Abstract: A neurologic therapy device that is useful for rehabilitating patients suffering from one or more speech, and methods using the same. In embodiments the neurologic therapy device includes a band, one or more actuators on or within the band, and a control system. The control system is configured to cause the actuators to produce stimuli in accordance with a stimulus pattern. When applied to a body part (e.g. stimulus locations) of a user, the stimuli may assist the user to overcome or reduce one or more symptoms of a neurologic disorder. For example, the stimuli may assist an aphasia patient to initiate and/or cadence his/her speech.

Abstract: A multi-piece disc replacement implant for replacing a disc removed by a discectomy including an upper plate member, a lower plate member, and an intermediate resilient member providing movement between te two plate members replicating the natural movement of the spine. The plate members are rigid and have orthogonal sidewalls forming an enclosure. The resilient member is an elastic solid or a multi-chamber balloon structure of fluid-filled sacks that collectively define a non-uniform shape such as an oblate spheroid, or a helically coiled string of beads. Such an implant is capable of supporting the compressive and cyclic loads required of a natural disc. The upper and lower plate members are cooperatively formed to selectively limit the allowable range of motion in any given direction and a provided with protrusions to be received in one or more channels cooperatively formed in the vertebrae and secured in place by a bone screw.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved vascular access port comprising a port base with a metallic dish insert molded (or bonded) into the bottom of the reservoir. In one embodiment, a single reservoir is provided. In another embodiment, plural reservoirs are provided. The metallic bottom of the reservoir provides a hard surface that will resist abrasion and puncture by the access needles used to infuse medication or withdraw blood. Additionally, the single and dual ports can include exit ports that are intended to better anatomically fit into the subcutaneous areas around muscle tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved vascular access port comprising a port base with a metallic dish insert molded (or bonded) into the bottom of the reservoir. In one embodiment, a single reservoir is provided. In another embodiment, plural reservoirs are provided. The metallic bottom of the reservoir provides a hard surface that will resist abrasion and puncture by the access needles used to infuse medication or withdraw blood. Additionally, the single and dual ports can include exit ports that are intended to better anatomically fit into the subcutaneous areas around muscle tissue.

Abstract: An implantable hemodialysis port includes a housing and a septum, the housing being formed from a flexible material and including a plurality of chambers. The chambers are fluidly interconnected with one another by integrated outlet passageways. Each of the chambers includes a sidewall portion and a funnel portion tapering from the sidewall portion. The septum encloses each of the chambers.

Abstract: A pedicle screw for insertion into the pedicle portion of a vertebra and having at its exposed end a threaded rod connected in a generally parallel orientation to the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw but laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw. The threaded rod may be secured directly to the screw but is preferable provided with a collar that is captured by an enlarged screw head to seat, orient and retain the threaded rod in position. A locking arm and retaining nut are provided over the threaded rod for affixing a spinal rod to the pedicle screw substantially over and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the screw. A yoke may be provided in the collar also to receive and secure the rod. An alternate cap and clamping elements enable the incorporation of cross links between multiple screws and/or rods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved vascular access port comprising a port base with a metallic dish insert molded (or bonded) into the bottom of the reservoir. In one embodiment, a single reservoir is provided. In another embodiment, plural reservoirs are provided. The metallic bottom of the reservoir provides a hard surface that will resist abrasion and puncture by the access needles used to infuse medication or withdraw blood. Additionally, the single and dual ports can include exit ports that are intended to better anatomically fit into the subcutaneous areas around muscle tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical devices, particularly lumen-supporting devices, which include a biocompatible nanostructured ceramic material configured to be disposed adjacent to a luminal surface and having an average grain size dimension of about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers, a strain to failure of at least about 1 percent, and a cross-sectional hardness greater than or equal to about 350 kilograms per square millimeter. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the lumen-supporting devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical devices. The medical devices generally include a biocompatible nanostructured ceramic material having an average grain size dimension of about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers, a strain to failure of at least about 1 percent, and a cross-sectional hardness greater than or equal to about 350 kilograms per square millimeter. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the medical devices.

Abstract: A implantable hemodialysis port including a housing and a septum. The housing is formed from a flexible material and includes a plurality of chambers. The chambers are fluidly interconnected with one another by integrated outlet passageways. Each of the chambers include a sidewall portion and a funnel portion tapering from the sidewall portion. The septum encloses each of the chambers.

Abstract: A suction cannula, dilator, stapler and staple are provided herein. The suction cannula is concentrically aligned with a puncture site (e.g., puncture in an artery or vein) and provides vacuum about the periphery of the puncture site so that the puncture hole is always located during a medical procedure, and to thereby permit a surgeon to quickly and efficiently close the puncture using, for example, a stapling device. In the preferred embodiment the suction cannula has a tube-in-tube construction having an inner tube and an outer tube where a vacuum can be applied between the tubes. The dilator (and suction cannula) centers around a guide wire (that is already in place within the venous structure) and follows the path of the guide wire to the puncture site. Preferably, the dilator has a tapered tip on the distal end that enters a hole made in the vein or artery. A blood indicator is provided on the proximal end to provide visual feedback when the surgeon is in the artery (i.e.

Abstract: A hemodialysis port comprising a flexible housing member defining one or more ports. Each port has a selectively-permeable septum member disposed thereon to permit medical devices, for example, Huber needles, sheath and/or dilators to be inserted therein. At the interface between the housing and the septum, a spring member is provided to provide an axial force on the septum which seals the puncture created by the aforementioned medical devices. In one exemplary embodiment, the hemodialysis access port of the present invention is comprised of a plurality of ports designed for multiple hemodialysis treatments over the life of the port. In other exemplary embodiments, the bottom of each port may comprise a needle stop insert formed of, for example, metal, titanium, stainless steel or ceramic.

Abstract: A suction cannula, dilator, stapler and staple are provided herein. The suction cannula is concentrically aligned with a puncture site (e.g., puncture in an artery or vein) and provides vacuum about the periphery of the puncture site so that the puncture hole is always located during a medical procedure, and to thereby permit a surgeon to quickly and efficiently close the puncture using, for example, a stapling device. In the preferred embodiment the suction cannula has a tube-in-tube construction having an inner tube and an outer tube where a vacuum can be applied between the tubes. The dilator (and suction cannula) centers around a guide wire (that is already in place within the venous structure) and follows the path of the guide wire to the puncture site. Preferably, the dilator has a tapered tip on the distal end that enters a hole made in the vein or artery. A blood indicator is provided on the proximal end to provide visual feedback when the surgeon is in the artery (i.e.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved vascular access port comprising a port base with a metallic dish insert molded (or bonded) into the bottom of the reservoir. In one embodiment, a single reservoir is provided. In another embodiment, plural reservoirs are provided. The metallic bottom of the reservoir provides a hard surface that will resist abrasion and puncture by the access needles used to infuse medication or withdraw blood. Additionally, the single and dual ports can include exit ports that are intended to better anatomically fit into the subcutaneous areas around muscle tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved vascular access port comprising a port base with a metallic dish insert molded (or bonded) into the bottom of the reservoir. In one embodiment, a single reservoir is provided. In another embodiment, plural reservoirs are provided. The metallic bottom of the reservoir provides a hard surface that will resist abrasion and puncture by the access needles used to infuse medication or withdraw blood. Additionally, the single and dual ports can include exit ports that are intended to better anatomically fit into the subcutaneous areas around muscle tissue.

Abstract: A hemodialysis port comprising a flexible housing member defining one or more ports. Each port has a selectively-permeable septum member disposed thereon to permit medical devices, for example, Huber needles, sheath and/or dilators to be inserted therein. At the interface between the housing and the septum, a spring member is provided to provide an axial force on the septum which seals the puncture created by the aforementioned medical devices. In one exemplary embodiment, the hemodialysis access port of the present invention is comprised of a plurality of ports designed for multiple hemodialysis treatments over the life of the port. In other exemplary embodiments, the bottom of each port may comprise a needle stop insert formed of, for example, metal, titanium, stainless steel or ceramic.