Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus. This may be accomplished, for example, but shortening or stiffening the palatoglossal arch. Improved coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus may be beneficial to a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination procedures and devices that cause anterior displacement of the tongue such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, genioglossus advancement surgery, mandibular advancement surgery, mandibular advancement (oral) appliances, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the characteristics of a downhole fluid. The method for measuring the characteristics of a downhole fluid includes passing a downhole fluid sample through an analyzer, analyzing the downhole fluid sample by illuminating the downhole fluid sample with light from a light source and detecting light that interacts with the fluid sample. The method is applicable to detecting carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide directly in a downhole environment.

Abstract: Optical measurement devices including one or more sealing assemblies are described. The sealing assemblies are configured for use at relatively high temperatures and pressures, such as temperatures over 200 degrees F. and pressures over 10,000 psi. The sealing assemblies can include a deformable seal element surrounded on each side by a backup seal element. In some examples, the deformable seal element is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of a fluoroelastomer or polytetrafluoroethylene, and the backup seal elements are formed of a material selected from a group consisting of flexible graphite or metal foil. Optionally, at least one additional seal element functioning as an extrusion barrier can be placed on the opposite side of one or both backup seal elements from the deformable seal element. The additional seal element can be formed of polyether ether ketone or flexible graphite, for example. Additional devices and assemblies are described.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive incident energy within a chamber defining a first part of an interaction volume that attenuates the incident energy as a function of path length to provide attenuated energy. Additional activity may include simultaneously transforming the attenuated energy characterized by a substantially exponential intensity function into resultant energy characterized by a substantially polynomial intensity function. The transformation may be accomplished using an interacted energy transformation element that defines a second part of the interaction volume, the transformation element operating to intercept the attenuated energy along a plurality of path lengths. Other activity may include transmitting the resultant energy to a receiver. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to monitor flow of single and multiple phase fluids. Sensors of a tool can be dispersed along the tool to collect measurements to be processed using an autocorrelation operation on the collected measurements to provide information relative to the phases of the fluid. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a door stop pin assembly including a pin and a base pad. The pin has a concave spherical recess. And, the base pad has an open end and a closed end such that the open end has a convex spherical portion in contact with the concave spherical recess.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided which are useful in the treatment of diseases through the inhibition of sodium ion flux through voltage-dependent sodium channels. More particularly, the invention provides pyrazole-amides and -sulfonamides, compositions and methods that are useful in the treatment of central or peripheral nervous system disorders, particularly pain and chronic pain by blocking sodium channels associated with the onset or recurrance of the indicated conditions. The compounds, compositions and methods of the present invention are of particular use for treating neuropathic or inflammatory pain by the inhibition of ion flux through a channel that includes a PN3 subunit.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided which are useful in the treatment of diseases through the inhibition of sodium ion flux through voltage-dependent sodium channels. More particularly, the invention provides substituted piperidines, and compositions containing these compounds. Also provided are methods using the compounds of the invention for the treatment of central or peripheral nervous system disorders, particularly pain and chronic pain by blocking sodium channels associated with the onset or recurrance of the indicated conditions. The compounds, compositions and methods of the present invention are of particular use for treating neuropathic or inflammatory pain by the inhibition of ion flux through a channel that includes a PN3 subunit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a door stop pin assembly including a pin and a base pad. The pin has a concave spherical recess. And, the base pad has an open end and a closed end such that the open end has a convex spherical portion in contact with the concave spherical recess.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative movement of the vertebrae adjacent the damaged disc.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.

Abstract: A novel microprocessor interface circuit is described which can alternately emit and detect light using only an LED, two digital I/O pins and a single current limiting resistor. This technique is first applied to create a smart illumination system that uses a single LED as both light source and sensor. We then present several devices that use an LED as a generic wireless serial data port. An important implication of this work is that every LED connected to a microprocessor can be thought of as a wireless two-way communication port. We present this technology as a solution to the “last centimeter problem”, because it permits disparate devices to communicate with each other simply and cheaply with minimal design modification.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a pin head or other implements between handling a plurality of samples of nucleic acid subject to an amplification process using a biochemical amplification product. The method comprises exposing the pin head or other implement to ultraviolet (UV) and preferably also infrared (IR) illumination between handling different samples in order to suppress cross-contamination by non-specific amplification. The biochemical amplification product may be obtained from a rolling circle amplification (RCA) procedure, such as that catalyzed by bacteriophage phi29, or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification product.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion with a side port, inserting the device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall, directing the distal portion within the vascular wall such that the distal portion moves at least partially laterally, and directing the side port towards the vascular lumen.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion, inserting the device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall to at least partially surround the occlusion, and removing at least a portion of the surrounded occlusion from the lumen.