Abstract: An orthosis is fitted to a body joint, in a preferred embodiment the equine fetlock, by locating the center of rotation (COR) of the joint; measuring the bones comprising the joint at points located with respect to the COR; selecting the appropriate orthosis from a selection of models thereof; and custom-fitting the orthosis to the individual by heating it to soften a layer of thermoformable foam on the interior of the orthosis and clamping the orthosis in place over the body joint. A kit of tools for performing the measurements is disclosed, as are a method for location of the COR of the body joint by palpation and a preferred heater.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. A deployment actuator may actuate the flow activator in a deployment direction, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, a device actuator may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and the flow activator may be actuated after the enablement of fluid communication.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the integration of drug dispersion methods into a drug or medicine delivery system. The drug dispersion methods used include shear (e.g., air across a drug, with or without a gas assist), capillary flow or a venturi effect, mechanical means such as spinning, vibration, or impaction, and turbulence (e.g., using mesh screens, or restrictions in the air path). These methods of drug dispersion allow for all of the drug in the system to be released, allowing control of the dosage size. These methods also provide for drug metering, fluidization, entrainment, deaggragation and deagglomeration. The present invention also provides for the integration of a drug sealing system into the device. The drug sealing system provides a way of blocking the migration of drug from one area of the package to another.

Abstract: The integration of drug dispersion methods into a drug or medicine delivery system may use shear (e.g., air across a drug, with or without a gas assist), capillary flow or a venturi effect, mechanical means such as spinning, vibration, or impaction, and turbulence (e.g., using mesh screens, or restrictions in the air path). These methods of drug dispersion allow for all of the drug in the system to be released, allowing control of the dosage size. These methods also provide for drug metering, fluidization, entrainment, deaggragation and deagglomeration. The integration of a drug sealing system into the device provides a way of blocking the migration of drug from one area of the package to another. The drug seal system can also provide a method of tightly containing the drug until the package is opened, of directing airflow through the package and of managing and containing the drug during the package/device manufacturing process.

Abstract: An endoscopic handle attachment is adapted to be secured to an endoscope having a working channel and used in combination with a suture device adapted to extend through the working channel. The attachment includes a backbone adapted to conform to an outer surface of the endoscope and that includes one or more attachment features adapted to enable releasable securement to the endoscope. A primary arm extends radially outwardly from the backbone and includes one or attachment points, at least one of the one or more attachment points adapted to releasably secure a proximal handle of the suture device such that a translation handle may be moved relative to the proximal handle without an operator needing to separately hold the proximal handle.

Abstract: A joint-supporting device comprises tensile members extending from a proximal cuff secured to the limb above the joint to a distal cuff secured to the limb below the joint, supplementing the tensile characteristics of the joint's tendons, ligaments, and other structure. The device may also comprise structure for limiting the range of motion and angular velocity of the joint.

Abstract: An orthosis is fitted to a body joint, in a preferred embodiment the equine fetlock, by locating the center of rotation (COR) of the joint; measuring the bones comprising the joint at points located with respect to the COR; selecting the appropriate orthosis from a selection of models thereof; and custom-fitting the orthosis to the individual by heating it to soften a layer of thermoformable foam on the interior of the orthosis and clamping the orthosis in place over the body joint. A kit of tools for performing the measurements is disclosed, as are a method for location of the COR of the body joint by palpation and a preferred heater.

Abstract: An orthosis is fitted to a body joint, in a preferred embodiment the equine fetlock, by locating the center of rotation (COR) of the joint; measuring the bones comprising the joint at points located with respect to the COR; selecting the appropriate orthosis from a selection of models thereof; and custom-fitting the orthosis to the individual by heating it to soften a layer of thermoformable foam on the interior of the orthosis, and clamping the orthosis in place over the body joint. A kit of tools for performing the measurements is disclosed, as are a method for location of the COR of the body joint by palpation and a preferred heater.

Abstract: A joint-supporting device comprises tensile members extending from a proximal cuff secured to the limb above the joint to a distal cuff secured to the limb below the joint, supplementing the tensile characteristics of the joint's tendons, ligaments, and other structure. The device may also comprise structure for limiting the range of motion and angular velocity of the joint.

Abstract: An improved joint support for limiting the range of motion of an anatomical joint comprises intermeshing gears for allowing adjustment of the range of motion of the joint, and comprises plural mechanisms for securing the gears in engagement with one another, whereby adjustment can be made without tools and without disassembly of any components.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. A deployment actuator may actuate the flow activator in a deployment direction, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, a device actuator may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and the flow activator may be actuated after the enablement of fluid communication.

Abstract: An improved joint support for limiting the range of motion of an anatomical joint comprises intermeshing gears for allowing adjustment of the range of motion of the joint, and comprises plural mechanisms for securing the gears in engagement with one another, whereby adjustment can be made without tools and without disassembly of any components.

Abstract: A dose may be stored by a delivery device and dispersed and delivered in a metered fashion to a subject, such as by the subject inhaling via a mouthpiece of the delivery device. One or more chambers of the device may have a toroidal shape and may be arranged to be selectively opened for fluid communication with a flow path of the delivery device, such as by sliding the chamber relative to a portion of the flow path. The flow path may include a restriction that permits air to bypass the chamber, and/or the chamber may be arranged so that fluid entering the chamber interacts with fluid exiting the chamber so as to enhance dispersion of the dose.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. A deployment actuator may actuate the flow activator in a deployment direction, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, a device actuator may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and the flow activator may be actuated after the enablement of fluid communication.

Abstract: Aerosolizing delivery apparatuses can include cartridges configured to be detachably connected to a delivery device. The cartridges can include: a housing defining a reservoir and a cartridge outlet, the cartridge outlet configured to permit fluid communication between the reservoir and an exterior of the cartridge. A surface of the housing can be configured to define a bypass port between the housing and a surface of the delivery device when the cartridge is assembled with the delivery device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering a dose, such as a medicament, for inhalation. A dose may be stored by a delivery device and dispersed and delivered in a metered fashion to a subject, such as by the subject inhaling via a mouthpiece of the delivery device. One or more chambers of the device may have a toroidal shape and may be arranged to be selectively opened for fluid communication with a flow path of the delivery device, such as by sliding the chamber relative to a portion of the flow path. The flow path may include a restriction that permits air to bypass the chamber, and/or the chamber may be arranged so that fluid entering the chamber interacts with fluid exiting the chamber so as to enhance dispersion of the dose.

Abstract: A visualization instrument comprising a display support component removably coupled to a component insertable into a target space. The insertable component includes a camera providing images of the target space. The images are presented in a display device supported by the display support component. The insertable component may be discarded after a permitted number of uses.

Abstract: Aerosolizing delivery apparatuses can include cartridges configured to be detachably connected to a delivery device. The cartridges can include: a housing defining a reservoir and a cartridge outlet, the cartridge outlet configured to permit fluid communication between the reservoir and an exterior of the cartridge. A surface of the housing can be configured to define a bypass port between the housing and a surface of the delivery device when the cartridge is assembled with the delivery device.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for treating a patient with cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). Generally, the methods include administering to the patient an IRM compound in an amount effective to ameliorate at least one symptom or clinical sign of CTCL. In some embodiments, the methods also include administering to the patient a priming dose of a Type I interferon. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of increasing a cell-mediated immune response of a cell population that includes cells affected by cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Generally, the methods include contacting the cell population with an IRM compound in an amount effective to increase at least one cell-mediated immune activity of the cell population. In some embodiments, the methods include contacting the cell population with a priming dose of a Type I interferon.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering a dose, such as a medicament, for inhalation. A dose may be stored by a delivery device and dispersed and delivered in a metered fashion to a subject, such as by the subject inhaling via a mouthpiece of the delivery device. One or more chambers of the device may have a toroidal shape and may be arranged to be selectively opened for fluid communication with a flow path of the delivery device, such as by sliding the chamber relative to a portion of the flow path. The flow path may include a restriction that permits air to bypass the chamber, and/or the chamber may be arranged so that fluid entering the chamber interacts with fluid exiting the chamber so as to enhance dispersion of the dose.