Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products are provided. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with a setting fluid to produce the flowable composition. A feature of the subject methods is that the dry reactants include a particulate calcium and/or phosphate reactant having a mean particle size of less than about 8 ?m and narrow size distribution. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including the repair of hard tissue defects, e.g., bone defects.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., orthopedic cements, such as calcium phosphate cements and the like, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., orthopedic cements, in conjunction with hard tissue securing devices, e.g., screws, plates or rods, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that the cement is introduced to a target bone site through a passageway of the securing device while a vibratory force is applied to the securing device. Also provided are systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: A container for transporting luggage items in an airport sorting system using a conveyor system for conveying the luggage items, includes a bottom region for coupling to a conveying unit of the conveyor system and a transporting region supported by the bottom region and receiving a luggage item to be transported. The bottom and transporting regions are each produced from x-ray transparent or radiolucent material. In order to provide a container which can be produced with low expenditure, is robust with regard to transport processes and is as homogeneous as possible with regard to being x-ray transparent or radiolucent, the bottom and transporting regions are formed from a basic body produced in one piece and from an x-ray transparent or radiolucent material and the basic body is formed from a foam perform or molded part. A sorting system for airport luggage items is also provided.

Abstract: A container for transporting luggage items in an airport sorting system using a conveyor system for conveying the luggage items, includes a bottom region for coupling to a conveying unit of the conveyor system and a transporting region supported by the bottom region and receiving a luggage item to be transported. The bottom and transporting regions are each produced from x-ray transparent or radiolucent material. In order to provide a container which can be produced with low expenditure, is robust with regard to transport processes and is as homogeneous as possible with regard to being x-ray transparent or radiolucent, the bottom and transporting regions are formed from a basic body produced in one piece and from an x-ray transparent or radiolucent material and the basic body is formed from a foam perform or molded part. A sorting system for airport luggage items is also provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing compositions, e.g. pastes or clays, which rapidly set into high-strength calcium phosphate products. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include calcium and phosphate sources, as well as a monovalent cation dihydrogen phosphate salt, are combined with a setting fluid and the combined reactants are mixed to produce the settable composition. A feature of the invention is that cements rapidly set into high strength product compositions. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for preparing the same. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including hard tissue repair applications.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products are provided. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with a setting fluid to produce the flowable composition. A feature of the subject methods is that the dry reactants include a particulate calcium and/or phosphate reactant having a mean particle size of less than about 8 ?m and narrow size distribution. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including the repair of hard tissue defects, e.g., bone defects.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., orthopedic cements, such as calcium phosphate cements and the like, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., orthopedic cements, in conjunction with hard tissue securing devices, e.g., screws, plates or rods, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that the cement is introduced to a target bone site through a passageway of the securing device while a vibratory force is applied to the securing device. Also provided are systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., orthopedic cements, such as calcium phosphate cements and the like, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., orthopedic cements, in conjunction with hard tissue securing devices, e.g., screws, plates or rods, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that the cement is introduced to a target bone site through a passageway of the securing device while a vibratory force is applied to the securing device. Also provided are systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing porous ?-Tricalcium Phosphate (?-TCP). In the subject methods, ?-TCP is combined with graphite to produce an intermediate greenware product. The intermediate greenware product is then sintered to produce porous ?-TCP. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, system, and computer program product are provided for processing professional and technical billing records relating to medical care provided to patients at a medical facility.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, system, and computer program product are provided for processing professional and technical billing records relating to medical care provided to patients at a medical facility.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., polymeric bone cements, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., orthopedic cements, such as calcium phosphate cements and the like, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products that include an osteoclastogenic agent. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with a setting fluid and an osteoclastogenic agent, e.g., RANKL or a mimetic thereof, and the combined reactants are mixed to produce the flowable composition. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for preparing the same. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including hard tissue repair applications.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products and include a contrast agent. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with setting fluid and a water-soluble contrast agent, e.g., a water-soluble barium salt, and the combined reactants are mixed to produce the flowable composition. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for preparing the same. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including the repair of hard tissue defects, e.g., bone defects.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., polymeric bone cements, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for delivery an orthopedic, e.g., calcium phosphate cement to a target bone site. In practicing the subject methods, a flowable cement composition is delivered to a target bone site in conjunction with vibration. Also provided are the devices that deliver a flowable cement to a target bone site according to the subject methods. Introducing a flowable cement to a target bone site in conjunction with vibration in accordance with the subject methods provides for highly controlled penetration of the delivered cement throughout the target bone site without the use of substantial pressure. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of different applications, and are particularly suited for use in applications where a calcium phosphate cement is to be delivered to cancellous tissue, e.g., as found in a vertebral body.