Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a logical page in parallel with graphics for the sheet that are defined in a job ticket. The system includes multiple parallel Raster Image Processors (RIPs) and a control system. The control system receives print data and a job ticket, identifies a graphic that is associated with a logical page and defined in the job ticket, and transmits the logical page to a parallel RIP for processing. The parallel RIP determines page dimensions from the logical page, transmits the page dimensions, and rasterizes the logical page. The control system determines a location for the graphic based upon the transmitted page dimensions, and directs another RIP to rasterize the graphic in order to generate a rasterized graphic in parallel with the RIP that is rasterizing the logical page.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing adaptive rasterized print data management. The printing system is able to acquire a print job and instructions for printing multiple copies of the job. The control unit is also able to initiate processing of a first copy of the print job, to instruct a Raster Image Processor (RIP) to rasterize a data segment of the print job, and to determine a transfer time to transfer the rasterized data segment to a marking engine if it were stored at the first memory. Further, the control unit is able to determine a threshold value, and to facilitate storage of the rasterized data segment at the second memory if the transfer time is greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing adaptive rasterized print data management. The printing system is able to acquire a print job and instructions for printing multiple copies of the job. The control unit is also able to initiate processing of a first copy of the print job, to instruct a Raster Image Processor (RIP) to rasterize a data segment of the print job, and to determine a transfer time to transfer the rasterized data segment to a marking engine if it were stored at the first memory. Further, the control unit is able to determine a threshold value, and to facilitate storage of the rasterized data segment at the second memory if the transfer time is greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a logical page in parallel with graphics for the sheet that are defined in a job ticket. The system includes multiple parallel Raster Image Processors (RIPs) and a control system. The control system receives print data and a job ticket, identifies a graphic that is associated with a logical page and defined in the job ticket, and transmits the logical page to a parallel RIP for processing. The parallel RIP determines page dimensions from the logical page, transmits the page dimensions, and rasterizes the logical page. The control system determines a location for the graphic based upon the transmitted page dimensions, and directs another RIP to rasterize the graphic in order to generate a rasterized graphic in parallel with the RIP that is rasterizing the logical page.

Abstract: A method for testing the pulsatile endurance of a vascular implant 3 comprises placing a resilient insert 4 into the implant and repeatedly expanding and contracting the insert, thereby expanding and contracting the implant. The insert preferably has a cavity therein and is repeatedly expanded and contracted by repeatedly increasing and decreasing the pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: A surgical implant (2) for fusing adjacent vertebrae (V) together comprises a body portion (4) with spaced arms (10). The body portion (4) has passages (16a and 16b) to receive surgical fixing screws (100) engaged in holes drilled in the vertebrae (V) for securing the body portion (4) to the anterior faces of the vertebrae (V) to be fused. The arms (10) extend into a prepared space between the vertebrae to be fused. Graft material is packed between the arms (10). Each surgical fixing screw (100) has an externally screw-threaded shank (101) divided into wings which can be outwardly deformed to anchor the shank (101) in the hole. Each surgical fixing screw (100) also had a head (102) which can be transformed between a laterally expanded condition and a laterally contracted condition to permit the head to be interlocked with the implant (2).