Abstract: Information concerning criminal and/or civil litigation pending in a plurality of courts of law is disseminated by periodically reviewing records in a plurality of courts of law. The courts of law may be in a plurality of states and may be federal and/or state courts. Data obtained from the records in each of the plurality of courts is transmitted to a database. The database is accessed with terminals which communicate with the database by a network, such as the Internet. Data relating to the criminal and/or civil lawsuits is transmitted from the database to the terminals which access the database. The data relating to the lawsuits may include data indicating the identity of plaintiffs and defendants, data indicating the identity of the attorney or attorneys filing the lawsuits, data indicating the cause of action of the lawsuits, and/or data indicative of the disposition of the lawsuits.

Abstract: A method of tissue grafting. Tissue elements are obtained from at least one human body and are enclosed within a retaining structure. The tissue elements with the retaining structure are shaped to form a grafting material having a predetermined configuration. The grafting material is then implanted into a patient.

Abstract: A tissue removal method utilizes a tool having a shaft with a flexible inner member rotatable about the shaft and an outer member extending along the inner member. The inner and outer members are bent to a desired configuration and the inner member rotates relative to the outer member while maintaining the shaft in the desired configuration under the influence of the rigidity of the outer member during rotation of the inner member. A patient's body tissue is cut with a cutting element connected with the inner member during rotation and the body tissue cut from the patient is moved along a passage within the shaft while the shaft is maintained in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling through an environmental media such as air experiences drag. The drag is actively modulated by energy beams which may either increase or decrease the drag. The energy beams may be ultrasonic and provide acoustic energy at a transition region between turbulent and laminar flows or at the leading edge of a laminar flow in order to facilitate the respective increase or decrease in drag. The ultrasonic beams may be placed at various locations of an aircraft in order to provide some flight control. The ultrasonic beams may be placed on an automobile to facilitate desired operating modes of the vehicle. The ultrasonic beams may be a further component of a parametric array for communicating audio signals ahead and behind the vehicle in addition to drag modulation.

Abstract: A tracheal tube positioning apparatus is located relative to a patient's trachea by engaging the patient's Adam's apple. Indicia on relatively movable sections of the positioning apparatus provides an indication of the distance between the patient's mouth and the patient's larynx. A flexible guide rod is moved through a distance corresponding to the distance between the patient's mouth and larynx, as determined by the positioning apparatus. A magnet is utilized to attract a leading end portion of the guide rod. A plurality of emitters may be disposed in an array around the patient's Adam's apple. Outputs from the emitters are detected by a detector connected with the guide rod and by a detector connected with the tracheal tube. Alternatively, a plurality of detectors may be disposed in an array around the patient's Adam's apple to detect the output from an emitter connected with the guide rod and by an emitter connected with the tracheal tube.

Abstract: Cannulas for surgical and medical use expand along their entire lengths. The cannulas are inserted through tissue when in an unexpanded condition and with a small diameter. The cannulas are then expanded radially outwardly to give a full-size instrument passage. Expansion of the cannulas occurs against the viscoelastic resistance of the surrounding tissue. The expandable cannulas do not require a full depth incision, or at most require only a needle-size entrance opening. In one embodiment of the invention, the cannula has a pointed end portion. In this embodiment of the invention, the cannula includes wires having cores which are enclosed by jackets. The jackets are integrally formed as one piece with a sheath of the cannula. The cannula may be expanded by inserting members or by fluid pressure. The cannula is advantageously utilized to expand a vessel, such as a blood vessel. An expandable chamber may be provided at the distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling through an environmental media such as air experiences drag. The drag is actively modulated by energy beams which may either increase or decrease the drag. The energy beams may provide either a chemical, acoustic or electromagnetic energy at a transition region between turbulent and laminar flows or at the leading edge of a laminar flow or in the direction of a crosswind in order to facilitate the respective increase or decrease in drag. If the vehicle is a sailing ship, areas of the sails are selectively roughened or widened to enhance the thrust derived from the wind. Furthermore, the keel or hull of the sailing ship may be modified to improve the hydrodynamic characteristics of the sailing ship. If the vehicle is an automobile, the tires or road surface may be selectively heated to improve the traction of the automobile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a tissue implant that includes applying force to the tissue to form the implant which has a predetermined shape. The applied force against the tissue is monitored or controlled during the shaping of the tissue.

Abstract: A method of using a neck brace to move a neck of a person or stabilize the neck includes connecting a vest of the neck brace to a torso of a person. A support member of the neck brace is connected to the vest. A chin support of the neck brace is connected to a chin of the person. Force is applied between the support member and the chin support to move the chin support relative to the support member. A cam member of the neck brace guides movement of the chin support relative to the support member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of utilizing body tissue by forming an implant that includes body tissue positioned in a cage. The cage is formed of material which expands when exposed to body fluid and the cage is positioned in a patient's body at a location where the cage is exposed to such body fluid so that the cage expands in the patients' body as the cage absorbs body fluid. The cage can be provided with openings extending substantially from a first end to a second end to allow tissue ingrowth. The body tissue can be heated or cooled and then shaped prior to placement in the cage. Also, the cage material can be biodegradable.

Abstract: A percutaneous tissue removal apparatus having a flexible drill shaft, a cutting tip mounted on the shaft a power source for transmitting motion to the shaft to move the cutting tip against tissue and a suction source for removing tissue fragments along the shaft to a location outside the tissue mass while cutting. The apparatus may include a container for collecting one or more selected components of the harvested tissue fragments for implantation of the fragments preferably into the body of the patient from whom they were removed. Where the tissue to be cut is bone, a cutting tip is preferably made of a polymeric material which is softer than the cortical portion of the bone, although the cutting tip may be made of a ceramic or a composite material. A second flexible shaft may be provided either within or about the flexible drill shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument and method for passing a medical implement through tissue with magnetic forces. The implement can be an implant, either permanent or temporary, and is provided with a magnetic component. A magnetic field is established and the magnetic component and/or magnetic field is manipulated to drive the implant through tissue. Alternatively, the instrument itself is the implement and includes at least one magnetic element so that a magnetic field established by an external magnetic generator drives the instrument through tissue. In another embodiment, the instrument includes two magnetic elements that are moveable with respect to one another and interaction between the magnetic elements drives the instrument through the tissue. Examples of applications of the present invention include a suture passer and a tissue anchor.

Abstract: An improved method of performing surgery on a joint in a patient's body, such as a knee, includes making an incision in a knee portion of one leg while a lower portion of the one leg is extending downward from an upper portion of the one leg and while a foot connected with the lower portion of the one leg is below a support surface on which the patient is disposed. The incision is relatively short, for example, between seven and thirteen centimeters. A patella may be offset from its normal position with an inner side of the patella facing inward during cutting of a bone with a cutting tool. During cutting of the bone, one or more guide members having opposite ends which are spaced apart by a distance less than the width of an implant may be utilized to guide movement of a cutting tool.

Abstract: A method of using body tissue includes removing tissue from a donor site and separating at least one component from the tissue while maintaining the tissue cells in a viable condition. The viable tissue cells are then implanted in a patient. The tissue cells may be positioned on a structural support before implantation in a patient. The method may also include harvesting cancellous bone and extruding the cancellous bone cells while maintaining the cells in a viable condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in medical imaging simulate within an imaging coil normal movements of body parts such as joints, and improve imaging of soft tissue and bony parts as compared to a static system in which images are taken of a joint in only one position. A joint or body parts is moved into various positions in multiple planes within its range of motion while a series of images are taken of the joint in the different positions. The images are collated into a cine format to effectively show the joint in motion. A surface or volume coil may be coupled for movement with the joint or body part and maintained in the proper spatial relationship with the primary coil's electromagnetic field. The systems may be provided as mechanisms usable with existing imaging tables to reduce cost, or may be built into a new imaging table. It is possible to use a larger primary coil, allowing increased range of movement. Traction may be applied to a joint being imaged, in order to load the joint.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in medical imaging simulate within an imaging coil normal movements of body parts such as joints, and improve imaging of soft tissue and bony parts as compared to a static system in which images are taken of a joint in only one position. A joint or body parts is moved into various positions in multiple planes within its range of motion while a series of images are taken of the joint in the different positions. The images are collated into a cine format to effectively show the joint in motion. A surface or volume coil may be coupled for movement with the joint or body part and maintained in the proper spatial relationship with the primary coil's electromagnetic field. The systems may be provided as mechanisms usable with existing imaging tables to reduce cost, or may be built into a new imaging table. It is possible to use a larger primary coil, allowing increased range of movement. Traction may be applied to a joint being imaged, in order to load the joint.

Abstract: A method to simulate within an imaging coil normal movements of body parts such as joints, and improve imaging of soft tissue and bony parts as compared to a static system in which images are taken of a joint in only one position. A joint or body parts is moved into various positions in multiple planes within its range of motion while a series of images are taken of the joint in the different positions. The images are collated into a cine format to effectively show the joint in motion. A surface or volume coil may be coupled for movement with the joint or body part and maintained in the proper spatial relationship with the primary coil's electromagnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of repairing tissue. In one embodiment, one portion of an implant, which is at least partially formed of a biodegradable material, is connected to another portion of the implant by applying heat to the implant. The implant is positioned relative to a patient's body tissue. In another embodiment, graft tissue is enclosed with a biodegradable enclosure having a number of openings. The graft tissue is positioned in the patient's body at a location that enables body tissue to grow through the openings in the enclosure.

Abstract: An anchor connected with a suture is moved through a passage between opposite sides of a bone. The anchor is then pivoted to change its orientation. A second anchor is connected with the suture. While tension is maintained in the suture, the suture is secured against movement relative to the anchors. This may be done by tying the suture or by using a suture retainer to hold the suture. A suture retainer may be used in place of the second anchor. The passage may extend across a fracture in the bone. The passage may have either a nonlinear or linear configuration. A tubular member may be positioned in the passage with the tubular member extending into portions of the passage on opposite sides of the fracture. Opposite end portions of the tubular member may be disposed in a compact outer layer of the bone. If desired, a member other than a suture may be used as a force transmitting member between the two anchors. The tubular member may be formed of bone.

Abstract: A method of using body tissue is disclosed. Pieces of body tissue are obtained, they are shaped to form an article having a desired configuration, and the article is implanted into a patient's body.