Abstract: Disclosed herein are ferric citrate-containing tablets. In various embodiments, the tablets include ferric citrate formulations that meet certain dissolution, tableting and disintegration standards. In various aspects, the tablet formulations can include ferric citrate as the active ingredient and a binder. The formulations also can include a lubricant and/or a disintegrant (which, in some embodiments, can be the same as the binder).

Abstract: Devices and systems for controls the flow of fluid through a conduit are described herein. One flow control device that controls the flow of fluid through a conduit, includes a body having an axis and defining a passage that allows fluid to flow from an upstream position to a downstream position, the valve body having a converging portion in the upstream position with an inner surface that curves gradually inward, but having an annular rim formed by a portion that extends outward from the inward curving shape, and a throat between the converging and diverging portions; and, a flow regulator supported within the body for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit, the flow regulator having an annular seating surface configured to contact the annular rim of the body.

Abstract: A virtual device residing on a terminal in a host terminal environment is provided. The terminal is in communication with a device. The virtual device comprises a processing module operable to execute at least one action and to process information returned from at the least one executed action, a transformation module operable to transform a command into the at least one action to be executed by the processing module, and a response module operable to form a response to the command to be sent to the host based on the processed information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ferric citrate-containing tablets. In various embodiments, the tablets include ferric citrate formulations that meet certain dissolution, tableting and disintegration standards. In various aspects, the tablet formulations can include ferric citrate as the active ingredient and a binder. The formulations also can include a lubricant and/or a disintegrant (which, in some embodiments, can be the same as the binder).

Abstract: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ferric citrate tablets and dosage forms.

Abstract: A method of treating an intervertebral disc includes inserting an introducer into an intervertebral disc, inserting a catheter through the introducer and into the intervertebral disc, advancing a distal region of the catheter through a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to an annular wall of an annulus fibrosus, delivering energy to material of the intervertebral disc using an electrode disposed at the distal region of the catheter, and removing the material with the delivered energy, wherein removing material with the delivered energy reduces pressure in the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification management system and method of managing one or more radio frequency identification devices is provided. The radio frequency identification (RFID) management system comprises a device manager for managing one or more RFID devices, and one or more RFID device drivers for communicating with and operating the one or more RFID devices. The method comprises the steps of managing one or more RFID devices through a device manager, and operating the one or more RFID devices through the device manager.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.

Abstract: A virtual device residing on a terminal in a host terminal environment is provided. The terminal is in communication with a device. The virtual device comprises a processing module operable to execute at least one action and to process information returned from at the least one executed action, a transformation module operable to transform a command into the at least one action to be executed by the processing module, and a response module operable to form a response to the command to be sent to the host based on the processed information.

Abstract: A method of manipulating a disc tissue of an intervertebral disc is described, the disc has a nucleus pulposus, an annulus fibrosus, and an inner wall of the annulus fibrosus. The method includes providing a catheter having a radiofrequency electrode at a distal region of the catheter and a proximal region for externally guiding the distal region of the catheter within an intervertebral disc. The method also includes positioning the electrode at the inner wall of the annulus fibrosus by applying a sufficient force to advance the catheter through the nucleus pulposus to the inner wall of the annulus fibrosus. The force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus. The method further includes delivering energy to the disc tissue using the electrode.

Abstract: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification management system and method of managing one or more radio frequency identification devices is provided. The radio frequency identification (RFID) management system comprises a device manager for managing one or more RFID devices, and one or more RFID device drivers for communicating with and operating the one or more RFID devices. The method comprises the steps of managing one or more RFID devices through a device manager, and operating the one or more RFID devices through the device manager.

Abstract: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element.

Abstract: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element.

Abstract: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element.

Abstract: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element.

Abstract: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion-compensating (DC) module [740] comprising a first length of DC optical fiber [10] in tandem with a second length of a standard singlemode optical fiber. The DC fiber is fabricated from silica glass and has a refractive index profile that includes a core region [51] surrounded by a cladding region [52] having a nominal refractive index n4. The core region includes a central core [511] having a nominal refractive index n1, a “trench” [512] surrounding the central core having a nominal refractive index n2, and a “ridge” [513] surrounding the trench having a nominal refractive index n3. A range of refractive index profiles has been found that provides relative dispersion slopes (RDS) that are greater than 0.012 nm−1 and figures of merit that are greater than 200 ps/(nm·dB).

Abstract: A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus.