Abstract: A universal payload may be integrated with each of a plurality of different orthopedic implants configured to replace or functionally supplement a natural joint of a body. In one aspect, a universal payload includes an electronics assembly, a housing enclosing the electronics assembly, and a payload coupling feature configured to couple to each of a plurality of different orthopedic implants. The electronics assembly includes at least one sensor and a controller having at least two joint-specific modules. Each joint-specific module is respectively configured to collect kinematic data resulting from movement of a respective specific joint sensed by the at least one sensor. In another aspect, a universal payload includes an electronics assembly comprising at least one sensor and a housing enclosing the electronics assembly. The universal payload has a payload form factor that is configured to be at least partially inserted into a payload receptacle in each of a plurality of different orthopedic implants.

Abstract: An intelligent implant includes an implantable reporting processor (IRP) and a component of a prothesis system having a receptacle. The IRP includes an antenna, an electronics assembly including a sensor, a hermetically sealed chamber containing the electronics assembly, a casing configured to house at least a portion of the electronics assembly, and a cover configured to house the antenna. The hermetically sealed chamber contains a gas. The casing and the cover abut one another to form an antenna chamber that houses the antenna and a filler. The receptacle of the component is configured to receive a portion of the IRP and to mechanically couple with the implantable reporting processor. The component of the prothesis system may be one of a tibial component or a femoral component of a knee prosthesis system, a humeral component of a shoulder prosthesis system, and a femoral component of a hip prosthesis system.

Abstract: A universal payload may be integrated with each of a plurality of different orthopedic implants configured to replace or functionally supplement a natural joint of a body. In one aspect, a universal payload includes an electronics assembly, a housing enclosing the electronics assembly, and a payload coupling feature configured to couple to each of a plurality of different orthopedic implants. The electronics assembly includes at least one sensor and a controller having at least two joint-specific modules. Each joint-specific module is respectively configured to collect kinematic data resulting from movement of a respective specific joint sensed by the at least one sensor. In another aspect, a universal payload includes an electronics assembly comprising at least one sensor and a housing enclosing the electronics assembly. The universal payload has a payload form factor that is configured to be at least partially inserted into a payload receptacle in each of a plurality of different orthopedic implants.

Abstract: In some aspects, a computing system is configured to use graph-based techniques to detect synthetic identities. The computing system can generate a collection of graphs based on account data and transaction data for online entities. The collection of graphs includes multiple graph communities, each graph community including nodes and edges. Each node represents a user and an edge between a first node and a second node indicates a user represented by the second node is an authorized user of the user represented by the first node. The computing system can identify a clique graph community in the collection of graphs and compare the identified clique graph community with a known clique graph community that includes synthetic identities. The computing system can determine nodes in the identified clique graph community to be synthetic identities based on determining that the identified clique graph community is equivalent to the known clique graph community.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments including autologous or otherwise patient compatible blood and/or blood component(s) via an assembly including fenestrated drainage tube which may be a multi-lumen assembly allowing simultaneous infusion/elution and drainage. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: A system for augmenting a bone structure. A shape memory device includes a deflectable distal segment including temperature-dependent memory metal material. The shape memory device is slidably received within a guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment may include a substantially longitudinally straightened form, such as when subjected to a force from the guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment forms a first deflected shape having a first bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a first elevated temperature greater than an initial temperature, and forms a second deflected shape having a second bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a second elevated temperature greater than said first elevated temperature. The shape memory device may create voids within the bone structure with the deflectable distal segment at the first and/or second bends. Methods for positioning a shape memory device within a bone structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments including autologous or otherwise patient compatible blood and/or blood component(s) via an assembly including fenestrated drainage tube which may be a multi-lumen assembly allowing simultaneous infusion/elution and drainage. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments including autologous or otherwise patient compatible blood and/or blood component(s) via an assembly including fenestrated drainage tube which may be a multi-lumen assembly allowing simultaneous infusion/elution and drainage. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: A system for augmenting a bone structure. A shape memory device includes a deflectable distal segment including temperature-dependent memory metal material. The shape memory device is slidably received within a guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment may include a substantially longitudinally straightened form, such as when subjected to a force from the guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment forms a first deflected shape having a first bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a first elevated temperature greater than an initial temperature, and forms a second deflected shape having a second bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a second elevated temperature greater than said first elevated temperature. The shape memory device may create voids within the bone structure with the deflectable distal segment at the first and/or second bends. Methods for positioning a shape memory device within a bone structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments including autologous or otherwise patient compatible blood and/or blood component(s) via an assembly including fenestrated drainage tube which may be a multi-lumen assembly allowing simultaneous infusion/elution and drainage. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments via a fenestrated drainage tube. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a superior vertebra relative to an inferior vertebra includes a plate having a first surface for mating with the superior and inferior vertebra and a second surface opposite the first surface. The plate has a first hole configured for overlying the superior vertebra and a second hole configured for overlying the inferior vertebra. An alignment instrument has a leading portion and a trailing portion. The leading portion has a securing mechanism configured for removable attachment to a fastening mechanism of the plate. The alignment instrument also includes an alignment prong extending past the first surface of the plate when the plate is attached to the fastening mechanism. The alignment prong provides tactile information to the trailing portion of the alignment instrument for use in positioning the plate with respect to the superior and inferior vertebra.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis or other sclerosis or desired adhesion conditions to treat a patient, while minimizing likelihood of tissue damage from direct application of sclerosis-enhancing materials. A tube device is provided that is configured to elute sclerosis-enhancing material and/or other medicaments via a fenestrated drainage tube. The assembly of tube device with outer (typically drainage) tube may include one or more features configured to enhance delivery of medicament and/or drainage through the same assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the generation of liquid natural gas (“LNG”) are provided.

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 plurality of pre-set curves, each of which corresponds to a pre-determined temperature of the cannula, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When distally extended from the guide cannula, and upon being heated to a predetermined temperature (before, during, or after extension), the deflectable segment assumes a curved shape, which may be used to create a void in the bone for receiving curable material. The distal cannula end includes 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: 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 and method are disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end, a deflectable segment forming a plurality of pre-set curves, each of which corresponds to a pre-determined temperature of the cannula, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When distally extended from the guide cannula, and upon being heated to a predetermined temperature (before, during, or after extension), the deflectable segment assumes a curved shape, which may be used to create a void in the bone for receiving curable material. The distal cannula end includes 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 system for stabilizing a superior vertebra relative to an inferior vertebra includes a plate having a first surface for mating with the superior and inferior vertebra and a second surface opposite the first surface. The plate has a first hole configured for overlying the superior vertebra and a second hole configured for overlying the inferior vertebra. An alignment instrument has a leading portion and a trailing portion. The leading portion has a securing mechanism configured for removable attachment to a fastening mechanism of the plate. The alignment instrument also includes an alignment prong extending past the first surface of the plate when the plate is attached to the fastening mechanism. The alignment prong provides tactile information to the trailing portion of the alignment instrument for use in positioning the plate with respect to the superior and inferior vertebra.

Abstract: The invention provides novel bis-pyridylpyridones which are antagonists at the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCHR1), pharmaceutical compositions containing them, processes for their preparation, and their use in therapy and for the treatment of obesity and/or diabetes.

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.