Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device includes an outer case; a base; a pump provided on a surface of the base such that the pump is shifted from a center of the outer case and located on one side as viewed in a circumferential direction of a living body; a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor that are provided such that the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction and located on one side as viewed in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction; and a first on-off valve and a second on-off valve that are provided such that the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction with reference to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor.

Abstract: An inter-spinous implant includes an approximately conical screw portion, further having a screw thread, which can be screwed between spinous processes; a head portion of an approximate inverted frustum shape of the same axis as the screw portion; a spacer portion that is formed between the screw portion and the head portion in the axial direction; and a through hole that passes through the axial center of the screw portion, the spacer portion, and the head portion. At least one slit is formed in the major axial direction of the total shape of the implant, having at least one-third the length of the total length of the major axial direction, the depth whereof reaching the through hole. Disposing the slit in the major axial direction of the implant proper imparts flexibility and elasticity to the implant overall, simplifies the installation and insertion of the implant.

Abstract: For minimally-invasive therapy for spinal canal stenosis, a therapeutic device capable of stationing an interspinous process spacer without the need of large skin incision or ligamentous tissue incision and also without the need of detaching of the paraspinal muscle from the spine. The interspinous process spacer includes a conoid screw region (2) to be screwed into a processus spinosus interspace; a spacer region (3) in the longitudinal direction of the screw region (2); head region (4) capable of free interlocking with a tool arbitrarily; and through-hole (5) passing through the axial centers of screw region (2), spacer region (3) and head region (4). The processus spinosus interspace is enlarged by screwing of the screw region (2) into the processus spinosus interspace. The spacer region (3) is pinched upon passing of the screw region (2) through the processus spinosus interspace to attain enlarging and fixing of adjacent processus spinosus interspaces.

Abstract: For minimally-invasive therapy for spinal canal stenosis, a therapeutic device capable of stationing an interspinous process spacer without the need of large skin incision or ligamentous tissue incision and also without the need of detaching of the paraspinal muscle from the spine. The interspinous process spacer includes a conoid screw region (2) to be screwed into a processus spinosus interspace; a spacer region (3) in the longitudinal direction of the screw region (2); head region (4) capable of free interlocking with a tool arbitrarily; and through-hole (5) passing through the axial centers of screw region (2), spacer region (3) and head region (4). The processus spinosus interspace is enlarged by screwing of the screw region (2) into the processus spinosus interspace. The spacer region (3) is pinched upon passing of the screw region (2) through the processus spinosus interspace to attain enlarging and fixing of adjacent processus spinosus interspaces.

Abstract: An inter-spinous implant includes an approximately conical screw portion, further having a screw thread, which can be screwed between spinous processes; a head portion of an approximate inverted frustum shape of the same axis as the screw portion; a spacer portion that is formed between the screw portion and the head portion in the axial direction; and a through hole that passes through the axial center of the screw portion, the spacer portion, and the head portion. At least one slit is formed in the major axial direction of the total shape of the implant, having at least one-third the length of the total length of the major axial direction, the depth whereof reaching the through hole. Disposing the slit in the major axial direction of the implant proper imparts flexibility and elasticity to the implant overall, simplifies the installation and insertion of the implant.

Abstract: For minimally-invasive therapy for spinal canal stenosis, a therapeutic device capable of stationing an interspinous process spacer without the need of large skin incision or ligamentous tissue incision and also without the need of detaching of the paraspinal muscle from the spine. The interspinous process spacer includes a conoid screw region (2) to be screwed into a processus spinosus interspace; a spacer region (3) in the longitudinal direction of the screw region (2); head region (4) capable of free interlocking with a tool arbitrarily; and through-hole (5) passing through the axial centers of screw region (2), spacer region (3) and head region (4). The processus spinosus interspace is enlarged by screwing of the screw region (2) into the processus spinosus interspace. The spacer region (3) is pinched upon passing of the screw region (2) through the processus spinosus interspace to attain enlarging and fixing of adjacent processus spinosus interspaces.

Abstract: For the purpose of realizing of a method of minimally-invasive therapy for spinal canal stenosis, it is intended to provide a therapeutic device capable of stationing an interspinous process spacer without the need of large skin incision or ligamentous tissue incision and also without the need of detaching of the paraspinal muscle from the spine. There is provided an interspinous process spacer comprising conoid screw region (2) to be screwed into a processus spinosus interspace; spacer region (3) disposed in the longitudinal direction of the screw region (2); head region (4) capable of free interlocking with a tool arbitrarily; and through-hole (5) passing through the axial centers of screw region (2), spacer region (3) and head region (4). The processus spinosus interspace can be smoothly enlarged by screwing of the screw region (2) into the processus spinosus interspace.

Abstract: Methods for transferring a gene to an intervertebral disc are disclosed. Such methods find application in the treatment of patients for degenerative disc disorders, by use of a gene encoding a product that imparts a therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefit. The present methods also find application in the establishment of an animal model for the study of degenerative disc disease. A genetically modified intervertebral disc cell is also disclosed.