Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

Abstract: An expandable interbody fusion device for implantation into the intradiscal space between two opposing vertebral bodies of a spine comprises a superior endplate member having an upper surface for engaging a superior vertebral body in a spine, and an inferior endplate member having a lower surface for engaging an inferior vertebral body in the spine. The superior endplate member and the inferior endplate member are releasably coupled and define a cavity therebetween. At least one expansion member is configured to be introduced into the cavity to move the superior endplate and the inferior endplate members relatively apart upon introduction and to thereby decouple the superior endplate member and the inferior endplate member. An inserter may be releasably coupled to the device to facilitate insertion of the device as well as to provide a track for insertion of the expansion members.

Abstract: A connector device for a spinal stabilization apparatus comprises a first elongated member having first and second ends, and is adapted to engage a first spinal stabilizer rod proximal to the first end of the elongated member and is further adapted to engage a spinal cross connector rod proximal to a second end of the first elongated member. The first end of the first elongated member comprises a hook shape and a ferrule and may engage the first spinal stabilizer rod within about 20 degrees of perpendicular to the spinal stabilizer rod in any direction. The ferrule is adapted to be seated within the hook shape and is further adapted to engage the first spinal stabilizer rod. A second elongated member substantially similar to the first may additionally be used in a spinal stabilization apparatus. The connector device may be used in a method of treating a patient.

Abstract: The present invention features new methods, apparatuses and devices for fixing adjacent bone segments, segments of a bony structure and adjacent vertebrate of a spine. The methods, apparatuses and devices utilize an apparatus for forming a channel in a surface of the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra or a channel submerged within the bone or bony structure segments or adjacent vertebra. In more particular embodiments such apparatuses and methods including forming an arcuate channel and which channel can receive therein a curved rod or implant member. Also featured are systems, apparatuses and methods for removably suspending a spacer in the intervertebral space while forming such a channel as well as systems, apparatuses and methods for use of dynamized implant members.

Abstract: A connector device for a spinal stabilization apparatus comprises a first elongated member having first and second ends, and is adapted to engage a first spinal stabilizer rod proximal to the first end of the elongated member and is further adapted to engage a spinal cross connector rod proximal to a second end of the first elongated member. The first end of the first elongated member comprises a hook shape and a ferrule and may engage the first spinal stabilizer rod within about 20 degrees of perpendicular to the spinal stabilizer rod in any direction. The ferrule is adapted to be seated within the hook shape and is further adapted to engage the first spinal stabilizer rod. A second elongated member substantially similar to the first may additionally be used in a spinal stabilization apparatus. The connector device may be used in a method of treating a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabile construct to facilitate connecting a spinal fixation rod to a plurality of vertebral bodies. The construct or implant comprises a housing and an insert. The housing and insert are shaped to cooperatively engage the bone screw and rod to provide a stable construct that allows for polyaxial orientation between the bone screw and the remainder of the construct.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

Abstract: A removable storm window system for insulating a permanent window that is fixed in a wall opening circumscribed by a casing with walls that project frontward from the permanent window. The window system includes a system frame with structural members that form a peripheral frame and a subframe attached therein. The subframe includes at least one structural member that extends between members of the peripheral frame, thereby creating a plurality of window openings in the system frame. A system attachment device is on the peripheral frame, for removably attaching the system within the casing. Sashes are dimensioned to sealingly fit in the window openings, each sash having a sash frame that holds a window pane, and a sash portion of a sash attachment on the sash frame. A frame portion of the sash attachment is on the system frame. Thus the removable storm window system provides a removably installable storm window that has a plurality of individually removable and/or operable framed sash windows.

Abstract: A connector device for a spinal stabilization apparatus comprises a first elongated member having first and second ends, and is adapted to engage a first spinal stabilizer rod proximal to the first end of the elongated member and is further adapted to engage a spinal cross connector rod proximal to a second end of the first elongated member. The first end of the first elongated member comprises a hook shape and a ferule and may engage the first spinal stabilizer rod within about 20 degrees of perpendicular to the spinal stabilizer rod in any direction. The ferule is adapted to be seated within the hook shape and is further adapted to engage the first spinal stabilizer rod. A second elongated member substantially similar to the first may additionally be used in a spinal stabilization apparatus. The connector device may be used in a method of treating a patient.

Abstract: A bone screw assembly comprises a bone screw having a shaft and a head, a stabilizer retainer, a set screw, and a housing having a proximal opening, biased to one side, and a distal opening that open on an interior cavity. The stabilizer retainer has a cylindrical channel that receives a stabilizer. The retainer has flexible portions that allow passage of the stabilizer into the channel. An arcuate wall of the channel maintains contact with the stabilizer within the channel. The housing is adapted to receive the bone screw, the stabilizer retainer and the set screw in the interior cavity. The housing has a channel that permits passage of the stabilizer though the housing. The set screw is engaged in the distal opening. The set screw and stabilizer retainer engage and prevent movement of the flexible portions, preventing movement of the stabilizer from the stabilizer retainer.

Abstract: A global motion vector for a first video frame identifies a shift that, when applied to another frame of a television picture, increases the similarity between the two frames. In order to estimate this shift the method comprises selecting picture elements from the first frame; comparing the selected picture elements with correspondingly positioned picture elements of the other frame to produce a measure of similarity in respect of zero shift; comparing, for each of a plurality of trial shifts, the selected picture elements with picture elements of the other frame that have the same mutual positions but shifted by the respective shift, to produce a measure of similarity in respect of that shift; and identifying that shift (or zero) which gives rise to a measure indicative of high similarity. The picture elements are taken only from selected lines of the picture, the number of selected lines being less than 5% of the total number of lines in the frame—possibly even as few as three.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body.

Abstract: A data streaming system and method are described. A server (10) is arranged to stream one of a plurality of encoded data streams to a client (40, 50, 60). Each of the plurality of data streams is an independent representation of a common data source encoded at a different resolution to the other of the plurality of data streams. The server (10) comprises a transmitter (100) and a first buffer (120). The transmitter is arranged to transmit data packets of the encoded data stream to the client (40, 50, 60) via the first buffer (120). The transmitter (100) is arranged to monitor the content of the first buffer (120) and switch to transmit another of the plurality of data streams in the event that predetermined criteria are detected from the first buffer (120).

Abstract: A data structure for storing a data source for a streaming system, the data source including a plurality of encoded data streams, each of the plurality of data streams being an independent representation of data from the data source encoded at a different resolution to the other of the plurality of data streams, the data structure comprising a header (600-680), a stream data structure (700) for each of the encoded data streams and one or more packets (800) of the encoded data streams, the header (600-680) being linked to one of the stream data structures (700), wherein each stream data structure (700) includes a header (705, 740, 750), a link (710) to a next stream data structure and a link (720) to a first packet of the encoded data stream.

Abstract: In order to measure the rate at which a terminal 2 can receive data from a source 5, 6, 7 the source temporarily increases it transmitting rate. The time taken to receive these higher-rate transmissions is measured at the terminal (or acknowledged by the terminal and measured at the transmitter) and the rate calculated. Inter alia, these measurements can be used for control of layered coding where apparatus for transmitting signals to video or other terminals 2 has coding means 5 for receiving the signals to generate a base signal stream B which is a coarse representation of the signal to be transmitted and at least one higher order stream E1, E2 containing finer detail of the signal not present in any lower order stream. These streams are sent by transmitting means 6 to the terminals, but at least some of the terminals do not receive all of the higher order streams.