Abstract: The tissue anchor assembly can include a tissue anchor comprising an elongated member comprising a first end and a second end. The elongated member can include a lumen extending from the first end to the second end. The elongated member can include an opening between the first end and the second end. The tissue anchor assembly can include a suture. In some embodiments, the suture enters the lumen at the first end of the elongated member, forms a suture loop through the opening of the elongated member, and exits the lumen at the second end of the elongated member. The tissue anchor delivery system can be provided. Methods of use can be provided.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods to compress or anchor soft tissue are disclosed using one or more anchoring assemblies.

Abstract: Systems and methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are described. A system can include a variable-thickness suspension line for suspending tissue, including a suture having a first thickness dimension; an elastomer surrounding a portion of the suture and defining a central segment of the suspension line having a second thickness dimension greater than the first thickness dimension, and at least one transition zone extending from the central segment of the suspension line to a lateral end of the suspension line, the transition zones having a thickness dimension that tapers from the second thickness dimension to the first thickness dimension.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

Abstract: A rotary dispenser (100) for unwinding a telecommunications cable (115) from a drum (110), the rotary dispenser comprising: a rotating portion (125) for supporting the drum and for permitting rotation of the drum about an axis of rotation; a fixed portion (120) supporting the rotating portion and configured to remain static relative to the rotating portion; a locating member (135) for centring the drum about the axis of rotation; a cable guide (145), coupled to the fixed portion, for receiving the telecommunications cable from the drum when the drum is mounted on the rotary dispenser and configured to support movement of the telecommunications cable through the cable guide as the rotating portion and the drum are rotated with the rotating portion; and an urging member for urging the cable guide away from the rotating portion so as to tension the telecommunications cable in use.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression are described. The system can include a shaft and a needle, wherein the needle is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft. The suture may include an overmolded segment. Methods of placing one or more implants, sutures, fastener, bone anchors and other devices are also described. The methods include moving tissue, including the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, palatopharyngeal arch, and palatoglossal arch. The methods include hyoid bone suspension.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression are described. The system can include a shaft and a needle, wherein the needle is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft. The suture may include an overmolded segment. Methods of placing one or more implants, sutures, fastener, bone anchors and other devices are also described. The methods include moving tissue, including the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, palatopharyngeal arch, and palatoglossal arch. The methods include hyoid bone suspension.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system that may receive first sensor data associated with first measurements of multiple components of respective multiple medical systems; may determine first one or more classifiers based at least on first user input; may receive second sensor data associated with second measurements of the multiple components; may determine, based at least on the first one or more classifiers and based at least on the second sensor data, at least two services to be provided to respective at least a first two of the multiple medical systems; may receive third sensor data associated with third measurements of multiple components respectively associated with the at least the first two of the multiple medical systems; and may determine, without the first user input and without second user input, second one or more classifiers based at least on the third sensor data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system that may receive first sensor data associated with first measurements of multiple components of respective multiple medical systems; may determine first one or more classifiers based at least on first user input; may receive second sensor data associated with second measurements of the multiple components; may determine, based at least on the first one or more classifiers and based at least on the second sensor data, at least two services to be provided to respective at least a first two of the multiple medical systems; may receive third sensor data associated with third measurements of multiple components respectively associated with the at least the first two of the multiple medical systems; and may determine, without the first user input and without second user input, second one or more classifiers based at least on the third sensor data.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression are described. The system can include a shaft and a needle, wherein the needle is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft. The suture may include an overmolded segment. Methods of placing one or more implants, sutures, fastener, bone anchors and other devices are also described. The methods include moving tissue, including the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, palatopharyngeal arch, and palatoglossal arch. The methods include hyoid bone suspension.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

Abstract: Cartilage support implants for nasal valve support and delivery systems are described. The cartilage support implant can include one or more elongate bodies comprising one or more anchors. The cartilage support implant can be designed to be a permanent implant extending along the midline of a patient's nose, from the nasal bone to the lower lateral cartilage. Methods of placing the cartilage support implant and retrieving the cartilage support implant are also described.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression are described. The system can include a shaft and a needle, wherein the needle is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft. The suture may include an overmolded segment. Methods of placing one or more implants, sutures, fastener, bone anchors and other devices are also described. The methods include moving tissue, including the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, palatopharyngeal arch, and palatoglossal arch. The methods include hyoid bone suspension.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for predicting the potential for aggressive growth and/or the risk to progress to high grade cancer for tumors in cell based detection procedures. In one aspect the invention concerns the detection of overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene products as a tool for predicting the progression risk and/or potential for aggressive growth of tumors. In a second aspect the invention concerns predicting the progression risk and/or potential for aggressive growth in tumors on the basis of the simultaneous co-detection of the presence of overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene products together with the expression of markers for active cell proliferation. Further the invention concerns preparations of probes for diagnosis namely for predicting the progression risk and/or the potential for aggressive growth of tumors.

Abstract: A beverage container for a blender includes one or more vibrating mechanisms coupled to a bottom portion of the beverage container or integrated within one or more walls of the beverage container. After a beverage has been blended, the one or more vibrating mechanisms are activated as the beverage is being poured. Vibrations from the one or more vibrating mechanisms are mechanically transmitted to the beverage container, thereby promoting the pourability of the beverage from the beverage container, including dislodging ingredients in the beverage that became lodged or trapped in crevices of the beverage container during the prior blending process, and freeing up beverage ingredients that accumulated at the bottom of the beverage container during the prior blending process.

Abstract: Cartilage support implants for nasal valve support and delivery systems are described. The cartilage support implant can include one or more elongate bodies comprising one or more anchors. The cartilage support implant can be designed to be a permanent implant extending along the midline of a patient's nose, from the nasal bone to the lower lateral cartilage. Methods of placing the cartilage support implant and retrieving the cartilage support implant are also described.

Abstract: A heater cable produces a substantially level voltage across its cross-section, providing a uniform and controllable thermal output along its length. The heater cable includes at least one center bus wire extending axially along a central axis of the heater cable, and at least one radial bus wire extending axially through the heating cable and positioned adjacent to the center bus wire. The heater cable further includes a thermally and electrically conductive interstitial material disposed around the at least one center bus wire and the at least one radial bus wire, and a jacket disposed about the interstitial material, the at least one center bus wire, and the at least one radial bus wire.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for controlling a laser device comprises a laser device, a distance meter, a haptic sensation generator, and a computer. The laser device generates a laser beam with a focal point. The distance meter measures a distance between the focal point and a target of an eye of a patient. The haptic sensation generator generates an acoustic field that projects a sensory pattern onto a user. The computer: receives the distance from the distance meter; determines the pattern corresponding to the distance according to a function in which the distance is a variable; and instructs the haptic sensation generator to generate the acoustic field that projects the determined pattern.