Abstract: A computer system linked by the internet to various remote waste water treatment facilities. The system receives real-time data from the facilities and analyzing the data to determine likely operational upsets and future effluent water quality. The computer system sends signals to a hierarchy of parties depending on the severity of predicted upsets problems and events. The computer also provides a probability distribution of such upsets and water quality and recommendations as how to adjust facility operating parameters to avoid or reduce the upsets to acceptable parameters and maintain effluent water quality parameters within preselected limits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implanting an intervertebral cage containing a bone graft and fusing adjacent vertebrae together while maintaining or correcting the angular alignment and balance of the spine. An improved method for anterior interbody fusion to form a fused bone segment having a predetermined fixed angular orientation. The apparatus has a fusion cage and has a set of expansion caps that operably expand the cage from which one is selected to adjust the orientation between adjacent vertebrae with facing surfaces at a predetermined angle relative to each other. A connecting bolt is threaded to the rear of the cage unit to hold the cap in position.

Abstract: A trencher comprising a cutting disc (2) with a prefabricated tongued and grooved element feeder comprising a sweeper box (32) with a U-shaped transverse cross section closed at the front by a rake (34), in such a way that earth cannot fall inside it, and powered drive wheels operably frictionally pushing prefabricated tongued and grooved elements (33) in order to urge the elements together and to keep the different prefabricated tongued and grooved elements (33) coupled together during their descent into the inside of the sweeper box (32). This produces a temporary plank mould for the trench, so that the lowering and laying of the prefabricated tongued and grooved elements (33) inside the trench may be carried out automatically, safely, and in a working environment that is free of earth, thus enabling the correct linking of the elements.

Abstract: A tool handle having a central gripping portion joined with a pair of opposed fastening portions. The gripping portion has an internal shell with an overcoating. The overcoating is two-part having first and second external sections having at least one different characteristic. The first overcoating section is applied in a first mold and thereafter the resulting structure is placed in a second mold wherein molding material is flowed through a channel in the interior of said shell from an underside of the handle to an exterior surface of the shell. The first and second sections cooperate to produce a continuous overcoating having sections with different characteristics that are free from molding blemishes.

Abstract: A fenestrated, hollow intervertebral cage containing a packed, harvested bone graft for fusing adjacent vertebrae together while maintaining or correcting the angular alignment and balance of the spine. Use of the device for an anterior interbody fusion results in a fused bone segment having a predetermined fixed angular orientation. The apparatus has a cage unit adjustably coupled to an expansion cap, and an adjustable wedge to support the adjacent vertebrae with facing surfaces at a predetermined angle relative to each other. A connecting bolt may be threaded or fixed to the rear of the cage unit. In certain embodiments, the cage unit and expansion cap are interlocking. Also in certain embodiments, especially utilizing round cages, the expansion cap may also include upper and lower horizontal bone-supporting surfaces and an anterior recess for receiving fasteners. A pair of independently adjustable cage units can be fixedly intercoupled by a link.

Abstract: An interbody device for use between a pair of adjacent vertebrae includes a body and at least one expansion member. The body has upper and lower walls that are joined by a rear wall that functions as a spring hinge. The walls have anterior ends that are supported in a non-expanded configuration by spaced feet that project out from the walls. The expansion member is elongate and has a threaded portion that is threadably received in the rear wall. Each expansion member also includes a head having a wedge portion that engages the anterior ends of the walls and forces the walls apart as the expansion member is screwed into the body. Preferably, the expansion member is only one of a plurality of expansion members found in a kit which vary with respect to the diameter of the expansion member head. Further, a support and connecting plate is preferably utilized subsequent to installation of the devices between vertebrae to connect the connected pair of the devices.

Abstract: A nested closure plug and set screw arrangement with break-off heads for securing a spinal fixation rod within to a bone screw includes a closure plug advanceable into an open channel of a bone screw and having a central threaded bore to receive a threaded set screw. The set screw is provided with a centrally positioned set point and a V-ring for cutting engagement with the surface of a clamped rod. The closure plug may be provided with a V-ring for the same purpose. The set screw V-ring is positioned and adapted to deform into engagement with the closure plug by engagement with the rod surface. By this means, the set screw and closure plug may be removed simultaneously. The closure plug and set screw have break-off installations which separate from their fasteners when pre-selected installation torques are exceeded.

Abstract: A closure for an open headed medical implant, such as a bone screw. The closure having a cylindrical body having an axis of rotation and also having a threaded radially outer surface. The body having a plurality of bores that open onto a top surface of the body and that are parallel to but spaced from the axis of rotation. In one embodiment the closure also has a break-off head centrally attached by a neck to the top surface of the body. Preferably, the body also includes an axial threaded bore that extends from a bottom to the top of the surface body, but that is only exposed when the break-off head breaks away. In another embodiment a tool is used to insert the closure in the implant without a break-off head and a central threaded bore of the closure receives a set screw.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing frozen tissue specimens includes a base supporting a pair of rotary motion platforms and a center platform. The rotary motion platforms are each movable from an open, side-by-side position to a closed, center platform-covering position. Each platform includes a series of cryogenic discs equipped with a channel system having a series of radial channels communicating with a peripheral channel for circulation of a cryogenic fluid within the disc structure. The radial channels each include a series of circumferential fins for causing turbulent flow of the cryogen and further increasing heat transfer. The discs have a circumferential seal. The discs may include a radially extending peripheral flange, which serves to reduce disc thickness and thermal mass. The flange may extend selectively to alter the circular shape of the disc. The upper surfaces of the rotating platform discs may have a convex configuration.

Abstract: A structure including a pair of helically wound interlocking forms located on a cylindrical closure for an open headed medical implant and in a receiver between arms of the implant respectively. The interlocking forms each include overlapping gripping elements that engage mating elements during assembly to prevent radial splaying of arms of the implant.

Abstract: A polyaxial bone screw having a bone implantable shank, a head and a retaining ring. The retaining ring includes an outer partial hemispherical surface and an inner bore with radially extending channels and partial capture recesses. The shank includes a bone implantable body with an external helical wound thread and an upwardly extending capture structure. The capture structure includes at least one spline which extends radially outward and has a wedged surface that faces radially outward therefrom. The capture structure operably passes through a central bore of the retaining ring while the spline passes through a suitably shaped channel so that the spline becomes positioned above the head at which time the shank is rotated appropriately and the shank is drawn back downwardly so that the spline engages and seats in the capture recess.

Abstract: Device for the alternate or simultaneous filming of still and video pictures or multipurpose camera, characterized by the combination of a video camera and a still camera in one single device which is equipped with a single interchangeable lens, an optical assembly, in addition to a system of prisms, mirrors or other similar reflecting components, which transmit the virtual image, understood as being the image which has not undergone any electrical, magnetic or digital processing, duplicated to a video mechanism and to a still picture mechanism for its individual, alternate or simultaneous processing.

Abstract: A multiple diameter tangential set screw particularly for securing a rod within a hook shaped rod receiver includes a threaded mounting segment, a threaded rod engaging segment, and an abutment surface at a transition between the mounting segment and the rod engaging segment. The mounting segment has a larger diameter than the rod engaging segment and is received in a threaded bore formed in the rod receiver. The abutment surface has a concavely radiused surface of revolution. The rod engaging segment is positioned so that threads of the rod engaging segment cut into the surface of the rod to secure the rod from rotational movement. Engagement of the rod engaging segment and the abutment surface cooperate to urge the rod into frictional engagement with the rod receiver and to secure it from axial, radial and rotational displacement relative to the rod receiver.

Abstract: It consists of an electric motor (1) which by means of a reducer activates a central gear (12) that transmits the movement to a central wheel (20) that on each one of its sides has matching channels (21), where a pair of knobs (22) are housed comprising two oscillating levers (23) that can rotate around an articulation axle (24) near the doll's (1) shoulders, with each oscillating lever (23) ending in an oscillating toothed area (25) which gears into a toothed circular area (26) united rotationally to the legs (6) of the doll (1). The electric motor (11) receives its supply either by means of a circuit controlled by the contacts of a general relay (52) where an off switch in laying down position (27) and an off switch in seated position (28) are looped, or by means of an alternative switch (56) belonging to an alternative relay (55) activated by a microphone (36) that reacts to exterior sound or touch stimulations. FIGS. 6 and 13.

Abstract: A threaded fusion cage for implantation between a pair of vertebrae. The cage has a discontinuous thread helically wound thereabout. The thread has a constant depth in posterior and middle portions of the cage but is feathered in an anterior portion of the cage so that the minor radius approaches or equals the major radius of the thread. This provides greater support to the relatively stronger and harder bone found at the anterior end of the vertebrae.

Abstract: The procedure involves the mixture of a water based oxidizing product with an oxygen balance greater than 14% consisting of a water solution saturated with oxidizing salts, oxidizing particles in suspension and thickening agents, with a fuel and a gas in a mixer, by means of the formation of an intimate mixture of the oxidizing product and the fuel and the formation of a suspension or emulsion of gas in the mixture. The density of the end explosive product may be varied according to the gas flow and this is controlled before introducing the explosive into the bore. The installation consists of a tank (1) with the oxidizing product, a fuel tank (11), a gas reserve (10), a mixer (5), a pump (3), a dosing device for the fuel (12) with a flow meter (13) and a regulating device of the gas flow (8), and, optionally, a tank (2) with a stabilizer of the gas bubbles, a dosing pump (4) and a flow meter (7).

Abstract: A process and facility for treating and disinfecting water supplies comprising first treating the water with chlorine, then with ammonia, then with ozone to substantially disinfect the water, then passing the water through a filter with microorganisms to reduce the amount of small organic compounds and carbon in the water and finally again treating with chlorine so as to produce a residual level of chlorine in the water.

Abstract: The process for sensitizing in situ aqueous explosives before charging the mine holes comprises the formation of an emulsion of dispersion gas-in-liquid from a low sensitivity or non explosive matrix product which consists of a liquid mixture in solution, emulsion or suspension of oxidant in fuel, and a gas. The density of the final explosive product can be varied as a function of the gas flow rate and can be controlled before introducing it into the hole. The installation comprises a tank (1) with the matrix product, a gas reserve (10), a mixture (5), a pump (3), and a gas flow rate regulating device (8) and optionally a tank (2) with a gas bubble stabilizing agent, a dosing pump (4) and a flow meter (7).