Abstract: A printer includes a recording head and a maintenance mechanism for sucking an ink in the recording head. A plurality of cartridges to be attached to the printer includes a first housing portion for storing an ink to be supplied to the recording head and a second housing portion for storing a waste ink discharged from the maintenance mechanism. In a first one of the cartridges, the flow path resistance of a cartridge side flow path from a waste ink introducing portion to an air communicating hole for discharging air in a waste ink reservoir portion to an outside through the waste ink reservoir portion is lower than the flow path resistance of each of the cartridge side flow paths of the other cartridges (FIG. 14).

Abstract: Ink maintained at a negative pressure state is supplied to an ink-jet recording head via an ink supply mechanism constructed as a differential pressure valve having a coil spring and a movable membrane normally contacted elastically with a valve seat by the coil spring.

Abstract: An allogenic intervertebral implant for fusing vertebrae is disclosed. The implant is a piece of allogenic bone conforming in size and shape with a portion of an end plate of a vertebra. The implant has a wedge-shaped profile to restore disc height and the natural curvature of the spine. The top and bottom surfaces of the implant have a plurality of teeth to resist expulsion and provide initial stability. The implant according to the present invention provides initial stability need for fusion without stress shielding.

Abstract: A topical insecticide preparation is provided which can be safe to use and avoids many common deleterious side effects of conventional topical insecticides. The topical insecticide contains a combination of a first pyrethroid insecticide effective for killing fleas, a second pyrethroid insecticide effective for killing ticks, and an insect growth regulator (IGR). The topical insecticide preparation can be packaged together or packaged so that the first and second pyrethroid insecticides are stored separately prior to administration of the insecticide preparation to the animal. The combination of the first and second pyrethroid insecticides with an insect growth regulator results in an insecticide preparation formulated to have enhanced insecticidal activity against fleas and ticks compared to the effectiveness of the first and second insecticides used alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and system used to capture three-dimensional images for the purposes of, but not limited to, designing and fabricating medical devices and other medical-related uses of three-dimensional images. The present system generally includes a three dimensional digitizing system, direct conversion Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, a Central Fabrication Network (CFN) comprising of a Central Fabrication Center (CFC) and/or at least one other fabrication center, and preferably a network communicatively connecting at least one practitioner to a Central Design Center (CDC). Additionally, the present invention may include certain design protocols as well as training/education for its practitioners.

Abstract: The electrical connectors according to embodiments of the present invention include an elongated conductor body having an external contact surface, and a clamping device including a nut plate that spans the contact surface and carries a clamping screw for securing a threaded stud terminal to the contact surface. The nut plate and the conductor body are segments cut from stocks of metal extrusions. The body extrusion has one or more longitudinal ribs that are converted by coining into one or more rows of teeth that mesh with the stud terminal to block shift of the connector along the stud terminal.

Abstract: A spring-loaded surgical awl is provided for orthopedic applications that include creating or enlarging holes in bone. The awl has an awl shaft with a cutting tip within a sleeve, with a spring disposed between the awl shaft and sleeve to return the cutting tip of the awl tip to a position within the sleeve after the cutting tip of the awl shaft contacts the bone. The outer sleeve has an end that preferably engages a bone plate and the travel of the awl tip is limited by a shoulder within the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A damping element (1) comprising (a) two spring elements (2, 4) which are coaxial with or parallel to a longitudinal axis (3) and two axially end-wise connectors (5, 6) which can be linked to the spring elements (2, 4), where (b) the first spring element (2) exhibits a spring rate F, (c) the second spring element (4) exhibits a spring rate f, and (d) the spring rates F and f are different. A system stabilizing adjacent vertebras includes: (a) N pedicle screws or pedicle hooks (12), with N?3, and (b) at least one pedicle screw or one pedicle hook having a receiving device (13) which simultaneously allow receiving two parallel affixation devices (7), and where (c) an element (14) acting as a spring is used for affixation between the minimum of one pedicle screw or pedicle hook (12) including a receiving device (13) and a further adjacent pedicle screw or pedicle hook (12).

Abstract: An ink cartridge having a container for storing ink therein and having an ink supply port formed at a leading end side in an insertion direction of the container, a memory device disposed on a first of two opposite surfaces parallel to the insertion direction of the container, the memory device having an electrode for electrical connection to the recording device; a retaining member disposed on the first surface and located at a trailing end side relative to the memory device in the insertion direction, the retaining member serving to selectively engage with the recording device; and another retaining member disposed on the second surface and which also serves to selectively engage with the recording device.

Abstract: A liquid detecting method of detecting liquid in a liquid container used on a liquid ejector by use of a liquid sensor. There are included a head cleaning step of performing a head cleaning operation after maintaining for a predetermined time or longer a state there is no flow of fluid into/from the cavity through the liquid supply port and liquid discharge port, and a detecting step of detecting a presence/absence of liquid by applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric device of the liquid sensor after the head cleaning process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage device that enables identification data to be readily rewritten and ensures normal completion of a data writing operation in a short time period. In the storage device of the invention, an ID comparator determines whether or not identification data transmitted from a host computer coincides with identification data stored in a memory array. In the case of coincidence, the ID comparator sends an access enable signal EN to an operation code decoder. The operation code decoder analyzes a write/read command, switches over a direction of data transfer with regard to the memory array based on a result of the analysis, and requires an I/O controller to change a high impedance setting of a signal line connecting with a data terminal DT. This series of processing allows access to an address in the memory array specified by a count on an address counter.

Abstract: A ventilated cage and rack system. An embodiment of the invention may comprise a ventilated rack, the rack including at least one air exhaust plenum and at least one canopy disposed within the rack, the canopy being adapted to position a cage assembly below the canopy while maintaining a gap between the top of the cage assembly so as to permit air to be drawn into the air exhaust plenum from the interior of the cage assembly through the top of the cage assembly and to also permit ambient air to be drawn across the top of the cage assembly into the air exhaust plenum. The cage assembly comprises one of a first cage having a first width and a plurality of second cages having a second width, the second width being less than the first width.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas absorption device arranged in a liquid container storing a liquid fed to a liquid consumption apparatus. The device includes a decompressed container having an opening and a flexible film sealing the opening in the state that the decompressed container is internally decompressed. At least a part of a portion having an inner surface which receives the decompressed pressure in the decompressed container and an outer surface which is in contact with the liquid in the liquid container is formed by a gas permeable material through which gas dissolved in the liquid in the liquid container can permeate. According to the present invention, gas dissolved in the liquid stored in the liquid container can be absorbed using a decompressed space and the existence of a decompressed status necessary to absorb gas can be easily examined.

Abstract: A method of forming a valve assembly for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal can include injection molding an upper member having a piercing member and injection molding a sealing member. The upper member has a fluid channel defined therethrough and forms, in an injection molding machine, a unitary member with the sealing member. The method can also include injection molding a base having a flange member and a base fluid channel defined therethrough. The base is designed to be matingly coupled to the upper member. The method can further include injection molding a stem member constructed and arranged to be disposed in part within the base fluid channel. The stem member has an actuation portion extending through a spring element. The stem member has a top portion having a lower surface.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant is shaped in the form of a hollow cylinder and has a cover face, a base face, a hollow cylinder wall with an outer lateral area and an inner lateral area, as well as a hollow cylinder central axis. The implant is formed at least 95 percent by volume of a radiolucent material which has a modulus of elasticity of between 1 and 20 GPa. Postsurgical observation is permitted by means of X-rays, and at the same time the implant has a high degree of biocompatibility.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an ink jet printer having a housing having at least one wall. The ink cartridge further has at least two ink chambers for containing different ink accommodated in the housing. Ink supply ports are formed in one wall of the housing within each of the ink chambers. Each of the ink supply ports has an inner opening and an outer opening. The distance from the inner opening of a first ink supply port to that of a second ink supply port adjacent to the first ink supply port is different from a second distance from the outer opening of the first ink supply opening to that of the second ink supply port.

Abstract: An allogenic intervertebral implant for fusing vertebrae is disclosed. The implant is a piece of allogenic bone conforming in size and shape with a portion of an end plate of a vertebra. The implant has a wedge-shaped profile to restore disc height and the natural curvature of the spine. The top and bottom surfaces of the implant have a plurality of teeth to resist expulsion and provide initial stability. The implant according to the present invention provides initial stability need for fusion without stress shielding.

Abstract: Provided is a bio-sensor system which utilizes radio frequency identification technology and which includes a remote transponder in wireless communication with an implantable passively-powered on-chip transponder. The bio-sensor system is specifically adapted to provide a substantially stable and precise sensor reference voltage to a sensor assembly that is included with the on-chip transponder. The remote transponder is also configured to remotely receive data representative of a physiological parameter of the patient as well as identification data and may enable readout of one or more of the physiological parameters that are measured, processed and transmitted by the on-chip transponder upon request by the remote transponder.

Abstract: An electronic payment system for making electronic money payments for transactions. A payment terminal stores a balance of electronic money for payment on a dealing by electronic money. A demanding terminal communicates with the payment terminal to demand the payment and a payment apparatus communicates with the demanding terminal and stores a balance of electronic money to correspond to an identification number of the payment terminal for allowing settlement on the dealing. The demanding terminal receives from the payment terminal the balance stored in the payment terminal and transmits the balance to the payment apparatus. The payment apparatus detects an improper use by checking the balance stored in the payment terminal, which was received from the demanding terminal, with the balance stored in the payment apparatus. The system of the present invention provides secure and convenient electronic money payment for a user's transaction.