Abstract: A fastening assembly for a plurality of tubular structures. The fastening assembly includes a positioning fitting member and a clamping element. The positioning fitting member is coupled to a first tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures such that the positioning fitting member forms a part of the first tubular structure. The positioning fitting member includes a plurality of ribs. The clamping element extends around the plurality of tubular structures and around at least a portion of the positioning fitting member to bundle and to secure the plurality of tubular structures together. The clamping element is positioned between the plurality of ribs.

Abstract: Translucency of a yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramic is improved to achieve even higher translucency than what is currently offered on the market, without greatly altering its mechanical properties. The enhancement is done by incorporating magnesium-containing dopants into the microstructure of yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramic dental ceramics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for pressure casting ceramic bodies. Methods and apparatus are provided for rapid ejection of cast ceramic bodies from a mold. A mold is described that has an impermeable cavity surface to provide dry release of the cast body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for pressure casting ceramic bodies. Methods and apparatus are provided for rapid ejection of cast ceramic bodies from a mold. A mold is described that has an impermeable cavity surface to provide dry release of the cast body. Ceramic bodies produced by the methods and apparatus have smooth, non-tacky surfaces after ejection from the mold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for pressure casting ceramic bodies. Methods and apparatus are provided for rapid ejection of cast ceramic bodies from a mold. A mold is described that has an impermeable cavity surface to provide dry release of the cast body.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for isolating a biologic product, such as plasmid DNA, from cells. The method involves lysing cells in a controlled manner separate insoluble components from a fluid lysate containing cellular components of interest, followed by membrane chromatographic techniques to purify the cellular components of interest. The process utilizes a unique lysis apparatus, ion exchange and, optionally, hydrophobic interaction chromatography membranes in cartridge form, and ultrafiltration. The process can be applied to any biologic product extracted from a cellular source. The process uses a lysis apparatus, including a high shear, low residence-time mixer for advantageously mixing a cell suspension with a lysis solution, a hold time that denatures impurities, and an air-sparging bubble mixer that gently yet thoroughly mixes lysed cells with a neutralization/precipitation buffer and floats compacted precipitated cellular material.

Abstract: The present invention includes an intra-bronchial device, system, and method for providing a therapeutic agent to a patient. A device includes a flow control member for placement in an air passageway communicating with a lung portion, and when deployed in the air passageway inhibits a therapeutic agent distal of the control member from moving proximal of the control member, and includes the therapeutic agent associated with the flow control member. The control member may inhibit movement of the therapeutic agent by limiting airflow, and may include a one-way valve limiting exhalation of air from the lung portion. The control member may include a flexible membrane impervious to air flow, or a separator arranged to inhibit the movement of the therapeutic agent. The control member may include at least one anchor, and the anchor may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device.

Abstract: The present invention includes an intra-bronchial device, system, and method for providing a therapeutic agent to a patient. A device includes a flow control member for placement in an air passageway communicating with a lung portion, and when deployed in the air passageway inhibits a therapeutic agent distal of the control member from moving proximal of the control member, and includes the therapeutic agent associated with the flow control member. The control member may inhibit movement of the therapeutic agent by limiting airflow, and may include a one-way valve limiting exhalation of air from the lung portion. The control member may include a flexible membrane impervious to air flow, or a separator arranged to inhibit the movement of the therapeutic agent. The control member may include at least one anchor, and the anchor may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for minimally invasively treating an air leak in a lung comprise the steps of detecting an air leak in a lung; locating an airway in fluid communication with the air leak, introducing a bronchoscope into a patient's airway to a position adjacent the target section and occluding an airway upstream of the air leak for a period of time. The airway occlusion is preferably removed after the air leak has substantially permanently healed. The method can also include the injection of a substance into the airway on a distal side of the occlusion.

Abstract: A constriction device that constricts body tissue is viewable under X ray fluoroscopy. The device includes an elongated sleeve. The sleeve includes opposed opened ends and is formed from expandable or elastic material to receive therein, when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted and to constrict the body tissue therein when released from the expanded condition. At least a portion of the sleeve includes X ray opaque material rendering the device visible under X ray fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A resection device and method permits safe and efficient encapsulation, isolation and resection of body tissue. The device includes a sheath of flexible and severable material configured to receive the body tissue to be resectioned as it is drawn therein. The sheath may be expandable and held in an expanded condition as the body tissue to be resectioned is drawn into the sheath. Thereafter, the sheath is permitted to collapse about the body tissue to contain and constrict the body tissue. Once the body tissue to be resectioned is disposed in the sheath, the sheath is severed to resection the body tissue.

Abstract: An intra-bronchial device placed and anchored in an air passageway of a patient to collapse a lung portion associated with the air passageway. The device includes a support structure, an obstructing member carried by the support structure that reduces ventilation to the lung portion by preventing air from being inhaled into the lung portion, and at least one anchor carried by the support structure that anchors the obstruction device within the air passageway. The anchor may engage the air passageway wall by piercing or friction, include a stop dimensioned for limiting the piercing of the air passageway wall, and may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device. The anchors may be carried by a peripheral portion of the support structure, or by a central portion of the support structure. The obstructing member may be a one-way valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for isolating a biologic product, such as plasmid DNA, from cells. The method involves lysing cells in a controlled manner separate insoluble components from a fluid lysate containing cellular components of interest, followed by membrane chromatographic techniques to purify the cellular components of interest. The process utilizes a unique lysis apparatus, ion exchange and, optionally, hydrophobic interaction chromatography membranes in cartridge form, and ultrafiltration. The process can be applied to any biologic product extracted from a cellular source. The process uses a lysis apparatus, including a high shear, low residence-time mixer for advantageously mixing a cell suspension with a lysis solution, a hold time that denatures impurities, and an air-sparging bubble mixer that gently yet thoroughly mixes lysed cells with a neutralization/precipitation buffer and floats compacted precipitated cellular material.

Abstract: A head guard for soccer players for protecting the forehead of a soccer player when the forehead is struck with a soccer ball. The head guard for soccer players includes a plate having a outer surface and an inner surface. The plate has a bottom edge, a pair of side edges and a top edge. The inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex. The bottom edge generally lies in a plane such that the plate generally arcs back from the bottom edge to the top edge. A head band is elongated and has a pair of ends. Each of the ends of the head band is attached to the plate and defines a loop for extending around a head such that the plate may be abutted against the forehead of the wearer. Each of the ends of the head band is positioned adjacent to the bottom edge and one of the side edges.