Abstract: A head stabilizing system is provided. The head stabilizing system is intended to minimize loads on the head and the neck, some of which may be injurious or even fatal, by generating a reaction force that substantially opposes a force acting on the head and generated by rapid deceleration of a vehicle or a crash impact. The head stabilizing system includes a helmet, a connection structure, and at least one resisting member. The resisting member generates a reaction force that opposes the crash impact force, yielding a reduced net force on the head. This reaction force can be generated as a function of position, velocity or acceleration. The resisting member may include a tether, a dashpot, or a dashpot containing a controllable rheological fluid. The viscosity of the controllable rheological fluid can be automatically adjusted in response to changes in status of a vehicle or it's occupant.

Abstract: A head stabilizing system is provided. The head stabilizing system is intended to minimize loads on the head and the neck, some of which may be injurious or even fatal, by generating a reaction force that substantially opposes a force acting on the head and generated by rapid deceleration of a vehicle or a crash impact. The head stabilizing system includes a helmet, a connection structure, and at least one resisting member. A mounting element is provided to be mounted onto the helmet to connect to the at least one resisting member. The mounting element is preferably attached to the helmet by an adhesive. The resisting member generates a reaction force that opposes the crash impact force, yielding a reduced net force on the head. This reaction force can be generated as a function of position, velocity or acceleration. The resisting member may include a tether, a dashpot, or a dashpot containing a controllable rheological fluid.

Abstract: A head stabilizing system is provided. The head stabilizing system is intended to minimize loads on the head and the neck, some of which may be injurious or even fatal, by generating a reaction force that substantially opposes a force acting on the head and generated by rapid deceleration of a vehicle or a crash impact. The head stabilizing system includes a helmet, a connection structure, and at least one resisting member. The resisting member generates a reaction force that opposes the crash impact force, yielding a reduced net force on the head. This reaction force can be generated as a function of position, velocity or acceleration. The resisting member may include a tether, a dashpot, or a dashpot containing a controllable rheological fluid. The viscosity of the controllable rheological fluid can be automatically adjusted in response to changes in status of a vehicle or it's occupant.

Abstract: A system and process for monitoring a targeted area of a patient's body to precisely locate the targeted area in real-time are provided. The system includes at least one datum device to be placed a predetemined distance from the targeted area, either on or within the body. The system also includes means for sensing the at least one datum device, means for determining a real-time position of the at least one datum device, and means for calculating changes in the position of the datum device in real-time. Any changes in the position of the datum device are conveyed to a radiotherapy device which emits a radiation beam directed at the targeted area. The radiation beam is controlled according to changes in the position of the datum device in order to maintain precise targeting on the area to be treated.

Abstract: A design and production system that takes advantage of open network technology to allow a party outside of a manufacturer's closed production system to operate the manufacturer's production function. The user of the system enters parametric data defining a desired product. The design and production system creates a final design based on the entered parametric data, creates a set of machine instructions according to the final design, and executes the machine instructions using various tools of a production system. The present invention provides the customer with the precise product desired and minimizes the associated cost to the manufacturer of maintaining an inventory of finished goods.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant assembly for spacing vertebrae and method of using the implant are provided. The implant includes two components each having a vertebral contact surface, a pair of side portions, and an end plate. The two components are complementary such that when placed together they form a whole. Each of the sides has a high point and a low point, such that a sloped edge of each side is defined between the high point and the low point, and the slope of the first sides is complementary to the slope of the second sides. The device also includes a translation mechanism for providing relative motion between the components.

Abstract: A component is an anchor having a hollow shank with an outer threaded surface for securely fixing to a bone and a threaded interior surface for cooperatively receiving a screw. The anchor cooperates with the screw that engages the interior surface of the shank to form an assembly for holding an element in place to support and strengthen the bone. A method for using the device includes forming a cavity in the bone; fixing the anchor; placing the element over the anchor; and fixedly attaching the plate by engaging the screw through the element and into the anchor.

Abstract: A spinal implant that has a rod that connects and stabilizes the vertebrae of a vertebral column. The implant has screws that are attached to the vertebrae. Each screw has a clamp with a first bore that allows the clamp to be placed over the screw. The first bore of the clamp is larger than the major diameter of the screw, so that the clamp can float about the screws. The clamps each have a second bore perpendicular to the first bore, adapted to receive and hold the rod. Integrally formed with the second bore of each clamp are a pair of flanges. When the flanges are deflected inward, the clamp "grabs" the rod. The clamp is placed on a hexagonally shaped shoulder of the screw. A nut is fastened onto the opposite side of the clamp, such that the flanges are pressed between the shoulder and the nut. The diameter of the second bore and rod are approximately the same so that a small deflection of the flanges produces a large clamping force on the rod.

Abstract: A spinal implant that has an adjustable rod that connects and stabilizes the vertebrae of a vertebral column. The implant has screws that are attached to the vertebrae. Each screw has a clamp with a first bore that allows the clamp to be placed over the screw. The first bore of the clamp is larger than the major diameter of the screw, so that the clamp can float about the screws. The clamps each have a second bore perpendicular to the first bore, adapted to receive and hold the rod. Integrally formed with the second bore of each clamp are a pair of flanges. When the flanges are deflected inward, the clamp "grabs" the rod. Placed on both sides of each clamp are a pair of nuts that are tightened to deflect the flanges and secure the rod to the clamp. The diameter of the second bore and rod are approximately the same so that a small deflection of the flanges produces a large clamping force on the rod.

Abstract: A guide, and methods for its manufacture and use, for use with a medical instrument whereby the instrument must contact a patient's tissue at a particular location. Given the specific patient's tissue geometry, the general medical procedure and the specific practitioner's requests, if any, a nonadjustable guide is specifically manufactured such that one or more locations of the invention attaches to and/or abuts against a portion of patient tissue correctly orienting the device with respect to the patient's tissue geometry for purposes of performing the given medical task. The remaining geometric features of the device are dictated by the task for which it is designed and other characteristics of the tissue.

Abstract: A symmetric self locking nut with a deflecting annular flange that allows the nut to be installed from opposite ends. The nut has a shank with a threaded hole through the longitudinal axis of the shank. Extending from the shank perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is at least one annular flange. At the end of the flange are a pair of annular rims that extend in opposite directions from the flange. The rims define the outmost end portions of the nut and have outer surfaces that engage the working surface of a workpiece. When the nut is screwed onto the bolt and one of the rims engages the workpiece, the flange deflects causing the nut thread nearest the workpiece to press against the adjacent thread of the bolt. The deflection of the flange increases the frictional force between the threads of the nut and bolt, insuring that the nut is in constant contact with the bolt even when the fasteners are subjected to vibrational loading.