Abstract: Methods and techniques for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.

Abstract: A kit of parts is provided that comprises: a cannula, the distal end of the cannula adapted to be inserted through the disc annulus; an injection needle, the distal end adapted to be inserted into the proximal end of the cannula and configured for relatively close sliding fit therewithin; and a syringe for containing a quantity of curable biomaterial, the syringe adapted to be coupled to the proximal end of the needle and to inject the biomaterial into the needle under pressure. The kit may further comprise a quantity of curable biomaterial that is selected to have upon curing strong adhesive properties such as a protein polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposing vertebral bodies. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the vertebral bodies to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the vertebral bodies so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column.

Abstract: Disclosed is a treatment solution for use in the formation of a black trivalent chromium chemical conversion coating film with uniformly stabilized black wash, luster and corrosive resistance irrespective of the type of the acidic, neutral or alkaline zinc plating bath employed or the presence or absence of nickel eutectoid. Also disclosed is a method of forming the black trivalent chromium chemical conversion coating film. The treatment solution comprises a trivalent chromium ion, a chelating agent capable of forming a water-soluble complex with the trivalent chromium, at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of a cobalt ion, a nickel ion and an iron ion, and formic acid or a salt thereof as a buffer for hydrogen ion concentration. The treatment solution can be used for forming a black hexavalent chromium-free chemical conversion coating film on zinc or a zinc alloy.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer id dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer.

Abstract: A foam dispenser having a pump assembly includes a liquid pump, an air pump and a common actuation part to simultaneously actuate the liquid pump and the air pump. The pump assembly includes a dispensing channel having a dispensing opening. The pump assembly further includes a porous matrix which contains a dispensate material. A contact surface of the porous matrix is arranged in communication with the dispensing channel, so that foam being formed in the pump assembly and dispensed through the dispensing channel comes into contact with the contact surface to introduce dispensate material released from the porous matrix in the foam.

Abstract: A multimedia device configured to support video in a session of a call includes one or more media providing devices and one or more computer codes directed to performing an initialization process for the one or more media providing devices. The initialization process may be performed at an initialization time prior to or substantially equal to a first time prior to or substantially equal to a reception time associated with receiving an indication of call acceptance from a called device, or second time prior to or substantially equal to an acceptance time associated with call acceptance by the multimedia device. The multimedia device also includes one or more computer codes directed to transmitting one or more preferences for the session according to a session setup procedure, one or more media processors coupled to the one or more media providing devices, and one or more computer codes directed to transmitting media on one or more media channels associated with the session.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing naphthalen-2-yl-pyrazol-3-one intermediates, tautomers, and salts thereof, to novel intermediates, and to the use of the intermediates in the preparation of sigma receptor inhibitors.

Abstract: A sensor device for a fluid power apparatus and in particular a pneumatic cylinder comprises at least one sensor for producing at least one sensor value on the basis of a property or a condition of the fluid power apparatus, and a sensor communication means for the transmission of the at least one sensor value. As regards the sensor device there is a provision such that it includes a reading means for reading apparatus identification data characterizing the fluid power apparatus and the sensor device is adapted for the transmission of the apparatus identification data by way of the sensor communication means.

Abstract: A retaining device which can be fitted in a vehicle interior, in particular as part of a storage system. The retaining device contains at least one retaining strut with a length-adjustable rod structure and two plate-like supporting elements attached to the end sides thereof. The supporting elements can be fixed to the vehicle walls by a respective adhesive fastening device. This results in a secure support for the retaining struts without it being necessary to brace the retaining struts fixedly between the vehicle walls.

Abstract: A system and method to ensure trustworthiness of a remote service provided by a service provider. The method includes monitoring runtime dependencies invoked during execution of a service transaction associated with the remote service, the service transaction being requested by a service requester. The method further includes determining whether a deviation exists between the runtime dependencies and a trusted list of dependencies associated with the remote service. The method also includes blocking execution of the service transaction based on determining that the deviation between the runtime dependencies and the trusted list of dependencies exists.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to interactively displaying account activity. An analysis of financial transactions associated with a financial unit can be performed by a spending analysis tool, which can display the analysis via a website. The analysis can include, for example, a spending analysis and a budget analysis. The financial transactions are associated with merchants. At least one of the financial transactions is associated with first merchant, a first merchant category, and a member of the financial unit. The spending analysis tool changes the merchant category associated with the at least one of the financial transactions to another merchant category based on a selection of a user.

Abstract: A confectionery container (10) has a main body (12) defining an inner volume in which articles can be held. A closure member or lid (14) is pivotably attached to the main body for movement between an open position in which articles within the inner volume can be dispensed and a closed position in which the articles are retained within the container. To assist the user in opening and closing the container, an over-center mechanism (34) is provided which is configured to bias the lid (14) towards the open and closed positions. The container (10) is preferably formed from a unitary blank of foldable material (48) and the over-center mechanism may comprise two co-operating panels (36, 40) connected between the main body (12) and the lid (14). A blank (48) for forming the container and a method of dispensing articles from the container are also disclosed.

Abstract: A media transport apparatus includes a first media transport, having a first transport surface and a first drive unit, to convey the substrate media. A second media transport having a second transport surface and a second drive unit receives the substrate media from the first. A first force transducer outputs a force signal associated with a first force between the media transports. A control unit receives the force signal, and outputs a control signal to at least one of the first and second drive units that is dependent upon a comparison of the first relative force signal with a predetermined value. The control signal commands the first or second drive unit to drive the motion of the respective first or second media transport to maintain the force signal at or about no greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of detecting a reference sequence of events in a sample sequence of events, wherein each event is of a certain event type and holds a set of data attributes, includes the steps of: picking candidate combinations of events from said sample sequence so that the event types within each candidate combination match the event types in the reference sequence, calculating an overall similarity score for each candidate combination from at least (i) an event occurrence score based on occurrence deviations representing a count of non-matching events between the events of a candidate combination matching events of the reference sequence and (ii) an attribute match score based on similarity deviations between the data attributes of the events of a candidate combination and the data attributes of the matching events of the reference sequence, and identifying the candidate combination with the best overall similarity score as reference sequence detected.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of producing a crystalline metal oxide nanostructure. The method comprises providing a metal salt solution and providing a basic solution; placing a porous membrane between the metal salt solution and the basic solution, wherein metal cations of the metal salt solution and hydroxide ions of the basic solution react, thereby producing a crystalline metal oxide nanostructure.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for displaying toll charging parameters of vehicles by means of a roadside display. In one embodiment, parameters are sent from an onboard-unit of the vehicle to the roadside display. In an alternative embodiment, parameters are registered under a vehicle identification in a database and retrieved therefrom for displaying on the roadside display by a detection of the identification of the vehicle.