Abstract: A magnetic robot crawler designed to efficiently adhere and traverse a ferrous surface partially or fully underwater, regardless of orientation. The crawler includes a vehicle body, a plurality of drive wheel assemblies, and a plurality of gearmotors. The vehicle body houses the necessary electronical components. The drive wheel assemblies are peripherally and externally mounted to the vehicle body in order to support the vehicle body. Each of the drive wheel assemblies is torsionally coupled to a corresponding gearmotor. Each of the drive wheel assemblies includes a tubular housing, a wheel, an annular cavity, and a semi-annular magnet. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body through a tubular housing and is torsionally coupled to the corresponding gearmotor through a magnetic coupling. The annular cavity laterally traverses into the wheel and receives the semi-annular magnet. The semi-annular magnet stays stationary while the wheel turns about the semi-annular magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic robot crawler designed to efficiently adhere and traverse a ferrous surface partially or fully underwater, regardless of orientation. The crawler includes a vehicle body, a plurality of drive wheel assemblies, and a plurality of gearmotors. The vehicle body houses the necessary electronical components. The drive wheel assemblies are peripherally and externally mounted to the vehicle body in order to support the vehicle body. Each of the drive wheel assemblies is torsionally coupled to a corresponding gearmotor. Each of the drive wheel assemblies includes a tubular housing, a wheel, an annular cavity, and a semi-annular magnet. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body through a tubular housing and is torsionally coupled to the corresponding gearmotor through a magnetic coupling. The annular cavity laterally traverses into the wheel and receives the semi-annular magnet. The semi-annular magnet stays stationary while the wheel turns about the semi-annular magnet.

Abstract: NMR spectroscopy is performed on intervertebral disc tissue. Extent of degeneration is determined based on the NMR spectroscopy. Correlation between NMR spectral regions and at least one of tissue degeneration and pain are made. Accordingly, NMR spectroscopy is used to determine location and/or extent of at least one of degeneration or pain associated with a region of tissue, such as for example in particular disc degeneration, or discogenic pain. NMR spectral peak ratios, such as between N-Acetyl/cho and cho/carb, are readily acquired and analyzed to predict degree of tissue degeneration and/or pain for: tissue samples using HR-MAS spectroscopy; and larger portions of anatomy such as joint segments such as a spine, using clinical 3 T MRI systems with surface head or knee coils; and tissue regions such as discs within spines of living patients using 3 T MRI systems with a surface spine coil, thus providing a completely non-invasive diagnostic toolset and method to image and localize degeneration and/or pain.

Abstract: A bioactive/biodegradable nucleus implant for repairing degenerated intervertebral discs that is inflated inside the nucleus space after the degenerated nucleus has been removed to re-pressurize the nuclear space within the intervertebral disc. The implant is inflated with a high molecular weight fluid, gel or combination of fluid and elastomer, preferably an under-hydrated HA hydrogel/growth factor mixture with or without host cells. The implant includes an internal, integral, self-sealing valve that allows one-way filling of the implant after it is placed within the disc, and is made from a material that allows fibrous in growth thereby stabilizing the implant. A variety of substances can be incorporated into the implant to promote healing, prevent infection, or arrest pain.

Abstract: An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C.

Abstract: A bioactive/biodegradable nucleus implant for repairing degenerated intervertebral discs that is inflated inside the nucleus space after the degenerated nucleus has been removed to re-pressurize the nuclear space within the intervertebral disc. The implant is inflated with a high molecular weight fluid, gel or combination of fluid and elastomer, preferably an under-hydrated HA hydrogel/growth factor mixture with or without host cells. The implant includes an internal, integral, self-sealing valve that allows one-way filling of the implant after it is placed within the disc, and is made from a material that allows fibrous in growth thereby stabilizing the implant. A variety of substances can be incorporated into the implant to promote healing, prevent infection, or arrest pain.