Abstract: An optical sensor having a sapphire body is disclosed. A hollow in the sapphire body defines a surface which is used as a surface of a Fabry-Perot cavity. Interferometry is used to detect changes in the length of the Fabry-Perot cavity, and hence changes in, for example, the temperature or pressure of an environment in which the sensor is placed.

Abstract: Reduced bone fracture fixation devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the reduced bone fracture fixation devices include a body dimensioned to be positioned in a reduced bone fracture, wherein the body includes at least one tension element configured to exert a force on bone of the reduced bone fracture sufficient to maintain reduction of the reduced bone fracture. Aspects of the invention further include kits and methods of using and manufacturing the bone fracture fixation devices. The devices, kits and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications, such as in applications in which it is desired to repair a reduced bone fracture.

Abstract: An embodiment of a bone stabilization and distraction system of the present disclosure includes a light-sensitive liquid; a light source for providing light energy; a light-conducting fiber for delivering the light energy from the light source to cure the light-sensitive liquid; a delivery catheter having a proximal end in communication with the light-conducting fiber and the light-sensitive liquid, an inner lumen for passage of the light-conducting fiber, and an inner void for passage of the light-sensitive liquid; and an expandable body removably engaging a distal end of the delivery catheter, wherein the expandable body has a closed end, a sealable open end, an inner cavity for passage of the light-sensitive liquid, an external surface and an internal surface, and wherein the expandable body has an insertion depth with a fixed dimension, a width with a fixed dimension, and a thickness with a changeable dimension.

Abstract: An optical sensor (10) comprises an optical cavity defined by a dielectric body and responsive to one or more physical environmental conditions, and a waveguide (70) having a terminal end spaced apart from the optical cavity such that light is optically coupled from the terminal end of the waveguide (70) to the optical cavity. The waveguide (70) is arranged such that, in use, it is maintained at a first temperature that would not damage the optical coupling to the optical cavity when the dielectric body is maintained at a second temperature sufficient to damage the optical coupling to the optical cavity.

Abstract: Biocompatible, resorbable medical implants and related methods are disclosed in which the implant can be made of a collagen matrix for filling a space after partial or total resection of the trapezium bone of the wrist. The resorbable medical implant can include a plurality of surface projections, and the collagen matrix can be folded or spirally wound about itself to form a spiral roll.

Abstract: Compression screw apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the compression screw includes a primary screw and a secondary screw. The primary screw includes an at least partially threaded leading portion and an at least partially threaded trailing portion. The secondary screw includes outer threads and has a central opening which is also threaded and adapted for being screwed onto and matingly engaging the trailing portion of the primary screw. Drivers can be used to rotatably control the primary screw and the secondary screw to cause compression of spaced-apart material, particularly for compression of bone fragments across a fracture line.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for treating carpal tunnel syndrome are disclosed herein. A surgical knife and guide tool for performing carpal tunnel release surgery includes an elongated handle having a cutting head comprising an upper edge, a bottom edge, and a cutting edge therebetween, wherein the bottom edge comprises at least one glider extending from the bottom edge of the cutting head; and an elongated body having a longitudinal opening comprising a top portion having a first width for accepting the cutting head of the elongated handle and a bottom portion having a second width for accepting the at least one glider extending from the bottom edge of the cutting head, wherein the at least one glider controls longitudinal movement of the elongated handle.

Abstract: Resorbable medical implants and related methods are disclosed for placement against bone and/or for filling a void such as a void between bones. The resorbable medical implants can be structured and configured as desired, for example, to conform to surfaces of adjacent bones and/or to conform to a desired bone shape for replacement otherwise. Short-term fixation of the resorbable medical implants can advantageously assist in promoting and allowing growth of new bone tissue into the implant as the implant gradually resorbs. The implant can comprise a material that is porous with microscopic and non-microscopic pores. In one aspect, the resorbable implant can be shaped and used as a trapezium bone replacement.

Abstract: A joint prosthetic component that includes first and second arms, and a joint member interposed therebetween. The joint member is configured to permit flexion motion between the first and second arms, and includes a first concave surface and a second concave surface. The first concave surface has a plurality of arcuate portions defined therein. The first and second concave surfaces are located on opposing sides of the joint member.

Abstract: Compression screw apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the compression screw includes a primary screw and a secondary screw. The primary screw includes an at least partially threaded leading portion and an at least partially threaded trailing portion. The secondary screw includes outer threads and has a central opening which is also threaded and adapted for being screwed onto and matingly engaging the trailing portion of the primary screw. Drivers can be used to rotatably control the primary screw and the secondary screw to cause compression of spaced-apart material, particularly for compression of bone fragments across a fracture line.

Abstract: A modular elbow prosthesis includes a humeral and ulnar components and three bearing components. The ulnar component includes a stem and a body including a slot. Two of the three bearing components include flanges that mate with the slot of the ulnar component. The humeral component includes a stem and two arms extending from one end of the stem. An opening is formed in each arm and in two of the three bearing components. The modular elbow may be used in an unconstrained mode by attaching one bearing component to the ulnar component and the other to the humeral component by inserting a pin through the openings in the arms and the bearing component. The two bearing components are then placed adjacent each other such that they articulate about their bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A modular elbow prothesis includes a humeral component, an ulnar component and three bearing components. The ulnar component includes a stem for implantation in the intramedullary canal of an ulna and a body including a slot. Two of the three bearing components include flanges that mate with the slot of the ulnar component. The humeral component includes a stem for implantation in the intramedullary canal of the humerus and two arms extending from one end of the stem. An opening is formed in each arm and in two of the three bearing components. The modular elbow may be used in an unconstrained mode by attaching one bearing component to the ulnar component and the other to the humeral component by inserting a pin through the openings in the arms and the bearing component. The two bearing components are then placed adjacent each other such that they articulate about their bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A doped slab region is described for use around a ridge waveguide, for controlling the refractive index of the waveguide material. Instead of simply diffusing dopant in from a surface of the slab region adjacent the waveguide, an area of the slab region is etched and dopant diffused in from a side face of the etched region. Thus, the dopant profile is established from a horizontal direction, allowing the profile to be controlled. A simple vertically uniform doping profile can thus be provided, leading to a vertically uniform current density, or an anisotropic wet etch can be applied after the initial etch to provide a profile which concentrates the current density at a selected height in the slab region.

Abstract: A joint prosthetic component that includes first and second arms, and a joint member interposed therebetween. The joint member is configured to permit flexion motion between the first and second arms, and includes a first concave surface and a second concave surface. The first concave surface has a plurality of arcuate portions defined therein. The first and second concave surfaces are located on opposing sides of the joint member.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated optical component on a silicon-on insulator chip comprising a silicon layer (1) separated from a substrate (2) by an insulating layer (3), the component having a first set of features, eg a rib waveguide (5) at a first level in the silicon layer (1) adjacent the insulating layer (3) and a second set of features, eg a triangular section (5B) at a second level in the silicon layer (1) further from the insulating layer (3), the method comprising the steps of: selecting a silicon-on-insulator chip having a silicon layer (1) of sufficient thickness for the first set of features; fabricating the first set of features in the silicon layer (1) at a first level in the silicon layer; increasing the thickness of the silicon layer (1) in selected areas to form a second level of the silicon layer (1) over part of the first level; and then fabricating the second set of features at the second level in the silicon layer (1).

Abstract: An optical waveguide structure formed on an optical chip comprising a first waveguide layer 3 of a first material supported on a substrate 7 and a second waveguide layer 6 of a second material supported on the first waveguide layer 3. The first waveguide layer 3 is separated from the substrate 7 by an optical confinement layer 8 and the second waveguide layer 6 is separated from the first waveguide layer 3 by an etch-stop layer 9. The etch-stop layer 9 is thin compared to the thickness of the first waveguide layer 3 and/or the second waveguide layer 6 and is of a material which enables it to act as an etch-stop when features are etched in the second waveguide layer 6.

Abstract: An integrated optical circuit is formed in a silicon layer and supported on a substrate, and a portion of the silicon layer is substantially thermally isolated from the substrate by extending over a recess in the substrate, e.g. in the form of a bridge. Temperature control means are provided to control the temperature of the portion of the silicon layer or of a device provided thereon. A thermal expansion gap may be provided in the portion to accommodate thermal expansion of the portion relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of providing a point to point connection between two electrical circuit boards (23, 23′) in which a plurality of pairs of optical transceivers are provided, one transceiver of each pair being formed on a first silicon-on-insulator chip (2) in electrical contact with a first electrical circuit board (23), and the other transceiver of each pair being formed on a second silicon-on-insulator chip (2′) in electrical contact with a second electrical circuit board (23′). Each optical transceiver comprises a branched rib waveguide comprising a common stem (10, 26) and first and second branches (14, 12) extending from the common stem (10, 26); a fiber connector (20) for receiving an optical fiber (22) in communication with the stem (10, 26) of the branched rib waveguide; a light source (4) in communication with the first branch (14) of the branched rib waveguide; and a light receiver (6) in communication with the second branch (12) of the branched rib waveguide.

Abstract: An interferometer is integrated on an optical chip. The optical chip is formed on a layer of silicon separated from a substrate by a layer of insulating material. The optical chip includes an integrated fiber connector for connecting the optical chip to one or more optical fibers. The fiber connector includes a groove formed in the substrate for receiving an optical fiber and a waveguide for transmitting light to or from the fiber connector. The waveguide includes rib waveguides formed in the layer of silicon and at least one phase modulator for altering the phase of light traveling along one of the rib waveguides. This arrangement forms an interferometer in which light transmitted along different optical paths can be combined and the effective path length of at least one of the optical paths can be altered by the phase modulator.

Abstract: A point to point optical link from a transmitter (1) to, a receiver (2) via an optical fiber (3), the transmitter (1) comprising light sources (4) providing signals of different wavelengths and a multiplexer (6) combining the signals onto a single channel for transmission along the optical fiber (3), and the receiver (2) comprising light sensors (8) and a demultiplexer (10) for separating the signals of different wavelengths and directing each to a respective light sensor (8). The output of the transmitter (1) is temperature dependent but arranged so that the change in wavelength with respect to temperature for each of the signals is similar, and the demultiplexer (10) being adjustable so that its response to signals with respect to their wavelength can be actively tuned so as to follow variations in the wavelength of the signals received.