205results about How to "Maintain liquidity" patented technology

Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint is optionally included. Methods for surgically and less invasively implanting the prosthesis and securing the prosthesis to the articular processes or surrounding soft tissue are also provided.

A spinal mobility preservation apparatus and methods are disclosed. The spinal mobility preservation apparatus may include a proximal body, an intermediate body, a distal body, and an expandable membrane. The proximal body and the distal body secure the mobility preservation apparatus to adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one of an intermediate body and an expandable membrane secure the proximal body to the distal body and provide a degree of support to a spinal motion segment defined by the adjacent vertebral bodies. A single proximal body and an expandable membrane may also compose a spinal mobility preservation apparatus. The proximal body secured to one of a superior or an inferior vertebral body and the expandable membrane extending into the intervertebral disc space to support the spinal motion segment.

A device for sensing analyte concentration, and in particular glucose concentration, in vivo or in vitro is disclosed. A sensing element is attached to the distal end of an optical conduit, and comprises at least one binding protein adapted to bind with at least one target analyte. The sensing element further comprises at least one reporter group that undergoes a luminescence change with changing analyte concentrations. Optionally, the optical conduit and sensing element may be housed within a cannulated bevel.

A spinal mobility preservation apparatus and methods are disclosed. The spinal mobility preservation apparatus may include a proximal body, an intermediate body, a distal body, and an expandable membrane. The proximal body and the distal body secure the mobility preservation apparatus to adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one of an intermediate body and an expandable membrane secure the proximal body to the distal body and provide a degree of support to a spinal motion segment defined by the adjacent vertebral bodies. A single proximal body and an expandable membrane may also compose a spinal mobility preservation apparatus. The proximal body secured to one of a superior or an inferior vertebral body and the expandable membrane extending into the intervertebral disc space to support the spinal motion segment.

Described herein are methods of remodeling the base of a ventricle. In particular, methods of remodeling a valve annulus by forming a new fibrous annulus are described. These methods may result in a remodeled annulus that corrects valve leaflet function without substantially inhibiting the mobility of the leaflet. The methods of remodeling the base of the ventricle include the steps of securing a plurality of anchors to the valve annulus beneath one or more leaflets of the valve, constricting the valve annulus by cinching a tether connecting the anchors, and securing the anchors in the cinched conformation to allow the growth of fibrous tissue. The annulus may be cinched (e.g., while visualizing the annulus) so that the mobility of the valve leaflets is not significantly restricted. The remodeled annulus is typically constricted to shorten the diameter of the annulus to correct for valve dysfunction (e.g., regurgitation).

A spinal mobility preservation apparatus and methods are disclosed. The spinal mobility preservation apparatus may include a proximal body, an intermediate body, a distal body, and an expandable membrane. The proximal body and the distal body secure the mobility preservation apparatus to adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one of an intermediate body and an expandable membrane secure the proximal body to the distal body and provide a degree of support to a spinal motion segment defined by the adjacent vertebral bodies. A single proximal body and an expandable membrane may also compose a spinal mobility preservation apparatus. The proximal body secured to one of a superior or an inferior vertebral body and the expandable membrane extending into the intervertebral disc space to support the spinal motion segment.

A spinal mobility preservation apparatus and methods are disclosed. The spinal mobility preservation apparatus may include a proximal body, an intermediate body, a distal body, and an expandable membrane. The proximal body and the distal body secure the mobility preservation apparatus to adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one of an intermediate body and an expandable membrane secure the proximal body to the distal body and provide a degree of support to a spinal motion segment defined by the adjacent vertebral bodies. A single proximal body and an expandable membrane may also compose a spinal mobility preservation apparatus. The proximal body secured to one of a superior or an inferior vertebral body and the expandable membrane extending into the intervertebral disc space to support the spinal motion segment.

The invention consists of disc replacement implant for the lumbar spine designed for insertion into the disc space via a posterior approach. The implant can be stabilized in the disc space by connection to the vertebra or can be connected to dynamic spinal stabilization device consisting of interconnected bullets nested in a spring nested in a woven sleeve. By controlling the limits of elongation and compression the device prevents movement beyond normal physiological limits. In the midrange of movement flexibility is allowed. A method for using the dynamic spinal stabilization device is also provided.

Systems and methods for extracorporeal processing of blood or other body fluid for the treatment of conditions, such as sepsis, autoimmune disease, or toxemia related to kidney failure, liver failure, or drug overdose are provided. In an extracorporeal treatment system, a fraction of a body fluid is passed into a treatment fluid, at least a portion of which is then passed through a sorbent suspension reactor for treatment by a sorbent suspension. The treatment fluid circuit can be maintained at a fixed volume, which enables accurate fluid balance between the patient and the extracorporeal circuit. Some or all of the treatment fluid, optionally also containing nutrients and / or therapeutic agents, is returned to the patient. In a peritoneal dialysis system, dialysate is passed into a patient's peritoneal cavity, recovered from the cavity, passed through a sorbent suspension reactor in accordance with the invention, and returned to the cavity.

A system and method for ameliorating spinal column anomalies, such as scoliosis, while accommodating growth of juvenile patients, which include pedicle screws and an extendable telescopic spinal rod of non-circular cross section. Each pedicle screw includes spinal rod engagement means of complementary shape to the spinal rod for allowing longitudinal movement of the spinal rod, while resisting axial rotation of the pedicle screw relative to the spinal rod. The spinal rod is thereby allowed to slide longitudinally as attached vertebrae move during growth, while movement in other directions is arrested to preserve a proper orientation of involved vertebrae and to maintain scoliotic correction in three dimensions.

Devices and methods for creating lumens in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. An embodiment of the invention can be a tool that can cut a curved lumen through the articular process. The tool can have a lumen-forming arm with a rotating drill contained within that can be powered by a drill motor. The lumen-forming arm can be axially translated to cut a path through the articular process. Methods of using the resulting lumens to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.

Using peer-to-peer networking to exchange consumer information in a secure environment. The seeker of consumer information transmits an encrypted query to authenticated and trusted peers which includes legal representations stating the legally permissible purpose for seeking the information. A peer, acting as a maintainer of consumer information, determines if the query matches any consumer information held by the maintainer. The maintainer then informs the seeker of the results of the match, the type of information available, the data format, and the price for such consumer information. A payment invoice can be generated and electronically presented by maintainer. The payment may be electronically debited from the designated account of seeker and remitted to maintainer. In addition, a portion of such funds may be delivered to an entity which maintains the peer-to-peer software.

A spinal mobility preservation apparatus and methods are disclosed. The spinal mobility preservation apparatus may include a proximal body, an intermediate body, a distal body, and an expandable membrane. The proximal body and the distal body secure the mobility preservation apparatus to adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one of an intermediate body and an expandable membrane secure the proximal body to the distal body and provide a degree of support to a spinal motion segment defined by the adjacent vertebral bodies. A single proximal body and an expandable membrane may also compose a spinal mobility preservation apparatus. The proximal body secured to one of a superior or an inferior vertebral body and the expandable membrane extending into the intervertebral disc space to support the spinal motion segment.

A system and method for ameliorating spinal column anomalies, such as scoliosis, while accommodating growth of juvenile patients, includes pedicle screws and an extendable telescopic spinal rod of non-circular cross section.

A driver tool for a spinal implant having an implant body and an anchoring screw portion, and a nut member screwed onto a head portion of the implant body and having an upper wall formed with a tool engagement groov. The driver tool includes an elongated shaft, and a tubular tool end having substantially the same diameter as that of the nut member. The tubular tool end has an engaging segment engageable with the engagement groove formed on the upper wall of the nut member.

Described herein are methods of remodeling the base of a ventricle. In particular, methods of remodeling a valve annulus by forming a new fibrous annulus are described. These methods may result in a remodeled annulus that corrects valve leaflet function without substantially inhibiting the mobility of the leaflet. The methods of remodeling the base of the ventricle include the steps of securing a plurality of anchors to the valve annulus beneath one or more leaflets of the valve, constricting the valve annulus by cinching a tether connecting the anchors, and securing the anchors in the cinched conformation to allow the growth of fibrous tissue. The annulus may be cinched (e.g., while visualizing the annulus) so that the mobility of the valve leaflets is not significantly restricted. The remodeled annulus is typically constricted to shorten the diameter of the annulus to correct for valve dysfunction (e.g., regurgitation).

A computer program for spine mobility simulation is configured, if running on a computer, to cause the computer to perform the following steps: a) accessing bio-metric data which relate to the spine of a patient, the spine having at least one compromised spine segment; b) displaying a model of the spine of the patient comprising a plurality of vertebrae; c) enabling a user to change the position of at least one of the vertebrae of the spine model; d) computing the effects of the position change on the remaining vertebrae; e) displaying the spine model in a new configuration, thereby taking into account the position changed by the user in step c) and the position changes of the remaining vertebrae computed in step d).

High loft, low density nonwoven webs are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of A / B side by side morphology in an unheated fiber draw unit. The fibers are then heated and cooled in the absence of impeding forces to achieve maximum crimp in the z-direction and produce a web of lofted material. The resultant material is particularly suitable for use as an insulator. Particulates may be added to the webs if desired.

A cell reselection method by a user equipment (UE) receiving an MBMS service in a serving cell of a mobile communication system. The UE receives control data of the serving cell, including configuration information necessary for accessing MBMS control channels (MCCHs) of neighbor cells and control information necessary for accessing an MBMS data transport channel (MTCH) of the serving cell, over an MCCH of the serving cell, and stores the received control data, while the MBMS service is provided in the serving cell. If cell reselection to a target cell, which is one of the neighbor cells is determined, the UE moves to the target cell by utilizing configuration information stored for the target cell.

A vehicle with protection against the effects of an exploding land mine is provided, in which a military wheeled vehicle is provided with wheel axels and drives built into front and / or rear building blocks. The vehicle is divided into multiple building blocks, although a three block construction is desirable (i.e., a front building block, a rear building block, and a main building block). A residual mobility of a remaining portion of the vehicle is preserved, even though one of the front building block or the rear building block is separated from the main building block due to the explosive shock wave generated by driving over and detonating a land mine, because each of the front building block and the rear building block has a drive for rotating the wheel axel connected to the block.

A system and method for ameliorating spinal column anomalies, such as scoliosis, while accommodating growth of juvenile patients, includes pedicle screws and a spinal rod of non-circular cross section. Each pedicle screw includes spinal rod engagement mean for achieving a slide-only engagement between each segment of said spinal rod that is respectively engaged with the pedicle screw. Pedicle screws are thereby allowed to slide longitudinally along the spinal rod as attached vertebrae move during growth, while movement in other directions is arrested in order to preserve a proper orientation of involved vertebrae to maintain scoliotic correction in three dimensions.

The present invention provides wood adhesive binder compositions comprising a naturally occurring protein component, e.g. soy flour, and an oxazoline-functional group containing polymer or resin component, the two components in a solids weight ratio of from 60:40 to 98:2. As formulated, the compositions may comprise from 40 to 98 wt. % of the naturally occurring protein component, preferably, 50 wt. % or more. Preferably, the wood adhesive binder further comprises lignins or lignosulfonate. Where the wood adhesive binder compositions comprise lignins or lignosulfonates, they remain more fluid and workable at a higher pH such as, for example, 4.5 or more. Any of the compositions may be formulated with one or more in situ acid generator compound to insure more rapid cure on heating or pressing. The binder enables the provision of mechanically sound, low cost and biodegradable composites, such as, medium density fiberboard (MDF).

The present ergonomic computer chair relates to chairs for special purposes, and more particularly, to computer operator's chair which is ergonomically designed to prevention of orthopedic and cardiovascular diseases and creation of psychophysical comfort, especially as regards reduction of fatigability during long-lasting work with computer. The ergonomic computer chair includes a seat with a backrest and a pedestal with a support frame made in the circular arc form, a support ring installed on the support frame wherein said support ring can rotate around its axis. The backrest is made of a rigid part and an elastic part separated from one other by at least three elastic bladders connected to a compressor by air tubes having electric valves. The rigid part of the backrest is hinged to the seat, and the seat is hinged to a seat inclination drive and to a footrest. A mounting of the computer monitor and keyboard is made by means of a movable sector which is made as a arched pipe with centering bearings. The chair has electric drives to move the support ring along the support frame of the pedestal, to move the movable sector along the support ring, to move the monitor longitudinally and to control monitor's inclination. This makes it possible to change the user's body position within the space against the Earth's gravitational field vector during the entire time of the work with computer. The use of the proposed device reduces the probability of orthopedic diseases occurrence, creates comfort and increases efficiency of the computer user.

The invention relates to an endoprosthesis for replacement of a joint, 2 slide surfaces having different contours and correspondingly determining movement planes for in each case 1 bearing being formed by an intermediate part 2. Provision is made according to the invention for a clamping bracket to enclose the slide surfaces of the intermediate part and to be arranged thereon such that it is arranged free from the movement planes defined by the slide surfaces having different contours. It is thus also possible to strengthen endopreostheses which have complex biomechanics having a plurality of degrees of freedom.