Abstract: An instrument for manipulating a spinal fixation element relative to a bone anchor includes a bone anchor grasping mechanism, a first adjustment mechanism, and a second adjustment mechanism. The bone anchor grasping mechanism includes a first arm having a distal end configured to engage an opening provided in the bone anchor. The first adjustment mechanism includes a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm. The second arm has a distal end configured to engage an opening provided in the bone anchor and is operable to adjust a spinal fixation element in a first direction upon pivoting relative to the first arm. The second adjustment mechanism is removably and replaceably coupled to the bone anchor grasping mechanism and is movable relative to the bone anchor grasping mechanism to adjust the spinal fixation element in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, relative to the bone anchor.

Abstract: The invention provides breathable laminated articles, preferably free from harmful halogens and plasticizers, which can be constructed and arranged to be usable for any application, such as wallcoverings, where breathability and being free from harmful halogens and/or plasticizers is advantageous. For example, the breathable laminated article can be made from a non-woven, breathable backing layer of material, the backing layer having a plurality of microprojections on a first side, coupled along the first side to a top layer, where the top layer may or may not be breathable, to form an assembly. This assembly has at least one variation formed in the level of the surface of the first side of the first layer, wherein the variation in level is formed such that the microprojections penetrate at least a portion of the top layer to form microapertures that improve the breathability of the top layer.

Abstract: In communication system (SYS) including a first network (IN) with at least a first terminal node (CN), and an ad hoc network (AHN) with at least a second terminal node (RN1-RN4; MN), and a gateway (GW), transmission information (TI) is forwarded between the first terminal node (CN) of the first network (IN) and the second terminal node (RN1-RN4; MN) of the ad hoc network (AHN). In order to perform a more accurate flow control of transmission information (TI) inside the mobile ad hoc network (AHN), the gateway (GW) and the second terminal node (MN) exchange transmission information (TI) as well as acknowledgement information (ACTAN, ACTAN?, ACTAN?). Preferably, the exchange of the transmission information (TI) and the acknowledgement information (ACTAN, ACTAN?, ACTAN?) is carried out through a tunnel link (TUN1) established between the gateway (GW) and the second terminal node (MN).

Abstract: A printing device includes a printing process section configured so as to be capable of performing a first printing process in which, in synchronization with transporting of a printing medium performed at intervals of a predetermined constant transport amount, respective printing operations are performed on the printing medium, and a second printing process in which, in synchronization with transporting of the printing medium performed at intervals of a smaller constant transport amount than the predetermined constant transport amount, respective printing operations are performed on the printing medium; a searching section configured to search for a final printing line position of printing image data to be printed on the printing medium from an end edge of a printable area on the printing medium; and a selecting section configured to select either of the first printing process or the second printing process in accordance with the final printing line position of the printing image data obtained by the searchin

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for performing in vivo flow cytometry. In one embodiments, selected circulating cells of interest of a subject are labeled with fluorescent probe molecules. The labeled cells are irradiated in-vivo so as to excite the fluorescent probes, and the radiation emitted by the excited probes is detected, preferably confocally. The detected radiation is then analyzed to derive desired information, such as relative cell count, of the cells of interest. In some embodiments, the circulating cells comprise apoptotic cells whose detection can allow, e.g., non-invasive monitoring of the efficacy of a cancer treatment, such as an anti-tumor or an anti-angiogenic therapy.

Abstract: A USB host is provided which can connect to a USB device via a USB hub, the USB host including, a combination storage unit that stores an upgrade allowable combination, for which upgrading of the USB device is allowed, among a combination of hub identification information for identifying the USB hub and device identification information for identifying the USB device; an identification information acquisition unit acquires hub identification information from the USB hub in compliance with USB standards when the USB hub is connected and acquires device identification information from the USB device in compliance with USB standards when the USB device is in connected to the USB hub; and a command transmission unit that transmits an upgrade command to the USB device when a combination of the acquired hub identification information and the acquired device identification information is identical to the combination stored in the combination storage unit.

Abstract: A system is provided for establishing a protected zone and monitoring interactions therewith. The system includes a protected zone designator and a wearable device. The protected zone designator establishes the protected zone. The protected zone designator is configured for placement at a location in which the protected zone is desired. The wearable device is separate and distal from the protected zone designator. The wearable device includes a protected zone recognition component configured to recognize the protected zone and identify pre-defined interaction criteria for the protected zone. Upon the wearable device entering the protected zone, the protected zone recognition component recognizes the protected zone and identifies the interaction criteria of the protected zone. Based on the interaction criteria the wearable device determines and records compliance with the interaction criteria.

Abstract: An underwater detection device for detecting underwater by transmission and reception of an ultrasonic signal is provided. The device includes a transmission module for transmitting the ultrasonic signal underwater, a reception module for receiving an echo signal of the transmitted ultrasonic signal, a bottom detection module for detecting a bottom based on the echo signal from the bottom, a bottom-sediment determination module for calculating probabilities of the bottom sediment on how much the bottom sediment contains each of predetermined bottom sediment types based on the echo signal and a bottom-sediment display module for displaying a texture representing each of the bottom sediment types below the bottom being displayed based on the probabilities.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for forming polymeric nanoparticles, which comprises using a static mixer to create a mixed flowing stream of an anti-solvent, e.g., by introducing a liquid anti-solvent into a static mixer, and introducing a polymer solution into the mixed flowing anti-solvent stream such that controlled precipitation of polymeric nanoparticles occurs. The nanoparticles can then be separated from the anti-solvent stream.

Abstract: An endoluminal treatment device and method includes introducing an endoluminal device into a lumen of a patient and engaging a wall of the lumen with an implant device. The implant device can be a drug delivery device or medical device.

Abstract: Methods for preventing damage to the epidermis during PDT induced using a pre-photosensitizing agent are provided. The methods of the present invention utilize spatial confinement to control formation of a photoactive species from a topically-applied pre-photosensitizing agent. In one embodiment, thermal inhibition is used to prevent the metabolism of a pre-photosensitizing agent in epithelial tissue surrounding a treatment site. In another embodiment, a chemical inhibitor can be applied to the epithelial tissue to inhibit the conversion of a pre-photosensitizing agent into a phototoxic species.

Abstract: A surgical access device is provided that includes a housing having at least one access port therein for receiving a surgical instrument therethrough, and at least one elongate flexible instrument channel extending from the housing and having a lumen extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the at least one access port in the housing. The instrument channel is adapted to move from a first collapsed configuration in which the channel is sealed to substantially prevent fluid from flowing therethrough to a second expanded configuration upon insertion of an instrument therethrough.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting device is provided. A main tank stores liquid. A sub-tank includes a variable volume liquid chamber that stores the liquid supplied from the main tank. A head ejects the liquid supplied from the sub-tank. A carriage is movable to reciprocate the sub-tank and the head. A first engagement member is provided in the sub-tank and is movable to expand the volume of the liquid chamber. A second engagement member engages with the first engagement member and moves the first engagement member. The liquid is supplied from the main tank to the sub-tank when the first engagement member is moved by the second engagement member to expand the volume of the liquid chamber.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting the presence of a NO forming material (e.g., a material that can form, or is, a nitrogen monoxide molecule) are disclosed based on detection of fluorescence exhibited by NO molecules in a first vibrationally excited state of a ground electronic state. Such excited NO molecules can be formed, for example, when small amounts of explosives are photodissociated. By inducing fluorescence of the material, a distinct signature of the explosive can be detected. Such techniques can be performed quickly and with a significant standoff distance, which can add to the invention's utility. In another aspection of the invention, methods and apparatus for generating electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. Such methods and apparatus can be used in conjunction with any detection method disclosed herein.

Abstract: A color difference ?E between a target color value expressed by color measurement data MD obtained by measuring colors of a target TG under plural light sources and an estimation color value obtained when a printer performs printing on the basis of an ink amount set ? is calculated for each of the light sources. When the color difference can be calculated for each of the light sources, an evaluation value E (?) obtained by linear combination of the color differences is calculated. In addition, the ink amount set ? is calculated as an optimum solution for minimizing the evaluation value E (?).

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a wireless radio channel between a first terminal and a relay station, the apparatus including a receiver for receiving a signal including a superposition of previously transmitted first information from the first terminal and second information from a second terminal, the second terminal also communicating with the relay station, a storage for storing the previously transmitted first information, and a channel calculator for calculating the wireless radio channel using the received signal and the stored first information as pilot information for the received signal.

Abstract: A spinal implant including an at least one screw disposed within a wedge body is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement with a facet joint in an intra-facet delivery. Furthermore, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint in an intra-facet orientation is hereby provided.

Abstract: A roll paper printer enables opening the cover and platen using a 4-part parallel linkage mechanism without interfering with the inkjet head. The cover unit for the roll paper compartment of the roll paper printer opens and closes by means of the parallel linkage mechanism. The back end part of the platen frame part of this linkage mechanism is connected to the top end part of the rear parallel links and so that the can move down.

Abstract: There is provided a printer that performs print on a medium by color materials, including: an advance information reading and writing section that reads and writes advance information from and in an advance information holder for storing the advance information; a print control section that outputs a print driving controlling print when the advance information is read by the advance information reading and writing section; and a used amount acquiring section that acquires a used amount for the printer based on the print driving signal output from print control section.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating obesity are provided, and more particularly, methods and devices for performing gastric bypasses are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment a gastric bypass procedure is provided that includes forming a gastro-entero anastomosis between a stomach and an intestine and forming an entero-entero anastomosis between a portion of the intestine distal to the gastro-entero anastomosis and a portion of the intestine proximal to the gastro-entero anastomosis. A surrogate path is formed between the esophagus and the gastro-entero anastomosis to at least partially direct fluid from the esophagus to the intestine by way of the gastro-entero anastomosis, thereby bypassing the stomach. Devices useful in gastric bypass procedures that include anastomotic devices coupled to or integrally formed with a shunt. The devices can include a plurality of tubular bodies that are configured to have an adjustable length.