Abstract: The present disclosure includes implant systems, devices, and implants. The interbody spacers including a first endplate, a second endplate, and a coupling member coupled to and extending between the first endplate and the second endplate. Methods of using the interbody spacers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A force measuring apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a force concentrator. The force concentrator is configured to attach to a loadbearing medical device and to produce a transverse force related to an eccentric axial force applied to the loadbearing medical device. A bending stiffness of the force concentrator is different from a bending stiffness of the loadbearing medical device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a patient force during a motion includes a tether adapted to be biased during a motion so that a tension force is applied. The tether is connected a motor and generates a tether force about the motor. The system controls the motor by generating a motor torque in a direction opposite the tether force. A recording module stores the motor torque at a plurality of intervals during the motion and a position of the tether. A display module generates a plot of a position of the patient versus a force generated by the patient. The position of the patient corresponds to the cumulative rotation of the shaft in the first direction about the axis of rotation of the shaft at each of the intervals. The force generated by the patient corresponds to the amount of motor torque at each of the intervals.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a composite post-test likelihood that a patient has a medical condition using an iterative Bayesian analysis of test information and test results for multiple tests. Multiple medical conditions can be assessed and results viewed simultaneously, including assessments performed based on hypothetical tests and test results. Such assessment may help guide a clinician to selecting tests and/or treatment that are particularly relevant to a patient's medical condition diagnosis.

Abstract: System and methods for optimizing flow distribution across multiple production zones are provided. A flow distribution is assigned to a plurality of production zones along a wellbore within a formation. A temperature value is estimated for each of the production zones, based on the assigned flow distribution. The estimated temperature value is compared with an actual temperature value determined for each production zone. An error amount for the estimated temperature value is calculated based on the comparison. Based on the error amount, it is determined whether or not the flow distribution has reached a global optimum. The assigning, the estimating, the comparing, the calculating, and the determining are repeated until it is determined that the flow distribution assigned to the plurality of production zones has reached the global optimum.

Abstract: An active oleo system for an aircraft semi-levered landing gear system disclosed herein includes a main strut, an auxiliary strut, bogie beam, and a pressure boost mechanism. During a takeoff roll phase, the pressure boost mechanism may increase the pressure in the main strut, forcing the main strut piston to the fully extended length. Thru the action of main strut, auxiliary strut, and bogie beam this may increase the height of the aircraft above ground, providing for a larger achievable rotation angle of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system and method integrates signal filters in a multiband transceiver. A preferred embodiment comprises an amplifier with a first tunable capacitor coupled to a signal input and a tunable filter. The tunable filter comprises an input stage with a first pair of inductors arranged in a dipole configuration and a second tunable capacitor coupled in parallel to the first pair of inductors and an output stage inductively coupled to the input stage, the output stage includes a second pair of inductors also arranged in a dipole configuration and a third tunable capacitor coupled in parallel to the second pair of inductors. The inductors are realized using bond wire or any other high Q material. The first tunable capacitor, the second tunable capacitor, and the third tunable capacitor can be tuned using a master-slave tuning configuration to adjust the operating frequency of the amplifier and the tunable filter to enable frequency band compatibility with multiple communications protocols.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting surface deformation of aircraft surfaces are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a sensor system to monitor an aircraft surface, the sensor system including a first sensor and a second sensor. A surface monitoring system receives signals from the first sensor and the second sensor and based on the signals received, the surface monitoring system is to: detect a surface deformation on the aircraft surface; analyze one or more environmental conditions or aircraft parameters; and classify a severity of a detected surface deformation based on the one or more environmental conditions or aircraft parameters to determine if the detected surface deformation impacts aircraft performance or safety.

Abstract: A hydraulic strut assembly, for use in a semi-levered landing gear in an aircraft, comprising an actuator and a manifold associated with the actuator. The actuator comprises a housing, a first piston, a second piston, and a third piston. The first piston is positioned between outer and inner cylindrical structures of the housing. The outer and inner cylindrical structures and first piston form an outer chamber that receives a first fluid. The inner cylindrical structure, the first piston, and the second piston, which is nested within the first piston, form an inner chamber, which holds a second fluid comprising a gas. A volume of the inner chamber changes when at least one of the first and second pistons moves. The third piston is positioned between the outer cylindrical structure and the first piston. The first, second, and third pistons move in a direction parallel to an axis through the housing.

Abstract: A mechanical front wheel drive roller wedging control system includes a 4WD switch in a vehicle operator station, a roller cage drag mechanism electrically activated by the 4WD switch and providing a drag on a roller cage if the 4WD switch is in an on position, and a throttle pedal switch actuated by the throttle pedal and that deactivates the roller cage drag mechanism when the throttle pedal is released.

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a stimulus in vivo includes an implantable sensor. The sensor comprises a passive resonator circuit having a resonant frequency and including at least a pair of generally parallel spirally wound unconnected conductive coils sandwiching a layer of solid dielectric material that manifest a change in property affecting the resonant frequency in response to application of the stimulus to the layer. A resonant frequency of the sensor is modulated by altering the spacing or gap between the coils or altering the overlapping area of the coils. The sensor is energized through application of radiofrequency energy and the responding resonant frequency is detected. The sensor can be advantageously attached to a medical implant to form a practical smart implant for clinical purposes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a custom foot orthotic for a patient is described. The method includes collecting dynamic pressure data of a plantar surface of the foot of the patient at multiple time frames during a gait cycle of the patient, determining the dimensions of the patient's foot from the dynamic pressure data, scaling a three dimensional model of a foot orthotic along the x and y axes to form a scaled three dimensional model which approximates the dimensions of the patient's foot and adjusting the height of the scaled model along the z-axis in one or more regions based on the dynamic pressure data to form a three-dimensional model of the custom foot orthotic. A method is also provided which includes creating a two-dimensional model of a custom foot orthotic from dynamic pressure data and extruding the two-dimensional model in one or more regions based on the dynamic pressure data to form a three-dimensional model of the custom foot orthotic. The orthotic can be manufactured using 3D printing.

Abstract: A hydraulic strut assembly, for use in a semi-levered landing gear in an aircraft, comprising an actuator and a manifold associated with the actuator. The actuator comprises a housing, a first piston, a second piston, and a third piston. The first piston is positioned between outer and inner cylindrical structures of the housing. The outer and inner cylindrical structures and first piston form an outer chamber that receives a first fluid. The inner cylindrical structure, the first piston, and the second piston, which is nested within the first piston, form an inner chamber, which holds a second fluid comprising a gas. A volume of the inner chamber changes when at least one of the first and second pistons moves. The third piston is positioned between the outer cylindrical structure and the first piston. The first, second, and third pistons move in a direction parallel to an axis through the housing.

Abstract: A mechanical front wheel drive roller wedging control system includes a 4WD switch in a vehicle operator station, a roller cage drag mechanism electrically activated by the 4WD switch and providing a drag on a roller cage if the 4WD switch is in an on position, and a throttle pedal switch actuated by the throttle pedal and that deactivates the roller cage drag mechanism when the throttle pedal is released.

Abstract: Devices and methods are contemplated in which a plurality of microfractures are generated on the surface of an article to so generate a non-abrasive surface having a COF of at least 0.6. Most preferably, the surface is the surface of a transparent polymer and is the surface is structured to allow high-resolution display of an image that is disposed on a surface opposite the surface with the microfractures. Consequently, numerous anti-slip products with such surfaces are contemplated.

Abstract: Devices and methods are contemplated in which a plurality of microfractures are generated on the surface of an article to so generate a non-abrasive surface having a COF of at least 0.6. Most preferably, the surface is the surface of a transparent polymer and is the surface is structured to allow high-resolution display of an image that is disposed on a surface opposite the surface with the microfractures. Consequently, numerous anti-slip products with such surfaces are contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an orthodontic appliance for positioning teeth and its application in orthodontic treatment planning using a work station. 3D teeth models are created from scanning data. These teeth models display a patient's teeth in initial or mal-occlusion. Then an orthodontic treatment planning is performed and the teeth are positioned in a desired position. 3D model of teeth in mal-occlusion is super imposed on the 3D model of the teeth in the desired position. Gingiva obtained from the scanning data is also superimposed on the combination of the 3D mal-occlusion model and the 3D desired position model. The resulting 3D model is used to create a 3D composite physical dentition model using a 3D printing device or a 3D printer. Dimples of the desired shape and position are then placed on the composite physical model. The teeth positioning appliance is then created by molding plastic on the composite physical model.

Abstract: Methods, software and devices for scoring privacy protection processes implemented by an organization are disclosed. Implementation metrics and evidence indicators are received from units of the organization. Implementation metrics represent extent of implementation of one of the privacy protection processes. Evidence indicators each identify an electronic document providing evidence of extent of implementation of one of the privacy protection processes. Each electronic document is associated with at least one of the implementation metrics for which it provides supporting evidence. For each particular privacy protection process, unit, applicable privacy protection rules are identified and a user interface is provided to facilitate assessing compliance of that organizational unit with applicable privacy protection rules. The user interface presents applicable privacy protection rules, implementation metrics, and the electronic documents associated with those implementation metrics.

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a stimulus in vivo includes an implantable sensor. The sensor comprises a passive resonator circuit having a resonant frequency and including at least a pair of generally parallel spirally wound unconnected conductive coils sandwiching a layer of solid dielectric material that manifest a change in property affecting the resonant frequency in response to application of the stimulus to the layer. A resonant frequency of the sensor is modulated by altering the spacing or gap between the coils or altering the overlapping area of the coils. The sensor is energized through application of radiofrequency energy and the responding resonant frequency is detected. The sensor can be advantageously attached to a medical implant to form a practical smart implant for clinical purposes.

Abstract: An active oleo system for an aircraft semi-levered landing gear system disclosed herein includes a main strut, an auxiliary strut, bogie beam, and a pressure boost mechanism. During a takeoff roll phase, the pressure boost mechanism may increase the pressure in the main strut, forcing the main strut piston to the fully extended length. Thru the action of main strut, auxiliary strut, and bogie beam this may increase the height of the aircraft above ground, providing for a larger achievable rotation angle of the aircraft.