Abstract: An apparatus including a body, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector configured to grasp and transmit RF energy to the tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first tissue grasping feature and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position. The second jaw includes a proximal taper having a proximal electrode surface, a distal taper including a distal electrode surface, and a juncture between the proximal and distal electrode surface. The juncture is spaced further from the first tissue grasping feature compared to the proximal and distal end while the second jaw is in the partially closed position. The proximal and distal electrode surface deform to define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to methods and compositions for treating disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS). These disorders include neurometabolic disorders such as lysosomal storage diseases that affect the central nervous system, e.g., Niemann-Pick A disease. They also include disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The disclosed methods involve contacting an axonal ending of a neuron with a composition containing high titer AAV carrying a therapeutic transgene so that the AAV vector is axonally transported in a retrograde fashion and transgene product is expressed distally to the administration site.

Abstract: Performance of delivery systems for delivering beneficial agents to an animal are monitored to determine the delivery rate of the beneficial agent and the proper operation of the beneficial agent delivery device. Performance monitoring can be achieved by monitoring the physical configuration of the implanted osmotic delivery device from the exterior of the body to determine the amount of beneficial agent delivered and/or the delivery rate of the beneficial agent. The monitoring of the physical configuration of the implanted osmotic delivery device may be performed in different manners such as by X-ray or fluoroscopic monitoring of the implant structure or magnetic determination of a piston location within the implant. Performance monitoring can also be achieved by use of a performance marker within the beneficial agent to produce a specifically detectable response which can be measured noninvasively in body fluids or by-products.

Abstract: A plastics material with at least first and second layers of plastic polymeric material, the material of the first layer having a melting point lower than the melting point of the material of the second layer. The layers are orientated and heated to at least the melting point of the first layer so that the first layer breaks up to form an irregular surface pattern bonded to the second layer. A method of producing the plastics material is also provided, the orientation and heating being done sequentially or simultaneously. The material has cloth-like properties with a "soft" feel and with minimal noise.