Abstract: Technology for assisting individuals with Parkinson's disease is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, an individual with Parkinson's disease can wear a device that applies a time-varying force to the patient. For example, in one embodiment, an individual wears a backpack with a weighted component that can be moved around. The change in position and/or orientation of the weighted component requires the user to actively compensate in order to stay balanced. The additional effort required to walk can improve the gait of individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A method for producing polymer coatings by surface initiated polymerization from a plasma deposited coating is provided. The modification of surfaces by polymer attachment is a versatile and efficient means of controlling interfacial properties, such as surface energy (i.e. wetting behavior), permeability, bio-activity, and chemical reactivity. The present invention provides a method whereby a plasma deposited coating is applied to a substrate and the polymer coating formed by surface initiated polymerization is formed on the coating rather than the substrate itself. This means that the growth of the polymer using the grafting from procedure can be performed efficiently and independently of the substrate from.

Abstract: A method for producing polymer coatings by surface initiated polymerization from a plasma deposited coating is provided. The modification of surfaces by polymer attachment is a versatile and efficient means of controlling interfacial properties, such as surface energy (i.e. wetting behavior), permeability, bio-activity, and chemical reactivity. The present invention provides a method whereby a plasma deposited coating is applied to a substrate and the polymer coating formed by surface initiated polymerization is formed on the coating rather than the substrate itself. This means that the growth of the polymer using the grafting from procedure can be performed efficiently and independently of the substrate from.

Abstract: A sterilization case in which the upper portion of one side of the case functions as a door having a hinge that is positioned horizontally with respect to the height of the case. When the case is closed, the surgical instruments are held securely in position, resting against an internal tray. When the door of the case is opened, the internal tray is raised, thus making the instruments more accessible by elevating them to a position above the top of the open case. The door swings downward to form an angle with the lower portion of the case, acting as a support so that the open case can stand in an upright position. When the door is closed, the internal tray is lowered and the instruments automatically retract into the case. Holes in the front and back covers of the instrument case allow the instruments within the case to be sterilized without removing them from the case.

Abstract: A sterilization case in which the upper portion of one side of the case functions as a door having a hinge that is positioned horizontally with respect to the height of the case. When the case is closed, the surgical instruments are held securely in position, resting against an internal tray. When the door of the case is opened, the internal tray is raised, thus making the instruments more accessible by elevating them to a position above the top of the open case. The door swings downward to form an angle with the lower portion of the case, acting as a support so that the open case can stand in an upright position. When the door is closed, the internal tray is lowered and the instruments automatically retract into the case. Holes in the front and back covers of the instrument case allow the instruments within the case to be sterilized without removing them from the case.