Abstract: A process for electrolyzing a material to change at least a portion of the material from a first chemical state to a second chemical state includes placing a known quantity of a first substance into either a mixing chamber or an electrolysis chamber of an integrated electrochemical reactor, placing a known quantity of a second substance into the other chamber free of the first substance; sealing an opening to isolate an internal volume within the reactor; rotating the reactor to form a mixture, rotating the reactor again such that the mixture is transferred to the electrolysis chamber; electrolyzing the mixture in the electrolysis chamber to change at least a portion of the mixture from the first chemical state to the second chemical state; and analyzing the first substance, or analyzing the second substance, or analyzing the first chemical state, or analyzing the second chemical state, or any analytical combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system of monitoring operation for a conveyor belt installation includes a conveyor belt having steel or other relatively magnetically permeable reinforcing material, the system including, in proximity to the conveyor belt, a magnetic field generator, and a sensor unit at a position downstream from the field generator, the sensor unit sensing the magnetic field emanating from the passing conveyor belt, and a monitoring unit to receive data related to the magnetic field properties sensed by the sensor unit during a plurality of passages of each part of the length of the conveyor belt past the sensor unit, the monitoring unit incorporating comparison elements to compare a received set of data with an earlier received set of data, and output elements to provide an output signal representative of reinforcement damage or deterioration when subsequently received data has departed from earlier received data by more than a prescribed extent.

Abstract: There is provided an orthopedic plate and port structures for the plate. The plate can be non-rigid and includes at least one hole for receiving an anchor or an anchor retaining device. The at least one hole can include a rigid port structure that prevents or resists deformation of the plate when the anchor or anchor retaining device is engaged thereto.

Abstract: Skeletal stabilization systems include a base, a longitudinal member, and a retaining member. The base includes an engagement surface with a surface area that is positionable in contact with a bone to atraumatically or traumatically engage the base to the bone. The retaining member engages the base to retain the longitudinal member relative to the base so that the longitudinal member can provide a desired stabilization effect to one or more adjacent bony portions.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with methods for the selection of precursor ions of a sample polypeptide for fragmentation in mass spectrometry, together with methods for determining at least one putative amino acid sequence for a sample polypeptide, apparatus and computer programs for same.

Abstract: A plating system and method include a bone plate with at least a first vertebral engaging portion and a second vertebral engaging portion connected by flexible intermediate portions to permit translation of the vertebrae to which the bone plate is attached. The bone plate may further include a guide assembly extending between the vertebral engaging portions that permits at least uni-directional translation while enhancing resistance of the bone plate to bending forces.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with methods for the selection of precursor ions of a sample polypeptide for fragmentation in mass spectrometry, together with methods for determining at least one putative amino acid sequence for a sample polypeptide, apparatus and computer programs for same.

Abstract: Skeletal stabilization systems include a base, a longitudinal member, and a retaining member. The base includes an engagement surface with a surface area that is positionable in contact with a bone to atraumatically or traumatically engage the base to the bone. The retaining member engages the base to retain the longitudinal member relative to the base so that the longitudinal member can provide a desired stabilization effect to one or more adjacent bony portions.

Abstract: A vertebral rod connector includes a first portion configured to engage a fastener construct and define a first longitudinal axis. A second portion is configured to engage a vertebral rod and define a second longitudinal axis disposed transverse to the first longitudinal axis. A flexible linking portion is disposed for connecting the first portion with the second portion. The linking portion has a bifurcated configuration oriented transverse to the first longitudinal axis. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for attachment to a vertebral body for correcting spinal deformities. The apparatus has a plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface having at least one receiving member defining a channel for receiving a flexible connection member. The at least one receiving member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal and distal portions interfacing along a frangible connection such that the at least one receiving member extends axially from the upper surface a first distance when the frangible connection is unbroken and the at least one receiving member extends axially from the upper surface a second distance when the frangible connection is broken. The second distance is less than the first distance.

Abstract: A crosslink for a spinal stabilization system is disclosed that provides significant increased torsional stability for the spinal stabilization system. The crosslink includes a first crosslink arm and a second crosslink arm having an eye. An eyebolt is included that has a horizontal passageway for receiving at least a portion of the first crosslink arm and an upper portion for receiving the eye of the second crosslink arm. The eyebolt includes a means for inhibiting rotational and translational movement of the portion of the first crosslink arm.

Abstract: A plating system and method include a bone plate with at least a first hole therethrough between an upper surface and a lower surface of the bone plate to receive an anchor for engaging the plate to a bony segment. The system and method also include a retaining member engageable to the bone plate that includes a head with an outer perimeter having a ramped or camming portion that is positionable in contact with the anchor to prevent the anchor backing out of the first hole.

Abstract: A method can include, for a predetermined route, automatically processing a first set of machine instructions to create a visual travel guide for the predetermined route, the visual travel guide comprising a second set of machine instructions adapted to cause an information device to render: an identification of a destination of the predetermined route; a plurality of videos, each video corresponding to a road intersection located approximately on the predetermined route, each video adapted to substantially reproduce a view of a driver of an automobile approaching the road intersection; a plurality of textual descriptions associated with the plurality of videos; at least one of an identification of an origin of the predetermined route and an identification of an approach to the destination; and an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

Abstract: A method can include, for a predetermined route, automatically processing a first set of machine instructions to create a visual travel guide for the predetermined route, the visual travel guide comprising a second set of machine instructions adapted to cause an information device to render: an identification of a destination of the predetermined route; a plurality of videos, each video corresponding to a road intersection located approximately on the predetermined route, each video adapted to substantially reproduce a view of a driver of an automobile approaching the road intersection; a plurality of textual descriptions associated with the plurality of videos; at least one of an identification of an origin of the predetermined route and an identification of an approach to the destination; and an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

Abstract: A low power radio transmitter includes an intermediate frequency stage, signal-to-pulse conversion module, and a power amplifier. The intermediate frequency stage up-converts the frequency of a base-band digital signal into an N-bit signal at the intermediate frequency. The signal-to-pulse conversion module converts the N-bit signal at the intermediate frequency into a pulse signal of M-bits at the radio frequency. As such, the signal-to-pulse conversion module is taking an N-bit signal (e.g., an 8-bit digital signal) and converting it into an M-bit pulse signal (e.g., a 1-bit pulse stream). Accordingly, the M-bit signal at the radio frequency is essentially a square-wave, which has a peak to average ratio of zero, is subsequently amplified by the power amplifier.

Abstract: A rod translation device is described that minimizes the wear between a spinal rod and a bone anchor in a spinal implant. In one embodiment, the rod translation device is a sleeve that is slid onto the outside diameter of the spinal rod. At least one compressible member, such as an O-ring, may be placed within the inside diameter of the sleeve to prevent direct contact of the outside diameter of the spinal rod to the inside diameter of the sleeve. Once the spinal rod is secured within the implant any translation of the spinal rod decreases wear debris between the outside diameter of the spinal rod and the pedicle screw.

Abstract: A consolidated vacuum sublimation module (VSM) can comprise an upper body portion, a middle body portion, a lower body portion, a bushing, and a seal. A vapor director cartridge can be loaded with a crude material and manually inserted into a cartridge-holding member of the lower body portion. Assembly of the middle and upper body portions form a structural unit that can compressively and sealably connect to the lower body portion. During sublimation, heat is effectively transferred to the lower body portion that contains the crude material. A substantial fraction of the middle body portion is conically tapered about a central longitudinal axis to promote desublimation. The middle body portion is a unitary structure that consolidates valving, cooling, and desublimation functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating a MOS transistor (100) with suppression of edge transistor effect. In one embodiment of an NMOS, an elongate implant limb (110, HOa, 114) extends from each of two sidewalls (14a, 14b) of a p-type well (14) to partially wrap around each respective longitudinal end of the gate (20) and to overlay a portion thereof. In another embodiment, the elongate implant limb (110, 110a) extends into the drain/source drift region (32, 42). The NMOS transistor (100) thus fabricated allows the NMOS transistor to operate at relatively high voltages with reduced drain leakage current but with no additional masks or process time in the process integration.

Abstract: An electrochemical reactor and process for electrolyzing a substance to change at least a portion of the substance from a first state to a second state. The reactor comprises a tubular body having a first end portion defining an opening and a second end portion defining an electrolysis chamber. The electrolysis chamber includes a well adapted to hold the substance and at least two electrodes for electrolyzing the substance in the well. The volume of the well is less than about 3 milliliters. The reactor further comprises a coupling for releasably and sealingly connecting the reactor body to an auxiliary device body. The coupling is adapted to provide a vacuum tight seal between the reactor body and the auxiliary device and to allow the reactor body to rotate about an axis of rotation independent of the auxiliary device while the reactor body is sealingly connected to the auxiliary device.

Abstract: A plating system and method include a bone plate with at least a first vertebral engaging portion and a second vertebral engaging portion connected by flexible intermediate portions to permit translation of the vertebrae to which the bone plate is attached. The bone plate may further include a guide assembly extending between the vertebral engaging portions that permits at least uni-directional translation while enhancing resistance of the bone plate to bending forces.