Abstract: Described herein is a novel method of treating bone fractures using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound.

Abstract: A medical device includes a treatment module configured to apply a treatment to a patient. The medical device includes an interface configured to operatively connect to a removable storage device storing authorization data that identifies a level of treatment authorization. The medical device includes a processing device configured to perform operations in response to receiving user input indicating a treatment should be initiated. The operations include determining whether the removable storage device is valid for use with the medical device. If the removable storage device is determined to be valid, the authorization data is accessed. The processing device determines whether the treatment is authorized based on the accessed authorization data. If the treatment is determined to be authorized, the treatment module is controlled to apply the treatment. If the treatment is determined to not be authorized, the treatment module is controlled such that the treatment is not applied.

Abstract: A medical device includes a treatment module configured to apply a treatment to a patient. The medical device includes an interface configured to operatively connect to a removable storage device storing authorization data that identifies a level of treatment authorization. The medical device includes a processing device configured to perform operations in response to receiving user input indicating a treatment should be initiated. The operations include determining whether the removable storage device is valid for use with the medical device. If the removable storage device is determined to be valid, the authorization data is accessed. The processing device determines whether the treatment is authorized based on the accessed authorization data. If the treatment is determined to be authorized, the treatment module is controlled to apply the treatment. If the treatment is determined to not be authorized, the treatment module is controlled such that the treatment is not applied.

Abstract: A medical device includes a treatment module configured to apply a treatment to a patient. The medical device includes an interface configured to operatively connect to a removable storage device storing authorization data that identifies a level of treatment authorization. The medical device includes a processing device configured to perform operations in response to receiving user input indicating a treatment should be initiated. The operations include determining whether the removable storage device is valid for use with the medical device. If the removable storage device is determined to be valid, the authorization data is accessed. The processing device determines whether the treatment is authorized based on the accessed authorization data. If the treatment is determined to be authorized, the treatment module is controlled to apply the treatment. If the treatment is determined to not be authorized, the treatment module is controlled such that the treatment is not applied.

Abstract: A medical device includes a treatment module configured to apply a treatment to a patient. The medical device includes an interface configured to operatively connect to a removable storage device storing authorization data that identifies a level of treatment authorization. The medical device includes a processing device configured to perform operations in response to receiving user input indicating a treatment should be initiated. The operations include determining whether the removable storage device is valid for use with the medical device. If the removable storage device is determined to be valid, the authorization data is accessed. The processing device determines whether the treatment is authorized based on the accessed authorization data. If the treatment is determined to be authorized, the treatment module is controlled to apply the treatment. If the treatment is determined to not be authorized, the treatment module is controlled such that the treatment is not applied.

Abstract: A medical device includes at least one ultrasound transducer, at least one temperature sensor, at least one driver circuit, and at least one processing device. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature at or adjacent a surface of the ultrasound transducer that emits ultrasound during operation of the ultrasound transducer. The driver circuit is coupled to the ultrasound transducer. The processing device is configured to (i) determine whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor meets a defined condition, (ii) control the driver circuit such that the ultrasound transducer produces ultrasound with therapeutic properties if the determination indicates that the temperature meets the defined condition and (iii) control the driver circuit such that the ultrasound transducer does not produce ultrasound if the determination indicates that the temperature does not meet the defined condition.

Abstract: A medical device includes a treatment module configured to apply a treatment to a patient. The medical device includes an interface configured to operatively connect to a removable storage device storing authorization data that identifies a level of treatment authorization. The medical device includes a processing device configured to perform operations in response to receiving user input indicating a treatment should be initiated. The operations include determining whether the removable storage device is valid for use with the medical device. If the removable storage device is determined to be valid, the authorization data is accessed. The processing device determines whether the treatment is authorized based on the accessed authorization data. If the treatment is determined to be authorized, the treatment module is controlled to apply the treatment. If the treatment is determined to not be authorized, the treatment module is controlled such that the treatment is not applied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lightweight, autoclavable, dental suction apparatus used to evacuate fluid from a patient's mouth during dental procedures. In particular, the apparatus is useful for hands-free operation in combination with high volume suction and slow speed suction and in combination with popular disposable suction devices. Further, the apparatus is comfortable for patients and provides greater patient access and comfort to clinicians.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for ultrasonically treating an injury in conjunction with an orthopaedic cast (288) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a portable self-contained main operating unit (12), a support fixture (110, 520, 590, 610, 632, 672, 708, 824), an ultrasonic transducer treatment head module (14), and casting material for attaching the support fixture (110, 520, 590, 610, 632, 672, 708, 824) to the orthopaedic cast (288). The support fixture (110, 520, 590, 610, 632, 672, 708, 824) is configured and adapted for attachment to the orthopaedic cast (288) adjacent an external site corresponding to an internal injury remote from the main operating unit (12). The support fixture (110, 520, 590, 610, 632, 672, 708, 824) has a body (114) and at least one mesh projection (112, 526) extending from the body (114).

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly including a ultrasound transducer and a transducer holder. The transducer holder may have a central body and a plurality of arms, wherein the lower surfaces of the plurality of arms comprises an adhesive to adhere the ultrasound transducer assembly proximate to a treatment site.

Abstract: A improved process for beneficiating kaolin clays to remove discoloring impurities is disclosed. The beneficiation of kaolin clay is improved by fractionating a kaolin clay starting material into a lower brightness first fraction having a majority of the discoloring impurities and a higher brightness second fraction with less impurities. The first fraction is then beneficiated (such as by flotation, selection flocculation, high intensity magnetic separation and/or leaching) to produce a kaolin clay product with improved optical properties. The first and second fractions may be combined to produce a product with improved optical properties.

Abstract: Fine-grained kaolin clays having improved brightness can be produced by (a) using centrifugation to fractionate the clay starting material into finer and coarser fractions, (b) subjecting the coarser fraction to flotation to remove discoloring impurities and (c) combining the finer and floated coarser fractions to produce fine-grained kaolin clays having improved brightness.