Abstract: A diffuse light source, for use in energy efficient lighting, as well as for visual disorientation or disruption systems, is configured with a single solid torus (15) or rotating dual cylinder (35a, 35b) diffuser of transparent refracting material into which light (13, 33) from a laser or LED beam source (11, 31) is coupled. Light (19, 39) emerges radially outward in all directions from the diffuser.

Abstract: In sterile, additive manufacturing wherein one lamella is successively built upon an underlying lamella until an object is completed, a sterile manufacturing environment is provided. A major chamber large enough to accommodate the manufactured object has sterile accordion pleated sidewalls and a sterile top closed with flap valves. A minor chamber for supporting the nozzles positioned above the major chamber has similar valves in corresponding positions. Nozzles for material deposition penetrate the pair of valves to block air and particles from entry into the major chamber where the nozzles make layer by layer deposition of the object using XY areawise nozzle motion relative to the object as well as Z nozzle vertical motion with the major chamber expanding as the object is formed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for accessing and treating the interior of the facet joint for vertebral distraction and immobilization. The systems include a number of tools that facilitate access to the facet joint, distraction of the articulating decortication of the articulating surfaces, and delivery of implants and agents into the facet joint for fusion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable fistula closure device. The device may include an expandable longitudinally segmented body including a proximal end and a distal end. The segmented body may further include a plurality of porous bodies and a connecting member operably joining together the plurality of porous bodies. The plurality of porous bodies includes a first porous body with a proximal end and a distal end and a second porous body with a proximal end and a distal end, and the connecting member operably connects the proximal end of the first porous body with the distal end of the second porous body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable fistula closure device. The device may include an expandable longitudinally segmented body including a proximal end and a distal end. The segmented body may further include a plurality of porous bodies and a connecting member operably joining together the plurality of porous bodies. The plurality of porous bodies includes a first porous body with a proximal end and a distal end and a second porous body with a proximal end and a distal end, and the connecting member operably connects the proximal end of the first porous body with the distal end of the second porous body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable fistula closure device. The device may include an expandable longitudinally segmented body including a proximal end and a distal end. The segmented body may further include a plurality of porous bodies and a connecting member operably joining together the plurality of porous bodies. The plurality of porous bodies includes a first porous body with a proximal end and a distal end and a second porous body with a proximal end and a distal end, and the connecting member operably connects the proximal end of the first porous body with the distal end of the second porous body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable fistula closure device. The device may include an expandable longitudinally segmented body including a proximal end and a distal end. The segmented body may further include a plurality of porous bodies and a connecting member operably joining together the plurality of porous bodies. The plurality of porous bodies includes a first porous body with a proximal end and a distal end and a second porous body with a proximal end and a distal end, and the connecting member operably connects the proximal end of the first porous body with the distal end of the second porous body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable fistula closure device. The device may include an expandable longitudinally segmented body including a proximal end and a distal end. The segmented body may further include a plurality of porous bodies and a connecting member operably joining together the plurality of porous bodies. The plurality of porous bodies includes a first porous body with a proximal end and a distal end and a second porous body with a proximal end and a distal end, and the connecting member operably connects the proximal end of the first porous body with the distal end of the second porous body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable fistula closure device. The device may include an expandable longitudinally segmented body including a proximal end and a distal end. The segmented body may further include a plurality of porous bodies and a connecting member operably joining together the plurality of porous bodies. The plurality of porous bodies includes a first porous body with a proximal end and a distal end and a second porous body with a proximal end and a distal end, and the connecting member operably connects the proximal end of the first porous body with the distal end of the second porous body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to create medical devices and medical devices including bioactive composite structures. The methods include using template-assisted electro- or electroless deposition or codeposition methods for providing implantable medical devices coated with bioactive composite structures and also include layering deposited or codeposited metal layers with layers of bioactive materials. In one use, the implantable medical devices of the present invention include stents with bioactive composite structure coatings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable device for the treatment of a fistula. In one embodiment, the device includes a distal end, a proximal end and a member near the distal end. The member can be caused to assume a radially expanded state when the device is located in a fistula and caused to transition from the radially expanded state to a radially retracted state, thereby allowing the withdrawal of the device from the fistula.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for the treatment of a fistula tract having a distal opening and a proximal opening. In one embodiment, the device includes a distal anchor and a proximal anchor. The distal anchor is configured to provide a generally fluid tight seal in the tract in the vicinity of the distal opening and generally prevent proximal displacement of the device within the tract. The proximal anchor is operably coupled to the distal anchor and configured to generally prevent distal displacement of the device within the tract while allowing fluid migration at least one of through and past the proximal anchor when the proximal anchor is deployed in the vicinity of the proximal opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the gas efflux from a substrate. In particular, one or more measuring chambers receive a gas enriched air from the substrate. A respiration system sends reference air having a known gas concentration to the measuring chamber. The reference air mixes with the gas enriched air to form a mixed air, which is returned to the respiration system. The respiration system then measures the gas efflux of the substrate over the given amount of time.

Abstract: A method for rendering and applying images onto furniture surfaces and other surfaces capable of accepting veneers whereby a photograph, picture, or other image is transformed by computer software into a grid indicating the placement of veneer pieces of varying tones, preferably pieces made from wood of varying tones, and then the pieces are applied to the grid, creating an image on the surface. Digital data corresponding to the image are generated by scanning or another method. Image editing computer software is used to generate from the data a template having grid cells containing a plurality of tones corresponding to the weighted value of tones in the corresponding area of the image. A mosaic image is created by covering the template with pieces of material having a range of tones corresponding to the plurality of tones contained in the grid cells.

Abstract: An electrically heated cooking apparatus which can be used for on-table cooking is provided. It has a base which sits on the table and a hat-shaped metal cooking grill with an integral electric heating element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the gas efflux from a substrate. In particular, one or more measuring chambers receive a gas enriched air from the substrate. A respiration system sends reference air having a known gas concentration to the measuring chamber. The reference air mixes with the gas enriched air to form a mixed air, which is returned to the respiration system. The respiration system then measures the gas efflux of the substrate over the given amount of time.