Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for obtaining one or more portions of biological tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts are provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, and a pin provided within the tube can facilitate controlled removal of the micrograft from the tube. Micrografts can be harvested and directly implanted into an overlying biocompatible matrix through coordinated motion of the tube and pin. A needle can be provided around the tube to facilitate a direct implantation of a micrograft into a remote recipient site or matrix. The exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such tubes and pins for simultaneous harvesting and/or implanting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for automated following behind a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle navigates a path from a starting point to a destination. The lead vehicle and the following vehicle are connected via V2V communication, allowing one or more following vehicles to detect the path taken by the lead vehicle. A computerized control system on the following vehicle (a Follow-the-Leader, or FTL, system) allows the following vehicle to mimic the behavior of the lead vehicle, with the FTL system controlling steering to guide the following vehicle along the path previously navigated by the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the lead vehicle and following vehicle may both use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position coordinates. In some embodiments, the following vehicle may also have a system of sensors to maintain a gap between the following and lead vehicles.

Abstract: A prosthesis can include a collapsible, reexpandable frame comprising first, second, and third sets of struts that define first and second rows of expandable cells. In some embodiments, the struts of the first, second, and third set of struts can be tapered. In some embodiments, the frame can include an intermediate section and an inflow section that is proximal to the intermediate section. The inflow section can include a concave saddle portion that is adjacent the intermediate section, and an outwardly flared portion.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for obtaining one or more portions of biological tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts are provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, and a pin provided within the tube can facilitate controlled removal of the micrograft from the tube. Micrografts can be harvested and directly implanted into an overlying biocompatible matrix through coordinated motion of the tube and pin. A needle can be provided around the tube to facilitate a direct implantation of a micrograft into a remote recipient site or matrix. The exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such tubes and pins for simultaneous harvesting and/or implanting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a hair transplant using a hair transplant device. The hair transplant device comprises an extraction unit including a coring needle configured to extract at least one hair follicle from a donor site, an implanting unit removably coupled to the extraction unit, the implanting unit including a splitting needle configured to create an opening in a recipient site, a housing coupled to the extraction unit, and a user interface extending from the housing and moveable relative to the housing. The user interface includes a pin movable within the coring needle relative to the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling a plurality of tissue grafts are provided. A method includes applying a magnetic coating over a surface of a donor site and harvesting the plurality of micro tissue grafts from the donor site, so that an upper surface of each of the plurality of micro tissue grafts contains the coating. The method also includes arranging a magnet over the magnetic coating to induce the plurality of micro tissue grafts to organize in a desired orientation, forming a tissue construct containing the plurality of micro tissue grafts arranged in the desired orientation, and applying the tissue construct to a recipient site.

Abstract: An osseointegrated fixture of a percutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis (POPs) anchors directly into a bone of a residual limb within an amputation stump. By anchoring directly into the bone, the POPs provides improved mobility, comfort, and function for an amputee, but an interface between an opening in the skin and the osseointegrated fixture, which allows the anchoring directly into the bone, is prone to infection by microbes. An anti-microbial device can be attached to and/or embedded within an extracorporeal portion of the osseointegrated fixture to irradiate at least a portion on the interface with at least one wavelength of light selected for its antimicrobial effects.

Abstract: An osseointegrated fixture of a percutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis (POPs) anchors directly into a bone of a residual limb within an amputation stump. By anchoring directly into the bone, the POPs provides improved mobility, comfort, and function for an amputee, but an interface between an opening in the skin and the osseointegrated fixture, which allows the anchoring directly into the bone, is prone to infection by microbes. An anti-microbial device can be attached to and/or embedded within an extracorporeal portion of the osseointegrated fixture to irradiate at least a portion on the interface with at least one wavelength of light selected for its antimicrobial effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling a plurality of tissue grafts are provided. A system includes a pick and place unit, a transfer tool, and a control unit. The pick and place unit includes a moveable arm and the transfer tool is coupled to a distal end of the arm. The control unit is configured to control the moveable arm to move the transfer tool to a donor site and a graft construction site. The control unit is further configured to control the transfer tool to harvest the micro tissue grafts from the donor site and arrange the micro tissue grafts into a supportive matrix to form a custom graft.

Abstract: An osseointegrated fixture of a percutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis (POPs) anchors directly into a bone of a residual limb within an amputation stump. By anchoring directly into the bone, the POPs provides improved mobility, comfort, and function for an amputee, but an interface between an opening in the skin and the osseointegrated fixture, which allows the anchoring directly into the bone, is prone to infection by microbes. An anti-microbial device can be attached to and/or embedded within an extracorporeal portion of the osseointegrated fixture to irradiate at least a portion on the interface with at least one wavelength of light selected for its antimicrobial effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling a plurality of tissue grafts are provided. A method includes harvesting the plurality of micro tissue grafts from a donor site, arranging the plurality of micro tissue grafts in a desired orientation, forming a tissue construct containing the plurality of micro tissue grafts arranged in the desired orientation, and applying the tissue construct to a recipient site.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a hair transplant using a hair transplant device. The hair transplant device comprises a coring needle, a splitting needle, a housing, and a user interface. The coring needle forms a coring lumen configured to extract a hair follicle from a donor site. The splitting needle is configured to create an opening in a recipient site. The housing at least partially surrounds one of the coring needle and the splitting needle. The user interface extends from the housing and is movable relative to the coring needle to push the hair follicle from the coring lumen into the opening in the recipient site formed by the splitting needle.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of cooling to produce selective disruption of visceral fat tissue in a non-infant human subject comprising infusing a cooled fluid into the abdominal or peritoneal cavity, or into other parts of the body containing visceral fat, to cool the proximal tissue sufficiently to selectively disrupt lipid-rich cells therein, for example, to promote subsequent damage and absorption of lipid-rich cells by the body without producing unwanted effects in non-lipid-rich cells; e.g., without injury to internal organ tissues that could otherwise produce life-threating risks. The cooled fluid can be infused using a catheter arrangement. The cooled fluid can be retained within the abdominal category for a particular duration, and then drained using the catheter arrangement. In certain embodiments, the cooled fluid can be simultaneously introduced into the abdominal cavity and drained therefrom.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for obtaining one or more portions of biological tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts are provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, and a pin provided within the tube can facilitate controlled removal of the micrograft from the tube. Micrografts can be harvested and directly implanted into an overlying biocompatible matrix through coordinated motion of the tube and pin. A needle can be provided around the tube to facilitate a direct implantation of a micrograft into a remote recipient site or matrix. The exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such tubes and pins for simultaneous harvesting and/or implanting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for obtaining one or more portions of biological tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts are provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, and a pin provided within the tube can facilitate controlled removal of the micrograft from the tube. Micrografts can be harvested and directly implanted into an overlying biocompatible matrix through coordinated motion of the tube and pin. A needle can be provided around the tube to facilitate a direct implantation of a micrograft into a remote recipient site or matrix. The exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such tubes and pins for simultaneous harvesting and/or implanting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of cooling to produce selective disruption of visceral fat tissue in a non-infant human subject comprising infusing a cooled fluid into the abdominal or peritoneal cavity, or into other parts of the body containing visceral fat, to cool the proximal tissue sufficiently to selectively disrupt lipid-rich cells therein, for example, to promote subsequent damage and absorption of lipid-rich cells by the body without producing unwanted effects in non-lipid-rich cells; e.g., without injury to internal organ tissues that could otherwise produce life-threating risks. The cooled fluid can be infused using a catheter arrangement. The cooled fluid can be retained within the abdominal category for a particular duration, and then drained using the catheter arrangement. In certain embodiments, the cooled fluid can be simultaneously introduced into the abdominal cavity and drained therefrom.

Abstract: A tissue harvesting and wound closing device includes first and second actuator strip guides of a strip that are slideable along first and second panel guides of a panel, respectively. A first section of a base of the actuator strip has a substantially uniform width between the first and the second actuator strip guides. A second section of the base has a gradually decreasing width between the first and second actuator strip guides. A third second section of the base has a substantially uniform width between the first and second actuator strip guides that is smaller than the first width. When the actuator strip is pulled, the first and second actuator guides slide along the first and second panel guides, respectively, to cut a strip of tissue strip creating an open wound, and a panel pulls proximal tissue on opposite sides of the open wound to close the wound.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling a plurality of tissue grafts are provided. A method includes harvesting the plurality of micro tissue grafts from a donor site, arranging the plurality of micro tissue grafts in a desired orientation, forming a tissue construct containing the plurality of micro tissue grafts arranged in the desired orientation, and applying the tissue construct to a recipient site.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of cooling to produce selective disruption of visceral fat tissue in a non-infant human subject comprising infusing a cooled fluid into the abdominal or peritoneal cavity, or into other parts of the body containing visceral fat, to cool the proximal tissue sufficiently to selectively disrupt lipid-rich cells therein, for example, to promote subsequent damage and absorption of lipid-rich cells by the body without producing unwanted effects in non-lipid-rich cells; e.g., without injury to internal organ tissues that could otherwise produce life-threating risks. The cooled fluid can be infused using a catheter arrangement. The cooled fluid can be retained within the abdominal category for a particular duration, and then drained using the catheter arrangement. In certain embodiments, the cooled fluid can be simultaneously introduced into the abdominal cavity and drained therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for use in the selective disruption of visceral fat tissue by controlled cooling.