Abstract: A method for making an orthodontic appliance comprising: receiving, by a processor of a computer system, a three-dimensional digital model of an orthodontic appliance; determining, by the processor, a compensation factor to be applied when manufacturing the orthodontic appliance using the laser-based system, the determining the compensation factor including: aligning the three-dimensional digital model of the orthodontic appliance in a three-dimensional space with a predetermined position; determining a deviation of a position of a model groove base from a desired position of the model groove base, the compensation factor being based on the deviation and relating to an amount of material to be used during the manufacturing of the orthodontic appliance; causing the laser-based system to apply the compensation factor for manufacturing the orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: A single-use cover assembly that obscures a substantial majority or an entirety of an injection needle from view before, during, and after an injection procedure. The cover assembly includes a housing and a needle sleeve that retracts and extends by sliding axially within the housing. The needle sleeve carries a locking collar that moves from a first position to a second position once the needle sleeve is fully retracted. In the first position the locking collar allows retraction of the needle sleeve from a fully extended position. In the second position, a portion of the locking collar covers a tip of the needle, thereby preventing retraction of the needle sleeve from the fully extended position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drive device of an electrode channel for strengthening core muscles of an abdominal region, which can improve circulation of body fluid in a body cavity of the abdominal region and activate muscle membrane tissues inside/outside the abdominal cavity. The drive device includes a wearable instrument worn by a user over an abdominal region, a plurality of electrode channels formed by an electrode pair of a positive-terminal strip and a negative-terminal strip provided on the wearable instrument and contacting a body of the user, and a frequency supply unit for generating and selectively applying Russian current having a middle frequency and interference-wave current between the positive-terminal strip and the negative-terminal strip. Control is performed such that Russian current and interference-wave current are selectively applied to a positive-terminal strip of one of the plurality of electrode channels and a negative-terminal strip of another electrode channel.

Abstract: This invention describes a wound dressing product for active continuous debridement of devitalized tissues in non-healing wounds including diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, burn injuries and other etiologies. The present invention pertains to the principle of continuous wound debridement which makes necrotic tissue more susceptible for removal and hence enhances progressive wound healing. The dressing contains an active ingredient, such as collagenase which serves to debride wounds in-situ. In the present invention purified Collagenase (90% pure) was deposited onto several wound dressing materials. A key feature of this invention is that the activity level of the Collagenase used was substantially preserved.

Abstract: A system and method detect neuronal action potential signals from tissue responding to electrical stimulation signals. A sparse signal space model for a set of tissue response recordings has a signal space separable into a plurality of disjoint component manifolds including a neural action potential (NAP) component manifold corresponding to tissue response to electrical stimulation signals. A response measurement module is configured to: i. map a tissue response measurement signal into the sparse signal model space to obtain a corresponding sparse signal representation, ii. project the sparse signal representation onto the NAP component manifold to obtain a sparse NAP component representation, iii. when the sparse NAP component representation is greater than a minimum threshold value, report and recover a detected NAP signal in the tissue response measurement signal.

Abstract: A sound processing arrangement is described for a patient with a bilateral cochlear implant system having implanted electrode arrays in each ear. There is a left-side sensing microphone and a right-side sensing microphone, each configured for sensing the sound environment surrounding the patient and generating corresponding microphone signals. A sound object identification module is configured for analyzing the microphone signals to identify one or more sound objects within the sound environment. A sound object selection module is configured for processing the microphone signals to generate a sound object signal for each of the one or more sound objects. A stimulation side selector module is configured for selecting on which side or sides of the bilateral cochlear implant arrangement to process each sound object signal. One or more sound processors processes the sound object signals to generate stimulation signals to the implanted electrode arrays on the selected side or sides.

Abstract: A signal processing arrangement generates electrode stimulation signals to stimulation contacts in a cochlear implant electrode array. A signal filter bank transforms an input sound signal into band pass signals, which each represent an associated frequency band of audio frequencies. An envelope processing module processes the band pass signals in a sequence of sampling time frames, wherein for each time frame, the processing includes calculating for each band pass signal at least one signal envelope dynamic property that is changing during the time frame. A channel selection module selects one or more of the band pass signals for each time frame based on the dynamic properties to produce the electrode stimulation signals to the stimulation contacts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis and risk assessment of plasmalogen deficiency mediated diseases of aging. The present invention describes the relationship between plasmalogen biosynthesis dysfunction and the biochemical and clinical manifestations of age related disorders. Specifically the present invention describes an increased prevalence of colon cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovary cancer, kidney cancer, cognitive impairment and dementia in subjects suffering from adult onset plasmalogen biosynthesis disorder (AO-PBD).

Abstract: Methods and kits for determining heparanase procoagulant activity in a biological sample are provided. Diagnostic methods for the detection and/or monitoring of a coagulation-related pathological disorder in a mammalian subject are further provided. In addition, compositions comprising heparanase and at least one tissue factor, uses and methods based thereon in the treatment, amelioration and prevention of coagulation-related pathologic conditions are provided. Also provided are methods for screening a coagulation modulatory compound, methods and uses based thereon in the treatment, amelioration and prevention of coagulation-related pathologic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device capable of disinfecting and sterilizing a medical sensor by ultraviolet radiation, the device comprising: a box-shaped case having a space portion formed therein and having an opening formed through a surface thereof; a door hingedly coupled to a side of the case so as to open and close the opening of the case; a holding member installed in the space portion of the case and allowing a medical sensor to be held on a side thereof; and an ultraviolet sterilizer installed on a side of the holding member.

Abstract: A bone conduction hearing aid system includes a hearing aid housing with a hearing aid vibrator. A skin interface has an interface connector offset on an outer interface surface and detachably connected to a housing connector. A skin adhesive connects to the skin of a patient user to transmit the sound vibrations through the skin to underlying skull bone for transmission by bone conduction to a hearing organ of the user. When the skin adhesive is pressed against the skin of the user, the skin is initially engaged during an initial engagement period with an initial adhesive force that promotes removal and relocation of the skin interface, and the skin is fully engaged after the initial engagement period with a full adhesive force greater than the initial adhesive force that promotes a fixed secure connection that resists removal of the skin interface.

Abstract: An extracellular matrix (ECM) structure for tissue regeneration, the ECM structure having a a sheet member comprising small intestine submucosa (SIS), the SIS sheet member being folded and laminated proximate the sheet member edge, wherein a folded laminated ECM structure having a cavity therein is formed, the ECM structure further including an ECM composition that is disposed in the ECM structure cavity, the ECM composition including liver basement membrane, urinary bladder submucosa, a mesenchymal stem cell and a growth factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to the application of photon energy to energize dental materials to enhance their physical handling characteristics, efficacy, ability to be delivered, reactivity, polymerization, and/or post-cure mechanical properties, among other attributes.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for permanent application of radioactive sources in the field of brachytherapy are described. In an embodiment, an implantable device for radiation therapy of pathological tissues directed toward the administration of radiation to tissue adjacent a cavity wall or surgical excision. The device may include an insertable member, such as a substantially cylindrical member, having at least two ends, a central section positioned between the ends, and a fixation element to retain the implantable device implanted in tissue at a desired position. The device may further include a radioactive source at least partially positioned within the insertable member and that is disposed to deliver radiation to a desired area.

Abstract: A skull clamp for patient stabilization comprises a pair of arms where the arms include upright portions and lateral portions. The upright portions and lateral portions define longitudinal axes, where the intersection of these axes defines an arm angle that is greater than about 90 degrees. In some instances the arm angle is between about 100 and about 120 degrees. In some instances the arm angle is about 110 degrees. The skull clamp can have rails integrated in the arms for attaching various accessories to the skull clamp.

Abstract: A method for making an orthodontic bracket comprising: receiving, by a processor of a computer system, a three-dimensional digital model of an orthodontic bracket; determining, by the processor, a compensation factor to be applied when manufacturing the orthodontic bracket using the laser-based system, the determining the compensation factor including: aligning the three-dimensional digital model of the orthodontic bracket in a three-dimensional space with a predetermined position; determining a deviation of a position of a model groove base from a desired position of the model groove base, the compensation factor being based on the deviation and relating to an amount of material to be used during the manufacturing of the orthodontic bracket; causing the laser-based system to apply the compensation factor for manufacturing the orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: A method for collapsing a target vein in a patient. The method comprises providing an intravascular irritation element having a plurality of mechanical irritating objects, inserting the intravascular irritation element into a venous lumen of a target vein, and irritating the target vein by moving the plurality of mechanical irritating objects in contact with the inner surface thereof, thereby triggering a collapse of the target vein.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to an inner ear of a subject includes a septum configured to be embedded in the inner ear or on a promontory bone of the subject, a spear connector having a needle for insertion into the septum, a catheter in fluid communication with the spear connector, a fixation device configured to secure the septum to the inner ear or the promontory bone.

Abstract: A handheld device for mixing a liquid and a gas to form foam before a treatment procedure comprises: an inlet for letting a liquid enter the device, the inlet adapted for attachment to a syringe containing the liquid, an outlet for letting a formed foam exit the device, a chamber containing a gas, the chamber comprising the inlet and outlet, at least one agitation element disposed in the chamber, the at least one agitation element is arranged for independent movement in at least one degree of freedom, the at least one agitation element sized and shaped to mechanically agitate liquid flowing past the at least one agitation element, the liquid flowing in an overall inlet-to-outlet direction, the agitation being sufficient for the at least some of the liquid to mix with the gas to produce the formed foam; the device is dimensioned for holding in one hand.