Abstract: The present invention relates to in vivo stable 197(m)Hg compounds according to formula (E) for use in nuclear medical diagnostics and endoradionuclide therapy (theranostics), particularly the treatment of cancer, a method for the production of the 197(m)Hg compounds comprising the step of radiolabeling of organic precursor compounds with NCA 197(m)Hg by electrophilic substitution; and the use of the 197(m)Hg compounds for nuclear medical diagnostics and endoradionuclide therapy (theranostics), particularly the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel chelators (multidentate ligands) and precompounds for complexation of radiometals and non-radioactive counterparts, for use in radiopharmacy. The invention includes a process and a kit involving such chelators. Active moieties directing to a pharmaceutical target (such as peptides or proteins) can be attached to the chelator very easily via the so called “click-chemistry” forming a triazole-ring moiety. The aromatic triazole-nitrogen itself acts as a new and “soft” nucleophilic site enabling for complexation of various radiometals or non-radioactive counterparts. The chelators are capable of fast complexation at low temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vivo stable 197(m)Hg compounds according to formula (I) for use in nuclear medical diagnostics and endoradionuclide therapy (theranostics), particularly the treatment of cancer, a method for the production of the 197(m)Hg compounds comprising the step of radiolabeling of organic precursor compounds with NCA 197(m)Hg by electrophilic substitution; and the use of the 197(m)Hg compounds for nuclear medical diagnostics and endoradionuclide therapy (theranostics), particularly the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A housing of a pressure-loaded component includes a pressure-loaded channel system which corresponds to the tensile and/or compressive strength properties of the housing material and to the tensile and/or compressive stresses in the housing material during operation of the pressure-loaded component. The housing also includes a channel rounded profile configured to be adapted to include a formed asymmetry. The formed asymmetry is configured to reduce tensile stresses occurring in operation and thus increase the load carrying capacity of the housing as a whole.

Abstract: A housing of a pressure-loaded component includes a pressure-loaded channel system which corresponds to the tensile and/or compressive strength properties of the housing material and to the tensile and/or compressive stresses in the housing material during operation of the pressure-loaded component. The housing also includes a channel rounded profile configured to be adapted to include a formed asymmetry. The formed asymmetry is configured to reduce tensile stresses occurring in operation and thus increase the load carrying capacity of the housing as a whole.

Abstract: A Semiconductor component that contains AlxGayIn1-x-yAszSb1-z, whereby the parameters x, y, and z are selected such that a bandgap of less than 350 meV is achieved, whereby it features a mesa-structuring and a passivation layer containing AlnGa1-nAsmSb1-m is applied at least partially on at least one lateral surface of the structuring, and the parameter n is selected in the range of 0.4 to 1 and the parameter m in the range of 0 to 1.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for urging a longitudinal spinal member into a top-loading spinal implant. The instrument may comprise a holder assembly having a pair of fingers sized and configured to engage the underside of an edge of the spinal implant, a release assembly, and an actuating member. The release assembly may comprise a tubular member and a pusher member, the tubular member being sized and configured to be slidably disposed within the holder assembly, and the pusher member being sized and configured to slidably surround at least a portion of the holder assembly. Upon movement of the actuating member, the holder assembly and the release assembly are moveable with respect to one another so that the longitudinal spinal rod, which is engaged to the pusher member, is urged into engagement with the rod-receiving channel of the spinal implant.

Abstract: A Linking Transconnector is disclosed for coupling a first longitudinal spinal rod to a second longitudinal spinal rod. The Linking Transconnector generally includes a pair of hook engaging members for engaging the longitudinal spinal rods, a lateral rod for spanning a distance between the hook engaging members, and a locking element which interconnects the hook engaging members with the lateral rod. The locking element being configured to allow for multiple degrees of adjustment to permit the Linking Transconnector to accommodate for varying spinal rod alignments. The locking element also permits the location of the lateral rod to be fixed relative to the hook engaging members once the desired position of the lateral rod with respect to the longitudinal spinal rods has been achieved. The locking element may also be able to fix the position of the lateral rod with respect to the hook engaging members by a force applied to the locking element.

Abstract: Semiconductor component that contains AlxGayIn1?x?yAszSb1?z, whereby the parameters x, y, and z are selected such that a bandgap of less than 350 meV is achieved, whereby it features a mesa-structuring and a passivation layer containing AlnGa1?nAsmSb1?m is applied at least partially on at least one lateral surface of the structuring, and the parameter n is selected in the range of 0.4 to 1 and the parameter m in the range of 0 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical drill guide. The drill guide may include a first drill guide body having a distal end for placement substantially adjacent a bone, a second drill guide body slidable with respect to the first drill guide body and having a proximal end for contacting a portion of a drill bit, a handle associated with at least one of the first drill guide body and the second drill guide body, and a detent mechanism for releasably retaining the position of the first drill guide body with respect to the second drill guide body in predefined increments. Additionally or alternatively, the drill guide may include a locking member movable between a first position where it substantially prevents sliding of the second drill guide body with respect to the first drill guide body, and a second position where it permits sliding of the second drill guide body with respect to the first drill guide body. The locking member may be resiliently biased to the first position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for urging a longitudinal spinal member into a top-loading spinal implant. The instrument may comprise a holder assembly having a pair of fingers sized and configured to engage the underside of an edge of the spinal implant, a release assembly, and an actuating member. The release assembly may comprise a tubular member and a pusher member, the tubular member being sized and configured to be slidably disposed within the holder assembly, and the pusher member being sized and configured to slidably surround at least a portion of the holder assembly. Upon movement of the actuating member, the holder assembly and the release assembly are moveable with respect to one another so that the longitudinal spinal rod, which is engaged to the pusher member, is urged into engagement with the rod-receiving channel of the spinal implant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical drill guide. The drill guide may include a first drill guide body having a distal end for placement substantially adjacent a bone, a second drill guide body slidable with respect to the first drill guide body and having a proximal end for contacting a portion of a drill bit, a handle associated with at least one of the first drill guide body and the second drill guide body, and a detent mechanism for releasably retaining the position of the first drill guide body with respect to the second drill guide body in predefined increments. Additionally or alternatively, the drill guide may include a locking member movable between a first position where it substantially prevents sliding of the second drill guide body with respect to the first drill guide body, and a second position where it permits sliding of the second drill guide body with respect to the first drill guide body. The locking member may be resiliently biased to the first position.

Abstract: A Linking Transconnector is disclosed for coupling a first longitudinal spinal rod to a second longitudinal spinal rod. The Linking Transconnector generally includes a pair of hook engaging members for engaging the longitudinal spinal rods, a lateral rod for spanning a distance between the hook engaging members, and a locking element which interconnects the hook engaging members with the lateral rod. The locking element being configured to allow for multiple degrees of adjustment to permit the Linking Transconnector to accommodate for varying spinal rod alignments. The locking element also permits the location of the lateral rod to be fixed relative to the hook engaging members once the desired position of the lateral rod with respect to the longitudinal spinal rods has been achieved. The locking element may also be able to fix the position of the lateral rod with respect to the hook engaging members by a force applied to the locking element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spinal fixation device. The device may include a body defining a channel for receiving a spinal rod, the channel having a first branch and a second branch separated by a lateral opening, a hook extending from the body for engaging a portion of a vertebra, and a fastener configured to secure the spinal rod in the channel. The fastener may extend through only the first branch. The spinal fixation device may also include one or more tool engagement recesses. Additionally, the present invention is directed to methods of spinal fixation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polyaxial bone anchor for attaching a rod to a bone comprising an anchor member for attachment to the bone, a body member having a U-shaped channel for receiving the rod and a compressible recess for receiving a head of the anchor member such that the anchor member can initially polyaxially angulate with respect to the body member, a collar slidably disposed about the body member and capable of compressing the recess around the head, and a fastener capable of pressing the rod against the collar. The body member may define a first axis, an upper bounding edge, and a lower bounding edge, and the lower bounding edge may include a countersunk region to permit increased angulation of the anchor member with respect to the first axis when the anchor member is oriented toward the countersunk region. Other structures for providing increased angulation of the anchor member are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Implants for maintaining a distance between cut spinal bones are disclosed. The implants are made of metal, polymer or bone allograft having ends configured to conform to the cut bone ends. The implants have hollow regions for packing osteogenic material. The implant ends have surface projections to reduce slippage. Implants made of bone allograft also have spine contacting ends made of demineralized bone to speed fusion of spine and implant; they may also have bone flaps to fix the implant to the spine. Methods of using the implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implants for maintaining a distance between cut spinal bones are disclosed. The implants are made of metal, polymer or bone allograft, and have ends angled with respect to each other to conform to the cut bone ends. The implants have hollow regions for packing osteogenic material. The implant ends have surface projections to reduce slippage. Implants made of bone allograft also have ends made of demineralized bone to speed fusion between spine and implant. Methods of using the implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implants for maintaining a distance between cut spinal bones are disclosed. The implants are made of metal, polymer or bone allograft having ends configured to conform to the cut bone ends. The implants have hollow regions for packing osteogenic material. The implant ends have surface projections to reduce slippage. Implants made of bone allograft also have spine contacting ends made of demineralized bone to speed fusion of spine and implant; they may also have bone flaps to fix the implant to the spine. Methods of using the implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A PCVD process for producing coating layers of uniform thickness of domed substrates. The substrate surface to be coated is arranged in relation to the gas passage surface of a gas showerhead. In order to determine the appropriate processing parameters, in a first series of tests for one type of substrate to be coated, the size of the gas passage surfaces and the gas mass flows through the gas passage surfaces are kept constant, while the intervals between plasma impulses are gradually modified, from an initial value t.sub.A until an optimum value t.sub.eff is determined, and until the uniformity of the thickness profile of the layers generated on the substrate may no longer be improved. If required, during a second series of tests, the value t.sub.eff may be kept constant, while the thickness profile of the layers is further modified by further optimizing the local parameters and/or the gas mass flows until layer uniformity may no longer be improved.

Abstract: Ultra-small semiconductor devices and a method of fabrication including patterning the planar surface of a substrate to form a pattern edge (e.g. a mesa) and consecutively forming a plurality of layers of semiconductor material in overlying relationship to the pattern edge so that a discontinuity is produced in the layers and a first layer on one side of the pattern edge is aligned with and in electrical contact with a different layer on the other side of the pattern edge.