Abstract: A transverse fixator assembly for spanning between a number of longitudinal members situated adjacent a patient's vertebrae and methods for fixation of the spine which allow variation of the distance between two or more vertebrae. The assembly includes a number of connectors configured to span the distance between and engage the longitudinal members. The connectors define a thru-hole for engaging a bone bolt which is engaged to a vertebra plus a number of spikes projecting from the connector. A locking mechanism is configured to prevent the bolt from rotating relative to the connector when the nut is being tightened. One or more of the connectors may be a dynamic connector which is slidably engaged to the longitudinal members to vary the distance between the vertebrae for compression or distraction.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical technique is provided for preparing a site for implantation of a novel fusion device or implant. In accordance with one embodiment of the technique, a laparoscope is provided having an outer sleeve with distraction fingers at one end to distract the disc space. The laparoscope provides a sealed working channel to the disc space, through which the disc space is distracted, the vertebral endplates and surrounding disc is reamed, and the fusion device inserted. A distraction plug is provided for centering the outer sleeve and for providing midline distraction of the disc space. In one embodiment, a fusion device includes diverging bone screws passing through an end wall and upper and lower walls of the device to engage the adjacent vertebrae. In another embodiment, a connector plate is engaged to bilaterally position fusion devices to prevent rotation and resist expulsion of the devices from the disc space.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly comprises a connection assembly, an elongated spinal implant, and a bone fastener, such as a bone screw, engaged within a vertebra. The connection assembly includes a body defining a first opening for receiving the elongated spinal implant, a second opening for receiving a bone fastener and a plug. The first opening is perpendicular to and overlapping the second opening to allow direct contact between the spinal implant and the bone fastener. The second opening includes a plug slot having a wall at an end opposite the first opening that defines an engagement surface. The plug includes a mating surface that forms an interlocking engagement with the engagement surface of the wall. An opposite second surface of the plug defines a groove for receiving the elongated stem of the bone fastener adjustable to a desired angular orientation and height.

Abstract: An interbody fusion device for engagement between vertebrae includes a pair of lateral spacers for spacing the vertebrae, and a connecting member adapted to couple together the lateral spacers when inserted between the vertebrae. The connecting member, individual lateral spacers, or the entire spinal spacer can be made of bone in order to promote fusion of the vertebrae. The modular construction permits use of bone segments otherwise unsuitable due to size or strength in stable fusion devices.

Abstract: A fish diversion apparatus for a water intake of a dam includes a frame extending between a top end oriented towards the water surface and a bottom end oriented below the water surface. The frame supports a number of bar screen panels below the water surface. The bar screen panels allow water flow therethrough from an upstream side to a downstream side. A flow scoop extends from the bottom end of the frame to direct the fish along the upstream face of the bar screen panels. A fish diverter device is provided adjacent the top end of the frame in communication with the upstream side of the bar screen panels.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting a greensmower over a golf course. A deck of the trailer supports the greensmower, and a universal coupler of the trailer secures the greensmower to the deck. When the greensmower is secured to the deck, a rear driver roller of the greensmower abuts the deck, and a cutting reel drive, a bed knife, a front roller, and a grass conditioning roller of the greensmower suspend above the deck. A pair of wheels are rotatably coupled to the deck, and a pair of bumpers extend from the deck to deflect objects away from the wheels and associated wheel axles. A ramp support slidably adjoins a ramp to the deck, and the ramp is movable along the ramp support between a retracted position and an extended position. A ramp prop is adjoined to the deck to uphold a portion of the ramp adjacent the deck when the ramp is in the extended position. The universal coupler includes a latch assembly adjoined to the deck and a plurality of braces.

Abstract: There are disclosed a converging device for converging a light having a high aspect ratio, and a light source module, a laser device and an optical signal amplifier using such converging device. A converging device has a converging portion for converging a light. The converging portion has an incident surface, a tip portion and a reflective surface for reflecting the light so that the light is transmitted toward the tip portion. The converging device has a guide portion provided in the reflective surface along a direction from the incident surface to the tip portion. The light transmitted in the converging portion is introduced to the guide portion and the light in the guide portion is reflected so as to be transmitted toward one end of the guide portion. The converged light is emitted from the tip portion or an end of the guide portion.

Abstract: Body fluid is sampled from a skin incision by placing a ring against the skin and repeatedly applying an elastic pressing force to the ring, whereby a stimulator surface of the ring depresses a ring of skin and body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision to force body fluid from the incision. The stimulator surface is inclined at an angle of 10 to 65 degrees; a width of the stimulator surface is from 5 mm to 20 mm, and an inner diameter of the stimulator surface is no less than 6.0 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism of retaining a rocker lever ball socket on a rocker lever ball. The mechanism provided is a retaining cap which is adapted to fit over and securely engage to the socket through a tab and groove arrangement and is made of a slightly elastic material and includes a restricted opening sized smaller than the fullest diameter of the rocker lever ball. During assembly, the retaining cap first interlocks with the socket by a tab and groove arrangement, and the lever ball is then pushed through the restricted opening. The restricted opening, being slightly elastic, enlarges to allow passage of the ball and retracts to a size smaller than the ball so that it is retained thereon.

Abstract: A process for making homogeneous granules of slow-release fertilizer to deliver high doses of slow-release nitrogen in pellets that disperse or fall apart when contacted by moisture. The method includes mixing particles of slow-release nitrogen with particles of a potassium source and particles of a phosphorus source, to make a homogeneous blend of the particles. Then, the blended particles are moistened with water or an aqueous solution of urea to moisten the homogeneous blend. After moistening, the blended particles are contacted with an aqueous suspension of urea-formaldehyde resin to bind the particles into homogeneous granules. The aqueous suspension of urea formaldehyde resin preferably has a urea:formaldehyde ratio of about 1:1.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the rate of seed population by planters or drills, comprising first and second squeeze jack variable speed pulleys, and a belt running around the pulleys; a cog mounted on the first pulley and a cog mounted on the second pulley, and a drive chain running around the cog mounted on the first pulley and a row unit chain running around the cog mounted on the second pulley; and apparatus to vary selectively the speed of the row unit chain at any given speed of the drive chain.

Abstract: A fast-setting, fibrous, Portland Cement-based building material is made by soaking wood chips in water to provide substantially saturated wood chips, combining the saturated wood chips with a slurry of Portland cement to provide a wood chip/cement slurry, mixing a slurry of monomagnesium phosphate (“MOP”) with the wood chip/cement slurry to provide a quick-setting MOP/wood chip/cement composition, and compressing the quick-setting MOP/wood chip/cement composition to make the fast-setting, fibrous, Portland Cement-based building material. The inventive composition combines the best properties of cement and wood, yet uses recycled materials to make an environmentally-friendly building material.

Abstract: An improved blade design and method for enhancing the efficiency of operation of a centrifuge is disclosed based on measuring a varying value of the load on the centrifuge as the flow of contaminated fluid is injected into the centrifuge. The centrifuge has a plurality of blades with radially overlapping edges to keep the fluid being centrifuged compartmentalized and thus quiet for maximum efficiency. Additionally, the scraping blade assembly has blades which are angled in the scraping direction to force the solids towards the exit of the centrifuge, whether that be at the bottom or the top. A programmable logic controller monitors the load on the drive motor and compares a baseline value of load after accelerating the rotor to speed to the value of load while the contaminated fluid is injected into the rotor.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column for use in an automotive vehicle having steering linkage, an instrument panel and a steering wheel, includes an upper sleeve having an axis and defining a rearwardly opening cavity and a rear end configured for connection to a steering wheel, the cavity having a rear wall; a lower shaft having an axis and a forward end configured for connection to vehicle steering linkage and having an upper end extending coaxially at least partially within the cavity; a spring disposed within the cavity between the shaft and the rear wall of the cavity; a mating configuration between the sleeve and the shaft for causing the sleeve and the shaft to rotated as a unit about their common axes; and, a detent assembly connected with the sleeve and the vehicle instrument panel for holding the sleeve conditionally against axial movement unless sufficient axial force is applied to the sleeve.

Abstract: A process for the production of powders by precipitation from a liquid reaction mixture comprises passing along a tubular reactor a segmented reaction flow comprised of discrete volumes of the reaction mixture separated by discrete volumes of a separating fluid which is substantially immiscible with said reaction mixture, the residence time of said discrete volumes of reaction mixture in the reactor being sufficient for the precipitation reaction to be effected.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes sensing speed or an internal combustion engine that includes a manifold coupled to an air pathway and a gaseous fuel line, sensing manifold pressure, and sensing manifold temperature. Air mass flow rate is determined as a function of the sensed engine spaced, manifold pressure, and manifold temperature. Fuel mass flow rate in the fuel line is sensed and fuel is controlled through the fuel line in accordance with the air mass flow rate and the fuel mass flow rate.

Abstract: A magnetic incremental motion detection system for outputting a plurality of voltage and/or current signals in digital form wherein the voltage and/or current signals are a collective representation of any incremental rotational, linear, or pivotal movement of an object. A target of the system is adjoined to an object to synchronously move with the object. A plurality of indications are adjoined to the target, and uniformly and serially disposed along an area of a surface of the target. The system further comprises one or more magnetic sensing devices spatially positioned from the area of the surface to define air gap areas therebetween. Each of the magnetic sensing devices are operable to output a digital signal in response to a synchronous movement of the target with the object. The outputted digital signals have the same duty cycle, and are consistently out of phase with each other by the same degree.