Abstract: A low profile patient specific cutting block for a knee comprises a plurality of bone interfacing portions and a cutting slot. The plurality of bone interfacing portions are configured to overlie portions of an end of a bone. The bone interfacing portions each have a surface generally a negative of the portion of the bone the bone interfacing portion overlies. The bone interfacing portions are angularly offset from each other such that a first of the bone interfacing portions overlies an anterior portion of the bone and a second of the bone interfacing portions overlies a portion of bone generally perpendicular to the anterior portion of bone. The cutting slot is oriented in a fixed position relative to the bone interfacing portions such that the cutting slot directs a cutting tool at a fixed angle and at a fixed depth from the bone interfacing portions.

Abstract: A method for preoperatively characterizing an individual patient's biomechanic function in preparation of implanting a prosthesis is provided. The method includes subjecting a patient to various activities, recording relative positions of anatomy during said various activities, measuring force environments responsive to said patient's anatomy and affected area during various activities, characterizing the patient's biomechanic function from said relative positions and corresponding force environments, inputting the measured force environments, relative positions of knee anatomy, and patient's biomechanic function characterization into one or more computer simulation models, inputting a computer model of the prosthesis into said one or more computer simulation models, and manipulating the placement of the prosthesis in the computer simulation using said patient's biomechanic function characterization and said computer model of the prosthesis to approximate a preferred biomechanical fit of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An implant having components comprising an oxidized zirconium bearing surface adapted to decrease pain, lower friction, and minimize wear when coupled with natural femoral articular cartilage. The implant components also provide for reduced backside wear effects in fixed and mobile implants. The implant components further provide for more ideal wear coupling between components in mobile bearing implants.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the bending on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached. Four strain gauges are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The strain gauges in the first set are connected into one Wheatstone bridge while the gauges in the second set are connected in a second bridge. Each of the strain gauges that are oriented similarly within each of the pockets are connected in series within a single leg of a bridge so that the output voltage of the bridge is unaffected by bending in the drill string. The output of first bridge is used to determine the bending on the drill bit.

Abstract: An improved implant having components comprising an oxidized zirconium bearing surface adapted to decrease pain, lower friction, and minimize wear when coupled with natural femoral articular cartilage. The improved implant components also provide for reduced backside wear effects in fixed and mobile implants. The improved implant components further provide for more ideal wear coupling between components in mobile bearing implants.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a trial coupler system for use in preparing a patient for an implant. Certain embodiments provide a system including a coupling device (20) and a trial component interface (40) that allows a trial stem (100) to be offset in relation to the respective trial components at an orientation that matches the geometry of the patient. Once the precise positioning is obtained, the trial coupler device (10) can be locked while on the patient's bone so the assembly can be removed without disturbing the desired orientation.

Abstract: A method positions a profile of a prosthetic component on the three-dimensional model of a limb. Patient-specific anatomical data of the limb is gathered. First and second anatomical landmarks are identified to determine a first spatial relationship. A third anatomical landmark is identified to determine a second spatial relationship with respect to the first spatial relationship. The profile of the prosthetic component is positioned in all but one degree of freedom. A fourth anatomical landmark is identified to position the profile of the prosthetic component in the one remaining degree of freedom.

Abstract: A method positions a profile of a prosthetic component on the three-dimensional model of a limb. Patient-specific anatomical data of the limb is gathered. First and second anatomical landmarks are identified to determine a first spatial relationship. A third anatomical landmark is identified to determine a second spatial relationship with respect to the first spatial relationship. The profile of the prosthetic component is positioned in all but one degree of freedom. A fourth anatomical landmark is identified to position the profile of the prosthetic component in the one remaining degree of freedom.

Abstract: A low profile patient specific cutting block for a knee comprises a plurality of bone interfacing portions and a cutting slot. The plurality of bone interfacing portions are configured to overlie portions of an end of a bone. The bone interfacing portions each have a surface generally a negative of the portion of the bone the bone interfacing portion overlies. The bone interfacing portions are angularly offset from each other such that a first of the bone interfacing portions overlies an anterior portion of the bone and a second of the bone interfacing portions overlies a portion of bone generally perpendicular to the anterior portion of bone. The cutting slot is oriented in a fixed position relative to the bone interfacing portions such that the cutting slot directs a cutting tool at a fixed angle and at a fixed depth from the bone interfacing portions.

Abstract: A method of optimizing underground drilling in which the Specific Energy, such as the Mechanical Specific Energy, is determined at a plurality of weight on bits and drill bit rotary speeds. The drilling operation is optimized by drilling at the operating conditions, including weight on bit and drill bit rotary speed, at which the standard deviation in Mechanical Specific Energy is a minimum. The drilling operation is monitored by determining the Mechanical Specific Energy and changing the operating parameters if the standard deviation in the Mechanical Specific Energy exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A crop spraying vehicle includes a mast arm having a mast arm sleeve slidingly engaged with it. A crop spraying apparatus is coupled to the mast arm sleeve with a pendulum arm. The engagement between the mast arm and mast arm sleeve restricts and allows the transverse and longitudinal rotation, respectively, of the crop spraying apparatus.

Abstract: A low profile patient specific cutting block for a knee comprises a plurality of bone interfacing portions and a cutting slot. The plurality of bone interfacing portions are configured to overlie portions of an end of a bone. The bone interfacing portions each have a surface generally a negative of the portion of the bone the bone interfacing portion overlies. The bone interfacing portions are angularly offset from each other such that a first of the bone interfacing portions overlies an anterior portion of the bone and a second of the bone interfacing portions overlies a portion of bone generally perpendicular to the anterior portion of bone. The cutting slot is oriented in a fixed position relative to the bone interfacing portions such that the cutting slot directs a cutting tool at a fixed angle and at a fixed depth from the bone interfacing portions.

Abstract: A drilling system and associated systems and methods for monitoring, controlling, and predicting vibration of a drilling operation. The vibration information can include axial, lateral or torsional vibration of a drill string.

Abstract: A drilling system and associated systems and methods for monitoring, controlling, and predicting vibration of a drilling operation. The vibration information can include axial, lateral or torsional vibration of a drill string.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing knee arthroplasty, including, but not limited to, bicruciate retaining knee arthroplasty, are described herein. Methods and apparatus for preparing a distal femur for a femoral implant as well as methods and apparatus for preparing a proximal tibia for a tibial implant are described. These methods and apparatus, in at least some embodiments and uses, facilitate decreasing the complexity of knee arthroplasty procedures such as bicruciate retaining procedures, while maintaining, if not improving on, the safety, accuracy and/or effectiveness of such procedures.

Abstract: A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a valve assembly having a supply of a fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the drill bit. The first and second members define a first and a second chamber for holding the fluid. Fluid can flow between the first and second chambers in response to the movement of the second member in relation to the first member. The valve assembly can also include a coil or a valve for varying a resistance of the fluid to flow between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A drilling system and method for monitoring drilling parameters for an underground drilling operation.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis comprises a medial base portion configured to engage a medial surface of a tibia and a lateral base portion configured to engage a lateral surface of the tibia. At least a portion of the medial and lateral base portions are separated by a passage interposed therebetween. The tibial prosthesis also comprises a bridge coupling the medial base portion and the lateral base portion, wherein at least a portion of the bridge is elevated above a portion of the passage between the medial base portion and the lateral base portion. The bridge may define an underlying area that receives at least a portion of a tibial eminence when the tibial prosthesis is engaged with the tibia, wherein the height of the bridge varies in a superior direction across the passage.

Abstract: An improved implant having components comprising an oxidized zirconium bearing surface adapted to decrease pain, lower friction, and minimize wear when coupled with natural femoral articular cartilage. The improved implant components also provide for reduced backside wear effects in fixed and mobile implants. The improved implant components further provide for more ideal wear coupling between components in mobile bearing implants.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis comprises a medial base portion configured to engage a medial surface of a tibia and a lateral base portion configured to engage a lateral surface of the tibia. At least a portion of the medial and lateral base portions are separated by a passage interposed therebetween. The tibial prosthesis also comprises a bridge coupling the medial base portion and the lateral base portion, wherein at least a portion of the bridge is elevated above a portion of the passage between the medial base portion and the lateral base portion. The bridge may define an underlying area that receives at least a portion of a tibial eminence when the tibial prosthesis is engaged with the tibia, wherein the height of the bridge varies in a superior direction across the passage.