Abstract: A wedge-shaped prosthetic spinal disc nucleus including a hydrogel core surrounded by a constraining jacket. The hydrogel core is preshaped to form the wedge shape in a hydrated state. The constraining jacket is flexible, but substantially inelastic and is configured to prevent the hydrogel core from conforming to an anulus upon hydration. The prosthetic spinal disc nucleus corresponds generally to anatomical variations in disc space geometry, generally defined by separable areas or compartments, thus improving performance. In one preferred embodiment, the prosthetic spinal disc nucleus includes a radiopaque marker for indicating a location and orientation following implant.

Abstract: Formable spreader and/or sanding apparatus for repairing damaged automobile body lines. The apparatus includes a body having a work surface. A mechanism is coupled to the body work surface for shaping the body to conform to a desired automobile body line. A sanding member may be coupled to the body. The apparatus may further include a handle removably coupled to the body.

Abstract: A trial implant for evaluating a size of an intradiscal space for subsequent implantation of a prosthetic spinal disc nucleus. The trial implant is comprised of an elongated central body and a retrieving body. The elongated body is formed from a rigid, surgically safe material and preferably has a volume less than a volume of a nucleus cavity portion of the intradiscal space. The retrieving body is associated with the central body and is configured to facilitate retrieval of the trial implant from an enclosed area, such as the nucleus cavity. A plurality of trial implants are included with a trial implant kit, with each of the plurality of trial implants housing a different size and/or shape. During use, the trial implant provides an indication as to whether a similarly sized prosthetic spinal disc nucleus will fit within a particular intradiscal space.

Abstract: A prosthetic spinal disc nucleus comprising a first prosthetic body, a second prosthetic body and a coupling means. The first and second prosthetic bodies each have sufficient structural integrity for maintaining a desired separation between an opposing pair of vertebrae and a volume that is less than a volume of the nucleus cavity. The coupling means selectively associates the first prosthetic body with the second prosthetic body. During use, the first prosthetic body is inserted into a nucleus cavity through an opening in an anulus. The coupling means is configured such that the second prosthetic body does not impede insertion of the first prosthetic body. The second prosthetic body is similarly implanted. Following implant, the coupling means relatively fixes the first and second prosthetic bodies to prevent subsequent movement of the prosthetic spinal disc nucleus, or any portion thereof, back through the opening in the anulus.

Abstract: Modular belting for use in the food processing industry having a smooth, planed surface, and an apparatus and method for refurbishing damaged belting. The apparatus includes a frame with a conveyor system. A mechanism is attached to the frame for removing a desired amount of the belting surface as the belting moves relative to the frame on the conveyor system.

Abstract: A lid member for an original container of a liquid paint component. The lid member is usable with a system for dispensing the paint component from its original container into a paint receptacle according to a paint formula to form a liquid paint mixture. The lid member includes a base portion that is adapted to releasably engage an open top of the paint component container. The base portion has a pour spout through which the paint component can be dispensed and a movable cover element. The cover element is movable between a closed state, wherein the cover element covers the pour spout and the liquid paint component is prevented from being dispensed, and an opened state, wherein the pour spout is uncovered and the paint component can be dispensed from its original container and into the paint receptacle. An operating arrangement on the cover element is releasably engagable by an operating device of the dispensing system that moves the cover element between its closed and opened states.

Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge having an exposed base plate datum for improved tape registration. The data storage tape cartridge includes a housing defined by a first housing section and a second housing section, a base plate, at least one tape reel and a storage tape. The base plate is disposed within the housing and includes a reference portion that is exposed through a protected opening in the first housing section. In one preferred embodiment, the first housing section protects the base plate, including the reference portion. The at least one tape reel is rotatably associated with the base plate. Finally, the storage tape is maintained by the at least one tape reel within the housing. Upon insertion of the data storage tape cartridge into a tape drive, a registration device engages the reference portion of the base plate to determine and precisely control location of the storage tape relative to a read/write head.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid paint components from their original containers into a paint receptacle according to a paint formula to form a liquid paint mixture. The dispensing system comprises a dispensing apparatus for dispensing the liquid paint component from its original container, and an apparatus for controlling the dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes a mechanism for releasably receiving the original container of the liquid paint component, and a mechanism for dispensing the liquid paint component from its original container into the paint receptacle. The control apparatus includes a weigh cell and a control module coupled to the weigh cell and the dispensing mechanism. The weigh cell supports the paint receptacle to determine the weight of the liquid paint component dispensed into the paint receptacle. The control module controls the amount of the liquid paint component dispensed from its original container into the receptacle based upon information obtained from the weigh cell.

Abstract: An electronic battery testing device and a method for testing batteries are provided. Device applies a small first fixed load and measures the voltage at the end of the first fixed load and then applies a medium second fixed load and measures the voltage at the end of the second fixed load. The device then analyzes the condition of the battery based on these voltage values. A method is also provided involving: (a) applying a first small fixed load to a battery, (b) measuring the voltage at the end of the first small fixed load, (c) applying a second medium fixed load to the battery, (d) measuring the voltage of the battery at the end of the second medium fixed load, and (e) analyzing the condition of the battery based on the voltage values. Preferably the method also involves evaluating the recovery voltage wave form after the second medium load.

Abstract: A capsule-shaped prosthetic spinal disc nucleus for implantation into a human intradiscal space, made of a substantially inelastic constraining jacket surrounding an amorphous polymer core. The constraining jacket has a generally fixed maximum volume and defines a height. The amorphous polymer core fills an initial volume of the constraining jacket and develops an internal pressure. In response to the internal pressure, the constraining jacket transitions toward the maximum volume, increasing substantially in height.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a signal decoder in a broadcasting system, a broadcast signal and an encrypted signature are generated and the signature is added to the signal. The signal together with the signature is broadcasted and received in the decoder, where the signature is decrypted and compared with a verification value. If a match occurs, further operation of the decoder is allowed. If a match does not occur, further operation of the decoder is disallowed.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a printed circuit that replaces tin and/or tin-lead electroplating with tin-nickel based electroplating. The process includes printing a desired circuitry pattern onto a resist-coated copper-clad substrate. A tin-nickel material is electroplated onto the desired circuitry pattern, and the resist removed. The tin-nickel electroplating takes place within a bath comprised of a nickel source, a stannous source and a starter solution including a bifluoride salt, diethylenetriamine and triethylenetetramine.

Abstract: A flexible lens assembly. The flexible lens assembly includes a long, flexible structural layer and a first optical layer coupled to the long, flexible structural layer. The optical layer is shaped to achieve a desired optical characteristic, wherein the flexible lens assembly exhibits diffraction limited optical characteristics, and wherein the flexible lens assembly is capable of being flexed in at least a 180.degree. arc while maintaining its diffraction limited optical characteristics. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible lens assembly is a flexible cylinder lens.

Abstract: Apparatus for extending the battery life of a seasonal-use battery. The apparatus is an improvement in a seasonal-use device having a battery charging system, wherein the battery charging system includes a voltage step-down device coupled to the charging system. The improvement includes a mechanism integral the battery charging system for providing a maintenance current to the battery proximate the battery's self-discharge rate. A mechanism is provided for coupling the battery charging system to an external power source. The apparatus for extending the battery life may also be coupled to the seasonal-use device system controller.

Abstract: A transport roller assembly for moving film along a film transport path between a pair of rigid plates in an imaging system. The rollers are preassembled in the bearing block assemblies and the assemblies are installed in the system by sliding them into receiving slots in the plates. The roller surface and the bearing block assembly are constructed from static dissipating materials to remove static from the surface of the film as it is transported.

Abstract: A film thermal processor assembly for use in an imaging system. The assembly includes a retention member for receiving a plurality of thermal processor rollers and their shaft mounted sleeve bearings which are adapted for snap insertion into snap fingers of the injection molded non-metallic retention member. The rotation member holds bias springs for radially loading the rollers. A direct contact thermal sensor having a large sensing area, which conforms to the shape of the drum, directly measures the surface temperature of the processing drum.

Abstract: An optical assembly for use in focusing a laser beam along an optical path onto a scanned surface. The optical assembly includes a first cylinder lens having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, located along the optical path for shaping and focusing the laser beam in a first direction, wherein the transverse axis is substantially perpendicular to the optical path. A second cylinder lens is provided having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, located along the optical path for shaping and focusing the laser beam in a second direction, wherein the transverse axis is substantially perpendicular to the optical path. The second cylinder lens longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to the optical path.

Abstract: A method of making a long, thin, flexible lens. The method comprises the steps of providing a mold having a top surface shape corresponding to a desired lens shape. A curable optical material is dispenses onto the top surface. A thin, flexible structural layer is placed onto the top surface, over the curable optical material to form a mold assembly. The mold assembly is cured. The flexible lens is removed from the mold top surface. The flexible lens is capable of flexing in at least a 180.degree. arc while maintaining its diffraction limited optical characteristics.

Abstract: An optical scanner assembly for exposing an image on a piece of photosensitive film positioned within an internal drum type exposure assembly. The optical scanner assembly is part of a laser imaging system suitable for use in a medical imaging system. The optical scanner assembly includes a laser mechanism for producing a laser beam representative of the image to be exposed on the photosensitive film. A first lens system is provided for shaping and focusing the laser beam in a first direction, including a long, flexible cylinder lens. A second lens system is provided for shaping and focusing the laser beam in a second direction, including a second cylinder lens oriented generally perpendicular to the long, flexible cylinder lens.