Abstract: A user-selectable force conversion apparatus includes a first and a second connecting member that are pivotally connected to each other between a sliding member and a fixed member. The apparatus also includes a leaf spring holder for removably retaining one or more leaf springs and loading the second connecting member with a substantially linear force response of the leaf springs. A user may change the combination of leaf springs and/or vary a length ratio for the first and second connecting members and thereby change the force response of the apparatus. Movement of the sliding member by the mechanical input may convert the substantially linear force response of the leaf springs to a user-selected force response for the mechanical input. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for restraining a biological structure are provided. In one example, a biological structure restraining device can include a barrier structure, an opening defined in the barrier structure, and at least two contact points positioned adjacent to the opening and oriented to contact the biological structure, wherein the barrier structure and the opening are structurally positioned to receive the cell at the contact points. In another aspect, the device can also include a biological structure manipulator having a structure operable to press the biological structure against the contact points. In yet another aspect, the device can further include a biological structure injector having a structure operable to be inserted through the opening and into the biological structure, wherein the biological structure manipulator is operable to maintain the biological structure against the contact points as the biological structure injector is inserted into the biological structure.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprising a plurality of contiguous segments that define a segment array, said plurality of contiguous segments extending from a first side of the segment array to a second side of the segment array in an overlapping configuration, said plurality of contiguous segments operable to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in each of three orthogonal axes. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for delivering a biological material into an organelle of a cell are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for introducing biological material into an organelle of a cell includes bringing into proximity a lance and a preselected biological material outside of a cell and charging the lance with a polarity and a charge sufficient to electrically associate the preselected biological material with a tip portion of the lance. The method also includes penetrating an outer portion of the cell with the lance and directing and inserting the lance into an organelle, discharging the lance to release at least a portion of the biological material into the organelle, and withdrawing the lance from the cell.

Abstract: A platform actuator includes a substrate, a first, a second, and a third spherical input slider-crank mechanism, wherein each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider crank mechanism is coupled by a first end to said substrate, and a platform is coupled to a second end of each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider-cranks. According to one exemplary embodiment, each of the first, second, and third spherical input slider-crank mechanisms are configured to convert in-plane motion to out-of-plane motion.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for delivering a biological material into a cell are provided. In one example, a lance device for introducing biological material into a cell and configured for use in a nanoinjection system including a microscope is provided. Such a device can include a lance having a tip region and a shaft region, wherein the lance is structurally configured to allow entry and movement of the tip region into the cell along an elongate axis of the tip region and along a focal plane of the microscope. In another example, the lance can be configured to allow substantially horizontal entry and movement of the tip region into the cell.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for protecting a biological material during delivery into a biological structure are provided. In one aspect, for example, a device for protecting and delivering a preselected biological material into a biological structure can include a lance operable to maintain a charge capable of associating a biological material thereto and at least one protective region formed on or in the lance, where the protective region protects the biological material during delivery into a biological structure.

Abstract: Provided is an intervertebral disc prostheses for installation in a spinal column between superior and inferior vertebral bodies. A first intervertebral plate engages one or both of the inferior vertebral endplate and the inferior ring apophysis of the superior vertebral body. A second intervertebral plate engages one or both of the superior vertebral endplate and the superior ring apophysis of the inferior vertebral body. A biaxial rolling-contact core is located between the intervertebral plates. The core includes a convex upper surface and a convex lower surface. The upper surface is curved around a first axis and the lower surface is curved around a second axis that is rotated relative to the first axis. The core is capable of rolling translation relative to the first intervertebral plate along the upper surface and in a first direction, and rolling translation relative to the second intervertebral plate along the lower surface and in a second direction.

Abstract: A laminar injection apparatus may include a slider layer, a needle flexibly coupled to the slider layer, a medication reservoir in fluid communication with the needle, and a needle guiding layer comprising an aperture for deflecting the needle from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation in response to moving the slider layer relative to the needle guiding layer. One or more spring layers may extend the laminar structure into an extended laminar structure. The needle may be thrust into a subject by compressing the extended laminar structure and causing the needle to protrude from the structure and penetrate a subject. In response to the compressive force on the laminar stack, medication may be forced from the medication reservoir through the needle and into the subject.

Abstract: Configuration-adjusting mechanisms include linkages interconnecting first and second layers of a sheet material. The linkages have hinges positioned and oriented to cause motion of at least a portion of the linkages out of a plane of the first and second layers when the mechanisms are actuated. An apparatus, system, and method include one or more of the mechanisms for changing a contour of a surface provided by a cover overlying the mechanisms. An array of mechanisms or mechanisms corresponding to an array of positions on the surface may be selectively actuated to change the contour or texture of the surface. The array of mechanisms for changing the contour can provide user interface buttons selectively actuated by the mechanisms, which cause the buttons to emerge from the surface. A reconfigurable contour may be provided by selectable sets of the buttons associated with respective functions of a control panel, for example.

Abstract: A method of treating a degenerate spinal segment comprises obtaining a first spinal implant configured to apply a first torque to a degenerate spinal segment having an abnormal curvature and a second spinal implant configured to apply a second torque to the degenerate spinal segment. Each of the spinal implants includes; a plurality of contiguous segments in which the contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent contiguous segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect; and at least one mounting connection configured to connect the spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, the mounting mechanism being configured to attach the spinal implant to the degenerate spinal segment. The first and second spinal implants are implanted so that the first torque and the second torque act to reduce the abnormal curvature.

Abstract: A user-selectable force conversion apparatus includes a first and a second connecting member that are pivotally connected to each other between a sliding member and a fixed member. The apparatus also includes a leaf spring holder for removably retaining one or more leaf springs and loading the second connecting member with a substantially linear force response of the leaf springs. A user may change the combination of leaf springs and/or vary a length ratio for the first and second connecting members and thereby change the force response of the apparatus. Movement of the sliding member by the mechanical input may convert the substantially linear force response of the leaf springs to a user-selected force response for the mechanical input. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nano-scale compliant mechanism includes a coupler and a plurality of nanotubes disposed for nano-scale motion relative to a grounded component. The nanotubes are fastened at one end to the coupler and at the other end to ground, to guide motion of the coupler relative to the ground. Particular embodiments include a plurality of parallel carbon nanotubes. An exemplary embodiment exhibits first and second regions of mechanical behavior; a first region governed by bulk elastic deformation of the nanotubes and a second region governed by compliant, hinge-like bending of the buckled nanotubes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulating molecular material are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for manipulating molecular material may include positioning an uncharged needle structure in electrical proximity with a charged molecular material at a first locus in a liquid environment, charging the needle structure such that at least a portion of the charged molecular material becomes associated with the needle structure, moving the needle structure and the first locus relative to one another, and discharging the needle structure to disassociate the charged molecular material at a second locus.

Abstract: Devices and methods for constraining or holding a cell are provided. In one aspect, for example, a cellular constraint device is provided. Such a device can include a support surface and at least one constraining arm movably coupled to the support surface. The constraining arm has a first position in which the constraining arm is substantially parallel and substantially adjacent to the support surface. Additionally, at least a portion of the constraining arm is movable away from the support surface to a second position where the constraining arm is operable to constrain a single cell.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a first rolling-contact core operably coupled to a first vertebra, said first rolling-contact core having a first convex surface having a first axis, said first convex surface configured to provide a first rolling motion in a first direction to said first vertebra relative to a second vertebra. At least one flexure is connected to said first rolling-contact core, said flexure configured to constrain said first rolling motion.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments in which said contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect. At least one of said contiguous segments is prestressed to form a selected radius of curvature prior to implantation. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to a degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: A method of surgically implanting a spinal implant comprises obtaining at least one spinal implant configured to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment. Said spinal implant includes: a plurality of contiguous segments in which said contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent contiguous segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect, said contiguous segments configured to apply a torque to said degenerate spinal segment; and at least one mounting connection configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment. A minimally invasive surgical technique is used to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments, said contiguous segments being prestressed to apply torque that is a function of a negative slope of a moment difference between a degenerative torque-rotation signature and a healthy torque-rotation signature. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to a degenerate spinal segment.

Abstract: A method of treating a degenerate spinal segment comprises obtaining a first spinal implant configured to apply a first torque to a degenerate spinal segment having an abnormal curvature and a second spinal implant configured to apply a second torque to said degenerate spinal segment. Each of said spinal implants includes; a plurality of contiguous segments in which said contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent contiguous segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect; and at least one mounting connection configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment. Said first spinal implant and said second spinal implant are implanted to said degenerate spinal segment so that said first torque and said second torque act to reduce said abnormal curvature.