Abstract: A needle cover assembly includes a manually operable member; a rigid needle shield (RNS) provided with an internally arranged resilient cap, in turn arranged to house and protect an injection needle; and a RNS remover assembly including a tubular shaped member surrounding the RNS, in which the tubular shaped member is arranged with at least one grip member capable of gripping the RNS in order to remove the RNS. The RNS remover assembly further includes a spinning attachment member having a distal end fixedly attached to the tubular shaped member and a proximal end rotatably attached to the manually operable member such that the manually operable member can be freely turned in relation to the RNS remover assembly but is locked in an axial direction.

Abstract: An expandable spacer, comprising: an axial tube having a surface, a proximal end and a distal end and a length, wherein, said surface defines a plurality of slits, said plurality of slits defining at least two axially displaced extensions, such that when said tube is axially compressed, said extensions extend out of said surface and define a geometry of an expanded spacer. Preferably the spacer is adapted to be inserted between two spinal vertebrae of a human.

Abstract: A vertebral body replacement includes first and second end plates, and a compliant connector section between the end plates having one or more helical cuts to provide limited compliance between the end plates. The compliant connector section can be provided in a separate spacer that fits between the end plates or directly in one or more of the end plates. The adjoining end plate surfaces, and/or adjoining surfaces of the spacer, include a rotational interlock to inhibit rotational motion between the surfaces and allow a modular stacking assembly of the vertebral body replacement to accommodate a wide range of patients.

Abstract: Described are passively activated safety needle assemblies and methods for use. The assemblies comprise an elongate hollow outer shield, an elongate hub slidably engaged within the outer shield and biased to move proximally with respect to the outer shield. A locking ring in the hub has a ring element that cooperates with an activation element on the outer shield rotate the locking ring and disable the assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for refractive surgery, in particular LASIK, make provision whereby the apex of the cornea is taken as a basis, as the ablation center, for the refractive procedure. For this purpose, the dependence of the position of the apex on properties of the pupil is determined in the case of the eye to be treated and, from this dependence, measured properties of the pupil are used to calculate the position of the ablation center during the refractive surgery.

Abstract: A medical air mattress has a mattress body, a lower bedspread, an upper bedspread and a guardrail unit. The mattress body is formed by multiple air cells parallel arranged in an air cell row. The upper bedspread covers the mattress body and has two guardrail sleeves formed on the upper bedspread. The guardrail unit has multiple guardrail air cells mounted respectively in the guardrail sleeves. Since the guardrail sleeves are formed on the upper bedspread, the guardrail sleeves from each opposite side of the upper bedspread will draw each other to maintain the guardrail sleeves in position when pressed. Therefore, the guardrail sleeves do not fall down when pressed to remain providing optimal protection purpose.

Abstract: A universal corner panel includes a first surface comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first surface topography with a first delta and the second portion has a second surface topography with a second delta. The first delta is substantially different than the second delta.

Abstract: A surgical rivet device for the repair of torn menisci and other intra-articular bodily tissues is disclosed in which the device comprises a shaft, projecting fins and a penetration head at one end and a wide rear portion. The device is inserted by a driving mechanism through both sides of the torn meniscus, compressing the tear in the meniscus between the fins near the head and the wide rear portion, holding the tear together. After insertion, the driving mechanism is separated from the rivet, leaving the rivet device in the patient. The rivet device is entirely biodegradable and absorabable by the body.

Abstract: In a medical apparatus including a medical imaging system and a medical position and navigation system (MPS), the medical imaging system including an imaging transmitter, periodically emitting imaging radiation and an imaging detector, the medical position and navigation system including at least one MPS transmitter periodically transmitting MPS radiation and at least one MPS detector, the MPS radiation electromagnetically interfering with at least one mode of operation of the imaging detector, a device for eliminating interference to the imaging detector caused by positioning radiation, the device comprising a synchronizer, coupled with the medical imaging system and with the medical position and navigation system, synchronizing the imaging detector and each the at least one MPS transmitter, so that neither of the at least one MPS transmitter transmits during the at least one mode of operation of the imaging detector.

Abstract: A driving-side pulley includes a cam mechanism that presses a movable sleeve in a first direction by utilizing a relative rotation of the movable sleeve in the normal direction with respect to an axis-line-direction fixed member, the first direction being a direction that has a pressing surface pressed against a corresponding side surface of a belt.

Abstract: A swaddling blanket and pouch combination (SBPC) (10) that allows an infant to be comfortably and easily swaddled. The blanket (12) is comprised of a right blanket flap (28) and a left blanket flap (46) and includes a designated area to which is removably attached the pouch (70). The pouch features a lower end (78) which includes an opening and closing means that allows an infant's soiled diaper to be easily removed and replaced or to take a rectal temperature. The SBPC (10) is used by first placing the left blanket flap (46) over the pouch (70), which is then followed by placing the right blanket flap (28) over the pouch. The right and left blanket flaps (28,46) as well as the pouch (70) are preferably held in place by hook and loop fasteners (88).

Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs employing tensionable knotless anchors, without knot tying. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used by themselves or in combination with additional constructs (which may have a similar or different configuration, i.e., modified according to the specific repair) and with the flexible strands provided through tissue, around tissue, or through and around tissue to be repaired or fixated. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used to achieve simple stitch repairs, mattress stitch repairs or interlocked looped mattress repairs, among others. The tensionable knotless anchors may be also provided in a daisy chain configuration, i.e., with the suture from one anchor passed through the eyelet/loop of the shuttle/pull device of another anchor and repeated in a pattern.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a first vertebra and a second vertebra includes implanting a first bone anchor into the first vertebra, implanting a second bone anchor into the second vertebra, connecting a first anchor connection instrument to the first anchor, connecting a second anchor connection instrument the second anchor, positioning a cement delivery tube into a passage provided through the first anchor, delivering bone cement from a bone cement delivery system coupled to the bone cement delivery tube through the passage in the first anchor to the first vertebra, removing the cement delivery tube from the first anchor connection instrument and the first anchor, connecting the cement delivery tube to second anchor connecting instrument connected to the second anchor, delivering bone cement through a passage in the second anchor to the second vertebra, connecting a spinal connection element to the first anchor and the second anchor.

Abstract: An aircraft seat set is provided that allows for providing extra room for passengers and/or allow for selectively increasing the width of an aircraft aisle during enplaning and deplaning and/or increasing the width of some seats during flight. In one embodiment, the aisle seat of the seat set is movably connected to the seat frame of the seat set to allow the aisle seat to be disposed above and in front of the middle seat of the seat set for enplaning and deplaning.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device capable of cutting biological tissues such as bone and cartilage. The ultrasonic surgical device includes a static casing, which sheaths an ultrasonic horn, and a lubrication film, which separates the ultrasonic horn and the static casing. The static casing, which also incorporates a plurality of fluid channels to allow passage of fluids along its length and eventual distribution of such fluids at the cutting end and biological tissue interface, inhibits the transfer of heat generated along the ultrasonic horn. The cutting end and the static casing are separated by a flexible joint, which serves to inhibit the transfer of vibrational energy, and consequently heat, from the cutting end to the static casing. As such, the static casing remains stable and can be used both to manipulate the surgical device with greater haptic control and facilitate effective penetration of larger cross-sections of biological tissue.

Abstract: A folding table that includes a base with two pedestal assemblies having base frames pivotally connected to each other is provided. One base frame is attached to a table top and both base frames are connected by a linkage assembly. A gas cylinder assembly is connected to the linkage assembly. A latch assembly attached to the bottom surface of the table top engages with a stop member on the base frame that is not attached to the table top. A latch assembly for a folding table and methods of operating the folding table are also provided.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorber for a rebreathing system can be connected to a connection head of the rebreathing system in a simple manner. A centering device (43, 44, 45, 46), provided in the area of a guide plate (40) of the absorber (4), can be caused to mesh with centering pins pointing in the direction of the absorber from the connection head.

Abstract: Described are passively activated safety needle assemblies and methods for use. The assemblies comprise an elongate hollow outer shield, an elongate hub slidably engaged within the outer shield and biased to move proximally with respect to the outer shield. A locking ring in the hub has a ring element that cooperates with an activation element on the outer shield rotate the locking ring and disable the assembly.

Abstract: Implants for positioning between vertebral members. The implant may include a superior surface to contact against a first vertebral member, and an inferior surface to contact against a second vertebral member. The implant may include a central web that extends between first and second flanges. The flanges may be shaped to form gaps that extend the height of the implant. Spaces in communication with the gaps may be formed in an interior of the implant to hold bone growth material.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus to treat obesity and controlling weight gain. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention relates to a covered cage device that is implanted within a human's stomach to occupy volume and cause a reduced desire for eating. The covered cage device is made from a wire-mesh, such a Nitinol, and can be adjustable and collapsible. In another embodiment, the covered cage device has edges that provide stimulation to the stomach to induce a feeling of fullness.