Abstract: A differentially tightenable ski boot includes a lower shell and an upper cuff that is pivotally coupled with the lower shell. The ski boot includes a first tightening system that is coupled with the lower shell and a second tightening system that is coupled with the upper cuff. Each tightening system includes a reel based closure device, a tension member that is operably coupled with the reel based closure device, and at least one guide member that routes or directs the tension member along a path about the lower shell or upper cuff. The first tightening system and the second tightening system are operable independently of each other to independently and differentially tightening the lower shell and the upper cuff.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to laparoscopic surgery, and in particular to laparoscopic ports for facilitating the implant of medical systems such as a neuromodulation system into the body of a patient. Particularly, aspects are directed to a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve comprising a sleeve body extending from a distal end of the cannula housing. The cannula sleeve has a semi-rectangular cross section including: (i) a rounded rectangular portion configured to accommodate feeding the neuromodulation system through the cannula assembly, and (ii) a circular portion configured to accommodate insertion of the one or more surgical instruments through the cannula assembly.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro-and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.

Abstract: A differentially tightenable ski boot includes a lower shell and an upper cuff that is pivotally coupled with the lower shell. The ski boot includes a first tightening system that is coupled with the lower shell and a second tightening system that is coupled with the upper cuff. Each tightening system includes a reel based closure device, a tension member that is operably coupled with the reel based closure device, and at least one guide member that routes or directs the tension member along a path about the lower shell or upper cuff. The first tightening system and the second tightening system are operable independently of each other to independently and differentially tightening the lower shell and the upper cuff.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: A reel based closure device for tensioning a tension member is described herein. The reel based closure device includes a housing that defines a vertical axis, a plurality of teeth operably coupled with the housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, and an engagement member comprising one or more teeth that engage with the plurality of teeth during a rotation of the spool. A dial or knob is operably coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the dial or knob effects the rotation of the spool to wind the tension member about the spool. A length of each tooth that is operably coupled with the housing is substantially longer than a length of each tooth of the engagement member.

Abstract: Ice making methods, systems, and devices are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, methods, systems, and devices for producing harvestable ice on cold plates are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Methods, systems, and devices for harvesting ice on cold surfaces are also provided in accordance with various embodiments. Methods, systems, and devices for cold oleophilic surfaces that produce harvestable ice are also provided in accordance with various embodiments. Methods, systems, and devices for ice maker fault detection and recovery are also provided in accordance with various embodiments. Methods, systems, and devices for ice maker startup are also provided in accordance with various embodiments.

Abstract: A method of inserting and affixing an implant by making an incision in an abdominal wall is disclosed. A subcutaneous pocket is formed between a first layer of the abdominal wall and a second layer of the abdominal wall, such that the pocket is at least 2 centimeters from the costal margin. An implant is placed into the subcutaneous pocked and affixed within the subcutaneous pocket in the abdominal wall.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

Abstract: A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

Abstract: A reel based tensioning device includes a housing, a spool that is rotatably positioned within the housing, and a knob member that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing and thereby wind a tension member about the spool. The reel based tensioning device also includes a load holding mechanism that is coupled with the spool and that is configured to rotate the spool in the first direction within the housing and to prevent rotation of the spool in a second direction to prevent unwinding of the tension member from about the spool. The reel based tensioning device further includes an audible component that is configured to produce an audible noise responsive to operation of the knob member to signal an adjustment of the tension member.

Abstract: An implantation system and methods of inserting an implant are disclosed. The method includes the step of making an incision in an abdominal wall with an instrument positioned within an abdominal cavity. The method further includes the steps of forming a pocket between a first surface of the abdominal wall and a second surface of the abdominal wall, such that the incision defines an opening into the pocket, inserting an implant through the opening and into the pocket, and closing the opening such that the implant is captured within the pocket.

Abstract: An implantation system and methods of inserting an implant are disclosed. The method includes the step of making an incision in an abdominal wall with an instrument positioned within an abdominal cavity. The method further includes the steps of forming a pocket between a first surface of the abdominal wall and a second surface of the abdominal wall, such that the incision defines an opening into the pocket, inserting an implant through the opening and into the pocket, and closing the opening such that the implant is captured within the pocket.

Abstract: In embodiments a neural interface comprising at least one C-ring portion can be used to apply a pressure in a range of 0 mmHg to 30 mmHg to a target tissue arranged within the C-ring portion and comprising at least one electrode arranged on the at least one C-ring portion.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is adjacent to the splenic artery at a position where the splenic artery is not in direct contact with the pancreas, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating disorders, such as disorders associated with inflammation. The invention provides improved ways of reducing inflammation with minimized off-target effects, in particular surgical trauma.