Abstract:
A spinal implant (100) comprising a plurality of contiguous segments (102, 104, 106) that define a segment array, said plurality of contiguous segments extending from a first side of the segment array to a second side of the segment array in an overlapping configuration, said plurality of contiguous segments operable to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in each of three orthogonal axes (x, y, z). At least one mounting connection (130) is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.
Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods for delivering a biological material into an organelle of a cell are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for introducing biological material into an organelle of a cell can include bringing into proximity outside of a cell a lance and a preselected biological material, charging the lance with a polarity and a charge sufficient to electrically associate the preselected biological material with a tip portion of the lance, and penetrating an outer portion of the cell with the lance and directing and inserting the lance into the cell but outside of the organelle. The method can further include discharging the lance to release at least a portion of the biological material, charging the lance with an opposite polarity and charge sufficient to electrophoretically drive at least a portion of the biological material into the organelle, and withdrawing the lance from the cell.
Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods for delivering a biological material into a cell are provided. In one example, a lance device for introducing biological material into a cell and configured for use in a nanoinjection system including a microscope is provided. Such a device can include a lance having a tip region and a shaft region, wherein the lance is structurally configured to allow entry and movement of the tip region into the cell along an elongate axis of the tip region and along a focal plane of the microscope. In another example, the lance can be configured to allow substantially horizontal entry and movement of the tip region into the cell.
Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods for protecting a biological material during delivery into a biological structure are provided. In one aspect, for example, a device for protecting and delivering a preselected biological material into a biological structure can include a lance operable to maintain a charge capable of associating a biological material thereto and at least one protective region formed on or in the lance, where the protective region protects the biological material during delivery into a biological structure.
Abstract:
An apparatus can comprise multiple links, the multiple links comprising at least a first link, a second link, a third link, and a base link, each of the multiple links comprising a rigid sheet, the first link being hingedly coupled to the second link via a first joint, the second link being hingedly coupled to the third link via a second joint, the third link being hingedly coupled to the base link via a third joint, the base link being hingedly coupled to the first link via a fourth joint. The multiple links defining at least a portion of a cylinder when the apparatus is in a stowed position, the first joint, second joint, third joint, and fourth joint being aligned parallel to each other and aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.
Abstract:
An example barrier can be switchable between an at least partially collapsed state and at least partially expanded state ( e.g. , a deployed state). For example, the barrier can be fonned from a continuous sheet and a plurality of rigid sections ( e.g. , rigid panels) attached or incorporated into the continuous sheet. The barrier can also include a plurality of hinges, such as hinge lines, between the panels that are formed from the continuous sheet. The hinges enable the barrier to be rigid foldable ( e.g. , the hinges can fold and unfold while the rigid sections remain stiff and rigid) between the expanded and collapsed states.
Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods for delivering a biological material into an organelle of a cell are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for introducing biological material into an organelle of a cell includes bringing into proximity a lance and a preselected biological material outside of a cell and charging the lance with a polarity and a charge sufficient to electrically associate the preselected biological material with a tip portion of the lance. The method also includes penetrating an outer portion of the cell with the lance and directing and inserting the lance into an organelle, discharging the lance to release at least a portion of the biological material into the organelle, and withdrawing the lance from the cell.
Abstract:
According to an aspect, a device may include a deployable rolling joint having a first deployable joint member, a second deployable joint member, and a plurality of flexures coupled to the first deployable joint member and the second deployable joint member. The deployable rolling joint may move from an undeployed state to a deployed state in which the first deployable joint member forms a convex surface portion and the second deployable joint member forms a convex surface portion. When the deployable rolling joint is in the deployed state, the convex surface portion of the first deployable joint member may roll with respect the convex surface portion of the second deployable joint member, and the plurality of flexures may hold the first deployable joint member and the second deployable joint member together as the first deployable joint member and the second deployable joint member roll across each other.
Abstract:
According to an aspect, a device may include a shaft, a tool portion including a first arm and a second arm, and a split rolling joint including a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The second curved portion may be coupled to the shaft. The first curved portion may include a first split portion and a second split portion. The first split portion may be coupled to the first arm. The second split portion may be coupled to the second arm. At least one of the first split portion and the second split portion may be configured to roll with respect to the second curved portion such that at least one of the first arm and the second arm can move towards or away from each other.
Abstract:
According to an aspect, a device may include a first member, a second member, and a wrist mechanism disposed between the first member and the second member. The wrist mechanism may include a first cylinder portion coupled to the first member, and a second cylinder portion coupled to the second member. The first cylinder portion may be rollably engaged with the second cylinder portion such that movement of the first cylinder portion with respect to the second cylinder portion is configured to cause the first member to move in at least two directions with respect to the second member. The second cylinder portion may be positioned with respect to the first cylinder portion such that a longitudinal axis of the second cylinder portion is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first cylinder portion.