Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating connective tissue. The method and apparatus includes elongating connective tissue including septa and/or fascia to achieve a lasting improvement (e.g., a long term, durable and/or substantially irreversible treatment of the connective tissue) to improve the appearance of cellulite.

Abstract: A self-contained, glow-in-the-dark decorative article according to the invention comprises a transparent or translucent air-filled, hollow object having a lower rim defining an opening into the interior of the object, with light-activated material deposited on, or embedded in, the object. A base unit on a stake includes a receptacle to receive the rim of the object. The base unit includes a light emitter supported to illuminate the object from the inside out. The base unit further includes one or more solar panels facing into the interior of the object and one or more batteries charged by the solar panels to power the light emitter. The transparent or translucent object may be made of glass, and may be a sphere, a flattened sphere, or a teardrop shape. The source of light may be a light-emitting diode (LED), preferably a violet or ultraviolet LED.

Abstract: A light source is used to extend the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. A gazing globe according to the invention includes a hollow glass globe supported on a stand. Photoluminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent material is deposited on, or embedded in, the globe. A light-emitting diode (LED) is supported within the globe to activate the material. A solar cell is used to charge one or more batteries, and a light detector is used to switch power from the battery to the source of light when a sufficient level of darkness is detected. A violet or ultraviolet LED may be used as the light source, with the solar cell is supported on the stand. The material deposited on, or embedded in, the globe may intentionally glow in a swirling pattern when activated.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising a head with a cutting edge and a shaft is described for use in treating anal fistulas. The device facilitates the removal of tissue from the walls of the fistula allowing the introduction of collagen that aids the healing of the fistula. In this way a fistula may be closed without serious consequences to the continence of the patient.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: A system and method of providing multiple participants with a centrally accessible content portal for geographic point of interest (POI) data, for subsequent use in creating map-based or spatial applications. Different entities can dynamically upload, update, retrieve, and use digital map and POI data. Additional features include the ability to handle the large amounts of POI data needed by multiple Application Developers, including data that is dynamic, or frequently changing; the ability to update POI attribute information and deliver it to the Application Developers; the ability to associate multiple points of entry (POE) with a POI, and to aggregate data from multiple Content Providers; and the use of a common geocoding engine and common digital map reference across all Content Providers, which ensures the consistency of the geocoding throughout all the POI data.

Abstract: Methods of treatment of tissue with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated islets in the tissue are disclosed. Specifically, methods of treating internal hard and soft tissues, such as but not limited to organs, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, vessels and nerves, with such EMR-treated islets are described. Also disclosed are devices and systems for producing lattices of EMR-treated islets in tissue, and cosmetic and medical applications of such devices and systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling usage times for at least one device, including the steps of: (a) identifying a device to be controlled; (b) utilizing the device by a user; (c) tracking a device usage value for the device as the user utilizes the device; and (d) initiating an action sequence based upon the device usage value. Also disclosed is an apparatus for controlling usage times for at least one device.

Abstract: A decorative marker which may be used to identify plants in a garden comprises a wire form encircling and capturing a decorative object such that the object can still be viewed through the wire form. A panel for receiving identifying indicia is connected to the wire form, and an elongated ground stake is connected to the wire form or panel, allowing the stake to be planted in the earth with the entrapped object and panel visible above ground. In the preferred embodiment, the decorative object is a glass sphere containing a glow-in-the-dark material such as photoluminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent pigments or particles. The wire form preferably spirals around the globe.

Abstract: A method of fabricating glow-in-the-dark gazing globes or other objects, as well as the articles that result. The method comprises the steps of providing a hollow form having an inner wall made from a transparent or translucent material, the form including an aperture for gaining access to the interior thereof, and introducing one more photoluminescence or phosphorescent pigments into the form through the aperture so that they cling to the inner wall. In alternative embodiments, the pigments may be applied without an adhesive, as by naturally cling, vacuum evaporation, or other techniques. In a gazing globe embodiment, a stand may be included. In the preferred embodiment the method further includes the step of applying an adhesive to the inner wall of the form prior to the step of introducing one more photoluminescence or phosphorescent pigments. A plurality of different pigments may be introduced into the form to create a decorative or swirling effect.

Abstract: A method for identifying infants at risk for SIDS includes applying electrodes to an infant, receiving electrical signals from the electrodes, analyzing the received electrical signals to measure alternans of a heart of the infant, and identifying whether the infant is at risk for SIDS. A system for identifying infants at risk for SIDS includes an input unit configured to receive electrical signals from electrodes applied to an infant, a processor connected to the input unit and configured to process the received electrical signals to measure alternans of a heart of the infant, and a comparator configured to compare the measured alternans with alternans in a population of infants.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for guiding ablative therapy of abnormal biological electrical excitation. The excitation from the previous excitatory wave is significant at the beginning of the next excitation. In particular, it is designed for treatment of fast cardiac arrhythmias. Electrical signals are acquired from recording electrodes, and an inverse dipole method is used to identify the site of origin of an arrhythmia. The location of the tip of an ablation catheter is similarly localized from signals acquired from the recording electrodes while electrical pacing energy is delivered to the tip of the catheter close to or in contact with the cardiac tissue. The catheter tip is then guided to the site of origin of the arrhythmia, and ablative radio frequency energy is delivered to its tip to ablate the site.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing heart rhythm disturbances by recording cardiac electrical activity, measuring beat-to-beat variability in the morphology of electrocardiographic waveforms, and using the measured beat-to-beat variability to control the delivery of electrical impulses to the heart during the absolute refractory period.

Abstract: A compliant seal assembly for a rotating machine is provided. The seal assembly includes a static member, a movable member and a biasing member. The static member is rigidly fixed to the machine at its fore and aft ends. The movable portion has a first sealing surface configured to seal against a rotating member and a rear surface, which may be exposed to a fluid pressure to urge the first sealing surface toward a sealing position with the rotating member. The static and the movable members further include sealing surfaces at their fore, aft and end faces to seal against leakage of gas between the static and the movable members. The biasing member is configured to support the movable member on the static member and to urge the movable member away from the sealing position so as to reduce force on the rotating member during contact of the rotating member with the first sealing surface of the movable member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an appliance for the epilation of the human skin, having a housing to accommodate a motor and a drive mechanism for driving at least one clamping device (43) by which the user's hairs can be extracted. Moreover, a stimulation mechanism is provided to reduce the sense of pain during epilation. This mechanism includes at least one element (55) that is movable toward and away from the skin when the appliance is placed in epilating position on the user's skin. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the at least one element (55) has a free end (56) and is arranged adjacent to the side of the rotary clamping device (43). In consequence, the user perceives at least subjectively a reduced sense of pain during epilation. Still further, a method for epilation and a method for the use of the appliance of the present invention are described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an appliance for the epilation of the human skin, having a housing to accommodate a motor and a drive mechanism for driving at least one clamping device (43) by which the user's hairs can be extracted. Moreover, a stimulation mechanism is provided to reduce the sense of pain during epilation. This mechanism includes at least one element (55) that is movable toward and away from the skin when the appliance is placed in epilating position on the user's skin. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the at least one element (55) has a free end (56) and is arranged adjacent to the side of the rotary clamping device (43). In consequence, the user perceives at least subjectively a reduced sense of pain during epilation. Still further, a method for epilation and a method for the use of the appliance of the present invention are described.

Abstract: A birdbath fountain includes a water reservoir and recirculating system. Water for the fountain is pumped from the reservoir, with the excess water from the bowl being returned to the reservoir, thereby allowing for a bowl which remains full or at a consistent depth for a longer period of time, including periods of dry or windy weather conditions. In the preferred configuration, the bowl has a depth defined by an outer raised rim and an inner raised rim. A water-containing reservoir having a depth greater than the depth of the bowl resides within the inner raised rim. An electrically operated submersible pump disposed in the water-containing reservoir is operative to pump water from the reservoir to the fountain head, after which the water returns to the bowl. At least one notch in the inner raised rim provides a fluid path from the bowl back to the reservoir, thereby keeping the water level of the bowl substantially constant.

Abstract: A light source is used to extend the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. A gazing globe according to the invention includes a hollow glass globe supported on a stand. Photoluminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent material is deposited on, or embedded in, the globe. A light-emitting diode (LED) is supported within the globe to activate the material. A solar cell is used to charge one or more batteries, and a light detector is used to switch power from the battery to the source of light when a sufficient level of darkness is detected. A violet or ultraviolet LED may be used as the light source, with the solar cell is supported on the stand. The material deposited on, or embedded in, the globe may intentionally glow in a swirling pattern when activated.