Abstract: A composite beam for a wind turbine blade includes a preform layer, the preform layer including multiple elongate strength rods arranged longitudinally relative to one another in a single layer, each strength rod being disposed adjacent to and spaced from at least one adjacent strength rod. Each strength rod has a rectangular cross section and includes multiple, substantially straight collimated structural fibers fixed in a solidified matrix resin. The preform layer includes at least one carrier layer to which the multiple strength rods are joined by an adhesive. The carrier layer spaces adjacent strength rods a fixed distance apart to facilitate the flow of liquid bonding resin between adjacent strength rods of the preform layer to its joined carrier layer, the carrier layer being of a permeable material suitable to facilitate the flow of liquid bonding resin through the carrier layer.

Abstract: Described are devices, systems, and methods for processing adipose tissue for reintroduction into a body. In some embodiments, adipose tissue is mixed with an additive prior to reintroduction.

Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.

Abstract: A mechanically operable handpiece is provided which allows a physician to easily deliver repeated, incremental doses of a beneficial composition, for example, a dermal filler gel, superficially into skin.

Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.

Abstract: A skin treatment device is provided including bioerodible polymeric microneedles which are designed to more effectively deliver beneficial agents to the skin. The device includes a flexible substrate and an arrangement, for example, an array, of microneedles projecting from the substrate.

Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.

Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.

Abstract: A composite beam for a wind turbine blade includes a preform layer, the preform layer including multiple elongate strength rods arranged longitudinally relative to one another in a single layer, each strength rod being disposed adjacent to and spaced from at least one adjacent strength rod. Each strength rod has a rectangular cross section and includes multiple, substantially straight collimated structural fibers fixed in a solidified matrix resin. The preform layer includes at least one carrier layer to which the multiple strength rods are joined by an adhesive. The carrier layer spaces adjacent strength rods a fixed distance apart to facilitate the flow of liquid bonding resin between adjacent strength rods of the preform layer to its joined carrier layer, the carrier layer being of a permeable material suitable to facilitate the flow of liquid bonding resin through the carrier layer.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating lipoaspirate for use in fat grafting procedures are provided and generally include a canister for containing lipoaspirate, a separation mechanism structured to separate both oils and other materials from cellular components of lipoaspirate contained in the canister. The separation mechanism includes filters having different filtering capacities, for example, different pore sizes.

Abstract: Injection devices are provided which include a handpiece capable of housing a cartridge containing an injectable composition, and a head coupled to the handpiece and housing a plurality of retractable needles and a dosing mechanism. Methods of treating skin surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating lipoaspirate for use in fat grafting procedures are provided and generally include a canister for containing lipoaspirate, a separation mechanism structured to separate both oils and other materials from cellular components of lipoaspirate contained in the canister. The separation mechanism includes filters having different filtering capacities, for example, different pore sizes.

Abstract: An implantable device used in a gastric band system includes an access port, a tube coupled to the access port, and a shielding device covering a portion of the tube. The shielding device is positioned adjacent to the access port and covers the end of the tube coupled to the access port. The shielding device is made from a puncture resistant material, to protect the tube from puncture by a misplaced syringe needle inserted by a physician.

Abstract: Described herein are laterally connected syringes with an integrated mixing hub and static mixer designed to facilitate mixing two or more substances at specific user-selectable ratios.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods that can provide assistance with extruding and/or aspirating high viscosity materials such as dermal fillers.

Abstract: Injection ports are disclosed for use with a gastric band for the treatment of obesity. An injection port may include a septum having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall connecting the top surface to the bottom surface. The injection port may also include a housing including a first inner side wall being tapered inwards such that an opening defined at a first end is larger than an opening defined at a second end, the tapering of the first inner side wall being used to secure the septum within the housing. The housing may further include a second inner side wall having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second inner side wall joined to the second end of the first inner side wall, and a bottom surface joined to the second end of the second inner side wall.

Abstract: Described herein are assisted syringes. The syringes provide a higher force to the plunger tip than the extrusion force applied to the plunger. The assisted syringes can be used to inject or extrude viscous materials.

Abstract: A metered dose syringe includes a barrel having an open end and a opposing spaced apart port adapted to receive a needle. A plunger rod is provided and slidably disposed within the barrel through the barrel open end. Structure interconnected with the barrel and the plunger rod is provided for enabling stepwise movement of the plunger rod within the barrel. A syringe within the scope of our present invention permits injection of repeated and accurate doses due to the physical stops or dosage administered indicators.

Abstract: Generally described herein are automatic, self-adjusting, gastric banding systems and improvements thereof, that are capable of automatically relaxing and contracting in response to a large bolus passing through the area of a patient's stomach constricted by a gastric band. Alternatively, and/or in addition in one or more embodiments, the gastric banding systems described herein may also help prevent pouch dilatation and/or erosion. The apparatus and systems described herein aid in facilitating obesity control and/or treating obesity-related diseases while generally being non-invasive once implanted. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the self-adjusting gastric banding systems disclosed herein are automatically adjustable without complicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limiting devices, and/or valves. The automatic adjustments may also be made in response to other changes in the patient's esophageal-gastric junction, for example, in response to size, shape, and or location changes.

Abstract: A dermal filler injector is provided which includes a handpiece and a coupling mechanism for operationally coupling the handpiece with a dermal filler cartridge. The handpiece includes a motor for controllably driving a plunger in the cartridge to provide effective and controlled injection of a dermal filler into skin.