Abstract: An intra-osseous support structure can be used to fixate opposed portions of bone. In some examples, the intra-osseous support structure is positioned in openings formed in adjacent portions of bones. Fasteners are inserted through the bone portions to secure the intra-osseous support structure in the bones. Depending on the application, one or more external bone plates may also be applied to the bone portions. The external bone plate may be in compression while the intra-osseous support structure is in tension under load in situ.

Abstract: A bone cutting guide may include a support that contains a shaft movable relative to the support. The shaft may carry a guide member having one or more cut guides through which a clinician inserts a cutting member to cut bone positioned under the guide cut guides. In operation, a clinician may fixate the support of the bone cutting guide to a bone and translate the guide member until the one or more cut guides are positioned at a desired cut location. The clinician may then perform a cut through the cut guide.

Abstract: A bone positioning guide may include a main body member, a shaft, and a bone engagement member. The shaft can be movably connected to the main body member and have the bone engagement member rotatably coupled to its distal end. The bone engagement member can have a surface configured to engage a bone. The main body member can also include a tip opposite the bone engagement member for engaging a second bone. In use, the bone engagement member may be positioned in contact with a medial side of a first metatarsal while the tip is positioned in contact with a lateral side of a different metatarsal, such as a second metatarsal. The shaft can then be moved to advance the bone engagement member toward the tip, causing realignment of the first metatarsal.

Abstract: Modulation techniques designed to prolong battery life in a battery-powered hair dryer that utilizes infrared technology as part of the heating element. Modulation techniques can be used to extend battery run time without significant degradation and optimize end-of-life performance.

Abstract: A method of performing a bunion surgery to correct an alignment between a first metatarsal and a first cuneiform may involve aligning a bone cutting guide with a joint between the first metatarsal and the first cuneiform. The bone cutting guide can have a joint plate offset from a guide feature, with the joint plate extending downwardly relative to the guide feature. The process of aligning the bone cutting guide with the joint may involve inserting the joint plate into the joint. The method may involve using the guide feature of the bone cutting guide to guide a cutting tool to cut a leading edge of the first metatarsal and adjusting an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform using a bone positioning device. The method may also involve fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating brewing of beverages in a container includes an apparatus container and a plunger assembly. The apparatus container includes a base and a side wall extending from the base to define an interior space. A bottom end of the side wall is peripherally attached to the base and a top end of the side wall defines an opening. The apparatus container includes openings disposed on the side wall and disposable in the container for brewing a beverage in the container comprising a brewing fluid. The apparatus container receives a beverage ingredient in the interior space through the opening for the brewing. The plunger assembly includes a plunger handle and a plunger head and moves the plunger head into the interior space based on a force applied to the plunger handle. The brewing of the beverage is further based on the moving of the plunger head.

Abstract: An osteotomy procedure may be performed to correct a misalignment of a bone, such as a bunion deformity. In some examples, the osteotomy procedure involves making a spherical-shaped cut transecting a first metatarsal, thereby forming a first metatarsal portion having a spherical-shaped projection and a second metatarsal portion having a spherical-shaped recess. The method further involves moving the second metatarsal portion in at least two planes relative to the first metatarsal portion, thereby adjusting an anatomical alignment of the second metatarsal portion.

Abstract: A method may be used to correct a condition present in a patient. The method may include obtaining a first bone model of a first bone of one or more bones of the patient's foot, and using at least the first bone model to generate a cutting guide model. The cutting guide model may define a first bone engagement surface shaped to match a first contour on the first bone, and a first guide feature that, with the first bone engagement surface overlying the first contour, is positioned to guide resection of the one or more bones as part of a surgical osteotomy for correcting the condition. The surgical procedure may be selected from a first group consisting of a bunion correction osteotomy, an Evans calcaneal osteotomy, and a medializing calcaneal osteotomy. The first bone may be selected from a second group consisting a metatarsus, a cuneiform, and a calcaneus.

Abstract: Light-weight, flexible solar panels adapted to prevent inadvertent stress on silicon solar photovoltaic cells inside solar panels. In some examples, a solar panel comprising solar cells includes a plurality of supports, such as one support for each solar cell, with gaps between the supports to allow the panel to flex when strained while protecting the individual cells. In other examples, a solar panel comprises a plurality of solar cells and a support or plural supports designed to accept force applied to the top of the panel and divert such force around the individual cells, without the use of a heavy glass support over top. Some examples may include both individual supports for each cell, with each individual support further adapted to direct applied forces around the individual cells.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing, transporting, and installing an extruded aluminum roof truss by manufacturing an extrusion that comprises a top chord extrusion, a bottom chord extrusion, a web brace extrusion, manufacturing standardized components such as a connector, a hinge, a bracket, and a fastener used to configure the extrusion into a truss configuration, pre-assembling the extrusion with an optionally pre-determined set of the standardized components required to either fully or partially assemble the truss prior to transport and installation at the building site, transporting the truss in either a fully or partially assembled compact configuration to the installation site, rotating the truss open by pivoting the web bracing into alignment with a matching connector hole on an extrusion at the installation site, and installing any required connectors or remaining standardized components to complete the truss.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.

Abstract: Differential speed stalk rolls mountable to a row unit of a row crop head. A first stalk roll body has an outer peripheral speed less than the outer peripheral speed of a second stalk roll body in lateral spaced relation. The stalk roll bodies may have modular and interchangeable body segments of different configurations.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electronic component in which a copper electrode and an inorganic substrate exhibit strong adhesion to each other. A method for producing an electronic component according to the present invention comprises: an application step wherein a paste is applied onto an inorganic substrate, which paste contains copper particles, copper oxide particles and/or nickel oxide particles, and inorganic oxide particles having a softening point; a sintering step wherein a sintered body which contains at least copper is formed by means of heating in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature that is less than the softening point of the inorganic oxide particles but not less than the sintering temperature of the copper particles; and a softening step wherein heating is carried out in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature that is not less than the softening point of the inorganic oxide particles.

Abstract: A pin lock may be used to prevent a compressor-distractor from pushing off of a surgical pin as the compressor-distractor is actuated to move one bone relative to another bone. In some examples, the compressor-distractor is attached to a metatarsal with a first pin and to a cuneiform with a second pin. The pin lock can be inserted onto the first pin or the second pin, optionally with a second pin lock inserted onto the other pin. The compressor-distractor can then be actuated while the compressor-distractor is locked by the pin lock from moving up along the axial length of the first pin or the second pin.

Abstract: A multi-diameter fixation pin, such as a K-wire can be used during an orthopedic procedure. The multi-diameter fixation pin may include a leading diameter sized for the specific orthopedic procedure being undertaken and/or the size of the bone into which the fixation pin is being inserted. The multi-diameter fixation pin may include a trailing diameter different than the leading diameter. The trailing diameter may be sized for use with a specific sized powered driver. For example, in orthopedic procedures that involve inserting larger diameter pins and smaller diameter pins into bone(s), all pins used in the procedure may have a trailing diameter (e.g., the larger diameter or the smaller diameter) that allows the pins to be inserted with the same powered driver (e.g., the same attachment head) without needing different sized drivers or attachment heads for different sized pins.

Abstract: A controlled-impedance cable assembly for removably attaching a controlled-impedance cable to a surface of a device. Signal contacts are attached to signal conductors of cables and ground members are coupled to shields of the cables. Ends of the signal conductors and of elongated appendages extending from the ground members are positioned to make a pressure contact to pads and ground lands on the surface. Pressure to make those contacts may come from deflection of the ends of the signal conductors and elongated ground appendages or from a spring. The signal contacts and elongated appendages may be positioned to provide an impedance matching an impedance with the cables.

Abstract: A system for processing data, comprising a signal processing system configured to receive and process a reflected wireless data signal from a remote source and a noise suppression system configured to receive the wireless data signal and to detect and suppress harmonic components associated with reflected noise from a local source from the wireless data signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stroke detection in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated.