Abstract: A device for early stabilizing of distracted tissue that includes a first implant, a second implant, a sliding expansion mechanism and a stabilizer. The first implant is capable of being attached to a first tissue region. The second implant is capable of being attached to a second tissue region. The sliding expansion mechanism engages the first implant and the second implant for distracting the first implant away from the second implant to create a distraction space for formation of the distracted tissue. The stabilizer rigidly fixes the first implant and the second implant after disengagement of the sliding expansion mechanism to rigidly stabilize the distracted tissue. The stabilizer includes in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: A device for early stabilizing of distracted tissue that includes a first implant, a second implant, a sliding expansion mechanism and a stabilizer. The first implant is capable of being attached to a first tissue region. The second implant is capable of being attached to a second tissue region. The sliding expansion mechanism engages the first implant and the second implant for distracting the first implant away from the second implant to create a distraction space for formation of the distracted tissue. The stabilizer rigidly fixes the first implant and the second implant after disengagement of the sliding expansion mechanism to rigidly stabilize the distracted tissue. The stabilizer includes in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a connective tissue distraction device comprising: a first transmitting structure for transmitting force to a first tissue region and a second transmitting structure for transmitting force to a second tissue region by contact with bone, and an expansion device for exerting force distracting the first transmitting structure from the second transmitting structure. At least one of the first transmitting device, the second transmitting device and the expansion structure comprises in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a connective tissue distraction device comprising: a first transmitting structure for transmitting force to a first tissue region and a second transmitting structure for transmitting force to a second tissue region by contact with bone, and an expansion device for exerting force distracting the first transmitting structure from the second transmitting structure. At least one of the first transmitting device, the second transmitting device and the expansion structure comprises in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a connective tissue distraction device comprising: a first transmitting structure for transmitting force to a first tissue region and a second transmitting structure for transmitting force to a second tissue region by contact with bone, and an expansion device for exerting force distracting the first transmitting structure from the second transmitting structure. At least one of the first transmitting device, the second transmitting device and the expansion structure comprises in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that existing distraction devices have certain disadvantages, including the requirement to remove materials in the distraction device from the subjects body after distraction is completed. Depending on the location of distraction, this procedure can be of varying degrees of undesireability. One aspect of the present invention is a connective tissue distraction device comprising: a first transmitting means for transmitting force to a first tissue region and a second transmitting means for transmitting force to a second tissue region by contact with bone, expansion means for exerting force distracting said first transmitting means from said second transmitting means, wherein at least one of said first transmitting means, said second transmitting means and said expansion means comprises in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that existing distraction devices have certain disadvantages, including the requirement to remove materials in the distraction device from the subjects body after distraction is completed. Depending on the location of distraction, this procedure can be of varying degrees of undesireability. One aspect of the present invention is a connective tissue distraction device comprising: a first transmitting means for transmitting force to a first tissue region and a second transmitting means for transmitting force to a second tissue region by contact with bone, expansion means for exerting force distracting said first transmitting means from said second transmitting means, wherein at least one of said first transmitting means, said second transmitting means and said expansion means comprises in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: A specific test for active demyelinzation is based on a discovery that free myelin basic protein can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid by the use of a radioimmunoassay, and that the level of basic protein found corresponds to the activity of demyelinating pathologies. A simple method is utilized, wherein samples of cerebrospinal fluid are assayed and the results of the assay are compared with standard samples of myelin basic protein. Patients with active demyelinating diseases have high levels (17-100ng/ml) of basic protein; those with progressive pathologies have less (6-16 ng/ml); and those in remission have less than 4 ng/ml, comparable to the control population.