Abstract: A device (1, 100) for repairing an intervertebral disc comprising an anchoring body (2, 102), suitable for being advanced into and secured in one of the vertebrae adjacent the intervertebral disc; and a prosthesis (3, 103, 203, 303) attachable in a secure coupling position to the anchoring body (2, 102) and adapted for retaining or replacing the nucleus pulposus in an interior space of an outer annulus of the intervertebral disc, the anchoring body supporting and arranging in the cited coupling position the prosthesis such that the prosthesis is oriented to in a direction toward and through a hole in the outer annulus, the prosthesis comprising at least one active portion (4) adapted to assume and maintain a first placement shape (A) suitable for permitting the active portion to be inserted into and through the hole in the outer annulus during a placement thereof into the interior space of the outer annulus, and at least a second operative shape (B) suitable for at least partially occluding the hole in the ou

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; methods of reducing the incidence of complications associated with HCV and cirrhosis of the liver; and methods of reducing viral load, or reducing the time to viral clearance, or reducing morbidity or mortality in the clinical outcomes, in patients suffering from HCV infection. Also provided are methods of treating liver steatosis and liver fibrosis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an upright housing having a uniform cavity and an open top. A flat base of said upright housing defines an enclosure for containing trash. An arcuate door engages with a vertical axis of the upright housing via a hinge. The arcuate door swings about the hinge away from the upright housing. A latch secures said door in a closed position upon closing of said door.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing together first and second bone segments having peripheral surfaces comprising one or more bends. In some implementations the fixation device includes an elongate flexible strap having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate flexible strap having a plurality of ratchet teeth disposed along an elongate distal portion thereof that function with a ratchet member within a locking head situated at the proximal end to permit the formation of a closed loop about the bone fragments. In some implementations the elongate flexible strap has a first elongate portion situated between the locking head and the elongate distal portion, the first elongate portion of the elongate flexible strap being more flexible than the elongate distal portion of the elongate flexible strap, the first elongate portion configured to extend across at least one of the one or more bends when the apparatus is in a secured state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an inline air purification system is described herein. An example apparatus includes a housing, a high-velocity air flow guide, a filter assembly, and a fan. The high-velocity air flow guide includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to form a passage within the housing, and the second portion is configured to divert and accelerate air flow of the ambient air from the passage to a chamber of the housing. The filter assembly includes one or more filtering elements configured to receive the ambient air from the chamber. The fan is configured to draw the ambient air from the chamber through the filter assembly and to generate processed air from the ambient air. The housing is located in an HVAC duct, and occupies only part of the cross-sectional area of the duct. The remaining area of the duct accommodates bypass air flow to a primary fan in the HVAC system.

Abstract: An oral care product dispenser having an internal mechanism to apply a dose of oral care product to a toothbrush or the like. More specifically an oral care product dispenser with ergonomic grips for easy handling and reduced chance of slippage from a user's hands. The dispensing device dispenses a predetermined amount of toothpaste, thereby eliminating waste and greatly reducing the mess associated with toothpaste tubes.

Abstract: A vibration dampening device is a patch with one or more step members that have distal ends extending from the patch. The patch is removably engaged or adhered to a wearer's skin. With the patch engaged, the distal ends of the step members have freedom of movement with respect to the patch. The patch optionally may further include one or more wing sections integrally formed therein that also have freedom of movement with respect to the portion of the patch engaged or adhered to skin. Step member and/or wing section movement counteracts longitudinal and/or radial vibrations traveling through soft tissue and musculature to dampen such vibrations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing air is described herein. An example apparatus includes a housing, a high-velocity air flow guide, a filter assembly, and a fan. The high-velocity air flow guide includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to form a passage within the housing, and the second portion is configured to divert and accelerate air flow of the ambient air from the passage to a chamber of the housing. The filter assembly includes one or more filtering elements configured to receive the ambient air from the chamber. The fan is configured to draw the ambient air from the chamber through the filter assembly and to generate processed air from the ambient air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing air is described herein. An example apparatus includes a housing, a high-velocity air flow guide, a filter assembly, and a fan. The high-velocity air flow guide includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to form a passage within the housing, and the second portion is configured to divert and accelerate air flow of the ambient air from the passage to a chamber of the housing. The filter assembly includes one or more filtering elements configured to receive the ambient air from the chamber. The fan is configured to draw the ambient air from the chamber through the filter assembly and to generate processed air from the ambient air.

Abstract: A part washing apparatus includes a centrifugal filter and an ultra filter provided as a single base unit. A washing chamber is provided to enclose one or more industrial parts for cleaning with a washing solution, which is collected in a washer bath. The washing solution is then pumped through a centrifugal filter to remove contaminants from the washing solution and subsequently pumped through an ultra filter a filter configured to remove further contaminants from the washing solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; methods of reducing the incidence of complications associated with HCV and cirrhosis of the liver; and methods of reducing viral load, or reducing the time to viral clearance, or reducing morbidity or mortality in the clinical outcomes, in patients suffering from HCV infection. Also provided are methods of treating liver steatosis and liver fibrosis.

Abstract: A part washing apparatus includes a centrifugal filter and an ultra filter provided as a single base unit. A washing chamber is provided to enclose one or more industrial parts for cleaning with a washing solution, which is collected in a washer bath. The washing solution is then pumped through a centrifugal filter to remove contaminants from the washing solution and subsequently pumped through an ultra filter a filter configured to remove further contaminants from the washing solution.

Abstract: An example presentation apparatus having a cabinet-like base and a surface coupled to the cabinet-like base and configured to hold an object. The cabinet-like base and the surface are configured to cooperate functionally with a function of the object. A portion of an air processing apparatus is disposed within the cabinet-like base and configured to move ambient air through the cabinet-like base to generate processed air. An exhaust structure is operatively coupled to the cabinet-like base and configured to enable the processed air to exit the presentation apparatus via a flow path that is spatially associated with a substantially predetermined position of the object.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for viewing fluorescent indicating materials for performing fluorescent magnetic particle testing and fluorescent liquid penetrant testing. In this method of nondestructive testing, the invention replaces ultraviolet light with the combination of a source of blue light that is substantially or entirely devoid of ultraviolet radiation and a yellow barrier filter. The method uses fluorescent indicating materials currently commercially available and originally designed for use with ultraviolet light sources.

Abstract: An eating utensil includes an elongate hollow body having a proximal end and a closed distal end. The elongate hollow body defines an internal chamber, and has an aperture adjacent the proximal end. The aperture is in communication with the internal chamber. A liquid condiment is contained within the internal chamber. A seal member is bonded to a lip of the body about the aperture. The seal member contains the liquid condiment within the internal chamber until the seal member is removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing air is described herein. An example apparatus includes a housing, a high-velocity air flow guide, a filter assembly, and a fan. The high-velocity air flow guide includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to form a passage within the housing, and the second portion is configured to divert and accelerate air flow of the ambient air from the passage to a chamber of the housing. The filter assembly includes one or more filtering elements configured to receive the ambient air from the chamber. The fan is configured to draw the ambient air from the chamber through the filter assembly and to generate processed air from the ambient air.

Abstract: An example wall-embeddable air processing apparatus includes a cabinet having substantially parallel first and second surfaces and a plurality of air filter elements located within the cabinet. The air filter elements are arranged so that filtration surfaces of the filter elements are substantially coplanar to each other and substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces. An intake vent is operatively coupled to the cabinet and configured to enable ambient air to be drawn into the cabinet. A fan is operatively coupled to the cabinet and configured to draw the ambient air into the cabinet and to cause the ambient air to flow through the plurality of air filter elements to generate processed air.

Abstract: An example presentation apparatus comprises a cabinet-like base and a surface coupled to the cabinet-like base and configured to hold an object. The cabinet-like base and the surface are configured to cooperate finctionally with a finction of the object. A portion of an air processing apparatus is disposed within the cabinet-like base and configured to move ambient air through the cabinet-like base to generate processed air. An exhaust structure is operatively coupled to the cabinet-like base and configured to enable the processed air to exit the presentation apparatus via a flow path that is spatially associated with a substantially predetermined position of the object.

Abstract: A vibration dampening device is a patch with one or more step members that have distal ends extending from the patch. The patch is removably engaged or adhered to a wearer's skin. With the patch engaged, the distal ends of the step members have freedom of movement with respect to the patch. The patch optionally may further include one or more wing sections integrally formed therein that also have freedom of movement with respect to the portion of the patch engaged or adhered to skin. Step member and/or wing section movement counteracts longitudinal and/or radial vibrations traveling through soft tissue and musculature to dampen such vibrations.