Abstract: A staple cartridge is adapted to enhance cell migration towards a wound site when staples are placed in tissue. In order to enhance cell migration, the staples in the staple cartridge are adapted to create an electrical potential within the tissue in the area of a wound or cut line. More specifically, the staples are arranged in spaced rings, wherein the staples in the spaced rings are formed of dissimilar metals having different anodic indexes to create a voltage gradient in the tissue to enhance cell migration toward the cut line.

Abstract: An injection system includes an injection system body defining a proximal opening at a proximal end thereof and a distal needle interface at a distal end thereof. The system also includes proximal and distal stopper members disposed in the injection system body, forming a proximal drug and a distal drug chamber. The system further includes a plunger member configured to insert the proximal stopper member relative to the injection system body. Moreover, the system includes a valve forming an openable barrier between the distal needle interface and the distal drug chamber. The valve includes an outer member including a distal diaphragm, and an inner member. The distal diaphragm is configured to elastically deform distally away from the inner member with increased pressure in the distal drug chamber to allow flow from the distal drug chamber to the distal needle interface.

Abstract: A method for torrefaction of biomass using a torrefaction reactor vessel having stacked trays including: feeding the biomass to an upper inlet of the vessel; cascading the biomass down through the trays by passing the biomass through an opening in each of the trays to deposit the biomass on a lower tray; heating the biomass material with an oxygen deprived gas; extracting moisture from below each of the upper trays; as the biomass undergoes torrefaction in the lower trays retaining the gas with the biomass until the biomass falls from the stacked trays to a pile of biomass in the reactor vessel; exhausting gases containing organic compounds through a gas outlet at an elevation between the stacked trays and the pile of biomass, and discharging torrefied biomass from the torrefaction reactor vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for delivering a topical agent to a nasogastric passage comprising: introducing a nasogastric tube into the nasogastric passage, the nasogastric tube comprising means for delivering the topical agent to the nasogastric passage; positioning the nasogastric tube such that the means for delivering the topical agent is positioned adjacent to a target area in the nasogastric passage; and delivering a therapeutic amount of the topical local anesthetic agent to the target area of the nasogastric passage.

Abstract: Balloon catheters are disclosed that comprise a material that confers improved resistance to non-deflation. Balloon catheters are also disclosed that comprise a reduced drainage lumen diameter. In some embodiments the catheters achieve these characteristics without rendering the catheters undesirably stiff.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions. A spring mechanism is centrally located in the plates to provide axial compression. One plate has a through bore and one plate has a receptacle, each, receiving a sleeve with a depression for holding the ball.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for administering bone matrix with or without additional bone growth enhancing agents, or administering one or more bone growth enhancing agents to the interior surface of an unfractured vertebral body to enhance bone growth and strength, thus reducing susceptibility of the vertebral body to subsequent fracture.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and restraining a patient's appendage in a desired attitude during surgery includes a tray movable along a rail on the operating table. The tray extends over the patient receiving surface of the operating table and has a fastener on the upper surface which cooperates with a fastener on a wrap enclosing the patient's appendage. By adjusting the brackets along the length of the operating table rail, the patient's appendage will be flexed to a position desired by the surgeon. Locking the brackets in place retains the desired flex during the procedure. The frame of the apparatus is reusable through sterilization and the tray is provided in a sterilized condition and disposable after surgery.

Abstract: A constrained spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions. A spring mechanism is centrally located in the plates to provide axial compression. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: A portable medical device suitable for use in continuous passive motion (CPM) rehabilitation programs has a lightweight modular frame for ease of storage and portability. In one embodiment a proximal sling module is pivotally connected to a distal sling module with is pivotally connected to a heal plate module. Another embodiment includes a base module is pivotally connected to a proximal sling module which is pivotally connected to a distal sling module pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the base. The joint of a patient's limb is flexed through a range of motion by pivoting the distal sling module relative to the proximal sling module. The device is powered by a motor and worm gear directed by a controller.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions. A spring mechanism is centrally located in the plates to provide axial compression. One plate has a through bore and one plate has a receptacle, each, receiving a sleeve with a depression for holding the ball.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. Depressions are centrally located between the arcs of the plates and a ball is universally movable in the depressions. A spring mechanism is centrally located in the plates to provide axial compression. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: An implant for vertebrae or other bones, either fractured or at risk of fracture, includes a load bearing support member carrying a bone growth material to increase bone density and long term treatment.

Abstract: A portable medical device suitable for use in continuous passive motion (CPM) rehabilitation programs has a lightweight modular frame for ease of storage and portability. In one embodiment a proximal sling module is pivotally connected to a distal sling module with is pivotally connected to a heal plate module. Another embodiment includes a base module is pivotally connected to a proximal sling module which is pivotally connected to a distal sling module pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the base. The joint of a patient's limb is flexed through a range of motion by pivoting the distal sling module relative to the proximal sling module. The device is powered by a motor and worm gear directed by a controller.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for administering bone matrix with or without additional bone growth enhancing agents, or administering one or more bone growth enhancing agents to the interior surface of a long bone and to the cancellous bone within the medullary cavity to enhance bone growth and strength, thus reducing susceptibility of the bone to fracture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for administering bone matrix with or without additional bone growth enhancing agents, or administering one or more bone growth enhancing agents to the interior surface of an unfractured vertebral body to enhance bone growth and strength, thus reducing susceptibility of the vertebral body to subsequent fracture.

Abstract: A base for equestrian jump standards according to the embodiments of the present invention includes a frame that defines three non-collinear or linear sites. Wheel mounts are positioned at two of the sites and a bracket positioned at the third site is adapted to receive a vertical post. Mobility is provided by wheels that are coupled to the wheel mounts.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. A protrusion is centrally located between the arcs on one plate and a depression is centrally located between the arcs of the other plate. A spring mechanism is centrally located on one of the plates to provide axial compression. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.

Abstract: A spinal implant is inserted between adjacent vertebrae to function as an disk prosthesis. The prosthesis has two plates fastened to adjacent vertebrae facing each other. The facing sides of the plates each have a depending skirt formed as concentric arcs of about 90 degrees. The skirts are either bowed or tapered in the axial direction. A protrusion is centrally located between the arcs on one plate and a depression is centrally located between the arcs of the other plate. The plates are oriented to each other with the concentric arcs of each interrupted skirt at 90 degrees and the protrusion is engaged in the depression. The plates are then rotated about 90 degrees and the opposed arcs of one plate interlock with the opposed arcs of the other plate to prevent separation in the axial direction.