Abstract: A system and method for valving on a sample processing device. The system can include a valve chamber, a process chamber, and a valve septum located between the valve chamber and the process chamber. The system can further include a fluid pathway in fluid communication with an inlet of the valve chamber, wherein the fluid pathway is configured to inhibit a liquid from entering the valve chamber and collecting adjacent the valve septum when the valve septum is in a closed configuration. The method can include rotating the sample processing device to exert a first force on the liquid that is insufficient to move the liquid into the valve chamber; forming an opening in the valve septum; and rotating the sample processing device to exert a second force on the liquid to move the liquid into the valve chamber.

Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a driver assembly with a tubular shaft, a pair of implant holder arms, an implant distractor, an internal actuator, and a distractor knob, the system also including a delivery device with a tubular shaft, a receiving assembly, and a pair of forks, where the delivery device is adapted for slidable insertion of the driver assembly, the system also including an implant, a chisel, and an injector. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well a method of placing an implant.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) and a method of using same for assaying the lethality of a sterilization process. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion, which can be movable with respect to the first portion between a first and second position. The BI can further include a frangible container comprising a liquid. The BI can further include a spore reservoir and a projection positioned in the housing. The projection can be configured to fracture the container when the second portion of the housing is moved from the first position to the second position. The method can include maintaining a minimal cross-sectional area of space around the container when the second portion of the housing is in the first position, and fracturing the container in response to moving the second portion between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Motion may be transferred between portions of two characters if those portions have a minimum topological similarity. The portions or structures of the source and target character topologies may be represented as one or more descriptive files comprised of a hierarchy of data objects including portion identifiers and functionality descriptors associated with portions of the respective source or target topology. To transfer motion between the source and target characters, the motion associated with the portions or structures of the source character identified by a subset of source portion identifiers having corresponding target portion identifiers is determined. This motion is retargeted to and attached to the corresponding portions or structures of the target character identifiers. As a result, the animation of the portions of the target character effectively animates the target character with motion that is similar to that of the source character.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the predictability, scalability and cost effectiveness of online advertising with voice over IP connectivity and event tracking technologies. A service provider maintains a list of merchants who have offered to pay for customer VoIP calls to their establishment. The service provider maintains a real time connection with this merchant list and renders an advertisement in a distinguishing way in real time. A potential customer who views this advertisement on a web page may establish a VoIP call session with a merchant by selecting a free click-to-call link on the web page. When the customer places the call, the service provider pays for the call. Merchants in turn pay the service provider for displaying the ads that generated the calls on a price per call, price per impression or fixed fee basis.

Abstract: Motion may be transferred between portions of two characters if those portions have a minimum topological similarity. The portions or structures of the source and target character topologies may be represented as one or more descriptive files comprised of a hierarchy of data objects including portion identifiers and functionality descriptors associated with portions of the respective source or target topology. To transfer motion between the source and target characters, the motion associated with the portions or structures of the source character identified by a subset of source portion identifiers having corresponding target portion identifiers is determined. This motion is retargeted to and attached to the corresponding portions or structures of the target character identifiers. As a result, the animation of the portions of the target character effectively animates the target character with motion that is similar to that of the source character.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the predictability, scalability and cost effectiveness of online advertising with voice over IP connectivity and event tracking technologies. A service provider maintains a list of merchants who have offered to pay for customer VoIP calls to their establishment. The service provider maintains a real time connection with this merchant list and renders an advertisement in a distinguishing way in real time. A potential customer who views this advertisement on a web page may establish a VoIP call session with a merchant by selecting a free click-to-call link on the web page. When the customer places the call, the service provider pays for the call. Merchants in turn pay the service provider for displaying the ads that generated the calls on a price per call, price per impression or fixed fee basis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for releasing a ligament. In one embodiment, the system includes a proximal handle, a tubular body, and a flexible body. The tubular body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The handle is coupled to the proximal end. The flexible body extends through the tubular body and includes a tissue cutting portion. The flexible body or tubular body is longitudinally displaceable to move the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state.

Abstract: An apparatus assembly for detecting an analyte in a sample of material includes a valve, a frame, and a plurality of housing segments. The valve may be actuated to adjust a flow path and flow rate through the housing segments.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator, system, and methods of determining the effectiveness of a sterilization process. The biological sterilization indicator can include a locus of spores, a reservoir containing a liquid, and a sterilant path positioned to provide fluid communication between ambience and the locus of spores. The reservoir can have a closed state in which the reservoir is not in fluid communication with the locus of spores and an open state in which the reservoir is in fluid communication with the locus of spores. The biological sterilization indicator system can include the biological sterilization indicator and a detection device adapted to be coupled to the biological sterilization indicator. In some embodiments, the method can include assaying the spores for a detectable change in a characteristic, and detecting substantially all of the detectable change.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for releasing a ligament. In one embodiment, the system includes a proximal handle, a tubular body, and a flexible body. The tubular body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The handle is coupled to the proximal end. The flexible body extends through the tubular body and includes a tissue cutting portion. The flexible body is longitudinally displaceable relative to the tubular body to move the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state.

Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for preparing and analyzing samples (e.g., mucosal samples) for a microorganism of interest. In particular, the systems and methods are useful for detecting one or more analytes characteristic of a microorganism (i.e., microbe) of interest, such as components of cell walls that are characteristic of a microbe, particularly Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: Systems for distracting a facet joint and positioning a permanent implant in the joint are disclosed. The implants serve to retain a distracted position of the facet joint which is achieved with positioning of the leading end of a distraction tool in the facet joint and then distracting or enlarging the joint a desired amount. The permanent implant could be part of the distraction mechanism which can be separated from the delivery tool once the joint has been distracted or an auxiliary implant may be positioned before the distraction mechanism is removed from the distracted joint. The permanent implants can be solid, mechanical devices that may have fixation means thereon to hold them in place or injected fluids such as hydrogels or fluids confined within balloons.

Abstract: A vibrating screen includes a frame, a screen supported by the frame, a vibration device coupled to the frame to vibrate the screen, a pressurized fluid spray assembly operable to discharge a pressurized fluid against the screen, a canopy coupled to the frame and movable between a closed position, in which at least a top side of the screen is covered by the canopy, and an open position, in which at least a portion of the top side of the screen is uncovered, an actuator coupled between the frame and the canopy to move the canopy between the closed and open positions, and a controller operably coupled to the actuator and the pressurized fluid spray assembly. The controller is operable to close the canopy and initiate operation of the pressurized fluid spray assembly in an automated sequence.

Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for optimizing mobility of a mobile device in the wireless communication system. The method includes receiving (302) a plurality of mobility area descriptors from an external device, and configuring (304) the received plurality of mobility area descriptors in the mobile device. The method then determines (306) a current location of the mobile device (110), and selects (308) a mobility area descriptor among the plurality of mobility area descriptors based on the current location of the mobile device (110). The mobility area descriptor is associated with a geographical area (112) in the communication system. The method then finally optimizes the optimizing (310) the mobility of the mobile device (110) based on the selected mobility area descriptor.

Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a delivery device, a driver assembly, and an internal actuator, where the driver assembly is adapted to be hold an implant and be sleevably inserted into the delivery device and the internal actuator is adapted to advance an implant distractor to distract the implant, the system also including an implant, a chisel, an injector, a gripping tool, and a dilator set. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well a method of placing an implant.

Abstract: A spinal joint distraction system is disclosed and may include a driver assembly with a tubular shaft, a pair of implant holder arms, an implant distractor, an internal actuator, and a distractor knob, the system also including a delivery device with a tubular shaft, a receiving assembly, and a pair of forks, where the delivery device is adapted for slidable insertion of the driver assembly, the system also including an implant, a chisel, and an injector. Several embodiments of an implant are disclosed as well a method of placing an implant.