Abstract: A handle is disclosed. The handle is for use with a utensil or tool such as a pan or other cookware. The handle comprises a core and may comprise a grip. The core comprises a base mounting portion coupled to the base and a grip portion including a first member and a second member spaced apart from the first member. Each of the first and second members include a vertical dimension greater than its horizontal dimensions. Bridge portions may extend between the first and second spaced apart members. The grip at least partially surrounds the grip mounting portion and may be overmolded to the core or slid on as a sleeve.

Abstract: A stop for a drill bit having a shaft, the stop having a first member which includes a collet. The collet is configured to receive the shaft of the drill bit and is positionable along the shaft of the drill bit. The stop also has a second member which includes a clamp, for clamping the first member in a desired position along the shaft of the drill bit by securing the collet in a desired position along the shaft of the drill bit. The stop further has an abutment surface on one of the first and second members, for limiting the depth of penetration of the drill bit into an object, the abutment surface being disposed in a fixed position along the shaft of the drill bit by the clamping of the first and second members.

Abstract: A retractor has an elongate body and an expandable shroud. The elongate body has an outer surface and an inner surface partially defining a passage. The elongate body also has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The elongate body is capable of having an enlarged configuration when inserted within the patient. In the enlarged configuration the first longitudinal edge is spaced apart from the second longitudinal edge. The expandable shroud is configured to extend from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge when the first and second edges are spaced apart. The shroud partially defines the passage. The cross-sectional area of said passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of the passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location.

Abstract: A device for retracting tissue provides access to a spinal location within a patient. The device includes an elongate body and a passage. The elongate body has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The elongate body defines a length between the proximal and distal portions along a longitudinal axis such that the distal portion can be positioned inside the patient adjacent the spinal location while the proximal portion is accessible. A transverse cross-section of the elongate body in the proximal portion has a first dimension that is longer than a second dimension. The first dimension is perpendicular to the second dimension. The passage extends through the elongate body between the proximal and distal portions. The elongate body is configured such that the proximal portion may be tilted with respect to the distal portion in a first direction generally aligned with the first dimension and in a second direction generally aligned with the second dimension.

Abstract: A device for provides access to a surgical location within a patient. The device has an elongate body that has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first slot segment, and a second slot segment that is angled relative to said first slot segment. The elongate body defines a passage for accessing the surgical location with surgical instruments. The elongate body has a contracted configuration for insertion into the patient and an expanded configuration for providing access to the surgical location. The cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location of the elongate body is greater than the cross-sectional area of said passage at a second location of the elongate body. A movable tab is configured to extend into the second slot segment when the elongate body is in the expanded configuration to retain the elongate body in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: Optical wireless links automatically align themselves using feedback information that is transmitted over the light beams being aligned. Each link performs an acquisition routine in which its light beam is swept through a pre-defined pattern while transmitting its beam alignment information. When a link receives beam alignment information from a remote link, it updates its transmission to include the alignment information received from the remote link. At some point during the acquisition routine, the remote link will receive its own alignment information “echoed back” from the first link and will re-align its beam accordingly. At some point, each link will have received its own alignment information echoed back from the other link and will have aligned itself to that position. Data communication can begin at that point, or a more refined alignment step can then be performed. The alignment information can be based upon position, sample number, or time transmitted.

Abstract: Optical wireless links automatically re-acquire alignment after detecting the loss of an incoming signal bearing light beam. The loss of the signal may be due to a temporary blockage of the light path, so the devices will await a programmable period of time before attempt to re-align themselves. If re-alignment is required, the devices will first position their light beams to the last known aligned position and will from that point sweep through a pattern seeking to re-align with the remote device. The devices transmit their beam position information during the sweep, which information will be echoed back or fed back to the device once its beam impinges upon the remote devices photodetectors. If the devices cannot re-align, then a second, longer sweep pattern may be performed, starting at some predefined default location.

Abstract: Optical wireless links communicate beam alignment information between them over a collimated, modulated light beam, without the requirement of a secondary channel. The alignment feedback signal can be formatted as control packets that are inserted between data packets traveling over the optical wireless channel, as control packets that are combined with the data packets, as a low frequency modulation of the light beam, or similar approaches. Alignment feedback signals are used by the device receiving the signal to align its light beam using a beam steering device, such as a micro-mirror device. Control signals preferably include x and y coordinate information relating to the position of both devices that are communicating, as well as time stamp, sample number, and similar synchronization information. Control packets are extracted from the data stream by a switch based upon the destination address of the control packets.

Abstract: Optical wireless links automatically align themselves using feedback information that is transmitted over the light beams being aligned. Each link performs an acquisition routine in which its light beam is swept through a pre-defined pattern while transmitting its beam alignment information. When a link receives beam alignment information from a remote link, it updates its transmission to include the alignment information received from the remote link. At some point during the acquisition routine, the remote link will receive its own alignment information “echoed back” from the first link and will re-align its beam accordingly. At some point, each links will have received its own alignment information echoed back from the other link and will have aligned itself to that position. Data communication can begin at that point, or a more refined alignment step can then be performed. The alignment information can be based upon position, sample number, or time transmitted.