Abstract: Systems and methods for treating spinal stenosis include endoscopic access devices and bone removal devices used to perform a foraminotomy or other bone removal procedures. Some of the bone removal devices include expandable members which may be used to control the forced exerted and/or position of the bone removal mechanism, and to protect neurovascular structures and other soft tissue structures from the bone removal mechanism. Other bone removal devices include a trephine with a viewing window and a guide wire lumen used to position the trephine at a target tissue site using an anchored wire. The viewing window may be used to monitor structures or tissues adjacent to the target tissue site.

Abstract: A metal retainer spring bent into a forwardly tapered flexible spring for retaining an acoustic ear tube for use with behind-the-ear devices. A rearward hook or tapering slot holds the acoustic ear tube with a friction fit. A forward opening admits the acoustic ear tube therethrough to transmit sound to the eardrum. The ear canal-contacting surfaces of each spring have a friction surface to limit slippage without causing abrasions.

Abstract: Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting into the vessel through the puncture a fluid-impervious sealing element with a protruding retainer. An anastomosis of a graft vessel over the puncture is partially completed with the retainer of the sealing element protruding through the partial anastomosis. The retainer facilitates removal of the sealing element from the partial anastomosis prior to completion of the procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing at least two lift arms on a tractor of the present disclosure has a center plate disposed below the power take-off of the tractor. A plurality of angled legs connect to and extend downwardly from the lift arms and adjustably connect to the center plate. A space is formed by the angled legs to allow for connection of an implement to the PTO of the tractor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system, in which a network entity determines that an HTTP response destined to a client station contains a markup document that references at least one object but that the HTTP response does not contain the object. In response, in addition to sending the HTTP response to the client station, the network entity will send to the client station a supplemental HTTP response that contains the object, without the client station sending a request for the object. By avoiding the need for the client station to send a request for the object, the extent of HTTP communication by the client station is reduced. In the situation where the client station is a wireless handset or other wireless communication device, the method is particularly advantageous, as the method can reduce the number of air interface communications and can thus help to conserve valuable air interface resources.

Abstract: Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting into the vessel through the puncture a fluid-impervious sealing element with a protruding retainer. An anastomosis of a graft vessel over the puncture is partially completed with the retainer of the sealing element protruding through the partial anastomosis. The retainer facilitates removal of the sealing element from the partial anastomosis prior to completion of the procedure.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable media are provided for managing multiple HTTP cookies that are present in a wireless communication system. When a secure or non-secure HTTP cookie is formed, a time of creation for that HTTP cookie is also created as part of the cookie header. Therefore, when a wireless device makes a subsequent communication to a web based server, the gateway compares the creation time for multiple HTTP cookies that are present, and only forwards the most recently created HTTP cookie to the web based server. This avoids invalidating a session as a result of receiving multiple conflicting HTTP cookies from the same wireless device.

Abstract: A stump cutter comprising a cutting head that rotates about a generally vertical axis is provided. The cutting head comprises a plurality of cutting blades that are angled with respect to a backing plate of the cutting head. At least two of the plurality of cutting blades are further angled radially with respect to a center of the cutting head, such that the centermost edges of the cutting blades extend further into a stump than the outermost edges of the cutting blades. The stump cutter is powered solely by the PTO of a tractor.

Abstract: Media, methods and systems are provided for coordinating changes of network sources for media streams in a telecommunications network. The streams communicate instances of media content via packets to devices. A first network source streams packets of an instance of media content to a device. Each packet includes information regarding the temporal ordering of that packet within the instance and information regarding the sequencing of the packet within the stream. It is determined that a second network source should stream the instance of media content. A point in the temporal ordering within the instance is identified and communicated at which the second network source will provide the instance of media content. The second network source streams to the mobile device the instance of media content from the identified point, without requiring adjustment of the information regarding the sequencing of the packets within the stream.

Abstract: A support stand for an implement such as a tiller is provided. During use of the implement when the implement is connected to a tractor, the support stand is in a stowed position adjacent to a side of the implement. When the implement is disconnected from the tractor, the support stand is rotatable outwards from the side of the implement and frontwards toward the front of the implement and rests against the ground to maintain the implement in a generally upright position.

Abstract: An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disk mounted to a joint providing freedom of movement of the at least one suction member or adhesive disk relative to its support. A method for retracting and maintaining an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) is provided.

Abstract: A tiller with a removable tine rotor is provided. The tiller comprises a cavity formed by a top deck and end plates. The end plates comprise rotating spindles rotatably attached to the end plates. A gearbox translates rotation from a tractor to one of the rotating spindles. A tine rotor extends between the spindles and rotates to till soil. The tine rotor is releasably connected to the spindles within the cavity, such that the tine rotor is removable from the tiller without disassembly of the end plates.

Abstract: An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a joint providing freedom of movement of the at least one suction member or adhesive disk relative to its support. A method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering oil from stillage including oil resulting from a process used for producing ethanol. In one embodiment, the method includes heating the stillage to a temperature sufficient to at least partially separate, or unbind, the oil therefrom. The method further includes recovering the oil from the stillage.

Abstract: Apparatus and surgical methods establish temporary suction attachment to a target site on the surface of a beating heart for analyzing electrical signals or hemodynamic responses to applied signals at the target sites for enhancing the accuracy of placement of cardiac electrodes at selected sites and for enhancing accurate placement of a surgical instrument maintained in alignment with the suction attachment. A suction port on the distal end of a supporting cannula carries surface-contacting electrodes and provides suction attachment to facilitate temporary positioning of the electrodes in contact with tissue at the target site, and a clamping and release mechanism to facilitate anchoring a cardiac electrode on the moving surface of a beating heart at a selected site. Analyses of sensed signals or responses to applied signals at target sites promote epicardial mapping of a patient's heart for determining optimum sites at which to attach cardiac electrodes.

Abstract: A ring for use in anastomosis. Preferably, the ring is integrally formed from metal, and includes a ring portion and tines and docking members that extend from the ring portion. The ring portion and tines are malleable, and preferably also the docking members are malleable. The ring portion and tines are malleable in the sense that once deformed from a first shape into a second shape, they will not relax back into the first shape from the second. To install the ring in a vessel with the ring portion extending around an incision or other orifice, the tines pierce the tissue around the orifice and are curled against an anvil. The action of curling the tines inverts the tissue near the orifice edges to expose the inside surface of the vessel or organ.

Abstract: A metal retainer spring bent into a U-shape retains an acoustic ear tube for use with behind-the-ear devices. The tube is held by a tube retaining opening in a tapered mid portion, forming the curved portion of the bent spring, and end slots bent together with the slots holding the tube. The retainer spring fits into the human ear canal for securing a narrow acoustic ear tube within a user's ear canal. The spring is manufactured from beryllium copper, or other material with excellent strength and great elasticity, and is then gold plated for the hypoallergenic properties. The top and bottom ear canal-contacting surfaces of each spring have a pebbled or rippled finish to limit slippage without causing abrasions.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for producing a deep drawn part and a shallow drawn part from sheet metal blanks in a single action draw press. A floating draw punch and a fixed draw punch are provided. The first draw die forms a part that is drawn over the fixed draw punch while the second blank does not begin forming the second part until the floating draw punch bottoms out on the bed of the press. The floating draw punch moves with the binder ring until the additional draw depth required to form the deep drawn part is essentially equal to the draw depth of a shallow drawn part. A process for producing multiple unattached sheet metal parts in a single action draw press is also disclosed wherein a first sheet metal part has a draw depth D1 and a second sheet metal part has a draw depth D2.

Abstract: Devices, tools and methods for occluding fluid flow between two walls of tissue in a patient. Two walls of tissue are compressed together with sufficient compressive force to prevent fluid flow between the two walls, while ensuring that the compressive force is not so great as to cause tissue necrosis. The devices, tools and methods may be carried out using minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as in reduced-access surgical sites. Devices, tools and methods are provided for occluding an atrial appendix.