Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a computer model from scan data from a patient, comprising: (1) acquiring the scan data from the patient; (2) selecting a plurality of key frames from the scan data; (3) hand segmenting the selected key frames, whereby to identify specific anatomical structures; (4) automatically generating segmented intervening frames for the regions between the key frames using an interpolation process; (5) merging the automatically segmented intervening frames with the hand segmented key frames so as to generate a complete set of segmented frames; (6) obtaining a first measurement of a selected feature of the complete set of segmented frames; (7) hand segmenting at least one additional key frame and replacing a corresponding intervening frame with said one additional key frame within the complete set of segmented frames; (8) re-interpolating the set of segmented frames based upon the updated set of key frames; (9) obtaining a second measurement of the selected feature of the re-comp

Abstract: A peak contact pressure sensor system comprising: at least one channel comprising a wall, wherein the wall is configured to deform upon engagement with a force or pressure which exceeds a threshold level, and further wherein the channel is filled with a fluid or gas; and a monitor for monitoring changes in the state of the fluid or gas within the at least one channel. A smart tissue retractor system comprising: a retractor; at least one channel carried by the retractor and comprising a wall, wherein the wall is configured to deform upon engagement with a force which exceeds a threshold level, and further wherein the channel is filled with a fluid or gas; and a monitor for monitoring changes in the state of the fluid or gas within the at least one channel.

Abstract: An improved method for anchoring to a concrete base a wood floor attachment member having top and bottom sides, a number of passthrough holes, and compressible pads attached to its bottom side. The method uses pointed fasteners having radially projecting heads and sleeves that are inserted in the passthrough holes. Each sleeve has an annular flange at its proximal end that overlies the attachment member and its center bore has a counterbore at the proximal end. The method also comprises use of a fastener driver having a nozzle sized to enter said sleeve counterbore but not said center bore, a hammer bore for receiving a fastener, and a hammer in the nozzle bore that is powered to engage the fastener head and drive the fastener into locking engagement with the base via said center bore, whereby to fix the sleeve surrounding the fastener, and the floor attachment member, to the base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a conjugate comprising a first and a second polypeptide, said method comprising the steps of (a) incubating said first polypeptide in the presence of a heterobifunctional crosslinker comprising an N-hydroxylsuccinimide ester group and a maleimide group linked via a polyethylene oxide spacer; (b) removing excess heterobifunctional crosslinker; and (c) incubating the reaction product of step (b) with said second polypeptide, wherein said second polypeptide comprises at least one sulfhydryl group. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a conjugate obtainable by the method of the present invention. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate of the present invention and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent, and the use of the conjugate for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating an allergic disease or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A carrying case providing privacy and light shade for a screen of a laptop computer disposed therein. The carrying case includes top and bottom portions movable between closed and open positions, and panels disposed on the interior surface of the case top portion and pivotally movable from flush with the top portion interior surface to form an inverted u-shaped shroud resting on the interior surface of the case bottom portion. The case top and bottom portions, and panels form a five sided cavity, a sixth side being open to permit viewing of the screen of the computer by an operator.

Abstract: A modular filtration assembly for filtration of fluids, the capacity of the assembly depending upon the selected number of filtration modules included in the assembly. Each of the modules is made up of two identical housing members connected together in inverse, head-to-tail configuration and providing for inflow and outflow of fluid to and from a filter unit disposed in a recess formed by the two housing members. A housing inlet and housing outlet serve the function of assembly inlet and assembly outlet when the modules are assembled to one another to form the filtration assembly, providing for modularity and affording flexibility of capacity of the assembly.

Abstract: A spectrometer comprising a collimating element for receiving input light and collimating the same, a dispersive optical element for receiving light from the collimating element and dispersing the same and a focusing element for receiving light from the dispersive optical element and focusing the same on a detector assembly wherein, where the wavelength dispersion of the dispersed light extends in the x-y direction, the collimating element and the focusing element are formed so as to maintain the desired optical parameters in the x-y plane while having a reduced size in the z direction.

Abstract: A torque measuring apparatus is described that comprises a chassis, a reversible electrical motor having a motor housing and a rotatable output shaft projecting from one end of said motor housing, motor mounting means mounting said motor housing for rotation relative to said chassis, means for connecting said motor output shaft to a rotatable component of a device to be tested, whereby energization of said motor will cause said output shaft to rotate and apply a torque to said rotatable component and the resistance to rotation offered by said rotatable component will result in a reactionary torque that causes said motor housing to rotate relative to said chassis, means responsive to rotation of said motor housing for generating a signal representative of said reactionary torque, and means for converting that signal into a measure of the torque applied by said motor output shaft to said rotatable component.

Abstract: There is provided a fiber optic transmission system, comprising: an optical signal source adapted to produce a frequency modulated signal; and a multi-ring resonator optical spectrum reshaper (OSR) adapted to convert the frequency modulated signal into a substantially amplitude modulated signal. And there is provided a method for transmitting an optical signal through a fiber comprising: producing a frequency modulated signal; passing the frequency modulated signal through a multi-ring resonator optical spectrum reshaper (OSR) so as to convert the frequency modulated signal into a substantially amplitude modulated signal; and passing the substantially amplitude modulated signal into the fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating a surface layer in a stratified liquid body using a depth-adjustable, fine bubble, surface layer aeration unit comprising: a body comprising at least one hollow internal structure; an air inlet communicating with the at least one hollow internal structure, whereby air from an external air source may be introduced into the at least one hollow internal structure; at least one fine bubble aerator communicating with the at least one hollow internal structure, whereby air from the at least one hollow internal structure may be released through the fine bubble aerator into an adjacent fluid; and at least one weight pod attached to the body, wherein the at least one weight pod comprises structure for adjusting the weight of the at least one weight pod, whereby the buoyancy of the aeration unit may be adjusted so as to permit the at least one fine bubble aerator to be positioned at a desired depth in a fluid body.

Abstract: This invention involves a child's car seat with a seat surface, a back rest, optionally with side arm supports and/or head supports or rests, and with side guides for the insertion of the belt of a car, and with at least one device for the automatic tightening of the car belt, and with a device for adjusting the inclination of the child's car seat relative to the vehicle's own seat. The device for the automatic tightening of the car belt is located in the area of a belt provided in the top area of the back rest guide and acts at the same time on the shoulder belt and the waist belt. There is further at least one device for fastening the car's shoulder belt immovably with respect to the child's car seat.

Abstract: This invention provides a system that combines a wavelength multiplexer with an FM discriminator for chirp reduction and wavelength locker in a filter to produce a wavelength division multiplexed signal with reduced chirp. A partially frequency modulation laser signal is converted into a substantially amplitude modulation laser signal. This conversion increases the extinction ratio of the input signal and further reduces the chirp. A wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) method is used for transmitting high capacity information through fiber optics systems where digital information is carried on separate wavelengths through the same fiber. Separate transmitters normally generate their respective signals that are transmitted at different wavelengths. These signals are then combined using a wavelength multiplexer to transmit the high capacity information through the fiber optic system.

Abstract: Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel safety alert sign which provides a uniquely attention-getting and highly visible warning to oncoming drivers during both daylight, and, particularly twilight and dusk through the nighttime hours.

Abstract: A bone milling instrument is disclosed for creating a shaped cavity from an initial cavity in a bone, the bone milling instrument comprising a reference frame, a centering member at the distal end of the reference frame, a registration surface for engaging a portion of the initial cavity, and an attachment site provided proximally of the registration surface, a guidance support member, an attachment mechanism at the first end of the guidance support member, and a constrained pathway extending between the ends of the guidance support member; a shuttle having a first connection element configured for positionably attaching the shuttle to the guidance support member, and a second connection element configured to provide a rotational coupler; and a cutting device having a cutting portion configured at a distal end thereof, and an attachment portion provided at a proximal end.

Abstract: An instrument is disclosed for inserting a modular implant, the instrument comprising a first end and a second end, the first end having engagement means for engaging a stem component of the modular implant, the engagement means comprising separation means for separating a body component of the modular implant and the stem component from one another so as to permit rotational positioning of the body component and the stem component relative to one another.

Abstract: A method for determining the most likely composition of a sample, including obtaining data from a sample, wherein the data includes a representation of a measured spectrum; determining the precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum; providing a plurality of library candidates and, for each library candidate, providing data representing each library candidate, wherein the data includes a representation of a library spectrum; determining a representation of the similarity of the sample to each library candidate using (i) the representation of the measured spectrum; (ii) the precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum; and (iii) the representation of the library spectrum for that library candidate; determining the most likely composition of the sample based upon the determined representations of similarity of the sample to each library candidate; and displaying the most likely composition of the sample to a user.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved system and method for visualizing data. In a preferred form of the invention, there is provided an improved system and method for comprehending and communicating financial data, and their complex interdependencies, through the use of a novel three dimensional orthogonal chart system. In one preferred form of the invention, there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising at least two data sets, wherein one data set is represented as a ribbon propagating along a first axis and the second data set is represented as a curtain propagating along the first axis. In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising a plurality of data sets, wherein each of the data sets is represented as a separate ribbon propagating along a first axis, with the separate ribbons being displaced from one another along another axis.