Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for restoring or improving nervous system function of a subject. Provided is a method involving: (i) providing an operant conditioning protocol effective to produce targeted neural plasticity (TNP) in a primary targeted central nervous system (CNS) pathway of a subject; and (ii) administering the operant conditioning protocol to the subject to elicit TNP in the primary targeted CNS pathway and to elicit generalized neural plasticity (GNP) in one or more other CNS pathway. The elicitation of the GNP in the one or more other CNS pathway serves to restore or improve a nervous system function of the subject. Provided is a device comprising a nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component and a controller for operating the nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component in accordance with an operant conditioning protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing and/or grading diastolic dysfunction or at least one structural or functional abnormality associated with diastolic dysfunction. The method comprises measuring the level of IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) and, optionally, the level of at least one further marker in a patient suffering from heart failure, and comparing the level to a reference level. Further envisaged is a method of monitoring diastolic function in a patient suffering from heart failure. Also encompassed by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a patient who is eligible to an intensification of heart failure therapy. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for optimizing BNP-type peptide guided heart failure therapy. The methods are based on the measurement of the level of at least one marker in a sample from a patient who has heart failure and who receives BNP-type peptide guided heart failure therapy. Further envisaged by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the present invention.

Abstract: A device for detachably clamping fastening elements in a surgical fixing or repositioning device. The device may a rod with a longitudinal axis. A first and second pair of clamping jaws may be operably associated with the rod. Each pair of clamping jaws may have a side surface as well as an inner clamping jaw and an outer clamping jaw, which may have indentations forming a channel. The channels may be opened towards the side surface of the clamping jaws. A fastening means may be positioned in the channels by pushing the fastening means into the openings in the side surface in a direction which may be at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod. An elastic element may be positioned between the inner and outer clamping jaws of at least one pair of clamping jaws so as to resist movement of the inner and outer clamping jaws with respect to each other as a fastening means is inserted therebetween.

Abstract: An arrangement for dispensing a fluid comprises a fluid cartridge comprising a casing for accommodating the fluid and a fluid dispensing unit configured for generating particles upon feeding the fluid in the casing with pressurized medium. The arrangement further comprises a dispenser device comprising a cartridge accommodation unit configured for accommodating the fluid cartridge and a pressure feed unit configured for feeding the fluid in a casing of the fluid cartridge with a pressurized medium upon accommodating the fluid cartridge in the cartridge accommodation unit to thereby generate the particles upon feeding the fluid in the casing with the pressurized medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an exchangeable cartridge for generating an aerosol with at least one bottom element and with at least one cover element, wherein in the bottom element and/or the cover element a reservoir is formed for a first, in particular liquid, aerosol component, wherein in the exchangeable cartridge a nebulizer nozzle is formed, wherein the bottom element and the cover element are connected to each other by a bayonet catch.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge (100) for dispensing a fluid, the fluid cartridge (100) comprising a casing (102) for accommodating the fluid, a pressure feed interface (104) configured for being coupled to a pressure feed unit (106) for feeding the fluid in the casing (102) with pressurized medium, a fluid dispensing unit (108) configured for generating particles, particularly fluid particles, upon feeding the fluid in the casing (102) with pressurized medium, and a fluidic path (110) in the casing (102) being opened or openable for enabling the particles, particularly fluid particles, to leave the casing (102) through the fluidic path (110).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for restoring or improving nervous system function of a subject. Provided is a method involving: (i) providing an operant conditioning protocol effective to produce targeted neural plasticity (TNP) in a primary targeted central nervous system (CNS) pathway of a subject; and (ii) administering the operant conditioning protocol to the subject to elicit TNP in the primary targeted CNS pathway and to elicit generalized neural plasticity (GNP) in one or more other CNS pathway. The elicitation of the GNP in the one or more other CNS pathway serves to restore or improve a nervous system function of the subject. Provided is a device comprising a nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component and a controller for operating the nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component in accordance with an operant conditioning protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being eligible to the administration of at least one medicament selected from the group consisting of a beta blocker, an aldosterone antagonist, a diuretic, and an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system. The method is based on the determination of the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), endostatin, mimecan, IGFBP7 (IGF binding protein 7), a cardiac Troponin, a BNP-type peptide, uric acid, Gal3 (Galectin-3), osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), PlGF, sFlt-1, P1NP, Cystatin C, Prealbumin, and Transferrin in a sample from a subject suffering from heart failure. Further, the method comprises the step of comparing the, thus, determined amount with a reference amount. Further envisaged by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for restoring or improving nervous system function of a subject. Provided is a method involving: (i) providing an operant conditioning protocol effective to produce targeted neural plasticity (TNP) in a primary targeted central nervous system (CNS) pathway of a subject; and (ii) administering the operant conditioning protocol to the subject to elicit TNP in the primary targeted CNS pathway and to elicit generalized neural plasticity (GNP) in one or more other CNS pathway. The elicitation of the GNP in the one or more other CNS pathway serves to restore or improve a nervous system function of the subject. Provided is a device comprising a nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component and a controller for operating the nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component in accordance with an operant conditioning protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for guiding heart failure treatment in a subject suffering from heart failure. The method is based on the determination of the amount of a BNP-type peptide and a cardiac troponin in a sample from said subject. Further envisaged by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the present invention. The present invention also relates to a system for guiding heart failure treatment in a subject suffering from heart failure as disclosed herein and to reagents and kits used in performing the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for restoring or improving nervous system function of a subject. Provided is a method involving: (i) providing an operant conditioning protocol effective to produce targeted neural plasticity (TNP) in a primary targeted central nervous system (CNS) pathway of a subject; and (ii) administering the operant conditioning protocol to the subject to elicit TNP in the primary targeted CNS pathway and to elicit generalized neural plasticity (GNP) in one or more other CNS pathway. The elicitation of the GNP in the one or more other CNS pathway serves to restore or improve a nervous system function of the subject. Provided is a device comprising a nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component and a controller for operating the nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component in accordance with an operant conditioning protocol.

Abstract: An implant according to the invention includes first thermoplastic material portions, and second thermoplastic material portions liquefiable by mechanical vibrations and being in contact with the first thermoplastic material portions, wherein the second thermoplastic material portions preferably constitute at least a part of a surface of the implant, and wherein the first thermoplastic material portions have a glass transition temperature above an implantation temperature (about 20° C. to 40° C.), and wherein the second thermoplastic material portions either have a glass transition temperature below said implantation temperature or include means for transforming non-mechanical energy into heat.

Abstract: An implant according to the invention includes first thermoplastic material portions, and second thermoplastic material portions liquefiable by mechanical vibrations and being in contact with the first thermoplastic material portions, wherein the second thermoplastic material portions preferably constitute at least a part of a surface of the implant, and wherein the first thermoplastic material portions have a glass transition temperature above an implantation temperature (about 20° C. to 40° C.), and wherein the second thermoplastic material portions either have a glass transition temperature below said implantation temperature or include means for transforming non-mechanical energy into heat.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for restoring or improving nervous system function of a subject. Provided is a method involving: (i) providing an operant conditioning protocol effective to produce targeted neural plasticity (TNP) in a primary targeted central nervous system (CNS) pathway of a subject; and (ii) administering the operant conditioning protocol to the subject to elicit TNP in the primary targeted CNS pathway and to elicit generalized neural plasticity (GNP) in one or more other CNS pathway. The elicitation of the GNP in the one or more other CNS pathway serves to restore or improve a nervous system function of the subject. Provided is a device comprising a nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component and a controller for operating the nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component in accordance with an operant conditioning protocol.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge (100) for dispensing a fluid, the fluid cartridge (100) comprising a casing (102) for accommodating the fluid, a pressure feed interface (104) configured for being coupled to a pressure feed unit (106) for feeding the fluid in the casing (102) with pressurized medium, a fluid dispensing unit (108) configured for generating particles, particularly fluid particles, upon feeding the fluid in the casing (102) with pressurized medium, and a fluidic path (110) in the casing (102) being opened or openable for enabling the particles, particularly fluid particles, to leave the casing (102) through the fluidic path (110).

Abstract: An implant includes an implant body sized and shaped for insertion into a sacro-iliac joint, the implant including a first bone fixation element receiving channel extending through a portion thereof along a first central axis oriented so that, when the implant body is received within the sacro-iliac joint in a desired configuration, a bone fixation element inserted into the first bone fixation element receiving channel will extend into a first one of the bones forming the joint.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for restoring or improving nervous system function of a subject. Provided is a method involving: (i) providing an operant conditioning protocol effective to produce targeted neural plasticity (TNP) in a primary targeted central nervous system (CNS) pathway of a subject; and (ii) administering the operant conditioning protocol to the subject to elicit TNP in the primary targeted CNS pathway and to elicit generalized neural plasticity (GNP) in one or more other CNS pathway. The elicitation of the GNP in the one or more other CNS pathway serves to restore or improve a nervous system function of the subject. Provided is a device comprising a nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component and a controller for operating the nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component in accordance with an operant conditioning protocol.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for analyzing electromagnetic brain signals such as EEG and ECoG signals in a subject in real time and which avoids the need for time-intensive retrospective analysis of brain activity in the subject. This can be applied to all complex systems with multiple fluctuating signals to identify and predict significant events.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating a nanoaerosol, wherein at least one fluid to be atomized is atomized in a nozzle via a nozzle opening of the nozzle along a discharge direction in the form of fluid particles, the atomized fluid particles are deflected from the discharge direction and larger fluid particles are at least partially separated from smaller fluid particles, the separated larger fluid particles are returned to the fluid to be atomized and the smaller fluid particles are dispensed onto the environment. A cartridge in which the nozzle and the fluid to be atomized are arranged is used. According to the invention, a stream of a carrier gas is generated in the nozzle and at least one fluid to be atomized is brought into contact with the carrier gas.