Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring curable material to an injector to convenient deliver the curable material to a patient. The apparatus contains a mixing chamber for mixing a liquid component and a powder component to form a curable material. The curable material is transferred to an injector to when the mixing chamber and injector are moved toward each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a vertebral body using a structural support to stabilize the vertebral body. The apparatus includes a first curable material deposit proximal to a first endplate of a vertebral body for providing support to the first endplate of the vertebral body and a second curable material deposit proximal to a second endplate of a vertebral body for providing support to a second endplate of the vertebral body. The apparatus also utilizes a stabilizing structure between the first curable material deposit and the second curable material deposit and connecting the first curable material deposit and the second curable material deposit for providing support to the vertebral body.

Abstract: A curable material delivery cannula device and method are disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end, a deflectable segment forming a pre-set curve, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When inserted within a guide cannula, the deflectable segment straightens. When distally extended from the guide cannula, the deflectable segment reverts to the curved shape, which may be used to create a void in the bone for receiving curable material. The distal end has a blunt tip for non-traumatic interface with bodily material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the side orifice(s) in a radial direction relative to the lumen.

Abstract: A method of processing seismic data includes storing in a single file structure a first type of data representing an inline location, a second type of data representing a crossline location, and a third type of data representing at least one of a depth and time, said first, second and third type of data each being associated with a horizon of a poststack seismic trace at a location defined by said inline location and said crossline location; and storing in said single file structure at least a fourth type of data representing an attribute associated with said horizon of said poststack seismic trace at said location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing two components and delivering the mixture to a patient. The apparatus contains a mixing chamber for mixing a liquid component and a powder component. The liquid component and powder component are mixed within the mixing chamber by rotation of a collapsible mixing element. A high strength cartridge capable of withstanding high opposing axial loads from the mixing chamber and a threaded rod generates force to drive the curable material from the mixing chamber. A plunger connected to the rod is then advanced through the mixing chamber to force the mixture out of the mixing chamber and deliver the mixture to the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing material into an injection site of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a carrier. The cannula is inserted into an injection site of a patient. The carrier is connected to an injector containing a volume of material. Material may be pre-loaded into the carrier so that the material is delivered to a distal end of the carrier from the injector and the carrier is thus pre-loaded with material. A portion of the distal end of the pre-loaded carrier is inserted into the cannula and material is delivered to an injection site.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing material into an injection site of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a carrier. The cannula is inserted into an injection site of a patient. The carrier is connected to an injector containing a volume of material. Material may be pre-loaded into the carrier so that the material is delivered to a distal end of the carrier from the injector and the carrier is thus pre-loaded with material. A portion of the distal end of the pre-loaded carrier is inserted into the cannula and material is delivered to an injection site. The supply section can be rotatable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner section.

Abstract: A curable material delivery cannula device is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end, a deflectable segment forming a pre-set curve, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When inserted within a guide cannula, the deflectable segment straightens. When distally extended from the guide cannula, the deflectable segment reverts to the curved shape. The distal end has a blunt tip for non-traumatic interface with bodily material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the side orifice(s) in a radial direction relative to the lumen.

Abstract: A curable material delivery cannula device is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end, a deflectable segment forming a pre-set curve, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When inserted within a guide cannula, the deflectable segment straightens. When distally extended from the guide cannula, the deflectable segment reverts to the curved shape. The distal end has a blunt tip for non-traumatic interface with bodily material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the side orifice(s) in a radial direction relative to the lumen.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a sampling cannula for use in bone marrow biopsy procedures having structural features which facilitate sample retention within the device. In particular, the sampling cannula comprises an open trough-like portion, wherein the trough-like portion comprises at least one wall opening located proximal to the distal end in combination with an interior surface comprising a friction-enhancing surface texture adapted to facilitate sample retention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing surface impurities from a surface of a material, particularly silicon wafers, includes identifying the location of at least one impurity particle on a surface of the material and applying a liquid to the surface in the vicinity of the at least one impurity particle. The liquid is explosively evaporated to remove the surface particle as part of the evaporation of the liquid. The apparatus can include a source of humidified gas for the liquid and a laser apparatus to provide the heat for liquid evaporation.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a handle assembly for biopsy devices which comprise an outer cannula and stylet component structure. The handle assembly permits securing and removal of the inner stylet from the inside of the outer cannula by virtue of separating top and bottom portions of the handle, and at the same time enhances the comfort and maneuverability of the entire device during its use. In particular, the invention provides a biopsy device comprising a handle assembly, said handle assembly comprising at least two separable handle components together forming a generally elongated arcuate handle having concave arcuate indentations located on the side of the handle.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a surgical cement preparation system designed for the rapid, clean, safe, accurate and thorough handling and combining of cement ingredients. The invention is particularly useful in the preparation of surgical cements such as opacified polymethylmethacrylate to ensure their thorough mixture and presentation in advance of the cured or hardened state. The invention provides a surgical cement preparation system for combining a liquid ingredient together with at least one solid powder ingredient comprising a needle and syringe assembly and a mixing vial structured to optimize their relative functions and cooperatively interact with other components. The invention further provides a process for preparing surgical cement comprising the system of the invention, as well as a kit comprising the system of the invention in combination with additional components.

Abstract: A susceptor for use in an epitaxial growth apparatus and method where a plurality of circular through-holes are formed in the bottom wall of a pocket in an outer peripheral region a distance of up to about ½ the radius toward the center of the circular bottom wall. The total opening surface area of these through-holes is 0.05 to 55% of the surface area of the bottom wall. The opening surface area of each of the through-holes provided at this outer peripheral region is 0.2 to 3.2 mm2 and the density of the through-holes is 0.25 to 25 per cm2. After a semiconductor wafer is mounted in the pocket, epitaxial growth is carried out while source gas and carrier gas (i.e., reactive gas) is made to flow on the upper surface side of the susceptor and carrier gas is made to flow on the lower surface side.

Abstract: A dispenser for holding and dispensing individual foil sheets from a stack of foils. Because of the delicate nature of foil, the dispenser has a number of unique requirements to preserve the ability to dispense a single foil sheet. A top plate adds minimal weight to the stack of the foils in order to assist maintaining the stack of foils as one foil is removed. The dispenser protects the edges of the foils to minimize any damage or bending of the edges or corners of the foils to enhance the removal of individual sheets from the stack. A suction cup attached to the bottom of the dispenser minimizes movement of the dispenser with reference to the location of the dispenser. The dispenser has a bottom and end panel bent to angles which promote single dispensing of the top foil sheet. The foil is colored on one side so the cosmetologist may color coordinate different color concentrations to different areas of the customer's hair during a hair highlighting procedure.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a biopsy aspiration device comprising an elongated cannula body having a proximal end, a distal tip and a linear longitudinal axis; a lumen running longitudinally through the interior of said cannula body and terminating at a proximal opening and terminating at a single laterally oriented distal opening; wherein said distal tip of said cannula body comprises an arcuate curved surface on the side opposite side to said laterally oriented distal opening, said arcuate curved surface terminating at said distal opening. The invention also includes a biopsy system including an outer cannula through which the aspiration device can operate. The aspiration device of the invention permits 360° rotational sampling of bone marrow.

Abstract: A mobile-dining meal holder including a plate and detachable beverage cup, the cup having a lip with an annular ring thereabout projecting radially to form an interfacing surface and the plate including (a) a lid portion pressing against the interfacing surface and terminating in a downward skirt having an inner taper that engages against the same taper of the beverage container, and (b) a tray portion having food-holding areas spaced about the lid portion, the cup, plate, bead and skirt being configured and arranged to engage despite food-loading and usage forces. Food-receiving depressed regions have vertically extending portions positioned and arranged transversely with respect to pivot lines on the tray portion in order to avoid excessive flexing under food and dining loads. The beverage container acts as the pillar of support for the mobile dining meal holder. This arrangement allows the mobile-dining meal holder to disengage from the bottom of the cup.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bone marrow biopsy device 10 that includes a handle, an outer cannula, a stylet, and an inner member. The outer cannula is secured in the handle. The outer cannula defines a distal tip that is tapered to provide a distal cutting edge. The stylet is designed to be inserted in the outer cannula. The stylet defines a sharp distal tip. The inner member is designed to be inserted in the outer cannula. The inner member defines a cutting finger.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a handle assembly for biopsy devices, such as bone biopsy core sampling devices and bone marrow aspiration devices, which comprise an outer cannula and stylet component structure. The handle assembly permits securing and removal of the inner stylet from the inside of the outer cannula by virtue of separating top and bottom portions of the handle, and at the same time enhances the comfort and maneuverability of the entire device during its use. In particular, the invention provides a biopsy device comprising a handle assembly, said handle assembly comprising at least two separable handle components together forming a generally elongated arcuate handle. The assembled handle comprises a generally elongate arcuate handle wherein the outward curve is at the top portion and the inward curve is at the bottom portion.