Abstract: An intervertebral implant comprises a number of components including upper and lower endplates and one or more inserts configured to be disposed between the upper and lower endplates. Complimentary curved articulation surfaces are defined on the insert-facing surfaces of the upper and lower endplates and on the corresponding upper and lower surfaces of each of the inserts. The components of the implant articulate with respect to each other along shared articulation surfaces. At least two pairs of shared articulation surfaces are defined, each pair having a different length radius. The components of the implant can be configured with retainers, such that the implant is retained in an assembled configuration when disposed within an intervertebral space.

Abstract: A media holder for holding a media sheet against the imaging window of a substantially vertically oriented scanning device. The media holder includes a frame having a first frame section and a second frame section, the first frame section having a first end mounted along an upper edge of the imaging window, and the second frame section extending from a second end of the first frame section at an angle with respect to the first frame section such that a media sheet slot is formed between the imaging window and the second frame section. The media holder further includes a fibrous layer adhesively attached to the frame, wherein the second frame section engages a media sheet inserted in the media sheet slot with frictional force to hold the inserted media sheet against the imaging window.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for enlarging a spinal canal of a vertebra. Using the methods and systems disclosed the spinal canal of the vertebra is enlarged by cutting the posterior arch portion of the vertebra to create one or two implant receiving spaces in the posterior arch portion. The cutting of the posterior arch portion is completed through a minimally invasive approach. Once cut, the detached portion of the posterior arch portion is repositioned and an implant is positioned in the implant receiving space of the posterior arch portion to thereby enlarge the spinal canal such that the spinal cord is no longer compressed. The insertion of the implant is also completed through a minimally invasive approach.

Abstract: A system for initiating a payment to a merchant from a bill payment system for a purchaser in an electronic purchase transaction is provided. The purchaser may be a subscriber of the bill payment subsystem and the system may include a gateway subsystem. The gateway subsystem may receive electronic purchase transaction information. The electronic purchase transaction information may include a payment request authorized by the purchaser and an identifier associated with the merchant. The gateway subsystem may further determine that the purchaser is registered with the gateway subsystem, and send the payment request to the bill payment subsystem of which the purchaser is the subscriber. The gateway subsystem may also receive a payment notification from the bill payment subsystem, and cause a first payment to be made from a first account associated with the gateway subsystem to a second account associated with the merchant.

Abstract: A flow device having a cooling-air injection system for injecting cooling air into cavities (20, 24) between sealing elements (14a, 14b) or sealing bodies (16a, 16b), respectively, on the side of the guide vanes and on the side of the rotor is disclosed.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant can include a pair of endplates between which is coupled a bag that is filled or is fillable with small beads or particles having smooth exterior geometries. The bead sack implant allows for articulation about various centers of rotation without a predefined neutral position.

Abstract: There is described a method for operating an industrial machine, the latter being e.g. a processing machine, a production machine or a manipulation robot. At least part of the operation of the industrial machine is simulated with the aid of a simulation model and the simulated results and real-time data from the operation of the industrial machine are stored. The simulation can be carried out in the industrial machine and if this is the case a parametric representation of the simulation model can be at least partly produced using a unit for this purpose. To produce the parametric representation, a data-systems connection can be created between the industrial machine and the unit, by means of an Intranet and/or an Internet connection. In addition, the simulation can be carried out in an external simulation unit, the latter having a data-systems connection to the industrial machine by means of an Intranet and/or an Internet connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for analyzing a production process. In order to make it possible to analyze the production process in an improved manner for the purpose of production planning, the invention proposes a method for analyzing a production process in which at least one production device that is controlled by a control program is involved, wherein the method has the following method steps: at least one part of the control program is simulated using a simulation program and instructions which are executed in this case are logged, and an associated data record, in which the real-time requirement of an action caused by the logged instruction on the production device is respectively assigned to the logged instructions, is generated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low profile intervertebral implant (10) for implantation in an intervertebral disc space (D) in-between adjacent vertebral bodies (V). The intervertebral implant includes a plate (40) preferably coupled to a spacer (20). The plate is preferably formed from a first material and the spacer is preferably formed from a second material, the first material being different from the second material. The plate is preferably sized and configured so that the plate does not extend beyond the perimeter of the spacer. In this manner, the plate preferably does not increase the height profile (hs) of the spacer and the plate may be implanted within the intervertebral disc space in conjunction with the spacer.

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: The invention relates to a system for determining the wear state of a machine tool. It has a machine tool with a controller, a production control computer and the tool database via a respective data connection. A simulation computer, by way of a simulation process, while taking into account actual machine, production and tool data of the machine tool, is provided for determining data describing the wear state of the machine tool and for feeding said data to a display unit or a further process via a data connection.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Abstract: Translational bone fixation assemblies, kits containing such assemblies, and methods of use are described herein. The described assemblies may be used in spinal fusion procedures in which a damaged or diseased disc (or part of a disc) is removed from between a pair of vertebrae and a spinal fusion spacer is placed between the vertebrae. The assemblies may be applied to an anterior portion of the affected vertebrae to span the affected disc space, and may be fixed to the vertebrae using bone screws. The assemblies may function to maintain the vertebrae aligned during the initial period following fixation in which fusion of the spacer to the adjacent vertebrae occurs. The assemblies may also function to share some of the axial spinal load applied to the fusion spacer to prevent extreme subsidence of the spacer into the vertebral body, such as where the patient has poor bone quality.

Abstract: Translational bone fixation assemblies, kits containing such assemblies, and methods of use are described herein. The described assemblies may be used in spinal fusion procedures in which a damaged or diseased disc (or part of a disc) is removed from between a pair of vertebrae and a spinal fusion spacer is placed between the vertebrae. The assemblies may be applied to an anterior portion of the affected vertebrae to span the affected disc space, and may be fixed to the vertebrae using bone screws. The assemblies may function to maintain the vertebrae aligned during the initial period following fixation in which fusion of the spacer to the adjacent vertebrae occurs. The assemblies may also function to share some of the axial spinal load applied to the fusion spacer to prevent extreme subsidence of the spacer into the vertebral body, such as where the patient has poor bone quality.

Abstract: A brake comprising a caliper assembly; brake linings associated with the caliper assembly; and one of an electromechanical actuator module or a hydraulic actuator module. The body of the caliper assembly has a mounting wherein the module(s) can be removably mounted to the caliper without requiring modification to the caliper assembly. The mounting enables the actuator modules to be quickly changed out with a new actuator in the case of repair or maintenance; as well as facilitates initial assembly and upgrades to the brake.

Abstract: There is described a method for operating an industrial machine, the latter being e.g. a processing machine, a production machine or a manipulation robot. At least part of the operation of said industrial machine is simulated with the aid of a simulation model and the simulated results and real-time data from the operation of the industrial machine are stored. The simulation can be carried out in the industrial machine and if this is the case a parametric representation of the simulation model can be at least partly produced using a unit for this purpose. To produce said parametric representation, a data-systems connection can be created between the industrial machine and the unit, by means of an Intranet and/or an Internet connection. In addition, the simulation can be carried out in an external simulation unit, the latter having a data-systems connection to the industrial machine by means of an Intranet and/or an Internet connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for analyzing a production process. In order to make it possible to analyze the production process in an improved manner for the purpose of production planning, the invention proposes a method for analyzing a production process in which at least one production device that is controlled by a control program is involved, wherein the method has the following method steps: at least one part of the control program is simulated using a simulation program and instructions which are executed in this case are logged, and an associated data record, in which the real-time requirement of an action caused by the logged instruction on the production device is respectively assigned to the logged instructions, is generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining the wear state of a machine tool. It has a machine tool with a controller, a production control computer and the tool database via a respective data connection. Said simulation computer, by means of a simulation process, while taking into account actual machine, production and tool data of the machine tool, is provided for determining data describing the wear state of the machine tool and for feeding said data to a display unit or a further process via a data connection.

Abstract: A system is provided for selecting a particular barcode on an item that includes multiple barcodes. The system (1) acquires, via a barcode imager, an image of the item within the field of view of the barcode imager, (2) analyzes the acquired image to determine a set of potential barcode fields, (3) determines, using a predetermined criterion (e.g., distance from center of imaged area, type of bar code, etc.), a candidate barcode field from among the set of potential barcode fields, (4) displays a modified image derived from the acquired image, wherein the candidate barcode field is identified within the modified image, and (5) allows the user to initiate a decode session when the candidate barcode field includes the desired barcode.