Abstract: A gastric vest system for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric vest system may include a trapezoidal-shaped vest having a left edge, a right edge, an upper indentation, and a lower indentation, and the trapezoidal-shaped vest is configured to be wrapped around a stomach or a modified stomach of a mammal to cover a lesser curvature and a greater curvature of the stomach or the modified stomach.

Abstract: A gastric vest system for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric vest system may include a trapezoidal-shaped vest having a left edge, a right edge, an upper indentation, and a lower indentation, and the trapezoidal-shaped vest is configured to be wrapped around a stomach or a modified stomach of a mammal to cover a lesser curvature and a greater curvature of the stomach or the modified stomach.

Abstract: The present invention features an optical detection system for SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogens, which includes a specialty mask. The specialty mask incorporates a SERS nanopatch for accumulating pathogenic particles from a wearers breath. When the SERS nanopatch receives incident NIR light, backscattered light from the SERS nanopatch is detected by a receiver and analyzed for a Raman spectral shift. Detection of the Raman spectral signature from the SERS nanopatch allows for determination if SARS-CoV-2 or another pathogen is present. In addition to the mask with a nanostructured surface for collecting pathogenic material, the system includes a laser source directed at the nanostructured surface, a detection system to collect backscattered light, a spectral analysis system to detect Raman shifted light, and an analysis system for determining if SARS-CoV-2 or another pathogen is present. AI image processing may be used to steer the laser beam safely to the nanopatch, avoiding eye contact.

Abstract: Methods and systems for regulating nerve activity and/or treating conditions associated with disorder of blood glucose are disclosed. A method of downregulating activity by applying a high frequency alternating current electrical signal to a nerve in a subject is disclosed. A method of upregulating activity by applying a low frequency stimulation signal to a nerve in a subject is disclosed. A method of regulating nerve activity by applying a high frequency signal to a first nerve/organ and applying a low frequency stimulation signal to a second nerve/organ is disclosed. The application of the high frequency signal and the low frequency stimulation signal to separate nerves or nerve branches/fibers can be independent, simultaneous, concurrent, or in a coordinated fashion in therapy programs. Various signal parameters including the waveform, frequency, amplitude, active/inactive phases are described.

Abstract: A gastric vest system for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric vest system may include a trapezoidal-shaped vest having a left edge, a right edge, an upper indentation, and a lower indentation, and the trapezoidal-shaped vest is configured to be wrapped around a stomach or a modified stomach of a mammal to cover a lesser curvature and a greater curvature of the stomach or the modified stomach.

Abstract: A gastric restriction device for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric restriction devices includes a skirt having a left portion, a right portion, a top edge with a first indentation located at a center of the top edge, and a bottom edge with a second indentation located at a center of the bottom edge. The skirt has a narrow surface located between the first indentation and the second indentation and a broad surface formed from the left portion connecting to the right portion. The skirt is configured to envelop and fit a stomach of a mammal. The gastric restriction device includes a first attachment device and a second attachment device. The second attachment device is adapted to engage the first attachment device so that the skirt envelops and fits the stomach of the mammal.

Abstract: A gastric restriction device for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric restriction devices includes a skirt having a left portion, a right portion, a top edge with a first indentation located at a center of the top edge, and a bottom edge with a second indentation located at a center of the bottom edge. The skirt has a narrow surface located between the first indentation and the second indentation and a broad surface formed from the left portion connecting to the right portion. The skirt is configured to envelop and fit a stomach of a mammal. The gastric restriction devices includes a first attachment device and a second attachment device. The second attachment device is adapted to engage the first attachment device so that the skirt envelops and fits the stomach of the mammal.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, are used to modify the secretion of insulin and glucagon from the pancreas, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating are used to control sensitivity of the liver to plasma insulin and glucagon to treat impaired glucose regulation.

Abstract: A gastric restriction device for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric restriction devices includes a skirt having a left portion, a right portion, a top edge with a first indentation located at a center of the top edge, and a bottom edge with a second indentation located at a center of the bottom edge. The skirt has a narrow surface located between the first indentation and the second indentation and a broad surface formed from the left portion connecting to the right portion. The skirt is configured to envelop and fit a stomach of a mammal. The gastric restriction devices includes a first attachment device and a second attachment device. The second attachment device is adapted to engage the first attachment device so that the skirt envelops and fits the stomach of the mammal.

Abstract: A gastric restraining device for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric restraining device includes an elastomeric sheet configured to be placed around a stomach of a mammal, an ablation device attached to the elastomeric sheet, the ablation device configured to emit energy toward an outer surface of the stomach when the elastomeric sheet is placed around the stomach, and an energy device coupled to the ablation device to generate the energy and to transfer the energy to the ablation device.

Abstract: A gastric restraining device for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric restraining device includes an elastomeric sheet configured to be placed around a stomach of a mammal, an ablation device attached to the elastomeric sheet, the ablation device configured to emit energy toward an outer surface of the stomach when the elastomeric sheet is placed around the stomach, and an energy device coupled to the ablation device to generate the energy and to transfer the energy to the ablation device.

Abstract: A gastric restraining device for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric restraining device includes an elastomeric sheet configured to be placed around a stomach of a mammal, an ablation device attached to the elastomeric sheet, the ablation device configured to emit energy toward an outer surface of the stomach when the elastomeric sheet is placed around the stomach, and an energy device coupled to the ablation device to generate the energy and to transfer the energy to the ablation device.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus to treat obesity and controlling weight gain. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention relates to a covered cage device that is implanted within a human's stomach to occupy volume and cause a reduced desire for eating. The covered cage device is made from a wire-mesh, such a Nitinol, and can be adjustable and collapsible. In another embodiment, the covered cage device has edges that provide stimulation to the stomach to induce a feeling of fullness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gastric restraining device for treating excessive weight or obesity in mammals. The gastric restraining device includes an elastomeric sheet configured to be placed around a stomach of a mammal, an ablation device attached to the elastomeric sheet, the ablation device configured to emit energy toward an outer surface of the stomach when the elastomeric sheet is placed around the stomach, and an energy device coupled to the ablation device to generate the energy and to transfer the energy to the ablation device.

Abstract: The present invention may include a pedicle screw with a multifunctional adaptor, a strain reliever, and a dual-surface cap. The multifunctional adaptor may include a convex pivot ring for improving multi-axial movement and locking stability, an integrated locking mechanism for improving maneuverability, and an integrated compression member for improving the assembly process. The strain reliever may be formed along a neck of the pedicle screw for relieving mechanical stress asserted thereto, and thereby preventing a breakage thereof. The dual-surface cap may provide a slightly sloped surface for reducing the tension of the stabilizing rod. The present invention may also provide for a dynamic adaptor for flexibly connecting two stabilizing rods, which may be versatilely adapted to various pedicle screw configurations.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus to treat obesity. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention relates to tucking a portion of the greater curvature of the stomach inwards, and covering the stomach around the greater curvature and lesser curvature with a silicone skirt to induce satiety and reduce the volume of the stomach body.

Abstract: An inter-vertebral-body (IVB) spacer may include a skeletal body and a pair of interchangeable contact pads. The skeletal body may be made of a rigid material for providing structure support, and the pair of contact pads may be made of a softer material for contacting the endplates of the vertebral bodies. Advantageously, the IVB spacer may be strong enough to withstand the pressure applied between the vertebral bodies yet soft enough to protect the vertebral bodies from being eroded. Moreover, the IVB spacer may have an inter-pad angle, which may be adjusted to adapt to patients with various vertebral bone structures. The inter-pad angle of the IVB spacer may be adjusted by simply selecting and replacing one of the contact pads.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus to treat obesity and controlling weight gain. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention relates to a covered cage device that is implanted within a human's stomach to occupy volume and cause a reduced desire for eating. The covered cage device is made from a wire-mesh, such a Nitinol, and can be adjustable and collapsible. In another embodiment, the covered cage device has edges that provide stimulation to the stomach to induce a feeling of fullness.

Abstract: The present invention may provide various improvements over conventional cross connectors. For example, the present invention may provide various types of Real-X cross connectors, which may have an arch shape X-bridge that curves above the spinal bone segments of the patient. As such, the Real-X cross connectors may be more adaptive to the patient's spinal provide and provide better protect for the patient's the spinal bone segments. For another example, the present invention may provide various types of Real-O cross connectors, which may have a protection ring for protecting the patient's spinous process. Because of its protection ring, the implantation of one of the Real-O cross connectors may eliminate the need of spinous process removal. Furthermore, a Real-O cross connector may be combined with a Real-X cross connector to form a Real-XO cross connector, which may inherit the functional benefits of both the Real-X and Real-O cross connectors.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus to treat obesity and controlling weight gain. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention relates to a covered cage device that is implanted within a human's stomach to occupy volume and cause a reduced desire for eating. The covered cage device is made from a wire-mesh, such a Nitinol, and can be adjustable and collapsible. In another embodiment, the covered cage device has edges that provide stimulation to the stomach to induce a feeling of fullness.