring, or predicting preeclaimpsia in a pregnant woman, trisomy 18 and trisomy 21 in a fetus, as well as for detecting pregnancy in a woman, by quantitatively measuring in the maternal blood the amount of one or more RNA species derived from a set of genetic loci and comparing the amount of the RNA species with a standard control.
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| Method for the detection of chromosomal aneuploidies | 20060252071 | 20061109 |
| The non-invasive detection of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies is demonstrated. Alleles of fetal RNA-SNPs present in a biological sample (e.g. maternal blood) containing fetal RNA are detected and quantified in order to determine the ratio of the alleles. This ratio is compared to a standard control consisting of euploid fetuses. Deviation of allele ratio indicates the presence of chromosomal aneuploidy.
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| Method and apparatus for analyzing amniotic fluid | 20060247536 | 20061102 |
| Methods and spectra for monitoring fetal growth and predicting birth weight of an infant prior to birth are provided wherein one or more selected biological markers are measured in a sample of amniotic fluid obtained from a pregnant woman. Levels of the selected biochemical markers and/or spectra correlate with one or more medical conditions, such as fetal growth and birth weight of the infant, and gestational diabetes. A measurement probe for in situ measurement can be used safely and repeatedly. Monitoring and/or treatment of maternal and fetal health is also provided.
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| Method for continuous, non-invasive, non-radiating detection of fetal heart arrhythmia | 20060229518 | 20061012 |
| A method to analyze the fetus's heartbeat signal and detect a specific list of FHR arrhythmias in a non-intrusive, non-invasive and non-emitting way. The method comprises passively sensing a plurality of micro-vibration signals transmitted through the mother's body; and extracting at least one fetal heart arrhythmia parameter from said micro-vibration signals, using maternal characteristics as an added input.
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| Devices and methods for magnetic enrichment of cells and other particles | 20060223178 | 20061005 |
| The invention features devices and methods for the enrichment of cells and other desired analytes by employing a magnetic field, alone or in conjunction with size-based separation. The devices and methods may be advantageously employed to enrich for rare cells, e.g., fetal cells or epithelial cells, present in a sample, e.g., maternal blood.
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| System and method for evaluating, monitoring, diagnosing, and treating hypertension and other medical disorders | 20060212484 | 20060921 |
| A system and method for treating hypertension and other medical disorders is provided. The system utilizes data collection devices for monitoring medical parameters of a plurality of patients and collecting data related to the medical parameters, and a centralized database for storing the collected data for each of the plurality of patients. Input devices are also used for transferring patient information such as name, family history, medications, weight, age, etc. to the database. The database correlates the collected data to the patient information for purposes of treatment and later retrieval by users to carry out research and other activities in which the collected data and patient information is useful. The system and method is particularly adapted for diagnosing and treating maternal hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia... |
| Monitoring electrical muscular activity | 20060189882 | 20060824 |
| A method of monitoring electrical activity non-invasively (such as uterine activity) which includes applying a localised group of electrodes to a patient's skin and monitoring signals thereon. The electrodes are localised sufficiently such that their muscular signal contributions simulate a single source despite source non-stationarity. The signals are amplified, filtered and digitised. They are then digitally filtered and processed by independent component analysis (ICA) to separate a muscular activity source from other sources. The method may be used to monitor maternal uterine activity, fetal activity and maternal and fetal cardiac activity simultaneously with the aid of additional electrodes and associated circuitry.
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| Microfluidic device for cell separation and uses thereof | 20060134599 | 20060622 |
| The invention features methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal method begins with the introduction of a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size, shape, deformability,... |
| Maternal multi-nutrient against diabetes-related birth defects | 20060128714 | 20060615 |
| The present invention provides uses of multi-nutrient supplements to rescue aberrant biochemical pathways and reduce birth defect caused by maternal diabetes. Choice of supplements is based on the ability of each supplement to correct the following hyperglycemia-associated abnormalities: increased reactive oxygen species generation, abnormal membrane phospholipid metabolism, and decreased glutathione synthesis.
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| Method and apparatus for estimating a likelihood of shoulder dystocia | 20060116559 | 20060601 |
| A method and an apparatus for estimating a level of risk of shoulder dystocia with neonatal injury associated to an obstetrics patient are provided. A set of information data elements associated to an obstetrics patient is received including information derived from a maternal weight component, a maternal height component and a fetal weight component. The set of information data elements is processing to derive a ranking data element associated to the obstetrics patient. The ranking data element conveys a level of risk of shoulder dystocia associated to the obstetrics patient. The ranking data element is then released.
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| Methods and compositions for treating pain | 20060111307 | 20060525 |
| Methods and compositions are described for the modulation of central nervous system and/or fetal effects of substances. Methods and compositions are described for the modulation of efflux transporter activity to increase the efflux of drugs and other compounds out of a physiological compartment and into an external environment. In particular, the methods and compositions disclosed herein provide for the increase of efflux transporter activity at blood-brain, blood-CSF and placental-maternal barriers to increase the efflux of drugs and other compounds from physiological compartments, including central nervous system and fetal compartments.
... |
| Methods and compositions for therapeutic treatment | 20060111308 | 20060525 |
| Methods and compositions are described for the modulation of central nervous system and/or fetal effects of substances. Methods and compositions are described for the modulation of efflux transporter activity to increase the efflux of drugs and other compounds out of a physiological compartment and into an external environment. In particular, the methods and compositions disclosed herein provide for the increase of efflux transporter activity at blood-brain, blood-CSF and placental-maternal barriers to increase the efflux of drugs and other compounds from physiological compartments, including central nervous system and fetal compartments.
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| Non-invasive prenatal fetal cell diagnostic method | 20060105353 | 20060518 |
| The present invention provides methods for prenatal diagnosis. The method includes distinguishing fetal cells from maternal cells. The fetal cells may be analyzed to measure, for instance, the presence or absence of genetic markers.
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| Diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy | 20060094039 | 20060504 |
| The invention relates to a method for the early non-invasive diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy. In particular, the invention concerns the diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy by identifying protein expression patterns characteristics of fetal aneuploidy in a maternal biological fluid, such as maternal serum or amniotic fluid.
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| Method and apparatus for computer controlled rare cell, including fetal cell, based diagnosis | 20060078877 | 20060413 |
| A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample,... |
| Method and apparatus for computer controlled cell based diagnosis | 20060072805 | 20060406 |
| A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample,... |
| Birthing simulator | 20060073456 | 20060406 |
| Maternal and fetal birthing simulators are disclosed. The maternal simulator has a rotatable gynecoid pelvis, legs articulated at the hip and knee joints, and a deformable covering that simulates the feel of the skin and underlying tissues. The maternal birthing simulator may optionally be used with a pressure-based uterine propulsive system. The fetal simulator has an extensible spine, a movable head, movable clavicles, and arms articulated at the shoulder and elbow joints, and may include sensors to measure spinal extension, head rotation, applied traction force, and brachial plexus displacement.
... |
