Abstract: A system for treating orthopedic injuries by presenting a set of treatment protocols; approving a treatment protocol from among the presented set of treatment protocols; capturing information identifying the approved treatment protocol from among the set of presented protocols; and generating information from the captured information into a form compatible with a handheld computer adapted for connection to an orthopedic sensor system. The generated information includes parameters of the identified approved treatment protocol. The process may also include the steps of basing the presented set of treatment protocols upon a database of historic patients, orthopedic injuries, treatment protocols and outcomes, and retaining information about the current patient, the patient's injury, treatment protocol and outcome.

Abstract: An improved electrolyte-particulate fuel cell where the fuel cell includes an anode, cathode, a bottom surface area formed by the anode and cathode where fuel flows from top to bottom, and a screen where the screen is located near the anode's bottom and has a surface area greater than the cell's bottom surface area.

Abstract: Structures include a substrate with a release layer on the surface of the substrate and a uniform material over the release layer. The release layer generally includes powders or partly sintered powders. In some embodiments the uniform material is an optical material, which can be a glass. The optical material can be mechanically decoupled fro the substrate such that the optical material is stress free. The release layer can function as a transfer layer for transferring the uniform material to another substrate of separating the uniform material to create a freestanding structure. The release layer can be formed by the deposition of a material with a higher sintering temperature than powders used to form the uniform material. In other embodiments, a heating step is performed to preserve the release layer while consolidating powders on top into the uniform material.

Abstract: Laser pyrolysis can be used to produce directly metal vanadium oxide composite nanoparticles. To perform the pyrolysis a reactant stream is formed including a vanadium precursor and a second metal precursor. The pyrolysis is driven by energy absorbed from a light beam. Metal vanadium oxide nanoparticles can be incorporated into a cathode of a lithium based battery to obtain increased energy densities. Implantable defibrillators can be constructed with lithium based batteries having increased energy densities.

Abstract: Lithium metal oxide particles have been produced having average diameters less than about 100 nm. Composite metal oxides of particular interest include, for example, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium titanium oxides and derivatives thereof. These nanoparticles composite metal oxides can be used as electroactive particles in lithium or lithium ion batteries. Batteries of particular interest include lithium titanium oxide in the negative electrode and lithium cobalt manganese oxide in the positive electrode.

Abstract: A collection of silicon oxide nanoparticles have an average diameter from about 5 nm to about 100 nm. The collection of silicon oxide nanoparticles effectively include no particles with a diameter greater than about four times the average diameter. The particles generally have a spherical morphology. Methods for producing the nanoparticles involve laser pyrolysis. The silicon oxide nanoparticles are effective for the production of improved polishing compositions including compositions useful for chemical-mechanical polishing.

Abstract: Optical fiber preforms can comprise a glass preform structure with an inner cavity. A powder can be placed within the inner cavity having an average primary particle size of less than about one micron. The powder can be in the form of an unagglomerated particles or a powder coating with a degree of agglomeration or hard fusing ranging from none to significant amounts as long as the primary particles are visible in a micrograph. Powders can be placed within a preform structure by forming a slurry with a dispersion of submicron/nanoscale particles within a cavity within the prefrom. In other embodiments, a powder coating is formed within a preform structure by depositing the powder coating directly from a reaction product stream. The formation of the powder coating can be formed within the reaction chamber or outside of the reaction chamber by flowing the product particle stream through a conduit leading to the preform structure. In additional embodiments, a powder coating is placed on an insert, e.g.

Abstract: Methods for producing metal/metalloid oxide particles comprise rare earth metals herein include reacting a reactant stream in a gas flow. The reactant stream includes a rare earth metal precursor and an oxygen source. A collection of particles comprising metal/metalloid oxide have an average particle size from about 15 nm to about 1 micron. The metal/metalloid oxide comprises a non-rare earth metal oxide wherein less than about 25 percent of a non-rare earth metal is substituted with a rare earth metal. The particles are useful as phosphors, for example for use in displays.

Abstract: Manganese oxide particles have been produced having an average diameter less than about 500 nm and a very narrow distribution of particle diameters. Methods are described for producing metal oxides by performing a reaction with an aerosol including a metal precursor. Heat treatments can be performed in an oxidizing environment to alter the properties of the manganese oxide particles.

Abstract: A powder of lithiated manganese oxide has an average particle diameter preferably less than about 250 nm. The particles have a high degree of uniformity and preferably a very narrow particle size distribution. The lithiated manganese oxide can be produce by the reaction of an aerosol where the aerosol comprises both a first metal (lithium) precursor and a second metal (manganese) precursor. Preferably, the reaction involves laser pyrolysis where the reaction is driven by heat absorbed from an intense laser beam.

Abstract: Inorganic particle/polymer composites are described that involve chemical bonding between the elements of the composite. In some embodiments, the composite composition includes a polymer having side groups chemically bonded to inorganic particles. Furthermore, the composite composition can include chemically bonded inorganic particles and ordered copolymers. Various electrical, optical and electro-optical devices can be formed from the composites.

Abstract: Exercise orthoses are described that include a frame, a fluid bladder held by the frame, a pressure sensor attached to the fluid bladder and a microprocessor receiving the pressure measurements. The microprocessor monitors variations in pressure and determines differences between the measured pressures and predetermined target values. The frame can be designed to support a hinge joint or at least one vertebra. Furthermore, corrective back orthoses are described that include a frame, force applicators connected to the frame to apply force to the patient's spine, a sensor that measures forces associated with the force applicators and a control unit that monitors forces measured by the sensor. The corrective back orthosis can include fluid bladders as force applicators. The control unit can include a microprocessor.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating an orthopedic parameters signal between a remote communication unit and a central site monitoring station is provided. The orthopedic signal includes a value representative of a total torque output by an individual over a period of time as measured by a personal orthopedic restraining device. The restraining device is restrains movement of a first flexibly connected body portion relative to a second body portion. Communication is accomplished by receiving the orthopedic parameters signal at the remote unit from the orthopedic device. Subsequently, the received signal is protected from potential transmission errors through encoding. The encoded signal is prepared for transmission through modulation. Finally, the modulated signal is transmitted over a communication channel from the remote unit to the central station such that movement of flexibly connected body portions can be monitored. In addition, the operations of the central site monitoring station are described.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery apparatus is used to deliver an aerosol into a reaction chamber for chemical reaction to produce reaction products such as nanoparticles. A variety of improved aerosol delivery approaches provide for the production of more uniform reaction products. In preferred embodiments, a reaction chamber is used that has a cross section perpendicular to the flow of reactant having a dimension along a major axis greater than a dimension along a minor axis. The aerosol preferably is elongated along the major axis of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Manganese oxide particles have been produced having an average diameter less than about 500 nm and a very narrow distribution of particle diameters. Methods are described for producing metal oxides by performing a reaction with an aerosol including a metal precursor. Heat treatments can be performed in an oxidizing environment to alter the properties of the manganese oxide particles.

Abstract: Improved high rate batteries based on silver vanadium oxide yield improved pulsed performance. In particular, batteries comprise an electrolyte having lithium ions and a cathode comprising silver vanadium oxide. Improved batteries have a pulsed specific energy of at least about 575 mWh/g when pulsed in groups of four-10 second pulses at a current density of 25 mA/cm2 spaced by 15 seconds between pulses and with 30 minutes between pulse groups down to a discharge voltage of 1.5 volts. In addition, improved batteries can achieve high maximum specific powers, high current densities and no voltage delay in pulsed operation. The batteries are particularly suitable for use in implantable medical devices, such as, defibrillators, pacemakers or combinations thereof. Improved processing approaches are described.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for differentially treating a medical device. One portion of the device is treated with a first fluid and a separate portion is treated with a second fluid. The second fluid generally is substantially different from the first fluid. The first fluid can be contacted with an flow region of the medical device. The apparatus can include a conduit system, where fluid flowing through the conduit system flows through the flow region. Sheet material can be treated differentially on the opposite surfaces of the sheet. The medical device can include vascular tissue.

Abstract: Medical devices include biocomatible materials and a plurality of exogenous storage structures. The exogenous storage structures store a therapeutic agent which acts to inhibit restenosis. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agents are radioactive metal ions. In other embodiments, the medical device has an expandable structure with particles of therapeutic agent on its surface. The particles of therapeutic agent are delivered into a region susceptible to restenosis by direct application of the medical device against the adjacent wall.

Abstract: Lithium manganese oxide particles have been produced with an average diameter less than about 250 nm. The particles have a high degree of uniformity. The particles can be formed by the heat treatment of nanoparticles of manganese oxide. Alternatively, crystalline lithium manganese oxide particles can be formed directly by laser pyrolysis. The lithium manganese oxide particles are useful as active materials in the positive electrodes of lithium based batteries. Improved batteries result from the use of uniform nanoscale lithium manganese oxide particles.

Abstract: A method for the production of silicon oxide particles includes the pyrolysis of a molecular stream with a silicon compound precursor, an oxygen source and a radiation absorbing gas. The pyrolysis is driven by a light beam such as an infrared laser beam. The method can be used in the production of nanoscale particles including highly uniform nanoscale particles.