Abstract: A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising (a) providing a composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the composition comprises a derivative selected from the group consisting of a carboxylate or a sulfate or glycerol sulfonate of an ethoxylated/propoxylated primary alcohol having a branched aliphatic group with an average carbon number from 10 to 24 and having an average number of branches per aliphatic group of from 0.7 to 2.5 and having at least 0.5 moles of propylene oxide per mole of primary alcohol and having at least 0.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of primary alcohol; and (b) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation.

Abstract: A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising (a) providing a composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the composition comprises a glycerol sulfonate of a propoxylated primary alcohol having a branched aliphatic group with an average carbon number from 10 to 24 and having an average number of branches per aliphatic group of from 0.7 to 2.5 and having at least 0.5 moles of propylene oxide per mole of primary alcohol; and (b) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation.

Abstract: A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising (a) providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the hydrocarbon recovery composition comprises a propoxylated composition which comprises (1) a glycerol sulfonate of a propoxylated primary alcohol having a branched aliphatic group with an average carbon number from 10 to 24 and having an average number of branches per aliphatic group of from 0.7 to 2.5 and having at least 0.

Abstract: A posterior spinal fixation device or dynamic spinal stabilization device or other orthopedic device includes an active agent-delivery component. The active agent-delivery component has an active agent impregnated therein or adsorbed thereon or otherwise contained therein and is configured to release the active agent locally after the device is implanted in a patient. One preferred type of implant in accordance with the invention is an implant for stabilizing a spinal motion segment that includes a spacer member positionable between adjacent spinous processes or transverse processes or other posterior spinal element, including an implanted anchor element.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present application includes a spinal disk prosthesis with one end portion to form a load transmitting relationship with one vertebra of a patient's spine and another end portion to form a load transmitting relationship with another vertebra of the patient's spine. A tube connects the end portions together and a damping material is positioned inside the tube. The end portions each include a magnet to generate a corresponding magnetic field. These magnetic fields are oriented to provide a repulsive force between the end portions to provide a magnetic bearing.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthetic device and method for spinal stabilization, according to which a prosthetic device is implanted relative to two vertebrae and is positioned so that it makes a rigid connection with one of the vertebra and a non-rigid connection with the other vertebra.

Abstract: An expandable interspinous process implant is disclosed and can include a body and an injection tube extending from the body. The expandable interspinous process implant can be moved from a relaxed configuration to an expanded configuration in which the body is at least partially inflated around a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-level, multi-functional stabilization of a spinal column segment are provided. The systems include one or more constructs having a motion preserving portion that permits motion of at least a portion of a vertebral level and a motion preventing portion that substantially prevents motion of at least a portion of a second, adjacent vertebral level.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present application includes a spinal disk prosthesis with one end portion to form a load transmitting relationship with one vertebra of a patient's spine and another end portion to form a load transmitting relationship with another vertebra of the patient's spine. A tube connects the end portions together and a damping material is positioned inside the tube. The end portions each include a magnet to generate a corresponding magnetic field. These magnetic fields are oriented to provide a repulsive force between the end portions to provide a magnetic bearing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-directional stabilization of a spinal column segment are provided. The systems include one or more motion preserving constructs that are engaged to adjacent vertebrae and extend trans-axially between the vertebrae obliquely to the central axis of the spinal column. The systems permit motion of at least a portion of a vertebral level while providing stabilization at least when tensioned. Systems that provide stabilization in compression are also contemplated.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis implantable within a disc space and disposed between upper and lower vertebral endplates is provided. The prosthesis comprises a plurality of prosthesis components insertable into the disc space, wherein the components have at least one set of complementarily-shaped and sized surfaces, and wherein the at least one set of complementarily-shaped surfaces comprises a slot, and a rod that fits in the slot. A method of implanting an intervertebral prosthesis according to the present invention also is provided.

Abstract: An amplifier arrangement and a method for amplifying a signal, the arrangement including a transistor to amplify an input signal and to provide an intermediate signal. The intermediate signal is amplified to form an output signal which is fed back to the transistor.

Abstract: One technique of the present application includes: evaluating a patient having a previously implanted spinal construct and corresponding spinal fusion from an earlier procedure and determining a spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion is degenerating after completion of the earlier procedure. After this determination, the previously implanted spinal construct is augmented by attaching a flexible polymer elongated member to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a bone fastener and by coupling the flexible polymer elongated member to one or more elements of the previously implanted spinal construct. In one form, the elongated member is at least partially comprised of polyetheretherketone.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment and a refrigeration system. A duct, exposed to the freezer compartment, leads into the fresh food compartment. A damper is arranged within the duct to selectively allow the passage of cooling air into the fresh food compartment. The refrigerator also includes an air mixing fan arranged in the fresh food compartment, a freezer mounted ice maker, a user interface having a plurality of control elements and a controller operatively associated with the user interface. The controller includes a memory having stored therein a plurality of operating parameters for controlling various aspects or features of the refrigerator, including a temperature control mode, a super cool mode, a food saver mode and a quick ice mode, which can be synergistically combined to efficiently operate the refrigerator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a curved spinal rod is disclosed. The method includes heating PEEK; injecting the PEEK into an arcuate spinal rod mold; holding the injected PEEK in the mold until the PEEK substantially sets; and removing the injected PEEK from the mold. In another aspect, a spinal rod is disclosed. The spinal rod includes an arcuate main body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion. The central portion has a non-circular cross-section with a height greater than its width. The first and second end portions and the central portion of the arcuate main body are integrally formed of a polymer such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The spinal rod also includes a rounded end cap adapted to mate with at least one of the end portions. The end cap is radiopaque.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing a surgical procedure using implantable sensors are disclosed. The method includes providing one or more implantable sensors, each sensor configured for implantation adjacent to an anatomical feature of a patient; imaging the patient to determine the relative positions of the one or more implantable sensors relative to the anatomical features of the patient; inserting an implant adjacent to at least one of the anatomical features; and tracking the position of the implant relative to the at least one anatomical feature during the inserting of the implant using the implantable sensors.

Abstract: A method of patient assessment, treatment, and outcome modeling is disclosed. The method includes obtaining patient characteristic information from a current patient, defining a plurality of therapeutic factors based on the characteristic information of the current patient, and weighting the therapeutic factors. The method also includes accessing at least one database having medical records of prior patients, the medical records including prior patient characteristic information, prior patient treatment plan, and prior patient outcome, comparing the weighted factors of the current patient to the medical records of the prior patients to identify one or more relevant prior patient records, and retrieving at least a portion of the relevant prior patient records, the portion including at least the prior patient treatment plan and the prior patient outcome.

Abstract: A process for forming a molded polymer resin fiber tube clamp, as well as the tube clamp formed by that process. Continuous top and bottom plies provide increased resistance to delamination/cracking as they sandwich a filler material. The tube clamp is free from exposed fiber ends so than no wear is produced on a tube being clamped.

Abstract: A multi-piece intervertebral disc augmentation implant that may be assembled within the annulus fibrosus is disclosed. The implant may be guided into a precise location through a relatively small opening in the annulus fibrosus with the aid of an elongated guide.

Abstract: An intervertebral prosthesis implantable within a disc space and disposed between upper and lower vertebral endplates is provided. The prosthesis comprises a plurality of prosthesis modules insertable into the disc space, wherein the modules have at least one set of complementarily-shaped and sized surfaces, and wherein at least one of the modules is expandable. The modules have surfaces configured to engage within the disc space in a manner such that the modules form an assembled prosthesis of a size substantially preventing it from being outwardly expelled from the disc space, and the modules have bearing surfaces slidably engageable with the endplates to permit articulation between upper and lower vertebral endplates. In one embodiment, the at least one expandable module of the intervertebral prosthesis expands by inflation. In another embodiment, the at least one expandable module expands by unfolding into its intended form.