Abstract: Improved compositions for tissue augmentation are provided. These compositions comprise an amount of crosslinked material sufficient to provide a melt temperature (Tm) greater than 37 C, wherein microparticles can be substantially uniformly dispersed and maintained at ambient room temperature as well as body temperature. Said compositions also provide high shear moduli, sufficient to effectively deliver microparticles into dense tissue and narrow intersticial spaces without significant disruption to the homogeneous distribution of microparticles within the solution. The provided compositions can be stored and shipped at room temperature without significant detriment to the material composition. Additional embodiments include a system for delivery of tissue augmentation materials and methods of manufacture thereof.

Abstract: Improved compositions for tissue augmentation are provided. These compositions comprise an amount of crosslinked material sufficient to provide a melt temperature (Tm) greater than 37C, wherein microparticles can be substantially uniformly dispersed and maintained at ambient room temperature as well as body temperature. Said compositions also provide high shear moduli, sufficient to effectively deliver microparticles into dense tissue and narrow intersticial spaces without significant disruption to the homogeneous distribution of microparticles within the solution. The provided compositions can be stored and shipped at room temperature without significant detriment to the material composition. Additional embodiments include a system for delivery of tissue augmentation materials and methods of manufacture thereof.

Abstract: An injection device is formed as a long tubular structure with a wire that controls a piston in the structure from a proximal end, allowing therapeutic material to be injected into a patient through a needle at a distal end.

Abstract: Improved compositions for tissue augmentation are provided. These compositions comprise an amount of crosslinked material sufficient to provide a melt temperature (Tm) greater than 37 C, wherein microparticles can be substantially uniformly dispersed and maintained at ambient room temperature as well as body temperature. Said compositions also provide high shear moduli, sufficient to effectively deliver microparticles into dense tissue and narrow intersticial spaces without significant disruption to the homogeneous distribution of microparticles within the solution. The provided compositions can be stored and shipped at room temperature without significant detriment to the material composition. Additional embodiments include a system for delivery of tissue augmentation materials and methods of manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically separating blanks from a copper strip (200) and coining heat spreader lids (400) from the blanks. A high speed blanking structure (208) severs single rectangular or square blanks (212) from the copper strip. The blanks are loaded into a cartridge (214), and placed in a blanks hopper (213). The blanks are transferred from the hopper to a rotatable turret (217). The turret rotates to move a blank to a coining die cavity of a coining press (305). The blank is coined to form a lid and returned to the turret to be delivered to an unload station where the lid is dropped onto a conveyor (310). The conveyor transports the lid to a deburr and clean station (610).

Abstract: Microspheres to be implanted into a patient are metered and mixed with fluids, cells, or tissues withdrawn from the patient's own body, and reinserted into the patient's body to achieve augmentation, repair or other treatment of the patient's tissue.

Abstract: Microspheres to be implanted into a patient are metered and mixed with fluids, cells, or tissues withdrawn from the patient's own body, and reinserted into the patient's body to achieve augmentation, repair or other treatment of the patient's tissue.

Abstract: A surgical clip with adjustable bias spring. The surgical clip includes a moveable slide assembly, whereby the positioning of the slide relative to the clip adjusts the relative compression or extension of the biasing spring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically separating blanks from a copper strip (200) and coining heat spreader lids (400) from the blanks. A high speed blanking structure (208) severs single rectangular or square blanks (212) from the copper strip. The blanks are loaded into a cartridge (214), and placed in a blanks hopper (213). The blanks are transferred from the hopper to a rotatable turret (217). The turret rotates to move a blank to a coining die cavity of a coining press (305). The blank is coined to form a lid and returned to the turret to be delivered to an unload station where the lid is dropped onto a conveyor (310). The conveyor transports the lid to a deburr and clean station (610).

Abstract: An anastomosis occlusion device having a low-profile shaft assembly configured for insertion into the lumen of a vessel. The device includes an expandable region at the shaft assembly distal end with a sealing membrane that spans the expandable region, and a corresponding clamping member moveable toward the expandable region. Once inserted into the vessel lumen the expandable region is deployed from a first low-profile position into a second expanded position, and positioned at the target site of the anastomosis. Movement of the distal end of the clamping member, which remains located outside the vessel, against the expanded region creates a seal at the target site.

Abstract: A surgical clip with adjustable bias spring. The surgical clip includes a moveable slide assembly, whereby the positioning of the slide relative to the clip adjusts the relative compression or extension of the biasing spring.

Abstract: An anastomosis occlusion device having a low-profile shaft assembly configured for insertion into the lumen of a vessel. The device includes an expandable region at the shaft assembly distal end with a sealing membrane that spans the expandable region, and a corresponding clamping member moveable toward the expandable region. Once inserted into the vessel lumen the expandable region is deployed from a first low-profile position into a second expanded position, and positioned at the target site of the anastomosis. Movement of the distal end of the clamping member, which remains located outside the vessel, against the expanded region creates a seal at the target site.

Abstract: An anastomosis occlusion device having a low-profile shaft assembly configured for insertion into the lumen of a vessel and a distal perfusion system adapted to be connected to the shaft assembly. The device includes an expandable region at the shaft assembly distal end with a sealing membrane that spans the expandable region, and a corresponding clamping member moveable toward the expandable region. Once inserted into the vessel lumen the expandable region is deployed from a first low-profile position into a second expanded position, and positioned at the target site of the anastomosis. Movement of the distal end of the clamping member, which remains located outside the vessel, against the expanded region creates a seal at the target site allowing a blood-free, graft site.

Abstract: An anastomosis occlusion device having a low-profile shaft assembly configured for insertion into the lumen of a vessel. The device includes an expandable region at the shaft assembly distal end with a sealing membrane that spans the expandable region, and a corresponding clamping member moveable toward the expandable region. Once inserted into the vessel lumen the expandable region is deployed from a first low-profile position into a second expanded position, and positioned at the target site of the anastomosis. Movement of the distal end of the clamping member, which remains located outside the vessel, against the expanded region creates a seal at the target site.

Abstract: An arm assembly movable about a pivot includes means for holding a recording head slider on the arm assembly. The arm assembly includes an actuator arm supported at one end at the pivot, and a load beam connected to an end opposite to the one end of the actuator arm and extending to the slider. The load beam includes a load beam boss hole of a given diameter and the actuator arm Includes an actuator arm boss hole. The boss holes are superposed at a connection of the load beam and the actuator arm. The hub includes a fold of material into an outside surface of the hub. The hub extends through the boss holes to maintain the actuator arm and the load beam together. The hub is swaged (expanded) to fix the actuator arm to the load beam such that the fold in the outside surface of the boss grips the actuator arm boss hole.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and apparatus for biodegrading pollutants carried by aqueous fluid. The method and apparatus use a vessel and a matrix for immobilizing microorganisms and an inlet and outlet opening for creating a horizontal flow of fluid and air through the matrix. Microorganisms immobilized on the matrix biodegrade pollutants.