Life
Science

Granulocytes form the first and fastest line of defense against pathogenic infections. They participate in the inflammatory reaction by phagocytosis, release of cytotoxic compounds and pro-inflammatory cytokines and generation of ROS.

We offer a new IV catheter for the use during emergency and disasters to automatically preserve a pre-infusion bloodsample from every patient. The new catheter system is based on existing IV devices. Its new features include an integrated blood sampling reservoir that is fixed to the IV catheter via a flexible plastic band and remains attached to the patient following self-filling with a small blood volume until admission in the hospital. Upon arrival, the reservoir is labeled with the patient ID, disconnected from the patient and immediately sent to the laboratory for blood group typing.

Bone cements based on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) are mostly used for the anchorage of artificial joints, as bone substitutes at backbone diseases or after tumour surgeries, for the encouragement of implants (e.g. plates, nails) or as placeholder in infected joints. Most bone cements are produced by the combination of a 2-phase-system, containing a powder (PMMA) and a fluid (MMA).

Especially during the insertion of bone cement into fractured vertebral bodies or cleared tumour caves (vertebroplasty) it is necessary to follow the operation process by MR imaging to ensure the right position of the bone cement (“open MRI”). Therefore the researchers developed bone cement with paramagnetic properties to induce a MRT detectable signal. They added sodium chloride solution containing a contrast agent to the MMA and proceeded as done by common bone cement production. In this way they achieved modified bone cement that can induce a MR signal by keeping all conventional properties.

We offer a novel approach for a high uptake of a pharmacologically active agent and an enhanced specificity towards its target. One of the most significant problems in tumor therapy is the incomplete removal of tumors by local treatment, since a complete and lasting tumor remission by chemotherapy or radiation therapy works only for a few tumor entities.