Abstract: A band of biocompatible and/or bioabsorbable material is provided including threads on one or both of its ends. An area adjacent a spinal disc is accessed, and the band of material is wrapped around the disc to stabilize the disc and/or to facilitate healing. An elongate member is inserted around a posterior region of the disc, e.g., through tubular guide members. An end of the band is connected to a distal end of the elongate member, and the elongate member is pulled back around the disc to direct the band around the disc. The band is secured around the disc overlapping vertebrae adjacent the disc. Optionally, a relative location of the vertebrae is adjusted relative to the disc before wrapping the band around the disc, for example, using a fork member or traction. Energy may also be applied to the disc to enhance healing.

Abstract: An artificial disc having a pair of opposing plates for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a wave washer having a circumferential extent surrounding a central bore. Various wave washer embodiments disclosed include circumferential extents that are ring-shaped, spiral-shaped, straight, bowed, grooved, wavy, thinning, thickening, and slotted. Various central bores disclosed include simple bores and bores that form a curvate socket. Various plate embodiments disclosed include plates having, on inwardly facing surfaces, a flat surface, a circular recess, or a ball-shaped protuberance that is mateable with the curvate socket. The wave washers are disposable between the plates, through various disclosed couplings, so that the plates compress, rotate and angulate freely relative to one another, enabling the artificial disc to mimic a healthy natural intervertebral disc.

Abstract: An optical transmitter for compensating signal distortion, the optical transmitter includes an input for accepting a signal, a laser driver for amplifying and/or reshaping the signal, a distributed feedback laser diode coupled to the laser driver for signal modulation, a nonlinear material coupled to the distributed feedback laser diode for compensating signal distortions caused by the laser diode, and an output for sending the signal to the transmission link.

Abstract: An optical transmission system comprising an input for accepting a signal, a laser diode within an optical transmitter for signal modulation and/or for signal amplification, a nonlinear material for compensating signal distortions, a transmission fiber for signal transmission, and an optical receiver for receiving the signal. The optical transmission system may include a multiple of input signals, each input signal fed into one of a multiple of optical transmitters. Each of the multiple of optical transmitters is coupled to a nonlinear material. The output of each nonlinear material is coupled to an optical multiplexer for multiplexing the multiple of input signals into a multiplexed signal for transmission through a transmission fiber. The multiplexed signal is then de-multiplexed into a multiple of de-multiplexed signals, each de-multiplexed signal corresponding to each of the multiple of input signals, and each de-multiplexed signal is received by one of a multiple of receivers.

Abstract: Extending ladders and associated manufacturing methods are disclosed. A ladder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of rung units, each rung unit including a left column, a right column, and a rung extending between the left column and the right column. The ladder may include a first column assembly including a first column and a ring coupled to the first column proximate a distal end thereof, and a second column assembly including a second column and a sleeve coupled to the second column proximate a proximal end thereof. The second column being at least partially disposed within a lumen defined by an internal surface of the first column. The sleeve includes an external guiding surface for contacting the internal surface of the first column and the ring includes an internal guiding surface for contacting an exterior surface of the second column.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for closing a septal defect including a flap of tissue partially detached from a septum of a heart. A needle is advanced through a patient's vasculature within a delivery apparatus until the needle is disposed within a first chamber adjacent the septum. The needle is directed through the flap of tissue until the needle is disposed within a second chamber opposite the septum. A filament attached to an intermediate region of the needle is pulled, thereby causing the needle to pivot about the intermediate region such that the ends of the needle straddle the septal opening. A locking element is secured to the filament to secure the flap of tissue against the septum, and the filament is cut. Alternatively, the filament is biased to coil to engage the flap of tissue and secure the needle against the septum to close the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for varying an operating parameter for a nuclear gamma ray tool for evaluating the integrity of gravel packing. The gamma ray output intensity and area of investigation are altered by changing a source housing geometry and the material from which the source housing is made. An actuator is provided to slide a variable electron density sleeve over the source and to vary the area of investigation by changing the distance between the source and a detector.

Abstract: A core stabilization apparatus and method are implemented. An inner barrel having a plurality of ports disposed circumferentially and axially in a wall thereof is provided. A gas manifold is attached to a first subsets of the ports. Gas is delivered to an interior of the inner barrel via the gas manifold and the corresponding ports. Drilling mud remaining in the interior of the inner barrel is expelled through a second subset of ports. After expulsion of the drilling mud, a stabilizing compound is injected into the interior via an injection manifold attached to the second subset of ports. Upon curing of the stabilizing compound, the inner barrel and core sample contained therein may be sectioned or otherwise manipulated.

Abstract: A multiple opening sleeve valve is provided with a gate movable to control flow or pressure without the need for axial movement of a component through a pressure-containing seal. A gate actuator can include a drive rod and nut coupled to a gate substantially internal to the valve housing without the need for grease or similar external lubrication. The valve can provide for relatively high in-line gate-moving force, a reduction in force or torque requirements for operation, increased ease of wear-part replacement and decreased overall valve length, compared to previous valve configurations of comparable size or capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a bioabsorbable body disposed on a distal end of a handle device. The plug member includes a helical thread on its outer surface and the plug member and handle device include cooperating lumens communicating with a distal port. A sealing member is disposed within the plug member lumen. An obturator is inserted through the lumens until its distal tip extends beyond the plug member, the distal tip including a bleed back port. The plug member is threaded into a passage towards a blood vessel until the bleed back indicator identifies the location of the vessel with respect to the plug member. The plug member is released from the handle device, the handle device and obturator are withdrawn, and the sealing member seals the lumen. The plug member is left within the passage to seal the passage until the tissue heals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining the extent of recovery of materials injected into a oil well comprising the steps of: a) preparing a material to be injected into an oil well; b) admixing therewith a chemical tracer compound at a predetermined concentration; c) injecting the admixture into an oil well; d) recovering from the oil well a production fluid; e) analyzing the production fluid for the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid; and f) calculating the amount of admixture recovered from the oil well using the concentration of the chemical tracer present in the production fluid as a basis for the calculation. Fluorinated benzoic acids are disclosed as a preferred tracer.

Abstract: A security framework is provided for protecting software. The source code for the software has directives marking portions of the source code to be modified or encrypted. The source code is modified using a random factor based on the directives. The source code is compiled to produce a binary file. Source code starting and ending lines and binary file positions of each of the blocks to be encrypted are stored. Portions of the binary file that correspond to each of these blocks are encrypted. Each of these blocks is decrypted when a function inside the block is required during execution of the software.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for analyzing audit log data. Text strings from a plurality of devices are stored in a log database, each of the text strings being indicative of an audit event in the respective device. At least a portion of the text strings are retrieved from the log database and the retrieved text strings are parsed according to pre-defined parsing rules. Each of the retrieved text strings is mapped to a respective audit event. The retrieved text strings are mapped based on the respective audit event. Representations of the filtered text strings are displayed on a grid using color-coded areas. The horizontal axis of the grid represents a first time scale and the vertical axis of the grid represents a second time scale different from the first time scale.

Abstract: A self-adaptive vacuum grip apparatus includes a vacuum source (51), a vacuum reservoir (54) fluidically connected to the vacuum source; a contact surface (56), and a plurality of conduits (55); where a conduit has an inlet (2) positioned on the contact surface and an outlet (3) fluidically connected to the vacuum reservoir. The conduit is provided with a plurality of fins (4, 5) mounted on the internal wall thereof arranged in two arrays substantially opposite each other. Each of the fins of the arrays, excluding the fin nearest to the inlet and the fin nearest to the outlet of the conduit, is positioned substantially opposite one of a plurality of cavities wherein opposing fin arrays are arranged asymmetrically.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for reducing the volume of a lung using a clip including a plurality of tines. The clip is advanced along an interior of a bronchial passage to a predetermined location with the tines in a contracted condition. The tines are expanded outwardly to engage surrounding tissue, and then collapsed towards the contracted condition, thereby drawing the surrounding tissue inwardly to substantially close the bronchial passage from air flow therethrough. Optionally, electrical energy may be applied to the surrounding tissue after collapsing the tines to the contracted condition, thereby fusing the surrounding tissue together. The clip is then released within or removed from the passage.

Abstract: A jarring tool uses a button member to control the jarring sequence used to free an object lodged in a well bore. A preferred tool includes an anvil having a sleeve portion adapted to enter a bore of a hammer. The button member allows selective entry of the anvil sleeve into the hammer bore. A preferred telemetry link includes two or more at least partially conductive members in a telescopic relationship for exchanging electrical signals with the object. The members extend and retract to accommodate length changes of the jarring tool. An exemplary jarring sequence includes a loading phase, a release phase, and a reset phase. In the loading phase, the button member prevents hammer movement toward the anvil. During the release phase, the button member allows the hammer to be propelled against the anvil. In the reset phase, the hammer and button returns to their initial positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a blood vessel includes a bioabsorbable plug member coupled to the distal end of a carrier member. The plug member includes a lumen extending therethrough that communicates with a lumen extending through the carrier member. A sealing member is disposed in the plug member lumen for sealing the lumen. A guide member is slidable into the lumen such that edges of a groove extending between proximal and distal portions of the guide member engage a wall of the lumen to define a bleed back lumen. The guide member is inserted into the passage until the distal portion enters the vessel. The plug member is advanced over the guide member until the plug member enters the vessel, whereupon blood enters the bleed back lumen to identify the location of the vessel relative to the plug member.

Abstract: An ice bin insert (10) separates a single store of ice pieces into separate stashes, namely, into potable and non-potable portions. The insert (10) includes a divider (C, D) dimension to be received within an ice holding cavity of an ice bin (30). Support members (B, E) attached to the divider (C, D) hold the divider (C, D) at a desired position within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin (30). A plurality of perforations (12) are arranged within the divider (C, D) so as to permits ice pieces to flow from a first side thereof to a second side thereof while inhibiting retrieval of ice pieces on the second side from the first side. Preferably, the insert (10) is constructed from a unitary sheet of stainless steel which is bent to define the respective portions or sections thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a blood vessel includes a bioabsorbable plug member coupled to the distal end of a carrier member. The plug member includes a lumen extending therethrough that communicates with a lumen extending through the carrier member. A sealing member is disposed in the plug member lumen for sealing the lumen. A guide member is slidable into the lumen such that edges of a groove extending between proximal and distal portions of the guide member engage a wall of the lumen to define a bleed back lumen. The guide member is inserted into the passage until the distal portion enters the vessel. The plug member is advanced over the guide member until the plug member enters the vessel, whereupon blood enters the bleed back lumen to identify the location of the vessel relative to the plug member.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling access to information technology assets in a computer network. The system includes a ticket manager server configured to generate tickets based on user data in a master database. A ticket manager client, resident on a workstation, is configured to receive tickets from the ticket manager server and distribute resource data obtained from the tickets to network security modules. The user data includes resource registers, each of which has a type field designating a particular security module, resource data for use by the designated security module, and an execution domain field that exclusively designates an execution environment in which the designated security module can use the resource data.