Abstract: An improved interbody fusion device incorporating anti-rotation features to inhibit accidental screwing or unscrewing of the fusion device in an intervertebral disc space. One such feature is a thread pattern having a crest diameter that increasingly tapers from a smaller diameter at the insertion end to a larger diameter at the opposite end making further advancement of the thread into the bone more difficult. Another feature is a thread cut out on the trailing edge of the thread, creating a barb which has a tendency to inhibit unscrewing. These features may be used alone or in combination for an improved interbody fusion device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for recursively estimating vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient of a moving vehicle. The vehicle speed and push force data are collected and a segment of qualified data is then selected from the collected data. Newton's second law is integrated to express vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient in terms of vehicle push force and vehicle speed. This expression is then used in a recursive analysis of the qualified data segment to determine an estimated vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved automated flow through electrode liquid monitoring system. The automated system has a sample inlet to a sample pump, a sample outlet from the sample pump to at least one flow through electrode with a waste port. At least one computer controls the sample pump and records data from the at least one flow through electrode for a liquid sample. The improvement relies upon (a) at least one source of a calibration sample connected to (b) an injection valve connected to said sample outlet and connected to said source, said injection valve further connected to said at least one flow through electrode, wherein said injection valve is controlled by said computer to select between said liquid sample or said calibration sample. Advantages include improved accuracy because of more frequent calibrations, no additional labor for calibration, no need to remove the flow through electrode(s), and minimal interruption of sampling.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device in one embodiment includes a cylindrical body (10) defining a hollow interior (17) for receiving bone graft or bone substitute material. The body (10) is divided into a number of branches (24, 26, 40 and 41) connected to one another at a fixed end (20) and separated at an expandable end (18). The expandable cage may be inserted in its substantially cylindrical form and may be expanded by movement of an expansion member (50) to establish lordosis of the spine. The present invention provides an expansion member (50) that interacts with the interior surfaces of the device to maintain the cage in the expanded condition and provide a large internal chamber (17) for receiving bone in-growth material. Methods for insertion of the fusion device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A kit for both removal of a camshaft from a cylinder block and for installation of a camshaft into a cylinder block includes a minimum of six unitary, molded plastic camshaft guides, an extraction tool, and a pilot to be attached to a rear face of the camshaft in order to provide additional support. Each camshaft guide has a generally C-shaped body and is constructed and arranged to fit onto a corresponding one of the camshaft lobes. Due to the “beyond center” configuration of each camshaft guide, a significant pulling force is required to remove each guide from its corresponding camshaft lobe. Each guide includes an internally-threaded hole which mates with a threaded end on the extraction tool and the extraction tool is used to manually pull each guide off of its corresponding lobe. The pilot includes a generally cylindrical body and a rod inserted therethrough having a threaded tip at one end and an enlarged head at the opposite end.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to allow for an adjustable length tether for use in the spine and other parts of the body. The tether comprises an artificial strand with an eyelet formed in one end, the other end being looped through the eyelet. The other end is then secured with respect to the eyelet by a crimp, the excess length being cut off after the length of the tether has been given an appropriate tension. Alternatively, the eyelet end may be formed around a grommet. The crimp may be separate from the grommet or a part of the grommet. The mechanism by which the length is adjusted in some cases will take advantage of the shape memory properties of alloys such as nickel-titanium.

Abstract: A fluid pumping system includes a number of stages. Each stage has a fluid chamber having a top end with an air aperture and a bottom end with a fluid apertures. An air line is connected to the air aperture, and a fluid input conduit, with an input check valve) is connected to the fluid aperture. A float valve is disposed in the chamber directly between the fluid aperture and the air aperture. A fluid output conduit is connected to the fluid aperture above the input check valve. The float has a bottom end adapted to seal with the fluid aperture when the chamber is empty. A first set of pumping stages are supplied by a first compressed air line and a second set of pumping stages are supplied by a second compressed air line. Periodically, compressed air is supplied to a first set of pump stages to drive fluid from each of the first set of pump stages to a second set of stages, and vice versa.

Abstract: A pulley alignment tool for checking the centerline alignment between a driving pulley and a driven pulley which are connected by a V-belt includes a targeting laser which is constructed and arranged to generate a beam of light which will be directed from a location adjacent the driving pulley to a location on the surface of the driven pulley. The targeting laser is mounted in a holder and the holder is constructed and arranged for attachment into the groove of the driving pulley. As a preliminary step, the V-belt which initially connects the driving pulley and driven pulley is removed, thereby making the driving pulley groove accessible for mounting the holder. An elastic cord is used to encircle the driving pulley and is connected to opposite ends of the holder in order to maintain the holder in a fixed position on the surface of the driving pulley. The targeting laser is used to check the centerline alignment between the driving and driven pulleys.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the resistance of a plant to the effects of plant stress utilizing glycolic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof, are described. Methods for stimulating plant growth utilizing an ammonium salt of glycolic acid are also described. Further described are methods for stimulating microbial growth utilizing selected amounts of glycolic acid, a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A Roll-fed labeling apparatus is disclosed which includes a delivery means for delivering a label web to a rotary cutting drum, and one or more cutting assemblies located on the cutting drum providing cutting means for cutting with a slicing action the web into individual labels while the web is held by a relatively negative pressure on the circumferential surface of the drum. Each of the cutting assemblies comprises a piston arranged to move the cutting means along a slot on the cutting drum to enable the slicing action to take place. The slicing action is not dependent upon a surface auxiliary to the cutting means.

Abstract: A compact game playing apparatus that is easy to carry and use when traveling. The apparatus contains an elongate sheet coupled to two spindles. A plurality of game playing surfaces are printed on the elongate sheet, and rotation of the spindles operate to align a selected one of these game playing surfaces with a window in the apparatus housing. A magnet attracting metal surface is positioned below the exposed game playing surface so that game pieces, which include magnets, may be placed on the game playing surface without being inadvertently displaced. The housing further contains an integral die throwing apparatus, and an integral drawer for holding game pieces when not in use.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a thixotropic metallic melt by simultaneously controlledly cooling and stirring the melt to form solid particles of a first phase suspended in a residual liquid second phase. Vigorous stirring of the metallic melt results in the formation of degenerate dendritic particles having substantially spheroidal shapes. The metallic melt is stirred to rapidly and efficiently circulate the forming semi-solid slurry. Circulation of the forming semi-solid slurry results in a substantially uniform temperature throughout. Through precision stirring and cooling, a semi-solid slurry is formed having a first solid phase of about 70-80 wt. % suspended in a second liquid phase.

Abstract: An inflatable balloon assembly comprises a balloon having a balloon inlet (1) and an inflatable portion (8), an inflating tube (3, 4) and a compressing device which has a small hole (5) through which the balloon inlet (1) is forcibly drawn thus forming a compressed area (11) in the balloon inlet (1). The inflating tube (3, 4) incorporates a larger external diameter part (3) which remains outside the compressed area (11) and which is adapted to be connected to a pump and, adjoining the larger external diameter part (3), a substantially smaller external diameter part (4) the free end of which is forcibly drawn through the inside of the balloon inlet (1) within the compressed area (11) into the inflatable portion (8) of the balloon.

Abstract: A compression system endwall bleed system having a plurality of bleed slots formed in a mechanical housing downstream of a rotating shrouded rotor. In one embodiment, the plurality of bleed slots bleed off a separated tip boundary layer to relieve back pressure associated with this blockage. A sealing structure downstream of the shrouded rotor is utilized to minimize working fluid leakage ahead of the plurality of bleed slots.

Abstract: A wheel suspension system for a vehicle such as a truck trailer. Wheels of the suspension system are attached to stub axles supported by pivoting trailing arm wheel supports. The wheel supports are arranged on a sub-frame which can be slidingly coupled to the underneath of the trailer. Each wheel support is urged apart from the sub-frame by a spring such as an air spring. In one embodiment the air springs are pressurized under the control of an electronic controller. The rotational axes of the wheels are staggered or spaced apart, such that the rotational axes of the wheels on one side of the sub-frame are not coincident with the rotational axes of the wheels on the other side of the sub-frame.

Abstract: A strap device for manually transporting a standard substantially rectangular cooler. The device includes a first elongated strap assembly connected to a second elongated strap assembly, wherein the first and second strap assemblies are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other and are both adapted to releasably lockingly engage the cooler. A shoulder strap assembly extends from the strap device and is adapted to releasably lockingly couple the strap device to a wearer. The shoulder strap assembly preferably extends from the second strap assembly to releasably lockingly connect to the first strap assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for safely removing a needle from a subcutaneous septum, comprising a pair of blades, each having corresponding first and second ends, pivotally jointed together at their first ends whereby the blades are pivotal between a closed position in which the blades are substantially overlapped and an open position in which the second ends of the blades are spaced apart; and a concave groove in an edge of each blade at the second ends thereof positioned such that each groove is directly opposite the other in a mirrored relationship when the blades are in the open position.

Abstract: A method and instrumentation particularly adapted for disc space preparation from an anterior approach to the spine. In one aspect, an expandable template is provided having guides to guide a cutting device for bilateral formation of openings in the disc space. In another aspect, an improved guide member is provided for guiding a cutting tool. Still further, the invention provides an improved double barrel guide sleeve with a central distraction extension and lateral non-distracting extensions. Optionally, the guide sleeve includes windows and covers to selectively cover the windows. An improved reamer with an internal chamber and optional modular coupling is also provided. A depth stop is provided to selectively engage a tool shaft and a guide sleeve to control tool penetration into the disc space. A method of using the disclosed instruments is also provided.