Abstract: The embodiments provide provides devices, instruments, and associated methods for treating joint pain. A joint is evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging to detect any defects in the subchondral bone. For example, using T2-weighted MRI images, bone marrow lesions or edemas can be identified, and using T1-weighted MRI images, associated regions of sclerotic bone adjacent to the bone marrow lesion can be identified. The treatment method may involve introducing a bone void filler material at the site to address the bone marrow lesion or edema, and/or drilling and inserting an implant to address the sclerotic bone, bone marrow lesion or edema, and insufficiency or stress fractures. An access path is mapped to a location in the subchondral region where the insufficiency fracture resides. The access path attempts to preserve an articular surface of the joint. A reinforcing member that stabilizes the insufficiency fracture is then implanted via the access path.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus includes a combustion chamber having multiple combustion zones. A first wind box is in communication with the first combustion zone to feed the fuel to be fed into the combustion chamber for initial combustion of the fuel within the first combustion zone. A second wind box has a reburner in communication with the second combustion zone. The reburner is configured to feed fuel, a reagent and a first portion of the flue gas to be recycled to the second combustion zone into the second combustion zone to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions of the apparatus. A third wind box is in communication with the third combustion zone to feed air to the third combustion zone to complete the combustion process.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely and subcutaneously positioning a tethering strand in tissue includes a housing, an actuator coupled with the housing for longitudinal reciprocation relative to the housing, and a nested pair of needles including a first needle coupled with the housing and a second needle coupled with the actuator. One of the needles has a sharpened tip and another one of the needles has a blunted tip. The first needle has a first length and the second needle has a second length, and the first length and the second length are selected so that advancement of the second needle using the actuator causes the sharpened tip to project beyond the blunted tip, and so that retraction of the second needle using the actuator causes the blunted tip to project beyond the sharpened tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing Mo-99 from Mo-100 for the use of the produced Mo-99 in a Tc-99m generator without the use of uranium is presented. Both the method and apparatus employ high energy gamma rays for the transformation of Mo-100 to Mo-99. The high energy gamma rays are produced by exposing a metal target to a moderated neutron output of between 6 MeV and 14 MeV. The resulting Mo-99 spontaneously decays into Tc-99m and can therefore be used in a Tc-99m generator.

Abstract: A database system may include a storage array including a plurality of storage devices configured to store database data. The database system may further include a processor in communication with the memory device. The processor may be further configured to determine usage frequency of the database data. The processor may be configured to select a subset of the database data for compression based on the usage frequency. The processor may be further configured to perform the compression of the selected subset of the database data. A method and computer-readable medium may also be implemented.

Abstract: Devices and associated methods are disclosed for treating bone, and particularly bone tissue at the joints. Disclosed are implantable devices that can be used either alone or in combination with this augmentation or hardening material for the repair of bone defects and which are particularly suited for use at the joints, and even more particularly suited for use at the subchondral bone level.

Abstract: Instruments and associated methods are disclosed for treating joints, and particularly bone tissue. One of these instruments may be a positioning instrument for controlled delivery of a device to a target site of the bone tissue being treated. The positioning instrument may comprise an alignment guide having a device portal for insertion of a device therethrough. The positioning instrument may have an indicator probe having an extended arm, and a handle portion for maneuvering the positioning instrument. Another instrument may be a device for placement through the device portal of the alignment guide and to the target site. The device may comprise an implant insertion tool, an injection catheter, a cavity creation tool such as a bone drill, for example, or the device may be an implantable device.

Abstract: A minimally invasive suture insertion device utilizing small gage needles is provided for threading one or more sutures through subcutaneous tissue, both locally and from remote access points, to support, attach, sever, ligate or constrict tissue, vessels, ligaments, nerves or other anatomical features, or for pulling another device into position defined by a suture pathway. A manually operated suture transfer device and method are provided for use in various surgical applications. The suture transfer device operates as an instrument for inserting sutures into and through desired pathways. Tethered cannulas are coupled to the positioned sutures and dock, transversely, with a captured component having a capacity for engaging a single suture or multiple sutures, together or in turn within subcutaneous tissue from local or remote access points.

Abstract: A suture insertion device is provided for positioning a suture inside a layer of subcutaneous tissue from a remote access point. A tether insertion device is provided for positioning a tether within subcutaneous tissue for operating on the suture from a remote access point. The suture insertion device and the tether insertion device cooperate to form the suture into a tissue-supporting sling useful for performing various surgical procedures, including but not limited to plastic surgery such as mid face lifts, neck lifts, brow lifts, under eye lifts, breast lifts, and organ repositioning.

Abstract: The embodiments provide provides devices, instruments, and associated methods for treating joint pain. A joint is evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging to detect any defects in the subchondral bone. For example, using T2-weighted MRI images, bone marrow lesions or edemas can be identified, and using T1-weighted MRI images, associated regions of sclerotic bone adjacent to the bone marrow lesion can be identified. The treatment method may involve introducing a bone void filler material at the site to address the bone marrow lesion or edema, and/or drilling and inserting an implant to address the sclerotic bone, bone marrow lesion or edema, and insufficiency or stress fractures. An access path is mapped to a location in the subchondral region where the insufficiency fracture resides. The access path attempts to preserve an articular surface of the joint. A reinforcing member that stabilizes the insufficiency fracture is then implanted via the access path.

Abstract: The embodiments provide provides devices, instruments, and associated methods for treating joint pain. A joint is evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging to detect any defects in the subchondral bone. For example, using T2-weighted MRI images, bone marrow lesions or edemas can be identified, and using T1-weighted MRI images, associated regions of sclerotic bone adjacent to the bone marrow lesion can be identified. The treatment method may involve introducing a bone void filler material at the site to address the bone marrow lesion or edema, and/or drilling and inserting an implant to address the sclerotic bone, bone marrow lesion or edema, and insufficiency or stress fractures. An access path is mapped to a location in the subchondral region where the insufficiency fracture resides. The access path attempts to preserve an articular surface of the joint. A reinforcing member that stabilizes the insufficiency fracture is then implanted via the access path.

Abstract: Techniques for management of data in multi-storage systems allow managing storage of data in one of the multiple storages (e.g., a HDD) based on the information associated with the storage and/or access of data (e.g., logical hits of data in a cache memory) in another one of the storages (e.g., a cache memory) of the multi-storage system. In one aspect, information associated with storage and/or access of data in a volatile (or non-persistent) storage environment is provided for managing the storage of data in a non-volatile (or persistent) storage environment. By way of example, data access information associated with a volatile storage environment (e.g., logical hits of data in a cache) can be effectively communicated to a non-volatile storage environment, for example, as information that can be indicative of data temperatures. Moreover, the information obtained from a non-volatile storage environment can be persistently stored for and/or in the non-volatile environment (e.g.

Abstract: A combination of non-persistent-based and persistent-based schemes are used to effectively manage volatile storages which are conventionally managed solely by using non-persistent schemes (e.g., LRU schemes in cache memory). Generally, the persistent-based schemes can be based on persistent information associated with a non-volatile storage environment (e.g., persistent data temperatures associated with data stored in non-volatile storages). In this context, a persistent-based scheme can, for example, be effectively used in addition or combination with a conventional scheme provided for volatile memory. By way of example, a LRU scheme can be combined with a scheme based on persistent data temperatures in order to more effectively manage cache memory provided to enhance the performance of a system. As another example, a LRU, a LFU aging schemes can be combined with a scheme based on persistent data temperatures.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to land grid array socket cartridge structures. In one embodiment, a land grid array (LGA) cartridge structure includes: a deformable thin film having at least one aperture configured to hold a substantially liquid metal, whereby in a compressed state of the deformable thin film, the substantially liquid metal of the deformable thin film is configured to electro-mechanically couple a carrier and a socket base. Another embodiment includes a method of forming a LGA cartridge structure. The method includes: providing a deformable thin film having a first surface and a second surface, and forming at least one aperture within the deformable thin film through the first surface and the second surface, wherein the aperture is configured to hold a substantially liquid metal.

Abstract: A buffer memory is provided that comprises a plurality of memory elements for storing data elements in an order of arrival, wherein the plurality of memory elements have a variable size and wherein each memory element comprises a pointer (such as a next block starting index) to a memory element storing a next data element. Additionally, each memory element optionally further comprises a block size field indicating the variable size and/or a sequence number field indicating a sequence number of the corresponding data element. The buffer memory optionally comprises a largest sequence variable to store a sequence number of a data element in the buffer memory having a largest sequence number. The largest sequence variable is updated if a newly arrived data element has a sequence number that is larger than the largest sequence variable. A method is also provided for managing the disclosed buffer memories.

Abstract: The embodiments provide devices and methods that both strengthen the bone and stimulate the bone. Bone fractures or non-unions are stabilized, integrated or healed, which results in reduction of a bone defect, such as a bone marrow lesion or edema. In addition, the distribution of forces in a joint are restored or altered to relieve pain. In general, a joint is evaluated by taking an image of the joint and one or more subchondral defects are detected. At least one of the subchondral defects may be diagnosed as the source of pain and an extent of treatment for the subchondral defect is determined. The disclosed devices and techniques are particularly suited for treating chronic defects or injuries, where the patient's natural healing response has not resolved the defect. The present disclosure also provides several exemplary treatment modalities for the different extents of treatment needed.

Abstract: A system includes a selective catalytic reactor and a bypass line. The selective catalytic reactor is located downstream of a furnace that generates flue gases. The selective catalytic reactor reduces nitrogen oxides to nitrogen. The bypass line is in fluid communication with the selective catalytic reactor. The bypass line contacts an input line to the selective catalytic reactor, where the bypass line is adapted to handle a volume of flue gases diverted from the selective catalytic reactor. A first control damper is disposed at an inlet to the selective catalytic reactor; and a second control damper is disposed at an inlet to the bypass line. The first control damper and the second control damper interact to divide the flue gas stream between the selective catalytic reactor and the bypass line in a ratio to reduce the amount of sulfur trioxide released from the system to a desirable value.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement 22 for supplying and mixing a reducing agent into a flue gas FG flowing through a gas duct 14 and into a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reactor 18 arranged downstream of the arrangement 22. The subject arrangement 22 is useful in both high and low dust environments to mitigate ash and like particulate accumulation on reducing agent nozzles 42 and to provide more uniform reducing agent flow distribution upstream of the SCR reactor 18.

Abstract: A system includes a selective catalytic reactor and a bypass line. The selective catalytic reactor is located downstream of a furnace that generates flue gases. The selective catalytic reactor reduces nitrogen oxides to nitrogen. The bypass line is in fluid communication with the selective catalytic reactor. The bypass line contacts an input line to the selective catalytic reactor-, where the bypass line is adapted to handle a volume of flue gases diverted from the selective catalytic reactor. A first control damper is disposed at an inlet to the selective catalytic reactor; and a second control damper is disposed at an inlet to the bypass line. The first control damper and the second control damper interact to divide the flue gas stream between the selective catalytic reactor and the bypass line in a ratio to reduce the amount of sulfur trioxide released from the system to a desirable value.

Abstract: The embodiments provide devices and methods that both strengthen the bone and stimulate the bone. Bone fractures or non-unions are stabilized, integrated or healed, which results in reduction of a bone defect, such as a bone marrow lesion or edema. In addition, the distribution of forces in a joint are restored or altered to relieve pain. In general, a joint is evaluated by taking an image of the joint and one or more subchondral defects are detected. At least one of the subchondral defects may be diagnosed as the source of pain and an extent of treatment for the subchondral defect is determined. The disclosed devices and techniques are particularly suited for treating chronic defects or injuries, where the patient's natural healing response has not resolved the defect. The present disclosure also provides several exemplary treatment modalities for the different extents of treatment needed.