Abstract: This invention relates to a mixing and delivery device suitable for delivering injectable biomaterials, and to preferred bone cement formulations.

Abstract: A modified human prolactin molecule wherein the prolactin molecule comprises at least one mutation in a region selected from i) amino acids 41–57, ii) amino acids 94–110, and iii) amino acids 160–173; and wherein the at least one mutation is selected from deletions, replacements, and insertions. The modified prolactins are prolactin antagonists, and can be used in treating cancer, among other conditions.

Abstract: A modified human prolactin molecule wherein the prolactin molecule comprises at least one mutation in a region selected from i) amino acids 41-57, ii) amino acids 94-110, and iii) amino acids 160-173; and wherein the at least one mutation is selected from deletions, replacements, and insertions. The modified prolactins are prolactin antagonists, and can be used in treating cancer, among other conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably securing a line having a cross sectional thickness and at least one free end. The fastener has a shaft dimensioned for wrapping the line around the shaft. The shaft has a pair of ends at least one of which includes: an insertion structure extending from the end that defines an insertion opening and a retaining structure extending from the end a distance greater than the cross sectional thickness of the line. The retaining structure defines a retention aperture operably dimensioned smaller than the cross sectional thickness of the line. When the free end of the line is inserted through the opening, positioned adjacent the shaft, wrapped around the shaft and positioned in the retention aperture, the line is thereby releasably secured.

Abstract: A method of coating a pre-formed trainable material, such as nitinol wire, with a heat resistant substance, heat treating, and cooling to form a desired shape. The substance can be removed by various methods after heat treatment, depending upon the composition of the substance. The method includes forming a trainable material around a mold that dissolves, vaporizes, or can otherwise be removed. The method is useful for forming complicated shapes that would be expensive or impossible to form by conventional methods.

Abstract: A method of coating a pre-formed trainable material, such as nitinol wire, with a heat resistant substance, heat treating, and cooling to form a desired shape. The substance can be removed by various methods after heat treatment, depending upon the composition of the substance. The method includes forming a trainable material around a mold that dissolves, vaporizes, or can otherwise be removed. The method is useful for forming complicated shapes that would be expensive or impossible to form by conventional methods.

Abstract: A snow rake, which includes an elongate handle. Disposed near one end of the handle is a blade. In one embodiment, extending from the blade is a partially coiled low friction or lubricious sheath. In a second embodiment, the blade is pivotably attached to the handle.

Abstract: A clip for holding two ends of a flat surgical cable includes an outer portion with female threads and an inner male portion having mating male threads.

Abstract: An instrument for filling cavities in a body, such as a cavity within a reamed out spinal disc, with beads includes a cyclical agitator that functions to prompt the introduction of one bead at a time through the fill tube to prevent clogging and to promote compaction within the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably securing a line having a cross sectional thickness and at least one free end. The fastener has a shaft dimensioned for wrapping the line around the shaft. The shaft has a pair of ends at least one of which includes: an insertion structure extending from the end that defines an insertion opening and a retaining structure extending from the end a distance greater than the cross sectional thickness of the line. The retaining structure defines a retention aperture operably dimensioned smaller than the cross sectional thickness of the line. When the free end of the line is inserted through the opening, positioned adjacent the shaft, wrapped around the shaft and positioned in the retention aperture, the line is thereby releasably secured.

Abstract: An instrument for filling cavities in a body, such as a cavity within a reamed out spinal disc, with beads includes a cyclical agitator that functions to prompt the introduction of one bead at a time through the fill tube to prevent clogging and to promote compaction within the cavity.

Abstract: A method of coating a preformed trainable material, such as nitinol wire, with a heat resistant substance, heat treating, and cooling to form a desired shape. The substance can be removed by various methods after heat treatment, depending upon the composition of the substance. The method includes forming a trainable material around a mold that dissolves, vaporizes, or can otherwise be removed. The method is useful for forming complicated shapes that would be expensive or impossible to form by conventional methods.

Abstract: A catheter device includes a catheter tube having a bend and having a distal end for insertion into the body of an animal or human and a proximal end. The catheter device also includes a sealing member located on the outside of the catheter tube in the vicinity of the bend. The sealing member prevents the leakage of fluid from the catheter tube when the catheter tube is pierced by the a needle in the vicinity of the bend. Preferably the catheter device is made by an injection molding process. Also disclosed is a combination needle and safety guard that includes: a needle having a sharpened distal end and proximal end; a safety guard having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the needle extends beyond the distal end of the safety guard in a direction away from the proximal end of the safety guard when the needle is in use or prior to use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mixing and delivery device suitable for delivering injectable biomaterials, and to preferred bone cement formulations.

Abstract: A clip for holding two ends of a flat surgical cable includes an outer portion with female threads and an inner male portion having mating male threads.

Abstract: A system for providing prophylaxis against thrombosis comprises in combination a vehicle and a plurality of inflatable compression sleeves. The vehicle has a pneumatic pressure source for supplying a predetermined flow of pneumatic fluid to a plurality of passenger positions. The pneumatic pressure source has a plurality of leads, which extend to a connection port located in each of the passenger positions. Each of the inflatable compression sleeves has a plurality of inflatable chambers therein. The sleeves are constructed to be engaged to a connection port, thereby providing fluid communication between the pneumatic pressure source and the plurality of chambers. The sleeves may be worn by a passenger to help prevent the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis. Individual sleeves comprise at least two inflatable chambers wherein a second inflatable chamber is subsequent to the inflation of a first inflatable chamber.

Abstract: The present invention includes an inventive pigtail fastener and the associated method of attaching line thereto. The pigtail fastener is comprised of an elongated shaft at the proximal end of the device and a tightly coiled portion of the shaft at the distal end of the device. The pigtail fastener is constructed and arranged in such a manner so as to provide an amount of tension sufficient to pinch and thereby secure a quantity of line between the coiled portion and the shaft. The tension being provided as a result of the narrow confines of the space between the shaft and the coiled portion or alternatively as a result of the coiled portion being biased against a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: An expandable reamer for forming a space within a vertebral disc includes a pair of opposing blades which have a expanded state and a retracted state. The blades being pivotally positioned at the distal end of a shaft assembly. A shaft housing being substantially disposed about the shaft assembly. The proximal end of the shaft assembly being operatively engaged by a control device which when rotated allows the blades to be fully retracted for insertion into a pre-bored hole and then to be expanded incrementally until the cavity is bored as desired.

Abstract: A fill tool for directing bone replacement material into an expandable bag within a reamed out disc includes a deflector at its distal end which deflects the flow of such material to a one or more side openings at the distal end of the fill tool. This allows the tool to be used without being ejected when filling the bag under pressure and greatly increases the distraction forces possible when filling the bag.

Abstract: An expandable reamer for forming a space within a vertebral disc includes a pair of opposing blades which have a expanded state and a retracted state. The blades being pivotally positioned at the distal end of a shaft assembly. A shaft housing being substantially disposed about the shaft assembly. The proximal end of the shaft assembly being operatively engaged by a control device which when rotated allows the blades to be fully retracted for insertion into a pre-bored hole and then to be expanded incrementally until the cavity is bored as desired.