Abstract: Communication circuitry, comprising: N communication nodes being clock-candidate nodes, where N?2; N communication units for communication using respective communication protocols, and connected or connectable to receive respective clock signals for communication under their respective communication protocols via respective said clock-candidate nodes; and a control unit configured, in a decision operation, to monitor the clock-candidate nodes and decide which of the communication protocols is in use dependent on at which of the clock-candidate nodes a received clock signal is detected, wherein at least one said communication unit is connected or connectable to receive and/or transmit data under its respective communication protocol via at least one said clock-candidate node other than the clock-candidate node via which that communication unit is to receive its respective clock signal.

Abstract: Communication circuitry, comprising: N communication nodes being clock-candidate nodes, where N?2; N communication units for communication using respective communication protocols, and connected or connectable to receive respective clock signals for communication under their respective communication protocols via respective said clock-candidate nodes; and a control unit configured, in a decision operation, to monitor the clock-candidate nodes and decide which of the communication protocols is in use dependent on at which of the clock-candidate nodes a received clock signal is detected, wherein at least one said communication unit is connected or connectable to receive and/or transmit data under its respective communication protocol via at least one said clock-candidate node other than the clock-candidate node via which that communication unit is to receive its respective clock signal.

Abstract: A calibration circuit and method suitable for black level calibration in image processing, the circuit comprising an analogue gain amplifier, an analogue to digital converter; a correction circuit for receiving a digital signal and providing a digital offset signal; and a digital to analogue converter for receiving said digital offset signal and feeding a corresponding analogue offset signal back to the input of said gain amplifier. The calibration circuit is arranged such that the correction circuit and said digital to analogue converter form a feedback loop applying an offset to said input signal and said correction circuit includes an inverse gain circuit for applying an inverse gain to a signal within said correction circuit prior to said digital to analogue converter. Preferably the inverse gain applied is such that the total loop gain does not deviate too far from unity.

Abstract: A calibration circuit and method suitable for black level calibration in image processing, the circuit comprising an analogue gain amplifier, an analogue to digital converter; a correction circuit for receiving a digital signal and providing a digital offset signal; and a digital to analogue converter for receiving said digital offset signal and feeding a corresponding analogue offset signal back to the input of said gain amplifier. The calibration circuit is arranged such that the correction circuit and said digital to analogue converter form a feedback loop applying an offset to said input signal and said correction circuit includes an inverse gain circuit for applying an inverse gain to a signal within said correction circuit prior to said digital to analogue converter. Preferably the inverse gain applied is such that the total loop gain does not deviate too far from unity.

Abstract: A calibration circuit and method suitable for black level calibration in image processing, the circuit comprising an analogue gain amplifier, an analogue to digital converter; a correction circuit for receiving a digital signal and providing a digital offset signal; and a digital to analogue converter for receiving said digital offset signal and feeding a corresponding analogue offset signal back to the input of said gain amplifier. The calibration circuit is arranged such that the correction circuit and said digital to analogue converter form a feedback loop applying an offset to said input signal and said correction circuit includes an inverse gain circuit for applying an inverse gain to a signal within said correction circuit prior to said digital to analogue converter. Preferably the inverse gain applied is such that the total loop gain does not deviate too far from unity.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for the placement of non-expandable stents in the urethra is described. The delivery system is generally composed of a catheter with a stent mounted near the distal end of the catheter. The stent is held in place by a balloon or mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: A calibration circuit and method suitable for black level calibration in image processing, the circuit comprising an analogue gain amplifier, an analogue to digital converter; a correction circuit for receiving a digital signal and providing a digital offset signal; and a digital to analogue converter for receiving said digital offset signal and feeding a corresponding analogue offset signal back to the input of said gain amplifier. The calibration circuit is arranged such that the correction circuit and said digital to analogue converter form a feedback loop applying an offset to said input signal and said correction circuit includes an inverse gain circuit for applying an inverse gain to a signal within said correction circuit prior to said digital to analogue converter. Preferably the inverse gain applied is such that the total loop gain does not deviate too far from unity.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another.

Abstract: An improved milling block for use in shaping endplates of opposing vertebral bodies, the block having upper and lower vertical slots for anchoring pins that allow free movement of the adjacent vertebral bodies and a laterally-moving vibratory cutting element.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for communicating optical signals in a multipath optical network, such as ring network architecture. The system and methods provided are operable to bypass a faulty node in the optical network under various conditions. Faulty nodes may be associated with various failures, such as equipment failure, power failure, etc. The system and methods utilize an apparatus for communicating optical signals to adjacent nodes, bypassing the failed node, when a certain amount of power is provided to the node or apparatus. The system and methods utilize an apparatus for communicating optical signals to equipment located at an associated node when an amount of power is not provided to the node or apparatus.

Abstract: The dilation introducer has a locked assembled configuration for placement of the dilation introducer against a patient's bone tissue to be treated, and an unlocked, collapsed configuration for dilating the patient's soft tissue down to the bone tissue to be treated to a desired degree of dilation to permit minimally invasive surgical procedures on the patient's bone tissue to be treated. Dilator tubes are successively released and advanced to progressively expand the patient's soft tissue down to the bone tissue to be treated. A method for a minimally invasive procedure utilizing the telescoping dilation introducer to insert a bone fixation device into a patient's spine for posterior spine fusion is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides various methods and devices for mating spinal fixation elements, such as fixation rods, to various spinal anchoring devices, such as plates, hooks, bolts, wires, and screws. In an exemplary embodiment, an implantable spinal connector is provided having a clamp member with top and bottom portions that are connected to one another at a terminal end thereof, and that are adapted to seat a spinal fixation element there between. The top and bottom portions are preferably movable between an open position in which the top and bottom portions are spaced a distance apart from one another, and a closed position in which the portions are adapted to engage a spinal fixation element positioned there between. The connector can also include a bore extending through the top and bottom portions for receiving a locking mechanism that is effective to lock the top and bottom portions in the closed position to retain a spinal fixation element there between.

Abstract: A spinal fixation plate that is adapted to be implanted in a variety of positions in the occiput is provided. In general, the plate has a substantially planar configuration and it includes a mid-line or central portion having several thru-bores formed therein, and first and second opposed branch portions that extend from the central portion and that also include at least one thru-bore formed therein. The configuration of the branch portions relative to the central portion, as well as the position of the mid-line thru-bores formed in the central portion in relation to the thru-bore(s) formed in each branch portion, allow the spinal fixation plate to be implanted in a variety of positions in the occiput, thus allowing the optimal implant site to be selected.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for the placement of non-expandable stents in the urethra is described. The delivery system is generally composed of a catheter with a stent mounted near the distal end of the catheter. The stent is held in place by a balloon or mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for the placement of non-expandable stents in the urethra is described. The delivery system is generally composed of a catheter with a stent mounted near the distal end of the catheter. The stent is held in place by a balloon or mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for the placement of non-expandable stents in the urethra is described. The delivery system is generally composed of a catheter with a stent mounted near the distal end of the catheter. The stent is held in place by a balloon or mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: Spinal implants, spinal rod approximators for seating a stabilizing rod in a rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant, and methods for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, a spinal rod approximator is provided including an elongate member having a grasping member formed on a distal end thereof, and a rod pusher member slidably mated to or mounted on the elongate member. The grasping member is effective to grasp a portion of a spinal implant, and the pusher member is effective to grasp and engage a stabilizing rod and push the rod into a rod-receiving portion of the spinal implant being grasped by the grasping member.

Abstract: An installation tool that is useful for the efficient and effective placement of an article, such as an artificial disc, between adjacent vertebral bodies is provided. The installation tool can be provided as a kit having modular components which allow the surgeon to select from among a variety of components to assemble an installation tool that is optimized for its intended use. The installation tool of the invention generally includes a pair of opposed levers, each of which has a proximal handle portion and a distal portion. A fulcrum is disposed between the two levers to enable proper operation of the tool. The tool further includes a pusher block that is positioned between the two levers and is selectively movable between an initial location distal of the fulcrum and a final location adjacent the distal end of the levers. The pusher block includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore extending at least partially therethrough.

Abstract: A modular implant that is effective to replace a damaged or degenerated spinal disc is provided. The implant includes a central core member having superior and inferior surfaces, a superior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and a mating surface effective to mate with the superior surface of the central core member, and an inferior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and a mating surface effective to mate with the inferior surface of the central core member. The modularity of the implant allows the surgeon to select and properly fit each modular endplate member separately during the surgical procedure, thereby eliminating the need to prepare the endplates of each adjacent vertebrae, and/or the bone-contacting surfaces of the implant.