Abstract: An implant constituted of: a body exhibiting a longitudinal axis; proximal arms extending from the body, each of the proximal arms extending in a respective direction and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the body positioned between the proximal arms; distal arms extending from the body, each of the distal arms extending in a respective direction and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the respective directions of extension of the distal arms generally opposing the respective directions of extension of the proximal arms, the body positioned between the distal arms; and intermediate arm assemblies extending from the body, each of the intermediate arm assemblies extending in a respective direction rotated about the longitudinal axis from the respective extension directions of the proximal arms and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the body positioned between the intermediate arm assemblies.

Abstract: In some aspects, a device comprising an implant configured for insertion into a portion of human anatomy, and at least one covering coupled to the implant is provided. According to some aspects, the implant comprises one or more protrusions configured to prevent leakage of material and/or to resist displacement of the implant. According to some aspects, the covering is configured to facilitate improved leakage and/or implant displacement prevention.

Abstract: An implant constituted of: a body exhibiting a longitudinal axis; proximal arms extending from the body, each of the proximal arms extending in a respective direction and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the body positioned between the proximal arms; distal arms extending from the body, each of the distal arms extending in a respective direction and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the respective directions of extension of the distal arms generally opposing the respective directions of extension of the proximal arms, the body positioned between the distal arms; and intermediate arm assemblies extending from the body, each of the intermediate arm assemblies extending in a respective direction rotated about the longitudinal axis from the respective extension directions of the proximal arms and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the body positioned between the intermediate arm assemblies.

Abstract: An implant constituted of: a body exhibiting a longitudinal axis; proximal arms extending from the body, each of the proximal arms extending in a respective direction and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the body positioned between the proximal arms; distal arms extending from the body, each of the distal arms extending in a respective direction and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the respective directions of extension of the distal arms generally opposing the respective directions of extension of the proximal arms, the body positioned between the distal arms; and intermediate arm assemblies extending from the body, each of the intermediate arm assemblies extending in a respective direction rotated about the longitudinal axis from the respective extension directions of the proximal arms and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the body positioned between the intermediate arm assemblies.

Abstract: An implant constituted of: a body exhibiting a longitudinal axis; proximal arms extending from the body, each of the proximal arms extending in a respective direction and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the body positioned between the proximal arms; distal arms extending from the body, each of the distal arms extending in a respective direction and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the respective directions of extension of the distal arms generally opposing the respective directions of extension of the proximal arms, the body positioned between the distal arms; and intermediate arm assemblies extending from the body, each of the intermediate arm assemblies extending in a respective direction rotated about the longitudinal axis from the respective extension directions of the proximal arms and exhibiting a respective acute angle with the longitudinal axis, the body positioned between the intermediate arm assemblies.

Abstract: In some aspects, a device comprising an implant configured for insertion into a portion of human anatomy, and at least one covering coupled to the implant is provided. According to some aspects, the implant comprises one or more protrusions configured to prevent leakage of material and/or to resist displacement of the implant. According to some aspects, the covering is configured to facilitate improved leakage and/or implant displacement prevention.

Abstract: A rotary valve having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the rotary valve including a housing for mounting in a fluid line controlling an hydraulic or pneumatic system, and a ball assembly mounted in the housing, the ball assembly including: at least two intersecting fluid flow passageways; and a check valve mounted in an inlet of one of the passageways; the ball assembly and the housing being configured and adapted to permit fluid flow through the housing from the inlet to the outlet in all positions of the ball assembly, and to permit fluid flow through the housing from the outlet to the inlet in all except one position of the ball assembly, in which one position the check valve maintains pressure in the fluid line for locking the hydraulic or pneumatic system.