Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices according to this invention provide drill guides for optimal placement of fixation elements, such as half pins, into a patient's bone. According to one embodiment, a collar frame with a collar adapted to receive a bar of an orthopedic external fixation system such that the collar may be moved linearly or rotationally about the bar is coupled to a guide frame including a bore through which a fixation element of the external fixation system may be inserted. The coupling between the collar frame and the guide frame allows for them to rotate about at least one axis relative to each other. In one embodiment, the collar frame and the guide frame may rotate about three axes relative to each other.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an orthopedic screw with a screw head, a screw body with distal tip, a shank with an enlarged diameter at the trailing end and a thread extending radially outward from the shank, and an internal capture surface. This invention also provides a system for use in an orthopedic surgical procedure including the screw, an orthopedic implant adapted to be secured in a patient with the screw, and a driver capable of engaging the internal capture of the screw. The invention further provides methods of using the screw, the system, and the screw and driver assembly.

Abstract: An improved sanitary toothbrush with a curved proximal end in the general shape of a hook for storing the toothbrush in a suspended, upside down fashion, thereby allowing for air drying of the distal brush portion of the toothbrush and creating a cleaner and more sanitary method of storing the toothbrush after use. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the elongated intermediate handle portion of the toothbrush is designed in the shape of an animal with the curved distal end of the handle forming the animal's tail, thereby making brushing more aesthetically pleasing and appealing to children suffering from sensory integrative dysfunction and accompanying oral defensive disorder.

Abstract: A checkpoint of a parallel program is taken in order to provide a consistent state of the program in the event the program is to be restarted. Each process of the parallel program is responsible for taking its own checkpoint, however, the timing of when the checkpoint is to be taken by each process is the responsibility of a coordinating process. During the checkpointing, various data is written to a checkpoint file. This data includes, for instance, in-transit message data, a data section, file offsets, signal state, executable information, stack contents and register contents. The checkpoint file can be stored either in local or global storage. When it is stored in global storage, migration of the program is facilitated. When a parallel program is to be restarted, each process of the program initiates its own restart. The restart logic restores the process to the state at which the checkpoint was taken.

Abstract: A checkpoint of a parallel program is taken in order to provide a consistent state of the program in the event the program is to be restarted. Each process of the parallel program is responsible for taking its own checkpoint, however, the timing of when the checkpoint is to be taken by each process is the responsibility of a coordinating process. During the checkpointing, various data is written to a checkpoint file. This data includes, for instance, in-transit message data, a data section, file offsets, signal state, executable information, stack contents and register contents. The checkpoint file can be stored either in local or global storage. When it is stored in global storage, migration of the program is facilitated. When a parallel program is to be restarted, each process of the program initiates its own restart. The restart logic restores the process to the state at which the checkpoint was taken.

Abstract: A checkpoint of a parallel program is taken in order to provide a consistent state of the program in the event the program is to be restarted. Each process of the parallel program is responsible for taking its own checkpoint, however, the timing of when the checkpoint is to be taken by each process is the responsibility of a coordinating process. During the checkpointing, various data is written to a checkpoint file. This data includes, for instance, in-transit message data, a data section, file offsets, signal state, executable information, stack contents and register contents. The checkpoint file can be stored either in local or global storage. When it is stored in global storage, migration of the program is facilitated. When a parallel program is to be restarted, each process of the program initiates its own restart. The restart logic restores the process to the state at which the checkpoint was taken.

Abstract: A plenum mounted, flat metal panel diaphragm masking loudspeaker includes a flat, stamped sheet metal frame which has a deployed state and an undeployed, flat state well suited to storage or shipping. A large, movable tab at the bottom of the frame is weakened by a series of small apertures and forms a hinge or fold line. Electrical accessories including a transformer, a rotary switch for selecting transformer taps and signal connections are included in an enclosed box mounted on the foldable tab. The flat panel masking loudspeaker is shipped flat in the undeployed state and then the large tab is deployed by being folded outwardly before installing the flat panel masking loudspeaker in a ceiling plenum. During installation, the tab is folded along the hinge or fold line out to approximately 90.degree.

Abstract: A structure for a compression driver motor assembly which utilizes a pot with an integral top plate and a pole cap, thereby reducing magnetic losses and permitting manufacture of a driver structure with fewer parts and reduced weight. A more efficient process for manufacture of the motor assembly is also disclosed. The pot is manufactured with an integral top plate which is adapted for use with a large pole cap. The pole cap is affixed to the top of a permanent magnet and forms the magnetic gap with the top of the pot. The magnetic circuit of the driver thus includes a permanent magnet, a pot, a magnetic gap and the pole cap. The motor assembly is assembled in a process requiring fewer steps and less elaborate tooling than the motor assembly of the prior art.

Abstract: A rapid cooling system is provided for a liquid-cooled inboard marine engine of the type having an engine, coolant liquid, an engine heat exchanger, engine coolant conduits between the engine and the engine heat exchanger, and a pump for circulating the coolant between the engine and the engine heat exchanger. The rapid cooling system comprises an external heat exchanger, external coolant conduits to and from the external heat exchanger, means for connecting the external coolant conduits to the engine coolant conduits, a first external pump for circulating the engine coolant through the external heat exchanger, water conduits between the external heat exchanger and an external source of relatively cool water, and a second external pump for circulating water from the external source of relatively cool water, via the water conduits, through the external heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fender and support bar is provided for automotive vehicle wheel sets. The fender comprises a panel having a support seat formed thereon intermediate its longitudinal ends and the support comprises an elongated tube which is rigidly connected to the panel. The rigid mechanical connection is provided by pairs of clamping plates disposed at opposite sides of an inner wall of the support bar and a wheel set facing surface of the fender panel. A plurality of clamping bolts are positioned along the elongated clamping plates and the heads of these bolts are secured to that clamping plate inserted within the interior of the tube to facilitate assembly. Mounting of the support bar in supported relationship to a vehicle chassis is by a telescopic sleeve assembly utilizing compression clamps to obtain a fixed position connection.