Abstract: Apparatus and methods for nipple and breast formation are described where devices precondition or expand a target nipple tissue to reduce the pressure exerted by the skin on an eventual implant. Generally, the apparatus comprises a mold having a contact surface which is curved in conformance with a breast upon which the mold is positionable, the contact surface having an adhesive for securement upon the breast, and the mold defining a cavity along the contact surface which conforms to a size of a nipple to be formed upon the breast and where the cavity further comprises the adhesive for securement to the nipple. A breast enlargement device comprises a cup larger than the target breast and further defines an inner surface which adheres to the breast when contacted.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting wall breach in inflatable prostheses rely on intrusion of a body fluid or inflation medium to electrically alter a signaling circuit. In one embodiment, an open portion of a circuit is closed to enable or modify a transmitted signal In another embodiment, electrical current is generated to power an electrical transmission.

Abstract: Upon filling multiple inflatable chambers of a gastric balloon structure in a patient's stomach, the gastric balloon structure assumes a natural three-dimensional kidney shape of the gastric cavity. A flexible central spine may span a gap between two inflatable chambers and may include lumens for inflation of one or both chambers. The plurality of compartments, when in an inflated state, may form a cavity therebetween through which food may pass and may leave in a stomach a residual volume of 10 ml to 100 ml.

Abstract: An industrial machine includes a frame, an elongated member, an attachment, a plurality of fluid lines, and a cartridge. The frame includes a boom and a fluid source. The elongated member is movably coupled to the boom and includes a first end and a second end. The attachment is pivotably coupled to the first end of the elongated member. The plurality of fluid lines is coupled to the second end of the elongated member and is in fluid communication with the fluid source. The cartridge is removably coupled to the elongated member. The cartridge includes a housing and a plurality of conduits supported within the housing. The conduits are in fluid communication with the plurality of lines.

Abstract: Devices and methods for tissue transfer are described where a cannula may be inserted into the breast of a subject at one of several points of entry. Insertion of the cannula into the breast may be accomplished by using a guidance system to distinguish between tissue types. Once desirably positioned, the cannula may be withdrawn from the breast while automatically (or manually) injecting the fat in multiple deposits of adipose tissue or fat such that the deposited fat remains within the tract formed by the withdrawn cannula. Multiple tracts of the deposited fat may be injected within the breast until the breast has been desirably remodeled and/or augmented.

Abstract: Upon filling multiple inflatable chambers of a gastric balloon structure in a patient's stomach, the gastric balloon structure assumes a natural three-dimensional kidney shape of the gastric cavity. A flexible central spine may span a gap between two inflatable chambers and may include lumens for inflation of one or both chambers. The plurality of compartments, when in an inflated state, may form a cavity therebetween through which food may pass and may leave in a stomach a residual volume of 10 ml to 100 ml.

Abstract: An industrial machine includes a frame supporting a boom having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, an arm movably coupled to the boom and including a first end and a second end, an attachment coupled to the first end of the arm, a conduit extending from the frame to a position adjacent the attachment, a first member coupled to the boom, and a second member spaced apart from the first member. The first member supports a portion of the conduit as the arm moves relative to the boom. The second member supports a portion of the conduit as the arm moves relative to the boom. The second member is movable relative to the first member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for nipple and breast formation are described where devices precondition or expand a target nipple tissue to reduce the pressure exerted by the skin on an eventual implant. Generally, the apparatus comprises a mold having a contact surface which is curved in conformance with a breast upon which the mold is positionable, the contact surface having an adhesive for securement upon the breast, and the mold defining a cavity along the contact surface which conforms to a size of a nipple to be formed upon the breast and where the cavity further comprises the adhesive for securement to the nipple. A breast enlargement device comprises a cup larger than the target breast and further defines an inner surface which adheres to the breast when contacted.

Abstract: Devices and methods for tissue transfer are described where a cannula may be inserted into the breast of a subject at one of several points of entry. Insertion of the cannula into the breast may be accomplished by using a guidance system to distinguish between tissue types. Once desirably positioned, the cannula may be withdrawn from the breast while automatically (or manually) injecting the fat in multiple deposits of adipose tissue or fat such that the deposited fat remains within the tract formed by the withdrawn cannula. Multiple tracts of the deposited fat may be injected within the breast until the breast has been desirably remodeled and/or augmented.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for nipple and breast formation are described where devices precondition or expand a target nipple tissue to reduce the pressure exerted by the skin on an eventual implant. Generally, the apparatus comprises a mold having a contact surface which is curved in conformance with a breast upon which the mold is positionable, the contact surface having an adhesive for securement upon the breast, and the mold defining a cavity along the contact surface which conforms to a size of a nipple to be formed upon the breast and where the cavity further comprises the adhesive for securement to the nipple. A breast enlargement device comprises a cup larger than the target breast and further defines an inner surface which adheres to the breast when contacted.

Abstract: A gastric balloon includes a scaffold structure, one or more internal inflatable compartments within the scaffold structure, and one or more inflatable bladders formed over the space-filling compartment. The gastric balloon may be deployed transesophageally using a gastroscope and is inflated in situ, preferably using a combination of liquid and gas inflation media.

Abstract: A gastric balloon includes a scaffold structure, one or more internal inflatable compartments within the scaffold structure, and one or more inflatable bladders formed over the space-filling compartment. The gastric balloon may be deployed transesophageally using a gastroscope and is inflated in situ, preferably using a combination of liquid and gas inflation media.

Abstract: An industrial machine includes a frame supporting a fluid source and a boom, an arm, an attachment coupled to the arm, a cylinder, and a rod. The arm is movably coupled to the boom for translational and rotational movement relative to the boom. The cylinder includes a first end and a second end, and the cylinder defines an internal bore in fluid communication with the fluid source. The rod is coupled to the arm and is slidably received within the cylinder. The rod includes a port and a passage for providing fluid to the attachment. The port provides fluid communication between the internal bore and the passage. The port is positioned within the internal bore throughout the entire range of movement of the rod relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for synthesizing virus-like particles (VLPs) and methods of use thereof are provided.

Abstract: Tissue expanders and their methods of use.

Abstract: Tissue expanders and their methods of use.

Abstract: An industrial machine includes a frame supporting a fluid source and a boom, an arm, an attachment coupled to the arm, a cylinder, and a rod. The arm is movably coupled to the boom for translational and rotational movement relative to the boom. The cylinder includes a first end and a second end, and the cylinder defines an internal bore in fluid communication with the fluid source. The rod is coupled to the arm and is slidably received within the cylinder. The rod includes a port and a passage for providing fluid to the attachment. The port provides fluid communication between the internal bore and the passage. The port is positioned within the internal bore throughout the entire range of movement of the rod relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: An industrial machine includes a frame supporting a boom having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, an arm movably coupled to the boom and including a first end and a second end, an attachment coupled to the first end of the arm, a conduit extending from the frame to a position adjacent the attachment, a first member coupled to the boom, and a second member spaced apart from the first member. The first member supports a portion of the conduit as the arm moves relative to the boom. The second member supports a portion of the conduit as the arm moves relative to the boom. The second member is movable relative to the first member.

Abstract: An industrial machine includes a frame, an elongated member, an attachment, a plurality of fluid lines, and a cartridge. The frame includes a boom and a fluid source. The elongated member is movably coupled to the boom and includes a first end and a second end. The attachment is pivotably coupled to the first end of the elongated member. The plurality of fluid lines is coupled to the second end of the elongated member and is in fluid communication with the fluid source. The cartridge is removably coupled to the elongated member. The cartridge includes a housing and a plurality of conduits supported within the housing. The conduits are in fluid communication with the plurality of lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a quick release assembly for a bicycle, wherein the assembly comprises an axle having a first non-cylindrical end portion, a cylindrical central portion, and a second non-cylindrical end portion, wherein a diameter of one of the non-cylindrical end portions is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical central portion. The quick release assembly further comprises an insert having a non-cylindrical outer profile configured to be retained in a non-cylindrical opening and having a cam surface disposed therein, wherein the insert is sized to retain one of the non-cylindrical end portions of the axle therein. The assembly also includes a shaft sized to pass through the axle and having a cam follower on a first end and a handle on a second end, wherein the cam follower is configured to form a locking engagement with the cam surface upon an axial rotation of the handle.