Abstract: A system for removably connecting to a fixed track provided. The system includes an elongate rigid member including a structural frame and an opening disposed within the frame, the opening extending along a portion of a width of the frame, the elongate rigid member further comprising a front surface that defines the opening therein, and a rear surface opposite from the front surface that is planar. An adapter is provided that mates with a rear surface of the rigid member, the adapter further comprising a tooth that defines a void between the tooth and the planar face. The adapter is configured to be received within a first aperture of the plurality of spaced apertures upon the fixed track, such that a portion of the fixed track that defines a lower boundary of the first aperture of the plurality of spaced apertures is received within the void in the adapter.

Abstract: A method for characterization of a human speech comprises performing (220) of a discrete transform on a speech sample of the human speech. A speech logarithmic power spectrum is created (222) by taking a logarithmic of the speech frequency spectrum. An inverse discrete transform is performed (224) on the speech logarithmic power spectrum into the quefrency domain. Lifterings (226, 228) of the speech cepstrum is performed, giving a high and low end speech cepstrum, respectively. The discrete transform is performed (230) on the high end speech cepstrum, creating a source excitation log-power spectrum. The discrete transform is performed (232) on the low end speech cepstrum, creating a vocal tract filter log-power spectrum. A cepstral separation difference is calculated (234) as a difference between the source excitation log-power spectrum and the vocal tract filter log-power spectrum. The human speech is characterized (238) based on the cepstral separation difference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making bone particles from bone of a variety of sizes and a workpiece forming and holding device for use with the method. The workpiece forming device includes a base and a base frame attached to the surface of the base. An apparatus for forming a solidified mass of bone and immobilization medium is also provided which includes the workpiece forming device and a detachable former member enclosing the base frame. Bone is immersed in an immobilization medium within such workpiece forming device, which is solidified to form a solidified mass of bone and immobilization medium and then subdivided to provide particles of bone in association to with immobilization medium. The immobilization medium may be optionally removed to leave bone particles suitable for use in orthopedic applications including implants.

Abstract: A ramp-shaped intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant has a body having a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is tapered and converges towards the second end of the body. An opening extends through the body and has one end opening onto the top surface of the implant and the other end opening onto the bottom surface of the implant. The implant can be formed from the diaphysis or metaphysis of a long bone, wherein the intramedullary canal of the long bone defines the opening. Alternately, the implant can be made from any biocompatible material having the requisite strength requirement.

Abstract: A process for fabricating shaped material from demineralized bone particles includes the steps of applying a liquid slurry of demineralized bone particles to a support, removing excess liquid form the demineralized bone particles to provide a cohering shaped mass of demineralized bone particles, and warming the shaped mass of demineralized bone particles at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time period. The resultant bone mass exhibits enhanced tensile strength and minimal bone particle disassociation upon rehydration thereby improving product handling and application at the operative site.

Abstract: A ramp-shaped intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant has a body having a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is tapered and converges towards the second end of the body. An opening extends through the body and has one end opening onto the top surface of the implant and the other end opening onto the bottom surface of the implant. The implant can be formed from the diaphysis or metaphysis of a long bone, wherein the intramedullary canal of the long bone defines the opening. Alternately, the implant can be made from any biocompatible material having the requisite strength requirement.

Abstract: A ramp-shaped intervertebral implant is disclosed. The implant has a body having a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one of the top and bottom surfaces is tapered and converges towards the second end of the body. An opening extends through the body and has one end opening onto the top surface of the implant and the other end opening onto the bottom surface of the implant. The implant can be formed from the diaphysis or metaphysis of a long bone, wherein the intramedullary canal of the long bone defines the opening. Alternately, the implant can be made from any biocompatible material having the requisite strength requirement.

Abstract: A milling apparatus is disclosed which includes a milling machine having a milling cutter which is sealingly isolated from the milling machine within an enclosed work area, a support fixture disposed within the enclosed work area for supporting a work piece, and a mechanism for moving the milling cutter along a predetermined path relative to the work piece. Preferably, the milling apparatus is employed to cut bone into small fragments for subsequent utilization, and the sealed isolation of the milling cutter inhibits cross-contamination between differing work pieces.