Abstract: An instrument for cutting and/or curetting during surgery is discosed. The instruments of the invention are particularly advantageous for use in removing disc material from an intervertebral disc space. In a preferred embodiment, rotation of the instrument around a longitudinal axis of the instrument provides for intermittently distracting vertebrae adjacent to the intervertebral disc space during rotation.

Abstract: A system and method for improved client and server communications, more particularly, an improved protocol that may be used for communication between a client and a server, such as in an email environment. Many features are provided for improved communications. An email server may provide the best message body available for an email message, may transfer an entire data object if requested property or properties are not well defined within the data object, may provide progress data for use in tracking download progress, and may send error information for a data object having an error. Email changes may be optimized at an email server component, even if the email changes occurred at another email server component. An email server may maintain a table of changes that occur to folders at an associated data store, and may notify a subscribed email client component of changes that occur in the table.

Abstract: A fixation device suitable for fixing the positioning of at least one bone of a patient is provided. The device includes a connector with one end defining a screw fixator configured to receive an anchoring screw and a securing cap configured to maintain the screw in the screw fixator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing molded polyester articles. More particularly, the invention concerns an apparatus and method for continuously producing molded polyester articles having low acetaldehyde content from a melt prepared by continuously reacting polyester precursors. The polyester is prepared and formed into useful shaped articles in a single, integrated, continuous melt-to-mold process without an intermediate solidification of the melt.

Abstract: A process for producing polyester articles, which generates little or no polyester waste. The process provides esterification or transesterification of one or more dicarboxylic acids or their dialkyl esters, polycondensation to produce a high molecular weight polyester, and molding or shaping of the polyester for produce the desired product. Scrap produced during the molding process is recycled back to the esterification or transesterification or polycondensation portion of the process. Optionally, the scrap may also be recycled to intermediate steps prior to the molding operation.

Abstract: Data transfers across a computer data connection are timed to measure the throughput of the connection. A counter in a computer system is updated to account for each measurement and the counter's value is checked to determine whether to allow the system's background tasks to operate.

Abstract: A container device by which a patron of a hotel or motel can leave articles such as shoes outwardly of the patron's room door for pick up and servicing by an attendant, but with the assuredness that the articles are locked for withdrawal only by an attendant who has lock-operation ability. No such ability is required of the patron, who achieves the locked condition of a container by the embrace of the patron's door by an abutment carried by a retainer connected to the container; and it is provided that the room door, in closed condition, itself is used both to block the container's access opening as well as to provide an abutment co-operating with the abutment to block movement of the device away from the door. The abutment is made movable, providing if desired another setting in which a full release of the container is achieved by pulling the abutment and its retainer outwardly of the door.