Abstract: A system for restricting spinal flexion includes a compliance member having a body and an elongation limit. The body typically comprises a spring or other tension element which provides elastic constraint to the spinal segment when the compliance member is attached to the spinous processes. The elongation limit prevents overextension of the compliance member, thus reducing the likelihood that the patient will experience over flexion of the spinal segment and reducing the risk of placing excessive mechanical load on the compliance member.

Abstract: A system for restricting spinal flexion includes a compliance member having a body and an elongation limit. The body typically comprises a spring or other tension element which provides elastic constraint to the spinal segment when the compliance member is attached to the spinous processes. The elongation limit prevents overextension of the compliance member, thus reducing the likelihood that the patient will experience over flexion of the spinal segment and reducing the risk of placing excessive mechanical load on the compliance member.

Abstract: A system for restricting spinal flexion includes a compliance member having a body and an elongation limit. The body typically comprises a spring or other tension element which provides elastic constraint to the spinal segment when the compliance member is attached to the spinous processes. The elongation limit prevents overextension of the compliance member, thus reducing the likelihood that the patient will experience over flexion of the spinal segment and reducing the risk of placing excessive mechanical load on the compliance member.

Abstract: A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain.

Abstract: A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain.

Abstract: A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method to perform 1) disc fusion, 2) artificial replacement of the nucleus, 3) artificial replacement of the annulus, or 4) artificial replacement of both the nucleus and annulus. The device is designed to be placed into the intervertebral space following discectomy. The invention includes a delivery catheter and an substantially fixed sized mesh loop with a lumen within the mesh loop and a center hole. The mesh loop partially self expands diametrically in diameter upon removal of the introducer sheath and can be further expanded by mechanical means.

Abstract: A system for restricting spinal flexion includes a compliance member having a body and an elongation limit. The body typically comprises a spring or other tension element which provides elastic constraint to the spinal segment when the compliance member is attached to the spinous processes. The elongation limit prevents overextension of the compliance member, thus reducing the likelihood that the patient will experience over flexion of the spinal segment and reducing the risk of placing excessive mechanical load on the compliance member.

Abstract: A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain.

Abstract: A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes at least one skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin, and a inner lumen in communication with the first end; at least one actuator operatively associated with the at least one skin-penetration member; and at least one catalyst device configured to cause perfusion of body fluid at the sampling site; wherein the at least one actuator is configured to locate the at least one skin-penetration member so as to obstruct the wound opening while transporting body fluid through the inner lumen. Associated methods are also described.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a housing, a plurality of sampling and analysis sites contained within the housing, each of the sampling and analysis sites having a skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the skin, and an inner lumen in communication with the first end, an actuator operatively associated with the skin-penetration member, and an analyte quantification member in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the skin-penetration member. Integrated devices including such arrangements are also described.

Abstract: An arrangement comprises a housing containing one or more components configured for at least one of body fluid sampling and analysis. The arrangement includes a housing containing one or more components configured for at least one of body fluid sampling and analysis, and a body attachment element. The housing and the body attachment element are connected by a quick-release mechanism configured to facilitate removal of the housing from the body attachment element.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes at least one skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin, and a inner lumen in communication with the first end; at least one actuator operatively associated with the at least one skin-penetration member; and at least one catalyst device configured to cause perfusion of body fluid at the sampling site; wherein the at least one actuator is configured to locate the at least one skin-penetration member so as to obstruct the wound opening while transporting body fluid through the inner lumen. Associated methods are also described.

Abstract: An aerosol generator comprises a vibratable member having a front, a rear, an outer periphery and a plurality of apertures extending between the front and the rear. A support element is disposed about the outer periphery of the vibratable member, and a vibratable element is coupled to the support element. The vibratable element is configured to vibrate the vibratable member at ultrasonic frequencies. An isolating structure is coupled to the support element and is configured to couple the aerosol generator to a support structure. The isolating structure has a mechanical vibrational impedance that is sufficient to substantially vibrationally isolate the aerosol generator from the support structure.

Abstract: A device for nebulizing a fluid is supplied which has a flow director. The flow director helps to direct any bubbles formed by the nebulizing device away from the nebulizing device. The nebulizing device has a vibrating element with apertures through which the fluid is dispensed. A dispensing chamber is defined between the flow director and the vibrating element. The dispensing chamber has an inlet which is positioned below an outlet so that bubbles naturally migrate up and away from the vibrating element.

Abstract: A method for aerosolizing a liquid comprises providing an aerosol generator having a plate with a plurality of apertures and a piezoelectric element to vibrate the plate. Liquid is supplied to the plate, and the piezoelectric element is energized to vibrate the plate at an initial frequency. The energy level is adjusted to vibrate the plate at its instantaneous resonant frequency during aerosolization of the liquid.

Abstract: A device for nebulizing a fluid is supplied which has a flow director. The flow director helps to direct any bubbles formed by the nebulizing device away from the nebulizing device. The nebulizing device has a vibrating element with apertures through which the fluid is dispensed. A dispensing chamber is defined between the flow director and the vibrating element. The dispensing chamber has an inlet which is positioned below an outlet so that bubbles naturally migrate up and away from the vibrating element.

Abstract: A method for aerosolizing a liquid comprises providing an aerosol generator having a plate with a plurality of apertures and a piezoelectric element to vibrate the plate. Liquid is supplied to the plate, and the piezoelectric element is energized to vibrate the plate at an initial frequency. The energy level is adjusted to vibrate the plate at its instantaneous resonant frequency during aerosolization of the liquid.