Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing spinal percutaneous delivery of an implant that can rigidly fixate the spinous process of a first superior bone and a second inferior bone of a functional spinal unit. In one aspect, the device comprises two bone abutment members connected via an interconnecting member. In another aspect, the method comprises implanting at least two spinal implant apparatus within a target disc space via an implantation apparatus. In another aspect, a placement instrument comprising an implant delivery segment, an anchor segment, and an articulating arm is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing spinal percutaneous delivery of an implant that can rigidly fixate the spinous process of a first superior bone and a second inferior bone of a functional spinal unit. In one aspect, the device comprises two bone abutment members connected via an interconnecting member. In another aspect, the method comprises implanting at least two spinal implant apparatus within a target disc space via an implantation apparatus. In another aspect, a placement instrument comprising an implant delivery segment, an anchor segment, and an articulating arm is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to segment slap images and to generate accurately labelled individual fingerprints, said method comprising the following steps: reception of inputs images from a contactless fingerprint reader under controlled lighting conditions; computation of a variance in the received images to estimate a slap area as a foreground slap mask in the input images; identification of individual fingers by finding boundary of each finger; verification of a number of fingers and of geometric constraints; calculation of pose and orientation based on shape and geometry information; identification of effective fingertip area on each detected finger according the pose, orientation, as well as geometric information; output of individual fingerprints.

Abstract: An electrode assembly having a tubular support jacket that defines an internal compartment. The internal compartment is actively cooled by coolant. An electrode tip is coupled to the tubular support jacket. The electrode tip receives electricity through the tubular support jacket. An insulator construct surrounds at least part of the tubular support jacket. The insulator construct includes an insulation base, an insulation tube and an insulation cap. A gas supply conduit is interposed between the tubular support jacket and the insulation tube, wherein the gas supply conduit receives a working gas from a working gas supply. A thermally conductive casing surrounds at least part of the insulator construct. The thermally conductive casing is actively cooled. The thermally conductive casing actively cools the insulator construct, the underlying tubular support jacket, and thus the electrode tip. The active cooling reduces over-heating of the electrode tip and prevents excessive consumption and erosion.

Abstract: A frame structure for a multi-level container handling and storage facility 11, which is constructed by an array of basic structures comprising of two rows, R1 and R2, of spaced support columns 21 which are weight bearing. The columns in row R1 are joined respectively by one horizontal beam 25 and similarly the columns in row R2 are joined respectively by a separate horizontal beam 25 to form spaced adjacent beams that now define an intermediate level IL. The rows R1 and R2 of spaced support columns 21 are spaced at a distance allowing storage of at least one container therebetween below the intermediate level IL. The spaced adjacent horizontal beams 25 are at a distance matching the dimension of a container allowing storage of at least one container thereon above the intermediate level IL.

Abstract: A hybrid plasma reactor system that uses multiple sets of long electrodes that are placed longitudinally opposite each other within modular plasma units. The plasma units can be stacked to form an elongated plasma zone. The electrode assemblies extend into access ports. Each of the electrode assemblies has an electrode tip mounted in a tubular support jacket. A gas conduit for a supplied working gas surrounds at least a portion of the tubular support jacket. An arc is created at the electrode tip. A working gas flows through the gas conduit and is directed into the arc, therein creating plasma within the internal plasma zone.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing spinal percutaneous delivery of an implant that can rigidly fixate the spinous process of a first superior bone and a second inferior bone of a functional spinal unit. In one aspect, the device comprises two bone abutment members connected via an interconnecting member. In another aspect, the method comprises implanting at least two spinal implant apparatus within a target disc space via an implantation apparatus. In another aspect, a placement instrument comprising an implant delivery segment, an anchor segment, and an articulating arm is disclosed.

Abstract: A delivery device for inserting an interbody implant into an intervertebral space in a patient has an elongate tube with a channel and is sized to fit in an intervertebral space. The elongate tube has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a longitudinal axis, and a window with a longitudinal axis. The window is disposed adjacent the distal portion of the elongate tube and the longitudinal axis of the window is offset from the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube. The channel is sized to receive the interbody implant, and also the channel is configured such that the interbody implant is advanced therealong from the proximal region toward the distal region. The interbody implant is deployed into the intervertebral space from the window.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plate defining a surface for holding food and further defines at least one opening therein. A collapsible beverage holder fits within the at least one opening defined within the surface of the plate and moves between a collapsed configuration responsive to the apparatus being placed on a surface and an un-collapsed configuration responsive to the apparatus being lifted off the surface by the plate. A plurality of flexible latching tabs secures the collapsible beverage holder to an edge of the at least one opening. The plurality of flexible latching tabs further comprises at least one locking member for engaging the edge of the at least one opening to removeably secure the collapsible beverage holder to the plate. A flexible member interconnects the at least one locking member to the collapsible beverage holder.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a plate defining a surface for holding food that defines at least one opening therein. A collapsible beverage holder fits within the at least one opening defined within the surface of the plate. The collapsible beverage holder is automatically configured to a collapsed configuration responsive to the apparatus being placed on a surface and is automatically configured to an un-collapsed configuration responsive to the apparatus being lifted off the surface by the plate.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a computer-implemented method for dynamically manipulating a three-dimensional virtual model representing a patient's teeth so as to facilitate visualization of an orthodontic treatment plan being applied thereto. The method comprises: rendering the three-dimensional virtual model based, at least in part, upon one or more images of a patient's teeth, and manipulating the three-dimensional virtual model via a translational movement in a two-dimensional computer display area and along a plane vertically oriented relative to the oppositely-oriented teeth. The translational movement imposes a translational manipulation upon a first one of the two sets of oppositely oriented teeth and a rotational manipulation upon a second one of the two sets of oppositely oriented teeth, the simultaneous manipulation being configured to open the teeth relative to one another so as to facilitate visualization of an orthodontic treatment plan.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing spinal percutaneous delivery of an implant that can rigidly fixate the spinous process of a first superior bone and a second inferior bone of a functional spinal unit. In one aspect, the device comprises two bone abutment members connected via an interconnecting member. In another aspect, the method comprises implanting at least two spinal implant apparatus within a target disc space via an implantation apparatus. In another aspect, a placement instrument comprising an implant delivery segment, an anchor segment, and an articulating arm is disclosed.

Abstract: A building structure comprises a roof having a top surface and the top surface adapted to store shipping containers. At least one floor is positioned beneath the roof, and at least one shipping container handling equipment is mounted on the top surface. The shipping container handling equipment is adapted to move the shipping containers onto and off of the roof.

Abstract: Methods and devices for improved echo cancellation in high noise environments, such as in-car speakerphones and the like, are provided that improve cancellation convergence in a high noise environment and in the presence of double talk. A new update method enables a robust echo canceller to update with reduced concern for the canceller being in a receive state or a double talk state. If a signal generated by a local talker is substantially the same as high noise, in terms of corruption of the echo canceller, the echo canceller converges in a robust manner even with continuous high noise at the input.

Abstract: This invention provides an information system about medicine and biology. The system organizes information about these subjects into a variety of classes and allows navigation through the information by displays that include links to related information. The links, when selected, provide links to other related information, allowing quick access to related information. In certain instances the information is displayed in a graphical representation. Selection of an icon representing an item in the graphical representation produces expert-curated information about the item, or links to it, and expert-curated information related to the item, for example, links to related information.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus that may be utilized with an aquarium having features and functionality enabling a person to easily access the opening of the aquarium for various purposes such as cleaning and maintenance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lighting apparatus comprises a plurality of panels; a joint that joins at least two adjacent panels together; and a lighting element disposed on the aquarium lighting apparatus such that the lighting element illuminates a side common to all of the panels. For some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.

Abstract: A delivery device for inserting an interbody implant into an intervertebral space in a patient has an elongate tube with a channel and is sized to fit in an intervertebral space. The elongate tube has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a longitudinal axis, and a window with a longitudinal axis. The window is disposed adjacent the distal portion of the elongate tube and the longitudinal axis of the window is offset from the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube. The channel is sized to receive the interbody implant, and also the channel is configured such that the interbody implant is advanced therealong from the proximal region toward the distal region. The interbody implant is deployed into the intervertebral space from the window.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting system and apparatus that may be utilized with aquariums. The features and functionality of the lighting system and apparatus provide easy access to the opening of an aquarium for various purposes, such as cleaning and maintenance. In addition, the features and functionality of some embodiments provide a lighting system that does not require ballasts, light sockets, or a multitude of wiring, and includes a modular design. Further, for some embodiments, features of the present invention allow the lighting apparatus to illuminate the aquarium, while simultaneously limiting the evaporation of water from the aquarium.

Abstract: A system and method for providing bi-directional streaming communication over the HTTP or HTTPS protocol between a client and a server is disclosed. The method provides a long-lived, bi-directional communication mechanism from a web client that is performed entirely over HTTP or HTTPS, using existing HTTP verbs such as GET and POST, and is operable with existing browser and RIA technology. The graphical and networking features of RIA frameworks in conjunction with the disclosed method provide low-latency, real-time data applications in a web browser.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a concentration of a biological target. The method and device include: capturing an image of a ticket including the biological target and information about the ticket; selecting pre-determined data corresponding to the ticket and the target responsive to the read information about the ticket; and determining the concentration of the biological target according to the pre-determined data. The method and device may further comprise selecting calibration data corresponding to the ticket, responsive to the read information about the ticket; and determining the concentration of the biological target according to the pre-determined data and the calibration data.