Abstract: Devices and methods are generally provided for indicating the location of a most recent strike on a face of a golf club. One exemplary embodiment of an impact indication device can include a patch that can be attached to the face of a golf club and can display the impact location of a most recent strike without displaying impact locations of previous strikes. The impact locations of previous strikes can be removed from the patch without the user having to do anything more than take another swing. In some embodiments, the device includes a yield-stress material that assist in displaying impact a most recent impact location without displaying previous impact locations. Other features that can allow patches to work in this fashion, as well as methods related to the same, are also provided. Further, disclosures pertaining to a mobile impact recorder are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels including reacting, in the presence of an acid, compounds containing a thiol functional group and a hydroxyl reactive group with one or more hydroxyl groups of poly(vinyl alcohol) via said hydroxyl reactive group, thereby forming thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol). The method further including reacting the thiol functional group of said compounds with a thiol reactive group of a crosslinker, thereby forming a hydrogel.

Abstract: Devices and methods are generally provided for indicating the location of a most recent strike on a face of a golf club. One exemplary embodiment of an impact indication device can include a patch that can be attached to the face of a golf club and can display the impact location of a most recent strike without displaying impact locations of previous strikes. The impact locations of previous strikes can be removed from the patch without the user having to do anything more than take another swing. In some embodiments, the device includes a yield-stress material that assist in displaying impact a most recent impact location without displaying previous impact locations. Other features that can allow patches to work in this fashion, as well as methods related to the same, are also provided. Further, disclosures pertaining to a mobile impact recorder are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide patient position information to a user. A patient positioning device is placed on a patient in a predefined location. The patient positioning device determines a relative patient position with respect to at least one known reference axis. The patient positioning device communicates patient position information including or with reference to the at least one known reference axis. The communicated patient position information allows the user to position the patient and/or a surgical tool using the communicated patient position information.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide patient position information to a user. A patient positioning device is placed on a patient in a predefined location. The patient positioning device determines a relative patient position with respect to at least one known reference axis. The patient positioning device communicates patient position information including or with reference to the at least one known reference axis. The communicated patient position information allows the user to position the patient and/or a surgical tool using the communicated patient position information.

Abstract: Various embodiments of mosaicplasty constructs and methods for implanting the constructs into anatomical structures. The mosaicplasty constructs may be formed from artificial materials and may include a hard articulating portion and a relatively softer elastic, support portion. The mosaicplasty constructs may include bone ingrowth materials to facilitate ingrowth of bone and other tissues into the construct. The mosaicplasty constructs may also be at least partially formed of hydrogel materials.

Abstract: A method of forming thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels including reacting, in the presence of an acid, compounds containing a thiol functional group and a hydroxyl reactive group with one or more hydroxyl groups of poly(vinyl alcohol) via said hydroxyl reactive group, thereby forming thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol). The method further including reacting the thiol functional group of said compounds with a thiol reactive group of a crosslinker, thereby forming a hydrogel.

Abstract: Devices and methods are generally provided for indicating the location of a most recent strike on a face of a golf club. One exemplary embodiment of an impact indication device can include a patch that can be attached to the face of a golf club and can display the impact location of a most recent strike without displaying impact locations of previous strikes. The impact locations of previous strikes can be removed from the patch without the user having to do anything more than take another swing. In some embodiments, the device includes a yield-stress material that assist in displaying impact a most recent impact location without displaying previous impact locations. Other features that can allow patches to work in this fashion, as well as methods related to the same, are also provided. Further, disclosures pertaining to a mobile impact recorder are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide patient position information to a user. A patient positioning device is placed on a patient in a predefined location. The patient positioning device determines a relative patient position with respect to at least one known reference axis. The patient positioning device communicates patient position information including or with reference to the at least one known reference axis. The communicated patient position information allows the user to position the patient and/or a surgical tool using the communicated patient position information.

Abstract: The technology described herein provides methods for addressing obesity by introducing a device into the stomach. Embodiments of a device for treating obesity may comprise a shaped membrane construct that contains a swellable material. The construct may be contained within a capsule which is ingested by a patient. When the capsule dissolves in the stomach, the gastric secretions may diffuse through the membrane and spontaneously swell the internal material, which swells and stiffens the construct sufficiently to create a sensation of satiety by both filling gastric volume and by distending the walls of the stomach. The volume of the construct may be sufficient to prevent passage through the pyloric sphincter. After a set period of time or after the administration of a degradation formulation, the device may structurally degrade to allow passage through the pyloric sphincter and eventual passage from the body.

Abstract: Described are systems having for sensing that a hygiene activity has commenced and alerting a user upon completion of a minimum hygiene compliance period for that activity. For example, a wearable wrist-band can include a fluid sensor, timing circuitry, a power source, and an indicator. The fluid sensor can begin a timer which is configured to correspond to a minimum length of time for a hygiene protocol, and the indicator can indicate to a user when the minimum length of time has passed and the hygiene condition satisfied.

Abstract: Various embodiments of mosaicplasty constructs and methods for implanting the constructs into anatomical structures. The mosaicplasty constructs may be formed from artificial materials and may include a hard articulating portion and a relatively softer elastic, support portion. The mosaicplasty constructs may include bone ingrowth materials to facilitate ingrowth of bone and other tissues into the construct. The mosaicplasty constructs may also be at least partially formed of hydrogel materials.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods of controllably making a vinyl polymer hydrogel having desired physical properties without chemical cross links or radiation. The gelation process is modulated by controlling, for example the temperature of a resultant vinyl polymer mixture having a gellant or using active ingredients provided in an inactive gellant complex.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods of controllably making a vinyl polymer hydrogel having desired physical properties without chemical cross links or radiation. The gelation process is modulated by controlling, for example, the temperature of a resultant vinyl polymer mixture having a gellant or using active ingredients provided in an inactive gellant complex.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods of controllably making a vinyl polymer hydrogel having desired physical properties without chemical cross links or radiation. The gelation process is modulated by controlling, for example, the temperature of a resultant vinyl polymer mixture having a gellant or using active ingredients provided in an inactive gellant complex.

Abstract: This invention includes a method of producing a thin, oriented layer of polymer material. The material is preferably produced by the method of introducing a shearing flow to a free surface in a predominantly monomeric solution of the self-assembling polymer sub-units, and inducing polymerization or growth of the monomer while in this shearing flow. The system for forming the oriented layer of material provides relative movement between a delivery system and the substrate on or over which the material is deposited. The rate of flow of the material from the delivery system and the relative velocity between the deposition surface and the material as it is developed to the surface are controlled to properly orient the material and desired thickness. These rates can be adjusted to vary the properties of the film in a controlled manner. Preferred embodiments include either angular or linear relative movement between the delivery system and the substrate.

Abstract: This invention includes a method of producing a nanostructured artificial template comprising one or more thin, oriented layer of polymer material. The material is preferably produced by the method of introducing a shearing flow in a predominantly monomeric solution of the self-assembling polymer sub-units to the free surface of a substrate and inducing polymerization or growth of the monomer while in this shearing flow. The rate of flow of the material from the delivery system and the relative velocity between the deposition surface and the material as it is delivered to the surface are controlled to properly orient the material at the desired thickness. These rates can be adjusted to vary the properties of the film in a controlled manner. The nanostructured artificial template is useful for inducing the production of a templated extracellular matrix by a population of cells.

Abstract: This invention includes a method of producing a nanostructured artificial template comprising more than one thin, oriented layer of polymer material. The material is preferably produced by the method of introducing a shearing flow to a free surface in a predominantly monomeric solution of the self-assembling polymer sub-units, and inducing polymerization or growth of the monomer while in this shearing flow. The system for forming the oriented layer of material provides relative movement between a delivery system and the substrate on or over which the material is deposited. The rate of flow of the material from the delivery system and the relative velocity between the deposition surface and the material as it is delivered to the surface are controlled to properly orient the material at the desired thickness. These rates can be adjusted to vary the properties of the film in a controlled manner.