Abstract: A tunable current mode integrator for low-frequency continuous-time filters that requires a reduced amount of area when implemented in an integrated circuit (IC). The integrator includes input and output transistors, and cross-coupled current mirrors, integration capacitors, and operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) that form a feedback structure with the input transistors. Input currents are converted to small current swings within the OTAs, and are subsequently integrated by the capacitors. Resulting integrated voltages are converted to output currents by the output transistors.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified disease detection and treatment molecule polynucleotides (mddt). Also encompassed are the polypeptides (MDDT) encoded by mddt. The invention also provides for the use of mddt, or complements, oligonucleotides, or fragments thereof in diagnostic assays. The invention further provides for vectors and host cells containing mddt for the expression of MDDT. The invention additionally provides for the use of isolated and purified MDDT to induce anitbodies and to screen libraries of compounds and the use of anti-MDDT antibodies in diagnostic assays. Also provided are microarrays containing mddt and methods of use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resource scheduling on a switched underlay network enables coordination, scheduling, and scheduling optimization to take place taking into account the availability of the data and the network resources comprising the switched underlay network. Requested transfers may be fulfilled by assessing the requested transfer parameters, the availability of the network resources required to fulfill the request, the availability of the data to be transferred, the availability of sufficient storage resources to receive the data, and other potentially conflicting requested transfers. In one embodiment, the requests are under-constrained to enable transfer scheduling optimization to occur. The under-constrained nature of the requests enables requests to be scheduled taking into account factors such as transfer priority, transfer duration, the amount of time it has been since the transfer request was submitted, and many other factors.

Abstract: Data may be preconditioned to be transferred on a switched underlay network to alleviate the data access and transfer rate mismatch, so that large files may be effectively transferred on the network at optical networking speeds. A data meta-manager service may be provided on the network to interface a data source and/or data target to prepare a data file for transmission, such as by dividing a large file into multiple pieces and causing those pieces to be stored on multiple storage subsystems. The file may then be read from the multiple storage subsystems simultaneously and multiplexed onto scheduled resources on the network. This enables the high bandwidth transfer resource to be filled by a data transfer without requiring the storage subsystem to be augmented to output the data at the network transfer rate. The file may be de-multiplexed at the data target to one or more storage subsystems.

Abstract: A resource negotiation service is provided to enable business logic decisions to be made when obtaining switched underlay network resources, to interface business logic with network conditions and schedules. The resource negotiation service may be implemented as a web service or other network service to enable business logic to be used in the selection of available network resources. This may allow policy to be used on both the subscriber side and the network provider side to optimize network resource allocations for a proposed transfer. The policy may include subscriber policy, network policy, and other factors such as current and expected network conditions. The resource negotiation service may include an interface to enable existing subscribers and new customers to obtain switched underlay resources.

Abstract: A visualization display network is created such that images to be displayed at the visualization presentation center(s) are formatted for direct display on the viewing terminals without requiring significant additional processing at the visualization presentation center. For example, the display terminals at the visualization presentation center may be configured to display signals received in a standard color format such as RGB, and the signals output from the visualization processing center and transported on a switched underlay optical network may be formed in the same color format. A visualization transfer service is provided to reserve resources on the switched underlay optical network and to coordinate visualization events between the visualization processing center, network, and visualization presentation center. Network resources may be scheduled in real time on demand or may be scheduled to be provided at a predetermined optionally under-constrained time.

Abstract: A spinal surgical prosthesis such as an artificial disc having a pair of opposed plate members, a flexible support interposes therebetween and temporary stabilizer made of a bio-compatible and bio-resorbable material surrounding the flexible support between the opposed plate members. Prior to the resorption of the temporary stabilizer, the prosthesis serves as an inter-body fusion device for enhancing osteo-integration of the prosthesis with adjacent vertebrae during the healing phase following surgery. Subsequent to the resorption of the temporary stabilizer, the flexible support provides flexibility and compressibility while maintaining the proper inter disc space and lordosis or kyphosis between adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A brush tip for a motorized toothbrush has a first brush head and a second brush head. The second brush head encircles the first brush head. A shaft has two cranks, each engaging one of the brush heads. Continuous same-direction rotation of the shaft causes the brush heads to counter-rotate about a common axis. Distal ends of the first set of bristles on the first brush head form a circular pattern and the distal ends of the second set of bristles on the second brush head form an elliptical pattern.

Abstract: A prosthesis in the form of a cage having opposed complimentary bearing surface assemblies. The bearing surface assemblies moveable towards and away from each other. The moving mechanism being part of the bearing surface assemblies. Each of the bearing surface assemblies having an outer bearing surface whereby movement of one bearing surface assembly in one direction will move the bearing surface assemblies away from each other and movement in the opposite direction will move the bearing surface assemblies towards each other.

Abstract: A method (and system) for uniquely identifying one of a plurality of replicas of data, includes creating a second replica from a first replica, and computing a replica identifier of a bounded length for a second replica by applying a uniform transformation to a replica identifier of the first replica, without central coordination of identifier generation. In a preferred embodiment, the uniform transformation has an inverse, which can be applied to the identifier of the second replica to recover the identifier of the first replica. The second replica is created when its replica identifier is calculated to be an integer in a predetermined range.

Abstract: A brush tip for a motorized toothbrush has a first brush head and a second brush head. The second brush head encircles the first brush head. A shaft has two cranks, each engaging one of the brush heads. Continuous same-direction rotation of the shaft causes the brush heads to counter-rotate about a common axis. Distal ends of the first set of bristles on the first brush head form a circular pattern and the distal ends of the second set of bristles on the second brush head form an elliptical pattern.

Abstract: A prosthesis in the form of a cage having opposed complimentary bearing surface assemblies. The bearing surface assemblies moveable towards and away from each other. The moving mechanism being part of the bearing surface assemblies. Each of the bearing surface assemblies having an outer bearing surface whereby movement of one bearing surface assembly in one direction will move the bearing surface assemblies away from each other and movement in the opposite direction will move the bearing surface assemblies towards each other.

Abstract: A prosthesis in the form of a cage having opposed complimentary bearing surface assemblies. The bearing surface assemblies moveable towards and away from each other. The moving mechanism being part of the bearing surface assemblies. Each of the bearing surface assemblies having an outer bearing surface whereby movement of one bearing surface assembly in one direction will move the bearing surface assemblies away from each other and movement in the opposite direction will move the bearing surface assemblies towards each other.

Abstract: A brush tip for a motorized toothbrush has a first brush head and a second brush head. The second brush head encircles the first brush head. Means are provided for differently accelerating the first and second brush heads in response to motion produced by the toothbrush motor.

Abstract: A disposable saliva ejector has a strainer tip at its distal end. The strainer tip has a plurality of slots through which saliva, blood etc. can be extracted from the patient's mouth. A protective flange is located adjacent the strainer tip, extends parallel to it, and is spaced apart from it. The space between the flange and the tip is sufficiently small that the patient's flesh is unlikely to become interposed between the tip and the flange. For this reason, slots in the region of the flange will likely always remain unblocked. For this reason, the tip and flange do not become tightly wedged against the patient's flesh as a result of the vacuum supplied to the ejector.

Abstract: A dental strainer unit includes a plastic strainer, a plastic strainer cap, and a transparent, non-rigid plastic housing. The strainer unit can be cost-effectively manufactured and easily disassembled and cleaned. The strainer cap can be manufactured in a variety of sizes to permit different aspirator devices to be attached thereto, and the housing can be snap-fit over the enlarged head of a saliva ejector valve. The dental strainer unit can be used in a modularized dental aspiration system.

Abstract: A method of compressing data, including representations of objects, for future transmission or storage. More specifically, this invention compresses a representation of differences between a base sequence of data and the actual data to be transmitted or stored. Sparse bit masks representing the positions of insertions and deletions from a base sequence are iteratively compressed by representing consecutive sequences of zero-valued bits with single zero-valued bits.

Abstract: A dental implant includes a healing collar that expands to a desired shape. The expandable healing collar has an orifice to permit a filler material to pass into an interior cavity between the healing collar and the base. A plurality of nested frustro-conical sections form the exterior of the healing collar which is urged upwardly by a spring and a screw. The coronal dental prosthesis that results from the expandable healing collar acts as a support for the replacement of a missing tooth so that a crown may be attached to the expanded coronal portion of the implant. This coronal extension may be angled due to its flexible telescoping mechanism and, thereafter, filled with a suitable material such as a thermoplastic resin, an epoxy-like substance or a self-gearing or light-gearing polymer. Additional apparatus and methods are described for anchoring the implant to the jawbone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel bracket assembly for producing tooth movement in the treatment of dental malocclusions. A dual bracket system includes a primary and secondary bracket. An archwire is received in the secondary bracket. The primary bracket is attached to the tooth and the secondary bracket engages the primary bracket, thereby holding the secondary bracket and the archwire in place. Various configurations of the secondary bracket can be used with the primary bracket for producing desired tooth movements. A novel pin and ligature assembly can be used with the bracket assembly or a conventional bracket.

Abstract: A filtering suction nozzle particularly adapted for use in connection with a dental or medical suction system. The nozzle is suited for use as a high speed suction tip and/or a saliva ejector formed of an elongate tube defining a fluid flow path therethrough. Filtering means are arranged within the tube in the flow path of any fluid passing therethrough, and coupling means are arranged at one end of the tube to connect the tube to a suction line from a suction source. The tube may be formed with flexible pleats to facilitate bending. According to the method of the invention, filtering means are arranged in the flow path of any existing suction nozzles to thereby reduce debris collection in the suction system and minimize possible patient infection from previously collected debris.