Abstract: A novel posterolateral inter-muscular approach has been developed to access the cervical. spine. The approach includes elevating the splenius capitis and trapezios muscles dorsally to create a window for deep spine access, wherein the window comprises: i) an anterior superior border of the trapezius muscle; ii) an anterior inferior border of the splenius capitis muscle, and iii) a posterior superior border of the levator scapulae muscle. Preferably, a device such as an implant or an instrument is then passed through the window to manipulate the spine.

Abstract: A novel posterolateral inter-muscular approach has been developed to access the cervical spine. The approach includes elevating the splenius capitis and trapezius muscles dorsally to create a window for deep spine access, wherein the window comprises: i) an anterior superior border of the trapezius muscle; ii) an anterior inferior border of the splenius capitis muscle, and iii) a posterior superior border of the levator scapulae muscle. Preferably, a device such as an implant or an instrument is then passed through the window to manipulate the spine.

Abstract: Computer-assisted methods for assisting in anomaly identification relating to a dysmorphology analysis comprise retrieving and/or generating a sequence of progressively changing images that depict morphing of at least a subject's first physical feature, between at least a first state representing an identification of a first anomaly relating to a dysmorphology and a second state representing lack of the identification of the first anomaly. The number of images in the sequence is selected to provide a substantially continuous transition between the first and second states. The retrieved and/or generated images are displayed on a display of a processing device, and a user interface on the processing device is provided for a user to make an image selection, which can then be used to determine identification or lack of identification of the anomaly.

Abstract: A book made up of pages is described. At least some of the pages contain both space for manually-created visual content, and instances of preprinted indexing target symbols. Each of the indexing target symbol instances has at least a portion within one inch of three unbound page edges. When the book is closed, the instances of each particular indexing target symbol are in a substantially collinear stack that is substantially perpendicular to the faces of the pages.

Abstract: Computer-assisted methods for assisting in anomaly identification relating to a dysmorphology analysis comprise retrieving and/or generating a sequence of progressively changing images that depict morphing of at least a subject's first physical feature, between at least a first state representing an identification of a first anomaly relating to a dysmorphology and a second state representing lack of the identification of the first anomaly. The number of images in the sequence is selected to provide a substantially continuous transition between the first and second states. The retrieved and/or generated images are displayed on a display of a processing device, and a user interface on the processing device is provided for a user to make an image selection, which can then be used to determine identification or lack of identification of the anomaly.

Abstract: A book made up of pages is described. At least some of the pages contain both space for manually-created visual content, and instances of preprinted indexing target symbols. Each of the indexing target symbol instances has at least a portion within one inch of three unbound page edges. When the book is closed, the instances of each particular indexing target symbol are in a substantially collinear stack that is substantially perpendicular to the faces of the pages.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a system comprising a number of computers, a graphical user interface, first program code stored on the computer, and second program code stored on the computer. The graphical user interface is executed by a computer in the number of computers. The computer is configured to run the first program code to define a mission using a number of mission elements. The computer is configured to run the second program code to generate instructions for a number of assets to execute the mission and monitor the number of assets during execution of the mission.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of detecting a railway vehicle, comprising using the time difference between receiving at first and second points a signal sent from the vehicle at a given time to produce an indication of the location of the vehicle.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a system comprising a number of computers, a graphical user interface, first program code stored on the computer, and second program code stored on the computer. The graphical user interface is executed by a computer in the number of computers. The computer is configured to run the first program code to define a mission using a number of mission elements. The computer is configured to run the second program code to generate instructions for a number of assets to execute the mission and monitor the number of assets during execution of the mission.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for transporting multimedia protocol traffic over a proxy server using a commonly-used proxy protocol. Multimedia protocol traffic from a first endpoint is received and then converted. The converted data is then transmitted using a commonly-used protocol across a network. The traffic is received and reconverted to the original multimedia protocol. The reconverted data is then transmitted to a second endpoint. By using a commonly-used protocol to transmit traffic between endpoints, proxy servers between each endpoint may be traversed without changing any of their settings.

Abstract: A multimedia communication system and method are described where a communication controller receives a multimedia data stream from a communication device in a first protocol. The controller detects a type of the first protocol, such as text-based protocol or a binary protocol and then converts the first protocol into an intermediate protocol. The multimedia data stream in this intermediate protocol is then transmitted to a second communication controller connected to the destination communication device. The multimedia data stream is then converted at the second communication controller from the intermediate protocol into a second protocol which is then used to transmit the multimedia data stream to the destination communication device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for transporting multiport protocol traffic using a single-port protocol. Multiport protocol traffic from a first endpoint is converted into a single-port protocol for transport across a network. The traffic is sent over a commonly-open port and received at a second endpoint before being dispersed to the appropriate ports of the second endpoint. By converting the traffic to a single-port protocol and choosing which commonly open port to communicate the traffic through, firewalls between each endpoint may be traversed without changing any of their settings.

Abstract: A communication system is made up of several communication communities. Each community provides for communication between the endpoints connected into that community by connecting the endpoints and communication controllers located behind a firewall with an external communication controller outside of the firewall. In selected embodiments, such a community may be configured to connect an internal controller that is connected to a plurality of endpoints with another controller that is designed for connection to only one endpoint. When communication is desired outside of the individual communities, the external controller for that community establishes a connection with the external controller for the desired community. Once established, the communication data can be transmitted across community borders. In some embodiments, there may be a central external controller that is in communication with each of the external controllers for the other individual communities.

Abstract: A container system for medical instruments comprising a molded plastic reticulated tray composed of a continuous rib that forms a tray rim and a plurality of intersecting ribs defining large openings therebetween. The intersecting ribs are dished and have opposite ends connected to the continuous ribs at spaced apart locations therealong. The plurality of intersecting ribs also have rounded surfaces so that a washing or cleaning fluid directed at the plurality of intersecting ribs from the outside, upon flowing through said openings will follow and intimately contact those rounded surfaces so that those surfaces are cleaned thoroughly. A preferred embodiment of the system also includes a reticulated cover releasably connected to the tray and various brackets for fixating instruments in the tray.

Abstract: A retainer assembly for retaining a medical device in a container having a perforated wall includes a retainer with a rigid support portion having at least one leg and a flexible, resilient instrument holding portion intimately bonded to the support portion so that the retainer is devoid of cracks and crevices between said portions. Each leg has a free end and an axial passage extending into the leg from that end so that the retainer may be positioned on the container wall with each opening in register with a perforation therein. A fastener extends into the passage of each leg and the underlying perforation from below the wall to anchor each leg to the wall under pressure thereby providing a seal between each leg and the wall. Various retainer embodiments and a method for making same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retainer assembly for locating a medical device in a container having a wall with a vent hole. The retainer assembly includes a retainer with an undersurface that is larger than the vent hole and an axial passage having a selected length and cross section extending into the retainer from the surface. The assembly also includes a keeper having a head that is larger than the vent hole and a sleeve extending from the head to an end. The sleeve has substantially the same cross-section as the passage and is shorter axially than the passage so that when the retainer surface is engaged to one face of the container wall so that the passage is aligned with the vent hole and the keeper is engaged to the retainer by frictionally engaging its sleeve in the passage until its head contacts the opposite face of the container wall, the retainer becomes securely, but releasably, anchored to the container wall.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting medical instruments and the like. The assembly includes a support member formed with lines of vent holes, the vent holes in each line being spaced apart a selected distance. The bracket includes a base strip having a plurality of feet extending down for the base strip, the feet having footprints larger than those of the vent holes and being spaced apart along the base strip a distance substantially equal to an intregal multiple of the selected distance. This allows the bracket to be aligned with a line of vent holes in the support member so that its feet overlie selected ones of the vent holes in that line. A plurality of anchors is provided for anchoring the plurality of feet to the support member at the selected vent holes so that any segment of the base strip between the feet is spaced above the support member so as not to obstruct any underlying vent holes in the support member.

Abstract: A sterilization tray assembly for medical instruments has a unitary base including a plurality of tubes defining first passages, each first passage having open upper and lower ends, a first web connecting and supporting the tubes in parallel spaced-apart relation so that a fluid can circulate around and between the tubes, and instrument supports at the lower ends of the tubes for supporting medical instruments placed in the first passages while allowing a fluid to circulate through said first passages. The assembly also includes a unitary cover for seating on the base so as to cover and segregate the instruments supported by the base.

Abstract: A medical instrument holder assembly comprises a holder module base including first tubes defining first passages, each first passage having open upper and lower ends, at least one first web connecting and supporting those first tubes in parallel spaced-apart relation so that a fluid can circulate around and between the first tubes, and instrument supports underlying the first tubes for supporting medical instruments placed in the first passages while allowing a fluid to circulate through those passages. The holder assembly also includes a cover for seating on the base and covering the instruments supported thereby, the cover being formed by second tubes defining second instrument receiving passages, each second passage having upper and lower open ends, the lower ends having the same cross-sections as the upper ends of the first passages.

Abstract: A process for casting light metals. The process includes preheating ingots of the light metal in a protective atmosphere before being introduced into a melting furnace wherein the molten metal is degassed and filtered before transference in a heated delivery tube to a covered holding furnace. The filtered melt is made quiescent to reduce its kinetic energy and allow inclusions to settle and form a purified melt. A vacuum is applied to a die cavity in a casting press to displace air residing therein with an inert atmosphere. The purified melt is then transferred in a heated delivery tube as a charge to the casting press under the inert atmosphere to prevent burning and formation of accompanying reaction products. Upon cooling, a light metal casting is produced in the absence of air with minimum defects and inclusions.