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A method to precisely control the amount of pressure applied by the fluid flow from the lithotripsy device with a stopcock. Background:
In percutaneous nephrolithotomy, the urologist inserts a needle into the kidney, dilating a tract into which a sheath is inserted. Fluid irrigation and lithotripsy are then used to break up and retrieve kidney stones into a vial, via the sheath.The devices used for this purpose have channels through which suction is applied from an external source to remove the stones; however, they do not have a method for modulating that suction. Instead, someone in the OR has to clamp or bend the suction tubing in order to slow or release the flow.

This is awkward, imprecise and frustrating; too much suction can lead to loss of visualization and air bubbles inside the body; too little suction can also reduce visualization due to the buildup of particles and/or stone fragments in the tubing. These particles and/or fragments sometimes stick to the inside of the suction tubing; they are difficult to remove and this gums up the works, limiting the effectiveness of the suction device.Technology Overview:  
A SUNY Upstate Medical University team has created a method for reducing pressure buildup in the pelvis during endoscopic procedures. First, the researchers determined the optimal shape of a ureteroscope for reducing intrapelvic pressure. Next, they found that by offsetting the endoscope to the side of the access sheath, which contains the endoscope, they could substantially improve fluid outflow and reduce pressure. Finally, the team determined that this displacement could be achieved by adding small, radially emanating projections within the working channel of the scope. They concluded that any endoscope or catheter could be adapted with these projections and that the methods could also be used with bronchoscopes to reduce the disruption in air flow.  https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_4398441972.jpegAdvantages:

• Makes endoscopy safer for patients.
• Reduces pressure that can cause infection, injury, and pain.
• Modifications can be used to adapt any endoscope or catheter

• Reduces pressure buildup during endoscopic procedures.

• Patent application submitted
• Provisional patent

An easy-to-use, minimally-invasive treatment that improves the efficacy of endoscopic treatments by preventing/reducing scar formation.  
Background:
Urethral strictures cause around 1,000,000 emergency room visits in the US and nearly as many visits to urologist clinics. Treatments include urethral dilations (mechanical stretching) and endoscopic incision of the scar, followed by a temporary (up to seven days) catheter placement. These treatments are considered minimally-invasive, but have a poor success rate (under 40%) due to scar recurrence or progression in response to mechanical injury by the treatment itself. In addition, some centers offer open reconstructive techniques called urethroplasties. These use local flaps, distant grafts, and/or complete resection of the affected scar tissue. These treatments are more effective (up to 90%). However, they are significantly more invasive, require specialized surgical training to perform, and catheter stays of up to 28 days to avoid breaking the suture lines of the repair.
Technology Overview:  
The subject technology is a therapeutic lighted catheter (red and near-infrared) for treatment and prevention of urethral strictures and bladder neck contractures. This offers the minimal-invasiveness of endoscopic, eliminates the need for special training (any urologist can dilate and place the catheter), reduces the time of in-dwelling urethral catheter, and increases the effectiveness of the endoscopic treatment by preventing/reducing scar formation. Preliminary animal experiments with this technology has confirmed the efficacy of this treatment with promising initial results, including in terms of radiographic and endoscopic improvement and resolution of strictures. 
https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_285163387_(1).jpeg
Advantages:  •    Minimally-invasive.
•    Eliminates the need for special training.
•    Reduces the time the catheter must remain in place.
•    Prevents/reduces scar formation.
Applications:  
The primary application for this technology is treatment and prevention of urethral stricture disease, bladder neck stenosis, and anastomotic contractures. 
Intellectual Property Summary:
US Patent application filed on 1/10/23. Application Serial # 18/095,121.
Stage of Development: TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept
Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing.
Licensing Potential:
This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in the treatment of urethral strictures and related diseases, including:
•    Manufacturers of medical devices.
•    Hospitals.
•    Universities.
•    Medical research laboratories.
  

Prostate cancer diagnostic software that provides expert-level lesion detection, localization, automated segmentation, and automated report generation in less than 45 seconds. Background:
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. American Urologic Association guidelines state that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate can improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer but should only be utilized at centers of excellence due to poor performance at non-expert centers. Even in centers of excellence where prostate imaging may improve outcomes for patients in aggregate, there is substantial disagreement among radiologists regarding the detection and grading of lesions suspicious for prostate cancer. Furthermore, prostate MRI interpretation can be very time-intensive, taking up to 45 minutes when performing segmentation tasks needed for some software. Technology Overview:  
This technology is a novel diagnostic platform and AI-based system capable of analyzing multiparametric MRI scans to rapidly and autonomously detect lesions that are suspicious for clinically significant prostate cancer. By enabling a high-precision prostate cancer diagnostic solution that can be easily adopted by non-expert centers, the NGH system would significantly improve cancer diagnosis and detection of clinically significant prostate cancers (those with higher chance for metastases) and subsequent management.  Photo or diagram of the invention.
  Advantages:  
•    High precision.
•    Fast results – less than 45 seconds.
•    Expands access to diagnostic services.
 Applications:  
The primary application for this technology is the detection of prostate cancer. Intellectual Property Summary:
Patent Pending
US Patent Application #:18/562,027 Stage of Development: TRL 5Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing.
 

Provides easily accessible and relatively abundant sources of human β- or γ-actin.  Background:
Actin is a highly conserved protein that polymerizes to produce filaments that form cross-linked networks in the cytoplasm of cells. In vertebrates, three main groups of actin isoforms (alpha, beta and gamma) have been identified. Alpha actins are found in muscle tissues. Beta and gamma actins coexist in most cell types as components of the cytoskeleton and as mediators of internal cell motility. Biochemical studies of human actin and its binding partners rely heavily on abundant and easily purified α-actin from skeletal muscle. Therefore, muscle actin has been used to evaluate and determine the activities of most actin regulatory proteins. In addition, there is underlying concern these proteins perform differently with actin present in non-muscle cells.Technology Overview:  
This technology provides easily accessible and relatively abundant sources of human β- or γ-actin (in other words, cytoplasmic actins). The technology consists of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that express β- and γ- actins as their sole source of actin. Both β- or γ-actin purified in this system polymerize and interact with various binding partners, including profilin, cofilin, mDia1 (formin), fascin, and thymosin-β4 (Tβ4). Notably, Tβ4 binds to β- or γ-actin with higher affinity than to muscle α-actin, emphasizing the value of testing actin ligands with specific actin isoforms. These reagents will make specific isoforms of actin more accessible for future studies of actin regulation. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_588658728.jpegAdvantages:  
•    High yield.
•    No special growth requirements.
•    Requires only conventional purification reagents and protocols.
•    No additional post-purification processing.
•    No concern over removal of contaminating “host” actin. Applications:  
The primary application for this technology is to evaluate and determine the activities of actin regulatory proteins.  Intellectual Property Summary:
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/399,088 filed 8/18/22Stage of Development:
TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing Licensing Potential:
This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in biochemical studies of human actin and its binding partners, including:
•    Pharmaceutical companies.
•    Medical research laboratories.
•    Universities and other educational facilities.