Abstract: Aggregates formed from one or both of chitosan and hyaluronan, suspended or otherwise dispersed in a liquid carrier are useful for treating joint or muscle distress in a subject, where the composition may include one or more pharmaceutically active agents and the composition in locally delivered to the joint or muscle by, for example, injection.

Abstract: Detecting patterns in sensed implantable medical device (IMD) data is described. One implementation involves an IMD that includes a data-driven pattern detection network embodied on the IMD to detect a pattern from sensed patient data. The IMD also includes one or more algorithms embodied on the IMD to utilize the pattern to effect patient therapy.

Abstract: Detecting patterns in sensed implantable medical device (IMC) data is described. One implementation involves an IMD that includes a data-driven pattern detection network embodied on the IMD to detect a pattern from sensed patient data. The IMD also includes one or more algorithms embodied on the IMD to utilize the pattern to effect patient therapy.

Abstract: Detecting patterns in sensed implantable medical device (IMC) data is described. One implementation involves an IMD that includes a data-driven pattern detection network embodied on the IMD to detect a pattern from sensed patient data. The IMD also includes one or more algorithms embodied on the IMD to utilize the pattern to effect patient therapy.

Abstract: Detecting patterns in sensed implantable medical device (IMD) data is described. One implementation involves an IMD that includes a data-driven pattern detection network embodied on the IMD to detect a pattern from sensed patient data. The IMD also includes one or more algorithms embodied on the IMD to utilize the pattern to effect patient therapy.

Abstract: A morphology discrimination scheme extracts shape characteristics from cardiac signals and identifies an associated cardiac condition based on the shape characteristics. For example, internal data structures may be updated to match the shape characteristics of a known condition (e.g., a patient's normal sinus rhythm). Similarly acquired shape characteristics obtained in conjunction with a later event (e.g., QRS complexes acquired during a tachycardia episode) may be compared with the previously stored shape characteristics to characterize the later event. In some aspects the shape characteristics relate to inflection points of cardiac signals.

Abstract: A spinal implant for replacing the natural nucleus of the disc made from a polymer such as hydrogel having a radiopaque material located within the polymer. The material may be in the form of a powder dispersed throughout the polymer or may be in he form of a powder dispersed in layers or in other specific locations within the polymer. The radiopaque material is metal such as gold, tungsten, titanium, tantalum or platinum. The metal may also be in the form of a foil or wire located within the hydrogel such as polyurethane, thereby making the implant visible on x-rays. Other polymers besides hydrogel may be used with the radiopaque material being dispersed therein.

Abstract: The invention is related to a premixed putty calcium phosphate composition comprising at least two calcium phosphate minerals, at least one reaction retarding agent, at least one binding agent, at least one sodium phosphate, and at least one nonaqueous extender, wherein one of said at least two calcium phosphate minerals contains a stabilizing agent.

Abstract: The invention is related to a premixed putty calcium phosphate composition comprising at least two calcium phosphate minerals, at least one reaction retarding agent, at least one binding agent, at least one sodium phosphate, and at least one nonaqueous extender, wherein one of said at least two calcium phosphate minerals contains a stabilizing agent.

Abstract: Detecting patterns in sensed implantable medical device (IMD) data is described. One implementation involves an IMD that includes a data-driven pattern detection network embodied on the IMD to detect a pattern from sensed patient data. The IMD also includes one or more algorithms embodied on the IMD to utilize the pattern to effect patient therapy.

Abstract: A morphology discrimination scheme extracts shape characteristics from cardiac signals and identifies an associated cardiac condition based on the shape characteristics. For example, internal data structures may be updated to match the shape characteristics of a known condition (e.g., a patient's normal sinus rhythm). Similarly acquired shape characteristics obtained in conjunction with a later event (e.g., QRS complexes acquired during a tachycardia episode) may be compared with the previously stored shape characteristics to characterize the later event. In some aspects the shape characteristics relate to inflection points of cardiac signals.

Abstract: A morphology discrimination scheme extracts shape characteristics from cardiac signals and identifies an associated cardiac condition based on the shape characteristics. For example, internal data structures may be updated to match the shape characteristics of a known condition (e.g., a patient's normal sinus rhythm). Similarly acquired shape characteristics obtained in conjunction with a later event (e.g., QRS complexes acquired during a tachycardia episode) may be compared with the previously stored shape characteristics to characterize the later event. In some aspects the shape characteristics relate to inflection points of cardiac signals.

Abstract: The invention is related to a premixed putty calcium phosphate composition comprising at least two calcium phosphate minerals, at least one reaction retarding agent, at least one binding agent, at least one sodium phosphate, and at least one nonaqueous extender, wherein one of said at least two calcium phosphate minerals contains a stabilizing agent.

Abstract: The invention is related to a premixed putty calcium phosphate composition comprising at least two calcium phosphate minerals, at least one reaction retarding agent, at least one binding agent, at least one sodium phosphate, and at least one nonaqueous extender, wherein one of said at least two calcium phosphate minerals contains a stabilizing agent.

Abstract: A calcium phosphate composition comprising at least one calcium phosphate mineral, at least one reaction retarding agent, at least one biding agent, and at least one sodium phosphate compound.

Abstract: A high strength hydrogel having a constant swelling pressure upon implantation and thereafter is formed by preparing a hydrogel solution and then injecting the solution into a mold and cause to gel. The molded gel is then washed in a saline solution from about one day to twelve weeks, after which the gel is irradiated for sterilization purposes, dehydrated and packaged. The pre-treatment with the use of a physiologic solution results in an implant which exhibits a constant swelling pressure profile after implantation.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the set time of acrylic bones cements uses ultrasonic energy. Typically acrylic bone cements comprise a mixture of a liquid monomer and a powdered polymer which sets over a period of time to form a hardened material. After the bone cement has been placed in the body the polymerization rate or set time may be increased by the application of ultrasonic sound energy. A horn of an ultrasonic generator is placed in or adjacent to the unset bone cement mixture and acoustic energy is applied which energy accelerates the set time. Typically the frequency is in the range of 20 KHz and an amplitude of between 5 and 30 ?m with an application time of between 40 seconds and 2 minutes.

Abstract: An acrylic bone cement composition, including a liquid monomer component and a polymer powder component in the form of beads. The liquid monomer component includes a methylmethacrylate polymer and the polymer component includes a polymethylmethacrylate polymer powder, wherein the polymer powder component is subjected to a milling process.

Abstract: A metallic container for storing the liquid monomer component of bone cement and a method of packaging same are disclosed. The container is preferably aluminum and has an interior wall, a dispensing end, a reservoir for housing the liquid monomer, and a filling end for receiving the liquid monomer. The container is sealed by a welded seam near the filling end of the container, which secures a section of the top portion and lower portion of the interior wall of the container together.

Abstract: A bone cement has a liquid acrylic monomer component, a powdered acrylic polymer component and beta-carotene (Pro-vitamin A) mixed into one of the liquid or powdered components. The beta-carotene adds a yellowish color to the combined liquid and powdered component. The color disappears on setting of the bone cement.