Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting a spinal implant in a spinal column are disclosed. In one example, an illustrative system may include a delivery device including a proximal end region and a distal end region, a spinal implant releasably coupled to the distal end region of the delivery device, and a sleeve disposed about the spinal implant and at least a portion of the delivery device. In some cases, a distal portion of the sleeve may include a predetermined weakened region that may be configured to separate when a force is applied to the weakened region, which in some cases, may be applied with a pull string. In another example, a distal portion of the sleeve may be reverse folded upon itself such that the retractable sleeve rolls off of the spinal implant when the retractable sleeve is retracted.

Abstract: Medical implants are formed at least in part from porous metal wherein the pores of the metal are filled with a hardenable material. The hardenable material can be used to assist in the manufacture of the implant, permitting detailed machining of the implant. Further, the hardenable material can be a resorbable material that strengthens the implant during implantation but is resorbed, once implanted, to permit bone growth and infiltration. Further, in an alternate embodiment, the hardenable material can be a thermoplastic material that can be heated by ultrasonic energy to create an adhesive bond between a fastener and bone structure.

Abstract: A vertebral fixation system including an elongate rod and a vertebral anchor for securement to a vertebra. The vertebral anchor includes a head portion for receiving a portion of the rod. The elongate rod may be formed of a material having a modulus of elasticity less than or equal to 110 GPa and an ultimate strength greater than 1 GPa. The elongate rod may have a structural bending stiffness in the range of about 500,000 N-mm2 to about 2,000,000 N-mm2 or about 1,250,000 N-mm2. In some instances, the elongate rod may be formed of a beta titanium alloy such as high strength Ti-15Mo-5Zr. In some instances the elongate rod has a diameter in the range of about 3.25 millimeters to about 4.5 millimeters. Various elongate rods including regions for receiving a flexible member along an exterior surface of the elongate rods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting a spinal implant in a spinal column are disclosed. In one example, an illustrative system may include a delivery device including a proximal end region and a distal end region, a spinal implant releasably coupled to the distal end region of the delivery device, and a sleeve disposed about the spinal implant and at least a portion of the delivery device. In some cases, a distal portion of the sleeve may include a predetermined weakened region that may be configured to separate when a force is applied to the weakened region, which in some cases, may be applied with a pull string. In another example, a distal portion of the sleeve may be reverse folded upon itself such that the retractable sleeve rolls off of the spinal implant when the retractable sleeve is retracted.

Abstract: Medical implants are formed at least in part from porous metal wherein the pores of the metal are filled with a hardenable material. The hardenable material can be used to assist in the manufacture of the implant, permitting detailed machining of the implant. Further, the hardenable material can be a resorbable material that strengthens the implant during implantation but is resorbed, once implanted, to permit bone growth and infiltration. Further, in an alternate embodiment, the hardenable material can be a thermoplastic material that can be heated by ultrasonic energy to create an adhesive bond between a fastener and bone structure.

Abstract: A method for associating information with an article, an isotopic labeling composition to label an article with information using at least two different isotopes of an element, and an article labeled with the labeling composition. In the labeling composition, the isotopes of the labeling composition have an abundance ratio that is detectably different from the natural abundance ratio thereof. By detecting the abundance ratio(s) of the isotopes in the labeling composition, via laser ablation/magnetic spectroscopy, an NQR spectrometer, an NMR spectrometer, an IR spectrometer, or a microwave spectrometer, information about the article can be determined. The method and labeling composition may be used to identify, authenticate or determine the source or origin of an article or to provide detailed information about an article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for associating information with an article, an isotopic labeling composition to label an article with information using at least two different isotopes of an element, and an article labeled with the labeling composition. In the labeling composition, the isotopes of the labeling composition have an abundance ratio that is detectably different from the natural abundance ratio thereof. By detecting the abundance ratio(s) of the isotopes in the labeling composition, via laser ablation/magnetic spectroscopy, an NQR spectrometer, an NMR spectrometer, an IR spectrometer, or a microwave spectrometer, information about the article can be determined. The invention may be used to identify, authenticate or determine the source or origin of an article or to provide detailed information about an article.

Abstract: An implantable intervertebral disc prosthesis that comprises a disc member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a perimeter surface. The disc includes an axis at least one slit defined in the perimeter surface; the slit being of sufficient depth and thickness to provide flexure. The slit terminates in a perimeter opening larger than the slit thickness. The perimeter opening (i.e., hole) acts as a pivot point and relieves stress. The disc prosthesis optionally comprises a cavity with an upper seat defined on the lower surface, a lower disc having an upper and lower surface and a lower seat defined on the upper surface, and a support ball. The support ball engages the seat on the upper disc and the seat on the lower disc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for associating information with an article, an isotopic labeling composition to label an article with information using at least two different isotopes of an element, and an article labeled with the labeling composition. In the labeling composition, the isotopes of the labeling composition have an abundance ratio that is detectably different from the natural abundance ratio thereof. By detecting the abundance ratio(s) of the isotopes in the labeling composition, via laser ablation/magnetic spectroscopy, an NQR spectrometer, an NMR spectrometer, an IR spectrometer, or a microwave spectrometer, information about the article can be determined. The invention may be used to identify, authenticate or determine the source or origin of an article or to provide detailed information about an article.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating radiation of high power, variable duration and broad tunability over several orders of magnitude from a laser-ionized gas-filled capacitor array. The method and apparatus convert a DC electric field pattern into a coherent electromagnetic wave train when a relativistic ionization front passes between the capacitor plates. The frequency and duration of the radiation is controlled by the gas pressure and capacitor spacing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and implant designed for use in short segment anterior fusion of a patient's spine after the removal of a diseased or injured anterior vertebral body. The system includes the placement of the cylinder of the implant in an intraosseous location for added safety, and for the placement of the cylinder of the implant in the middle column area of the adjacent healthy vertebral bodies for increased biomechanical strength. The system further includes transverse fixation of the cylinder of the implant, thus adding medial-lateral and rotational support to the system. Finally, the system utilizes the concept of modularity, wherein intraoperative exchangeable parts are available to better fit the patient.

Abstract: The composition contains iron EDDHA and for iron EDDHMA in an agriculturally-acceptable organic solvent, preferably ethylene glycol. The composition is used in treating iron deficiency in soils and can have an iron content of up to 40 or 50 g dm.sup.-3. The composition may also contain considerable amounts of water yet still to be stable at room temperature, the aqueous composition having a significantly reduced viscosity relative to the water-free composition. The iron chelate need not be dry when incorporated into the composition. It may also be synthesized in situ in the solvent of the composition.

Abstract: Photons of an electromagnetic source wave are frequency-upshifted as a plasma is rapidly created around the path of this propagating source wave. The final frequency can be controlled by adjusting the gas density. A controlled time-varying frequency (chirped) pulse can be produced by using a controlled spatially varying gas density. The plasma must be created in a time which is short compared to the transit time of the light through the plasmas region. For very fast creation over one to at most a few light periods of an overdense plasma, static magnetic fields with short wavelengths are created.

Abstract: Photons of a laser pulse have their group velocity accelerated in a plasma as they are placed on a downward density gradient of a plasma wave of which the phase velocity nearly matches the group velocity of the photons. This acceleration results in a frequency upshift. If the unperturbed plasma has a slight density gradient in the direction of propagation, the photon frequencies can be continuously upshifted to significantly greater values.

Abstract: A powered unit is disclosed for providing an auxiliary drive for roller pumps of the type used in cardiopulmonary bypass operations in case the primary drive system for the pump fails or is rendered inoperative for any reason. The unit is provided with a base assembly supporting an electric motor oriented with the drive shaft aligned for coupling to an adapter designed to complementarily fit over or be operably joined to the pump rotor for direct drive thereof at a selected constant angular speed. Handle structure on the base unit is strategically located to allow medical personnel operating the heart-lung perfusion console to emplace the auxiliary drive unit in position and to activate operation of the same in a time period of no more than ten to fifteen seconds.

Abstract: A plasma isotope separation process and apparatus. The plasma must be generated and moved into an excitation region for the differential heating of a selected isotope. This motion is accomplished by a crossed magnetic and electric field whereby charged particles move normal to the direction of both fields. The plasma is generated by electrons liberated from hot filaments and the electric field is generated by a plurality of electrodes forming an anode for providing an electric field in a desired direction. An alternating electric voltage may additionally be imparted to the anode to generate an alternating electric field, thereby to differentially excite the isotope of the plasma.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing coherent secondary x-rays that are controlled as to direction by illuminating a mixture of high z and low z gases with an intense burst of primary x-rays. The primary x-rays are produced with a laser activated plasma, and these x-rays strip off the electrons of the high z atoms in the lasing medium, while the low z atoms retain their electrons. The neutral atoms transfer electrons to highly excited states of the highly striped high z ions giving an inverted population which produces the desired coherent x-rays. In one embodiment, a laser, light beam provides a laser spark that produces the intense burst of coherent x-rays that illuminates the mixture of high z and low z gases, whereby the high z atoms are stripped while the low z ones are not, giving the desired mixture of highly ionized and neutral atoms.

Abstract: Measurement of the velocity distribution of confined energetic alpha particles resulting from deuterium-tritium fusion reactions in a magnetically contained plasma is provided. The fusion plasma is seeded with energetic boron neutrals for producing, by means of the reaction .sup.10 B (.alpha.,n) .sup.13 N reaction, radioactive nitrogen nuclei which are then collected by a probe. The radioactivity of the probe is then measured by conventional techniques in determining the energy distribution of the alpha particles in the plasma. In a preferred embodiment, diborane gas (B.sub.2 H.sub.6) is the source of the boron neutrals to produce .sup.13 N which decays almost exclusively by positron emission with a convenient half-life of 10 minutes.

Abstract: Method for producing fusion power wherein a neutral beam is injected into a toroidal bulk plasma to produce fusion reactions during the time permitted by the slowing down of the particles from the injected beam in the bulk plasma.