Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of pacifiers, and particularly to pacifiers with integral protective nipple housing and methods thereof. The present invention is particularly adaptable as a pacifier for comforting an infant's suckling instinct, while being capable of integrally providing a protective nipple housing when the pacifier is not being used in order to keep the nipple from getting dirty. The present invention can also be combined with any type of pacifier attachment bands or strings in order to, for example, attach the pacifier to the infant's clothing so that it will not fall on the floor.

Abstract: A spinal prosthesis system includes: an anterior portion having an upper component and a lower component, the upper and lower components capable of relative movement about a first point; a posterior portion separate from the anterior portion, the posterior portion having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions capable of relative movement concentric to the upper and lower components about the first point. In another form, a method includes: determining a motion profile of a vertebral motion segment; determining a point of rotation based upon the motion profile; and manufacturing a spinal stabilization system having an anterior portion and a posterior portion, the anterior and posterior portions each having a center of rotation located at the point of rotation.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing the spine, according to which a first dampening member is compressed in response to compressive loads on the spine, and a second dampening member is compressed in response to tensile loads on the spine.

Abstract: A spinal instrumentation system includes an oblong tension ring having a tension screw receptacle, a pair of compression balls having passages therethrough disposed within the tension ring, and a tension screw. Threading the tension screw into the tension screw receptacle inhibits movement of the compression balls relative to the tension ring and each other, thereby making the system rigid. Fixation screws are inserted through the passages in the compression balls and anchored in bone. One of the fixation screws may be a screw designed to traverse the lamina and including a scalloped segment. A pair of such systems may be posteriorly attached to the vertebrae, one on either side of the spinous process, to fuse the superior segment in a lumbar fusion procedure. The spinal fixation screws traverse the lamina, crossing at their scalloped segments.

Abstract: A connector device for a spinal stabilization apparatus comprises a first elongated member having first and second ends, and is adapted to engage a first spinal stabilizer rod proximal to the first end of the elongated member and is further adapted to engage a spinal cross connector rod proximal to a second end of the first elongated member. The first end of the first elongated member comprises a hook shape and a ferule and may engage the first spinal stabilizer rod within about 20 degrees of perpendicular to the spinal stabilizer rod in any direction. The ferule is adapted to be seated within the hook shape and is further adapted to engage the first spinal stabilizer rod. A second elongated member substantially similar to the first may additionally be used in a spinal stabilization apparatus. The connector device may be used in a method of treating a patient.

Abstract: A device for osteosynthesis that includes a fixation element having at least one through hole designed to receive a pivotable bushing for a bone screw. The through hole has a central axis and a cross-section extending orthogonally to the central axis defined by two incomplete semicircles connected to each other by at least two non-circular cut outs forming grooves in the fixation element. The device also includes at least one bushing insertable in the through hole. The bushing has top and bottom surfaces, a longitudinal axis, a central bore designed to receive a bone screw, and a peripheral outside face having at least two outwardly extending protrusions defining an axis of rotation of the bushing extending through the protrusions. A cross section of the bushing orthogonal to the longitudinal axis is shaped such that the bushing is pivotable about the axis of rotation defined by the protrusions.

Abstract: A bone loss plate for the rigid fixation of a bone having a bone gap where portions of the bone are absent, the plate includes an elongated fixation plate having a first plate side, a second plate side, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion and a tubularly-shaped containment cage connected to the second plate side of the elongated fixation plate, the tubular containment cage having a length shorter than the elongated fixation plate.

Abstract: An enclosure device connecting a pedicle fixation device with an elongated spinal fixation member. The enclosure device can include an enclosure member and an elongated guide member affixed to the enclosure member and defining a fracture region for breaking off the guide member from the enclosure member. The enclosure member can have a spherical outer surface rotatably received within a receiver portion of the pedicle fixation device. The enclosure member can include an internal bore capable of slidably receiving the fixation member.

Abstract: In order to configure, in such a way as to be capable of being employed in a simple and secure manner and produced cost-effectively, a surgical connecting element for fixing adjacently arranged bone plates, comprising a first bearing element, a second bearing element and a coupling element, by means of which the first and second bearing element can be coupled to each other in such a way that bone plates lying between the first and second bearing element can be fixed, it is proposed that the second bearing element and the coupling element be so designed and adapted to each other that, by relative movement between the coupling element and the second bearing element transversely to a clamping direction, the bone plates are fixable between the first and the second bearing element.

Abstract: An implantable medical device detects conditions such as a lead failure which may result in oversensing a physiologic condition. In response, the IMD automatically adjusts sensing thresholds, such as the number of intervals to detection in order to mitigate the effect of oversensing in the delivery of extraneous therapy.

Abstract: A medical implant has a stimulation pulse generator and an evoked response detector that senses an IEGM signal in an evoked response detection time window following delivery of a stimulation pulse, in order to distinguish capture from loss of capture based on a parameter, from among a number of parameters, of the IEGM signal. A setting unit sets a minimum tolerable difference between the value of the selected parameter obtained as a result of capture and obtained as a result of loss of capture, respectively. The selected parameter that is used to distinguish capture from loss of capture can be the parameter for which the minimum tolerable difference is obtained with the shortest evoked response detection time window, or the parameter for which a calculated difference, between the value of the parameter resulting from capture and the value of the parameter resulting from loss of capture, has a maximum difference from the minimum tolerable difference.

Abstract: Methods and devices configured for analyzing sensing vectors in an implantable cardiac stimulus system. In an illustrative example, a first sensing vector is analyzed to determine whether it is suitable, within given threshold conditions, for use in cardiac event detection and analysis. If so, the first sensing vector may be selected for detection and analysis. Otherwise, and in other examples, one or more additional sensing vectors are analyzed. A polynomial may be used during analysis to generate a metric indicating the suitability of the sensing vector for use in cardiac event detection and analysis. Additional illustrative examples include systems and devices adapted to perform at least these methods, including implantable medical devices, and/or programmers for implantable medical devices, and/or systems having both programmers and implantable medical devices that cooperatively analyze sensing vectors.

Abstract: A system for stimulation, including an implantable pulse generator, a lead comprising an array body disposed at a distal end of the lead and a plurality of electrodes concentrically arranged on the array body, and a plurality of conductors, wherein one of the conductors is attached to each electrode and wherein the conductors are configured and arranged to couple the electrodes to the implantable pulse generator.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for modifying a property of a brain of a subject, including at least one electrode, configured to be positioned in a vicinity of a mucous membrane of a palate of an oral cavity of the subject. A control unit is configured to drive the electrode to apply an electrical current to the mucous membrane, and to configure the current to be capable of inducing an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a target of interest of a living subject with reduction of power consumption. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of delivering a plurality of pulses to the target of interest in a substantially repeating pattern for a first period of time, T1, which is immediately followed by a second period of time, T2, during which no pulses are delivered to the target of interest, wherein the plurality of pulses is delivered such that any two neighboring pulses of the plurality of pulses are occurred in a third period of time, T3; and repeating the delivering step for a predetermined times, where T1 and T2 are in the order of milliseconds, and T1>T3 and T2?T3.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for pulsed electric field neuromodulation via an intra-to-extravascular approach. The apparatus includes a pulsed electric field generator and at least one electrode electrically coupled to the pulsed electric field generator. The electrode is configured for intravascular delivery, and extravascular placement, via an intra-to-extravascular approach. The electrode is configured for extravascular delivery of a pulsed electric field to induce neuromodulation.

Abstract: A method for preventing and/or ameliorating inflammation. The method comprises irradiating a biological subject with an electromagnetic wave from an emitter, wherein the electromagnetic wave has a wavelength of about 1.5 to 100 ?m ?m, and the biological subject can be a peripheral vascular disease patient. Additionally, the method of the invention can improve the access blood flow and unassisted patency of arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients.

Abstract: An osteogenic stimulus device having at least a pair of electrode coupled to a working circuit is presented for use in applying a therapeutic electrical signal to, in, around, and across an osseous structure to aid in the healing and bone growth process in which the therapeutic electrical signal is a function of the electrical impedance of the fractured bone. The working circuit of the osteogenic stimulus device includes an impedance measurement sub-circuit, a therapeutic application sub-circuit, and a switch sub-circuit. The kit for the osteogenic stimulus device includes the uncoupled components of the device. The method of using the osteogenic stimulus device includes the acts of activating, applying, assessing, coupling, joining, mounting, obtaining, and removing.

Abstract: This invention presents a standalone osteogenic stimulus device and a method of using the device. The standalone osteogenic stimulus device includes a housing in which a pair of electrodes and a power supply are attached to the housing. The pair of electrodes and the power supply are coupled together to provide a therapeutic electric signal across the electrode pair. The device may be mounted in any osseous structure such as a fractured bone, a cracked bone, a weakened bone, a decalcified bone, a diseased bone, and even in a void where a portion of bone in order to simulate the healing process of the osseous structure. The method includes the acts of charging, closing, mounting, obtaining, opening, and sterilizing.

Abstract: A system and method for activating electrodes in an implanted electrode array with a stimulation signal is described. A stimulation definition stage, for each of a plurality of defined sound signal characteristics (C), assigns each electrode to one of a plurality of stimulation groups (G) each having an associated group stimulation amplitude function (A), where (G) varies with (C). An electrode stimulator activates each electrode as the stimulation signal varies based on spectral components of the stimulation signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of an improved implantable medical device system for orientation-independent telemetry to and from the device are disclosed. The system includes an external controller which produces an electromagnetic field to induce a current in a coil in the implantable medical device and vise versa. In a preferred embodiment, the external controller comprises three orthogonal coils, each of which is potentially activated to generate or receive the electromagnetic field. Algorithms are disclosed to allow for the choice of one or more of the coils best suited for telemetry based on the chosen coil's orientation with respect to the telemetry coil in the implantable medical device. Because all three of the orthogonal coils are potentially activated if necessary, the result is that at least one of the coils will be in a proper orientation with respect to the coil in the implantable medical device, thereby improving telemetry efficiency.

Abstract: A patient device (10) having a first interface (20) for the wireless transmission of data from and to an implant and having a second interface (22) for the remote data communication with a central service center and having a third interface (24) different from the first and second interfaces, the third interface (24) being implemented for connecting a programming device to the patient device (10) and the patient device (10) being implemented to relay programming data received via the third interface (24) on the part of a programming device to the first interface (20) and wirelessly transmit it to an implant.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that are capable of selectively treating a vein using photothermolysis techniques, where an electromagnetic radiation is applied to tissue containing the vein. The radiation can be selected so that it may be more effectively absorbed by veins as compared to arteries. Thus, unwanted thermal damage to arteries in the vicinity of the vein being treated can be reduced or avoided. The radiation can have a frequency of approximately 654 nm, which can provide a ratio of absorption by veins to absorption by arteries of about 3.7. Other wavelengths near 654 nm may be provided, for example, which can have an absorption ratio greater than, e.g., about 3.3 to 3.6.

Abstract: A phototherapy apparatus is disclosed including: a handpiece including a body member and a grip; a plurality of elongated light transmitting elements, each of the elements extending between a proximal end enclosed within the body member and a distal end located outside of and distal to the body member; an ultraviolet light source; a light collection element; and one or more optical coupling elements. The proximal ends of the light transmitting elements are located in close proximity to each other The light collection element is configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source. The one or more optical coupling elements are configured to direct at least a portion of the collected light to the proximal ends of the light transmitting elements to couple at least portion of the collected light into the light transmitting elements The light coupled into each of the light transmitting elements is transmitted along the element and emitted from the distal end.

Abstract: A phototherapy apparatus for the treatment of skin disease is disclosed including: an at least partially hollow body element; a plurality of light emitting elements enclosed within the body element; and a plurality of elongated light transmitting elements, each of the light transmitting elements having a proximal end detachably affixed to the body element in proximity to one or more of the light emitting elements, and extending to an end distal the body element. For each of the elongated light transmitting elements, at least a portion of light incident from the light emitting elements onto the proximal end is directed through the light transmitting element and emitted from the distal end.

Abstract: A phototherapy device is disclosed including: a handpiece; and a beamshaping element housed in the handpiece. The beamshaping element is adapted to receive a beam of light from an ultraviolet light source, modify the shape of the beam, and direct the modified beam to provide illumination of a region of a treatment surface, the region, having a cross section at the treatment surface with an irregularly shaped boundary. In some embodiments, the irregularly shaped boundary is composed of one or more segments, each segment being sinusoid-like. In some embodiments, the beamshaping element includes a screen disposed between the light source and the treatment surface, the screen including a light transmissive region with an irregularly shaped boundary, and where the irregularly shaped boundary of the illuminated area corresponds to the irregularly shaped boundary of the light transmissive region.

Abstract: A phototherapy apparatus is disclosed including: a body member; a plurality of elongated light transmitting elements, each of the elements extending between a proximal end enclosed within the body member and a distal end located outside of and distal to the body member; where the tips of the proximal ends of the light transmitting elements are located in close proximity to each other; and an optical connector configured to detachably receive an end of a lightguide and to couple light delivered by the lightguide from a source into the light transmitting elements at the proximal ends. The light coupled into each of the light transmitting elements is transmitted along the element and emitted from the distal end.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for recording, and/or stimulation, and/or blocking of a nerve make use of a molded nerve cuff electrode. One or more electrodes are positioned in one or more frames within a casing. The exterior surface of the casing is wrapped in an insulating material, and the wrapped casing is positioned within a cover tube. One or more additional electrodes may be positioned anywhere outside of the casing. An applicator tool having a body to hold the molded nerve cuff in an expanded configuration is used to implant the cuff about a nerve.

Abstract: A medical system for electrical stimulation includes a first column of electrodes, a second column of electrodes, an expandable member disposed between first and second columns, and an expansion mechanism adapted to transmit an externally applied pressure to the expandable member. The pressure expands the expandable member in order to force the first column of electrodes apart from the second column of electrodes. The first and second columns, disposed side-by-side, may be inserted through a percutaneous needle and into a epidural space, alongside a spinal cord; after insertion, the first column may be forced apart from the second column by applying the pressure to the expandable member.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead configured for use in stimulating the left side of the heart (i.e., the left ventricle). In one embodiment, the lead includes an elongate lead body including an inner surface. An inflatable member is disposed on the outer surface of the body between its proximal and distal ends, the inflatable member being adapted when inflated to impart a radial force on and frictionally engage a surface of the coronary sinus or coronary vein for fixation of the distal end of the lead therein. The lead further includes a conductive member extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, and an inner insulating layer positioned between the conductive member and the inner surface of the body. Separation between the inner insulating layer and the inner surface of the body defines an inflation lumen in fluid communication with the inflatable member.

Abstract: The position of a prosthesis (e.g., a stent-graft) is monitored using non-ionizing energy during deployment and/or sheath pull-back after the prosthesis has been positioned at a desired location in a vessel.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to endoprosthesis delivery systems and related methods.

Abstract: A medical device which defines a lumen for flowing a bodily fluid from an upstream end of the device to a downstream end thereof is disclosed. The device has a luminal wall (14) that extends between the upstream and downstream ends and defines the lumen within which the fluid flows. The wall exhibits a succession of protuberances spaced from each other along the length of the device. Each protuberance has a flank facing upstream (54) and a flank facing downstream (64), the flank facing upstream extending into the fluid flow so that a radially outermost part of the flow of fluid from the upstream to the downstream end of the device impinges on the upstream flank and is thereby caused to reverse its flow, and flow upstream from the upstream flank to the downstream flank of the next adjacent protuberance upstream, creating micro-vortices between two adjacent protuberances.

Abstract: A guidewire assembly for use in deploying a bifurcated endoluminal vascular prosthesis that has a main graft portion and at least a first branch graft portion The guidewire assembly include a hollow guidewire sheath having a restraint mechanism, such as a tubular sheath, for constraining a branch graft portion of the vascular prosthesis and an inner core wire that is slidably insertable into a central lumen of the hollow guidewire sheath. In use, the guidewire assembly may be used with a deployment catheter to deploy the bifurcated vascular prosthesis and leave the inner core wire in position in the patient's aorta, extending through the main graft portion of the vascular prosthesis.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently than other cells of the stent. The side branch structure comprises a first serpentine ring extending around the inner side branch cell. The first serpentine ring comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns connected by straight struts. The inner turns are distributed around a reference circle centered upon a side branch center point. The side branch structure further comprises a second serpentine ring extending around the first serpentine ring. The second serpentine ring comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns connected by straight struts. The second serpentine ring has the same number of inner turns and outer turns as the first serpentine ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of agents, including an anti-proliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-growth factor, and an extracellular matrix (ECM) molecule coated on a stent to prevent acute and subacute thrombosis, enhance endothelial in-growth, and prevent neointimal hyperplasia, and/or suppress neovascularization, and thereby reduce restenosis rates for drug eluting stents. The present invention also relates to methods of using such multiple drug eluting stents for the treatment of heart disease and other vascular conditions.

Abstract: An implant comprising a first, second, and third segment wherein the second and third segments partially overlap the first segment and define a load bearing surface comprising an anterior-posterior (AP) curvature including at least two tangential curves of the portion of the articular surface of the femoral condyle, the tangential curves having different radii of curvature. A drill guide comprises a body portion including a first, second and third bushing spaced along the body portion to establish a first, second and third axes, respectively. Each axis may be substantially normal to the articular surface at three different points along a curvature of the articular surface comprising the two tangential curves. A measuring device comprises a housing defining a longitudinally passageway and an outrigger. A guide pin may be received in the longitudinal passageway and a measuring device determines how far the guide pin is in the passageway.

Abstract: A pre-molded fully-cured filling injection port (septum/annular plug) made of the same or substantially the same material as the in-situ curing nuclear filling material is disclosed as a device and method of improved intervertebral disc arthroplasty or augmentation.

Abstract: An interbody device that restores the disc space height between two vertebrae during spinal fusion surgery. The device includes a center plate surrounded by a perimeter portion that combine to have a relatively flat configuration in one dimension and relatively wide configuration in a perpendicular dimension. After the disc space has been cleared, the device is inserted into the disc space in a direction so that the wide dimension of the device is substantially parallel to the body of the vertebrae. The device is then rotated so that the wide dimension of the device becomes perpendicular to the vertebral body so as to cause the disc space height to be restored. Bone graft material is then introduced through a fill tube coupled to the device so that the bone graft material is distributed on both sides of the center plate and into the disc space.

Abstract: A minimally invasive interbody device assembly that includes an interbody device that restores the disc space height between two vertebrae and an instrument detachably coupled to the interbody device for positioning the device in the disc space and delivering bone material to the disc space that is distributed on both sides of the interbody device. The device is inserted into the disc space using the instrument in a direction so that the wide dimension of the device is substantially parallel to the body of the vertebrae. The device is then rotated by the instrument so that the wide dimension of the device becomes perpendicular to the vertebral body so as to cause the disc space height to be restored. Bone graft material is then forced down the instrument so that the bone graft material is distributed on both sides of the device. The instrument is then detached from the device.

Abstract: Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.

Abstract: A modular prosthetic acetabulum apparatus for use in reconstruction of a hip joint by placement in an acetabulum cavity has a supporting plate with a shape suitable for placement in the acetabulum cavity, an anchor cooperative with the supporting plate for adjustably positioning the supporting plate in the acetabulum cavity, a spacer locked onto the supporting plate and selectively rotatable with respect to the supporting plate, and a cup affixed within the spacer. The supporting plate has an annular internal surface cooperative and complementary to a tapered annular exterior surface of the spacer. The cup has a tapered exterior surface complementary to and cooperative with an annular tapered interior in the spacer.

Abstract: A method for treating a vertebral bone comprises providing a plurality of hollow microparticles and providing a flowable and settable bone filling material. The method further comprises mixing the plurality of hollow microparticles with the bone filling material to form a bone augmentation material. The method further comprises inserting an injection device into the vertebral bone and injecting the bone augmentation material from the injection device and into the vertebral bone.

Abstract: A safety stilt for users requiring extended access to overhead or elevated surfaces has two slidably mated shells able to be adjusted to a variety of heights. Foot attachment means are attached to a top surface on the upper shell and a base defines a greater surface area than the surface area defined by the top surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for controlling access to the gas supply of a stove and other similar appliances which utilize lit gas as a heat source. The present invention consists of a control device which controls a valve which can enable or disable the gas line to a stove. The control device consists of a keypad and a digital display. To use the device, a user first enters a PIN or other code into the control device. If the code is correct, the user is allowed to set a time limit for which the valve will allow gas to flow from the input gas line to the stove. After the expiration of the timer on the control device, the valve automatically stops the flow of gas from the input gas line to the stove. This has the effect of only allowing a person with the correct access code the ability to utilize the stove. Thus, small children and other unauthorized users cannot gain access to the stove or accidentally turn it on.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for detecting collisions in a three-dimension environment, comprising the steps of establishing a projection path along a translational path of a first object toward a second object; projecting a first object outline from said first object with a second object outline from said second object to obtain an intersection; calculating a collision along said translational path from said intersection of said first object outline and said second object outline; and checking for a static collision between said first object and said second object at an end of said translational path and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.

Abstract: A device for remotely controlling the functional status of a computer, including an input that is adapted to receive telephone calls or SMS messages, an output that is coupled to the motherboard of the computer and adapted to communicate with the motherboard of the computer, an electronic circuit that is adapted to control the output responsive to instructions provided to the input; and wherein the device is adapted to turn on the computer responsive to instructions provided to the input by a remote transmission.

Abstract: An operation monitor for performing control operation and monitoring of a plant through an operation monitor screen includes a transparent sheet display section for superposing a transparent sheet and entered information thereon for display on the operation monitor screen and storage sections for retaining an operation monitor screen file, an entered information file, and correspondence information between the operation monitor screen file and the entered information file.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recording music online using music recording software executable in a Web browser and for submitting the recording to a music competition conducted over the Internet are described. A user downloads pre-recorded musical beat tracks and music recording software. The software allows the user to record (with the use of a microphone) a vocal track which is an original lyrical track by the user and which is then mixed with the pre-recorded musical beat track, to form a final complete track. The final track is uploaded to a Web site, from which the musical beat tracks and the software were downloaded, and saved with the user profile. It is available for others to listen to and may be submitted by the user to a music track competition.

Abstract: Described is a technology for managing audio playback queues maintained in separate memory spaces, e.g., in a game console, such that that audio playback continues upon transitioning between states (including reboots) that change a memory space's contents. For example, before transitioning from a dashboard mode to a game playing mode, the playback queue in memory space used for the dashboard (and the game) is copied to a second queue in a second (e.g., operating system) memory space. The dashboard queue's contents (often large) are truncated as necessary to fit in the relatively smaller queue space. When transitioning from a game to the dashboard mode, copying the queue back takes place after the dashboard is operational. A third type of queue corresponding to a container of an audio source is also managed, including copying its contents when appropriate to the memory that has the queue currently being used for playback.