Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a first implant to a pedicle of a first vertebra of a spinal column such that at least a portion of the first implant is disposed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process of the spinal column. A second implant is coupled to a pedicle of a second vertebra of the spinal column. At least a portion of an outer surface of the first implant is configured to contact at least a portion of an outer surface of the second implant when the spinal column is in extension. The outer surface of the first implant and the outer surface of the second implant being at a spaced distance from each other when the spinal column is in flexion.

Abstract: The invention describes a method that is used to determine the linearization curve of a sensor for specific gas components by combining this sensor with an ultrasonic molar mass sensor. The described method uses the fact that the molar mass sensor exhibits a completely linear response when two gas compositions of differing molar mass values are mixed. Using this feature a non linear-response of a sensor for specific gas components can be determined and a linearization curve can be computed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device adapted for locking a shutter element (13) adapted to slide along a railing (11), which locking device (3) comprises at least one locking bolt (5) movable between a first state, in which the locking bolt is adapted to engage with a locking member (9) in the shutter element to lock the shutter element against movement, and a second state, in which the locking bolt is adapted to avoid engagement with the locking member and to allow movement of the shutter element. The invention also relates to a locking arrangement adapted to be connected with and allow locking of a shutter element (13) arranged to slide along a railing (11), which locking arrangement (7) comprises at least one locking member (9) shaped to allow a locking bolt (5) to, in a first state, engage with and lock the locking member, and thus the shutter element, against movement. The invention also relates to a locking system.

Abstract: A surgical bone screw includes an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, a threaded portion on the circumference of the body, and a passage extending between the proximal and the distal ends of the body. An electrical conductor is disposed in the passage between the proximal and the distal ends of the screw body. The conductor has a first terminal at the proximal end and a second terminal at the distal end. The conductor and both of the terminals are electrically insulated from surrounding portions of the screw body. When the screw is driven into bone tissue and a stimulating current is applied to the first terminal, the current is directed substantially through the conductor to flow into tissue adjacent to the second terminal at the distal end, without shunting by other tissue that surrounds the screw body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning a connecting element adjacent an anatomical structure in minimally-invasive surgical procedures, including an electronic guidance system associated with the connecting element and at least one receiving portion of a tissue anchor that receives the connecting element in the patient. The electronic guidance system includes a processor subsystem to receive signals from the guidance system and provide relative positional data between the connecting element and the at least one receiving portion to aid the surgeon in guiding the connecting element to the receiving portion. In one embodiment, the systems and methods are used in association with positioning a connecting element adjacent the spinal column in minimally-invasive spinal stabilization procedures.

Abstract: Devices and methods for attaching a support to the sacrum. One device may include first and second anchors that mount to the sacrum, and first and second lateral extensions coupled to the anchors to secure the device to the sacrum. A bearing face having a width is positioned between the lateral extensions. The face may have a height in an anterior-posterior direction greater than the spinous process of the sacrum. Further, the bearing face may be oriented in a superior direction when the device is mounted to the sacrum. An implant may be supported by the device to space the sacrum and L5 vertebra. The implant may be an interspinous device and positioned between the L5 spinous process and the bearing face. The implant is supported at least in part by the bearing face.

Abstract: An automatic screw tightening apparatus has a screw discharging unit for transferring a screw to a transfer tube, an engaging unit for engaging the head part of the screw transferred from the transfer tube with a front end of a driver, and an openable and closable sealing cover for preventing air from leaking and which is opened and exposes the screw for tightening.

Abstract: Described are methods for therapeutically treating the spine that involve the implantation of a medical device, such as a fusion cage, disc nucleus implant, or artificial disc, that transmits loads to a volume of bone tissue of the spine, and the reinforcement of that volume of bone tissue to decrease the risk of fracture or other injury resultant of the transmitted loads.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the three-dimensional digitization of objects with a 3D sensor, which comprises a projector and one or more cameras, in which a pattern is projected onto the object by means of the projector, and the pattern is detected with the one or more cameras. In accordance with the invention, the method and the apparatus are characterized in that at least three reference marks and/or a reference raster are projected onto the object with the 3D sensor and are detected with two or more external, calibrated digital cameras.

Abstract: The invention describes essentially a non-therapeutical process for deterring vermin, which is based on the usage of the largely known beta amino-alcohol derivatives of formula (I), as defined herein before. Furthermore, it describes the corresponding vermin-deterring compositions which contain these substances as the active ingredient, compounds of the formula (I) for the preparation of vermin-deterring compositions, and the use of compounds of formula (I) in the defense against vermin. Thus, the invention describes how and in which form the compounds of the formula (I) or their acid addition salts are used to deter vermin from materials, places or warm-blooded animals.

Abstract: A lattice support structure has lattice bars pivotally connected to one another and extending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structure as well as lattice bars connecting them, with the connecting lattice bars being connected directly or indirectly to the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction such that the spacing of the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structure can be decreased on the inward folding of the lattice support structure and increased on the folding apart of the lattice support structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an impact element having at least one carrier and at least one deformation element, wherein the carrier has a strip-shaped insert which is at least partly sheathed with plastic, wherein the strip-shaped insert is slit into at least two strips in at least one profile section and one strip is set back with respect to the other strip by shaping while forming a gap, with the deformation element being able to be fastened or being fastened to the carrier by means of at least one fastening means and the fastening means being guided through the gap between the strips of the insert, with at least one plastic molding being provided which is arranged such that it inhibits and/or prevents a relative movement between the fastening means or the deformation element and the insert.

Abstract: In a method for 3D digitization of an object (1), a plurality of camera images of the object are recorded and assembled to determine the 3D coordinates of the object. To improve such method, pictures are taken from the object (1), from which 2D feature points (11, 12, 13; 21, 22, 23) of the object (1) are determined. The 3D coordinates of the 2D feature points are determined. The 2D point correspondences (32, 32, 22) between the 2D feature points of a picture and the 2D feature points of another picture are determined. Several of these 2D point correspondences are selected, and an associated 3D transformation is determined. The quality of this 3D transformation is determined with reference to the transformed 3D coordinates of the 2D feature points. Valid 3D feature points are determined therefrom. For assembling the camera images of the object (1), the 3D coordinates of the valid 3D feature points are used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door, in particular a sectional door, having a door leaf comprising a plurality of panels which are connected to one another and are guided in guide rails via rollers, with at least the topmost roller pair extending in separate guide rails over a part of its travel path during the opening or closing of the door.

Abstract: A device for charging at least one electric battery (1) on board a boat comprises a propeller (2) adapted to immersed in water through the movement of the boat be driven to rotate a axle (3) and an electric direct current machine (8) connected to the axle and adapted to generate voltage to the battery for charging thereof upon rotation of the axle. A DC/DC-converter (7) is arranged to convert the voltage generated by the electric machine through the rotation of the axle to a higher voltage suited for charging the battery. A member (10) is adapted to measure the voltage generated by the electric machine and a micro processor unit (9) is adapted to control the DC/DC-converter on the basis of voltage data delivered by said member.

Abstract: Provided is a technique to connect connectors that electrically connect coaxial cables to each other, the technique capable of reducing errors in manual work and improving work efficiency by making the work easier and simpler. Plural slots 123 each extending in an axial direction are provided in a base-end-side supporting region ? of an outer conductor 12 of a contact-section portion 14. Base-end-side supporting pieces 124 deformable radially are formed by the slots. The base-end-side supporting region of the contact-section portion is attached to the inside of a supporting tubular portion 171 of a housing 17, and thereby a leading-end-side un-supported region ? that is not supported by the housing is allowed to incline with respect to the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dosage forms of human growth hormone, the use of an absorption enhancer to allow absorption of human growth hormone into the systemic circulation in a biologically active form, in particular after oral administration, as well as the use of oral dosage forms comprising human growth hormone and an absorption enhancer for the treatment of human growth hormone deficiencies and disorders associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer device that can feed a work in a stable condition without applying it any excess loads. The transfer device for feeding a tape-shaped work to a process stage standing in an upright position, which is placed on one side of the process stage and which includes a supply reel, a take-up reel and a work feeding mechanism. Specifically, the supply reel, around which the work and a protective sheet are wound, is adapted to feed the work and the protective sheet therefrom. The take-up reel is adapted to wind the work and the protective sheet that have been fed from the supply reel, and it is located below the supply reel. The work feeding mechanism is adapted to forward the work from the supply reel to the take-up reel through the process stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic drive system having a pressure-regulated hydraulic pump for the provision of a system pressure and having a secondarily regulated hydraulic motor. In accordance with the invention, a control is provided which sets the desired system pressure during operation in dependence on an operating parameter of the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit has a glass door which, in turn, has a door frame into which a glazing pane has been inserted. The door frame has a plastic jacket peripherally integrally shaped in one piece.