Abstract: A power tool for removing an intervertebral disc and preparing vertebral endplates is described. The power tool may include a cutting element, and the height of the cutting element may be adjustable. The cutting element may be a braided cable and may include one or more beads to enhance the effectiveness of the cable. The cutting element may have a minimum height requirement, which may not be satisfied in patients with a collapsed disc due to degenerative disc disorder. For these patients, also described are bone tamps for increasing the intervertebral distance and providing access to tissues distal to the tamp. One type of bone tamp features an inflatable balloon with an inner lumen. Another type of bone tamp includes an expanding distal end and an inner cannula. Also described is a manual expander scraper tool that is compatible with both types of bone tamp.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and computer program products for altering delivery of a piece by altering either the delivery address, mode of processing, and/or the mode of delivery. The invention provide an indicia associated with the piece of mail including instructions that are at least one of a different delivery address, mode of processing, or a mode of delivery than that originally designated for the piece of mail. During mail sorting and processing, the indicia associated with the piece of mail are analyzed. Either the delivery address, mode of processing, and/or mode of delivery currently associated with the piece of mail are altered to conform with the delivery address, mode of processing, and/or mode of delivery indicated by the indicia. In some embodiments, the indicia is altered by on a business parameter, such as a monetary value associated with the contents of the piece of mail.

Abstract: Determining election reauthorization is disclosed, including using a system to: receive one or more inputs of values, determine an available cash flow based at least in part on the inputted values; determine whether a reauthorization of bonds is required based at least in part on the determined available cash flow; and determine that an aggregate of an amount of bonds issued so far and an amount of bonds to reauthorize does not exceed a limit associated with a bonding capacity associated with a state statute.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a group of people to purchase tickets are described. The group of people does not necessarily have to purchase such tickets at the same time, yet are able to sit together at the event as a group.

Abstract: Labels and methods for removing a portion of a release liner from a label are disclosed. An example baggage label includes a release liner includes a first line of weakness including a first tapered or curved portion. The first line of weakness includes a first end that intersects the first edge and a second end between the first edge and the second edge and substantially orthogonally coupled to a score. A tab is formed in the release liner and defined by at least the first edge, the second edge and the first line of weakness. The tab is structured so that removal of the tab from the substrate forms a first tear in the release liner that diagonally extends from the second end of the first line of weakness and forms a tail between the first tear and the score to enable removal of the tab.

Abstract: Labels and methods for removing a portion of a release liner from a label are disclosed. An example labels includes a substrate, a layer of adhesive on the substrate, a layer of release coating in contact with the layer of adhesive, and a release line in contact with the release coating. The release liner includes a first edge, a second edge, and a first line of weakness. The first line of weakness includes a tapered or curved portion and extends from the first edge of the release liner to between the first edge and the second edge of the release liner.

Abstract: A novel furnace and scrubber assembly which generates electrical energy by the initial combustion of material and a methodology which causes such electrical energy to be generated. Further, a novel scrubber technology which improves both scrubber efficiency and furnace efficiency while recovering energy from a furnace exhaust stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for accessing a spinal disc. In an embodiment, a system for accessing a spinal disc disposed within internal body structures includes a sonar probe. The sonar probe emits sound waves into the internal body structures to create return signals. The system also includes a retractor and a monitoring system. The monitoring system includes an ultrasound imaging screen. The ultrasound imaging screen displays images of the internal body structures from the return signals. The ultrasound imaging screen provides a visual identification of a nerve when disposed in the internal body structures.

Abstract: Porous ceramic articles may be produced by using a gas as a pore former, where the gas is injected into a ceramic precursor batch material and mixed. Pressure is then applied to mixture such that the gas liquefies. The pressure is maintained during formation of a green body, maintaining the gas in a liquefied state. After formation of the green body, the pressure is removed whereby the gas returns to a gaseous state, creating pores in the green body. The green body may then be fired to produce a porous ceramic article.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant indicator is disclosed. The indicator includes a front panel configured to be located on an outside surface of a door. The indicator also includes a back panel configured to be located on an inside surface of the door. The indicator also includes a turning indicator, including a springy living hinge, wherein said turning indicator has a front part disposed on the front panel and a back part disposed on the back panel, and the two parts communicate with each other via a rotatable axis or shaft member configured to pass through an opening bored through the door, and wherein the axis or shaft member is coupled between the front and back parts of the indicator, such that rotation of the back part of the indicator rotates the axis or shaft member, which in turn rotates the front part of the indicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the purification of polypeptides and the removal of endotoxin via immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). More specifically, the invention relates to methods for removing bacterial endotoxin in a protein solution. In specific embodiments, the invention relates to the elimination of endotoxin from Moraxella catarrhalis outer membrane proteins.

Abstract: A surgical instrument handle including a base, a lever, and an actuator rod. The base defines opposed upper and lower faces, a proximal region, a distal region, an intermediate region, and a bend along the lower face at a transition from the intermediate region to the distal region. The lever defines a leading end, a trailing end, and opposed first and second major faces. The lever and the base are juxtaposed relative to each other, with the trailing end of the lever being pivotally connected to the proximal region of the base such that the lever pivots between an open position and a closed position. The rod includes a first end connected to the lever and a second end distal the base. With this configuration, a user grips the handle in a pistol grip-like fashion, with the bend promoting ergonomically correct handling.

Abstract: Implement and method for determining the temperature of an extremity of a living being, as a result of which the load-bearing capacity of the relevant body part can be determined. This is based on the flow rate of the blood in the relevant extremity. It is proposed to provide everyday objects with a temperature sensor which may be a contact sensor or radiation sensor and, in a range between 27.5 and 30.5° C., emits a signal which differs from a signal when the temperature of the relevant extremity is outside this range. Surprisingly, it has been found that if the temperature is within the range, optimum conditions for load-bearing capacity of the relevant extremity are given. Parts of this type which may be gripped by the extremity may include a wide range of parts.

Abstract: Porous ceramic articles may be produced by using a gas as a pore former, where the gas is injected into a ceramic precursor batch material and mixed. Pressure is then applied to mixture such that the gas liquefies. The pressure is maintained during formation of a green body, maintaining the gas in a liquefied state. After formation of the green body, the pressure is removed whereby the gas returns to a gaseous state, creating pores in the green body. The green body may then be fired to produce a porous ceramic article.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant indicator is disclosed. The indicator includes a front panel configured to be located on an outside surface of a door. The indicator also includes a back panel configured to be located on an inside surface of the door. The indicator also includes a turning indicator, including a springy living hinge, wherein said turning indicator has a front part disposed on the front panel and a back part disposed on the back panel, and the two parts communicate with each other via a rotatable axis or shaft member configured to pass through an opening bored through the door, and wherein the axis or shaft member is coupled between the front and back parts of the indicator, such that rotation of the back part of the indicator rotates the axis or shaft member, which in turn rotates the front part of the indicator.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and computer program products for altering delivery of a piece by altering either the delivery address, mode of processing, and/or the mode of delivery. The invention provide an indicia associated with the piece of mail including instructions that are at least one of a different delivery address, mode of processing, or a mode of delivery than that originally designated for the piece of mail. During mail sorting and processing, the indicia associated with the piece of mail are analyzed. Either the delivery address, mode of processing, and/or mode of delivery currently associated with the piece of mail are altered to conform with the delivery address, mode of processing, and/or mode of delivery indicated by the indicia. In some embodiments, the indicia is altered by on a business parameter, such as a monetary value associated with the contents of the piece of mail.

Abstract: Advanced remote self-contained chromatographic systems and techniques for analyzing a mixture comprising components having a wide range of boiling points. The chromatographic systems and techniques can utilize components and techniques that allow staged, simultaneous, and/or sequential vaporization of an analyte to facilitate rapid analysis. The chromatographic systems and techniques can also utilize components and techniques that focus eluents from a first separation stage prior to reduce characterization time in subsequent stages.

Abstract: Labels and methods for removing a portion of a release liner from a label are disclosed. An example labels includes a substrate, a layer of adhesive on the substrate, a layer of release coating in contact with the layer of adhesive, and a release line in contact with the release coating. The release liner includes a first edge, a second edge, and a first line of weakness. The first line of weakness includes a tapered or curved portion and extends from the first edge of the release liner to between the first edge and the second edge of the release liner.

Abstract: A lid (2) for a container (67), the lid (2) comprising a first plastic layer (15) including a portion having at least one colored pigment and a second plastic layer (14) including at least one thermochromic substance capable of becoming translucent upon reaching a predetermined temperature in response to heat transfer from or to contents of the container so as to reveal the colored pigment of the first layer. Alternatively, there is described a lid comprising a layer with a portion (62,63) that becomes either observable or non-observable at the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Device for detecting a pressure force exerted by a human muscle. If a sensor measures that a defined force is exceeded, a signal is emitted. This signal is used to indicate to the relevant person that he needs to modify his behavior. To determine the teaching effect of this signal, it is proposed for these signals to be stored in a memory and for the stored values to read out after a certain time and compared with more recent signals. The device can be used, inter alia, in a writing instrument which measures both the gripping force on the writing instrument and the writing pressure.