Abstract: A bolster system having a first bolster device, a second bolster device, and an adjustable tether that includes a one-way pre-tied slideable adjustment knot. The adjustment knot is at a first position prior to insertion of the first bolster device into a passageway in one or more bones. The second bolster device includes a body portion having an outer portion that is sized to be received in the passageway and/or in an aperture of a bone plate. The body portion also includes a channel that is sized to accommodate recessed and/or embedded placement of the pre-tied slideable adjustment knot. The second bolster device can also include an oversized plate portion that abuts against a cortex of a bone or a wall of a bone plate. The second bolster device can also include a threaded member or retention tab that lockingly secures the second bolster device to a bone plate.

Abstract: A macerating and aspiration tool for removing blood masses from the brain.

Abstract: A veress needle including a housing, a first optical insert for contact viewing, and a second optical insert for distance viewing. The housing including one or more insufflation conduits and an elongate member. The one or more insufflation conduits being adapted to permit the passage and reception of at least one fluid therethrough. The housing defines a passage therethrough. The first and second optical inserts are operably associated with the housing and removably positionable within the passage of the housing while the elongate member remains positioned within tissue. Each optical insert includes an optical assembly having one or more lenses and an ocular. The one or more lenses are adapted to receive an image and transmit the image to the ocular so that the image is perceptible through the ocular.

Abstract: A method of printing a string of characters includes receiving a sequence of character data codes. Each character data code corresponds to a respective character to be printed in the string of characters. The method also includes transcoding the sequence of character data codes to generate a sequence of glyph codes. Each glyph code corresponds to a respective glyph. Each glyph corresponds to at least part of a respective character. At least some of the glyphs correspond to less than a complete character. The method further includes using the sequence of glyph codes to generate print image data and printing an image on the basis of the print image data.

Abstract: A device for holding a golf ball during printing of indicia thereon. The device includes a base, a stationary member attached to the base and having a surface for engaging a portion of the golf ball, a clamping member slidably mounted on the base and having a surface for engaging a portion of the golf ball, and positioning members having springs that urge the clamping member toward the stationary member.

Abstract: A device for holding a golf ball during printing of indicia thereon. The device includes a base, a stationary member attached to the base and having a surface for engaging a portion of the golf ball, a clamping member slidably mounted on the base and having a surface for engaging a portion of the golf ball, and positioning members having springs that urge the clamping member toward the stationary member.

Abstract: A process for the preparation and purification of a cobalt oxide hydroxide intermediate from a cobalt sulphate solution containing cationic and anionic impurities, including the successive steps of (i) contacting the cobalt sulphate solution with an organic reagent to extract iron and zinc cationic impurities from the sulphate solution; (ii) extracting the cobalt from the sulphate solution with an organic reagent to produce a cobalt loaded organic phase substantially free of all anionic impurities; (iii) stripping the cobalt loaded organic phase with a concentrated ammoniacal ammonium carbonate solution to produce an ammoniacal ammonium carbonate strip liquor rich in cobalt II ammines; (iv) oxidizing the cobalt II ammines in the ammoniacal ammonium carbonate strip liquor to cobalt III tetraammines; (v) extracting the majority of nickel impurity from the cobalt III tetraammine rich ammoniacal liquor with an organic reagent; and (vi) recovering the cobalt from the cobalt III tetraammine rich ammoniacal liquor.