Abstract: Improved fixation or stabilization of implants is achieved via one or more deployable spikes or anchors. The deployable spikes or anchors may be present in the implant in a nested, collapsed, or retracted position while the implant is inserted into the human body, and may then be deployed (e.g., into adjacent bone) after the implant is in place, thereby fixing the implant's location against unwanted movement. Such fixation or stabilization of the implant may reduce patients' pain, may improve overall short-term and long-term stability of the implant, and may improve osteo-integration into the implant.

Abstract: A cell culture container is provided, comprising membrane bound compartments for growing and harvesting monocytes that allows replenishing and removal of feed media without the loss or death of cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to sol-gel polymer composites that comprise chitosan, a hydrophilic polymer, a polysiloxane, and a gelation agent in a suitable medium. Advantageously, the sol-gel polymer composite can form a durable seal or strong solid in response to one or more physiological stimulus. The disclosure further relates to medical and veterinary uses of the composite, particularly, methods and delivery systems for reducing or preventing the incidence of a mammary disorder in a dairy animal. More particularly, the disclosure includes methods and sol-gel polymer composite compositions for creating a physical barrier on the teat surface or in the teat canal or cistern of a non-human animal for prophylactic treatment of mammary disorders such as mastitis wherein the sol-gel polymer creates a seal in response to one or more physiological stimulus.

Abstract: A method of constructing an ion guide is disclosed comprising providing an elongated spine member and a plurality of plates. Each plate comprises an aperture therethrough for receiving the spine member and at least one electrode for use in guiding ions. The apertures of the plates are arranged around the spine member and the plates are arranged along the spine member. The plates are then locked in position on the spine member such that the plates are fixed axially with respect to the spine member and so that the electrodes of the plates are arranged so as to form an array of electrodes for use in guiding ions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to neuromuscular stimulation and sensing cuffs. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff has at least two fingers and a plurality of electrodes disposed on each finger. More generally, the neuromuscular stimulation cuff includes an outer, reusable component and an inner, disposable component. One or more electrodes are housed within the reusable component. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff may be produced by providing an insulating substrate layer, forming a conductive circuit on the substrate layer to form a conductive circuit layer, adhering a cover layer onto the conductive circuit layer to form a flexible circuit, and cutting at least one flexible finger from the flexible circuit. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff employs a flexible multi-electrode design which allows for reanimation of complex muscle movements in a patient, including individual finger movement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determine a cost-improved set of control commands for an aircraft based at least in part on deterioration costs are provided. One example computing device is configured to iteratively: input a candidate set of control commands for the aircraft into the deterioration cost model; receive, as an output of the deterioration cost model, an estimated deterioration cost associated with the candidate set of control commands; input the estimated deterioration cost into a cost function to obtain a total estimated cost associated with the candidate set of control commands; and determine an improved set of control commands based at least in part on the total estimated cost and the cost function.

Abstract: A method of constructing an ion guide is disclosed comprising providing an elongated spine member and a plurality of plates. Each plate comprises an aperture therethrough for receiving the spine member and at least one electrode for use in guiding ions. The apertures of the plates are arranged around the spine member and the plates are arranged along the spine member. The plates are then locked in position on the spine member such that the plates are fixed axially with respect to the spine member and so that the electrodes of the plates are arranged so as to form an array of electrodes for use in guiding ions.

Abstract: A method of constructing an ion guide is disclosed comprising providing an elongated spine member and a plurality of plates. Each plate comprises an aperture therethrough for receiving the spine member and at least one electrode for use in guiding ions. The apertures of the plates are arranged around the spine member and the plates are arranged along the spine member. The plates are then locked in position on the spine member such that the plates are fixed axially with respect to the spine member and so that the electrodes of the plates are arranged so as to form an array of electrodes for use in guiding ions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods for capturing particular biological matter from a sample from an individual. The systems and methods employ an apparatus (such as a container that is a tube or bag) comprising a fluoropolymer coating that is modified to comprise one or more moieties for binding of a desired biological agents when a sample is exposed to the modified fluoropolymer. In particular aspects, the biological matter is a particular type of cell, such as a particular blood or bone marrow cell, and the desired cell is captured by means of an aptamer selected to bind the cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods for capturing particular biological matter from a sample from an individual. The systems and methods employ an apparatus (such as a container that is a tube or bag) comprising a fluoropolymer coating that is modified to comprise one or more moieties for binding of a desired biological agents when a sample is exposed to the modified fluoropolymer. In particular aspects, the biological matter is a particular type of cell, such as a particular blood or bone marrow cell, and the desired cell is captured by means of an aptamer selected to bind the cell.

Abstract: A cell culture container is provided, comprising membrane bound compartments for growing and harvesting monocytes that allows replenishing and removal of feed media without the loss or death of cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for forming or treating reverse osmosis (RO), forward osmosis (FO), microfiltration (MF), or nanofiltration (NF) membranes, which includes a stable liquid blend of two of the following polymers: an oxygen polymer, a nitrogen polymer, and a sulfur polymer, where each polymer in a blend have matched solubility parameters; provided, that a nitrogen polymer can be in the form of a powder; where the weight ratio of polymers in each blend can range from 1:99 to 99:1; where each polymer optionally can be halogenated; where any polymer can be dispersed in a solvent for forming the blend.

Abstract: The present invention relates to veterinary compositions in a form of an orally deliverable tablet, and more particularly to a controlled-release composition that provides sufficiently long duration to permit once daily administration.

Abstract: A method of constructing an ion guide is disclosed comprising providing an elongated spine member and a plurality of plates. Each plate comprises an aperture therethrough for receiving the spine member and at least one electrode for use in guiding ions. The apertures of the plates are arranged around the spine member and the plates are arranged along the spine member. The plates are then locked in position on the spine member such that the plates are fixed axially with respect to the spine member and so that the electrodes of the plates are arranged so as to form an array of electrodes for use in guiding ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the regional delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of vascular diseases wherein regional delivery refers to delivery of a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic agent to an area of the vessel that includes not only afflicted tissue but non-afflicted tissue at the periphery of the afflicted tissue as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the regional delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of vascular diseases wherein regional delivery refers to delivery of a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic agent to an area of the vessel that includes not only afflicted tissue but non-afflicted tissue at the periphery of the afflicted tissue as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to veterinary compositions in a form of an orally deliverable tablet, and more particularly to a controlled-release composition that provides sufficiently long duration to permit once daily administration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treating a vulnerable plaque are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, the exemplary apparatus includes a medical device to treat a vulnerable plaque within a body lumen, where the medical device is adapted to position a rupturing device to rupture a fibrous cap of a vulnerable plaque. In one particular embodiment, the medical device includes a rupturing wire having a predetermined pattern to enable the rupturing device to rupture the fibrous cap of the vulnerable plaque. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Drug-delivery stents capable of providing release of two or more drugs such as everolimus and estradiol are provided. The stents can be used for treating a disease such as restenosis and vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the regional delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of vascular diseases wherein regional delivery refers to delivery of a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic agent to an area of the vessel that includes not only afflicted tissue but non-afflicted tissue at the periphery of the afflicted tissue as well.