Abstract: Implants for the fusion or fixation of two bone segments are described. For example, the implants can be used for the fusion or fixation of the sacroiliac joint. The implants can include fenestrations, have a rectilinear overall cross-sectional area, and have a curvature. Some implants can also be used to rescue failed implants.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising belts comprising one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm), resulting in a Donning-Ratio from about 1.0 and about 3 to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to stranded elastomeric laminates (including bi-laminates and tri-laminates) comprising beamed elastics and may have inventive Dtex-to-Nonwoven-Basis-Weight-Ratios, Dtex-to-Spacing-Ratios, and/or Void-Area-to-Strand-Area-Ratios. The stranded laminates of the present disclosure may be used for disposable absorbent article components (including pant belts) and may comprise inventive bonding arrangements that yield inventive textures and texture arrangements. When the inventive stranded elastomeric laminates are used for pant belts, the pants may have inventive Application-Forces, Sustained-Fit-Load-Forces, and Sustained-Fit-Unload-Forces. Further, when absorbent articles are packaged under compression at inventive In-Bag-Stack-Heights, the stranded elastomeric laminates of the present disclosure maintain their inventive properties and characteristics, including their inventive textures.

Abstract: Methods of treatment and treatment systems for performing radiomodulatory stereotactic radiosurgery to treat brain disorders in which target neural tissues associated with the brain disorder are sensitized to radiation by administration of a molecular substance and/or non-targeted critical structures are protected from radiation by a molecular substance, in order to treat disorders of brain circuitry. Specific embodiments disclose means for treating pain, obesity and drug addiction.

Abstract: A system for decorticating at least one bone surface includes an elongated soft tissue protector, an elongated drive shaft and a cutter. The elongated soft tissue protector has a bore extending therethrough. The bore has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The cutter may be located on or near a distal end of the drive shaft. The cutter has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The maximum lateral extent of the cutter is greater than the minimum lateral extent of the bore but is no greater than the maximum lateral extent of the bore. The bore of the soft tissue protector is configured to slidably receive the cutter therethrough. Other systems and methods for decorticating at least one bone surface are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of treatment and treatment systems for performing radiomodulatory stereotactic radiosurgery to treat brain disorders in which target neural tissues associated with the brain disorder are sensitized to radiation by administration of a molecular substance and/or non-targeted critical structures are protected from radiation by a molecular substance, in order to treat disorders of brain circuitry. Specific embodiments disclose means for treating pain, obesity and drug addiction.

Abstract: Removable marker implants having fiducial markers disposed on multiple elongate members extend and splay laterally outward when deployed thereby providing improved 3D localization and tracking of a portion of the patient's body for stereotactic radiosurgery. Such an approach is particularly useful for tracking of the uterus during radiosurgery treatment of uterine fibroids. Such implants can include an outer sheath that contains the multiple elongate members during delivery into the portion of the body. The elongate members can be slidably disposed within the shaft and advanced into an expanded deployed position by advancement of an applicator shaft or rod within the sheath. Marker implant can also be integrally formed implants with flexible arms having fiducial markers thereon that can be constrained in a sheath for delivery and resiliently splay laterally outward when released from the shaft. Methods of delivery and deployment are also provided.

Abstract: Removable marker implants having fiducial markers disposed on multiple elongate members extend and splay laterally outward when deployed thereby providing improved 3D localization and tracking of a portion of the patient's body for stereotactic radiosurgery. Such an approach is particularly useful for tracking of the uterus during radiosurgery treatment of uterine fibroids. Such implants can include an outer sheath that contains the multiple elongate members during delivery into the portion of the body. The elongate members can be slidably disposed within the shaft and advanced into an expanded deployed position by advancement of an applicator shaft or rod within the sheath. Marker implant can also be integrally formed implants with flexible arms having fiducial markers thereon that can be constrained in a sheath for delivery and resiliently splay laterally outward when released from the shaft. Methods of delivery and deployment are also provided.

Abstract: Implants for the fusion or fixation of two bone segments are described. For example, the implants can be used for the fusion or fixation of the sacroiliac joint. The implants can include fenestrations, have a rectilinear overall cross-sectional area, and have a curvature. Some implants can also be used to rescue failed implants.

Abstract: Bone implants and stabilizing rod coupling assemblies to secure a stabilizing rod relative to the bone implant. Bone implants may include a radially recessed collet receiving region that includes a proximal end with an undercut ledge configuration that is sized and configured to interface with and couple to a collet of a tulip assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to implants used in medical procedures such as bone fixation or fusion. More specifically, this application relates to fenestrated implants used in bone fixation or fusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to implants used in medical procedures such as bone fixation or fusion. More specifically, this application relates to fenestrated implants used in bone fixation or fusion.

Abstract: A system for decorticating at least one bone surface includes an elongated soft tissue protector, an elongated drive shaft and a cutter. The elongated soft tissue protector has a bore extending therethrough. The bore has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The cutter may be located on or near a distal end of the drive shaft. The cutter has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The maximum lateral extent of the cutter is greater than the minimum lateral extent of the bore but is no greater than the maximum lateral extent of the bore. The bore of the soft tissue protector is configured to slidably receive the cutter therethrough. Other systems and methods for decorticating at least one bone surface are also provided.

Abstract: A system for decorticating at least one bone surface includes an elongated soft tissue protector, an elongated drive shaft and a cutter. The elongated soft tissue protector has a bore extending therethrough. The bore has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The cutter may be located on or near a distal end of the drive shaft. The cutter has a non-circular lateral cross-section, a maximum lateral extent and a minimum lateral extent. The maximum lateral extent of the cutter is greater than the minimum lateral extent of the bore but is no greater than the maximum lateral extent of the bore. The bore of the soft tissue protector is configured to slidably receive the cutter therethrough. Other systems and methods for decorticating at least one bone surface are also provided.

Abstract: Removable marker implants having fiducial markers disposed on multiple elongate members extend and splay laterally outward when deployed thereby providing improved 3D localization and tracking of a portion of the patient's body for stereotactic radiosurgery. Such an approach is particularly useful for tracking of the uterus during radiosurgery treatment of uterine fibroids. Such implants can include an outer sheath that contains the multiple elongate members during delivery into the portion of the body. The elongate members can be slidably disposed within the shaft and advanced into an expanded deployed position by advancement of an applicator shaft or rod within the sheath. Marker implant can also be integrally formed implants with flexible arms having fiducial markers thereon that can be constrained in a sheath for delivery and resiliently splay laterally outward when released from the shaft. Methods of delivery and deployment are also provided.

Abstract: According to one aspect and example, a method for facilitating cellular interactions in biological tissue provides controllable activation of a selected type of stem cell among a plurality of cell types present in the tissue. The method includes various steps including the introduction of a microbial opsin into a region of the tissue that includes a selected type of stem cell, by expressing the microbial opsin in the stem cell. A light source is then introduced near the stem cell, and the light source is used to controllably activate the light source to direct pulses of illumination from the light source to the selected type of stem cell, for selectively controlling the growth and development of the stem cell in a manner that is independent of the growth and development of the other types of cells.

Abstract: Radiosurgical techniques and systems treat behavioral disorders (such as depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (“OCD”), addiction, hyperphagia, and the like) by directing radiation from outside the patient toward a target tissue within the patient's brain, typically without imposing surgical trauma. The target will often be included in a neural circuit associated with the behavioral disorder. A cellularly sub-lethal dose of the radiation may be applied and the radiation can mitigate the behavioral disorder, obesity, or the like, by modulating the level of neural activity within the target and in associated tissues. Hypersensitive and/or hyperactive neuronal tissue may be targeted, with the radiation downwardly modulating hyperactive neuronal activity. By down-regulating the activity of a target that normally exerts negative feedback or a limiting effect on a relevant neural circuit, the activity of the circuit may be increased.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are implemented for in vivo use in a living animal. One such method involves stimulating target cells having light-responsive proteins and includes providing an elongated light-delivery structure in a narrow passageway in the animal, the elongated light-delivery structure having separately-activatable light sources located along the length of the elongated light-delivery structure. The method also includes activating less than all the light sources to deliver light to light-responsive proteins adjacent to the activated light sources along the length of the elongated light-delivery structure, thereby stimulating target cells in vivo.

Abstract: Methods of stimulating a target deep brain region using multiple Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) electromagnets positioned over a predetermined cortical regions each having a first-order connection to a target deep brain region and applying TMS so that the applied TMS induces spatial summation and thereby modulation of the target deep brain region.

Abstract: A variety of applications, systems, methods and constructs are implemented for use in connection with screening of ion-channel modulators. Consistent with one such system, drug candidates are screened to identify their effects on cell membrane ion channels and pumps. The system includes screening cells having light responsive membrane ion switches, voltage-gated ion switches and fluorescence producing voltage sensors. A chemical delivery device introduces the drug candidates to be screened. An optical delivery device activates the light responsive ion switches. An optical sensor monitors fluorescence produced by the voltage sensors. A processor processes data received from the optical sensor. A memory stores the data received from the optical sensor.