Abstract: A smoke detector is provided and includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving ambient materials, a single receiver, first and second emitters configured to emit light into the chamber to be respectively scattered from the ambient materials toward the single receiver with back scatter and forward scatter effects, respectively, and a controller. The single receiver generates first and second output signals in accordance with the light respectively scattered toward the single receiver with the back and forward scatter effects, respectively. The controller is receptive of the first and second output signals and determines whether a condition is appropriate to trigger an alarm.

Abstract: An access control housing for an access control user interface, the housing including a key interface seat having a key module connector and a key module receiving frame, wherein the key module connector includes a power connection for providing power to a key module, and a data connection for providing key module data to a main controller, wherein the key module receiving frame is adapted to removably receive a key module selected from a group of different key modules. The different key modules may have different sizes and the key module receiving frame may be interchangeable or resizable so that the key interface seat is adapted to hold key modules of different sizes.

Abstract: An implant assembly may include a screw with a head having a head feature and an implant. The implant may be securable to a bone of a patient with the screw. The implant may include a bone plate, a rotatable structure having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may include a lock feature. The lock feature may engage the head feature when the rotatable structure is in a locked orientation and disengage the head feature when the rotatable structure is in an unlocked orientation. The rotatable structure may couple to the bone plate such that the rotatable structure is rotatable between the locked orientation and the unlocked orientation. The head feature may be one of a ridge and a radial groove and the lock feature may be the other one of the ridge and the radial groove.

Abstract: A smoke detector is provided and includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving ambient materials, a single receiver, first and second emitters configured to emit light into the chamber to be respectively scattered from the ambient materials toward the single receiver with back scatter and forward scatter effects, respectively, and a controller. The single receiver generates first and second output signals in accordance with the light respectively scattered toward the single receiver with the back and forward scatter effects, respectively. The controller is receptive of the first and second output signals and determines whether a condition is appropriate to trigger an alarm.

Abstract: A process for depositing on a surface of a substrate a layer based on a metal oxide doped with magnesium or a mixed metal oxide containing magnesium. The process includes providing a substrate having a surface, forming a gaseous mixture comprising a non-halogenated source of a metal and a source of magnesium, delivering the gaseous mixture to the surface of the substrate, and depositing the layer based on a metal oxide doped with magnesium or a mixed metal oxide containing magnesium on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compounds that are useful for inhibiting one or more of hepatocyte growth factor activator, matriptase, hepsin, Factor Xa, or thrombin. The present invention also relates to various methods of using the inhibitor compounds including treating a malignancy, a pre-malignant condition, or cancer by administering an effective amount of the inhibitor to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: An implant assembly may include a screw with a head having a head feature and an implant. The implant may be securable to a bone of a patient with the screw. The implant may include a bone plate, a rotatable structure having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may include a lock feature. The lock feature may engage the head feature when the rotatable structure is in a locked orientation and disengage the head feature when the rotatable structure is in an unlocked orientation. The rotatable structure may couple to the bone plate such that the rotatable structure is rotatable between the locked orientation and the unlocked orientation. The head feature may be one of a ridge and a radial groove and the lock feature may be the other one of the ridge and the radial groove.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compounds that are useful for inhibiting one or more of hepatocyte growth factor activator, matriptase, hepsin, Factor Xa, or thrombin. The present invention also relates to various methods of using the inhibitor compounds including treating a malignancy, a pre-malignant condition, or cancer by administering an effective amount of the inhibitor to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A graphics processing system includes a graphics processor and a memory for storing data to be used by and generated by the graphics processor. In a first rendering pass, the graphics processor generates an array of graphics data and stores the generated array of graphics data in the memory. The array of graphics data generated in the first rendering pass is used in a subsequent rendering pass. In the first rendering pass, the graphics processor determines one or more regions of the array of graphics data that have a particular characteristic, and generates information indicative of the one or more regions. In the subsequent rendering pass, the graphics processor uses the information indicative of the one or more regions to control the reading of the array of graphics data when it is to be used in the subsequent rendering pass.

Abstract: A process for depositing on a surface of a substrate a layer based on a metal oxide doped with magnesium or a mixed metal oxide containing magnesium. The process includes providing a substrate having a surface, forming a gaseous mixture comprising a non-halogenated source of a metal and a source of magnesium, delivering the gaseous mixture to the surface of the substrate, and depositing the layer based on a metal oxide doped with magnesium or a mixed metal oxide containing magnesium on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compounds that are useful for inhibiting one or more of hepatocyte growth factor activator, matriptase, hepsin, Factor Xa, or thrombin. The present invention also relates to various methods of using the inhibitor compounds including treating a malignancy, a pre-malignant condition, or cancer by administering an effective amount of the inhibitor to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A segmenting mechanism includes outer and inner frame members that define a sliding space and an aperture extending therethrough. A first set of sliding blades operates linearly and proximate the aperture. A second set of sliding blades is positioned in an alternating configuration with the first set of sliding blades and also operates linearly within the sliding space proximate the aperture. Each sliding blade of the first and second sets of sliding blades operates cooperatively and simultaneously along each dedicated linear path from a start position, through a medial position to an end position. The start and end positions are each defined by the sliding blades being outside of the aperture to define respective first and second open states of the aperture. The medial position is defined by the sliding blades being at least partially within the aperture to define a closed state of the aperture.

Abstract: A three column spinal fixation implant, including: an anterior cage configured to be disposed in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies in a spine of a patient; an anterior plate coupled to the anterior cage; a pair of anterior screws coupled to the anterior cage and the anterior plate and extending posteriorly from the anterior cage and the anterior plate through a portion of one or more of the adjacent vertebral bodies and into or through posterior bony structures of the spine of the patient; a pair of anterior screws coupled to the anterior plate and extending posteriorly from the anterior plate through a portion of one or more of the adjacent vertebral bodies and into or through posterior bony structures of the spine of the patient; a plurality of posterior headbodies coupled to the anterior screws opposite the anterior cage and the anterior plate; and one or more connecting structures coupled to the plurality of posterior headbodies; wherein the three column spinal fixation implant pro

Abstract: The present invention addresses rod rotation and slippage inside the tulip rod channel(s), as well as forcible rod bending as the spine and musculature bias towards a deformity, for example. The present invention provides a stabilization rod that, fundamentally, includes at least one flat surface on at least one side of the construct, this flat surface engaging a corresponding flat surface associated with the head body, set screw, or locking cap. Multiple flat surfaces may, of course, be used. The stabilization rod may also include one or more ridges and/or one or more keyed channels that is/are engaged by the head body, set screw, or locking cap.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods relating to spinal implants. In some embodiments, the spinal implant may comprise a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite from the first sidewall, a pair of opposed frictional surfaces each comprising a plurality of raised structures, a first end wall joining the pair of opposed sidewall surfaces, and a second end wall joining the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The second end wall may comprise a recess formed by a first wall portion and a second wall portion arranged at an angle to one another to form a fish-tailed structure configured to be engaged with an inserter instrument. The interface between the recess and the inserter instrument may be configured to at least substantially eliminate any point or line contacts between the inserter instrument and the spinal implant during a flip maneuver of the spinal implant within an intervertebral space of a patient.

Abstract: A three column spinal fixation implant, including: an anterior cage configured to be disposed in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebral bodies in a spine of a patient; an anterior plate coupled to the anterior cage; a pair of anterior screws coupled to the anterior cage and the anterior plate and extending posteriorly from the anterior cage and the anterior plate through a portion of one or more of the adjacent vertebral bodies and into or through posterior bony structures of the spine of the patient; a pair of anterior screws coupled to the anterior plate and extending posteriorly from the anterior plate through a portion of one or more of the adjacent vertebral bodies and into or through posterior bony structures of the spine of the patient; a plurality of posterior headbodies coupled to the anterior screws opposite the anterior cage and the anterior plate; and one or more connecting structures coupled to the plurality of posterior headbodies; wherein the three column spinal fixation implant pro

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides devices, implants, and methods for distracting and/or stabilizing a facet joint of the spine of a patient or other similar joint or bony structures, optionally including modifying the facet joint and implanting an implant in the facet joint so as to distract the foramen in order to reduce compression on nerve roots.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming an insert, such as a threaded or threadable insert, within a cavity in an implant, such as a spinal spacer. According to various embodiments, a spinal interbody spacer may include a proximal end and a distal end. The interbody spacer may be manufactured using a non-threadable material, or at least a material that is difficult to thread, such as a ceramic, a glass, or a porous material. Some embodiments may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material. A cavity may be formed in the interbody spacer, such as in the proximal end. A material having desired properties lacking in the spacer, such as a threadable insert within a non-threadable spacer, may be inserted into the cavity. The threadable material may then be threaded in order to form a female-threaded insert within the otherwise non-threadable interbody spacer.

Abstract: Methods for forming an insert, such as a threaded or threadable insert, within a cavity in an implant, such as a spinal spacer. In some implementations, an implant body comprising a first, non-threadable, may be provided. A cavity may be formed in the implant body, after which an insert may be positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the insert comprises a second material distinct from the first material, wherein the second material has physical properties distinct from the first material. A female thread may then be formed within the insert, which may allow for threading an otherwise unthreadable, or relatively unthreadable, material.

Abstract: Biomedical implant fastener systems, such as bone screw systems and the like. In some embodiments, a fastener may comprise a first plurality of teeth, and a washer configured to be received on the fastener may comprise a second plurality of teeth configured to be engaged with the first plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth may be configured to engage with the second plurality of teeth such that so as to allow for selective rotation between the washer and the fastener in a first rotational direction and so as to prevent rotation between the washer and the fastener in a second rotational direction opposite from the first rotational direction when the fastener is engaged with the washer such that second plurality of teeth is engaged with the first plurality of teeth so as to prevent the fastener from backing out of the washer after engagement.