Abstract: An intervertebral spacer implant (80) is provided with a retention mechanism (86) to help alleviate expulsion and movement of the implant when placed in the spine while providing an implant that is easier to insert in the spine. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises a keel on at least one of the inferior or superior faces of the spacer implant preferably extending in an anterior-posterior direction. In another embodiment the implant comprises a spacer (84) and a plate (82), the plate comprising a supplemental or alternative retention mechanism. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises one or more holes (88) in the anterior end of the plate. In yet another embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises one or more blades that are in a first position when inserted and are preferably rotated to a second position that engages the superior and inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: An adjustable intervertebral implant for implantation into a patient's spine in-between first and second adjacent or neighboring vertebrae. The implant may include one or more of the following features: (i) inner and outer members coupled by a radiographically imageable expansion ring, (ii) detachable endplates coupled to the implant via a polygonal press-fit coupling interface that accommodate a range of lordotic endplates to be applied to the implant using any surgical approach, (iii) an interference pre-loaded set screw for selectively locking the height of the construct, (iv) a radiographically imageable marker for determining the expansion of the implant, and (v) an asymmetric thread coupling between the expansion ring and the inner member.

Abstract: An adjustable intervertebral implant (100) for implantation into a patient's spine in-between first and second adjacent or neighboring vertebrae. The implant may include one or more of the following features: (i) inner (110) and outer (115) members coupled by a radiographically imageable expansion ring (130), (ii) detachable endplates (120,125) coupled to the implant via a polygonal press-fit coupling interface that accommodate a range of lordotic endplates to be applied to the implant using any surgical approach, (iii) an interference pre-loaded set screw (160) for selectively locking the height of the construct, (iv) a radiographically imageable marker (180) for determining the expansion of the implant, and (v) an asymmetric thread coupling (133,190) between the expansion ring and the inner member.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A screw-threaded clutch member is supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the screw thread on the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A screw-threaded clutch member is supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the screw thread on the shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable intervertebral implant (100) for implantation into a patient's spine in-between first and second adjacent or neighboring vertebrae. The implant may include one or more of the following features: (i) inner (110) and outer (115) members coupled by a radiographically imageable expansion ring (130), (ii) detachable endplates (120,125) coupled to the implant via a polygonal press-fit coupling interface that accommodate a range of lordotic end-plates to be applied to the implant using any surgical approach, (iii) an interference pre-loaded set screw (160) for selectively locking the height of the construct, (iv) a radiographically imageable marker (180) for determining the expansion of the implant, and (v) an asymmetric thread coupling (133,190) between the expansion ring and the inner member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric implant configured to stimulate bone growth in surrounding bone, tissues, and/or bodily fluids. Anatomical loading of the piezoelectric implant causes the piezoelectric implant or components thereof to emit a signal, such as an electric current and/or electromagnetic field that promotes and/or enhances osteoblastic activity in the surrounding bone, tissues, and/or bodily fluids, thereby enhancing bone remodeling and/or fusion. The piezoelectric implant can be configured with a variety of piezoelectric components, such as individual piezoelectric elements or piezoelectric frames, and/or conductors configured to conduct the signal between the piezoelectric components and the surrounding bone, tissues, and/or bodily fluids.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for detecting malware from outside the host operating system using a disk, virtual machine, or combination of the two. The method, system, and computer program product detects malware at the disk level while computer files in the host operating system are in actual program execution by identifying characteristic malware properties and behaviors associated with the disk requests made. The malware properties and behaviors are identified by using rules that can reliably detect file-infecting viruses. The method, system, and computer program product also uses the disk processor to provide accelerated scanning of virus signatures, which substantially decreases overhead incurred on the host operating system by existing malware detection techniques. In the event that malware is detected, the method, system, and computer program product can respond by limiting the negative effects caused by the malware and help the system recover to its normal state.

Abstract: Functionality is described for reducing the unauthorized reproduction of optical media, such as optical discs of various types. The functionality operates by adding a physical descriptor to an optical medium, forming reference descriptor information based on the descriptor, signing the reference descriptor information to produce authenticity information, and adding the authenticity information to the optical medium. At a point of consumption, the functionality operates by reading the authenticity information and reading the descriptor. Based on the information that is read, the functionality performs cryptographic analysis and descriptor-based analysis to validate the optical medium. The functionality includes various provisions to reduce the impact of wear and tear on the above-summarized analysis. The functionality can be applied to stamped or recordable optical media.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer implant (80) is provided with a retention mechanism (86) to help alleviate expulsion and movement of the implant when placed in the spine while providing an implant that is easier to insert in the spine. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises a keel on at least one of the inferior or superior faces of the spacer implant preferably extending in an anterior-posterior direction. In another embodiment the implant comprises a spacer (84) and a plate (82), the plate comprising a supplemental or alternative retention mechanism. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises one or more holes (88) in the anterior end of the plate. In yet another embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises one or more blades that are in a first position when inserted and are preferably rotated to a second position that engages the superior and inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A screw-threaded clutch member is supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the screw thread on the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread that is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A screw-threaded clutch member is supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the screw thread on the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A screw-threaded clutch member is supported on the handle structure for movement into and out of engagement with the screw thread on the shaft.

Abstract: Software is protected by encoding the target software instructions and decoding the target instructions.

Abstract: A method of operating an application program having a graphical user interface (GUI) includes the steps of (i) predicting the next user input to the GUI; (ii) pending receipt of the next user input, executing a preparation portion of GUI code that provides the GUTI function required by the predicted user input; (iii) receiving the next user input; and (iv) only when the next user input corresponds to the predicted user input, processing an activation portion of said GUI code to complete the required GUI function.

Abstract: An article that can be folded into an easel. In an illustrative embodiment, the article comprises a sheet with a display section and first, second and third foldable panel sections. The display section and the panel sections each comprise opposing first and second faces. The article can be arranged as an easel by folding the first, second and third panel sections such that the first face of the third section abuts the second face of the display section. In another illustrative embodiment, the article comprises a panel with a display portion and an easel portion, where the display portion and the easel portion are divided by a boundary. The easel portion is in part defined by a terminal edge, and the article can be arranged as an easel by attaching part of the easel portion to the display portion with the terminal edge at the boundary.

Abstract: A scissors has pivotally joined metal cutting elements, each having a handle portion including a yoke insert molded in hard plastic inner portions of handle loops. In one of the loops the hard plastic material defines only a part of the loop, terminating in spaced ends which are fixed to a flexible and resilient portion which completes the loop. The other loop has projecting forwardly therefrom a hard plastic finger rest which extends along the handle portion and defines a channel receiving the handle portion of the one loop. Both loops have hard plastic buttons projecting therefrom which abut when the scissors are closed. The flexible and resilient portion of the one loop is formed of a soft, frictional material which also covers outer surfaces of the hard plastic portions of both loops and the finger rest.