Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved Bone Tendon Bone graft for use in orthopedic surgical procedures. Specifically exemplified herein is a Bone Tendon Bone graft comprising one or more bone blocks having a groove cut into the surface thereof, wherein said groove is sufficient to accommodate a fixation screw. Also disclosed is a porcine bone tendon bone graft for use in orthopedic procedures. Additionally, Also a method of harvesting grafts that has improved efficiency, increases the quantity of extracted tissue and minimizes time required by surgeon for implantation is disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 27, 2007
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2012
Assignee:
RTI Biologics, Inc.
Inventors:
Kevin C. Carter, Diane Carter, legal representative, Michael Esch, Paul LaRochelle, Gina Scurti
Abstract: A method for generating a presentation of a region-of-interest in an original image for display on a display screen, comprising: establishing a lens for the region-of-interest, the lens having a magnified focal region for the region-of-interest at least partially surrounded by a shoulder region having diminishing magnification, the focal region having a perimeter defined by a radius r from a line segment; receiving one or more signals to adjust at least one of the radius r and a length len of the line segment to thereby adjust the perimeter; and, applying the lens to the original image to produce the presentation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 27, 2005
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2012
Inventors:
Garth B. D. Shoemaker, Mark H. A. Tigges
Abstract: The method comprises operating an engine and collecting a real-time accelerometer signal from an accelerometer sensor. The real-time accelerometer signal is digitized and filtered to isolate data in a frequency range associated with combustion to produce a filtered signal data set. The filtered signal data set is integrated to produce an integrated signal data set, and misfire is detected by comparing the integrated signal data set with a predetermined reference data set associated with the same operating point. The apparatus is a control system for an engine that comprises an accelerometer sensor mounted to the engine; a look-up table in which is stored predetermined reference data sets, in association with predetermined operating conditions; and an electronic controller programmed to carry out the foregoing method.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 26, 2010
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2012
Assignee:
Westport Power Inc.
Inventors:
Jian Huang, Duran Cheung, David Mumford
Abstract: A method for use with a gaming machine including presenting an outcome by displaying a symbol as travelling along a path and stopping in a stopping position that overlies another game symbol. An award is paid or changed when there is a particular relationship between the symbol.
Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an insert earphone assembly. The insert earphone assembly may comprise a housing and a transducer located in the housing. The transducer may be for converting electrical signals received into sound energy. The insert earphone apparatus may further comprise an insert element. The insert element may be at, least partially integrated within the housing. The insert element may also comprise a main sound channel for communicating the sound energy from the transducer to a user. In certain embodiments, one or more of the body and the insert element may comprise one or more auxiliary ducts and one or more auxiliary volume spaces. The one or more auxiliary ducts and one or more auxiliary volume spaces may be separated by one or more auxiliary dampers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2007
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2012
Assignee:
Etymotic Research, Inc.
Inventors:
Andrew J. Haapapuro, Viorel Drambarean, Mead C. Killion
Abstract: Aspects of the present invention may be found in a method and system for cellular network services and an integrated broadcast television (TV) downlink having intelligent service control with feedback information. The system may comprise cellular processing circuitry in a mobile terminal that processes a plurality of cellular frequency band communications services which comprise at least one voice service and at least one data service, in a single cellular processor integrated circuit in a mobile terminal. In addition, the system may comprise broadcast processing circuitry in the mobile terminal that processes VHF/UHF band broadcast services in a single broadcast processor integrated circuit in the mobile terminal. The cellular processing circuitry may communicate with, and share at least a single memory with, the broadcast processing circuitry.
Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting, and controlling power for, an auxiliary microphone are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include a detection block intermittently enabling a bias circuit block to provide a bias signal to determine if an auxiliary microphone may be communicatively coupled to a mobile device. The detection block may process 1-bit digital samples received from the bias circuit bock to determine whether the auxiliary microphone may be communicatively coupled. The detection block may also process the 1-bit digital samples to determine if a button associated with the auxiliary microphone may have been pushed or activated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 30, 2006
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2012
Assignee:
Broadcom Corporation
Inventors:
Hongwei Kong, Nelson Sollenberger, Li Fung Chang, Andy Tong, Todd L. Brooks, Claude Hayek
Abstract: A process for manufacturing polymers of glycerin and hydroxyl fatty acids, for example, polyglycerol polyricinoleates, which mix a polyglycerol with a hydroxyl fatty acid directly to form a reaction mixture, and then heat the reaction mixture to a temperature sufficient to cause it to polymerize through an esterification mechanism until the reaction mixture reaches a desired acid value.
Abstract: A hinged container is disclosed, including a base, a lid, and a hinge joining the base and lid, allowing the lid to pivot open or closed relative to the base. One of the base and the lid has a circular, outwardly tapered outer seal member disposed at least partially within its outer perimeter. The other of the base and the lid has a circular, inwardly-tapered inner seal member disposed at least partially within its outer perimeter. The inner and outer seal members are positioned to engage concentrically to wedge the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces together and form a seal when the base and the lid are closed, and to disengage concentrically to part the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces when the base and the lid are opened.
Abstract: Disclosed are polar, hydrophilic stimulant prodrug compositions comprising at least one stimulant chemically attached to a polar hydrophilic ligand, a salt thereof, a derivative thereof, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are non-standard amino acid conjugates of amphetamine. Methods of making and using the same are also disclosed.
Abstract: There is disclosed a game feature forming part of a gaming machine apparatus (10). The game feature (42) is configured to award a bonus outcome that is determined on the basis of a dynamic bonus modifier (44). The game feature (42) additionally includes a motion indicator (65) associated with the dynamic bonus modifier (44), and during play a value of said dynamic award modifier is adjusted in relation to at least one parameter of a movement of the motion indicator (65). The bonus modifier (44) may be adjusted in concert with, or in response to, the parameter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 17, 2006
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2012
Assignee:
Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
Abstract: A method and an apparatus for efficient Gold code generation and management in WCDMA systems are presented. Aspects of the method may include simultaneously generating, based on the codeword sequence, a plurality of scrambling code segments associated with a scrambling code. A plurality of scrambling code segments, where each is associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of scrambling codes, may also be simultaneously generated. The plurality of scrambling codes may form a scrambling code group. Based on the codeword sequence, a plurality of time shifted versions of at least one scrambling code segment associated with a scrambling code may also be simultaneously generated.
Abstract: An adjustable surgical retractor system for clamping system to an operating table. The clamping mechanism includes an upper jaw, lower jaw, a drive member, an adjustable frame support post and releasable locking mechanism for adjusting the height of the surgical retracting frame. The releasable locking mechanism can be a mechanism that includes a sleeve in close sliding relationship to the upper portion of lower jaw member. The upper portion of the lower jaw has a plurality of sockets for receipt of a plurality of balls. The sleeve can have a first position which positions an internal shoulder in alignment with the sockets and urges the balls into engagement with circumferential grooves in post member to lock the post at desired height. In a second position, an internal groove in the sleeve can align with the sockets to allow the balls to move partially out of the sockets and out of engagement with the groove in the post so that the post can be longitudinally adjusted relative to the clamping mechanism.
Abstract: An image sensor with an enlarged outward appearance of a microlens and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The image sensor includes: a plurality of microlenses formed on a semiconductor substrate with a certain spacing distance; and a protection layer formed over the microlenses, wherein the protection layer includes a first oxide layer which is formed by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method and a second oxide layer which is formed by a spin on glass (SOG) method over the first oxide layer to maintain sufficient step coverage over chasms between the microlenses.
Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assessing the proliferation or differentiation behavior of a population of target cells in a biological system, said method comprising the steps of; [a] measuring the value of at least one proliferation characteristic of said cells at least one time point t, wherein said proliferation characteristic is the clone size distribution; [b] comparing the clone size distribution measured in [a] to a reference clone size distribution at a corresponding time point t predicted or described by the equation; wherein a difference between the measured clone size distribution of [a] and the predicted or described clone size distribution of [b] indicates an altered proliferation or differentiation behavior of said cells. The invention further relates to methods involving assessing the scaling form of the above behaviors, values of the parameters, and inferring effects on cell proliferation and/or differentiation therefrom.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 27, 2007
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2012
Assignee:
Medical Research Council
Inventors:
Philip Howlett Jones, Benjamin David Simons
Abstract: A method and system for beamforming in a multiple user multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication system using a codebook may include a processor in a node B that enables generation of an interference cancellation matrix (WR). The interference cancellation matrix, also referred to as a matched filter, may enable a composite signal (Y) to be represented as a plurality of subsidiary signals (yi), each of which is transmitted by the node B for reception at a corresponding ith UE station. Each of the subsidiary signals yi may be generated based on a corresponding one of a plurality of data stream signals (xi). The processor may enable generation of a precoding matrix (WT) based on the interference cancellation matrix. A transmitter within the node B may enable generation of a plurality of signals based on the preceding matrix. The signals may be transmitted via a wireless communication medium.
Abstract: A method and system are provided for providing data commonality in a programmable transport demultiplexer engine. The method may involve utilizing a hardware assist block to process a portion of an incoming data packet, which may result in a partially processed data packet. The data packet may comprise data in any one of video formats and/or audio formats. A firmware block may then execute a plurality of instructions to process the partially processed data packet. The plurality of instructions may be independent of video and/or audio formats associated with the data packet.
Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for non-preemptive DRAM transactions. More specifically, the present invention relates to improvements in non-preemptive DRAM transactions in real-time unified memory architectures. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for determining access to non-preemptive DRAM devices. This method comprises determining real time need for access to the device and prioritizing access using a rate monotonic scheduling.
Abstract: Certain aspects of the method may comprise receiving a plurality of spatially multiplexed communication signals from a plurality of transmit antennas at a base station. A plurality of vectors of baseband combined channel estimates may be generated based on phase rotation of the received plurality of spatially multiplexed communication signals. A plurality of pre-equalization weights may be generated based on the generated plurality of vectors of baseband combined channel estimates. The received plurality of spatially multiplexed communication signals may be modified based on the generated plurality of pre-equalization weights. At least a portion of the generated plurality of pre-equalization weights may be fed back to the base station for modifying subsequently transmitted spatially multiplexed communication signals which are transmitted from at least a portion of the plurality of transmit antennas at the base station.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 30, 2005
Date of Patent:
January 17, 2012
Assignee:
Broadcom Corporation
Inventors:
Mark Kent, Vinko Erceg, Uri M. Landau, Pieter Van Rooyen, Pieter Roux
Abstract: A system and a suitable method for distribution of picture objects which are stored with assigned picture object information in a picture object database. In a media center of the system, user identification data are received which are transmitted to the media center by communications terminals via a communications network. In the media center user interests profiles are defined which, assigned to the received user identification data, are stored in a user interests database. On the basis of the correlation of particular user interests profiles with picture object information, picture objects are selected and transmitted via the communications network to the respective communications terminal from which the received user identification data were transmitted. The current direction of view of a user of the communications terminal is determined and transmitted to the media center, where picture objects which are viewed by the user are identified based thereon.