Abstract: Chlorotoxin derivatives containing amino acid sequence X0X1CMPCXS1XS2XS3DHXS4XS5ARRCX2X3CCGGYGX4CFGYQC LCX5X6X7X8 wherein (i) the N-terminal X0X1 cluster is AM, 0M, or 00; (ii) the solubility XS1XS2XS3XS4XS5 cluster is FTTQT, FTTES, SSSQT, SSSES, FSSQT, FSSES, or FSSQS; (iii) the internal X2X3X4 cluster is DKR, RDK, KDR, IKY, HKW, DRK, LKQ, KKK; and (iv) the C-terminal X5X6X7X8 cluster is N000, R000, NR00, NRG0, NRGY, NRRR, or RRRR; 0 denotes a position where no amino acid is present; the chlorotoxin derivative has a relative human MMP-2 binding that is at least 1.62 times higher than the wild-type chlorotoxin of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: A system and method of performing a procedure for decompression of a spine that includes arranging instrumentalities for performing percutaneous lateral and caudal neural adhesiolysis before or during percutaneous decompression of the spine; and converting high pressure veins to low pressure veins thereby preventing hematoma formation.

Abstract: A method and computerized mechanism for collecting and categorizing offers from different commercial systems, and as a result a target list is offered for the users, which covers a wider range of online offers, and which automatically organizes the products and services into a hierarchical data structure, called virtual item. The method involves defining an item category; for each item category, completing search runs in various e-commerce systems; downloading a plurality of offers from each search run; for each offer, storing data; finding relevant words for each item category; forming a word vector from the relevant words; clustering the offers into different item groups; selecting a first portion of offers as a training set and a second portion of offers as a test set; and training classifier algorithms using the training set and the test set of the offers to adjust the internal parameters of the classification algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved apparatus and method for electrical stimulation. A paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches is implanted adjacent the spinal cord dura mater to reduce the likelihood of paralysis due to stress on the spinal cord attributed to bulkier leads. The paddle is then positioned so that at least one of a plurality of electrodes is positioned over the area of the spinal cord requiring pain treatment; and then electric stimulation is applied to the electrodes to effect pain treatment. In another embodiment the paddle is curved about a vertical axis to substantially match the shape of a human spinal cord dura mater to help reduce lead migration.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved apparatus and method for electrical stimulation. A paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches is implanted adjacent the spinal cord dura mater to reduce the likelihood of paralysis due to stress on the spinal cord attributed to bulkier leads. The paddle is then positioned so that at least one of a plurality of electrodes is positioned over the area of the spinal cord requiring pain treatment; and then electric stimulation is applied to the electrodes to effect pain treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved apparatus and method for electrical stimulation. A paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches is implanted adjacent the spinal cord dura mater to reduce the likelihood of paralysis due to stress on the spinal cord attributed to bulkier leads. The paddle is then positioned so that at least one of a plurality of electrodes is positioned over the area of the spinal cord requiring pain treatment; and then electric stimulation is applied to the electrodes to effect pain treatment. In another embodiment the paddle is curved about a vertical axis to substantially match the shape of a human spinal cord dura mater to help reduce lead migration.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved apparatus and method for electrical stimulation. A paddle having a thickness up to 0.030 inches is implanted adjacent the spinal cord dura mater to reduce the likelihood of paralysis due to stress on the spinal cord attributed to bulkier leads. The paddle is then positioned so that at least one of a plurality of electrodes is positioned over the area of the spinal cord requiring pain treatment; and then electric stimulation is applied to the electrodes to effect pain treatment.

Abstract: An alternating drive for wheeled vehicles comprises two opposite pedals which can move on a circular path about a pedal shaft secured on the cycle frame. The alternating drive is characterized in that it is equipped with two cranks (26, 27; 26a, 27a; 26b, 27b) which can be moved within a predetermined oscillating angle range about an auxiliary shaft (25) secured to the frame (10). Between the cranks (26, 27; 26a, 27a; 26b, 27b) and the pedals (21) is a driver connection which transforms the circular motion into an alternating oscillating motion with phases mutually offset by a half oscillation period. Disposed on each side of the axle (50) of the driven wheel (12) is a free-wheel mechanism (56, 57). The free-wheel mechanism (56, 57) lock in opposite direction and are connected to the individual cranks (26, 27; 26a, 27a; 26b, 27b) by mutually independent traction elements (29; 82, 83).

Abstract: An electrical stimulation catheter system particularly suited for treating the epidural space of a patient, which includes a multiple electrode stimulation catheter, a stiffening element for the catheter and a device for securing an implanted catheter to the patent. A catheter according to the invention includes first and second flexible electrodes defined respectively by a portion of the catheter body and second flexible element. Preferably, leads for each electrode are secured to slideable rings around the proximal end of the catheter to prevent entanglement and confusion of the leads. A catheter securing device according to the invention includes a resilient member having a bore within which the catheter is secured. Holes for suturing or adhesive coating are provided to secure the device, which also may serve as an external electrode, to the patient.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade having a base member and a blade portion. The blade portion is curved throughout its entire length. The blade portion defines a recessed channel in the top surface thereof, positioned approximately midway between the ends of the blade portion.

Abstract: An equipment is disclosed for displaying alphanumerical and/or pictorial information offering a high working reliability even in case of unfavorable working conditions.The plate of a display board is provided with a ground-color painted surface wherein one or more apertures are shaped along one or parallelly running more axes. Tiltable masks are arranged behind the aperture/s/ along at least one row in a manner that they may by tilting them be turned through the said aperture/s/ so as to cover each one dot of the surface of the said plate. The color of the masks is differing from the ground-color. The display pattern selection is performed by a mechanism comprising two levers arranged in different heights and angle positions at the body of the mask and co-operating with a fixed buffer and another buffer which can be changed over between two working positions the said buffers being arranged on a carriage displaceable along the plate.

Abstract: A blade for a layrngoscope. The blade comprises a base portion and a projecting flange portion. The flange portion extends along part of the base portion and is pivotably mounted with respect thereto. Biasing means provide a preselected bias force on the flange portion to hold the flange portion in its projecting position. If in using the blade the flange portion contacts the patient's teeth, the flange pivots when the force applied to the teeth exceeds the predetermined bias force.