Provided is a tissue staining composition containing carbon particles having a mean particle diameter less than 0.3 μm in diameter (optionally less than 0.2 μm in diameter) together with one or more agents that maintain the carbon particles in suspension (for example, an anti-settling agent and/or surfactant). In certain circumstances, the anti-settling agent may also have mucoadhesive properties. The tissue staining composition is visually dark and does not disperse rapidly when introduced into regions of tissue of interest making it ideal for marking the regions that can be visualized clearly and over prolonged periods of time via, for example, direct visualization, endoscopic or laparoscopic inspection. The invention also provides methods of making and using the tissue staining composition for marking regions of tissue of interest, for example, gastrointestinal tissue, as well as other tissues.

Compositions comprising a fluorescein component and benoxinate component and the corresponding uses of these compositions are described herein. These compositions have improved storage life and the fluorescein component and/or benoxinate component minimally degrade after 12 to 18 months of storage.

The invention provides a labeling composition for an intraocular tissue of a living individual, which specifically labels the intraocular tissue without need of an invasive operation such as exposure of an ocular tissue or injection of a staining agent into the ocular tissue or a nerve tissue linking to the ocular tissue, a method of noninvasively labeling an intraocular tissue of a living individual, and a screening method using the labeling composition for the intraocular tissues. The composition contains a compound capable of labeling at least a photoreceptor cell layer of a retina, wherein the compound is a staining compound having a particular structure as a partial structure thereof.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compounds for the treatment of high-grade superficial bladder cancer in patent in need thereof. Further described are compositions of azolium salts for use in such treatment.

Molecular probes for detecting and imaging pancreatic cancer are disclosed. The probes are modified benzoxanthene fluorophores, which are selectively taken up by pancreatic cancer cells, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Embodiments of the disclosed probes are useful for pancreatic cancer detection, therapeutic monitoring, and/or image-guided surgery.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a nano diagnostic agent capable of selective staining of abnormal inflammatory tissues or tumor tissues. The method for preparing a nano diagnostic agent, according to the present invention, is characterized by comprising: a step of forming a first mixture by mixing polysorbate 80, soybean oil, and a water-insoluble staining material; a step of forming a second mixture by mixing and then heating the first mixture and a triblock copolymer; a step of forming a nano platform solid by cooling the second mixture; a step of forming a third mixture by mixing a solvent with the nano platform solid; a step of removing impurities from the third mixture; and a step of forming a nano-composite by freeze-drying the third mixture from which the impurities are removed. Thereby, the present invention can increase the search efficiency of a disease lesion by being transmitted through micropores of a tumor through direct permeation and absorption so as to precisely distinguish normal tissues from abnormal tissues.

The invention relates generally to the use of dyes to enhance visualization of tissues and boundaries of openings in tissues during cataract surgery.

Materials and methods for forming a bronchial obstruction are provided. A peptide comprising between about 7 amino acids and about 32 amino acids in a solution may be introduced to a target site. A hydrogel barrier may be provided at the target site in order to provide a bronchial obstruction.

A betalain pigment composition from red beet plants including pre-harvest foliar spraying of an ethylene-generating compound and the use of the obtained betalain pigment composition for coloring of an edible product