Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of open and closed wound spinal cord injuries are disclosed. For example, described herein are devices and methods for mitigating secondary injury to, and promoting recovery of, spinal cord primary injuries. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to polymeric mini-tubes that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. In addition, other embodiments are directed to polymeric “fill-in” bandages that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. For example, an erodible, or biodegradable, form of biocompatible polymer of the present invention is fabricated for surgical implantation into the site of the spinal cord injury.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas flow guiding device for use in a crystal-growing furnace. The gas flow guiding device has an insulation layer enclosing a crucible, a gas inlet mounted in the upper insulation layer, and a gas exit formed in the lateral insulation layer. A plurality of guide plates are radially arranged around the opening of the gas inlet, so that the free surface of the melt is blown by the guided gas flow in such a manner that the gas flow takes the impurity away from the free surface efficiently. As a result, the crystal ingot obtained by solidifying the melt will exhibit a reduced concentration of impurities and an improved crystal quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot zone device for use in a crystal-growing furnace. The hot zone device has a gas inlet. The gas inlet is mounted in an insulation layer at a position above the crucible in a manner protruding into an interior of the crucible. The insulation layer is formed with a gas exit. The gas inlet is positioned such that the opening thereof is spaced apart from the free surface of the melt contained in the crucible by a distance substantially equal to or shorter than 10 cm, so as to allow the free surface of the melt to be blown by the guided gas flow in such a manner that the gas flow takes the impurity away from the free surface efficiently. As a result, the crystal ingot obtained by solidifying the melt will exhibit a reduced concentration of impurities and an improved crystal quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas supply device for use in a crystal-growing furnace. The gas supply device has an insulation layer enclosing a crucible, a gas inlet mounted in the insulation layer, and a gas exit formed in the insulation layer. A gas flow guide shield with an adjustable angle is disposed at the opening of the gas inlet, so that the free surface of the melt is blown by the guided gas flow in such a manner that the gas flow takes the impurity away from the free surface efficiently. As a result, the crystal ingot obtained by solidifying the melt will exhibit a reduced concentration of impurities and an improved crystal quality.

Abstract: Provided herein are new methods for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases affecting the spinal cord, including the use of biodegradable polymers to treat spinal cord tumor recessing, i.e., to patch open zones left by spinal tumor removal. Biocompatible polymeric materials are tailored to fill areas previously occupied by tumors, e.g., materials in the form of tubular articles configured for insertion into the spinal column after surgical removal of a tumor. These protective articles may also include medicinal agents that stimulate spinal column neural regeneration, such as medicines or donor neuronal cells such as human neural stem cells, thus assisting patients to recover motorsensory function after spinal tumor surgery.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of open and closed wound spinal cord injuries are disclosed. For example, described herein are devices and methods for mitigating secondary injury to, and promoting recovery of, spinal cord primary injuries. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to polymeric mini-tubes that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. In addition, other embodiments are directed to polymeric “fill-in” bandages that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. For example, an erodible, or biodegradable, form of biocompatible polymer of the present invention is fabricated for surgical implantation into the site of the spinal cord injury.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving respiratory function and inhibiting muscular degeneration (e.g., dystrophy and atrophy). Alternative embodiments of the invention provide a method of inhibiting motor neuron apoptosis and the subsequent muscular degeneration associated with the denervation of muscular tissue resulting from neuron death.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing recovery in a subject suffering from damage to the nervous system. In particular, the invention includes a method for promoting recovery and/or reorganization in the nervous system of a subject in need of enhancement of recovery and/or reorganization of the nervous system as a result of ischemic, hemorrhagic, neoplastic, degenerative, or traumatic damage by focally administering a composition comprising a proteolysis-enhancing agent such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasmin, or a PAI inhibitor to the nervous system of the subject. In some embodiments an additional active agent is also administered. The composition can be delivered using a variety of techniques including injection, via infusion pump, from an implantable microchip, or using a polymeric delivery vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a user's database structure in the network and a method of constructing the same, in particular, to a user's database structure and a method of constructing the same in Ethernet. The structure comprises a set of bytes having a plurality of fields, a main storage layer having the set of bytes, a plurality of sub-storage layers having the set of bytes, a plurality of main connection lines and sub-connection lines, to form a database of tree structure. For retrieval of the user's address data, only the main storage layer, the main connection line and sub-connection lines, and the last sub-storage layer are required to retrieve a user's address data so as to save the storage space occupied by the database.