Abstract: An expandable stand-alone shelving assembly includes a post assembly and an expandable shelf. The post assembly includes an elongated post and a sleeve coupled to the elongated post. The expandable shelf includes an aperture, a first half, a second half, and an internal mechanism. The aperture accepts the sleeve of the post assembly. The first half of the expandable shelf includes a surface, a top end, and a bottom end. The second half of the expandable shelf includes an angled portion extending downwards from a surface of the second half. The internal mechanism includes a reinforcement bar connecting the top end and the bottom end of the first half, and a stop. The second half is slidably received within the first half. The stop of the internal mechanism engages with the angled portion of the second half to prevent the second half and first half from sliding apart.

Abstract: Removing diffraction effects in a tomographic image includes: obtaining an empirical image of a sample; producing an initial wave at a radiation source; forward propagating the initial wave from the radiation source toward a detector; receiving by a sample the initial wave; forward propagating the initial wave through the sample and accumulating phase and amplitude information to produce a phase accumulated wave; back propagating the phase accumulated wave; and forward propagating the phase accumulated wave 208 while treating Fresnel diffraction, such that the empirical image is reconstructed by projections and diffraction via maximum likelihood, a Bayesian prior probability distribution, and a Fresnel propagator.

Abstract: Fluid communication may be improved for an ethmoid sinus by installing a port or wick in the wall of the ethmoid sinus to provide a fluid passageway across the wall of the ethmoid sinus. Fluid communication for an ethmoid sinus may also be improved by inflating a balloon in a retrobullar space, remodeling the posterior wall of the ethmoid bulla to expand the transition area in the retrobullar space. In addition, a wall defining the retrobullar space may be pierced to provide a passageway for fluid communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments may include one or more therapeutic substances for locally reducing pain, facilitating healing and/or otherwise treating mucosal tissue at or near a tonsil bed.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for improving drainage and/or aeration of maxillary sinuses and for treating maxillary sinus disease. Spacer devices are implanted through natural or man-made openings in the maxillary sinus. In some embodiments, the spacer device is loaded with a therapeutic substance which then exits the device over a desired time period to treat maxillary sinus disease.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments may include one or more therapeutic substances for locally reducing pain, facilitating healing and/or otherwise treating mucosal tissue at or near a tonsil bed.

Abstract: Fluid communication may be improved for an ethmoid sinus by installing a port or wick in the wall of the ethmoid sinus to provide a fluid passageway across the wall of the ethmoid sinus. Fluid communication for an ethmoid sinus may also be improved by inflating a balloon in a retrobullar space, remodeling the posterior wall of the ethmoid bulla to expand the transition area in the retrobullar space. In addition, a wall defining the retrobullar space may be pierced to provide a passageway for fluid communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments may include one or more therapeutic substances for locally reducing pain, facilitating healing and/or otherwise treating mucosal tissue at or near a tonsil bed.

Abstract: A spacer for delivery into the natural or man-made openings to the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, anterior or posterior ethmoid sinuses, or other cells or cavities, anatomical regions such as nostrils, nasal cavities, nasal meatus, and other passageways such as the Eustachian tubes, naso-lachrymal ducts or airway is described. The bioabsorbable polymeric spacers maintain the opening and/or are useful for delivering drugs or other substances to the natural or man-made openings.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for improving drainage and/or aeration of maxillary sinuses and for treating maxillary sinus disease. Spacer devices are implanted through natural or man-made openings in the maxillary sinus. In some embodiments, the spacer device is loaded with a therapeutic substance which then exits the device over a desired time period to treat maxillary sinus disease.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments include a method for increasing the adhesion between tissue and the film or covering.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments may include one or more therapeutic substances for locally reducing pain, facilitating healing and/or otherwise treating mucosal tissue at or near a tonsil bed.

Abstract: A bioadhesive controlled, extended release progressive hydration composition wherein the active ingredient may be protected from water or the surrounding environment, thereby protecting it from metabolism or from other degradation caused by moisture, enzymes, or pH effects, and making it bioavailable only at a controlled rate. The active ingredient may be protected from moisture during the manufacturing process, as necessary or desired, and more importantly may be protected from moisture and the immediate septic environment until well after the patient has applied the composition, and then only at a slow and controlled rate. It is by this process of progressive hydration that the active ingredient remains protected for many hours after administration. It is also by the process of progressive hydration that controlled and sustained release is achieved because only that part of the active ingredient that is the hydrated (aqueous) fraction of the composition is available for absorption (bioavailable).