Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of stabilizing a spine including providing a coupling element having an uppermost end defining a first plane, a lowermost end defining a second plane, and at least one bore extending from said uppermost end toward said lowermost end, wherein said first and second planes intersect one another, assembling said coupling element with an anchoring element, and after the assembling step, securing said anchoring element in bone.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of stabilizing a spine including providing a coupling element having an uppermost end defining a first plane, a lowermost end defining a second plane, and at least one bore extending from said uppermost end toward said lowermost end, wherein said first and second planes intersect one another, assembling said coupling element with an anchoring element, and after the assembling step, securing said anchoring element in bone.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing bone, such as a spine, includes providing a coupling element having first and second sections that are angled relative to one another, the coupling element having rod receiving openings for securing an elongated member such as an orthopedic rod, and assembling the coupling element with an anchoring element. The method includes securing the anchoring element in bone, moving the coupling element relative to the anchoring element to align the rod receiving openings with the orthopedic rod, securing the orthopedic rod in the rod receiving openings, and after the securing step, locking the coupling element from further movement relative to the anchoring element.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying characters-of-interest from markings on a surface of an object. The system includes a vector-generating module configured to receive and analyze an image of the markings to provide a feature vector having a vector address. The system also includes a sparse distributed memory (SDM) module. The SDM module includes hard locations having stored vector location addresses within an address space and stored content counters. The location addresses form multiple concentrated groups within the address space. The concentrated groups are associated with different characters of an identification system. The system also includes an identification module that is configured to identify the character(s)-of-interest using the SDM module.

Abstract: A system and method of processing an acquired image to identify characters-of-interest in the acquired image. The method includes obtaining image data of a surface of an object. The image data includes a plurality of image pixels having corresponding light intensity signals. The light intensity signals are based on whether the corresponding image pixel correlates to a morphological change in the surface of the object. The method also includes determining a line section of the image data. The line section includes one of the character lines and has character image portions. The method also includes analyzing the light intensity signals of the image pixels in the character image portions to determine a common height of the characters-of-interest. The method also includes removing extraneous areas of the character image portions based on the common height of the characters-of-interest to provide trimmed image portions.

Abstract: A method of generating an output vector to identify a character-of-interest using a sparse distributed memory (SDM) module. The method includes obtaining a feature vector having a vector address. The feature vector is based on a character-of-interest in an acquired image. The method also includes identifying activated locations from hard locations by determining relative distances between the vector address and the stored vector location addresses. Stored content counters of the activated locations include first and second stored sub-sets of counters. The method also includes combining the counters of the first stored sub-sets of the activated locations using a first summation thread to provide a first combined sub-set of values. The method also includes combining the counters of the second stored sub-sets of the activated locations using a second summation thread to provide a second combined sub-set of values. The first and second summation threads are run in parallel.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying characters using a processor and a sparse distributed memory (SDM) module. The system and method are configured to receive image data relating to an object having a surface with physical markings thereon. The physical markings include characters-of-interest. The system and method are also configured to analyze the image data to convert at least one of the characters-of-interest in the image data into a corresponding feature vector. The system and method are also configured to identify the characters-of-interest using the feature vector and the SDM module. A suggested identity for the characters-of-interest is provided.

Abstract: A polyaxial pedicle screw includes a housing, a bone screw member, and an anvil. The bone screw member includes a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head. The head is selectively securable within the housing. The anvil is positionable within the housing adjacent to the head of the bone screw member when the anvil and the head of the bone screw member are positioned within the housing. The anvil may define one or more grooves in an outer surface of the anvil. The groove defines a flap that is flexibly attached to the anvil to enable the anvil to flex an amount sufficient to maintain the head of the bone screw in constant contact with the anvil when the bone screw member is moved relative to the anvil. A rod reducer may be secured to the polyaxial pedicle screw to secure a spinal rod within the housing.

Abstract: A bone screw assembly includes a screw, an outer housing, and an inner housing. The screw includes a shank and a head. The outer housing has a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. The outer housing defines a saddle at the proximal end thereof for receiving at least a portion of a rod therein. The inner housing is positionable within the passageway of the outer housing. The inner housing has a recessed distal portion for receiving the head of the screw therein. The inner housing also includes a proximal surface defining a substantially V-shaped configuration for receiving rods of different diameters therein.

Abstract: A subsea monitoring system.

Abstract: A polyaxial pedicle screw includes a housing, a bone screw member, and an anvil. The bone screw member includes a head and a threaded shaft extending from the head. The head is selectively securable within the housing. The anvil is positionable within the housing adjacent to the head of the bone screw member when the anvil and the head of the bone screw member are positioned within the housing. The anvil may define one or more grooves in an outer surface of the anvil. The groove defines a flap that is flexibly attached to the anvil to enable the anvil to flex an amount sufficient to maintain the head of the bone screw in constant contact with the anvil when the bone screw member is moved relative to the anvil.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device includes a fastener affixable to a vertebral body and an attachment member. The attachment member is adapted for receiving the fastener and engaging a portion of the vertebral body. The fastener includes a shank and a collet. The collet includes a channel for receiving a spinal rod and a locking member.

Abstract: A bone anchor comprises a screw having a threaded shank portion and a head portion, and a housing assembly. At least the threaded shank portion is formed from a titanium or titanium alloy and at least a portion of the housing is formed from a stronger material such as cobalt chrome. The housing assembly has a passageway extending therethrough and a proximal end and a distal end. A saddle is defined within the proximal end of the housing assembly and is configured to retain a portion of a rod therein. The distal end of the housing assembly is configured for securely engaging the head portion of the screw such that the screw is at least one of rotatable and pivotable with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A subsea monitoring system.

Abstract: An installation measurement device for the cutting and trimming of ceramic and/or marble floor tiles, and ceiling tiles in forming an edge border, employing a Speed Square with a lockable, removable tape measure set against an edge of the square as a reference to which measurements are taken by stretching out the tape the desired distance.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing bone, such as a spine, includes providing a coupling element having first and second sections that are angled relative to one another, the coupling element having rod receiving openings for securing an elongated member such as an orthopedic rod, and assembling the coupling element with an anchoring element. The method includes securing the anchoring element in bone, moving the coupling element relative to the anchoring element to align the rod receiving openings with the orthopedic rod, securing the orthopedic rod in the rod receiving openings, and after the securing step, locking the coupling element from further movement relative to the anchoring element.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly including a coupling element having an inner surface defining a first bore coaxial with a first longitudinal axis, and a second bore coaxial with a second longitudinal axis, whereby the second longitudinal axis intersects the first longitudinal axis. The coupling element has a seat adjacent the lower end of the coupling element, the seat being defined by the inner surface of the coupling element. The assembly includes an anchoring element assembled with the coupling element, the anchoring element having a first end for insertion into bone and a head spaced from the first end, the head being in contact with the seat of the coupling element. The assembly provides sufficient angulation between adjacent anchoring elements securing a common orthopedic rod, and is particularly useful for assemblies mounted in spines having abnormal curvatures and in the cervicothoracic region of the spine.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing bone, such as a spine, includes providing a coupling element having first and second sections that are angled relative to one another, the coupling element having rod receiving openings for securing an elongated member such as an orthopedic rod, and assembling the coupling element with an anchoring element. The method includes securing the anchoring element in bone, moving the coupling element relative to the anchoring element to align the rod receiving openings with the orthopedic rod, securing the orthopedic rod in the rod receiving openings, and after the securing step, locking the coupling element from further movement relative to the anchoring element.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly including a coupling element having a first bore coaxial with a first longitudinal axis, and a second bore coaxial with a second longitudinal axis that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis. The assembly includes an anchoring element assembled with the coupling element, the anchoring element having a first end for insertion into bone. The assembly provides sufficient angulation between adjacent anchoring elements securing a common orthopedic rod, and is particularly useful for assemblies mounted in spines having abnormal curvatures and in the cervicothoracic region of the spine.