Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for predicting, anticipating, and/or assessing tissue characteristics obtains measurement information associated with a parameter of a voxel of tissue of a patient measured at two or more time points, the two or more time points occurring before one or more characteristics of the voxel of the tissue are separable in an image generated based on the parameter of the voxel measured at a single time point of the two or more time points, and determines, based on the parameter of the voxel at the two or more time points, the one or more characteristics of the voxel of the tissue.

Abstract: Hot melt adhesive compositions which have enhanced adhesion to difficult substrates, particularly at refrigerator/freezer temperatures or at elevated temperatures. The inventive compositions require a base polymer comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate-containing polymer; a tackifier; an adhesion promoting additive comprising at least one semi-crystalline polymer having a weight average molecular weight of about 30,000 daltons or less; and optional wax; and an optional antioxidant. It has been found that the adhesion promoting additive of this invention enhances the adhesion properties of a hot melt adhesive composition having ethylene vinyl acetate-containing polymer, particularly at elevated temperatures or at low refrigerator and freezer temperatures where other conventional adhesives have been unsuccessful.

Abstract: Hot melt adhesive compositions which have enhanced adhesion to difficult substrates, particularly at refrigerator/freezer temperatures or at elevated temperatures. The inventive compositions require a base polymer comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate-containing polymer; a tackifier; an adhesion promoting additive comprising at least one semi-crystalline polymer having a weight average molecular weight of about 30,000 daltons or less; and optional wax; and an optional antioxidant. It has been found that the adhesion promoting additive of this invention enhances the adhesion properties of a hot melt adhesive composition having ethylene vinyl acetate-containing polymer, particularly at elevated temperatures or at low refrigerator and freezer temperatures where other conventional adhesives have been unsuccessful.

Abstract: A locking mechanism (100) and method of fixation, such as the fixation of a fixation device (104) like a bone screw and of a rod (106) to the spine. The locking mechanism (100) includes a body (102), an insert (108, 308), a rod seat (110, 310) and a set screw. The body (102) includes a bottom portion (114) configured to receive the fixation device (104) and the insert (108, 308) but prevents the insert (108, 308) and fixation device (104) from passing therethrough once the insert (108, 308) and fixation device (104) are engaged. The body (102) further includes a side portion (120) configured to receive the rod (106). Between the rod (106) and the insert (108, 308) is a rod seat (110, 310).

Abstract: A locking mechanism (100) and method of fixation, such as the fixation of a fixation device (104) like a bone screw and of a rod (106) to the spine. The locking mechanism (100) includes a body (102), an insert (108, 308), a rod seat (110, 310) and a set screw. The body (102) includes a bottom portion (114) configured to receive the fixation device (104) and the insert (108, 308) but prevents the insert (108, 308) and fixation device (104) from passing therethrough once the insert (108, 308) and fixation device (104) are engaged. The body (102) further includes a side portion (120) configured to receive the rod (106). Between the rod (106) and the insert (108, 308) is a rod seat (110, 310).

Abstract: A rod, such as that used for spinal stabilization, made of both metal material and elastomeric material. The rod may have a metal infrastructure, which may be non-cylindrical, to provide a desired stiffness for bending in at least one direction and may also have metal exterior surfaces for engaging metal components of spinal fixation locking mechanisms. In addition, the elastomeric material may only partially circumferentially encapsulate the metal material so that the metal material forms part of the surface of the rod.

Abstract: A residential water pressure booster is disclosed comprising a housing with a primary inlet attached to a water source and with an outlet supplying the residential water use. Some of the energy of the flowing water is captured by a turbine impeller that is mounted on a drive shaft. The drive shaft transmits this energy to a pump impeller and, in the preferred embodiment, to a centrifugal pump impeller, both of which boost the pressure of the liquid. Water pressure is also increased by a constriction chamber which constricts the flow between the turbine impeller and the pump impeller. The efficiency of the pump impeller is increased by the action of the centrifugal pump impeller and directional fins and directional grooves in the constriction chamber, which impart a rotational motion to the liquid. The device efficiently boosts water pressure with an external power source.