Abstract: A system for securing a bone fixation device to a bone comprises a flexible longitudinal element configured to wrap about and stabilize one of a target portion of bone and a bone stabilizing element. The longitudinal element includes a plurality of projections extending distally from a first surface thereof. Each projection includes a proximal abutting surface in combination with a bone fixation element including a channel extending therethrough sized and shaped to slidably receive therein a portion of the longitudinal element distal of the head. The bone fixation element includes a recess shaped to receive the head and prevent the head from being drawn distally through the channel. The bone fixation element or the longitudinal element includes a tab configured to engage one of the proximal abutting surfaces to prevent the projections of the longitudinal element from moving proximally relative to the tab.

Abstract: A radio frequency tag for a radio frequency identification system is provided that includes an antenna and a receiver coupled to the antenna. The receiver receives and demodulates a message received on at least one frequency. A retransmit controller receives the message, determines a retransmit status for the message, and if the retransmit status is positive, initiates retransmission of the message for reception by another radio tag.

Abstract: A method of occluding a vessel, comprises forming an incision through tissue covering the vessel to expose a portion of the vessel and looping a first suture around the vessel such that ends of the first suture extend out of the incision in combination with closing the incision with the ends of the first suture protruding through the closed incision, placing a force distribution element over the incision and tightening the first suture over the force distribution element to form a kink in the vessel.

Abstract: A system for treating a disorder of a central nervous system (CNS) comprises first and second conduits, distal ends of which are open to a patient's cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A proximal end of the second conduit opens to drain CSF from the CNS. A first implantable reservoir holds a first material to be introduced to the CNS. An intracranial pressure detecting unit includes a transmitter for providing auditory signals to the patient and a BAUR analyzer for analyzing brainstem evoked auditory potentials to determine current intracranial pressure. A pump is coupled to the first reservoir and introduces the first material to the CNS via the first conduit. A brain activity detection unit delects and analyzes brain activity of the patient and controls drainage of CSF based on input from the intracranial pressure detecting unit to maintain intracranial pressure within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A system for ablating tissue includes a reusable control unit including a processor monitoring and controlling ablation and a control interface receiving input to and output from the processor in combination with a disposable procedure set releasably connectable to the control unit to couple to the control interface for communication with the processor.

Abstract: A device for osteosynthesis that includes a fixation element having at least one through hole designed to receive a pivotable bushing for a bone screw. The through hole having a central axis and a cross-section extending orthogonally to the central axis defined by two incomplete semicircles connected to each other by at least two non-circular cut outs forming grooves in the fixation element. The device also includes at least one bushing insertable in the through hole. The bushing has top and bottom surfaces, a longitudinal axis, a central bore designed to receive a bone screw, and a peripheral outside face having at least two outwardly extending protrusions defining an axis of rotation of the bushing extending through the protrusions. A cross section of the bushing orthogonal to the longitudinal axis is shaped such that the bushing is pivotable about the axis of rotation defined by the protrusions.

Abstract: A system and method for executing application code in an operating system environment, attaching a development tool to the application code, saving a state of the application code, determining whether the attachment of the development tool interrupted a blocking system call of the application code, modifying, when it is determined the attachment of the development tool interrupted the blocking system call, the saved state to a further saved state corresponding to restarting the blocking system call and restoring the state of the application code to the further saved state.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving a data packet including a destination address and a source address, categorizing the data packet into a community based on the source address, wherein the community is predefined by a user corresponding to the destination address and selecting a treatment for the data packet based on the community. The method may be implemented on a router to avoid and/or mitigate the harmful effects of a Distributed Denial of Service (“DDoS”) attack on a computer system or network.

Abstract: The intramedullary nail has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, at least one hole that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis and is situated in a plane with a defined diameter to accommodate a locking element, as well as a longitudinal slot extending in the plane parallel to the longitudinal axis. In the unexpanded state of the intramedullary nail the longitudinal slot has a width b, measured perpendicularly to the plane in the region outside of the holes, said slot being maximum 0.6 times that of the smallest defined diameter of the holes.

Abstract: A bone screw is provided having first and second threaded portions of different diameter separated by a middle portion that is unthreaded so that the bone screw may be inserted into a pair of adjacent bone fragments and used to compress the fragments together by driving the screw into a hole drilled in the fragments. An installation tool is also disclosed for threadably engaging one end of the bone screw and is used to initially drive the screw into the bone hole. Thereafter, a screwdriver may be inserted through the tool and into engagement with a recess in the bone screw and may be used to drive the screw fully into the bone and to separate the bone screw from the installation tool. A method of installation is further provided.

Abstract: The device for performing osteosynthesis includes a fixation element, such as a bone plate having a bottom surface designed to bear against the bone, a top surface, and at least one through hole extending from the bottom surface to the top surface, the though hole having a central axis and configured and dimensioned to receive a multiaxially pivotal insert or bushing for a bone screw. A bushing insertable into the through hole, includes a central bore designed to receive a bone screw, the central bore having a longitudinal axis, and a peripheral outer surface designed to be in contact with the through hole. The bushing is configured and dimensioned to be radially compressible and radially expansible, and the cross section of the through hole, which is orthogonal to the central axis, is non-circular. The cross section of the bushing that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis has a shape that corresponds substantially to the cross section of the through hole of the bone plate.

Abstract: A bone fixation device includes an intramedullary pin having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal tip configured and dimensioned for insertion into a medullary canal of a bone and a bone plate disposed at the proximal end of the intramedullary pin, wherein the bone plate includes an angled tab configured and dimensioned to have a center of gravity lying on a radius of a cross-sectional area of the intramedullary pin taken orthogonally to the intramedullary pin's longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, comprising a body including a lumen extending therethrough at least one activatable element disposed within the body, a dimension of each of the at least one activatable elements changing in response to a predetermined stimulation between an activated state and an inactivate state to change a shape of the body to control a degree of opening of the lumen and at least one actuation element, each of the at least one actuation elements being configured to selectively supply the predetermined stimulation to a corresponding one of the at least one activatable elements to move the corresponding one of the at least one activatable elements between the activated and inactive states.

Abstract: Surgical method and apparatus for resectioning tissue, preferably lumenal tissue, with a remaining portion of an organ being anastomized with staples or other fastening means, preferably endolumenally. The apparatus may be inserted via a naturally occurring body orifice or a surgical incision and then advanced using either endoscopic or radiological imaging guidance to an area where surgery is to be performed. Under endoscopic or diagnostic imaging guidance the apparatus is positioned so tissue to be resected is manipulated into an inner cavity of the apparatus. The apparatus then cuts the diseased tissue after stapling and retains the diseased tissue within the apparatus. The rent resulting in a border of healthy tissue is anastomosed with surgical staples.

Abstract: A module and method of its production in which areal electronic components are formed. The module includes (a) a cover electrode covering the electronic components; (b) a flexibly deformable substrate; (c) a base electrode formed on the substrate; and (d) an optically active layer formed on the base electrode. The electronic components are formed on the flexibly deformable substrate by the optically active layer, the cover electrode; and the base electrode. The cover electrode projects over the optically active layer at a first side and the base electrode extends beyond the optically active layer at a second side which is oppositely disposed with regards to the first side.

Abstract: The mechanical differential actuator according to the present invention comprises a mechanical differential having three mechanicals ports. A first transducer with a low impedance is coupled to a first port, a second transducer with a high impedance is coupled to a second port, and the mechanical load is coupled to the third port. The mechanical differential actuator enables controlling a force and a speed at a load coupled thereto through a known relation between the force and the speed. Moreover, the mechanical differential actuator presents a compact structure enabling the transfer of a large force relative to its volume.

Abstract: A method for generating a device description for a measuring apparatus in a target field bus protocol is described. The method comprises the reception of a first device description of the apparatus. The first device description of the apparatus comprises at least one variable. The at least one variable is related to a storage cell of the apparatus. The target field bus protocol is selected from a plurality of field bus protocols, and at least one block is formed from the at least one variable. The at least one block has a maximum block size that corresponds to the smallest maximum block size of at least two field bus protocols of the plurality of field bus protocols. The maximum block size can be transmitted via a field bus with a single request when the respective field bus protocol is used. Subsequently, the at least one block is provided as device description for the apparatus in the target field bus protocol.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for receiving a data packet including a destination address and a source address, the data packet corresponding to a port number, assigning an address risk value for the data packet based on the source address and a port risk value for the data packet based on the port number. The data packet is categorized into a community based on the source address, wherein the community is predefined by a user corresponding to the destination address, the community includes a utility value. The address risk value and the port risk value are compared to the utility value to yield a benefit coefficient and the data packet is treated based on the benefit coefficient.

Abstract: A novel coplanar X-ray guided method and aiming arm device for insertion of distal locking screws in intramedullary bone nails. Radiopaque target markers in the aiming arm enable the easy positioning of an X-ray source such that an X-ray beam is coplanar with the aiming arm transverse holes. After the X-ray source is accurately oriented, a single X-ray snapshot is enough to assess the exact distortion of the implanted intramedullary nail. The X-ray beam need not be coaxial with the nail holes. The aiming arm includes a mobile portion and a fixed portion fastened to the nail, and the aiming arm can be adjusted, displacing the mobile portion over the fixed portion, to compensate for the distortion of the intramedullary nail caused by implantation in bone.

Abstract: Described are an electrode and electrode catheter using thin metallic threads or wires, for example, microwires having diameters as low as 10?6 to 10?4 meters or less. The embodiments allow for the efficient mounting of at least one electrode on a catheter, resulting in the creation of a flexible ring-microelectrode that is suitable for, amongst other things, the detection of myoelectrical activity in a patient's muscle, such as the diaphragm or other inspiratory-related muscle.