Abstract: Superhydrophobic materials are disclosed and described, along with devices, surfaces, and associated methods. Such materials can be coated onto device surfaces, system surfaces, structures, and the like.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a vertebral attachment device can include an attachment member having a curved shape defining a concave surface, a flex structure included in the attachment member, and an anchor member coupled to the attachment member and protruding from the concave surface.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a sensing membrane including a plurality of conductive fillers included in a matrix. The apparatus can include a plurality of electrical leads coupled to an outer portion of the sensing membrane where the conductive fillers have a volumetric percentage of less than 25% of the volume of the sensing membrane.

Abstract: A vascular stent assembly includes at least a first and a second strut, each including a thickness and a depth. The assembly includes a pair of end radii, with each of the first and second struts extending from one of the pair of end radii. A thickness of at least one of the first and second struts includes a tapering profile extending from one of the end radii to another of the end radii, the tapering profile following a continuously increasing or decreasing function through at least half a length of the at least one strut.

Abstract: A vascular stent assembly includes at least a first and a second strut, each including a thickness and a depth. The assembly includes a pair of end radii, with each of the first and second struts extending from one of the pair of end radii. A thickness of at least one of the first and second struts includes a tapering profile extending from one of the end radii to another of the end radii, the tapering profile following a continuously increasing or decreasing function through at least half a length of the at least one strut.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus includes at least two conductive elements disposed in a polymeric foam and at least two voltage detectors. Each voltage detector is coupled to a respective conductive element and configured to detect a charge generated by an impact to the polymeric foam within a sensing radius of the respective conductive element. In another general aspect, an apparatus includes a deformation sensor and a voltage detector. The deformation sensor includes a conductive element disposed in a polymeric foam, a portion of the conductive element extending beyond an outer wall of the polymeric foam. The voltage detector is coupled to the portion of the conductive element and detects a charge generated by the deformation sensor responsive to an impact to the polymeric foam.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a first rolling-contact core operably coupled to a first vertebra, said first rolling-contact core having a first convex surface having a first axis, said first convex surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to said first vertebra relative to a second vertebra. At least one flexure is connected to said first rolling-contact core, said flexure configured to constrain said first rolling motion.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a vertebral attachment device can include an attachment member having a curved shape defining a concave surface, a flex structure included in the attachment member, and an anchor member coupled to the attachment member and protruding from the concave surface.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ sensing of longitudinal and transverse strain in biological tissue (e.g. tendons and ligaments) includes a set of sensing electrodes that contact biological tissue and enable measurement of an electrical property of the biological tissue along two or more directions. The apparatus may also include a sensing module that senses the electrical property of the biological tissue along the two or more directions to provide multi-directional measurements that are captured by a logging module. The apparatus may also include a transmission module that transmits the captured measurements to a data analysis workstation or the like. The data analysis workstation may include a strain estimation module that receives the multi-directional measurement and estimates a longitudinal strain and a transverse strain therefrom. A corresponding system and method for in-situ sensing of longitudinal and transverse strain in biological tissue is also presented.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus comprises a material including a non-layered mixture of an elastomeric polymer with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the elastomeric polymer. The apparatus may produce an electrical response to deformation and, thus, function as a strain gauge. The conductive fillers may include conductive nanoparticles and/or conductive stabilizers. In another general aspect, a method of measuring compression strain includes detecting, along a first axis, an electrical response generated in response to an impact to a uniform composite material that includes conductive fillers and voids disposed throughout an elastomeric polymer, and determining a deformation of the impact based on the electrical response. The impact may be along a second axis different from the first axis.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprising a plurality of contiguous segments that define a segment array, said plurality of contiguous segments extending from a first side of the segment array to a second side of the segment array in an overlapping configuration, said plurality of contiguous segments operable to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in each of three orthogonal axes. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a first rolling-contact core operably coupled to a first vertebra, said first rolling-contact core having a first convex surface having a first axis, said first convex surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to said first vertebra relative to a second vertebra. At least one flexure is connected to said first rolling-contact core, said flexure configured to constrain said first rolling motion.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a sensing membrane including a plurality of conductive fillers included in a matrix. The apparatus can include a plurality of electrical leads coupled to an outer portion of the sensing membrane where the conductive fillers have a volumetric percentage of less than 25% of the volume of the sensing membrane.

Abstract: A vascular stent assembly includes at least a first and a second strut, each including a thickness and a depth. The assembly includes a pair of end radii, with each of the first and second struts extending from one of the pair of end radii. A thickness of at least one of the first and second struts includes a tapering profile extending from one of the end radii to another of the end radii, the tapering profile following a continuously increasing or decreasing function through at least half a length of the at least one strut.

Abstract: A vascular stent assembly includes at least a first and a second strut, each including a thickness and a depth. The assembly includes a pair of end radii, with each of the first and second struts extending from one of the pair of end radii. A thickness of at least one of the first and second struts includes a tapering profile extending from one of the end radii to another of the end radii, the tapering profile following a continuously increasing or decreasing function through at least half a length of the at least one strut.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus comprises a material including a non-layered mixture of an elastomeric polymer with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the elastomeric polymer. The apparatus may produce an electrical response to deformation and, thus, function as a strain gauge. The conductive fillers may include conductive nanoparticles and/or conductive stabilizers. In another general aspect, a method of measuring compression strain includes detecting, along a first axis, an electrical response generated in response to an impact to a uniform composite material that includes conductive fillers and voids disposed throughout an elastomeric polymer, and determining a deformation of the impact based on the electrical response. The impact may be along a second axis different from the first axis.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus comprises a material including a non-layered mixture of an elastomeric polymer with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the elastomeric polymer. The apparatus may produce an electrical response to deformation and, thus, function as a strain gauge. The conductive fillers may include conductive nanoparticles and/or conductive stabilizers. In another general aspect, a method of measuring compression strain includes detecting, along a first axis, an electrical response generated in response to an impact to a uniform composite material that includes conductive fillers and voids disposed throughout an elastomeric polymer, and determining a deformation of the impact based on the electrical response. The impact may be along a second axis different from the first axis.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments, said plurality of contiguous segments configured to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in any of three orthogonal axes. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: Provided is an intervertebral disc prostheses for installation in a spinal column between superior and inferior vertebral bodies. A first intervertebral plate engages one or both of the inferior vertebral endplate and the inferior ring apophysis of the superior vertebral body. A second intervertebral plate engages one or both of the superior vertebral endplate and the superior ring apophysis of the inferior vertebral body. A biaxial rolling-contact core is located between the intervertebral plates. The core includes a convex upper surface and a convex lower surface. The upper surface is curved around a first axis and the lower surface is curved around a second axis that is rotated relative to the first axis. The core is capable of rolling translation relative to the first intervertebral plate along the upper surface and in a first direction, and rolling translation relative to the second intervertebral plate along the lower surface and in a second direction.