Abstract: An electronic disconnect switch module (12) in a motor vehicle has one or more pairs of high-current, high-side solid state switch devices (30A, 30B, 32A, and 32B). The source terminal of one device of each pair is connected to vehicle load circuits (27), the source terminal of the other device of each pair is connected to the vehicle battery bank (16), and the drain terminals of the devices of each pair are connected in common. The module also has a microcontroller (34) that interfaces the switch devices with the vehicle electrical system. Four feature groups are provided: Vehicle Electrical System Protection, Battery Charge Control, Battery Disconnect, and Battery Monitoring.

Abstract: An electronic disconnect switch module (12) in a motor vehicle has one or more pairs of high-current, high-side solid state switch devices (30A, 30B, 32A, and 32B). The source terminal of one device of each pair is connected to vehicle load circuits (27), the source terminal of the other device of each pair is connected to the vehicle battery bank (16), and the drain terminals of the devices of each pair are connected in common. The module also has a microcontroller (34) that interfaces the switch devices with the vehicle electrical system. Four feature groups are provided: Vehicle Electrical System Protection, Battery Charge Control, Battery Disconnect, and Battery Monitoring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of generating a computerized bone model representative of at least a portion of a patient bone in a pre-degenerated state. The method includes: generating at least one image of the patient bone in a degenerated state; identifying a reference portion associated with a generally non-degenerated portion of the patient bone; identifying a degenerated portion associated with a generally degenerated portion of the patient bone; and using information from at least one image associated with the reference portion to modify at least one aspect associated with at least one image associated the generally degenerated portion. The method may further include employing the computerized bone model representative of the at least a portion of the patient bone in the pre-degenerated state in defining manufacturing instructions for the manufacture of a customized arthroplasty jig. Also disclosed herein is a customized arthroplasty jig manufactured according to the above-described method.

Abstract: A novel formulation is provided that serves to inhibit the inflammatory response in animals. The formulation comprises, as a first component an effective amount of a curcuminoid species and an effective amount of a second component selected from the group consisting of an alpha-acid species or a beta-acid species or derivatives thereof. The composition provides synergistic anti-inflammatory effects in response to physical or chemical injury or abnormal immune stimulation due to a biological agent or unknown etiology.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of computer generating a three-dimensional surface model of an arthroplasty target region of a bone forming a joint. The method may include: generating two-dimensional images of at least a portion of the bone; generating an open-loop contour line along the arthroplasty target region in at least some of the two-dimensional images; and generating the three-dimensional model of the arthroplasty target region from the open-loop contour lines.

Abstract: A tool and method for drilling a bone for receipt of a first and second bundle includes drilling a first tunnel in the bone. A locating instrument may be positioned into the first bone tunnel thereby defining a reference axis. A tool may be inserted through a portal defined in surrounding tissue. The tool may engage the locating instrument thereby identifying a relative orientation between the reference axis and the drill axis for preparation of a second bone tunnel. The second bone tunnel may be drilled along the drill axis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of creating a customized arthroplasty jig. The method may include: generating two-dimensional MRI images of a patient's joint area to undergo arthroplasty; electronically orienting the two dimensional MRI image slices to account for the patient's joint area being randomly physically oriented in a scanning area of a MRI machine; generating a three-dimensional bone image of at least a portion of a bone of the patient's joint area from the generated two-dimensional MRI images; using the three-dimensional bone image to generate data pertaining to the customized arthroplasty jig, wherein the data includes bone surface information; providing the data to at least one manufacturing device; and employing the bone surface information to cause the at least one manufacturing device to create a surface on the arthroplasty jig configured to matingly receive a surface of the bone.

Abstract: A device repeatedly measures a characteristic, such as electrical conductivity, of water in a water line. A plurality of the measurements are averaged to arrive at a water quality value. This value is displayed and another plurality of measurements are averaged to arrive at another value, which is then displayed in place of the previous value. The process continues at selected intervals in order to provide a continuous display of the condition of water in the line. Each new value is compared to a reference value representing a maximum acceptable level of contaminants. If the water quality value exceeds the reference value, an overvalue signal is produced, indicating an unacceptable level of contaminants in the water. The repeated measurements are obtained at selected intervals, and a new water quality value may be derived at the same intervals by discarding the oldest of the measurements from the previous plurality and including the most recent measurement to create a new plurality of measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion of the bore to substantially eliminate the possibility of the graft moving in an unselected direction through the bore.

Abstract: An electronic disconnect switch module (12) in a motor vehicle has one or more pairs of high-current, high-side solid state switch devices (30A, 30B, 32A, and 32B). The source terminal of one device of each pair is connected to vehicle load circuits (27), the source terminal of the other device of each pair is connected to the vehicle battery bank (16), and the drain terminals of the devices of each pair are connected in common. The module also has a microcontroller (34) that interfaces the switch devices with the vehicle electrical system. Four feature groups are provided: Vehicle Electrical System Protection, Battery Charge Control, Battery Disconnect, and Battery Monitoring.

Abstract: A device repeatedly measures a characteristic, such as electrical conductivity, of water in a water line. A plurality of the measurements are averaged to arrive at a water quality value. This value is displayed and another plurality of measurements are averaged to arrive at another value, which is then displayed in place of the previous value. The process continues at selected intervals in order to provide a continuous display of the condition of water in the line. Each new value is compared to a reference value representing a maximum acceptable level of contaminants. If the water quality value exceeds the reference value, an overvalue signal is produced, indicating an unacceptable level of contaminants in the water. The repeated measurements are obtained at selected intervals, and a new water quality value may be derived at the same intervals by discarding the oldest of the measurements from the previous plurality and including the most recent measurement to create a new plurality of measurements.

Abstract: The invention includes a mechanical scanning feed and a spherical lens antenna system. The mechanical feed includes a waveguide, which has a movable wall assembly that contains a guide slot. The moveable wall portion also includes an end wall that is located proximate to the guide slot to prevent leakage of the propagating energy out of the waveguide. The mechanical feed also includes a drive mechanism, which moves the moveable wall assembly along the waveguide in a direction that is parallel to the direction of propagation of the energy. This allows the guide slot to be positioned at any elevation angle to allow a portion of the propagating energy to exit through the guide slot. This in combination with the waveguide being able to be rotated 360 degrees about the spherical lens provides the antenna system with nearly spherical coverage.

Abstract: A novel formulation is provided that serves to inhibit the inflammatory response in animals. The formulation comprises, as a first component an effective amount of a curcuminoid species and an effective amount of a second component selected from the group consisting of an alpha-acid species or a beta-acid species or derivatives thereof. The composition provides synergistic anti-inflammatory effects in response to physical or chemical injury or abnormal immune stimulation due to a biological agent or unknown etiology.

Abstract: A novel formulation is provided that serves to specifically inhibit the COX-2 mediated inflammatory response in animals. The formulation comprises an effective amount of component I selected from the group consisting of alpha acids and beta acids and an effective amount of at least one component II selected from the group consisting of alpha acids, beta acids, essential oils, fats and waxes, with the proviso that component I and II are not the same compound. The composition provides specific inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 with little or no effect on cyclooxygenase-1.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A novel formulation is provided that serves to specifically inhibit the COX-2 mediated inflammatory response in animals. The formulation comprises comprising an effective amount of component I selected from the group consisting of alpha acids and beta acids and an effective amount of at least one component II selected from the group consisting of alpha acids, beta acids, essential oils, fats and waxes, with the proviso that component I and II are not the same compound. The composition provides specific inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 with little or no effect on cyclooxygenase-1.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system operative to broadcast multiple beams that each include coded data for specific users located within the coverage area of the corresponding beam. An appropriate receiver then receives and decodes a particular beam to extract the specific data for a corresponding user. Multiple users may be assigned to each beam using frequency division or orthogonal code multiplexing, and the user data may be encoded into the beams using frequency shift key or phase shift key encoding. For each coding technique, the encoded antenna control signals are combined into a total gain and total phase shift control signal, which drives a single phase and gain control device for each antenna element. In addition, a single data modulator generates the coding parameters for the entire communication system.

Abstract: A stable partially oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn suitable for use in subsequent drawing and/or draw-texturing operations characterized by an elongation to break of at least 110%, and a process for false-twist texturing a partially oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn.

Abstract: A dual material dispensing assembly mountable to a frame for pulling assembly across the ground. The assembly includes an elongate main member having a first end mountable to the frame and a second end pivotally connected to a packer arm at a pivotable joint. A first dispensing implement for dispensing fertilizer to a first depth in the ground is mounted to the main member between the first and second ends. A second dispensing implement for dispensing seed to a second depth, different than the first depth, is mounted to the packer arm. The pivotable joint is intermediate the first and second dispensing implements. There is also a lock for preventing pivoting of the pivotable joint. A packer wheel is mounted to the packer arm at a second end whereby pivoting of the packer arm with respect to the main member at the pivotable joint acts to vary the first and second depths of the by the same amount.