Abstract: Spinal implants are disclosed that can be used for annular repair, facet unloading, disc height preservation, disc decompression, or for sealing a portal through which an intervertebral implant was placed. In some embodiments, an implant is placed within the intervertebral disc space, primarily within the region of the annulus fibrosus. In some embodiments, the implant is expandable. In some embodiments, the implant has a sealing tail structure comprising a tail flange and a linkage. In some embodiments, the sealing tail structure limits the extrusion or expulsion of disc material, either annulus fibrosus or nucleus, into the posterior region of the spine where it could impinge on nerves. In some embodiments, the tail structure is retained in place within the annulus fibrosus by means of an anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is constructed from multiple components.

Abstract: Spinal implants are disclosed that can be used for annular repair, facet unloading, disc height preservation, disc decompression, or for sealing a portal through which an intervertebral implant was placed. In some embodiments, an implant is placed within the intervertebral disc space, primarily within the region of the annulus fibrosus. In some embodiments, the implant is expandable. In some embodiments, the implant has a sealing tail structure comprising a tail flange and a linkage. In some embodiments, the sealing tail structure limits the extrusion or expulsion of disc material, either annulus fibrosus or nucleus, into the posterior region of the spine where it could impinge on nerves. In some embodiments, the tail structure is retained in place within the annulus fibrosus by means of an anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is constructed from multiple components.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated detection biosensor, the biosensor comprising an assembly (10) of photodetectors (12) of CCD or CMOS type on which there is deposited or formed a filter for rejecting excitation light ?e, the filter comprising at least one absorbent layer (14) together with a Bragg mirror or an interference filter, forming a support for chromophore elements that are to be illuminated by the excitation light ?e.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device comprising a flexible housing and a medium capable of transformation to inflate the housing from the first configuration to the second configuration. Also disclose herein are methods of treating a patient, comprising: providing a self-inflating expandable attenuation device, containing a medium which is transformable from a first, reduced volume to a second, expanded volume; positioning the attenuation device within the patient at a treatment site; and transforming the medium from the first volume to the second volume. In one embodiment, a self-inflating expandable attenuation device is used to treat glaucoma.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device, comprising a flexible housing and a high vapor pressure media having a permeability of less than 1 ml/day at body temperature through the outer wall of the flexible housing. In one embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorooctylbromide. In another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorohexane. In yet another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorodecalin. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device and introducing within the attenuation device at least one high vapor pressure media.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for allocating bandwidth in a virtual channel connection. The number of fax calls expected in a trunk group is divided by the number of DS0s in the trunk group and multiplied by the number of DS0s in a subset of the trunk group. The result equals the number of fax call circuits for the subset. The number of voice call circuits for the subset equals the number of DS0s in the subset minus the number of fax call circuits for the subset. The number of fax call circuits is multiplied by the full DS0 bandwidth. The number of voice call circuits is multiplied by the bandwidth per voice call. The total bandwidth for the subset equals the bandwidth for fax calls plus the bandwidth for voice calls. These steps are repeated for other subsets entering an interface to determine the total bandwidth needed by the VCC.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a portion of local memory allocated to a thread by a programming statement includes an indication of a read/write status of the portion and symbolically references a buffer name wherein the symbolically referenced buffer name includes both letters and numbers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attenuation device, comprising a flexible housing and a high vapor pressure media having a vapor pressure approximately equal to the intravesical pressure of the bladder and a permeability of less than 1 ml/day at body temperature through the outer wall of the flexible housing. In one embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorooctylbromide. In another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorohexane. In yet another embodiment, the high vapor pressure media comprises perfluorodecalin. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a patient, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device and introducing within the attenuation device at least one high vapor pressure media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient with benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device that is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration and attenuating a pressure change within the bladder by reversibly changing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure change. In one embodiment, the attenuation device is advanced transurethrally into the bladder. In another embodiment, the attenuation device is positioned within the bladder to inhibit a decrease in compliance of the bladder wall as a consequence of the benign hypertrophy of the prostate.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a symbolic programming system is provided to facilitate the use of buffers stored in a local cache at a network processing element.

Abstract: A brace for keeping the socks, soft shoes, booties and moccasins of infants from falling off when being worn. The brace is comprised of an elastic Moobius band. This band is first slipped over the foot to rest around the ankle portion of the footwear being worn. Once positioned there, it is then twisted once to form another loop which is stretched over the foot and released around the arch portion of the footwear. When properly worn, the brace provides three sources (20,22,24) of counter tension to hold the infant footwear snugly yet comfortably intact. This brace can also be fully incorporated into the soft shoe/moccasin/booty itself by constructing in the applicable footwear a casing (26) to hold the elastic band, which when inserted through the casing will form the brace as well as serve as a shoe lace for adjusting the fit.