Abstract: Disclosed herein, inter alia, are a method, system and a kit for improving a defined condition in a subject, the method comprising selecting a set of one or more correction zones, being surface zones on the surface of the subject's skin or defined angular zones in the subject's field of view, the one or more correction zones being associated with the condition; and placing the one or more correcting elements in said one or more correction zones to thereby cause improvement in said condition. Also provided herein are methods and systems for providing such correction zones related to a defined condition in a subject or to a defined cause in a subject being associated with a defined condition.

Abstract: A method and implant to treat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are disclosed. The method involves advancing the insertion of the patellar ligament to the proximal tibia. The implant includes a spacer (30) which is inserted between the patellar ligament and the tibia and fixed to the tibia. The spacer decreases the angle between the patellar ligament and the tibia plateau and consequently modifies the internal joint force, restoring stability to the joint even if the ACL is ruptured. The method and implants are applicable to both human and canine patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoluminal device for implantation in a body lumen, such as a pancreatic duct. The device is provided with a distal end region having greater flexibility than that of a medial region of the device.

Abstract: A hybrid medical device that can aid in reconstructive or augmentative surgery of the breast is disclosed. The device can utilize a suitable biological collagen tissue matrix combined with a synthetic material, for example, that can impart a high initial strength to the repair site while permitting proper healing and revitalization of the implanted device.

Abstract: A tendon repair implant for treatment of a partial thickness tear in the supraspinatus tendon of the shoulder is provided. The implant may incorporate features of rapid deployment and fixation by arthroscopic surgery that compliment current procedures; tensile properties that result in desired sharing of anatomical load between the implant and native tendon during rehabilitation; selected porosity and longitudinal pathways for tissue in-growth; sufficient cyclic straining of the implant in the longitudinal direction to promote remodeling of new tissue to tendon-like tissue; and, may include a bioresorbable construction to provide transfer of additional load to new tendon-like tissue and native tendon over time.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize semipermeable nanotubes in conjunction with application of controlled electrical potentials across semipermeable nanotube walls allow selective transport of charged impurities (e.g., charged impurities, ions, etc.) from a fluid into these nanotubes. Impurities collected in these nanotubes can then be removed from the fluid, (e.g., blood) as a waste stream. A collection of semipermeable nanotubes each carrying a waste stream can be aggregated and merged into a ureter for excretion thereby providing an artificial kidney system. Sensors that detect/measure various impurities may be included in the system to feed information to a microprocessor to inform on concentrations of impurities, and thereby control electrical potentials applied to the system.

Abstract: A tendon repair implant for treatment of a partial thickness tear in the supraspinatus tendon of the shoulder is provided. The implant may incorporate features of rapid deployment and fixation by arthroscopic surgery that compliment current procedures; tensile properties that result in desired sharing of anatomical load between the implant and native tendon during rehabilitation; selected porosity and longitudinal pathways for tissue in-growth; sufficient cyclic straining of the implant in the longitudinal direction to promote remodeling of new tissue to tendon-like tissue; and, may include a bioresorbable construction to provide transfer of additional load to new tendon-like tissue and native tendon over time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoluminal device for implantation in a body lumen, such as a pancreatic duct. The device is provided with a distal end region having greater flexibility than that of a medial region of the device.

Abstract: Provided is a stent pusher assembly for positioning a ureteral stent, the stent pusher assembly having an inner and outer stent pusher. The stent pusher assembly positions the ureteral stent in a patient's kidney and bladder without a bladder fixing portion of the stent entering a ureteral passage-way, thereby minimizing irritation to the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field of tissue repair and regeneration. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to medical devices, materials or constructs, such as conductive biocompatible polymers having one or more networks of metal nanowires that enhance tissue repair and regeneration using electromagnetic fields.

Abstract: A laminate useful as a component of a medical implant, for example, useful as a component of an inflatable tissue expander. The laminate includes a base layer, an intermediate layer, and a top layer. When used as a component of a tissue expander, the laminate enables an internal chamber pressure of about 2.5 psi with an expander exterior compressive force of about 40 lbs.

Abstract: A prosthesis comprising a tissue expander and one or more samples of graft material, wherein the tissue expander is attached to the one or more samples of graft material in a manner that allows the tissue expander and the one or more samples of graft material to be implanted in a patient as a unitary prosthesis; and wherein tissue expander is attached to the one or more samples of graft material in a manner that will allow the tissue expander and the graft material to separate after a period of time following implantation to allow removal of the tissue expander from an implant sites while leaving the graft material within the implant site, the prosthesis comprises a tissue expander having molded grooves, slots, channels, or other shallow cavity spaces on a surface, and wherein the graft material is within the grooves, slots, channels, or other shallow cavity spaces, securing the graft material to the tissue expander.

Abstract: A device includes a somewhat cylindrical working portion having an initial equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 170 mm, an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 5 to about 25 mm, a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 40 mm and a length ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm; and an anchoring portion extending beyond the working portion and having an initial equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm, an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 10 to about 25 mm, a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm and a length ranging from about 10 to about 50 mm.

Abstract: A system (100) for a controlled stressing of a reconstructed or re-natured ligament of a human or animal body comprises an anchoring element (10) for implantation in a first bone (50), at least one connecting element (120) and a holding element (30), which fixes the at least one connecting element (20) in a second bone. According to the invention, an elastomer element (125) is arranged in the anchoring element and/or in the connecting element (120) and provides a defined elastic action through the cooperation of elastomer element (125) with the connecting element (120).

Abstract: An indwelling stent is provided. The stent includes a distal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, and a proximal member that extends between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and defines a lumen therethrough, wherein the distal member and the proximal member collectively define the stent, and wherein the distal and proximal members are discrete components and are telescopingly arranged with the distal end portion of the proximal member extending over an outer surface of the distal member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.

Abstract: A server, method and computer program product for identifying online usage of honeypots by test-takers during administration of online assessments is disclosed. The server includes at least one computer processor coupled to a network interface and configured to receive a pool of test questions used for a learning assessment. The server converts each question in the pool into a watermarked question comprising a unique string of characters; creates a corresponding web beacon for each watermarked question in the pool; loads available PHP server header information; propagates each watermarked question onto at least one seed site domain to create a cluster of seed sites; and detects when a test-taker visits at least one of the seed sites during an online assessment.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium that facilitate software configuration of assistive computer devices by automatically assessing a user's capabilities through questions and tasks are provided. The analysis results of the user's capabilities are then available to assistive computer software applications which may subsequently update their interfaces accordingly. A mapping mechanism from an external input device into a target software application is facilitated for software applications that do not include assistive technology features.

Abstract: A method and system provide and use a patellar implant. The patellar implant includes a superior portion, an inferior portion opposite to the superior portion, and an anterior portion. The superior portion being configured to reside below a patellar tendon and to elevate and/or tilt the patellar tendon. The inferior portion is configured to be seated in proximity to a tibia. The anterior portion is between the superior portion and the inferior portion. The anterior portion is placed in proximity to a patella. In one aspect, the method includes inserting the implant beneath the patellar tendon and between the patella and a position at which the patellar tendon is affixed to the tibia. In this aspect, the method also includes affixing the implant.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial portion disposed between the distal end portion an the proximal end portion. The proximal end portion is configured to be disposed within a bladder of a patient. A portion of the proximal end portion is configured to contact an inner wall of the bladder to help retain the bladder in an expanded configuration.