Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, procedures and devices incorporating a variety of impact absorbing structures (IAS) and/or buckling structure arrays into protective garments, vests and/or other items, which can greatly enhance wearer comfort, improve garment durability, improve wearer athletic performance, reduce cost of manufacture and/or minimize impact forces and trauma to the wearer's body.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, procedures and devices incorporating a variety of impact absorbing structures (IAS) and/or buckling structure arrays into shoes, sneakers and/or other footwear, which can greatly enhance wearer comfort, improve shoe durability, improve athletic performance, reduce cost of manufacture and/or minimize impact forces to the foot, legs and/or lower body. Included herein are various types of footwear, foot coverings, lower extremity garments and related orthopedic sleeves and/or orthotics.

Abstract: A method and system for removing a portion of an artificial facet from a vertebra, and an adapter within the system that allows ultrasonic energy and extraction forces to be transmitted therethrough are provided. The method includes attaching an adapter to an ultrasonic waveguide and to a stem cemented into a vertebra, and applying ultrasonic energy and extraction force from the waveguide through the adapter to the stem. The system includes a handset that delivers ultrasonic energy, a waveguide attached to the handset to receive the energy therefrom, and an adapter attached to the waveguide to receive the energy therefrom. The adapter includes a first section attaching the adapter to the ultrasonic waveguide, and a second section attaching the adapter to a portion of the artificial facet joint having a stem embedded in a vertebra, the sections of the adapter transmitting energy and forces from the waveguide through the adapter to the attached stem.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, device, and method for controlling a differential fluid pressure between chambers in a heart. The device includes an implantable pop-off valve that may be secured between two chambers of a heart, such as the left and right atriums. The pop-off valve is normally in a closed position. If a differential fluid pressure across the device exceeds a pre-determined value, the pop-off valve is arranged to open to enable blood flow between the two chambers of the heart. When it is determined that the differential fluid pressure is substantially below the pre-determined value, the pop-off valve is configured to close. The system and method further discloses means for implanting the device into a septal region of the heart.