This invention relates to compounds useful for treating fungal infections, more specifically topical treatment of onychomycosis and/or cutaneous fungal infections. This invention is directed to compounds that are active against fungi and have properties that allow the compound, when placed in contact with a patient, to reach the particular part of the skin, nail, hair, claw or hoof infected by the fungus. In particular the present compounds have physiochemical properties that facilitate penetration of the nail plate.

Systems for laser assisted delivery of therapeutic agents include an ultraviolet laser configured to produce a laser beam at a wavelength appropriate for tissue ablation; a lens configured to focus and direct the laser beam to a site, such that an opening is produced in a surface of the site's tissue; a nozzle having an aperture that emits the laser beam and that controls delivery of one or more agents to the site; and an imaging device configured to monitor a depth of penetration of the one or more agents into the site's tissue.

There is described a bone graft substitute which combines substantially the high mechanical stability of spherical porous granules without the limitation of reduced intergranular space. The structure inside the granules has a high porosity whilst maintaining high stability, so that the granules can be pushed into a defect without risking significant breakage of the granules and, at the same time, the bone cells can grow into the space between the granules. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the surface of the granules comprises indentations, when viewed from the exterior of the granules. An indentation increases the porosity within the implanted mass significantly and thus provides more space between the granules for tissue ingrowth. Due to the indentations on the granules, the granules have an irregular shape and thus an increase in the intergranular space is achieved, while mechanical stability is maintained.

Methods and systems for laser assisted delivery of therapeutic agents include preparing a site with an ultraviolet laser beam, at a wavelength appropriate for tissue ablation, such that an opening is produced in a surface of the site's tissue; and applying one or more agents to the prepared site, such that the agents penetrate the tissue through the opening to a predetermined depth.

Implantable pressure-actuated systems to deliver a drug and/or other substance in response to a pressure difference between a system cavity and an exterior environment, and methods of fabrication and use. A pressure-rupturable membrane diaphragm may be tuned to rupture at a desired rupture threshold, rupture site, with a desired rupture pattern, and/or within a desired rupture time. Tuning may include material selection, thickness control, surface patterning, substrate support patterning. The cavity may be pressurized above or evacuated below the rupture threshold, and a diaphragm-protective layer may be provided to prevent premature rupture in an ambient environment and to dissipate within an implant environment. A drug delivery system may be implemented within a stent to release a substance upon a decrease in blood pressure. The cavity may include a thrombolytic drug to or other substance to treat a blood clot.

Methods for treating a hypertensive human patient are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with one embodiment comprises delivering a neuromodulatory agent to a renal nerve of the patient via an intravascularly positioned drug delivery catheter. The method includes at least partially blocking neural activity along the renal nerve with the neuromodulatory agent, which results in a therapeutically beneficial reduction in blood pressure of the patient.

The invention is directed to a method for preventing nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in a patient receiving high dose radioactive iodine for treatment of cancer. The method includes administering an effective amount of perchlorate anion to the eyes of the patient.

Methods of inhibiting the growth of cells or inducing cell death by contacting the cells with or introducing into the cells a composition including a 5 triphosphate, 2 fluoro-modified pyrimidine non-linear single stranded RNA at least 17 nucleotides long with a least 3 base pairings or a 5 triphosphate, 2 fluoro-modified double stranded RNA at least 17 base pairs long in an amount effective to inhibit cell growth, induce cell death or induce cytokine production by the cells. The methods also include administration of the compositions to a subject. The subject may have a proliferative disorder or infectious disease and administration of the compositions provided herein may treat the disorder or disease.

The invention is directed to a method for preventing nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in a patient receiving high dose radioactive iodine for treatment of cancer. The method includes administering an effective amount of perchlorate anion to the eyes of the patient.

A method for laser assisted delivery of therapeutic agents includes selectively controlling a valve connected to a first channel disposed within a first sidewall of a nozzle, applying, through the first channel, a first substance to penetrate dermis to a predetermined depth, and administering, through a second channel unconnected with the valve and disposed within a second sidewall of the nozzle, a second substance to remove debris.