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.

Abstract: There is provided a device for automatic synchronized injection and aspiration of fluids comprising: a first linear actuator; a second linear actuator; a first coupling mechanism attached at a distal end portion of the first linear actuator, the first coupling mechanism arranged for detachable coupling to a first plunger of a first syringe; a second coupling mechanism attached at a distal end portion of the second linear actuator, the second coupling mechanism arranged for detachable coupling to a second plunger of a second syringe; and a synchronization mechanism mechanically coupled to the first and second linear actuators, the mechanism arranged so that insertion of the first plunger further into a first barrel of the first syringe is synchronized with extraction of the second plunger from a second barrel of the second syringe, thereby injection from the first syringe is synchronized with aspiration into the second syringe.

Abstract: A cannabis-enriched enzymatically treated therapeutic composition. A therapeutic composition is described including water, glucose, glucose reaction product other than sucrose and fructose; a selected amount of a cannabinoid, a cannabinoid reaction product; optionally a terpene and optionally a terpene reaction product. Methods of making and using the compositions are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating fibromyalgia, by administering a therapeutically-effective combination of an antiviral component and a COX-2 inhibitor component. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a combination of a therapeutically-effective amount of the antiviral compound famciclovir and a therapeutically-effective amount of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. The invention is also related to methods of treating functional somatic syndromes by administering a therapeutically-effective combination of famciclovir and celecoxib.

Abstract: An intra-oral device comprising an upper jaw applicator and a lower jaw applicator, a longitudinal adjustment mechanism for adjusting a relative longitudinal position of the upper jaw applicator to the lower jaw applicator, and a transverse adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between lateral sides of the upper and lower jaw applicators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using low levels of electrical stimulation to treat focal dystonia by stimulating the afferent nervous system and/or altering the function of the gamma motor neurons innervating muscles which experience symptomatic spasms.

Abstract: The present subject matter includes a cannulated delivery device made of an adapter configured to connect to a syringe; a delivery device tip configured to connect to a dosing chamber; an internal chamber of the cannulated delivery device connecting the adapter and to the delivery device tip, and the internal chamber defining a dose pathway and a system and method of use of the device to increase dosage delivery to a patient while maintaining a sterile fluid pathway.

Abstract: A loading spring has an inner end that engages the outer end of a middle ear transducer, an outer end that engages a fixed anatomical structure within the middle ear of the recipient patient, and a center of mass located on a common line between the inner end and the outer end. The loading spring also has an s-shape with a central spring axis along the common line. And the loading spring is configured for displacement of the inner end and the outer end along the central spring axis to fit the loading spring between the transducer and the fixed anatomical structure with a loading force that is within a defined range and entirely along a center axis of the middle ear transducer and the central spring axis.

Abstract: A coupling device for a middle ear implant includes a transducer end configured to engage an implantable electromechanical transducer, a bone engagement end configured to engage a temporal bone surface of a recipient patient, a planar loading spring located between the transducer end and the bone engagement end and configured for compression by displacement of the transducer end and the bone engagement end in towards each other, and compression indicators configured to provide visual indication of a pre-load force created on the temporal bone surface by the compression of the loading spring.

Abstract: Absorbable composite medical devices such as surgical meshes and braided sutures, which display two or more absorption/biodegradation and breaking strength retention profiles and exhibit unique properties in different clinical settings, are made using combinations of at least two types of yarns having distinctly different physicochemical and biological properties and incorporate in the subject construct special designs to provide a range of unique properties as clinically useful implants.

Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a kit and a method for diagnosing or monitoring a liver disease, comprising a detection reagent for one or more markers of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase (cAST) and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (mAST) as biomarkers in a biological sample; and an antibody used for the detection. Compared to the conventional enzyme activity measurement method, the method according to the present application can more accurately measure diagnosis or prognosis of a liver disease with high sensitivity through measurement of the amount of mAST or cAST present in the biological sample, in particular, in a blood sample.

Abstract: A system and method of treating hyperactivity of an eyelid closing muscle in a subject includes providing a stimulation system in the subject with the hyperactivity of the eyelid closing muscle, sensing an activity of the eyelid closing muscle, and selectively stimulating eyelid opening muscle(s) or innervating nerves, eyelid opening reflexes, or eyelid opening reflexes in non-muscular tissue, using the stimulation system, without substantially activating the eyelid closing muscle. The system and method evokes eyelid movement in the subject.

Abstract: A method for forming a desired bend angle in an orthodontic appliance comprising: obtaining desired bend angle; determining initial bend angle to be applied in gripped state; causing forming of a bend with initial bend angle; monitoring bending; in response to initial bend angle in the appliance in the gripped state being reached, causing the release of at least a portion of the appliance so that appliance is in the free state, measuring resultant angle of the bend in free state; selectively executing: in response to resultant angle being within a predefined tolerance of the desired bend angle, determining that desired bend angle has been reached; and in response to the resultant angle being outside the predefined tolerance level of the desired bend angle, iteratively applying an adjusted bend angle to the appliance in the gripped state until the desired bend angle is achieved as determined in the free state.