Abstract: A method of detecting and locating noise sources each emitting respective signals Sj with j=1 to M, detection being provided by a sound wave or vibration sensors each delivering a respective time-varying electrical signal si with i in the range 1 to N, wherein the method steps include: (a) taking the time-varying electrical signals delivered by the sensors, each signal si(t) delivered by a sensor being the sum of the signals Sj emitted by the noise sources; (b) amplifying and filtering the time-varying electrical signals as taken; (c) digitizing the electrical signals; (d) calculating a functional; and (e) minimizing the functional relative to the vectors nj for j=1 to M so as to determine the directions of vector nj of the noise sources.

Abstract: Intervertebral implant system for intervertebral implantation, are disclosed. An intervertebral implant system according to the present disclosure includes a frame having a peripheral wall defining a space therein, and a settable material introducible into the space of the frame. The settable material is a biocompatible load bearing material including and not limited to bone, composites, polymers of bone growth material, collagen, and insoluble collagen derivatives. The settable material is injectable into the space defined by the frame. The settable material may have an initial fluid condition wherein the fluid settable material cures to a hardened condition.

Abstract: According to the invention, the method of detecting and locating sources of noise each emitting respective signals Sj with j=1 to M, detection being performed using sensors each delivering a respective time-varying electrical signal si with i varying from 1 to N, consists in taking the time-varying electrical signals delivered by the sensors, each signal si(t) delivered by a sensor being the sum of the signals Sj emitted by the noise sources, in amplifying and filtering the time-varying electrical signals as taken, in digitizing the electrical signals, in calculating the functional f ? ( n 1 , … ? ? , n j , … ? ? , n N ) = ? k ? 1 ? ? ? ? R k1 with coefficients Rkl being a function of the vectors nj giving the directions of the noise sources, and in minimizing the functional f in such a manner as to determine the directions nj of the noise sources.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting and locating noise sources each emitting respective signals Sj with j=1 to M, detection being provided by means of sound wave or vibration sensors each delivering a respective time-varying electrical signal si with i in the range 1 to N. According to the invention, the method consists: in taking the time-varying electrical signals delivered by the sensors, each signal si(t) delivered by a sensor being the sum of the signals Sj emitted by the noise sources; in amplifying and filtering the time-varying electrical signals as taken; in digitizing the electrical signals; in calculating a functional; and in minimizing the functional relative to the vectors nj for j=1 to M so as to determine the directions vector nj of the noise sources.

Abstract: A chisel with distal cutting edges, used to form channels in adjacent vertebrae, includes a shank having a longitudinal axis and a cutting head coupled to the distal end of the shank. The cutting head includes distal cutting edges, which may be linear, arcuate, or V-shaped, and a guide member, which may be hollow or formed as two spaced members, to guide the chisel into the disc space to uniformly chisel both adjacent vertebrae simultaneously to partially form a channel in the vertebrae. The guide member and cutting head may have openings for distributing cut debris to the top and bottom surfaces of the head. The guide member may also include distal transverse, longitudinal side and/or vertical cutting edges, some of which may be in stepped relationship, for further cutting the endplates and removing disc material from between adjacent vertebrae, and for scraping of endplates. Other embodiments are disclosed.