Abstract: A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc comprises the steps of: (a) providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; (b) removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; (c) determining the size of the intradiscal space; and (d) sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus directly into the intradiscal space. The step of determining the size of the intradiscal space may be accomplished by expanding a compliant balloon within the intradiscal space using a contrast medium capable of visualization under fluoroscopy. The curable material is sealably introduced through a vented needle inserted through the opening. The curable biomaterial is introduced until a quantity of the material flows into the vent.

Abstract: A method for treating a spinal disc comprises the steps of: determining the integrity of the annulus by subjecting the annulus to a first pressure applied internally of the annulus; providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus without removing any tissue from the annulus or from the nucleus pulposus; and sealably injecting curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the nucleus pulposus at a second pressure correlated with the first pressure. The integrity of the annulus may be determined by a pre-operative discogram using a contrast medium that has a viscosity substantially similar to the viscosity of the biomaterial to be injected. The curable biomaterial may be injected under a pressure sufficient to distract opposing vertebral bodies communicating with the disc space.

Abstract: A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc comprises the steps of: (a) providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; (b) removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; determining the size of the intradiscal space; and (c) sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus directly into the intradiscal space. The method may include the additional steps of applying a force to distract the opposing vertebral bodies about the intradiscal space and then removing the distraction force after the biomaterial has cured. The step of determining the size of the intradiscal space may be accomplished by expanding a compliant balloon within the intradiscal space using a contrast medium capable of visualization under fluoroscopy. The curable material is sealably introduced through a vented needle inserted through the opening. The curable biomaterial is introduced until a quantity of the material flows into the vent.

Abstract: A method for treating a herniated spinal disc between opposing vertebral bodies having a damaged outer annulus and an inner nucleus pulposus comprises the steps of: providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; applying a first distraction force on the opposing vertebral bodies from within the intradiscal space; applying a second distraction force on the opposing vertebral bodies externally of the intradiscal space; and introducing a curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the intradiscal space. The first distraction force is applied within the disc space to distract the anterior aspect of the intradiscal space, while the second distraction force is applied exterior to the disc to act on the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies. The first distraction force is applied prior to the application of the second distraction force and then removed.

Abstract: A vented needle assembly is provided for sealably injecting biomaterial into an intradiscal space interiorly of the annulus of a spinal disc and for providing an exhaust for the intradiscal space. The vented needle assembly comprises a compressible seal body for pressing against an outer surface of the annulus, and a needle extending through the seal. The needle may be configured to connect to a syringe for pressure injection of the biomaterial. The seal includes a vent extending therethrough with an opening for communication with the intradiscal space and an opening for the discharge of excess biomaterial filling the intradiscal space. A kit of parts is also provided for use in the treatment of a spinal disc, the kit comprising the vented needle assembly and an inflatable trial device. The trial device is removably introduced into the intradiscal space and inflated to determine the available size of the intradiscal space.

Abstract: A method or process enables the collection of data from mobile devices and mobile networks using filtering, compression, encryption, memory management, and power management technologies to collect mobile device metrics at the mobile device (client side), and then transmit these metrics from the mobile device to a server for processing by analytics software. The analytics processing may also occur directly on the mobile device. Policies are determined and configured at the processing server to drive and control the mobile device metrics captured, which may include but are not limited to, data usage (e.g. time of day, amount of data sent/received), voice usage (e.g. time of day, calls in/out of network, dropped calls, call duration), the location of the mobile device, cell patterns (e.g. problem cells, roaming), touch interactions, behavioral analysis (programs used, services uses), battery performance, CPU usage, memory usage, network usage (e.g. 2G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, Wi-Fi, WiMAX), and the like.

Abstract: A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc having an inner nucleus pulposus and an outer annulus is provided comprises the steps of: providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; determining the integrity of the annulus; and then sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the intradiscal space. The step of determining the integrity of the annulus may be accomplished by introducing into the disc a fluid solution under a first pressure. The curable biomaterial may subsequently be introduced through the annulus directly into said intradiscal space at a second pressure that is increased or decreased from the first pressure as a function of the viscosity of the biomaterial relative to the fluid solution. In certain embodiments, a distraction force is applied to the disc space.

Abstract: An assembly for sealably injecting a fluent material into an intradiscal space accessed through an opening in the annulus of a spinal disc comprises a cannula having a passageway for injecting the fluent material therethrough into the intradiscal space, a seal having a sealing surface for sealing engagement with the outer surface of the disc annulus and defining a central opening for, and an articulating joint defined between the central opening of the seal and the cannula configured to permit relative articulation between the components. The assembly may further comprise an anchor element extending through the central opening of the seal, the anchor element including an elongated threaded body sized for threaded engagement within the opening in the disc annulus and having a head configured to engage a distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: A kit for injecting a biomaterial into an intradiscal space accessed through an opening in the disc annulus comprises a plurality of needles, each sized for introduction through the annulus opening with a passageway for injecting the biomaterial therethrough, and each including a distal end to be disposed within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the annulus opening. Each needle includes a stop affixed thereto at different pre-determined distances from the distal end to define the location of the distal end within the intradiscal space when the needle extends through the opening in the annulus. The kit further includes a plurality of seals defining a bore for sliding engagement with a needle, each of the plurality of seals including a sealing face for engaging the annulus around the needle. Each sealing face defines a differently configured area of contact, such as circular, elliptical, tapered and threaded.

Abstract: A vented needle is provided for sealably injecting biomaterial into an intradiscal space interiorly of the annulus of a spinal disc and for providing an exhaust for the intradiscal space. The vented needle comprises a compressible seal body for pressing against an outer surface of the annulus, and a needle extending through the seal. The needle may be configured to connect to a syringe for pressure injection of the biomaterial. The seal includes a vent extending therethrough with an opening for communication with the intradiscal space and an opening for the discharge of excess biomaterial filling the intradiscal space. A kit of parts is also provided for use in the treatment of a spinal disc, the kit comprising the vented needle and an inflatable trial device. The trial device is removably introduced into the intradiscal space and inflated to determine the available size of said intradiscal space.

Abstract: A vented needle is provided for use in sealably injecting biomaterial into an intradiscal space interiorly of the annulus of a spinal disc and for providing an exhaust for the intradiscal space. The vented needle comprises a compressible seal body for pressing against an outer surface of the annulus, and a needle extending through the seal. The needle may be configured to connect to a syringe for pressure injection of the biomaterial into the needle. The seal includes a vent extending therethrough the seal with an opening for communication with the intradiscal space and an opening for the discharge of excess biomaterial filling the intradiscal space. A kit of parts is also provided for use in the treatment of a spinal disc, the kit comprising the vented needle and an inflatable trial device.

Abstract: A method for treating a spinal disc having an outer relatively intact annulus defining a disc space and an inner defective nucleus pulposus within the disc space, comprises the steps of: determining the integrity of the annulus by subjecting the annulus to a first pressure applied internally of the annulus; providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus without removing any tissue from the annulus or from the nucleus pulposus; and sealably injecting curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the nucleus pulposus at a second pressure correlated with the first pressure. The integrity of the annulus may be determined by a pre-operative discogram using a contrast medium that has a viscosity substantially similar to the viscosity of the biomaterial to be injected. The needle is placed initially within the center of the nucleus pulposus and then withdrawn during the injection to approximately the inner border of the annulus.

Abstract: A method for treating a herniated spinal disc between opposing vertebral bodies having a damaged outer annulus and an inner nucleus pulposus comprises the steps of: providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; applying a first distraction force on the opposing vertebral bodies from within the intradiscal space; applying a second distraction force on the opposing vertebral bodies externally of the intradiscal space; and introducing a curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the intradiscal space. The first distraction force is applied within the disc space to distract the anterior aspect of the intradiscal space, while the second distraction force is applied exterior to the disc to act on the posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies. The first distraction force is applied prior to the application of the second distraction force and then removed.

Abstract: A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc comprises the steps of: (a) providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; (b) removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; determining the size of the intradiscal space; and (c) sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus directly into the intradiscal space. The method may include the additional steps of applying a force to distract the opposing vertebral bodies about the intradiscal space and then removing the distraction force after the biomaterial has cured. The step of determining the size of the intradiscal space may be accomplished by expanding a compliant balloon within the intradiscal space using a contrast medium capable of visualization under fluoroscopy. The curable material is sealably introduced through a vented needle inserted through the opening. The curable biomaterial is introduced until a quantity of the material flows into the vent.

Abstract: A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc having an inner nucleus pulposus and an outer annulus is provided comprises the steps of: providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; determining the integrity of the annulus; and then sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the intradiscal space. The step of determining the integrity of the annulus may be accomplished by introducing into the disc a fluid solution under a first pressure. The curable biomaterial may subsequently be introduced through the annulus directly into said intradiscal space at a second pressure that is increased or decreased from the first pressure as a function of the viscosity of the biomaterial relative to the fluid solution. In certain embodiments, a distraction force is applied to the disc space.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a curable biomaterial into a spinal disc nucleus pulposus, comprises: an injection needle sized for introduction into the nucleus pulposus; a syringe operable to inject a curable biomaterial contained in the syringe under fluid pressure through the injection needle; and a valve coupled between the injection needle and the syringe. The valve is operable in an open position to permit passage of the biomaterial from the syringe into the needle under fluid pressure, and in a closed position to maintain the fluid pressure of the injected biomaterial within the nucleus. In certain embodiments, the needle has a relatively smooth outer surface and a substantially constant outer diameter over its length. An outer docking cannula may also be provided that is sized and configured for piercing through the disc annulus and for docking thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating graphic primitives. Data is received that is indicative of a gesture provided by a user. It is determined whether the received gesture data is indicative of a graphic primitive. A graphic primitive is generated for use on a user display based upon said determining step.

Abstract: A portable, hand held, color reading device is provided for determining and displaying the color of an object. This device illuminates the object with series of colored light pulses produced by multiple Light Emitting Diodes, commonly called LEDs. The device has six LEDs, Red, Orange Yellow, Green, Bluish Green, and Blue, but additional LEDs may be used for finer color measurement and fewer LEDs may be used for coarser color measurement. The object's spectral reflectance is determined by measuring the reflected light during each LED's light pulse by a photo detector. The object color is then determined by comparing the relative strengths of the light reflectance that is measured during each LED color illumination. The Color may be displayed on the device's LCD, or read by a host computer through a PC I/O interface for use within Application software. The object's color may be displayed in various selectable color formats.

Abstract: A wet electrostatic precipitator includes flat discharge electrodes (14) of a grid-like construction that have some flexibility so that if sparking occurs between their freely suspended lower ends and the adjacent collector plates (12), the lower ends will tend to sway back and forth. Oscillation dampener devices (50) are suspended upon the lower ends of the electrodes and are comprised of a cylindrical mass or body portion (82) rigidly connected to a rail portion (80) by arms (84). Each dampener is pendulously suspended upon a cross member (56) of the frame of the associated electrode so that its rail portion rubs against the cross member with enough friction to rapidly inhibit the swaying of the lower end of the electrode under the influence of any sparking.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a plural beam cathode ray tube electron gun assembly wherein positive positioning and embedment of the heater support means is achieved. One of a plurality of heater support means is oriented in each of a plurality of longitudinal rods supporting the gun assembly, in the area intervening between the embedded termini of two adjacently positioned cathode assembly support means positioned in side-by-side relationship. During gun assembly fabrication, localized movement of the softened glass of the rod, is restricted between the termini thereby effecting improved embedment of the heater support therebetween.