Abstract: A metallic inverted L-shaped implant is used to resurface the superior facet of the inferior vertebrae limited to the facet joints located on the spine, Occiput-C1 through L5-S1. The metallic implant is highly polished on its exterior and textured on its interior surface. It is mechanically crimped in place without the use of cement or pedicle screws. Permanent fixation occurs when bone in-grows onto a rough, porous surface on the inside of the implant. The implant employed in a hemi-arthroplasty method resurfaces half of the facet joint to provide for smooth, pain free joint articulation in deteriorated or diseased spinal facet joints without the need for major surgery or rehabilitation at considerably less risk to the patient.

Abstract: A minimally invasive facet joint fusion including a method, instrumentation and autograft, cadaveric allograft or FDA approved pre-made, pre-shaped synthetic cortical bone grafts consistent with the description and Claims herein for use in minimally invasive, outpatient, arthroscopic spine surgery or classic open surgery and, more specifically, to fuse spinal facet joints from T12-L1 through L5-S1. This method serves as a primary or a revision surgery.

Abstract: A frustum shaped body has an aperture in a top surface and a pair of first and second opposed apertures in a side surface, first and second horizontal internal channels connect both the first and second opposed apertures. A vertical channel from the top aperture connects with the first and second channels. After the body is inserted into a hole in a facet joint, compatible synthetic or biologic material is inserted into the vertical channel until the material exits from the first and second apertures in the side surface. At least one pair of flanges on a portion of an exterior side surface of the body acts as a detent to hold the body in place within the facet joint hole.

Abstract: A new and distinct pistachio tree named ‘PETE I’, characterized by a very white shell nut with a 90% or higher split ratio and a large nut size (18 to 20 nuts per ounce), nut meat color brilliant purple on the exterior with a dark green interior, a very high resistance to botryosphaeria fungus, large, dark green leaves and an early bloom.

Abstract: Interconnection from a multidimensional transducer array to electronics is provided. Circuit board modules are used in combination with z-axis interconnections of a transducer array to provide active electronics within a volume adjacent to the multidimensional transducer array. By using multiple modules to connect to different regions of z-axis interconnects, conductor paths from the transducer to the electronics are more likely of similar lengths. By including a thin or thinner region on each of the modules for active electronics, a greater volume of the space adjacent to the transducer array may include active electronics. Thicker regions route conductors from the 2D array regions, and thinner regions provide space for active electronics. Using multiple modules with z-axis interconnects may reduce cross-talk and space requirements for implementing some or all of the transmit and/or receive beamformation adjacent to the multidimensional transducer array.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Abstract: Transmitters for generating multilevel transmit waveforms for medical diagnostic ultrasound are provided. Voltages from a plurality of sources are superposed or summed. Switches control the amplitude and polarity of the summed voltages so that a transmit waveform having four or more, such as nine, voltage levels is provided. A simple switching pulser without a power amplifier combines voltages applied to two or more flux paths in a third flux path. Superposition of magnetic flux in the third flux path provides for an output voltage responsive to the sum and difference of two different voltages. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary windings of multiple transformers are connected in series with a transducer element. By providing different input voltages to each of the transformers, the multilevel transmit waveform is generated.

Abstract: A golf club head is machined from an extruded bar having an irregular cross-section that is near-net-shape to the vertical profile of the club. To form the club head, the extruded bar is sliced into a club head blank. The blank is secured to a machining fixture and machined into the final configuration. Because the club head blanks are formed from an extrusion that is already near-net-shape to the profile of the club, less metal is removed during the machining operations, which results in faster process times, less wasted material and therefore substantial cost savings over the prior art methods of manufacturing golf club heads.

Abstract: In a golf bag that includes a body with a top end and a bottom end, a throat structure is mounted in the top end of the body. The throat structure has a substantially ring shaped outer wall and a raised inner wall extending transversely of the body top end with its opposite ends connected to the outer wall. A first plurality of three divider walls extends between the inner and outer walls to define a first plurality of four individual compartments located along a back portion of the throat structure. Each compartment of the first plurality of individual compartments is adapted for receiving one wood-type golf club. A raised well is located along a front portion of the throat structure opposite the first plurality of individual compartments. The raised well is adapted for receiving a golf putter.

Abstract: Element mapping and transmission of continuous waves are provided ultrasound imaging. For use with multiple dimensional or large arrays, the number of receive beamformer channels or associated cables connecting the transducer array to the receive beamformer may be limited. Subarrays of signals from different elements associated with similar phasing are combined without switching. The combined subarray signals are then received beamformed to generate a continuous wave image. Receive channels without clocking or beamforming prior to a steered continuous wave Doppler beamformer maximize dynamic range and reduce the power consumption. For further or different optimization of steering continuous waves, low voltage transmitters separate from high voltage transmitters are provided for a plurality of elements.

Abstract: Transmitters for generating multilevel transmit waveforms for medical diagnostic ultrasound are provided. Voltages from a plurality of sources are superposed or summed. Switches control the amplitude and polarity of the summed voltages so that a transmit waveform having four or more, such as nine, voltage levels is provided. A simple switching pulser without a power amplifier combines voltages applied to two or more flux paths in a third flux path. Superposition of magnetic flux in the third flux path provides for an output voltage responsive to the sum and difference of two different voltages. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary windings of multiple transformers are connected in series with a transducer element. By providing different input voltages to each of the transformers, the multilevel transmit waveform is generated.

Abstract: Different subarray combinations are provided for ultrasound imaging. A basic building block component supports different subarray sizes. Rather than providing a switching network for all possible combinations, a transducer array is divided into super arrays. Each super array is associated with a plurality of possible subarrays. For example, a 3×12 block of elements is divisible into four 3×3 or three 3×4 subarrays. As another example, a 4×12 block of elements is divisible into four 4×3 and three 4×4 subarrays. For each super array, the block of elements is divided into slices, such as three slices along one dimension for 3×12 block or four slices along that dimension for the 4×12 block. The number of elements along one division in each slice represents a least common multiple of the varying extent of the subarray sizes. Twelve is the least common multiple of three and four. By using small building blocks, the slice inputs are combined into partial subarrays.

Abstract: Integrated circuit transmitters allow for ultrasound imaging with both pulsed and continuous waves. High voltage and low voltage switches are integrated onto a same semiconductor chip. The high voltage switches are used for pulsed wave operation, and the low voltage switches are used for continuous wave operation. Power dissipation may be reduced by using low voltage circuits for the continuous wave operation. Both the pulsed and continuous waveforms are output on a common output from the integrated circuit. For continuous wave operation, one or more of the high voltage switches is used to provide a low resistance path to the common output or ground. For pulsed wave operation, one or more of the low voltage switches is used to provide a low resistance path to a common output or ground. A switch used for generating waveforms is also used for forming a low resistance path.

Abstract: A golf club is manufactured according to a method in which a radially compliant crush sleeve is interposed between the shaft tip and hosel of the club head. The crush sleeve is fabricated from a strip of metal formed into a substantially cylindrical metallic band with a plurality of radially-extending dimples or corrugations that grip the shaft. The crush sleeve is retained either in an undercut region in the hosel bore, on a mandrel extending from the hosel, or on a pilot shaft at the tip of the golf club shaft. After the interface between the shaft and hosel is coated with an adhesive, the shaft is assembled to the hosel with the crush sleeve squeezed in between. The crush sleeve secures the shaft to the club head with sufficient rigidity to allow the adhesive to set while maintaining the appropriate axial and rotational alignment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adapting signals from an ultrasound transducer for an ultrasound system. Where the signal processing in a transducer assembly outputs data incompatible with the ultrasound system, circuitry provided within the transducer assembly converts the data to be compatible with the ultrasound systems. For example, sub-array mixing is provided to partially beamform signals from a plurality of transducer elements. The resulting output signals from a plurality sub-arrays are provided through a cable to a connector housing of the transducer probe assembly. Since the mixers alter the data, such as shifting the data to an intermediate frequency, the output data may be at a frequency different than the frequencies for operation of the receive beamformer. Additional mixers are then provided to convert the intermediate frequency signals to radio frequency signals that may be processed by the ultrasound systems received beamformer.

Abstract: Methods, systems and probes communicate signals from a transducer for imaging or connection with an imaging system. Beamforming-related electronics are positioned in the connector housing of the transducer probe assembly. For example, analog-to-digital converters are positioned in the connector housing. Power is provided through connection with the ultrasound imaging system. Fans or other heat-dissipating structures are also positioned within the connector housing. Other beamformer electronics, such as delays and sums, are positioned in the imaging system, partly in the connector housing or entirely in the connector housing. Since the analog-to-digital converters are provided in the connector housing, partial digital beam forming may be provided in the transducer probe assembly. The length of the transducer cables is held constant to avoid interference and transmission line effects due to line-length variation.

Abstract: A transmit pulser includes an H-bridge of four transistors. First and second transistors of the H-bridge connect with a first electrode of a transducer element, and third and fourth transistors of the H-bridge connect with a second electrode of the transducer element. A differential receive amplifier connects with the first and third transistors. First and second diode clamps connect with the first and third transistors, respectively, and the inputs to the differential receive amplifier. The second and fourth transistors connect to a same power or voltage source, imposing a same voltage in either a forward or a reverse direction. By using matched transistor pairs (e.g. first and third matched pair and second and fourth matched pair), symmetrical transmit waveforms are generated. Symmetrical transmit waveforms allow for using phase inversion or phase differences between transmit waveforms for imaging, such as for harmonic imaging of tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly is disclosed having a housing, a transducer array mounted in the housing and an electronics assembly mounted in the housing, the electronics assembly including one or more sub-assemblies having heat generating components disposed thereon. The electronics sub-assemblies further include thermal conducting features which conduct heat generated by the heat generating components out of the electronics assembly where it can be further removed by other thermal management techniques. These other thermal management techniques may include techniques utilized to cool the transducer array.