Abstract: An endoscopic system for winding and inserting a mesh into an abdominal cavity of a patient is provided. The endoscopic system includes an introducer having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft includes a split portion that defines an opening therealong. The split portion is configured to support the mesh within the opening. A furler defining a lumen is engageable with the split portion of the shaft and configured to exert a radial force onto the mesh that is supported by the split portion. Rotation of one of the furler and introducer with respect to the other winds the mesh inside the furler to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the lumen of the furler.

Abstract: A surgical sleeve includes a sheath and a contact surface. The sheath defines a lumen therein. The lumen is configured to receive at least a portion of a surgical instrument therein. The sheath is expandable to transition from an un-deployed configuration to a deployed configuration. As the sheath transitions from the un-deployed configuration to the deployed configuration, a length of the lumen increases. The contact surface is disposed along at least a portion of the sheath and is configured to dampen an impact force thereon.

Abstract: An endoscopic system for winding and inserting a mesh into an abdominal cavity of a patient is provided. The endoscopic system includes an introducer having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft includes a split portion that defines an opening therealong. The split portion is configured to support the mesh within the opening. A furler defining a lumen is engageable with the split portion of the shaft and configured to exert a radial force onto the mesh that is supported by the split portion. Rotation of one of the furler and introducer with respect to the other winds the mesh inside the furler to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the lumen of the furler.

Abstract: An endoscopic system for winding and inserting a mesh into an abdominal cavity of a patient is provided. The endoscopic system includes an introducer having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft includes a split portion that defines an opening therealong. The split portion is configured to support the mesh within the opening. A furler defining a lumen is engageable with the split portion of the shaft and configured to exert a radial force onto the mesh that is supported by the split portion. Rotation of one of the furler and introducer with respect to the other winds the mesh inside the furler to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the lumen of the furler.

Abstract: An endoscopic system for winding and inserting a mesh into an abdominal cavity of a patient is provided. The endoscopic system includes an introducer having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft includes a split portion that defines an opening therealong. The split portion is configured to support the mesh within the opening. A furler defining a lumen is engageable with the split portion of the shaft and configured to exert a radial force onto the mesh that is supported by the split portion. Rotation of one of the furler and introducer with respect to the other winds the mesh inside the furler to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the lumen of the furler.

Abstract: The invention relates a sheath that is affixed to a body lumen, proximal to an anastomosis site. The sheath includes a sleeve defining a passage. A grasping structure is positioned distally of the distal opening of the sheath to facilitate elongation of the sleeve from a first length to a second longer length. A method for using the sheath is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscopic system for winding and inserting a mesh into an abdominal cavity of a patient is provided. The endoscopic system includes an introducer having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft includes a split portion that defines an opening therealong. The split portion is configured to support the mesh within the opening. A furler defining a lumen is engageable with the split portion of the shaft and configured to exert a radial force onto the mesh that is supported by the split portion. Rotation of one of the furler and introducer with respect to the other winds the mesh inside the furler to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the lumen of the furler.

Abstract: An endoscopic system for winding and inserting a mesh into an abdominal cavity of a patient is provided. The endoscopic system includes an introducer having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft includes a split portion that defines an opening therealong. The split portion is configured to support the mesh within the opening. A furler defining a lumen is engageable with the split portion of the shaft and configured to exert a radial force onto the mesh that is supported by the split portion. Rotation of one of the furler and introducer with respect to the other winds the mesh inside the furler to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the lumen of the furler.

Abstract: Kaiso, a transcriptional regulator with bimodal DNA-binding specificity, is over-expressed in breast cancer cells, and its nuclear localization is correlated with malignant and lymph node metastasis. Depleted expression of Kaiso in those cells results in a significant decrease in basal and EGF-induced cell migration, and this is associated with increased E-cadherin expression. The data reported and described herein provide significant evidence that Kaiso is involved in breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Kaiso nuclear localization is a biomarker that is associated with invasive and metastatic infiltrating ductal breast cancer that may be used to monitor, detect, and/or track the progress of disease in a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates a sheath that is affixed to a body lumen, proximal to an anastomosis site. The sheath includes a sleeve defining a passage. A grasping structure is positioned distally of the distal opening of the sheath to facilitate elongation of the sleeve from a first length to a second longer length. A method for using the sheath is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates a sheath that is affixed to a body lumen, proximal to an anastomosis site. The sheath includes a sleeve defining a passage. A grasping structure is positioned distally of the distal opening of the sheath to facilitate elongation of the sleeve from a first length to a second longer length. A method for using the sheath is also disclosed.

Abstract: A knee brace has push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: A sheath having a proximal portion attached proximal to an anastomotic site. The sheath includes at least one biodegradable portion and at least one non-biodegradable portion. The sheath prevents anastomotic leakage of tissue luminal contents into the surrounding cavity. A method for using the sheath is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sheath is affixed to a body lumen, proximal to an anastomosis site. The sheath includes a sleeve defining a passage. A first ring-shaped member or balloon, attached to a proximal portion of the sleeve, is positioned proximal to an anastomosis and a second ring-shaped member or balloon, attached to a distal portion of the sleeve, is positioned distal to an anastomosis. The sleeve is further elongated from a first length to a second longer length. A method for using the sheath is also disclosed.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: A set of square carpet tiles having omnidirectional patterning, the set comprising at least two tiles with coordinating pattern and color, with each tile having at least two areas of visual texture (31, 32, 33, 34) applied thereto, the areas of visual texture providing the impression of at least two pile directions on each tile. The patterning and texturing may both be done by printing. Also disclosed is a method of supplying the omnidirectionally-patterned tiles.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: A stranded motorist distress sign assembly includes a thin substantially flat, semi-flexible base member having one or more bosses or protrusions extending from one surface thereof, and a thin, substantially flat, semi-flexible sign plate having letters forming a message embossed thereon. The sign plate is mounted and held on the base member by mating hook and loop strips of material mounted on the protrusions and on the back of the sign plate. The bottom of the base member has magnetic members mounted thereon for attaching the assembly to a vehicle body.