Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

Abstract: A method of mitigating contrails produced by an aircraft having a set of gas turbine engines, comprises the steps of (i) for each engine in a first subset of the engines, reducing the operating efficiency of the engine to produce a reduction in thrust provided by that engine and (ii) for each engine in a second subset, increasing the fuel flow to the engine to increase the thrust provided by that engine, the set of at least two gas turbine engines consisting of the first and second subsets. The method provides for contrail mitigation action by means of engine operating efficiency reduction to be directed to a first subset of engines for which contrail mitigation per unit engine operating efficiency reduction is greatest, the resulting reduction in thrust provided by such engines being at least partially compensated by increasing fuel flow to engines of the second subset.

Abstract: An auto bias system, device and/or method for automatically controlling the bias or quiescent point of at least one vacuum tube including separating bias current flow from signal current flow for controlling the bias/quiescent point by algorithmically adjusting the grid bias voltage whilst monitoring the cathode current to establish the correct bias current.

Abstract: A blood component collection system with data manipulation and optimization capabilities. The system comprises a central database, a data manipulation device, and a communication subsystem connected to the central database and the data manipulation device, and one or more extracorporeal blood processing machines. The central database maintains records of total donation volumes contributed by a donor during selected time periods as communicated by the blood processing machine and as determined by the data manipulation device. The records comprise a total red blood cell donation volume and a total plasma donation volume.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least two components. Independent microprocessors are provided on a rotor of a centrifugal separation apparatus, which respond to commands from a control computer, gather sensor data and independently control devices on the rotor to process one or more volumes of a composite liquid such as blood. Multiple microprocessors communicate with the control computer across a single communication channel, such as a pair of slip rings or an infrared communications link.

Abstract: A method (1000) of measuring performance parameters of an imaging device (120, 160) is disclosed. The method (1000) maintains a test pattern image (1005), the test pattern image (1005) comprising alignment features and image analysis features. A test chart (110, 170) containing a representation of the test pattern image is next imaged using the imaging device (120, 160) to form a second image (1010). The test pattern image (1005) and the second image (1010) are then registered using region based matching (1035) operating on the alignment features. Finally, the performance parameters are measured by analysing (1060) the image analysis features.

Abstract: A method (200) of determining at least rotation and scale parameters of a transformation relating two images is disclosed. The method (200) starts by forming a spatial domain representation of each of the images that is invariant to translation of the images. A correlation in the log-polar domain is next performed between the representations. After detecting a magnitude peak in the correlation, the method (200) determines the rotation and scale parameters from the position of the magnitude peak.

Abstract: A method (400) is disclosed for estimating an affine relation between a first image and a second image. The first and second images each have at least 4 non-parallel lines therein. The method (400) starts by identifying (406) sets of intersection points of the lines appearing in each of the images. The method (400) then determines (412) whether a relation between intersection points exists. If the relation exists then the first and second images are affine related and the affine distortion may be inverted (418).

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for generating a barcode (200) representing one or more portions of data is disclosed. A block-based correlatable pattern of data is generated and the generated data patterns are arranged according to a predetermined arrangement. The one or more portions of data are interdispersed with the arranged data patterns to generate the barcode (200).

Abstract: A blood component collection system with manipulation and optimization capabilities. In one embodiment, process parameters are derived from an input/configured predetermined blood component yield and which is based upon the maximization of at least one process parameter. Thereafter, the blood component collection procedure is performed with these derived process control parameters. In another embodiment, process parameters are derived from an input total procedure time from a maximized value for at least one of the other process control parameters so as to maximize blood component yield in this fixed time. Thereafter, the blood component collection procedure is performed with these derived parameters.

Abstract: A blood component collection system with manipulation and optimization capabilities. Process parameters are derived from an input/configured predetermined blood component yield and which is based upon the maximization of at least one process parameter. Thereafter, the blood component collection procedure is performed with these derived process control parameters. Also, process parameters are derived from an input total procedure time from a maximized value for at least one of the other process control parameters so as to maximize blood component yield in this fixed time. Thereafter, the blood component collection procedure is performed with these derived parameters.

Abstract: A method (500) of generating a matching key (599) for an image (501) is disclosed. The matching key (599) is substantially invariant to rotation, scale and translation. The method (500) starts by forming a spatial domain representation of the image (501) that is substantially invariant to translation of the image (501). Rotation and/or scaling in the spatial domain representation is next transformed (580) into translation to form a transformed image. A representation of the transformed image is then formed that is substantially invariant to translation of the transformed image. The representation of the transformed image is the matching key (599) for the image (501).

Abstract: An anti-tampering method for processing documents is disclosed. The method comprises, in regard to an encoding step, the steps of resolving (in a step 2303) in regard to an N-level image to be recorded, a pixel of the image into a major component having N possible values, selecting (in the step 2303) a pattern element depending upon the major component and the position of the pixel in the image, and recording the selected pattern element (in a step 2308) onto a transfer medium. In regard to a corresponding decoding step the method comprises extracting (in a step 2405) from the recorded document, a retrieved pattern element for said pixel, determining a pattern element (in a step 2407) depending upon a major component extracted from the retrieved pattern element and the position of the pixel on the recorded document, and comparing (in a step 2409) the retrieved pattern element and the said determined pattern element.

Abstract: A blood component collection system with data manipulation and optimization capabilities. The system comprises a central database, a data manipulation device, and a communication subsystem connected to the central database and the data manipulation device, and one or more extracorporeal blood processing machines. The central database maintains records of total donation volumes contributed by a donor during selected time periods as communicated by the blood processing machine and as determined by the data manipulation device. The records comprise a total red blood cell donation volume and a total plasma donation volume.

Abstract: A method (200) of enhanced peak detection in a correlation signal (g(x)) is disclosed. The method (200) comprises identifying (215) in the correlation signal (g(x)) positions where the modulus value of the correlation signal is above a first predetermined value. Each of the identified positions is then processed by forming (220) a sub-signal from the correlation signal by isolating a region of samples, the region comprising substantially equal numbers of samples on opposite sides of the identified position. The sub-signal is then up-sampled (221, 222, 225) to a higher resolution using Fourier interpolation. The up-sampled sub-signal is searched (230) for a peak value, and when the peak value is greater than a second predetermined value, parameters associated with the peak value is stored (236).

Abstract: A betting system (1) allows participants to place wagers on events, where those wagers are placed with an organiser. This particular system has been developed to cater for those participants who wish to place wagers on thoroughbred horse races. System (1) is implemented electronically with various computer servers, relays, switches and interfaces and the like.

Abstract: A blood component collection system with data manipulation and/or optimization capabilities. In one embodiment, process parameters are derived from an input and/or configured predetermined blood component yield and which is based upon the maximization of at least one process parameter. Thereafter, the blood component separation and collection procedure is performed with these derived process control parameters. In another embodiment, process parameters are derived from an input total procedure time from a maximized value for at least one of the other process control parameters so as to maximize blood component yield in this fixed time. Thereafter, the blood component separation and collection procedure is performed with these derived parameters.

Abstract: Containers, methods and systems for treating blood or blood component products; whereby the containers are adapted to contain blood products and the containers have connected thereto respective information/identification chips for use in maintaining information about the blood products which may be contained within the containers and whereby the information/identification chips are adapted for having information written to and read from the information/identification chips including the writing of information to an information/identification chip that the respective blood product was subjected to a pathogen inactivation process.

Abstract: A blood component collection system with manipulation and optimization capabilities. In one embodiment, process parameters are derived from an input/configured predetermined blood component yield and which is based upon the maximization of at least one process parameter. Thereafter, the blood component collection procedure is performed with these derived process control parameters. In another embodiment, process parameters are derived from an input total procedure time from a maximized value for at least one of the other process control parameters so as to maximize blood component yield in this fixed time. Thereafter, the blood component collection procedure is performed with these derived parameters.