Abstract: Devices and methods for the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents into bone and soft tissue to prevent the unintentional migration of therapeutic agents from the treatment site. The containment device can be made of a fabric or membrane that is porous, semi-porous, non-porous, bio-resorbable, or non-resorbable materials. A containment device is advanced to the interior of the target structure and filled with a therapeutic agent. The containment device may be permanently or temporarily implanted. Where permanent implantation is desired, the containment device may be detached via a severable junction.

Abstract: An electrical connector mountable to a substrate. The electrical connector comprises a housing, a surface mount contact secured to the housing and adapted to surface mount to the substrate, and a non-surface mount hold down secured to the housing and adapted to mount to the substrate. The surface mount contact includes a fusible element, for example, a solder ball, a plurality of which may form a matrix array. The connector may be a ball grid array connector. A method of mounting an electrical connector to a substrate. The method comprises providing a substrate, and an electrical connector having a contact and a hold down. The method further comprises securing the contact to the substrate, placing the hold down into the substrate, and securing the hold down to the substrate. A method of preventing the skewing of an electrical connector when being mounted to a substrate.

Abstract: Cannulas are provided for delivering therapeutic material to a treatment site. The cannula includes a cannula body with a plurality of openings at the distal end, including a longitudinal opening and a plurality of transverse openings that are axially spaced from each other. The cannula also includes a plunger that is configured to be slidably disposed within the cannula lumen. When the plunger is proximally displaced in the cannula lumen, the plunger seals the distal end and deflects the therapeutic material out the transverse openings. As the plunger is proximally displaced within the lumen, the therapeutic material is forced to perfuse out transverse openings located proximal of the plunger position. In one embodiment, the plunger includes an additional pliable sealable member. In another embodiment, the distal end of the cannula body may be implanted by separating the distal end from the cannula body.

Abstract: Cannulas are provided for delivering therapeutic material to a treatment site. The cannula includes a cannula body with a plurality of openings at the distal end, including a longitudinal opening and a plurality of transverse openings that are axially spaced from each other. The cannula also includes a plunger that is configured to be slidably disposed within the cannula lumen. When the plunger is proximally displaced in the cannula lumen, the plunger seals the distal end and deflects the therapeutic material out the transverse openings. As the plunger is proximally displaced within the lumen, the therapeutic material is forced to perfuse out transverse openings located proximal of the plunger position. In one embodiment, the plunger includes an additional pliable sealable member. In another embodiment, the distal end of the cannula body may be implanted by separating the distal end from the cannula body.

Abstract: A receptacle comprises a receptacle housing having a body, a plug interface portion extending therefrom, and a contact support member with pivot areas formed therein for urging contacts disposed in the housing into alignment. A receptacle further comprises a shielding shell having cantilevered beams formed therein. The shielding shell has a projection extending therefrom for contacting a latch arm extending from the receptacle housing. A shielding gasket is disposed around the shielding shell and has overlapping rows of beams extending therefrom. The shielding gasket also has a projection extending therefrom that is situated in a channel formed in a latch arm. The latch arm is formed as part of a latch plate comprising a latch bar, two latch arms, and at least one projection for contacting ground.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a first connector having at least one receptacle contact and a second connector having at least one pin mated to the at least one receptacle contact. The pin may have a stem and a tip attached to the stem. The pin tip is designed to prevent misalignment of the pin or “pin side track” when mated to the receptacle contact and the mating forces that result from side tracking. In order to prevent this side tracking, the pin end may have a first flat side, a second flat side, a first side which connects the first flat side to the second flat side; and a second side which connects the first flat side to the second flat side. The pin tip flat sides minimize or reduce the likelihood of side tracking. The pin tip may also have other sides which are designed to prevent side tracking. For instance, the end of the pin tip may also be flat.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a media to an anatomic void within a bone structure and compacting the media within the anatomic void includes a delivery device and a compaction device. The delivery device includes a tubular element, a guidewire, and a removal element. The removal element is capable of forming a void at a target site within the bone structure by cutting and/or deforming target bone tissue. A distal end of the guidewire may be detachable as a safety feature. The compaction device includes an elongate member and a vibration device connected to the proximal end of the elongate member. The vibration device creates vibration at the distal end of the elongate member, so that the media is mixed and/or compacted within the anatomic void.

Abstract: A plug comprises a plug housing having a body and a plurality of beams extending therefrom and forming gaps therebetween. A member bridges the gaps between the beams at their distal ends. Ground contacts comprising a body, an elongated contact portion, and armatures are inserted into the plug housing. A recess formed in the distal end of the elongated contact portion engages the member. The ground contacts have projections extending therefrom that are disposed in channels formed through the body and along the beams. Signal contacts having a portion with a first form factor and a portion with a second form factor are also inserted into the plug housing. The portion with a first form factor extends through a conduit in the plug housing body and along a trough formed in the beams. The distal ends of the signal contacts have recesses formed in their distal ends with projections from the beams situated therein. The portion of the signal contact with a second form factor abuts the housing body.

Abstract: Cannulas are provided for delivering therapeutic material to a treatment site. The cannula includes a cannula body with a plurality of openings at the distal end, including a longitudinal opening and a plurality of transverse openings that are axially spaced from each other. The cannula also includes a plunger that is configured to be slidably disposed within the cannula lumen. When the plunger is proximally displaced in the cannula lumen, the plunger seals the distal end and deflects the therapeutic material out the transverse openings. As the plunger is proximally displaced within the lumen, the therapeutic material is forced to perfuse out transverse openings located proximal of the plunger position. In one embodiment, the plunger includes an additional pliable sealable member. In another embodiment, the distal end of the cannula body may be implanted by separating the distal end from the cannula body.

Abstract: A device for accessing the spinal canal of a patient includes an introducer and a protective sleeve that is attached at one end thereof to a proximal end of the introducer. The protective sleeve has an outer stationary portion and an inner moveable portion. The outer and inner portions of the protective sleeve are separated by a crown region. A catheter is disposed inside the protective sleeve. During operation, the protective sleeve is advanced within the spinal canal to form a protective barrier between the catheter and the spinal cord. The catheter is advanced and retracted within the protective sleeve.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents into bone and soft tissue to prevent the unintentional migration of therapeutic agents from the treatment site. The containment device can be made of a fabric or membrane that is porous, semi-porous, non-porous, bio-resorbable, or non-resorbable materials. A containment device is advanced to the interior of the target structure and filled with a therapeutic agent. The containment device may be permanently or temporarily implanted. Where permanent implantation is desired, the containment device may be detached via a severable junction.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector has a housing. Signal contacts are secured to the housing and ground contacts are secured to the housing. A portion of the housing is metallized to connect the ground contacts electrically and to shield the signal contacts.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a first connector having at least one receptacle contact and a second connector having at least one pin mated to the at least one receptacle contact. The pin may have a stem and a tip attached to the stem. The pin tip is designed to prevent misalignment of the pin or “pin side track” when mated to the receptacle contact and the mating forces that result from side tracking. In order to prevent this side tracking, the pin end may have a first flat side, a second flat side, a first side which connects the first flat side to the second flat side; and a second side which connects the first flat side to the second flat side. The pin tip flat sides minimize or reduce the likelihood of side tracking. The pin tip may also have other sides which are designed to prevent side tracking. For instance, the end of the pin tip may also be flat.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector has a housing. Signal contacts are secured to the housing and ground contacts are secured to the housing. A portion of the housing is metallized to connect the ground contacts electrically and to shield the signal contacts.

Abstract: A contact having a retention portion, a tail portion and a pair of beams. The beams each have a first portion which displaces the beam from opposite sides of the plane of the retention portion and a second portion extending from, and canted relative to, the first portion. The second portions interact to receive a mating contact therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a base defining a plurality of aperture spaces therein. A plurality of contacts are received and secured within the aperture spaces, and include signal contacts and ground contacts. In addition, a plurality of ground shields are received and secured within the aperture spaces. The ground shields are positioned to shield selected ones of the signal contacts from noise and/or cross-talk generated by other signal contacts within the base. Each ground shield has an electrical contact site at which the ground shield is in physical and electrical contact with a ground contact. The electrical contact site is flexible.

Abstract: A connector for use with a circuit substrate having a plurality of elongated conductors. A solder ball is fused to the end of the conductors for connection of the connector to a circuit substrate. Method for attaching the solder ball to the end of the conductors using a solder paste with or without a preformed solder ball. The conductors are fitted into passages of an interface member. A tail end of each conductor terminates in a well in a surface of the interface member that facilitates the attachment of solder ball to the end of the conductors. The passages in the interface member hold the conductor tail ends in place while providing a clearance around the conductor to accommodate the effects of thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a base defining a plurality of aperture spaces therein. A plurality of contacts are received and secured within the aperture spaces, and include signal contacts and ground contacts. In addition, a plurality of ground shields are received and secured within the aperture spaces. The ground shields are positioned to shield selected ones of the signal contacts from noise and/or cross-talk generated by other signal contacts within the base. Each ground shield has an electrical contact site at which the ground shield is in physical and electrical contact with a ground contact. The electrical contact site is flexible.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising: an insulative housing having at least one cavity; a retaining member removably securable to the insulative housing and occluding at least a portion of the cavity, the retaining member having at least one aperture in communication with the cavity; a conductive terminal having a first portion disposed in the cavity and a second portion disposed in the aperture; and a surface mount element mounted on the second portion of the terminal. The member retains the terminal within the insulative housing. A method of making an electrical connector comprising the steps of: inserting the terminal into the cavity; attaching the retaining member to the insulative housing, wherein the mounting portion of the terminal resides within the aperture; and securing the surface mount element to the mounting portion of the terminal.

Abstract: An implantable device having a biocompatible member, a bioactive inner coating and a water-soluble outer coating. The device may be in various forms including a coil, stent, particles, sponge or other structure. The materials used for the device include metals as well as polymers. Both the inner and outer coatings may provide for a predetermined time release of therapeutic agents.