Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a talar implant, comprising: a. a superior surface, defined by an arc having at least one first radius; b. an inferior surface, defined by an arc having at least one second radius, c. a lateral side; d. a medial side; e.

Abstract: A talar implant, comprising: a superior surface, defined by an arc having at least one first radius; an inferior surface, defined by an arc having at least one second radius, a lateral side; a medial side; a posterior portion having a first width; and an anterior portion having a second width; wherein the implant is configured to restore a tibio-talar joint tension, wherein the superior surface is separated from the inferior surface by a thickness, wherein the at least one first radius is smaller than the at least one second radius, wherein the center of the arc having at least one first radius is offset from the center of the arc having at least one second radius in at least one plane of the talar implant, and wherein the anterior portion further comprises an extension configured to provide support.

Abstract: A talar implant, comprising: a superior surface, defined by an arc having at least one first radius; an inferior surface, defined by an arc having at least one second radius, a lateral side; a medial side; a posterior portion having a first width; and an anterior portion having a second width; wherein the implant is configured to restore a tibio-talar joint tension, wherein the superior surface is separated from the inferior surface by a thickness, wherein the at least one first radius is smaller than the at least one second radius, wherein the center of the arc having at least one first radius is offset from the center of the arc having at least one second radius in at least one plane of the talar implant, and wherein the anterior portion further comprises an extension configured to provide support.

Abstract: A set of screws sized and configured for fixing a Jones fracture in a fifth metatarsal bone of a patient by preserving a bone thread path. Each screw has a low profile head on a trailing end, a thread portion on a leading portion, and a smooth shank portion between the head portion and the thread portion. A first screw has a thread major diameter of between about 4.4-4.6 mm, a second screw a thread major diameter of between about 5.4-5.6 mm, and a third screw a thread major diameter of between about 6.4-6.6 mm. The thread portion of all the screws in the set has a set of identical thread profile characteristics comprising a pitch, a leading edge angle, a trailing edge angle, a leading edge radius, a trailing edge radius, and a land. Each screw size is provided in various preferred lengths.

Abstract: A set of screws sized and configured for fixing a Jones fracture in a fifth metatarsal bone of a patient by preserving a bone thread path. Each screw has a low profile head on a trailing end, a thread portion on a leading portion, and a smooth shank portion between the head portion and the thread portion. A first screw has a thread major diameter of between about 4.4-4.6 mm, a second screw a thread major diameter of between about 5.4-5.6 mm, and a third screw a thread major diameter of between about 6.4-6.6 mm. The thread portion of all the screws in the set has a set of identical thread profile characteristics comprising a pitch, a leading edge angle, a trailing edge angle, a leading edge radius, a trailing edge radius, and a land. Each screw size is provided in various preferred lengths.

Abstract: A method for monitoring laser light launched into a core of a single mode fiber includes launching a portion of light directly into the cladding about the core. The cladding launched light is a known fraction of the core launched light and can be monitored by placing a detector about the cladding. Detected light including light that was launched into the cladding and has leaked through the cladding is used as a known fraction of light in the core and can be used to control the laser light source. This can be done with a straight section of single mode optical fiber and does not require bending the fiber. Advantageously, most of the core launched light remains in the core as guided light.

Abstract: A method for monitoring laser light launched into a core of a single mode fiber includes launching a portion of light directly into the cladding about the core. The cladding launched light is a known fraction of the core launched light and can be monitored by placing a detector about the cladding. Detected light including light that was launched into the cladding and has leaked through the cladding is used as a known fraction of light in the core and can be used to control the laser light source. This can be done with a straight section of single mode optical fiber and does not require bending the fiber. Advantageously, most of the core launched light remains in the core as guided light.

Abstract: A set of screws sized and configured for fixing a Jones fracture in a fifth metatarsal bone of a patient by preserving a bone thread path. Each screw has a low profile head on a trailing end, a thread portion on a leading portion, and a smooth shank portion between the head portion and the thread portion. A first screw has a thread major diameter of between about 4.4-4.6 mm, a second screw a thread major diameter of between about 5.4-5.6 mm, and a third screw a thread major diameter of between about 6.4-6.6 mm. The thread portion of all the screws in the set has a set of identical thread profile characteristics comprising a pitch, a leading edge angle, a trailing edge angle, a leading edge radius, a trailing edge radius, and a land. Each screw size is provided in various preferred lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating tinnitus involves generating a noise signal to mask the ringing or buzzing in the ears caused by tinnitus and transposing the noise signal into the ultrasonic frequency range. As such, the masking signal effectively masks the tinnitus noise without interfering with the subject's perception of normal sounds such as human speech. In an alternative embodiment, human speech is transduced into electrical signals, transposed to the ultrasonic frequency range, and physically applied to the patient while tinnitus masking signals in the auditory range are applied to the patient.

Abstract: A hearing aid to be worn by an individual of impaired hearing ability producing analog output signals of improved intelligibility. The hearing aid includes a wearable, programmable digital signal processor for processing digital samples of the analog signals coupled thereto in real time and providing analog output signals having the processed characteristics. The hearing aid program stored in the signal processor is continuously executed and modifies the analog signals coupled thereto by digital filtering in real time in accordance with the varying noise levels contained in the received audible signals. The modification of the signals includes noise supression.