Abstract: An encapsulated insulating module for furnaces composed by two different quality materials, in which a regular quality insulating module is encapsulated or surrounded by a high quality insulating layer, wherein the regular quality insulating module is in direct contact with the surface of a hot portion of a furnace wall.

Abstract: A tissue excision device comprises a handle. In addition, the tissue excision device comprises an elongate tissue capture member extending from the handle. The tissue capture member has a longitudinal axis and comprises a free end distal the handle. Further, the free end of the tissue capture member includes a tip, a tissue capture recess, and at least one slot extending through the free end in the tissue capture recess. Still further, the tissue excision device comprises an elongate tubular cutting member coupled to the handle. The cutting member slidingly and coaxially receives the tissue capture member. In addition, the cutting member has a free end distal the handle that includes a cutting.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongate body having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The elongate body has a cutting portion at a distal portion of the elongate body, and the cutting portion defines an opening in the elongate body. The distal portion of the elongate body is configured to be inserted into a nucleus of an intervertebral disc when the elongate body is in the collapsed configuration. The cutting portion of the elongate body is configured to disrupt at least a portion of tissue within the nucleus of the intervertebral disc when the elongate body is in the expanded configuration. The elongate body is configured to capture the portion of tissue within the opening of the elongate body when the elongate body is moved from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration while disposed within the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating or enlarging a cavity in a patient's body are provided. One implementation of the apparatus includes a head, a pushrod and a handle. The head is rotatable about a first axis and is configured to effectuate a medical procedure. The pushrod is attached at a distal end to the head and attached at a proximal end to a handle. The pushrod is configured to translate along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, where translation of the pushrod along the second axis rotates the head about the first axis. The handle includes a lever coupled at one first end to the pushrod and pivoting the lever about the third axis translates the pushrod along the second axis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a cannula configured to provide percutaneous access to a nucleus of an intervertebral disc, and an elongate body configured to be movably disposed within a lumen of the cannula. The cannula also defines an opening. The elongate body defines an internal passageway and an opening at a distal portion of the elongate body. The internal passageway of the elongate body can be coupled to a suction source. The elongate body has a cutting portion disposed on an edge of the opening of the elongate body and the elongate body is configured to draw a portion of tissue from within the nucleus of the intervertebral disc into the opening of the elongate body when the suction source is activated. The cutting portion is configured to sever the portion of tissue from the remaining tissue when the elongate body is moved relative to the cannula.

Abstract: An apparatus is described including an elongate member having at least one finger positioned at a distal region of the elongate member. The finger, which can be detachable, is arranged and configured for cutting or scraping. In implementations including two or more fingers, distal ends of two or more fingers can be interconnected either directly or by both being connected to a distal tip of the elongate member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a cavity in an interior body region are described. In one described method, a spring disposed between a first plate and a second plate is compressed. The compressed spring is inserted into a cannula comprising a cannula distal end. The spring is decompressed, at least in part, once at least one of the first and second plates is inserted beyond the cannula distal end to a treatment area adjacent a tissue. The decompression of the spring increases a distance between the first and second plates.

Abstract: A medical device includes a link assembly and an actuating member coupled to the link assembly. The actuating member is configured to actuate the link assembly. A member having a substantially planar surface is coupled to the link assembly. The link assembly is configured to move the member having a substantially planar surface through a range of motion between a first location substantially adjacent the actuating member and a second location at a distance from the actuating member. The substantially planar surface is configured to contact at least a portion of a bone structure (e.g., a vertebra) or a soft tissue area of a patient. A cannula is configured to percutaneously access the patient and the actuating member is moveably disposable within the cannula. The cannula has a cross-sectional shape with at least one substantially planar surface on an inner wall.

Abstract: Several embodiments of cutting tips for tools for creating voids in interior body regions are provided. The cutting tips provide for rotational and translational cutting. An actuator mechanism for deploying a cutting tip converts the rotational movement of a wheel into translational movement of a plunger rod. The actuator mechanism provides positive cutting action as the cutting tip is moved from a first, non-deployed position to a second, deployed position and from the second, deployed position to the first, non-deployed position. Methods of creating a void in bone provide one or more mechanical cutting tools that may be used in combination with one or more expandable void-creating structures to form a void of a desired size and configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a cavity in a patient's body with a material are provided. The apparatus can include a flexible tube, a barrel and a plunger. The flexible tube has a first end, a second end, and a lumen extending from the first end to the second end and operable to hold a material for conveyance through the first end into a cavity. The barrel is in fluid communication with the second end of the flexible tube and includes a lumen configured to receive material for delivery into the flexible tube. The plunger is configured to advance material through the lumen in the barrel and into the flexible tube. In one implememtation, there is substantially a one to one ratio of advancement of the plunger to a volume of material advanced from the rigid first end of the flexible tube.