Abstract: Spinal implants are disclosed that can be used for annular repair, facet unloading, disc height preservation, disc decompression, or for sealing a portal through which an intervertebral implant was placed. In some embodiments, an implant is placed within the intervertebral disc space, primarily within the region of the annulus fibrosus. In some embodiments, the implant is expandable. In some embodiments, the implant has a sealing tail structure comprising a tail flange and a linkage. In some embodiments, the sealing tail structure limits the extrusion or expulsion of disc material, either annulus fibrosus or nucleus, into the posterior region of the spine where it could impinge on nerves. In some embodiments, the tail structure is retained in place within the annulus fibrosus by means of an anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is constructed from multiple components.

Abstract: Spinal implants are disclosed that can be used for annular repair, facet unloading, disc height preservation, disc decompression, or for sealing a portal through which an intervertebral implant was placed. In some embodiments, an implant is placed within the intervertebral disc space, primarily within the region of the annulus fibrosus. In some embodiments, the implant is expandable. In some embodiments, the implant has a sealing tail structure comprising a tail flange and a linkage. In some embodiments, the sealing tail structure limits the extrusion or expulsion of disc material, either annulus fibrosus or nucleus, into the posterior region of the spine where it could impinge on nerves. In some embodiments, the tail structure is retained in place within the annulus fibrosus by means of an anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is constructed from multiple components.

Abstract: A device for disinfecting a portion of an implement such as a needleless hub or injection port. The device includes a body shaped to engage the implement with the portion to be disinfected exposed. A disinfectant area is located on the body so as to permit pivotal displacement of the area relative to the body such that in a first orientation the portion to be disinfected is exposed and in a second orientation the portion to be disinfected is covered and the disinfectant area engages the portion to be disinfected.

Abstract: A method for peer-to-portal broadcasting, including providing a web page for a portal, the web page including an inline frame (iFrame), receiving meta-data for media files selected by a user for broadcast to the portal, and dynamically generating source code for the iFrame upon request, the source code including instructions for a web browser (i) to request an XML document that includes meta-data for user-selected media files, (ii) to transform the XML document to an HTML document using an XSLT transformation, and (iii) to insert the resulting HTML document into the web page for the portal. A system and computer-readable storage media are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A system for peer-to-web media broadcasting, including a plurality of publisher computers, for broadcasting media over the Internet, each publisher computer including a video transcoder, and an image processor, a plurality of HTTP web client computers for viewing broadcasted media, an application server for transmitting web page content to HTTP web client computers, including a database management system for storing and retrieving publisher authentication information, at least one switchboard server, for managing TCP/IP connections between online publisher computers and HTTP web client computers, a load balancer for distributing incoming client requests among the at least one switchboard server, and a storage volume that is mounted on each of the at least one switchboard servers, for caching portions of media received from publishing computers. A method and computer-readable storage media are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A swing mooring element comprising a modular pontoon (40) configured to enable two vessels (41, 42) to be moored side by side and including an area (49) between the vessels which allows a person to walk between the vessels. The pontoons (67, 68, 69, 70) may also be interconnected to form a mooring assembly wherein each pontoon (67, 68, 69, 70) is capable of mooring at least two boats.

Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from a source of AC power comprises a controllably conductive device and a variable gate drive circuit. The controllably conductive device is coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the electrical load to control the amount of power delivered to the load. The variable drive circuit is thermally coupled to the controllably conductive device and provides a continuously variable impedance in series with the control input of the controllably conductive device. The impedance of the variable drive circuit is operable to decrease as a temperature of the controllably conductive device increases and vice versa. Preferably, the variable drive circuit comprises an NTC thermistor. Accordingly, the switching times of the controllably conductive device, i.e.

Abstract: An improved rope is formed from a blend of fluoropolymer fibers and high tenacity polyolefin fibers. The fibers and/or the rope are coated with a composition comprising an amino functional silicone resin and a neutralized low molecular weight polyethylene. The ropes are useful in marine applications, such as in deep sea lifting, and have improved cyclic bend over sheave fatigue resistance.

Abstract: An improved rope is formed from high tenacity fibers, preferably a blend of high tenacity polyethylene fibers with aramid fibers and/or liquid crystal copolyester fibers. The fibers and/or the rope are coated with a composition comprising an amino functional silicone resin and a neutralized low molecular weight polyethylene. The ropes are useful in marine applications, such as in deep sea lifting, and have improved cyclic bend over sheave fatigue resistance.

Abstract: A child resistant, senior friendly packaging system is designed to securely hold multiple unit dose products and formed out of natural fiber or synthetic materials, or any combination thereof. The packaging system comprises a movable insert that can locked in an inaccessible position and comprises a physically detachable unlocking mechanism that can engage the locking mechanism of the movable insert in order to unlock the movable insert permitting movement into an accessible position. The unlocking mechanism can be in the form of an access card that is a part of the system or is user supplied.

Abstract: An improved rope is formed from high tenacity polyolefin fibers, such as extended chain polyethylene fibers. The fibers and/or the rope are coated with a composition comprising an amino functional silicone resin and a neutralized low molecular weight polyethylene. The ropes are useful in marine applications, such as in deep sea lifting. The ropes have improved cyclic bend over sheave fatigue resistance.

Abstract: A child resistant, senior friendly packaging system is designed to securely hold multiple unit dose products and formed out of natural fiber or synthetic materials, or any combination thereof. The packaging system comprises a movable insert that can locked in an inaccessible position and comprises a physically detachable unlocking mechanism that can engage the locking mechanism of the movable insert in order to unlock the movable insert permitting movement into an accessible position. The unlocking mechanism can be in the form of an access card that is a part of the system or is user supplied.

Abstract: The invention is directed to instrumenting object code of an application and/or an operating system on a target machine so that execution trace data can be generated, collected, and subsequently analyzed for various purposes, such as debugging and performance. Automatic instrumentation may be performed on an application's object code before, during or after linking. A target machine's operating system's object code can be manually or automatically instrumented. By identifying address space switches and thread switches in the operating system's object code, instrumented code can be inserted at locations that enable the execution trace data to be generated. The instrumentation of the operating system and application can enable visibility of total system behavior by enabling generation of trace information sufficient to reconstruct address space switches and context switches.

Abstract: A mobile device contains a dedicated key for switching between input modes. A special key code is assigned to that key. If a user presses the dedicated key, that key code is generated and passed to the operating system of the mobile device. In response, a shell determines what the current input mode is and instructs an Input Method Manager to switch the input mode from the current input mode to a “next” input mode. Each available input mode may be identified in an Input Mode Table.

Abstract: A catheter used for treatment of complex vasculature, such as a bifurcated aneurysm, is provided with an inflatable balloon at a distal portion thereof. The shape, location and material of the inflatable balloon are selected such that when inflated, the balloon conforms to the shape of the complex vasculature, or at least a portion thereof, without appreciably deforming the vessel walls. In this manner, the balloon can be used to control flow in the vasculature, for example occluding a selected branch of the vasculature during introduction of material in order concentrate the material and minimize its disbursement by blood flow.

Abstract: A motion control system includes a signal conduit to which the various devices of the system, such as a motion controller and motor drive modules, are linked. The modules are intertied such that the order of the modules along the signal conduit does not affect system operability. In one embodiment, the signal conduit includes a substantially rigid substrate having a plurality of electrically conductive lines formed in one or more layers of the substrate. The substrate may include a one-piece construction to which the motion controller, drives, and other devices are attached, or the substrate may be in the form of a plurality of couplers joined one to the other by connectors. For the latter, the various modules of the system include a coupler with connectors which allow the various modules to be easily connected without the need for any tools and without concern for the order in which the modules are attached.

Abstract: In a system comprising a current controlling device and a plurality of signal lines coupled to the current controlling device, wherein the current controlling device has an output driver including a register, an improved method for setting a current of the output driver for at least one of the plurality of signal lines. The improved method determines a reference register-setting for the register of the current controlling device. The reference register-setting corresponds to a reference voltage for at least one of the plurality of signal lines. A target register-setting is then determined for the register based on the reference register-setting. The target register-setting corresponds to a target voltage for at least one of the plurality of signal lines, wherein the target voltage produces an appropriate swing about the reference voltage. An operational register-setting is then determined for the register based on the target register-setting.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a stain receiver article and its use in a fabric cleaning process. The invention also encompasses a kit, comprising: (a) an aqueous fabric cleaning/refreshment composition which is, optionally, releasably contained on a carrier substrate; a re-usable, preferably vapor-venting, containment bag; a stain receiver article according to this invention; optionally, but preferably, a fabric cleaning device, as disclosed herein; optionally, a re-usable holding tray; and optionally, a non-aqueous cleaning composition. The invention also encompasses the stain receiver article, itself.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for electronically gearing the sewing parts of a sewing machine, and more particularly it relates to electronically gearing the bobbin to the needle to eliminate the necessity of their physical coupling through mechanical linkages and drive shafts. Servo motors provide torque to the needle, bobbin, and various other sewing parts of the sewing machine which require concerted movement. A computer uses servo motor positional information to calculate motion commands that are sent to the needle and bobbin servo motors, thereby enabling electronic gearing of the bobbin to the needle so that each moves substantially in unison. Motion commands sent to servo motors attached to various other sewing parts of the sewing machine are based on servo motor positional information to enable the sewing parts to move in concert with the needle and bobbin.

Abstract: Articles especially adapted for in-home dry cleaning comprise a carrier sheet which is impregnated with a cleaning composition. The articles are designed to be folded for packaging, and to be unfolded during use. The articles are provided with holes which help maintain them in the unfolded configuration, especially during use in a hot-air clothes dryer.