Abstract: An external fixation frame system may include a first ring, a second ring, and at least three struts configured to couple the first ring to the second ring, each strut having a rotatable head portion and a counter torque portion. The system may also include an adjustment tool that includes a driver portion having an inner engagement portion for engaging the head portion of the strut, an outer engagement portion for engaging the counter torque portion of the strut, and a feedback mechanism rotatably coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions. The tool may further include a plunger having an inner portion positioned at least partially within the inner engagement portion, and an outer portion positioned at least partially between the inner engagement portion and the outer engagement portions, the plunger being axially translatable with respect to the inner and outer engagement portions.

Abstract: An external fixation frame system may include a first ring, a second ring, and at least three struts configured to couple the first ring to the second ring, each strut having a rotatable head portion and a counter torque portion. The system may also include an adjustment tool that includes a driver portion having an inner engagement portion for engaging the head portion of the strut, an outer engagement portion for engaging the counter torque portion of the strut, and a feedback mechanism rotatably coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions. The tool may further include a plunger having an inner portion positioned at least partially within the inner engagement portion, and an outer portion positioned at least partially between the inner engagement portion and the outer engagement portions, the plunger being axially translatable with respect to the inner and outer engagement portions.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can include a processor and a sensor coupled with the processor, the sensor capable of detecting a stimulus, and responding to the stimulus by providing a detection signal to the processor. The portable electronic device can further include an interface unit capable of interacting with a user. The portable electronic device can further include a feedback unit in communication with the interface unit and the processor, the feedback unit providing a feedback response that is perceptible to the user during the interaction, where when the sensor detects the stimulus, the detection signal provided to the processor by the sensor causes the processor to respond by instructing the feedback unit to alter the feedback response.

Abstract: An adjustable length strut includes two joints, a threaded rod extending between the joints, and a tube adapted to receive the threaded rod. An actuation mechanism with gear teeth extending radially outward of the strut axis is rotatably fixed to the threaded rod. A protrusion may be coupled to an end of the threaded rod by a rotatable collar, with the protrusion extending through a slot in the tube to mark the length of the strut. A modular attachment member may be adapted to be couple to the first joint and include a worm gear adapted to engage gear teeth of the actuation mechanism. The modular attachment member may include a radiofrequency identity tag mechanism adapted to be read by a tag reader of a tool, the tool adapted to couple to the attachment member to rotate the worm gear to increase or decrease the effective length of the strut.

Abstract: An adjustable length strut includes two joints, a threaded rod extending between the joints, and a tube adapted to receive the threaded rod. An actuation mechanism with gear teeth extending radially outward of the strut axis is rotatably fixed to the threaded rod. A protrusion may be coupled to an end of the threaded rod by a rotatable collar, with the protrusion extending through a slot in the tube to mark the length of the strut. A modular attachment member may be adapted to be couple to the first joint and include a worm gear adapted to engage gear teeth of the actuation mechanism. The modular attachment member may include a radiofrequency identity tag mechanism adapted to be read by a tag reader of a tool, the tool adapted to couple to the attachment member to rotate the worm gear to increase or decrease the effective length of the strut.

Abstract: A containment system includes a bounded container having a shaped rim region and a sealing multi-hinged lid system engaging respective rim regions and respective closing lid members. Optionally, the wall sections are collapsible and a rim-lid interface and a lid-lid interface are discontinuous to aid sealing. Optionally, a sliding lock function is provided to enhance positive lid closure. An alternative interfitting arrangement provides a positive compressive urging proximate respective contact regions where the lids and the shaped rim interfit, and between lids, to provide air and moisture resistance to the containment system.

Abstract: A new method and gaming system for recovery and relapse prevention for individuals recovering from addictive and compulsive behavior including drugs and/or alcohol is described. The system employs a series of video games configured to reinforce recovery actions, including rehearsing and reinforcing refusal language, which facilitates and expedites the recovery of an individual that has experienced problems with drugs and/or alcohol. The games provide a means of practice and training negative responses to drugs in the game world to assist with drug refusal in real-world settings, and requires the player to employ physical movements as well as verbal commands similar to those used to say ‘no’ to drugs in reality. The system preferably requires the use of a motion detection system and microphone, such as a Microsoft Kinect™ accessory. The system provides an educational and entertaining outlet for players wishing to better their lives by refusing drugs and/or alcohol.

Abstract: An adjustable length strut includes two joints, a threaded rod extending between the joints, and a tube adapted to receive the threaded rod. An actuation mechanism with gear teeth extending radially outward of the strut axis is rotatably fixed to the threaded rod. A protrusion may be coupled to an end of the threaded rod by a rotatable collar, with the protrusion extending through a slot in the tube to mark the length of the strut. A modular attachment member may be adapted to be couple to the first joint and include a worm gear adapted to engage gear teeth of the actuation mechanism. The modular attachment member may include a radiofrequency identity tag mechanism adapted to be read by a tag reader of a tool, the tool adapted to couple to the attachment member to rotate the worm gear to increase or decrease the effective length of the strut.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis for partially or totally replacing an organic intervertebral disc. The disc prosthesis includes an interbody device, a face plate and a pair of locking mechanisms for achieving dual fixation in the cephalad and caudal direction. Methods according to the present disclosure achieve such dual fixation in a single fixation step.

Abstract: A containment system includes a bounded container having a shaped rim region and a sealing multi-hinged lid system engaging respective rim regions and respective closing lid members. Optionally, the wall sections are collapsible and a rim-lid interface and a lid-lid interface are discontinuous to aid sealing. Optionally, a sliding lock function is provided to enhance positive lid closure. An alternative interfitting arrangement provides a positive compressive urging proximate respective contact regions where the lids and the shaped rim interfit, and between lids, to provide air and moisture resistance to the containment system.

Abstract: An external fixation frame system may include a first ring, a second ring, and at least three struts configured to couple the first ring to the second ring, each strut having a rotatable head portion and a counter torque portion. The system may also include an adjustment tool that includes a driver portion having an inner engagement portion for engaging the head portion of the strut, an outer engagement portion for engaging the counter torque portion of the strut, and a feedback mechanism rotatably coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions. The tool may further include a plunger having an inner portion positioned at least partially within the inner engagement portion, and an outer portion positioned at least partially between the inner engagement portion and the outer engagement portions, the plunger being axially translatable with respect to the inner and outer engagement portions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatuses and systems for determining the position of a carrier ring assembly supported by an end effector. In an embodiment, the position of the carrier ring assembly is determined by passing the carrier ring assembly through a plurality of through beam sensors. As the carrier ring passes through the sensors, a plurality of sensor transitions along points on the carrier ring assembly are detected. Each sensor transition indicates that one of the through beam sensors changed from an unblocked state to a blocked state, or changed from an blocked state to an unblocked state. The position of the end effector is recorded at each sensor transition and is associated with the sensor transition that caused the end effector position to be recorded. A position of the carrier ring assembly is then calculated from the plurality of sensor transitions and their associated end effector positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for supporting a substrate are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for supporting a substrate includes a support member; and a plurality of substrate contact elements protruding from the support member, wherein each of the plurality of substrate contact elements includes: a first contact surface to support a substrate when placed thereon; and a second contact surface extending from the first contact surface, wherein the second contact surface is adjacent a periphery of the substrate to prevent radial movement of the substrate, wherein the first contact surface is at a first angle with respect to the support member and the second contact surface is at a second angle with respect to the support member, and wherein the first angle is between about 3 degrees and 5 degrees.

Abstract: A system for provisioning of point-to-point Ethernet data services via a cable provisioning infrastructure, including CPEs, and floor switches that include customer-facing ports, each CPE being connected to a customer-facing port, and a cable operator distribution hub, including aggregation switches, each floor switch being connected to one aggregation switch, a gateway server, and an operations support system server provisioning cable data services to the subscribers, including a host configuration server dynamically allocating network addresses to the CPEs, wherein the aggregation switches and the gateway server are configured to intermediate as a double-relay for initial network address request messages between the CPEs and the host configuration server, whereby the aggregation switches relay the messages to the gateway server, and the gateway server relays the messages to the host configuration server, and wherein the gateway server is operable to add host configuration server options to messages that it

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis for partially or totally replacing an organic intervertebral disc. The disc prosthesis includes an interbody device, a face plate and a pair of locking mechanisms for achieving dual fixation in the cephalad and caudal direction. Methods according to the present disclosure achieve such dual fixation in a single fixation step.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis for partially or totally replacing an organic intervertebral disc. The disc prosthesis includes an interbody device, a face plate and a pair of locking mechanisms for achieving dual fixation in the cephalad and caudal direction. Methods according to the present disclosure achieve such dual fixation in a single fixation step.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for supporting a substrate are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for supporting a substrate includes a support member; and a plurality of substrate contact elements protruding from the support member, wherein each of the plurality of substrate contact elements includes: a first contact surface to support a substrate when placed thereon; and a second contact surface extending from the first contact surface, wherein the second contact surface is adjacent a periphery of the substrate to prevent radial movement of the substrate, wherein the first contact surface is at a first angle with respect to the support member and the second contact surface is at a second angle with respect to the support member, and wherein the first angle is between about 3 degrees and 5 degrees.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses for removing a carrier ring assembly from a carrier that includes tightly pitched slots. Embodiments include a robot arm that comprises an end effector wrist, an end effector that has a maximum thickness less than approximately 3.0 mm and a gripping device for securing a carrier ring assembly to the end effector. According to an embodiment, the gripping device may be a clamping member. One or more actuators may be used to displace the clamping member in a direction relative to the end effector. In an additional embodiment, the gripping device may be an electromagnetic device that includes a plurality of electromagnets that are inserted into a top surface of the end effector. Embodiments further include a vacuum gripping device that includes openings in a top surface of the end effector that are coupled to a vacuum controller by air-lines.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods including pneumatic end effectors for transporting substrates between system components of electronic device manufacturing systems are provided. In one aspect, an end effector has a base adapted to be connected to a robotic component, and one or more pneumatic suction elements positioned on the base. Applying a pneumatic source to the pneumatic suction element draws a substrate into contact with contact pads of the end effector. Methods and systems, as well as numerous other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis for partially or totally replacing an organic intervertebral disc. The disc prosthesis includes an interbody device, a face plate and a pair of locking mechanisms for achieving dual fixation in the cephalad and caudal direction. Methods according to the present disclosure achieve such dual fixation in a single fixation step.