Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a grooved director with a built in balloon which is inflated by a pump to a predetermined pressure to expand the walls of a collapsed vertebra. The device is inserted into the body of the compressed vertebra and the grooved director is positioned and aimed in a direction under the compressed superior end plate of the vertebral body. The balloon inside of the grooved director is inflated and the force and direction of balloon inflation restores the height of the fractured vertebrae. The balloon is deflated and the grooved director is circumferentially rotated while intermittently inflating and deflating the balloon to creates a symmetrical space within the center of the vertebral body. The balloon is deflated and the grooved director device with balloon is removed leaving a rebuilt vertebra which may be filled with a biocompatible material.

Abstract: A combination bone screw and driver assembly for driving a cannulated internally threaded bonescrew, comprising: a bone screw with shank having a head integrally formed at the proximal end and defining a cannula extending through the head and shank. An external thread is formed on the shank outer surface and an internal thread formed on a surface defining the inner cannula. An engagement structure is formed in the head to receive and rotatably engage a driver having a shape complimentary to the shape of the engagement structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the reduction and fixation of a fractured bone, comprising the steps of drilling a plurality of bores in different bone sections of a fractured bone site and then driving bone screws having an elongated cylindrical shank with external thread and a throughgoing threaded bore running the length of said shank and a head formed at the proximal end of the shank defining an engagement structure in the form of a geometrically shaped recess which is shaped to receive torque from a driver into respective bores of different sections of a fractured bone with a driver. The driver is constructed as a cannula shaft member and has a first engagement structure formed at a distal end, a handle member mounted at the proximal end of the shaft member with a slidable rod member having a length greater than the length of the shaft member disposed within and removable from the bore of the shaft member; and a cap member secured to said proximal end of the rod member.

Abstract: An apparatus for translating a series of source words in a first language to a series of target words in a second language. For an input series of source words, at least two target hypotheses, each comprising a series of target words, are generated. Each target word has a context comprising at least one other word in the target hypothesis. For each target hypothesis, a language model match score comprises an estimate of the probability of occurrence of the series of words in the target hypothesis. At least one alignment connecting each source word with at least one target word in the target hypothesis is identified. For each source word and each target hypothesis, a word match score comprises an estimate of the conditional probability of occurrence of the source word, given the target word in the target hypothesis which is connected to the source word and given the context in the target hypothesis of the target word which is connected to the source word.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for adjusting, measuring and controlling the vapor/liquid ratio of wet steam in the output line of a pipe junction in a two phase fluid flow line. The vapor phase and liquid phase of the two phase fluid are separated in the main flow line of the junction and the volume flow rate of each phase measured. The two phases are recombined at the plane of symmetry of the output line of the junction and the liquid flow rate is controlled and varied through an adjustable valve in a liquid phase bypass flow line.

Abstract: A multicylinder, two-stroke, radial, internal combustion engine employs a multi-blade positive-displacement pump for pressurizing a mixture of air/fuel/lubricant supplied to a plurality of cooperating cylinders. One of the pistons is connected to a master connecting rod which bears a plurality of crank pins respectively connected to the connecting rods of the other piston/cylinder assemblies of the multicylinder engine. The exhaust gases from the plurality of cooperating cylinders are collected in a common annular exhaust manifold and quietly emitted therefrom through a single exhaust port in a downward direction. A multibladed, positive-displacement pump draws an air/fuel/lubricant mixture from a carburetor through an annular volute which promotes fuel evaporation and supplies a pressurized intake flow to the cylinders via a single shared crankcase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method and apparatus for performing an internal fixation of fractures of tubular bones using a balloon catheter fixation device which is guided and transported through the medullary canal and fracture site of the bone by a plurality of guide wires mounted in said balloon catheter fixation device. A bone cement is applied to the fracture site and the balloon catheter is inflated inside the bone and tightened by applying pressure on the catheter outside of the bone by tightening the catheter tube and holding the same in place in an inflated condition to apply a compression force across the fracture site enhancing the stability of the fractured bone and promoting osseous healing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument used in conjunction with treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome includes a tubular member having a lumen extending therethrough and terminating at a blunt distal end. An opening extends through the peripheral wall of the tubular member and in communication with the lumen. A catheter possessing an expandable member is positioned within the lumen of the tubular member. The expandable member expands through the opening in the peripheral wall of the tubular member to engage and stretch the transverse carpal ligament so as to relieve pressure off the median nerve within the carpal tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for performing an internal fixation of fractures of tubular bones using a balloon catheter fixation device which is inflated inside the bone and tightened by applying pressure on the catheter outside of the bone to apply a compression force across the fracture site enhancing the stability of the fractured bone and promoting osseous healing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for performing an internal fixation of fractures of tubular bones using a balloon catheter fixation device which is guided and transported through the medullary canal and fracture site of the bone by a plurality of guide wires mounted in said balloon catheter fixation device and once placed in position in the bone inflated inside the bone and tightened by applying pressure on the catheter outside of the bone to apply a compression force across the fracture site enhancing the stability of the fractured bone and promoting osseous healing.

Abstract: A surgical hand support apparatus having a base block with a finger securing assembly that includes two uprights, a center post positioned between the uprights, a cross member interconnecting the uprights and positioned around the center post and a locking mechanism mounted on the center post to lock the cross member against the fingers of the patient. A thumb securing assembly is also mounted to the base block, the thumb securing assembly includes a standard support member secured to the base block and a hook shaped rod rotatably mounted in the standard support member, the standard support member defining a slot through which a post extending from the side of the base block extends allowing the standard support member and associated hook shaped rod to be reciprocated for selective positioning around the thumb of the patient. A wrist securing assembly, is incorporated having a plurality of brackets slidably mounted to the base block and a cylindrical cross bar mounted in the uprights.

Abstract: Nerve entrapment such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is relieved by a surgical procedure for increasing the spatial diameter of the tunnel enclosing the nerve, which involves inserting a protected balloon catheter into the tunnel and serially inflating and deflating the catheter while moving it along the tunnel from one end to the other.

Abstract: The thaw indicator is formed from a frangible capsule made of edible wax. A mixture of edible gelatin and colored water is sealed inside the capsule. The wax capsule is surrounded by a non-toxic blotter-like absorbant material which is coextensive with and in contact with the outer surface of the capsule. A time-delay for the thaw indicator is provided by adjusting the concentration of the gelatin and water mixture.

Abstract: Nerve entrapment such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is relieved by a surgical procedure for increasing the spatial diameter of the tunnel enclosing the nerve, which involves inserting a protected balloon catheter into the tunnel and serially inflating and deflating the catheter while moving it along the tunnel from one end to the other.