Abstract: A bicycle locking device including a shackle with first and second arms, a lockable crossbar releasably engaging the first and second arms to form a closed loop with the shackle. The shackle and crossbar including an inner core, with an outer topside and an outer underside. At least one plate of high performance material is secured to the topside and underside of the shackle and crossbar to sandwich the inner core therebetween. The high performance material is harder and more brittle than the inner core.

Abstract: A bicycle locking device including a shackle with first and second arms, a lockable crossbar releasably engaging the first and second arms to form a closed loop with the shackle. The shackle and crossbar including an inner core, with an outer topside and an outer underside. At least one plate of high performance material is secured to the topside and underside of the shackle and crossbar to sandwich the inner core therebetween. The high performance material is harder and more brittle than the inner core.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating degenerative disc disease and discogenic pain by disposing a hydrogel tissue sealant within the intervertebral disc, where the hydrogel fills voids and tears in the annulus fibrosus and replaces leaked material from the nucleus pulposus. The hydrogel is formed in situ from a substantially liquid premix, which can be emplaced with a syringe needle or a catheter into the intervertebral disc, where it forms the hydrogel by gelation. The hydrogel can also include a therapeutic or a protective material, or a radiopaque or MRI-active agent to aid in visualization.

Abstract: A tissue sealant for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The tissue sealant comprises a hydrogel which is formed by gelation of a premix disposed on the tissue to be sealed. The premix comprises an alkylated chitosan, a polybasic carboxylic acid, a dehydrating reagent, and a carboxyl activating reagent in an aqueous medium. A preferred use of the tissue sealant is in the repair of the dura mater after brain surgery to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue sealant may include a therapeutic or protective agent such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition and a therapeutic method are provided for occlusion of a vascular site. The vascular site may be within a blood vessel or a lymph duct, and may include an aneurysm or an arteriovenous malformation, or may be in a normal section of the vessel or duct. A composition comprises an alkylated chitosan and a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide in an aqueous medium. Another composition comprises a gelatin and an oxidized polysaccharide in an aqueous medium The composition is in the form of a substantially liquid sol immediately upon mixing, and gels or solidifies in situ in the vascular site. The method comprises introducing the composition as a sol into the interior of the vascular site, as with a catheter, wherein it gels in situ. The composition may further include a bioactive agent or a radiopaque agent or both.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition and a method are provided for occlusion of a vascular site. The vascular site may be within a blood vessel or a lymph duct, and may include an aneurysm, an arteriovenous malformation. The composition comprises an acrylated chitosan dissolved in an aqueous medium. The composition is preferably a flowable liquid at a pH of about 6-6.5, and gels or solidifies in situ in the vascular site at a physiological pH of about 6.9-7.4. The method comprises introducing the composition to the interior of the vascular site, as with a catheter. The composition may further include a bioactive agent or intact cells, or a radiopaque agent.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell includes a container for holding an electrolyte. A conductively doped single crystal diamond anode electrode is positioned to be disposed within the electrolyte, as is a conductive cathode electrode. Conductors are coupled to the electrodes for coupling to a power supply. An electrolyte inlet and an electrolyte outlet are coupled to the container for causing electrolyte to flow past the electrodes. The anode electrode is downstream from the cathode electrode in one embodiment, such that an electrolyte comprising water is purified by generation of oxygen and/or ozone.

Abstract: Masked and controlled ion implants, coupled with annealing or etching are used in CVD formed single crystal diamond to create structures for both optical applications, nanoelectromechanical device formation, and medical device formation. Ion implantation is employed to deliver one or more atomic species into and beneath the diamond growth surface in order to form an implanted layer with a peak concentration of atoms at a predetermined depth beneath the diamond growth surface. The composition is heated in a non-oxidizing environment under suitable conditions to cause separation of the diamond proximate the implanted layer. Further ion implants may be used in released structures to straighten or curve them as desired. Boron doping may also be utilized to create conductive diamond structures.