Abstract: A pellet delivery system is provided that comprises a needle having an inner surface defining a passageway. The needle has a first portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and a curved second portion comprising an opening that is in communication with the passageway. The second portion extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. A pellet is positioned in the passageway. A plunger is slidably positioned in the passageway. The plunger comprises a shaft having a rounded tip configured to push the pellet through the first and second portions and out of the opening without the pellet becoming stuck within the passageway or the opening. Implants, systems, constructs, instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A pellet delivery system is provided that comprises a needle having an inner surface defining a passageway. The needle has a first portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and a curved second portion comprising an opening that is in communication with the passageway. The second portion extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. A pellet is positioned in the passageway. A plunger is slidably positioned in the passageway. The plunger comprises a shaft having a rounded tip configured to push the pellet through the first and second portions and out of the opening without the pellet becoming stuck within the passageway or the opening. Implants, systems, constructs, instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An injection includes a tube having opposite first and second ends. A hub is coupled to the first end. A sheath is coupled to the tube and the hub. The hub is movable relative to the tube to move the sheath between a first orientation in which the sheath covers an orifice in the second end and a second orientation in which the sheath is spaced apart from the orifice. Kits and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides improved devices and apparatuses and related methods for sensing differences in pressure or other parameters in the environment of the body of a patient during passage of the device through one or more tissues. In one aspect, the devices and apparatuses of the invention are configured to sense differences in the environment of the body of the patient as the device passes through tissue adjacent to the epidural space to tissue of the epidural space. In one aspect, a dual cannula device comprising one or more sensors connected to a signaling component is provided for sensing passage into of the device into the epidural space and positioning therein. Methods of using same are also provided.

Abstract: A cryoprobe is used during surgery in a human body to remove unwanted tissue. The cryoprobe includes a first gas supply line and a second gas supply line for delivering a supply of cryogenic gas from at least adjacent a proximal end to at least adjacent a distal end of the cryoprobe. The cryoprobe further includes a first gas return line and a second gas return line for returning the supply of cryogenic gas from at least adjacent the distal end to at least adjacent the proximal end of the cryoprobe. At least a portion of the first gas supply line is received in the first gas return line. A transition portion having at least one internal cavity and an aperture from the at least one internal cavity to an exterior portion of the transition portion is also included in the cryoprobe.

Abstract: A pellet delivery system is provided that comprises a needle having an inner surface defining a passageway. The needle has a first portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and a curved second portion comprising an opening that is in communication with the passageway. The second portion extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. A pellet is positioned in the passageway. A plunger is slidably positioned in the passageway. The plunger comprises a shaft having a rounded tip configured to push the pellet through the first and second portions and out of the opening without the pellet becoming stuck within the passageway or the opening. Implants, systems, constructs, instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An injection includes a tube having opposite first and second ends. A hub is coupled to the first end. A sheath is coupled to the tube and the hub. The hub is movable relative to the tube to move the sheath between a first orientation in which the sheath covers an orifice in the second end and a second orientation in which the sheath is spaced apart from the orifice. Kits and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: An injection includes a tube having opposite first and second ends. A hub is coupled to the first end. A sheath is coupled to the tube and the hub. The hub is movable relative to the tube to move the sheath between a first orientation in which the sheath covers an orifice in the second end and a second orientation in which the sheath is spaced apart from the orifice. Kits and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: An injection includes a tube having opposite first and second ends. A hub is coupled to the first end. A sheath is coupled to the tube and the hub. The hub is movable relative to the tube to move the sheath between a first orientation in which the sheath covers an orifice in the second end and a second orientation in which the sheath is spaced apart from the orifice. Kits and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A pellet delivery system is provided that comprises a needle having an inner surface defining a passageway. The needle has a first portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and a curved second portion comprising an opening that is in communication with the passageway. The second portion extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. A pellet is positioned in the passageway. A plunger is slidably positioned in the passageway. The plunger comprises a shaft having a rounded tip configured to push the pellet through the first and second portions and out of the opening without the pellet becoming stuck within the passageway or the opening. Implants, systems, constructs, instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A combination of a cryoprobe and an introducer is used during surgery to ablate unwanted tissue. The introducer includes a handle portion, a cannula portion, a first internal cavity extending through the handle portion, and a second internal cavity extending through the cannula portion. The first and second internal cavities communicate with one another and are sized to receive a portion of a probe shaft of the cryoprobe therethrough. When the probe shaft is inserted into the first and second internal cavities in the introducer, the distal end of the probe shaft is positionable adjacent the distal end of the introducer, and operation of the cryoprobe facilitates cooling of a portion of the cannula portion at the distal end of the introducer.

Abstract: A cryoprobe is used during surgery in a human body to remove unwanted tissue. The cryoprobe includes a first gas supply line and a second gas supply line for delivering a supply of cryogenic gas from at least adjacent a proximal end to at least adjacent a distal end of the cryoprobe. The cryoprobe further includes a first gas return line and a second gas return line for returning the supply of cryogenic gas from at least adjacent the distal end to at least adjacent the proximal end of the cryoprobe. At least a portion of the first gas supply line is received in the first gas return line. A transition portion having at least one internal cavity and an aperture from the at least one internal cavity to an exterior portion of the transition portion is also included in the cryoprobe.

Abstract: A pellet delivery system is provided that comprises a needle having an inner surface defining a passageway. The needle has a first portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and a curved second portion comprising an opening that is in communication with the passageway. The second portion extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. A pellet is positioned in the passageway. A plunger is slidably positioned in the passageway. The plunger comprises a shaft having a rounded tip configured to push the pellet through the first and second portions and out of the opening without the pellet becoming stuck within the passageway or the opening. Implants, systems, constructs, instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides improved devices and apparatuses and related methods for sensing differences in pressure or other parameters in the environment of the body of a patient during passage of the device through one or more tissues. In one aspect, the devices and apparatuses of the invention are configured to sense differences in the environment of the body of the patient as the device passes through tissue adjacent to the epidural space to tissue of the epidural space. In one aspect, a dual cannula device comprising one or more sensors connected to a signaling component is provided for sensing passage into of the device into the epidural space and positioning therein. Methods of using same are also provided.

Abstract: A pellet delivery system is provided that comprises a needle having an inner surface defining a passageway. The needle has a first portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and a curved second portion comprising an opening that is in communication with the passageway. The second portion extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. A pellet is positioned in the passageway. A plunger is slidably positioned in the passageway. The plunger comprises a shaft having a rounded tip configured to push the pellet through the first and second portions and out of the opening without the pellet becoming stuck within the passageway or the opening. Implants, systems, constructs, instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A secondary flow, turbine cooling air system for the uniform cooling of high pressure turbine module components such as the turbine shroud, turbine blade tips, turbine nozzle, transion liner, and turbine bearing support housing in a recuperated gas turbine engine is provided. The secondary flow turbine cooling system provides uniform cooling air having a similar pressure and temperature in a recuperated gas turbine engine as the compressor discharge air of a non-recuperated gas turbine engine. A method for uniform cooling of high pressure turbine module components using the secondary flow turbine cooling air system is also provided.

Abstract: A recuperator and turbine support adapter for securing a recuperator to a combustor case is provided. The recuperator and turbine support adapter comprises an outer strutted body, an inner strutted body and a thermal spring. The thermal spring allows for thermal expansion of the recuperator and turbine support adapter while alleviating any stress or fatigue damage to the adapter. Each of the outer strutted bodies further comprises an outer ring and an inner ring connected by a plurality of struts. The recuperator and turbine support adapter also provides a means of directing the flow of cold compressed air to the recuperator and the return of the recuperator heated air to the combustor/turbine module.