Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of using nitrite to detoxify stroma-free hemoglobin based blood substitutes. In particular, methods are described for using a blood substitute comprised of about equimolar amounts of nitrite and hemoglobin (e.g., nitrite-metHb) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases of the blood in a subject, or as a blood replacement in a subject.

Abstract: Anchor assemblies useful for connecting structures to each other are described. An anchor assembly includes a head member and an anchor. In the fully assembled anchor assembly, the anchor is partially disposed within the head member. During assembly, the proximal end of the anchor can be inserted into an opening defined by a distal end of the head member. A retaining member maintains a portion of the anchor within a portion of the head member after assembly. In an embodiment, a compression member enables movement of the retaining member within the head member to allow insertion of a portion of the anchor and subsequent maintenance of the portion of the anchor within a portion of the head member.

Abstract: Medical devices suitable for implantation in spaces between bones are described. An example medical device suitable for use as an intervertebral spacer includes a main body having an exterior proximal wall, an exterior distal wall, a first exterior lateral wall, a second exterior lateral wall, an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior proximal wall, an interior distal wall, a first interior lateral wall, a second interior lateral wall, and a longitudinal axis. The interior proximal wall, the interior distal wall, the first interior lateral wall, and the second interior lateral wall cooperatively define an interior cavity. The first and second exterior lateral walls are outwardly directed at an angle from the lower surface to the upper surface relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Provided herein is a composition comprising transfusable red blood cells having improved storage capability, wherein a C9 inhibitor has been administered to the composition and thereby the composition has a reduced amount of red blood cell lysis as compared to a control. It is a surprising finding of the present invention that addition of a C9 inhibitor to a blood sample decreases the amount of red cell lysis in the sample over time. Accordingly, the present invention provides red blood cell compositions that can be stored for greater lengths of time before use, i.e., transfusion, and/or that have a reduced amount of storage lesion.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered that administration of nitrite to subjects causes a reduction in blood pressure and an increase in blood flow to tissues. The effect is particularly beneficial, for example, to tissues in regions of low oxygen tension. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate a subject's blood pressure and blood flow, for example, by the administration of nitrite salts. Provided herein are methods of administering a pharmaceutically-acceptable nitrite salt to a subject, for treating, preventing or ameliorating a condition selected from: (a) ischemia-reperfusion injury (e.g., hepatic or cardiac or brain ischemia-reperfusion injury); (b) pulmonary hypertension (e.g., neonatal pulmonary hypertension); or (c) cerebral artery vasospasm.

Abstract: Rod insertion tools, rods and methods for placing rods in patients are described. An exemplary spinal rod insertion tool comprises a handle, a main body connected to the handle, a rod engaging member disposed within an inner passageway defined by the main body and adapted to move from an extended position to a chambered position in which the rod engaging member distal end is disposed within the inner passageway, and an adjustment mechanism operably connected to the rod engaging member and adapted to cause movement of the rod engaging member from the extended position to the chambered position.

Abstract: Osteosynthesis systems useful in the fusion of cervical vertebrae are described. An osteosynthesis system includes a plate, a set of anchors, a set of locking members, and a set of pins. The plate defines anchor passageways that receive the anchors, locking member passageways that receive the locking member passageways; and pin passageways that receive the pins. Each of the locking member passageways partially intersects one of the anchor passageways and each of the pin passageways provides a passageway extending from a side of the plate to one of the locking member passageways. Each of the locking members is rotatable within the respective one of the locking member passageways and is adapted to engage an adjacent anchor from the side.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered that administration of nitrite to subjects causes a reduction in blood pressure and an increase in blood flow to tissues. The effect is particularly beneficial, for example, to tissues in regions of low oxygen tension. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate a subject's blood pressure and blood flow, for example, by the administration of nitrite salts. Provided herein are methods of administering a pharmaceutically-acceptable nitrite salt to a subject, for treating, preventing or ameliorating a condition selected from: (a) ischemia-reperfusion injury (e.g., hepatic or cardiac or brain ischemia-reperfusion injury); (b) pulmonary hypertension (e.g., neonatal pulmonary hypertension); or (c) cerebral artery vasospasm.

Abstract: Anchor towers useful in the alteration of a position of an item connected to an anchor are described. An anchor tower includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve disposed over and operably connected to the inner sleeve such that movement of the outer sleeve results in movement of the inner sleeve. A groove is disposed on the inner sleeve and an inwardly-extending projection is disposed on the outer sleeve. Relative movement between the inner and outer sleeves results in movement of the projection within the groove. This movement can produce desired movement of a portion of the inner sleeve, such as a distal arm, based on a structural configuration of the groove.

Abstract: Rod insertion tools, rods and methods for placing rods in patients are described. An exemplary spinal rod insertion tool comprises a handle, a main body connected to the handle, a rod engaging member disposed within an inner passageway defined by the main body and adapted to move from an extended position to a chambered position in which the rod engaging member distal end is disposed within the inner passageway, and an adjustment mechanism operably connected to the rod engaging member and adapted to cause movement of the rod engaging member from the extended position to the chambered position.

Abstract: The formulation of a security token that specifies role information corresponding to one or more roles of a requesting entity that is to request an action to be performed on a resource. The formulation begins by accessing one or more claims, each having an expression regarding the requesting entity. The expression for at least one of the claims is evaluated to thereby assign the requesting entity to one or more identities. The identities are then used determine role information to include in a role-based security token that may be submitted to the computing system that manages the resources.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of using nitrite to detoxify stroma-free hemoglobin based blood substitutes. In particular, methods are described for using a blood substitute comprised of about equimolar amounts of nitrite and hemoglobin (e.g., nitrite-metHb) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases of the blood in a subject, or as a blood replacement in a subject.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of using nitrite to detoxify stroma-free hemoglobin based blood substitutes. In particular, methods are described for using a blood substitute comprised of about equimolar amounts of nitrite and hemoglobin (e.g., nitrite-metHb) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases of the blood in a subject, or as a blood replacement in a subject.

Abstract: The formulation of a security token that specifies role information corresponding to one or more roles of a requesting entity that is to request an action to be performed on a resource. The formulation begins by accessing one or more claims, each having an expression regarding the requesting entity. The expression for at least one of the claims is evaluated to thereby assign the requesting entity to one or more identities. The identities are then used determine role information to include in a role-based security token that may be submitted to the computing system that manages the resources.

Abstract: A method and system of retail establishment excess capacity management and presentation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method includes creating a search result based on criteria of a patron user using a processor. The search result includes an excess capacity across any number of establishments matching the criteria. The method also includes identifying an establishment when a selection of the patron user is processed responsive to the search result. Further, the method includes confirming a reservation of the patron user at the establishment with a payment authority and the establishment, and adjusting the excess capacity based on the reservation.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered that administration of nitrite to subjects causes a reduction in blood pressure and an increase in blood flow to tissues. The effect is particularly beneficial, for example, to tissues in regions of low oxygen tension. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate a subject's blood pressure and blood flow, for example, by the administration of nitrite salts. Provided herein are methods of administering a pharmaceutically-acceptable nitrite salt to a subject, for treating, preventing or ameliorating a condition selected from: (a) ischemia-reperfusion injury (e.g., hepatic or cardiac or brain ischemia-reperfusion injury); (b) pulmonary hypertension (e.g., neonatal pulmonary hypertension); or (c) cerebral artery vasospasm.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of using nitrite to detoxify stroma-free hemoglobin based blood substitutes. In particular, methods are described for using a blood substitute comprised of about equimolar amounts of nitrite and hemoglobin (e.g., nitrite-metHb) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases of the blood in a subject, or as a blood replacement in a subject.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed to provide a conference among conference participants over a communication network. A routing system receives conference utilization data from a plurality of conference systems. The routing system receives a request to join the conference from one of the conference participants. The routing system processes the conference utilization data in response to the request to select one of the conference systems. The one conference system joins the one participant to the conference in response to the selection of the one conference system.

Abstract: A routing system according to an embodiment of the invention dynamically routes a conference call to a selected conference system. The routing system includes a communication interface, a conference interface, and a processing system. The processing system accesses utilization statistics for the plurality of conference systems and includes a routing algorithm. The processing system is configured to receive a conference identifier of the conference call, process the conference identifier and the utilization statistics of the plurality of conference systems to select the selected conference system, and route the conference call to the selected conference system.