Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical device (100) for inducing cell death in cancer cells. The device comprises a signal generator (102) arranged to generate a pulsed electrical signal, and a transmitter (116) arranged to receive the pulsed electrical signal and generate, in response to the electrical signal, an electric field in a treatment volume. The device (100) is arranged such that the pulsed electrical signal received by the transmitter (116) has a pulse width of 0.1 microsecond to 1 millisecond, and a signal frequency of 10 Megahertz to 20 Gigahertz. The present disclosure also provides a method of inducing cell death. The method comprising a step of generating, using a transmitter (116), a pulsed time varying electric field in a treatment volume comprising a volume of cells to be treated. The electric field has a pulse width of 0.1 microsecond to 1 millisecond, and a signal frequency of 10 Megahertz to 20 Gigahertz.

Abstract: A surgical drill guide for positioning, aligning, and of holes to be drilled in bone tissue has retaining means that holds the position and alignment of the drill guide body in a releasable manner with respect to a fastener hole in an orthopedic implant. The retaining means is a key guide that mates with a key way or key ways in or around a threaded locking hole of an orthopedic plate for alignment of a pilot hole and method of using the guide. The key guide has 2 to 8 projections that extend in the direction of the axis of the hole, such as hemi cylindrical projections, and the plate has a corresponding female key way that receives the retaining means. The invention also relates to a method of aligning a locking fastener in a plate at a desired angle relative to a bone by using a surgical guide having a key interface with the plate to position and align a pilot hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of the recombinant antigen of the viral capsid of Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) and modifications thereof, upon expression in a prokaryotic system, purification in the monomer form, recovery of virus-like particles (VLPs) and their use in vaccine formulations, diagnostic kits and a system for quantifying in vaccine lots of the PCV-2 antigen by means of a capture ELISA assay. The antigens and vaccine formulations can be used in animal's immunization in programs for combatting PCV-2-associated diseases in conventional swine breeding systems, and represent alternatives to the commercially available vaccines. The ELISA kit can be used for testing the quality of commercial and/or experimental vaccines against PCV-2.

Abstract: An orthopedic plate system comprises a plurality of fasteners such as pegs or screws and a plate having two sets of holes for the fasteners. The first set of at least one hole includes internal threads that receive a fastener having a head which includes external threads that mate with the internal threads of the hole to lock the fastener at a fixed angle relative to the plate. The second set of at least one hole is devoid of internal threads and has a concavely rounded internal surface and which receives a convexly rounded external surface of a locking insert, which receives a variable axis fastener. The variable axis fastener causes the locking insert to expand to lock the variable axis fastener at a selected angle relative to the plate.

Abstract: A surgical drill guide for positioning, aligning, and of holes to be drilled in bone tissue has retaining means that holds the position and alignment of the drill guide body in a releasable manner with respect to a fastener hole in an orthopedic implant. The retaining means is a key guide that mates with a key way or key ways in or around a threaded locking hole of an orthopedic plate for alignment of a pilot hole and method of using the guide. The key guide has 2 to 8 projections that extend in the direction of the axis of the hole, such as hemi cylindrical projections, and the plate has a corresponding female key way that receives the retaining means. The invention also relates to a method of aligning a locking fastener in a plate at a desired angle relative to a bone by using a surgical guide having a key interface with the plate to position and align a pilot hole.

Abstract: The present continuation-in-part of the Application BR 7 10 2013 001893 refers to the obtainment of the viral capsid recombinant antigen of the Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) and modifications thereof, upon expression in prokaryotic system, recovery of virus-like particles (VLPs) and its use in vaccine formulations. The antigens and vaccine formulations can be used in the immunization of animals in control programs of the diseases associated with PCV-2 in conventional swine production systems and represent alternatives to vaccines available on the market.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of the recombinant antigen of the viral capsid of Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) and modifications thereof, upon expression in a prokaryotic system, purification in the monomer form, recovery of virus-like particles (VLPs) and their use in vaccine formulations, diagnostic kits and a system for quantifying in vaccine lots of the PCV-2 antigen by means of a capture ELISA assay. The antigens and vaccine formulations can be used in animal's immunization in programs for combatting PCV-2-associated diseases in conventional swine breeding systems, and represent alternatives to the commercially available vaccines. The ELISA kit can be used for testing the quality of commercial and/or experimental vaccines against PCV-2.

Abstract: A method for brazing parts having complex profiles, while enabling reproducible implementation conditions to be defined. The method adjusts a heat cycle during brazing by controlling and mapping heat, while taking emissivity coefficient of the material to be brazed into account. Further, a brazing station includes a power generator configured to supply a predetermined voltage to a transformer connected to a circuit forming a shape inductor, the circuit having an overall shape of the parts to be brazed. A pressure mechanism exerts a load on the parts to be brazed. A camera establishes a heat map. A laser-sighted infrared pyrometer measures the brazing temperature by radiation after parameterizing an emissivity coefficient, other parameters being fixed. A controller supplies a set power to the generator on the basis of the measured temperature.

Abstract: An orthopedic plate has a portion with a curved bottom surface that is designed to extend longitudinally along the bone and change the inferior curve as it advances proximally along the bone from a shallower to a sharper radius and further spirals downward as the plate advances. The plate includes a set of tabs, offset from the longitudinal axis of the plate to provide for better pullout values. The ears may be located at the terminal portion of the plate or somewhat more intermediate to the terminus of the plate, depending on the intended application. A point in the center of the central screw hole can be used to define the origin of the plate, and the angles of the screw and/or pegs holes can be referenced with Z, Y, and Z coordinates relative to this central hole.

Abstract: An orthopedic plate has a portion with a curved bottom surface that is designed to extend longitudinally along the bone and change the inferior curve as it advances proximally along the bone from a shallower to a sharper radius and further spirals downward as the plate advances. The plate includes a set of tabs, offset from the longitudinal axis of the plate to provide for better pullout values. The ears may be located at the terminal portion of the plate or somewhat more intermediate to the terminus of the plate, depending on the intended application. A point in the center of the central screw hole can be used to define the origin of the plate, and the angles of the screw and/or pegs holes can be referenced with Z, Y, and Z coordinates relative to this central hole.

Abstract: An orthopedic plate has a portion with a curved bottom surface that is designed to extend longitudinally along the bone and change the inferior curve as it advances proximally along the bone from a shallower to a sharper radius and further spirals downward as the plate advances. The plate includes a set of tabs, offset from the longitudinal axis of the plate to provide for better pullout values. The ears may be located at the terminal portion of the plate or somewhat more intermediate to the terminus of the plate, depending on the intended application. A point in the center of the central screw hole can be used to define the origin of the plate, and the angles of the screw and/or pegs holes can be referenced with Z, Y, and Z coordinates relative to this central hole.

Abstract: A method for brazing parts having complex profiles, while enabling reproducible implementation conditions to be defined. The method adjusts a heat cycle during brazing by controlling and mapping heat, while taking emissivity coefficient of the material to be brazed into account. Further, a brazing station includes a power generator configured to supply a predetermined voltage to a transformer connected to a circuit forming a shape inductor, the circuit having an overall shape of the parts to be brazed. A pressure mechanism exerts a load on the parts to be brazed. A camera establishes a heat map. A laser-sighted infrared pyrometer measures the brazing temperature by radiation after parameterizing an emissivity coefficient, other parameters being fixed. A controller supplies a set power to the generator on the basis of the measured temperature.

Abstract: A cannulated compression screw is used as an orthopedic implant and has a threaded distal end with an insertion tip that includes at least one and preferably two, three or four flutes to allow the screw to be self-tapping. Optionally, the screw also includes one or more reverse cutting flutes proximal to the insertion tip. The distal threads are cancellous threads having a generally constant minor diameter and a generally constant major diameter and a generally constant thread pitch. An intermediate portion of the screw is non-threaded and the proximal end includes a compression wedge or taper that has at least one, and preferably two to five flutes that terminate before the top of the screw. The proximal end further includes a radiused bevel to the terminal surface that includes a hexagonal torque driving recess. The diameter of the non-threaded shaft section is constant distal from the compression wedge to the distal tip where it defines the minor diameter of the threaded portion.

Abstract: A locking mechanism assembly to allow locking of a fastener in an orthopedic implant having its axis at a variable angle relative to the axis of a concavely rounded through opening in the implant. The assembly includes a convexly rounded ring shaped locking cam insert which mates with the through opening and further which includes an expansion slot. The cam insert includes two cam raceways on the inside that are engaged by cam members on the head of the fastener. The cam members increase radially and expand the insert in the through opening to hold it in position by friction. The cam insert further includes a stop member that inhibits the cam insert from rotating as the fastener is rotated in the cam insert and locks it into the desired position.

Abstract: A distal radius plate having a head with a complex palm shaped profile which flares from the sides of the plate to a leading edge that includes a central oblique linking area that helps to mark the placement of the plate relative to the radius. Further, the plate includes an oblique depression that extends from the rounded pinky side of the head and gradually morphs into the elevated styloid prominence in one diagonal direction, and rises less gradually upward into the lunate prominence on the other side of the head. A proximal plate portion mimics the spiral of the radial bone as it spirals along the longitudinal axis, and includes a tighter radial bend. The head includes holes or bores for pegs which extend into the distal portion of the radius to lock fragments into position. In the first embodiment, the angles of the pegs are fixed. In a second embodiment, one or more of the peg holes are provided with a variable axis locking mechanism assembly and the remaining holes are fixed.

Abstract: A cannulated compression screw is used as an orthopedic implant and has a threaded distal end with an insertion tip that includes at least one and preferably two, three or four flutes to allow the screw to be self-tapping. Optionally, the screw also includes one or more reverse cutting flutes proximal to the insertion tip. The distal threads are cancellous threads having a generally constant minor diameter and a generally constant major diameter and a generally constant thread pitch. An intermediate portion of the screw is non-threaded and the proximal end includes a compression wedge or taper that has at least one, and preferably two to five flutes that terminate before the top of the screw. The proximal end further includes a radiused bevel to the terminal surface that includes a hexagonal torque driving recess. The diameter of the non-threaded shaft section is constant distal from the compression wedge to the distal tip where it defines the minor diameter of the threaded portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of designing an orthopedic implant in which a plurality of samples of the bone are selected and a CT scan of each of the samples of the bone is taken so that the data from the CT scan can be used to generate a 3D graphical solid body model of each of the sample of the bone. The 3D graphical models are placed into a category of one or more of average, small, and large, and the center of mass and an X, Y and Z plane for each model is determined. The 3D graphical models for one category is assembled and aligned at the center of mass to create a categorized composite 3D graphical solid body model of the bone. The categorized composite 3D graphical model is sectioned at a specified interval to create a lofted contoured surface of a selected thickness which is cut to create a categorized implant profile.

Abstract: A surgical drill guide for positioning, aligning, and of holes to be drilled in bone tissue has retaining means that holds the position and alignment of the drill guide body in a releasable manner with respect to a fastener hole in an orthopedic implant. The retaining means is a key guide that mates with a key way or key ways in or around a threaded locking hole of an orthopedic plate for alignment of a pilot hole and method of using the guide. The key guide has 2 to projections that extend in the direction of the axis of the hole, such as hemi cylindrical projections, and the plate has a corresponding female key way that receives the retaining means. The invention also relates to a method of aligning a locking fastener in a plate at a desired angle relative to a bone by using a surgical guide having a key interface with the plate to position and align a pilot hole.