Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and dispensing a multi-component compound. The device includes a tubular body with an internal chamber for mixing the multi-component compound. Disposed within and extending beyond the tubular body is a rod having a mixing disc located near a distal end. Also disposed within the tubular body is a moveable piston with a central opening through which the rod may pass.

Abstract: An implant assembly comprises an elongated pusher member, and an implantable device (e.g., a vaso-occlusive device) mounted to the distal end of the pusher member. The implant assembly further comprises an electrolytically severable joint disposed on the pusher member, wherein the implantable device detaches from the pusher member when the severable joint is severed, and a return electrode carried by the distal end of the pusher member (e.g., a coil disposed about the pusher member) in proximity to, but electrically isolated from, the severable joint. The implant assembly further comprises a terminal carried by the proximal end of the pusher member in electrical communication with the severable joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering bone cement into a vertebra, includes a cannula, a delivery device in communication with the cannula and a pressure delivery device in communication with the delivery device. The pressure delivery device provides an actuating force that acts either directly or through a medium to cause a flowable compound to be delivered from the delivery device to the cannula and into the vertebra. The pressure delivery device causes a pressurized compound to be delivered, the pressurized compound may be liquid or gaseous CO2 or other mediums.

Abstract: A vehicular frame assembly upon which a body portion and other components of a vehicle can be mounted is manufactured by initially casting a node that includes a body portion having a plurality of mounting portions. A first structural member is secured to each of the mounting portions of the node. Second structural members are secured to the first structural members to form a vehicular frame assembly upon which a body portion and other components of a vehicle can be mounted. If desired, a plurality of nodes is initially cast that each include a body portion having a plurality of mounting portions. A plurality of structural members is secured to the plurality of nodes to form the vehicular frame assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.

Abstract: An implant system places magnetic structures in or on tissue that develop a magnetic repelling force between a soft palate a posterior pharyngeal wall. The magnetic repelling force has a magnitude F-mag, where F-mag=f (F-sep, F-nat), and where F-sep is a force required to separate soft palate tissue from pharyngeal wall tissue during sleep, and F-nat is a force exerted by native muscle on the soft palate during swallowing and/or drinking and/or speech. In another embodiment, a palate implant uses attractive magnetic force to keep the airway open.

Abstract: Systems and methods resist posterior movement of both the tongue and the soft palate/uvula during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ first, second, and third structures. The first structure is sized and configured for placement in or on a tongue. The second structure is sized and configured for placement in or on a region of a soft palate or uvula. The third structure is sized and configured for placement in or on tissue in a desired relationship. anterior of the first and second structures. The first and second structures each includes a ferromagnetic material. The third structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with both the first and second ferromagnetic materials by attracting both the first and second ferromagnetic materials, thereby resisting posterior movement of both the tongue and the soft palate/uvula.

Abstract: A magnetic force system uses a magnetic implant sized and configured to be inserted in the pharynx and another magnetic implant sized and configured to be inserted in the tongue, palate, or pharynx. The system establishes different regions of magnetic interaction between the two implants across the airway, attracting and repelling, such that attractive interaction in one region of the implants combines with repelling interaction in another region of the implants, to provide a “hinge” structure. Alternatively, a magnetic force system that uses three magnetic implants sized and configured to be inserted in the tongue, pharynx, and palate, respectively. The tongue implant is attracted to the palatal implant, and repels the pharyngeal implant, forming a modified “hinge” structure. Forces of magnetic attracting bring tissue together to form a magnetic hinge joint, providing an anchor to stabilize the regions where repelling forces work to separate tissue to keep the airway open.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods resist posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. An implant device has a ferromagnetic structure that, when implanted, occupies only one lateral side of the tongue when implanted. The ferromagnetic structure magnetically interacts with a magnetized material placed in a desired relationship with the tongue to stabilize a preferred tongue orientation.

Abstract: A carrier is sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region. The carrier includes at least one interior compartment. At least one ferromagnetic material is carried within the compartment. The compartment and the ferromagnetic material are mutually sized and configured to allow movement of the ferromagnetic material within the compartment in response to magnetic interaction with a magnetic material located outside the carrier. The magnetic interaction can include either a magnetic attracting force or a magnetic repelling force. The carrier can be used in association with a source of magnetism sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region outside the carrier for magnetic interaction with the ferromagnetic material carried within the compartment, e.g., to stabilize the orientation of a tissue region within an airway.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for resisting posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ a first structure that can be placed either in or on a tongue within an oral cavity and/or in a region of hyoid muscle. The first structure includes a ferromagnetic material. The systems and methods employ a second structure that can be placed either in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity and/or in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure. The second structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with the ferromagnetic material by attracting the ferromagnetic material, thereby resisting posterior movement of the tongue.

Abstract: A device for delivering an occlusive element includes an elongate sheath having a lumen therein. An elongate core member is disposed within the lumen and is formed from a proximal portion and distal portion connected via a joint. The distal portion of the elongate member includes a severable junction secured to the occlusive element. A marker coil is coaxially arranged around the distal portion of the elongate core member and is partially disposed inside the sheath lumen. A coil member is coaxially arranged around the distal portion of the elongate core member and coaxially arranged around at least a portion of the marker coil extending outside the lumen of the sheath. The coil member is secured at a distal end thereof to the distal portion of the elongate core member. The device resists axial compression while allowing for radial bending.

Abstract: Systems and methods include magnetic structures for placement in or on tissues in an airway. The magnetic structures carry sources of magnetism, which generate magnetic fields having directions. The magnetic fields interact to provide magnetic forces that provide a desired therapeutic effect, e.g., maintaining separation between the soft palate and/or tongue and the posterior pharyngeal wall. The systems and methods size and configure the directions of the magnetic fields to provide stability, which makes possible the achievement of the desired therapeutic effect in a straightforward and elegant manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods place a magnetic structure in or on a single tissue mass in an airway. A first magnetic region on a given structure magnetically interacts with a second magnetic region on the structure to shape the structure within the single tissue mass and thereby stabilize a desired orientation for the single tissue mass. The first magnetic region can magnetically interact with the second magnetic region, e.g., by generating magnetic attracting forces.

Abstract: Described herein are electrolytically detachable implantable devices and assemblies. In particular, implantable devices and assemblies that are flexible in or near the electrolytically erodable junction region are provided. Also provided are methods of using the devices and assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering bone cement into a vertebra, includes a cannula, a delivery device in communication with the cannula and a pressure delivery device in communication with the delivery device. The pressure delivery device provides an actuating force that acts either directly or through a medium to cause a flowable compound to be delivered from the delivery device to the cannula and into the vertebra. The pressure delivery device causes a pressurized compound to be delivered, the pressurized compound may be liquid or gaseous CO2 or other mediums.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering bone cement into a vertebra includes a cannula and a mix and delivery device pivotally coupled to the cannula. The mix and deliver provides a single device in which a flowable compound may be mixed and the dispensed into the vertebrae through the cannula. The mix and delivery device includes a piston, slidably disposed within a barrel of the device, for advancing the bone cement through an outlet communicating with the cannula. An actuating device, which exerts a pressure, is connected to an inlet on the mix and delivery device (either directly or through a tube). The pressure created by the actuating device is used to advance the piston within the mix and delivery device.

Abstract: A probe and method for removing tissue is provided. The probe comprises an elongated member, a window laterally formed on the distal end of the member, a drive shaft rotatably disposed within the lumen of the member, and a rotatable and longitudinally slidable tissue removal element disposed on the drive shaft. The probe can be used to remove tissue along the window of the probe. In one method, target tissue along the window, e.g., bone tissue, can be removed without removing non-target tissue, e.g., nerve tissue, by rotating and longitudinally sliding the tissue removal element relative to the window.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a frame assembly includes the steps of providing an underbody assembly including a plurality of structural components that are secured together so as to be generally planar in shape; providing first and second sidebody assemblies that each include a plurality of structural components that are secured together so as to be generally planar in shape; and securing the underbody assembly to the first and second sidebody assemblies to form a frame assembly. The underbody assembly can be formed by securing first and second longitudinally extending, closed channel beams to a plurality of closed channel cross members. Each of the sidebody assemblies can be formed by securing a closed channel lower rocker rail and closed channel upper roof rail to a plurality of pillars. Each of the pillars can be formed by initially securing a first stamping to the lower rocker rail and the upper roof rail, then securing a second stamping to each of the first stampings.