Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods for creation of autologous tissue valves within a mammalian body are disclosed. One example of a device for creating a valve flap from a vessel wall includes an elongate tubular structure having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a longitudinal axis; a first lumen having a first exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a second lumen having a second exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a recessed distal surface on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure, wherein the recessed distal surface is located distally to the first exit port; and an open trough on the recessed distal surface extending longitudinally from the first exit port.

Abstract: A driving instrument for adjusting a spinal implant includes an outer shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a proximal adjustment assembly of a spinal implant, and an inner shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a distal adjustment assembly of the spinal implant. The inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft, with a proximal end of the inner shaft extending proximally from the outer shaft. The proximal end is configured to be rotated such that rotation of the inner shaft results in simultaneous rotation of the inner and outer shafts, with rotation of the outer shaft ceasing at a first value of resistance associated with the proximal adjustment assembly and rotation of the inner shaft ceasing at a second value of resistance associated with the distal adjustment assembly such that cessation of rotation of the inner shaft is independent from cessation of rotation of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A telecommunications satellite including a receiver that receives a first stream of data packets transmitted by a first transmission site and a second stream of data packets transmitted by a second transmission site, a stream analyzer that aligns the data packets in the first stream and the data packets in the second stream, analyzes corresponding data packets in the first stream and the second stream to identify missing or corrupted data packets, and selects data packets to place into forward transmission based upon the analysis, and a transmitter that transmits the selected data packets to at least one receive site.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes an outer housing and an end plate assembly coupled with the outer housing. The outer housing defines an aperture and a longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the end plate assembly is slidably received within the outer housing. The end plate assembly includes a first end plate configured to engage a vertebral body, wherein the end plate assembly is selectively movable between a first position in which the first end plate is spaced apart from the outer housing and a second position in which the first end plate is adjacent the outer housing. Further, the first end plate is selectively adjustable to an angular orientation of a plurality of angular orientations with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer housing.

Abstract: Provided is a novel rod reducing device including a screw jack mechanism that is moveably engaged with an elongated grasping fork assembly, the screw jack mechanism having an elongated threaded portion, the elongated threaded portion being connected at its most distal end to a rod contact member, which is positioned in sliding circumferential contact with each of the two opposing elongated grasping members and the most proximal end of the elongated threaded portion terminating in a controlling member, which can be activated in a measured and controlled manner. A method of using the device is also provided.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a packaging includes a first panel including a first end and a second end, wherein first and second opposing perimeter side edges define the first panel and extend between the first end and the second end, and a first area having an inside surface is defined by the first end, the second end, and the perimeter side edges. A second panel includes a third end and a fourth end, wherein third and fourth opposing perimeter side edges define the second panel and extend between the third end and the fourth end, a second area having an inside surface is defined by the third end, the fourth end, and the perimeter side edges and wherein the second end is coupled to the third end at a first fold line. First and second tongues extend from third and fourth opposing perimeter side edges, respectively, at second and third fold lines, respectively.

Abstract: A shaped package formed of a blank of paper card stock. The blank may be a single panel which is cut to have two shaped, substantially symmetrical portions, which when bent along a hinge, forms the shaped package. The panel includes tongues or flaps extending from one end of the panel that secure the product within the package.

Abstract: An insertion instrument for expandable spinal implants includes an elongate member, a shuttle, and a worm gear. The elongate member includes a handle portion of a proximal end and an end effector on a distal end, wherein the end effector is configured to be releasably engaged to an expandable spinal implant. The shuttle is slidably disposed within a cavity defined within the end effector and includes a wedged shaped distal end configured to engage an expandable spinal implant. The worm gear is rotatably disposed within the cavity defined in the end effector and is in mechanical communication with the shuttle, such that rotation of the worm gear effectuates movement of the shuttle. Distal movement of the shuttle effectuates articulation of an expandable spinal implant. A method of performing surgery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A beverage container may comprise a beverage container lid assembly comprising at least one concentrate well to hold a concentrate vessel, a concentrate vessel retainer for each concentrate well to secure the concentrate vessel in the concentrate well, a feed line for each concentrate well comprising a feed line needle to puncture the concentrate vessel in the at least one concentrate well, a Venturi mixer in fluid communication with each feed line, a mixing valve in fluid communication with each feed line, wherein fluid flows from the concentrate vessel to the Venturi mixer when the mixing valve is open and the concentrate vessel is punctured by the feed line needle. Methods of using the beverage container and beverage container lid assembly are also described.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes an outer housing and an end plate assembly coupled with the outer housing. The outer housing defines an aperture and a longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the end plate assembly is slidably received within the outer housing. The end plate assembly includes a first end plate configured to engage a vertebral body, wherein the end plate assembly is selectively movable between a first position in which the first end plate is spaced apart from the outer housing and a second position in which the first end plate is adjacent the outer housing. Further, the first end plate is selectively adjustable to an angular orientation of a plurality of angular orientations with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer housing.

Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods for creation of autologous tissue valves within a mammalian body are disclosed. One example of a device for creating a valve flap from a vessel wall includes an elongate tubular structure having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a longitudinal axis; a first lumen having a first exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a second lumen having a second exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a recessed distal surface on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure, wherein the recessed distal surface is located distally to the first exit port; and an open trough on the recessed distal surface extending longitudinally from the first exit port.

Abstract: Provided is a novel rod reducing device including a screw jack mechanism that is moveably engaged with an elongated grasping fork assembly, the screw jack mechanism having an elongated threaded portion, the elongated threaded portion being connected at its most distal end to a rod contact member, which is positioned in sliding circumferential contact with each of the two opposing elongated grasping members and the most proximal end of the elongated threaded portion terminating in a controlling member, which can be activated in a measured and controlled manner. A method of using the device is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a novel rod reducing device including a screw jack mechanism that is moveably engaged with an elongated grasping fork assembly, the screw jack mechanism having an elongated threaded portion, the elongated threaded portion being connected at its most distal end to a rod contact member, which is positioned in sliding circumferential contact with each of the two opposing elongated grasping members and the most proximal end of the elongated threaded portion terminating in a controlling member, which can be activated in a measured and controlled manner. A method of using the device is also provided.

Abstract: A system for the end-to-end delivery of digital television signals. In a preferred embodiment a digital television signal is: received from production equipment, typically in HD format at approximately 1.4 gigabits per second (Gbps); the received signal is transmitted to a venue point-of-presence; converted for transmission via a 270 Mbps local loop; transmitted to a fiber network point of presence/video service edge; packetized into TCP/IP packets in a video gateway; and routed to one or more destination addresses via the fiber network; received at one or more video service edge destinations; converted to a digital television format, typically SDI; and either transmitted via a second 270 Mbps local loop for delivery to a customer site and subsequent conversion to a 1.4 Gbps HD signal, or converted directly to a 1.4 Gbs HD signal at the receiving video service edge.

Abstract: A spinal hook includes a hook member, an inner collet, and an outer portion. The hook member includes a head portion and a blade portion. The inner collet includes a base portion configured to rotatably engage the head portion and a pair of engaging portions defining a slot configured to receive a connecting rod therein. The outer portion is movable relative to the inner collet between a locked position in which the outer portion causes the pair of engaging portions to move toward each other and an unlocked position in which the outer portion causes the pair of engaging portions to be spread apart to facilitate insertion or removal of the connecting rod.

Abstract: A spinal implant has proximal and distal regions, and includes upper and lower bodies. A proximal adjustment assembly is disposed between the upper and lower bodies in the proximal region of the spinal implant and is adjustably coupled to the upper and lower bodies, and a distal adjustment assembly is disposed between the upper and lower bodies in the distal region of the spinal implant and is adjustably coupled to the upper and lower bodies. The proximal and distal adjustment assemblies are independently movable with respect to each other, both concurrently and alternately, to change a vertical height of at least one of the proximal or distal regions of the spinal implant. A set screw is removably disposed within the proximal region of the spinal implant to lock the vertical height of the proximal and distal regions of the spinal implant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing point-of-sale (POS) data containing geographical data, in conjunction with a consumer database containing consumer insights and propensities and privacy-compliant matching of off-line and on-line data capabilities, delivers a high-speed, targeted message to consumers associated with a particular geographic location. In certain implementations, syndicated data is used. Because the only data that is transferred to the retailer or other customer of the service for electronic messaging is the geographical area of the relevant consumers, the system maintains privacy while simultaneously providing a targeted, high-speed message to such consumers. Technical improvements and efficiencies reduce processing cycles, decrease the number of needed records, speed analytics through integrated systems, and enable action on a timely basis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of aligning the elements of a tympanic lens, the method comprising the steps of: forming mold of a user's ear canal, including the user's tympanic membrane; digitally scanning the ear canal mold to create a digital model of the user's ear canal; using the digital data to size a chassis for the tympanic lens; manufacturing a chassis; manufacturing an ear canal mold, manufacturing an alignment tool, including a chassis alignment feature and a photodetector alignment feature; mating the ear canal mold and alignment tool; placing the chassis into the mold, using the alignment tool to fix the position of the chassis with respect to a model of the user's tympanic membrane and features thereof; mounting a microactuator and photodetector to the chassis; and using the photodetector alignment feature to position the photodetector prior to fixing the photodetector in place.

Abstract: A music video kiosk that allows users to create studio quality music videos via manipulation of vocal controls as well as integration of instruments.

Abstract: An insertion instrument for expandable spinal implants includes an elongate member, a shuttle, and a worm gear. The elongate member includes a handle portion of a proximal end and an end effector on a distal end, wherein the end effector is configured to be releasably engaged to an expandable spinal implant. The shuttle is slidably disposed within a cavity defined within the end effector and includes a wedged shaped distal end configured to engage an expandable spinal implant. The worm gear is rotatably disposed within the cavity defined in the end effector and is in mechanical communication with the shuttle, such that rotation of the worm gear effectuates movement of the shuttle. Distal movement of the shuttle effectuates articulation of an expandable spinal implant. A method of performing surgery is also disclosed.