Abstract: A fiber forming device is disclosed that is well suited to producing nonwoven webs having excellent barrier properties. In one aspect, the fiber forming device can be used to produce meltblown webs or coform webs. The fiber forming device includes a die head containing multiple rows of polymer nozzles for forming fibers. Air flow paths are positioned on either side of the rows of polymer nozzles. In addition, an air flow path is positioned in between the rows of polymer nozzles. The air flow paths produce an attenuating gas stream that attenuates fibers being produced by the polymer nozzles and directs the fibers onto a forming surface for forming nonwoven webs.

Abstract: A screw containment system is disclosed including a caddy, a first screw, an adhesive substance, and a cover. The caddy includes a plurality of recesses including a first recess extending from a first opening towards a second surface of the caddy. The first recess is sized to accept a screw therein and includes a counterbore at a distal end. The first screw is removably disposed in the first recess such that the screw head shoulder sits on an upper surface of the counterbore with the shank disposed in an inner recess of the counterbore. The adhesive substance is disposed within the drive of the first screw, the adhesive substance being configured to temporarily couple two objects together. The cover is removably coupled to the first surface of the caddy such that, while the cover is coupled to the first surface, the first screw held within the first recess.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an instrument portal including a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first elongated member, the first elongated member defining a first bore having a first dimension, wherein the first bore extends from the first distal end to the first proximal end, wherein the maximum clearance of the instrument portal is the first dimension and a drill guide reducer configured to be inserted into the instrument portal, the drill guide reducer including an elongated cylindrical member defining an enclosed body surrounding an opening, the enclosed body having an outside dimension that is smaller than the first dimension, such that the drill guide reducer is sized to fit within the instrument portal and defining an inner dimension configured to receive a drill guide, wherein the inner dimension of the drill guide reducer is smaller than the first dimension of the instrument portal.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an instrument portal comprising a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first elongated member, the first elongated member comprising a first bore defining a first diameter, wherein the first bore extends from the first distal end to the first proximal end, wherein the maximum clearance of the instrument portal is the first diameter, and a drill guide reducer configured to be inserted into the instrument portal, the drill guide reducer comprising an elongated cylindrical member defining an outside diameter such that the drill guide reducer is sized to fit within the instrument portal and defining an inner diameter configured to receive a drill guide, wherein the inner diameter of the drill guide reducer is smaller than the first diameter of the instrument portal.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an instrument portal comprising a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first elongated member, the first elongated member comprising a first bore defining a first diameter, wherein the first bore extends from the first distal end to the first proximal end, wherein the maximum clearance of the instrument portal is the first diameter, and a drill guide reducer configured to be inserted into the instrument portal, the drill guide reducer comprising an elongated cylindrical member defining an outside diameter such that the drill guide reducer is sized to fit within the instrument portal and defining an inner diameter configured to receive a drill guide, wherein the inner diameter of the drill guide reducer is smaller than the first diameter of the instrument portal.

Abstract: Provided are systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing minimally invasive spinal surgery. For example, provided is a minimally invasive surgical apparatus for securing a pedicle screw or lateral mass screw to a vertebral lateral mass or pedicle. The example apparatus includes an instrument portal, a pedicle screw or lateral mass screw reducer, an anchor pin receiving chamber, an anchor pin, and a handle.

Abstract: Provided are improved pedicle screws or lateral mass screws, systems and methods for stabilizing spinal vertebrae, such as a pedicle or lateral vertebral mass, during minimally invasive spinal surgery. For example, provided is a pedicle screw or lateral mass screw having a screw shaft comprising an elongated threaded body having a vertical axis, a polyaxial screw head comprising two opposite walls that define a concave channel, and two semi-rigid, non-wire, elongated projections extending from two opposite walls of the polyaxial screw head at a positive angle in relation to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: Provided are systems, devices and methods for treating spinal injuries and abnormalities. For example, provided are spinal fusion devices and methods for treating degenerative disc disease using the spinal fusion device.

Abstract: Provided are improved pedicle screws or lateral mass screws, systems and methods for stabilizing spinal vertebrae, such as a pedicle or lateral vertebral mass, during minimally invasive spinal surgery. For example, provided is a pedicle screw or lateral mass screw having a screw shaft comprising an elongated threaded body having a vertical axis, a polyaxial screw head comprising two opposite walls that define a concave channel, and two semi-rigid, non-wire, elongated projections extending from two opposite walls of the polyaxial screw head at a positive angle in relation to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures.

Abstract: Provided are systems, devices and methods for treating spinal injuries and abnormalities. For example, provided are spinal fusion devices and methods for treating degenerative disc disease using the spinal fusion device.

Abstract: Provided are systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing minimally invasive spinal surgery. For example, provided is a minimally invasive surgical apparatus for securing a pedicle screw or lateral mass screw to a vertebral lateral mass or pedicle. The example apparatus includes an instrument portal, a pedicle screw or lateral mass screw reducer, an anchor pin receiving chamber, an anchor pin, and a handle.

Abstract: A storage system including an alignment rail mounted to a wall and configured to engage with a first rail mounted on one or more storage members to align the storage members for attachment to a wall and to each other. The storage members may include a second rail and may be mounted to the wall through the first and second rails and attached to each other via fasteners extending through pre-formed apertures in sidewalls of the storage members.

Abstract: A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures.

Abstract: A zero-order overlay target comprises a first zero-order line array fabricated on a first layer of a semiconductor structure, the first zero-order line array having a first pitch, and a second zero-order line array fabricated on a second layer of the semiconductor structure, the second zero-order line array having a second pitch. The second pitch may be different from the first pitch, and a portion of the second zero-order line array may be positioned to become optically coupled to a portion of the first zero-order line array when subject to an overlay measurement. Further, the second pitch may be variable. For example, the variable pitch may comprise a first set of features having a pitch approximately equal to the first pitch, a second set of features having a pitch different from the first pitch, and a third set of features having a pitch approximately equal to the first pitch.

Abstract: A zero-order overlay target comprises a first zero-order line array fabricated on a first layer of a semiconductor structure, the first zero-order line array having a first pitch, and a second zero-order line array fabricated on a second layer of the semiconductor structure, the second zero-order line array having a second pitch. The second pitch may be different from the first pitch, and a portion of the second zero-order line array may be positioned to become optically coupled to a portion of the first zero-order line array when subject to an overlay measurement. Further, the second pitch may be variable. For example, the variable pitch may comprise a first set of features having a pitch approximately equal to the first pitch, a second set of features having a pitch different from the first pitch, and a third set of features having a pitch approximately equal to the first pitch.

Abstract: Provided is an improved method of diagnosing and monitoring hemostatic dysfunction, sepsis-related morbidity or severe infection by improving detection of an in vitro complex formed by lipoprotein and C-reactive protein with the utilization of an effective amount of a surface active agent in the reagent.

Abstract: Test circuitry for testing an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being configurable to accept input data from stimulus scan cells and to provide output data to response scan cells, the test circuitry including stimulus circuitry for providing test data to the integrated circuit; input selection means operable to control which of the test data and the input data are received at the integrated circuit; capture circuitry for capturing output data from the integrated circuit and generating response data; output selection means operable to select which of the output data and the response data are received by the response scan cells.

Abstract: An integrated cache memory circuit is provided comprising a tag RAM, a comparator and a data RAM. Each of the tag RAM and the date RAM have an array of memory cells and plural sense amplifiers. Each memory cell of the RAMs is connected via a respective bit line to one of the plural sense amplifiers. The sense amplifiers of the tag RAM have respective outputs coupled to a first input of the comparator. The comparator having a second input for address information and an output for selectively enabling data output from sense amplifiers of the data RAM. The memory cells of the tag RAM are arranged to have a higher current drive than the memory cells of the data RAM.

Abstract: A cache memory and method for operating a cache memory are provided which comprise a tag RAM, tag RAM sense amplifier circuitry, data RAM sense amplifier circuitry and decision circuitry. Timing difficulties exist in determining whether or not a hit has occurred and in outputting the data from the data RAM upon occurrence of a hit. Upon addressing a tag entry and the corresponding data entry, the tag information is output from the tag RAM and is compared with input address information. A decision is reached as to whether or not identity exists. Only when the result of that decision has been validly determined can data be output.