Abstract: In one embodiment, a top drive system includes a quill; a motor operable to rotate the quill; a gripper operable to engage a joint of casing; a connector bi-directionally rotationally coupled to the quill and the gripper and longitudinally coupled to the gripper; and a compensator longitudinally coupled to the quill and the connector. The compensator is operable to allow relative longitudinal movement between the connector and the quill.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a top drive system includes a quill; a motor operable to rotate the quill; a gripper operable to engage a joint of casing; a connector bi-directionally rotationally coupled to the quill and the gripper and longitudinally coupled to the gripper; and a compensator longitudinally coupled to the quill and the connector. The compensator is operable to allow relative longitudinal movement between the connector and the quill.

Abstract: A method for texture quantification is provided. Data indicative of a complex-valued local spatial frequency distribution in space-frequency domain are determined by processing a multi-dimensional image data set based on a Stockwell transform with a phase term corresponding to spatial locations of respective frequency components being expressed in terms of radial distance and angle of orientation. The complex-valued local spatial frequency distribution is indicative of a feature of the object. Data indicative of a low frequency energy distribution are determined by filtering the data indicative of a complex-valued local spatial frequency distribution using a band-pass filter having a predetermined low frequency energy bandwidth.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flowback tool for running a tubular string into a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and a tubular mandrel. The mandrel: has a bore therethrough in communication with the housing bore, is longitudinally movable relative to the housing, is torsionally coupled to the housing, and has a threaded coupling for engaging a threaded coupling of the tubular string. The flowback tool further includes a nose: longitudinally coupled to the housing, operable to receive an end of the tubular string, and including a seal operable to engage a surface of the tubular string, thereby providing fluid communication between a bore of the tubular string and the mandrel bore. The flowback tool further includes an actuator operable to move the mandrel and the nose longitudinally relative to the housing for engaging and disengaging the tubular string.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.

Abstract: A parallelized sparse field method for segmenting a volume dataset is provided. Using a processor a level set field within a multi-dimensional dataset comprising a plurality of voxels is initialized in parallel operation. The multi-dimensional dataset is indicative of an object. An initial set of active voxels is then generated in parallel operation in dependence upon the initialized level set field. New active voxels are determined in parallel operation. Duplicate active voxels are then removed in parallel operation, followed by compacting the active voxels in parallel operation. The process is repeated until a quantitative stopping criterion is met and level set segmentation data indicative of a feature of the object are determined in dependence upon the level set field.

Abstract: A method for segmenting a volume dataset is provided. During initialization a level set field within a volume dataset is initialized and an initial set of active voxels is determined in dependence upon the initialized level set field. In an iteration process the level set field for the set of active voxels is updated followed by updating of the set of active voxels. The iteration is continued until the number of active voxels is less than a predetermined threshold. Level set segmentation data are then determined in dependence upon the level set field and provided for, for example, graphical display or storage.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a pipe handling system for use with a tubular joining system (such as a welding or forging assembly) located on a drilling rig at a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of forming a string of pipe using a joining assembly at a wellbore is provided. The joining assembly includes an internal joining tool and an external joining tool. The method includes the step of picking up the pipe joint using an elevator. The method further includes the step of positioning a lower end of the pipe joint adjacent an end of a string of pipe disposed in the external joining tool. The method also includes the step of moving the internal joining tool from a first position to a second position relative to the elevator, wherein the second position is between the pipe joint and the string of pipe. The method further includes the step of forming a connection between the pipe joint and the string of pipe.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods that allow a data storage device perform an enhanced data recovery procedure (DRP) that includes obtaining a new digital sampling of the voltages for the failing unit of data by re-reading the analog signal and converting it to digital form using an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) using a fixed phase clock signal. The data samples are re-interpolated using a programmable delay line. The digital values representing the voltages are stored a buffer so that the data can be processed repeatedly using varying parameters as part of the data recovery procedure. Optionally the samples stored in the buffer can be processed in the reverse direction (from end of sector to beginning of sector) without requiring modification of the standard Viterbi detector since it inherently works on data processed in either direction.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices are provided for positioning a spinal fixation element in relation to adjacent spinal anchors. In an exemplary embodiment, the device is a percutaneous access device that can be coupled to a spinal anchor, and the method includes the step of positioning a spinal fixation element through at least one sidewall opening of at least two percutaneous access devices such that the spinal fixation element extends in a lengthwise orientation that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of each percutaneous access device. The spinal fixation element can then be advanced in the lengthwise orientation to seat the spinal fixation element in or adjacent to the receiver heads of at least two adjacent spinal anchors. A fastening element or other closure mechanism can then be applied to each spinal anchor to engage the spinal fixation element within the receiver heads of the adjacent anchors.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices are provided for positioning a spinal fixation element in relation to adjacent spinal anchors. In an exemplary embodiment, the device is a percutaneous access device that can be coupled to a spinal anchor, and the method includes the step of positioning a spinal fixation element through at least one sidewall opening of at least two percutaneous access devices such that the spinal fixation element extends in a lengthwise orientation that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of each percutaneous access device. The spinal fixation element can then be advanced in the lengthwise orientation to seat the spinal fixation element in or adjacent to the receiver heads of at least two adjacent spinal anchors. A fastening element or other closure mechanism can then be applied to each spinal anchor to engage the spinal fixation element within the receiver heads of the adjacent anchors.

Abstract: A gas-solid reactor and method including two fluidized reaction zones having an integrated gas-solid separation system which achieves rigorously controlled residence times in the reactor.

Abstract: A method for texture characterization is provided. Multi-dimensional spectrum data are determined by transforming multi-dimensional image data into Fourier domain. The multi-dimensional spectrum data are partitioned into a plurality of partitions, wherein each partition is associated with a predetermined set of orthogonal voice frequencies. The partitioned multi-dimensional spectrum data are then transformed into Stockwell domain resulting in discrete orthonormal Stockwell transform data. The discrete orthonormal Stockwell transform data are then processed to determine data associated with image texture, which are indicative of a feature of the object.

Abstract: A method for texture quantification is provided. Data indicative of a complex-valued local spatial frequency distribution in space-frequency domain are determined by processing a multi-dimensional image data set based on a Stockwell transform with a phase term corresponding to spatial locations of respective frequency components being expressed in terms of radial distance and angle of orientation. The complex-valued local spatial frequency distribution is indicative of a feature of the object. Data indicative of a low frequency energy distribution are determined by filtering the data indicative of a complex-valued local spatial frequency distribution using a band-pass filter having a predetermined low frequency energy bandwidth.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flowback tool for running a tubular string into a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and a tubular mandrel. The mandrel: has a bore therethrough in communication with the housing bore, is longitudinally movable relative to the housing, is torsionally coupled to the housing, and has a threaded coupling for engaging a threaded coupling of the tubular string. The flowback tool further includes a nose: longitudinally coupled to the housing, operable to receive an end of the tubular string, and including a seal operable to engage a surface of the tubular string, thereby providing fluid communication between a bore of the tubular string and the mandrel bore. The flowback tool further includes an actuator operable to move the mandrel and the nose longitudinally relative to the housing for engaging and disengaging the tubular string.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a top drive system includes a quill; a motor operable to rotate the quill; a gripper operable to engage a joint of casing; a connector bi-directionally rotationally coupled to the quill and the gripper and longitudinally coupled to the gripper; and a compensator longitudinally coupled to the quill and the connector. The compensator is operable to allow relative longitudinal movement between the connector and the quill.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.

Abstract: Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods that allow a data storage device perform an enhanced data recovery procedure (DRP) that includes obtaining a new digital sampling of the voltages for the failing unit of data by re-reading the analog signal and converting it to digital form using an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) using a fixed phase clock signal. The data samples are re-interpolated using a programmable delay line. The digital values representing the voltages are stored a buffer so that the data can be processed repeatedly using varying parameters as part of the data recovery procedure. Optionally the samples stored in the buffer can be processed in the reverse direction (from end of sector to beginning of sector) without requiring modification of the standard Viterbi detector since it inherently works on data processed in either direction.