Abstract: A position detecting device having a clamp body with a movable piston rod. A plurality of energy harvesting microswitches is mounted along a bottom of the piston rod using pin actuators to operate each microswitch depending on the piston rod position. The piston rod has a plurality of cutouts constructed and arranged to engage said pin actuators upon actuation of each microswitch, indicating a position which is transmitted wirelessly through the antenna. The antenna used to transmit a signal upon activation of a microswitch.

Abstract: A workholding chuck that allows for a sizable gripping range by utilizing a rotary clamping method with dual stage motion. The dual stage rotary gripping chuck allows small diameter parts to be clamped, as well as parts that are larger than the main chuck body diameter. The dual stage motion allows resistance to be first achieved by lightly clamping on a workpiece, which is then converted to a high force-to-movement ratio. The workholding chuck employs two helical connections that allow for a large gripping diameter variation with a short amount of axial travel.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fixation system is composed of a collection of anchoring assemblies attached, via a variety of connectors, to spine-stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies include a linking member attached in a ball-and-socket fashion to a bone-engaging member that is adapted to engage a spinal bone of a patient. The linking member joins one of the included connectors to an associated bone-engaging member. The connectors are selectively attached to one of the stabilizing rods. The anchoring assemblies each include a support collar and a split retention ring that cooperate to allow adjustment of the bone-engaging member and corresponding connector during surgery. When surgery is complete, a securing nut and locking bolt cooperate with the support collar and split retention ring to maintain the relative position of the entire fixation system, preventing unwanted movement between the system components.