Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a hinge (84) defining a hinge axis (88), and a pair of opposing jaws (80A,80B), including a movable jaw and a fixed jaw having a predetermined part radiopaque, so that the fixed jaw location is identifiable from a fluoroscopic image of the fixed jaw. The opposing jaws terminate at proximal and distal regions, and the proximal regions are connected to the hinge so that the movable jaw rotates about the hinge between a closed state and an open state. The jaws are curved in planes parallel to the hinge axis, and terminate in narrowed ends at the distal regions, so that in the closed state the jaws grip sections of vertebrae. The apparatus also has a support structure (60) that retains the hinge and the pair of opposing jaws, and a multiplicity of sharp teeth (98) disposed on respective inner surfaces of the opposing jaws.

Abstract: A surgical tool for removing tissue from a body organ which includes an axially extending outer shell and an axially extending actuator. The outer shell includes a steerable region and the actuator is arranged to flex and extend the steerable region about at least two axes that are transverse to each other.

Abstract: A positioning marker, consisting of a base having a retroreflective surface. The marker also has a cover, which is fitted over and fastened to the base and has a plurality of openings through which the retroreflective surface is visible.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a hinge defining a hinge axis, and a pair of opposing jaws, including a movable jaw and a fixed jaw having a predetermined part radiopaque, so that the fixed jaw location is identifiable from a fluoroscopic image of the fixed jaw. The opposing jaws terminate at proximal and distal regions, and the proximal regions are connected to the hinge so that the movable jaw rotates about the hinge between a jaws closed state and a jaws open state. The jaws are curved in planes parallel to the hinge axis, and terminate in narrowed ends at the distal regions, so that in the closed state the jaws grip one or more sections of vertebrae. The apparatus also has a support structure that retains the hinge and the pair of opposing jaws, and a multiplicity of sharp teeth disposed on respective inner surfaces of the opposing jaws.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a hinge, defining a hinge axis, and a pair of opposing jaws terminating at respective proximal regions and distal regions. The proximal regions are connected to the hinge so that at least one of the jaws is configured to rotate about the hinge between a closed state and an open state of the jaws. In addition, the jaws are curved in respective planes parallel to the hinge axis, and terminate in respective narrowed ends at the respective distal regions, wherein in the closed state the jaws are configured to grip one or more sections of vertebrae. The apparatus also has a support structure that is configured to retain the hinge and the pair of opposing jaws. A multiplicity of sharp teeth are disposed on respective inner surfaces of the opposing jaws.

Abstract: A positioning marker, consisting of a base having a retroreflective surface. The marker also has a cover, which is fitted over and fastened to the base and has a plurality of openings through which the retroreflective surface is visible.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a hinge, defining a hinge axis, and a pair of opposing jaws terminating at respective proximal regions and distal regions. The proximal regions are connected to the hinge so that at least one of the jaws is configured to rotate about the hinge between a closed state and an open state of the jaws. In addition, the jaws are curved in respective planes parallel to the hinge axis, and terminate in respective narrowed ends at the respective distal regions, wherein in the closed state the jaws are configured to grip one or more sections of vertebrae. The apparatus also has a support structure that is configured to retain the hinge and the pair of opposing jaws. A multiplicity of sharp teeth are disposed on respective inner surfaces of the opposing jaws.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for automatically positioning a syringe in a target orientation suitable for withdrawing medication from a container, and for filling the syringe with the medication. The device comprises a syringe conveyor, which is configured to receive the syringe in an initial orientation, and to bring the syringe to a target orientation by being translated and rotated while holding the syringe in a steady orientation relative to the syringe conveyor. The device further comprises a supporting module, configured to support the syringe conveyor while allowing a translation and a rotation thereof. The device comprises a syringe holder configured to hold the syringe, and a gripper coupled to the syringe holder. The gripper is configured to engage the plunger and to enable the automatic displacement.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for automatically positioning a syringe in a target orientation suitable for withdrawing medication from a container, and for filling the syringe with the medication. The device comprises a syringe conveyor, which is configured to receive the syringe in an initial orientation, and to bring the syringe to a target orientation by being translated and rotated while holding the syringe in a steady orientation relative to the syringe conveyor. The device further comprises a supporting module, configured to support the syringe conveyor while allowing a translation and a rotation thereof. The device comprises a syringe holder configured to hold the syringe, and a gripper coupled to the syringe holder. The gripper is configured to engage the plunger and to enable the automatic displacement.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for automatically positioning a syringe in a target orientation suitable for withdrawing medication from a container, and for filling the syringe with the medication. The device comprises a syringe conveyor, which is configured to receive the syringe in an initial orientation, and to bring the syringe to a target orientation by being translated and rotated while holding the syringe in a steady orientation relative to the syringe conveyor. The device further comprises a supporting module, configured to support the syringe conveyor while allowing a translation and a rotation thereof. The device comprises a syringe holder configured to hold the syringe, and a gripper coupled to the syringe holder.

Abstract: A programmable sprinkler for even irrigation of a land area of regular or irregular shape having an upper portion having an upper revolvable housing being supported by a non-revolvable adjusting system attached to a non-revolvable mid section provided with a water passage and further having at least one spray nozzle tiltably supported inside the upper revolvable housing, the water jet inlet port of said nozzle being alignable to a water outlet port; an adjustable cam track attached below the spray nozzle to the non-revolvable mid section; a plurality of cam track adjustment means provided, to the cam track for changing the profile thereof; and a connecting rod disposed, inside the upper revolvable housing, and being in sliding or rolling contact at a lower extremity with the adjustable cam track and at the upper extremity being connected and revolving together with the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A data storage device includes storage media with multiple media zone attributes of storage performance. The storage device includes a data channel that is connectable to a host system. The data channel receives an object from the host system that has a requested storage attribute attached to the object. The storage device comprises an object-based storage interface that couples between the data channel and the storage media. The object-based storage interface schedules the object for storage in a selected zone of the multiple media zones based on the attributes and requested attributes.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler includes a rotor rotatably mounted with respect to a nozzle to be impinged and to be rotated by the water jet from the nozzle, and a sleeve circumscribing the nozzle and formed with an open end through which the water jet is discharged laterally of the nozzle. The rotor is displaceable axially of the nozzle. A spring normally urges a closure-surface of the rotor against the open end of the sleeve to close it against the entry of foreign matter, but is deformable by the water jet to displace the closure surface of the rotor axially away from the sleeve.

Abstract: A buoyancy control device for divers includes a plurality of inflatable members each adapted to be inflated to a predetermined maximum volume, or to be deflated, and a fluid distributor for selecting the inflatable members to be inflated and to be deflated, thereby controlling the buoyancy of the device. The fluid distributor includes a housing having an inlet port connectible to a source of pressurized fluid, a venting port leading to the atmosphere, and a plurality of outlet ports connected to the inflatable members. A flexible membrane overlies a grooved surface in the housing, and a valve member is movable over the membrane to press it into the groove such as to effect the communication between the inlet and venting ports with respect to selected outlet ports.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler has a step-down transmission between a turbine wheel drive and the sprinkler nozzle, which transmission includes a fixed ring gear having internal teeth coaxial with the drive rotary axis; a planet gear having external teeth engageable with, but fewer in number than, the internal teeth of the ring gear; and an eccentric pin secured to the rotary drive at its rotary axis and having a central axis laterally of the drive rotary axis. The eccentric pin is received within an opening centrally of the planet gear to cause the planet gear to planetate around the fixed ring gear and to rotate around the drive rotary axis at a step-down velocity determined by the difference in the number of teeth between the ring gear and the planet gear.