Abstract: A registration fixture for use with a surgical navigation system for registration of medical images to a three-dimensional tracking space includes a base frame adapted to be mounted over a flat panel detector of an x-ray medical imaging device, and a side frame having optical tracking markers mounted to the base frame. The base frame includes a first set of radiopaque markers embedded therein in a first predetermined pattern and arranged on a plane, and a second set of radiopaque markers embedded therein in a second predetermined pattern also arranged on another plane, which is spaced from the first set of radiopaque markers. The side frame has a plurality of optical tracking markers and is configured to detachably mount to the base frame.

Abstract: A registration fixture for use with a surgical navigation system for registration of medical images to a three-dimensional tracking space includes a base frame adapted to be mounted over a flat panel detector of an x-ray medical imaging device, and a side frame having optical tracking markers mounted to the base frame. The base frame includes a first set of radiopaque markers embedded therein in a first predetermined pattern and arranged on a plane, and a second set of radiopaque markers embedded therein in a second predetermined pattern also arranged on another plane, which is spaced from the first set of radiopaque markers. The side frame has a plurality of optical tracking markers and is configured to detachably mount to the base frame without piercing a sterilizing drape to be interposed between the base frame and the side frame.

Abstract: A registration fixture for use with a surgical navigation system for registration of medical images to a three-dimensional tracking space includes a base frame adapted to be mounted over a flat panel detector of an x-ray medical imaging device, and a side frame having optical tracking markers mounted to the base frame. The base frame includes a first set of radiopaque markers embedded therein in a first predetermined pattern and arranged on a plane, and a second set of radiopaque markers embedded therein in a second predetermined pattern also arranged on another plane, which is spaced from the first set of radiopaque markers. The side frame has a plurality of optical tracking markers and is configured to detachably mount to the base frame without piercing a sterilizing drape to be interposed between the base frame and the side frame.

Abstract: The present invention discloses isoquinolines and 1H-2-Benzopyranes and their use in the treatment and prevention in epilepsy and other seizures. The present invention further discloses methods to screen isoquinoline- and 1H-2-Benzopyran-like molecules as pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses halimide and plinabulin and structural analogues and their use in the treatment and prevention in epilepsy and other seizures. The present invention further discloses methods to screen halimide-like molecules as pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses isoquinolines and 1H-2-Benzopyranes and their use in the treatment and prevention in epilepsy and other seizures. The present invention further discloses methods to screen isoquinoline- and 111- 2-Benzopyran- like molecules as pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses halimide and plinabulin and structural analogues and their use in the treatment and prevention in epilepsy and other seizures. The present invention further discloses methods to screen halimide-like molecules as pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses isoquinolines and 1H-2-Benzopyranes and their use in the treatment and prevention in epilepsy and other seizures. The present invention further discloses methods to screen isoquinoline- and 1H-2-Benzopyran-like molecules as pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: An accessory (10) for a safety harness which includes a diagonal shoulder belt (100), the accessory comprising a first end portion (20) which is attached or attachable to the shoulder belt at or around shoulder level; a second end portion (30) which is attached or attachable to a mounting point of the safety harness, the mounting point being substantially immovable relative to at least a part of the safety harness; and a belt member (40) extending between the first and second end portions such that, in use, the belt member extends around the back of a user from shoulder to hip level, thus forming at least part of a loop with the shoulder belt to assist in maintaining the position of the shoulder belt.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in handling a load where a load-bearing rope and a service cable are inter-wound as they are being paid out, having a wrapping device for wrapping a securing member around the service cable and the load-bearing rope, and to unwrap the securing member from the service cable and load-bearing rope as either of them is recovered. The securing member is wound around the service cable and the hoist rope, to hold the service cable relative to the load-bearing rope and to reduce the extent of creeping of the service cable down the load-bearing rope. The securing member can be planar, in the form of a strip, tape or ribbon, or can have a circular cross-section, in the form of a rope. In preferred embodiments, the securing member is resilient and is applied to the rope in tension.

Abstract: A fuel level indication assembly for a fuel tank includes at least one ultrasonic sensor having a drum to emit and receive a sonic signal. The at least one ultrasonic sensor is adapted to be disposed in either one of a liquid fuel and a fuel vapor/air space within the fuel tank to measure a level of liquid fuel within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel level indication assembly for a fuel tank includes at least one ultrasonic sensor having a drum to emit and receive a sonic signal. The at least one ultrasonic sensor is adapted to be disposed in either one of a liquid fuel and a fuel vapor/air space within the fuel tank to measure a level of liquid fuel within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A pulse generator for indicating a change in the magnitude of an input signal includes a comparator, a first network connected to one input of the comparator for receiving the input signal, and a second network connected to the other input of the comparator for receiving the input signal. Both the first and second networks provide output signals to the comparator which transition in response to a magnitude change of the input signal from their respective baseline magnitudes to respective peak magnitudes, and back to their respective baseline magnitudes. The component values of the networks are selected such that one of the first or second network output signals is positive relative to the other network output signal over some period of time during the transition to the peak magnitude and return to the baseline magnitude to cause the comparator to generate a pulse indicating a change in the magnitude of the input signal.

Abstract: An improved cruise control which produces a desired throttle position that is based in part on a selectively updated integral term. The integral term is only updated when the magnitude of the speed error exceeds a predefined value, thereby eliminating changes in the integral term when the speed error is smaller than the predefined threshold. In other words, the integral term is dynamic and responsive to a current error condition when the speed error magnitude exceeds the threshold, and static when the speed error is within the threshold. In this way, the operational advantages of the integral term are retained while avoiding its disadvantages, and the transition between the static and dynamic states of the integral term are smooth and seamless.

Abstract: An improved reverse voltage protection circuit that protects sensitive electronic devices from damage due to both reversed battery connections and source voltage interruptions. An N-channel protection FET is inversely connected between the negative terminal of the protected device and ground, and the conduction of the protection FET is extended during a reverse transient protection period following interruption of the source voltage. A capacitor connected across the gate-to-source circuit of the protection FET is charged from the source voltage through a low impedance charging circuit including a diode to prevent the capacitor from discharging, and is discharged during an interruption of the source voltage through a high impedance discharging circuit connected in parallel with the charging circuit.

Abstract: A shifter assembly for use within an associated vehicle transmission includes a shift shaft fixedly attached to the housing of the transmission, a drive shaft rotatively attached to the housing of the transmission and, first and second shift forks operatively connected to the shift shaft and operatively connected to the drive shaft. The shift forks have arms with slots for receiving a shift lever. To shift the associated vehicle transmission, a shift lever is shifted, moving the first shift fork along the shift shaft, sliding a first clutch collar along the drive shaft. Next, a second shift fork is moved along the shift shaft, sliding a second clutch collar along the drive shaft.

Abstract: A shaft alignment apparatus includes a first bearing block having a first opening for receiving a first associated shaft, a first housing member having a first slot for receiving the first bearing block, a second housing member and fastening means for fastening the first housing member to the second housing member. The first housing member has a junction surface lying on a junction plane and an internal base surface lying on a base plane. The first associated shaft is positioned between the base plane and junction plane of the first housing member. To align a first associated shaft, its first end is mounted into an opening in a first bearing block. The second end of the first associated shaft is then mounted into an opening in a second bearing block. Both the first and second bearing blocks are then slid simultaneously into first and second slots, respectively, in the first housing member. Finally, a second housing member is fastened to the first housing member.

Abstract: A connecting mechanism for selectively connecting transmission components has a gear with teeth and a clutch collar mechanism. The clutch collar mechanism has a clutch collar, pins, springs used to bias the pins, and spring plates. To connect the clutch collar to the gear, the clutch collar is sliden along its shaft until its pins contact the teeth of the gear. The pins are then pushed back against the springs located within the clutch collar. The clutch collar is then rotated until the pins line up with gaps between the teeth of the gear. The pins are then automatically inserted into the gaps by the springs.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system provides adaptive compensation for compliance in a linking mechanism between a throttle control member and a throttle which creates hysteresis in throttle movement. The system has a vehicle speed sensor, an actuator having an output linked to the throttle control member, an actuator position signal generator and a control responsive to the vehicle speed sensor and the actuator position signal generator for positioning the actuator in closed loop control with a major loop in response to vehicle speed and a minor loop in response to actuator position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming bales. The baler (10) which performs the method includes a bale chamber (16) having a forward inlet end. Mounted forwardly of the bale chamber are conveying means (26) which may include a crop pickup (76). Feeding means (28) are disposed between the conveying means and the inlet end of the bale chamber, the feeding means simultaneously engaging opposed surfaces of a rearwardly conveyed mat of crop material while alternately feeding opposed surfaces of the mat in a rearward direction to a location adjacent the inlet end of the bale chamber. Moving means (46) are provided to move the fed mat of crop material back and forth across the inlet end of the bale chamber to form successive layers of folded crop material within the bale chamber.