Abstract: Embodiments provide an adjustable cage template for determining a cage for use in a spinal surgery. The adjustable cage template may include top and bottom cage template, control supports. A configuration of the cage template may be modified and sensors may measure forces applied to the cage template during the modification of the cage template configuration. Modifications to the cage template include rotation of the top cage template relative to the bottom cage template, vertical translation of the top cage template relative to the bottom cage template, or both rotation and vertical translation of the top and bottom cage templates. Information associated with measurements from the sensors may be output to determine whether a current configuration of the cage template is optimal and a final cage template may be selected for the spinal surgery based at least in part on the output information.

Abstract: An improved interbody spinal implant which takes into account specific patient variables. During the preoperative phase an interactive CT radiodensity scan of localized portions of the vertebrae is used to determine whether the template for a preselected implant will minimize subsidence based on the Hounsfield Unit score and a corresponding calculated Hounsfield Parameter value generated by the scan for the contact surface area of the selected implant. If not, a template for another selected implant having different medial and lateral dimensions is selected and placed over the interactive CT scan. If acceptable Hounsfield Parameters are generated this means acceptable minimal subsidence will occur. The surgeon may then evaluate the size of the bone graft window or the implant opening permitting the surface contact area of the implant with the superior and inferior vertebrae to determine if it is acceptable to ensure proper fusion and minimize subsidence.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an adjustable cage template for determining a cage for use in a spinal surgery. The adjustable cage template may include top and bottom cage template, control supports. A configuration of the cage template may be modified and sensors may measure forces applied to the cage template during the modification of the cage template configuration. Modifications to the cage template include rotation of the top cage template relative to the bottom cage template, vertical translation of the top cage template relative to the bottom cage template, or both rotation and vertical translation of the top and bottom cage templates. Information associated with measurements from the sensors may be output to determine whether a current configuration of the cage template is optimal and a final cage template may be selected for the spinal surgery based at least in part on the output information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for assisting in understanding and tracking the potential risks and rewards of investment projects so that they can be efficiently evaluated for approval and tracked for progress. For example, in one embodiment, an investment system causes display of input requests and receives responses to the input requests from conception of the investment project to completion of the investment project.

Abstract: An improvement to the tone and responsiveness of brass instruments is achieved by holding preshaped pieces of damping material, preferably a waxy, hot-melt adhesive, pressed against surfaces of the instrument tubing sections such as valve casings and tubing sections at particular locations, to reduce sympathetic vibrations of the instrument structure.

Abstract: An improvement to the tone and responsiveness of brass instruments is achieved by holding preshaped pieces of damping material, preferably a waxy, hot-melt adhesive, pressed against surfaces of the instrument tubing sections such as valve casings and tubing sections at particular locations, to reduce sympathetic vibrations of the instrument structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting errors in an electronic digital timepiece that includes an oscillator which has a 2.sup.n frequency output, an n-stage frequency divider for reducing the oscillator output frequency to a time keeping frequency, and means for displaying the count of the time keeping frequency. The error E in the time of the timepiece for an arbitrary period of time T is determined. A computer computes a new adjustment value N+(2.sup.n-m +N)E/T where N is the preceding adjustment value and m is a nonnegative integer less than n. Then the 2.sup.n-m divisor of the first n-m stages of the n-stage frequency divider is adjusted in an amount equal to the new adjustment value. In first and second embodiments of the invention the timepiece is synchronized with a time standard at the beginning of the period of time T.