Abstract: An improved composition for inducing bone growth is provided that is a combination of at least DBM and an oxygen carrier. Injection/implantation of a composition of DBM and an oxygen carrier (e.g. a perfluorocarbon) results in enhancement of bone formation compared to DBM alone.

Abstract: A bike carrier on a drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver has two trays for the wheels of a bike. The trays pivot between an operational lateral position and a compact forward position for shipping and storage. A tray lock bar mounted in the carrier is urged by a spring into a position that automatically releasably locks the trays in the operational position. Pivoting wheel retention arms on the trays have cross members that contact the bike tires and are adjustable along the retention arms for different wheel diameters. Each cross member is held against a tire by a retention arm pivot ratchet that is releasable to allow the retention arms to pivot outward to release the bike from the carrier.

Abstract: A method of securing an access port to a vessel can include positioning an access port adjacent to a wall of the vessel. The access port can include an implantation passageway and a guidance passageway that is connected to the implantation passageway. The implantation passageway can be open, during the positioning of the access port, at a position proximal to a location at which the implantation passageway and the guidance passageway are connected. The method can further include forming an opening in the wall of the vessel via instruments that extend through the implantation passageway. The method can include securing the access port to the vessel such that the implantation passageway is in fluid communication with an interior of the vessel via the opening in the wall of the vessel. The method can also include sealing the implantation passageway at the position proximal to the guidance passageway.

Abstract: A bike carrier that retains the wheels of a bike in a tray between pivoting retention arms with ratchets that hold the arms against the tires. The retention arms are quickly adjustable for different sized tires without tools. An embodiment provides a bike wheel main tray assembly pivotally mounted on a trailer hitch drawbar at an operational horizontal position and a compact vertical position selectable via a trigger at the back of the tray assembly. The main wheel tray assembly has a tray for each wheel of a bike. The two trays pivot between a compact position for shipping and storage and an operational position that is automatically locked. An add-on tray assembly provides wheel trays for a second bike. It connects to the main tray assembly without tools, and provides a trigger at the back connected to the pivot selector of the main tray assembly.

Abstract: At a given insertion depth (D) of a drawbar (22, 60) in a trailer hitch receiver tube (24, 68), a pin arm (26, 56, 74) attached to the drawbar extends forward beside the receiver tube and holds a captive pin (21, 51, 76) beside a pin receiving hole (30, 71) in the receiver tube. A spring (36) urges the captive pin into the pin receiving hole to retain the drawbar in the receiver tube. The pin arm may be attached to the drawbar via a crossbar (40, 70, 73). Receiver tubes of different sizes (24, 68) may be accommodated by a drawbar size adapter (62) that slips over the drawbar, enlarging it, and by a vertical adjustment mechanism (83) for the pin arm (74) that aligns the pin with the pin receiving hole in either a smaller (24) receiver tube or a larger (68) receiver tube.

Abstract: An arm (26, 56) attached to a trailer hitch drawbar (22) at an attachment point behind a given depth (D) of insertion of the drawbar into a trailer hitch receiver tube (24). At this depth a pin receiving hole (22A) in the drawbar aligns with a pin receiving hole (24A) in the receiver tube. The arm extends forward beside the drawbar to a position beside the pin receiving hole in the drawbar. A captive pin (21, 71) on the forward end of the arm is urged by a spring to slide into the aligned receiving holes (22A, 24A). The pin has a range of motion (T) sufficient for insertion into the pin receiving holes and retraction of the pin to clear the outer surface of the receiver tube when the drawbar is inserted into the receiver tube. A knob (42) on the pin provides for manual retraction.

Abstract: A bike carrier that retains the wheels of a bike in a tray between pivoting retention arms with ratchets that hold the arms against the tires. The retention arms are quickly adjustable for different sized tires without tools. An embodiment provides a bike wheel main tray assembly pivotally mounted on a trailer hitch drawbar at an operational horizontal position and a compact vertical position selectable via a trigger at the back of the tray assembly. The main wheel tray assembly has a tray for each wheel of a bike. The two trays pivot between a compact position for shipping and storage and an operational position that is automatically locked. An add-on tray assembly provides wheel trays for a second bike. It connects to the main tray assembly without tools, and provides a trigger at the back connected to the pivot selector of the main tray assembly.

Abstract: A method of delivering a therapeutic agent comprises providing an aerosol generator that produces an aerosol of particles or droplets containing a therapeutic agent and an excipient for delivery to a first portion of a respiratory tract. The particles or droplets have an initial diameter from about 1 ?m to about 8 ?m, and the initial momentum of the particles or droplets minimizes deposition in the first portion. The particles or droplets are exposed to relative humidity in the respiratory tract by delivering them at a flow rate that defines the residence time in the respiratory tract. The particles or droplets increase in diameter due to hygroscopic growth caused by relative humidity. The aerosol is nasally exhaled so that particles or droplets are delivered to the nasal cavity and deposited in the nasal turbinates or sinus in part because of their increased diameter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that allow a user to remotely access another computer and view its desktop without regard to whether that desktop has a relatively static image typical of a computer desktop, or whether it is playing a video, such as from a DVD. Relatively static screens may be displayed along with full motion video in such systems. These systems may also provide for both short mouse lag time when full motion video is displayed. In one implementation, hardware and firmware captures and encodes the video from the remote computer, and software on the client computer decodes the encoded video and displays it to the user.

Abstract: Traffic flow control. A method identifies traffic in an area. The traffic includes traffic objects. The identifying obtains identifiers of traffic objects in the area. Each traffic object is identified by a respective identifier of the traffic object identifiers. The method also dynamically assigns weights to the traffic objects based on pre-established traffic criteria. Each traffic object is assigned a respective weight of the dynamically assigned weights. The pre-established traffic criteria each include at least one weight value. The weight assigned to a traffic object is based on the weight values of a set of traffic criteria, of the pre-established traffic criteria, applicable to the traffic object and reflects a level of prioritization of a right-of-way of the traffic object. The method also controls flow of the traffic in the area. The controlling the flow includes controlling at least one traffic control signal based on the dynamically assigned weights.

Abstract: This application describes a spinal fixation system. The spinal fixation system includes at least a rod member having shaped ends, at least two pedicle screws capable of receiving the shaped ends of the rod member, and a system for introducing the rod member and pedicle screws in a minimally invasive fashion.

Abstract: A fluoride-releasing dental composition includes a polymeric compound selected from (meth)acrylate polymers, (meth)acrylate copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, and mixtures and combinations thereof; and a cariostatically effective amount of a fluoride compound. A dental appliance made from the fluoride-releasing dental composition.

Abstract: An encapsulated three-dimensional (3-D) bone matrix composition for inducing bone growth includes a 3-D bone matrix, an oxygen carrier incorporated into the 3-D bone matrix, and an encapsulation material which encapsulates the 3-D bone matrix incorporated with the oxygen carrier. Methods are disclosed for preparing an encapsulated 3-D bone matrix that can be maintained in packaging.

Abstract: A method for making an artificial hair sensor, comprising the steps of: (a) depositing an electrode at each end of a microcapillary having an inside surface; (b) coating a structural fiber with alumina; (c) placing the alumina coated structural fiber inside the microcapillary, wherein part of the alumina coated structural fiber is in a spaced annular relationship with the microcapillary inside surface and part of the fiber extends outside the microcapillary; (d) placing the microcapillary and alumina coated structural fiber inside a heated furnace chamber; and, (e) injecting a vaporized catalyst into the heated furnace chamber. The vaporized catalyst may be a solution of ferrocene in xylene. The microcapillary may be made of glass.

Abstract: Ports for accessing vessels within a patient include passageways that can guide needles or other access devices directly into the vessels. The ports can be implanted subcutaneously within a patient. Some ports may be used in the creation and use of vascular access buttonholes.

Abstract: In one form, a system for use in percutaneous surgical procedures includes a cannula having an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end and including a working channel dynamically expandable from a first, unexpanded configuration. The system also includes a device that is positionable in and engageable with the working channel to expand the working channel from the first configuration as the device is moved through the working channel. In response to disengagement of the device with the working channel, the working channel returns to the first, unexpanded configuration. In one aspect of this form, the device includes an interbody spinal implant that is deliverable to a surgical site through the working channel of the cannula. In another form, a method for performing a percutaneous surgical procedure is provided. However, different forms and applications are envisioned.

Abstract: An assembly and methods for providing a contoured biological tissue are described. The assembly comprises a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is configured to receive a biological tissue. The second plate is configured to apply a compressive force on the biological tissue that is disposed on the first plate. One or both of the first and second plates comprise a defined shape and a contoured area within the defined shape. The contoured area comprises at least first and second elevations and a continuous transition between the first and second transitions. One or more energy sources is associated with one or both of the first and second plates. The one or more energy sources delivers energy while the second plate applies the compressive force on the biological tissue disposed on the first plate.

Abstract: A nose compression device for treating a nosebleed of a person. The device includes a wire frame having a straight middle section and two end sections angled with respect to the middle section. The device also has a body attached to the wire frame, and two nasal sponges attached to the body for insertion into the person's nasal passages. The end sections are wider than the user's nose, and the device is slid upward on the user's face so that the nasal sponges enter the user's nasal passages. The end sections are then bent inward to a pinch position where they pinch the upper lateral side surfaces of the user's nose. The nasal sponges can be pre-treated with medication to further stop the nosebleed. Ice pack may also be provided that extends over the compression device. The combination of compression, medication, and cooling facilitate treatment of the nosebleed.

Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to porous polymer membranes, structures including porous polymer membranes, devices including porous polymer membranes, methods of using porous polymer membranes, methods of making porous polymer membranes, and the like.

Abstract: A diagnostic device includes a microscope configured to obtain image data on a plurality of cells and a computing device. The computing device is configured to receive the image data, identify at least a portion of each of the plurality of cells based on the received image data, determine at least one of a value of a morphological parameter for each identified at least a portion of the plurality of cells or a relative organization among the identified at least a portion of the plurality of cells, and calculate statistics for the plurality of cells based on the at least one of the determined values of the morphological parameter or the determined relative organization, the statistics including information suitable for distinguishing metastatic cells from non-metastatic cells. The diagnostic device further includes an output device configured to output the statistics for diagnosis.