Abstract: Sample acquisition apparatus for sampling first and second signals within a signal processing arrangement, said apparatus comprising a sampler for capturing sections of the waveforms of both the first and second signals, a switch for alternating correction of the sampler to a point in the arrangement where said first signal can be sampled and a point in said arrangement where said second signal can be sampled and a timer for timing the operation of the switch to cause the sampler to capture a first waveform section of said first signal and a second waveform section of said second signal, wherein said second signal is responsive to said first signal and the timing of said switch is such that said second section comprises a portion that has been generated in response to said first section.

Abstract: Methods and computer program products are disclosed for generating and viewing a content listing or “table of contents” for a report with page-level security based in part on data breaks in the report. The content listing is derived from a content list structure containing multiple data items where a data item represents a content group. A data item is retrieved from the content list structure and contains a page range. It is then determined whether any pages in the report that the user is authorized to view are in the page range. It is then determined whether the data item should be in the content listing. In this manner, a table of contents in which data in the report viewable by a user has a corresponding content line entry in the content listing.

Abstract: A satellite messaging system has at least one earth station (2) which sends messages to mobile terminals (6) either on a TDM channels (T) or a to-mobile messaging channel MF, dependent on the length of the message. Messages are formatted into a variable number of frames each containing a variable but equal number of data packets, so as to make maximum use of the capacity of the frames. Messages and signalling information are transmitted by the mobile terminals (6) on a signalling channel (S) comprising frames F comprising both long (DS) and short (SS) slots, the division between such slots being controlled by the earth station (2). The mobile terminals (6) may operate in either an earth station registered mode, in which they tune to the earth station TDM channel (T) when idle, or a network registered mode, in which they tune to a network station TDM channel (NT) when idle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating and searching a library of classifications of image features. These methods and systems include receiving a digital image of a physical object, generating a multi-dimensional surface model from the received digital image of the physical object which differs from the received digital image, providing an output that displays the generated multi-dimensional surface model, analyzing the generated multi-dimensional surface model to determine selected features of the received digital image, classifying the determined features, storing the feature classifications, creating an algorithm for locating classified features in surface models of physical objects based on the stored classifications, and storing the algorithm. Images, surface models, and features may be stored in a database in accordance with the stored classifications. Images may be analyzed and the database may be searched for entries matching features of the analyzed images.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for parallel detection of the behaviour of mechanical micro-oscillators interacting with the sample (21). The amplitude and the phase of resonance of micro-oscillators (12) are measured with optical means. The invention is characterised in that a source (1) is active during a fraction 1/n of the period (n being an integer) and of variable phase p/n of the period (p being an integer). Interferences are produced between light beams generated by reflection of incident light beams (7) and (8) on the micro-oscillators (12). Periodically the micro-oscillators (12) are displaced by means. The value of the parameter p (p being an integer) is varied and N elementary measurements are integrated to obtain a measurement representing each of the values of p. The phase and amplitude of each micro-oscillator (12) are calculated on the basis of the representative data obtained for each value of p and this for a large number of accumulations.

Abstract: A method for enabling a server to maintain an accurate count of web-page views. The server maintains a counter that records the number of times the page is accessed due to automatic browser refreshes, and a counter that records the number of times the page is accessed otherwise. A browser accesses the URL of the web page and records a timestamp. When the browser next accesses the page, it determines the present time, and subtracts the timestamp from the present time. The browser then compares the difference with bounds that reflect a window of tolerance about an expected content-update period of the web page. If the difference is within the bounds, the browser instructs the server to advance the automatic-refresh counter; otherwise, the server advances the page-hit counter.

Abstract: Methods for expanding T cells (e.g., V&agr;24+V&bgr;11+ human NKT cells ) in vitro by repeated culturing in the presence of an antigen (e.g., glycosphingolipid), antigen presenting cells, and a cell survival factor are provided. A population of NKT cells (V&agr;24+&zgr;&bgr;11+) can be expanded more than 1 million-fold in 5 weeks and more than 1 billion-fold in 10 weeks.

Abstract: A single stage dental implant for implantation in living jawbone having overlying gingiva comprises a generally cylindrical body section having an exterior surface for confronting the jawbone and a head section attached to the body section for extending through the overlying gingiva when the body section is confronting the jawbone. The head section has an end portion which is generally near an outer layer of the gingiva. The implant further includes a bore within the head section extending to an opening at the end portion of the head section. The bore is defined by first, second, and third walls. The first wall has internal threads. The second wall has a larger diameter than the first surface and is substantially cylindrical. The second wall extends from the first wall toward the end portion. The third wall extends from the second wall to the opening and flares toward the opening to a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the second wall.

Abstract: An implant for implantation into bone tissue having an exterior surface includes an elongated body and at least one thread. The elongated body has a distal end portion for being submerged in the bone tissue, a proximal end portion for being located near the exterior surface of the bone tissue, a central axis, and an outer surface. When viewed in cross-section, the elongated body has a non-circular cross-section. The non-circular cross-section includes a plurality of lobes and a plurality of dwells. Each of the plurality of dwells is disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of lobes. The thread extends radially outward with respect to the central axis from the outer surface of the elongated body between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. As the implant is screwed into the bone tissue, only the lobes on the elongated body engage the bone tissue. Because no contact exists between the dwells and the bone tissue, the amount of torque required to insert the implant is reduced.

Abstract: A self-cancelling turn signal mechanism for use with a vehicle such as a motorcycle turned primarily by tilting or banking into a turn. The self-cancelling turn signal mechanism includes an inertia switch with a continuous curved track and a contact-closing member freely slidable therein, sliding from a rest position in the center of the track to either end of the track when a true turn is initiated. The ends of the track and the inertia switch include contact members which, when contacted by the contact-closing member, deliver a turn-confirming signal to a control module which generates a simple time delay cancel signal to cancel a previously activated turn signal after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a ratchet wrench and a torque indicator combined concentrically in a single housing. The ratchet wrench is useful for driving a fastener used in dentistry, such as an abutment screw that holds an abutment on a dental implant. In operation, the handle of the wrench can be rotated in one direction (e.g. clockwise) to impart torque on the fastener. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g. counterclockwise), no torque is applied to the fastener as the handle is returned to a position where it is easy for the clinician to again rotate the handle to apply additional torque to the fastener. The return motion of the handle (e.g. counterclockwise rotation) may be stepless in operation which is brought about through a coiled clutch spring located in an annular space within a housing between the housing and a concentric driver member. To provide an indication of torque, a rotor body is supported coaxially within the driver member.

Abstract: A single stage dental implant for implantation in living jawbone having overlying gingiva comprises a generally cylindrical body section having an exterior surface for confronting the jawbone and a head section attached to the body section for extending through the overlying gingiva when the body section is confronting the jawbone. The head section has an end portion which is generally near an outer layer of the gingiva. The implant further includes a bore within the head section extending to an opening at the end portion of the head section. The bore is defined by first, second, and third walls. The first wall has internal threads. The second wall has a larger diameter than the first surface and is substantially cylindrical. The second wall extends from the first wall toward the end portion. The third wall extends from the second wall to the opening and flares toward the opening to a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the second wall.

Abstract: A set of dental impression components that may be used for either pick-up type (open tray) or transfer type (closed tray) impression molding techniques. The components are used with an impression material to fabricate a model at a site in a jawbone where an implant has been osseointegrated. The impression components include an impression coping having an outer surface with its bottom end configured to reside below the gingiva surrounding the implant. A passage exists through the impression coping which accepts a first means for attaching the impression coping to the implant for use in a pick-up type impression application. The passage also accepts a second means for attaching the impression coping to the implant for use in a transfer type impression application.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a ratchet wrench and a torque indicator combined concentrically in a single housing. The ratchet wrench is useful for driving a fastener used in dentistry, such as an abutment screw that holds an abutment on a dental implant. In operation, the handle of the wrench can be rotated in one direction (e.g. clockwise) to impart torque on the fastener. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g. counterclockwise), no torque is applied to the fastener as the handle is returned to a position where it is easy for the clinician to again rotate the handle to apply additional torque to the fastener. The return motion of the handle (e.g. counterclockwise rotation) may be stepless in operation which is brought about through a coiled clutch spring located in an annular space within a housing between the housing and a concentric driver member. To provide an indication of torque, a rotor body is supported coaxially within the driver member.

Abstract: A dental abutment forms an abutment post having a transmucosal base portion and a supragingival portion having a smaller transverse external cross-section than the proximal end of the base portion. The supragingival portion forms a through bore threaded at its proximal end and stepped to form an internal shoulder for seating the head of a screw for attaching the abutment post to the implant. The exterior surface of the abutment post forms a generally polygonal transverse cross-section for receiving hollow components having interior surfaces that can be telescoped over the abutment post.

Abstract: A single stage dental implant for implantation in living jawbone having overlying gingiva comprises a generally cylindrical body section having an exterior surface for confronting the jawbone and a head section attached to the body section for extending through the overlying gingiva when the body section is confronting the jawbone. The head section has an end portion which is generally near an outer layer of the gingiva. The implant further includes a bore within the head section extending to an opening at the end portion of the head section. The bore is defined by first, second, and third walls. The first wall has internal threads. The second wall has a larger diameter than the first surface and is substantially cylindrical. The second wall extends from the first wall toward the end portion. The third wall extends from the second wall to the opening and flares toward the opening to a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the second wall.

Abstract: A single stage dental implant for implantation in living jawbone having overlying gingiva comprises a generally cylindrical body section having an exterior surface for confronting the jawbone and a head section attached to the body section for extending through the overlying gingiva when the body section is confronting the jawbone. The head section has an end portion which is generally near an outer layer of the gingiva. The implant further includes a bore within the head section extending to an opening at the end portion of the head section. The bore is defined by first, second, and third walls. The first wall has internal threads. The second wall has a larger diameter than the first surface and is substantially cylindrical. The second wall extends from the first wall toward the end portion. The third wall extends from the second wall to the opening and flares toward the opening to a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the second wall.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a ratchet wrench and a torque indicator combined concentrically in a single housing. The ratchet wrench is useful for driving a fastener used in dentistry, such as an abutment screw that holds an abutment on a dental implant. In operation, the handle of the wrench can be rotated in one direction (e.g. clockwise) to impart torque on the fastener. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g. counterclockwise), no torque is applied to the fastener as the handle is returned to a position where it is easy for the clinician to again rotate the handle to apply additional torque to the fastener. The return motion of the handle (e.g. counterclockwise rotation) may be stepless in operation which is brought about through a coiled clutch spring located in an annular space within a housing between the housing and a concentric driver member. To provide an indication of torque, a rotor body is supported coaxially within the driver member.

Abstract: A dental coping is set forth for placement over an abutment post that is attached to and protruding above a dental implant. The abutment post includes an outer surface with at least one structure for non-rotationally engaging a prosthetic tooth. The coping includes a base portion having an internally tapered surface for mating with a support surface of the implant. A wall extends away from the base portion for enveloping the abutment post. The wall includes at least one aperture for being aligned with and providing access to at least one of the non-rotational attachment engagement structures of the abutment post. The apertures are especially useful in the process of making the prosthetic tooth by allowing wax material to pass therethrough and engage the non-rotational features of an analog device replicating the abutment post such that a castable material will form antirotational features for mating with the antirotational features of the abutment post.

Abstract: A two-piece abutment system is disclosed. The first part includes a tapering inner surface which is part of a bore extending entirely through the first part. The first part includes a socket for mating with a boss or post on a dental implant. The elongated second part includes a threaded stem for engaging a threaded bore with a dental implant and a post which extends above the first part. The second part extends through the bore of the first part and is screwed into the implant. As the second part is screwed into the implant, a tapering external surface on the post of the second part frictionally locks with the tapering inner surface of the first part. The first part has a metallic core which is surrounded by a ceramic outer portion.