Abstract: Spinal disc therapy systems in accordance with the present invention generally include an implant element structured to have a therapeutic effect on a human or animal body when implanted into an intervertebral disc annulus or intervertebral disc nucleus. The implant element may include a biochemically active agent that provides pain relief, inflammation relief or other benefit to the human or animal body. The implant element may be mechanically active or mechanically activatable in being effective in providing a therapeutic effect to the human or animal body when implanted in the intervertebral disc. For example, the implant element may include a mechanically active or mechanically activatable component that radiates wave energy, for example, in the form of electrical or magnetic energy, into the body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for accessing and/or treating spinal cord nerve roots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea and/or snoring is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance sized and structured to be placed in the pharyngeal region of a human or animal and being effective in treating sleep apnea and/or snoring, for example in maintaining openness of an oropharyngeal region of a human or animal during natural sleep, advantageously while not interfering with normal functioning of the epiglottis. Preferably, the appliance is non-circumferential in form and includes rounded, spaced apart end portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing tissue and/or other material from a patient, particularly a breast of a patient, is provided. The apparatus generally includes a handpiece and a tissue removal mechanism connected thereto. The tissue removal mechanism includes a cannula having an open distal tip and an outer diameter of less than about 5 mm, or less than about 2 mm. The mechanism further includes a rotatable element having a distal portion with helical threading. The distal portion of the rotatable element extends beyond the open distal tip of the cannula in order to allow tissue to prolapse between turns of the helical threading. The apparatus is designed to draw soft tissue into the cannula upon rotation of the rotatable element and without the need for supplemental sources of aspiration.

Abstract: Spinal disc therapy systems in accordance with the present invention generally include an implant element structured to have a therapeutic effect on a human or animal body when implanted into an intervertebral disc annulus or intervertebral disc nucleus. The implant element may include a biochemically active agent that provides pain relief, inflammation relief or other benefit to the human or animal body. The implant element may be mechanically active or mechanically activatable in being effective in providing a therapeutic effect to the human or animal body when implanted in the intervertebral disc. For example, the implant element may include a mechanically active or mechanically activatable component that radiates wave energy, for example, in the form of electrical or magnetic energy, into the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing tissue and/or other material from a patient, particularly a breast of a patient, is provided. The apparatus generally includes a handpiece and a tissue removal mechanism connected thereto. The tissue removal mechanism includes a cannula having an open distal tip and an outer diameter of less than about 5 mm, or less than about 2 mm. The mechanism further includes a rotatable element having a distal portion with helical threading. The distal portion of the rotatable element extends beyond the open distal tip of the cannula in order to allow tissue to prolapse between turns of the helical threading. The apparatus is designed to draw soft tissue into the cannula upon rotation of the rotatable element and without the need for supplemental sources of aspiration.

Abstract: A composition comprising cyclodextrin and an &agr;-hydroxy acid complexed by the cyclodextrin. A pharmaceutical preparation comprising a cyclodextrin-&agr;-hydroxy acid complex and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant. A combination of a cyclodextrin/&agr;-hydroxy acid complex and an applicator having an applicator head with alternating grooves and ridges disposed on the applicator head. A method of treating a skin area comprising applying a cyclodextrin/&agr;-hydroxy acid complex to the skin area in a pharmaceutically effective amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing tissue and/or other material from a patient is provided. The apparatus generally includes a handpiece and a tissue removal mechanism connected thereto. The tissue removal mechanism includes a cannula having an open distal tip and an outer diameter of less than about 5 mm or less than about 2 mm. The mechanism further includes a rotatable element having a distal portion with helical threading. The distal portion of the rotatable element extends beyond the open distal tip of the cannula in order to allow tissue to prolapse between turns of the helical threading. The apparatus is designed to draw soft tissue into the cannula upon rotation of the rotatable element without the need for supplemental sources of aspiration.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing tissue and/or other material from a patient, particularly a breast of a patient, is provided. The apparatus generally includes a handpiece and a tissue removal mechanism connected thereto. The tissue removal mechanism includes a cannula having an open distal tip and an outer diameter of less than about 5 mm, or less than about 2 mm. The mechanism further includes a rotatable element having a distal portion with helical threading. The distal portion of the rotatable element extends beyond the open distal tip of the cannula in order to allow tissue to prolapse between turns of the helical threading. The apparatus is designed to draw soft tissue into the cannula upon rotation of the rotatable element and without the need for supplemental sources of aspiration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing intervertebral disc material, particularly nucleus pulposus, from a patient is provided. The apparatus generally includes a handpiece and a tissue removal mechanism operatively coupled thereto. The tissue removal mechanism includes a cannula adapted to be inserted into an intervertebral disc and having an open distal tip and an outer diameter of less than about 5 mm, or less than about 2 mm. The mechanism further includes a rotatable element having a distal portion with projections or threading, for example, having a substantially helical configuration. The distal portion of the rotatable element may extend beyond the open distal tip of the cannula. The apparatus is designed to urge or draw nucleus material into the cannula upon rotation of the rotatable element and preferably without the need for supplemental sources of suction or aspiration.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying cosmetics include a cup member, a holder member and a cover. The cup member has a closed first end and an open second end and defines a hollow space therebetween. The holder member is sized and adapted to be placed in the hollow space and includes a plurality of spaced apart recesses each of which is sized to receive a cosmetic product. The cover is adapted to be detachably secured to the cup member to cover the open second end. The present apparatus are very effective and convenient for holding cosmetic properties in automobiles and other transportation vehicles.

Abstract: A guide wire for an intravascular catheter is disclosed. In one embodiment, the guide wire has Doppler means positioned on the distal end, with preferred Doppler means being piezoelectric ceramics or piezoelectric polymeric materials, both having electrical leads connected thereto. In another embodiment, the guide wire has a Laser Doppler means.