Abstract: A spinous process spacer implant for relief of back pain is disclosed. The implant, a generally H-shaped device having grooved ends, is made of human allograft or other suitable artificial or natural material. It is sized for implantation between and optional attachment to adjacent spinous processes. The implant may be hollow in the center to allow for addition of suitable biological material.

Abstract: This invention relates to the sterilization and preservation of tissue for storage. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of using a solution to form a preserved tissue. The solution includes a radical scavenger at a concentration believed to reduce the damage to the tissue that could otherwise occur during sterilization with ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for the design and/or marketing of one or more consumer products based on an identified Icon includes capturing and storing in memory preferences of the Icon in accordance with at least one systematic survey of at least some of the preferences; creating one or more of a design for at least one consumer product or for a space or scheme for marketing and promotion, the consumer product, space or scheme design incorporating the captured preferences; and storing the design in memory. The preferences may include aspects of a product or space and information regarding the background of the Icon. A method for at least one of the design and marketing of one or more consumer products includes creating a design for at least one of a consumer product and an environment for sales, promotion and/or demonstration of at least one consumer product, the design incorporating captured preferences of an Icon; and storing the design in memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for coating medical devices with pharmaceutical agents and devices coated with the compositions. The coated devices provide controlled or sustained release of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of wounds or disease.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to cover openings in a plurality of materials is described. In one embodiment, a disc shaped member includes a three-stepped surface having an outer, second, and inner surface, is configured to fit into and cover an existing opening. The outer surface is sized larger than the opening being covered. The second surface being sized to fit within such opening. The inner surface being the smallest and includes a blind hole for the insertion of a bolt. The bolt and an inner member cooperate such that the disk shaped member may be lined up with an inside surface of an opening of virtually any material or object configured to accept such a disk shaped member. Once the disk shaped member is fastened onto the exterior surface of a doorframe using a bolt and the inner member, for example, the existing hole being covered will no longer be visible or accessible, thereby beautifying, covering, and securing the object.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient transfer of image data to a service provider comprises a digital image source, an image pump, and a communication path to the service provider. The digital image source may be connected to the image pump using any appropriate communication configuration. Digital image data from the digital image source is transferred to the image pump, which may format the digital image data to conform to requirements of the particular service provider. The image pump may also attach customer account information and user service selections to the digital image data. The image pump may then send the digital image data and any attached information to the service provider. The service provider responsively may perform the requested services and return a finished product to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a marketing system and method for motivating consumers to make initial and continual purchases of a consumer product or a line of consumer products. The marketing system includes a game piece provided with a consumer product. The game piece includes game information for entry into a game, wherein the game information is utilized for the awarding of prizes. A security measure is included to protect the integrity of the consumer product and the game piece by preventing entry into the game until after the consumer product has been purchased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a tissue graft material. The invention also relates to a multipurpose tissue graft material and to methods of using same as a replacement for vascular and non-vascular tissue.

Abstract: In a method for evaluating a connective tissue condition of a patient, an indicator of the supporting tissue condition may be generated. A portion of connective tissue of the patient is irradiated using a light source. The connective tissue may be irradiated in vivo through the skin or via an incision, for example. Alternatively, a biopsy of the connective tissue may be irradiated. Then, spectral content information for light scattered, reflected, or transmitted by the connective tissue is determined. The spectral content information is used, at least in part, to generate the indicator. The indicator may assist a physician in diagnosing or ruling out the connective tissue condition, determining a risk of developing a disease, monitoring the progression of a disease, monitoring a response to treatment, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a tissue graft material. The invention also relates to a multipurpose tissue graft material and to methods of using same as a replacement for vascular and non-vascular tissue.

Abstract: In a method for diagnosing or helping to diagnose a bone tissue condition of a patient, a portion of bone tissue of the patient is irradiated using a light source. The bone tissue may be irradiated in vivo through the skin or via an incision, for example. Alternatively, a biopsy of the bone tissue may be irradiated. Then, spectral content information for light scattered, reflected, or transmitted by the bone tissue is determined, and is used, at least in part, to determine whether the patient has a bone tissue condition.

Abstract: A novel solution for cryopreservation of a tissue that includes water, a bio-compatible buffer, a cell-impermeant constituent, a cell-permeant constituent, and a radical scavenger is disclosed. The solution may be used to preserve the tissue for, later transplantation in an animal, including human, host. The radical scavenger is believed to reduce damage to the tissue that could otherwise occur during sterilization with ionizing radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to tissue decellularization and, in particular to a method of treating tissues, for example, heart valves, tendons and ligaments, so as to render them acellular and thereby limit mineralization and/or immunoreactivity upon implementation in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vivo method for specific targeting and transfer of DNA into mammalian repair cells. The transferred DNA may include any DNA encoding a therapeutic protein of interest. The invention is based on the discovery that mammalian repair cells proliferate and migrate into a wound site where they actively take up and express DNA. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that may be used in the practice of the invention to transfer the DNA of interest. Such compositions include any suitable matrix in combination with the DNA of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a tissue graft material. The invention also relates to a multipurpose tissue graft material and to methods of using same as a replacement for vascular and non-vascular tissue.

Abstract: A system for delivering pre and post operative support and care to patients undertaking elective medical procedures and processing information regarding the patient and sales of products and services made to such patient, comprising means for receiving, processing and delivering personal, medical and credit information pertaining to patients, to and from patients and medical practitioners, means for providing information regarding what can be expected through the process of undergoing a medical procedure and for providing positive reinforcement to patients regarding their decision to undergo a medical procedure, means for scheduling and coordinating pre and post-operative medical appointments and procedures between patients and medical practitioners, means for receiving, processing and delivering pre and post procedure care orders and medicament prescriptions from medical practitioners to patients and means for monitoring patient adherence to medical practitioners' care orders and medicament prescriptions.

Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus and cannulated scalpel for use therein are provided. In particular, the cannulated scalpel is used during surgical procedures to make an incision through intervening tissue about a guide pin having an end for engaging a target tissue, such as bone. The scalpel includes a hollow, elongated shaft adapted to slide over the guide pin and a head mounted at one end of the shaft. The head has at least one leading cutting edge that is adapted to cut along a plane through the intervening tissue as the shaft slides over the guide pin toward the target tissue engaging end of the guide pin. The scalpel can then be removed from the incision along the plane, preferably with the aid of a trailing guide edge. Following removal of the scalpel, a driving tool, such as a power surgical drill, can be introduced to drive a cannulated fastener along the guide pin and through the incision to embed the fastener in the target tissue and provide fixation of the target tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to tissue decellularization and, in particular to a method of treating tissues, for example, heart valves, tendons and ligaments, so as to render them acellular and thereby limit mineralization and/or immunoreactivity upon implementation in vivo.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for coating medical devices with pharmaceutical agents and devices coated with the compositions. The coated devices provide controlled or sustained release of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of wounds or disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vivo method for specific targeting and transfer of DNA into mammalian repair cells. The transferred DNA may include any DNA encoding a therapeutic protein of interest. The invention is based on the discovery that mammalian repair cells proliferate and migrate into a wound site where they actively take up and express DNA. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that may be used in the practice of the invention to transfer the DNA of interest. Such compositions include any suitable matrix in combination with the DNA of interest.