Abstract: A system and process scans a target area at a distance of 3-30 m for one or more materials. Scanning is performed by a coherent transmit beam aimed with the help of a thermal camera. The active source of the beam is a supercontinuum (SC) laser. The transmitted source beam is modulated by a high-speed Fourier-transform spectrometer prior to interaction with the target. Target reflected source beam is detected by an infrared detector, along with a reference portion of the transmitted source beam, as a series of interferograms; passed through a digitizer for digitizing the interferograms; and processed to producing spectrograms, wherein the spectrograms are indicative of one or more materials on the target.

Abstract: A system and process scans a target area at a distance of 3-30 m for one or more materials. Scanning is performed by a coherent transmit beam aimed with the help of a thermal camera. The active source of the beam is a supercontinuum (SC) laser. The transmitted source beam is modulated by a high-speed Fourier-transform spectrometer prior to interaction with the target. Target reflected source beam is detected by an infrared detector, along with a reference portion of the transmitted source beam, as a series of interferograms; passed through a digitizer for digitizing the interferograms; and processed to producing spectrograms, wherein the spectrograms are indicative of one or more materials on the target.

Abstract: A system and process scans a target area at a distance of 3-30 m for one or more materials. Scanning is performed by a coherent transmit beam aimed with the help of a thermal camera. The active source of the beam is a supercontinuum (SC) laser. The transmitted source beam is modulated by a high-speed Fourier-transform spectrometer prior to interaction with the target. Target reflected source beam is detected by an infrared detector, along with a reference portion of the transmitted source beam, as a series of interferograms; passed through a digitizer for digitizing the interferograms; and processed to producing spectrograms, wherein the spectrograms are indicative of one or more materials on the target.

Abstract: A system and process scans a target area at a distance of 3-30 m for one or more materials. Scanning is performed by a coherent transmit beam aimed with the help of a thermal camera. The active source of the beam is a supercontinuum (SC) laser. The transmitted source beam is modulated by a high-speed Fourier-transform spectrometer prior to interaction with the target. Target reflected source beam is detected by an infrared detector, along with a reference portion of the transmitted source beam, as a series of interferograms; passed through a digitizer for digitizing the interferograms; and processed to producing spectrograms, wherein the spectrograms are indicative of one or more materials on the target.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device for promoting fusion of first and second vertebrae comprises first and second endplate modules. Each endplate module includes an outer surface adapted to interface with vertebral bone and an opposite inner surface. The endplate modules further include an attachment feature. A central module is adapted to extend between the first and second endplate modules and is further adapted for connection with the attachment feature. A through passage extends through the outer and inner surfaces of the each of the first and second endplates and through the central module.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device for promoting fusion of first and second vertebrae comprises first and second endplate modules. Each endplate module includes an outer surface adapted to interface with vertebral bone and an opposite inner surface. The endplate modules further include an attachment feature. A central module is adapted to extend between the first and second endplate modules and is further adapted for connection with the attachment feature. A through passage extends through the outer and inner surfaces of the each of the first and second endplates and through the central module.

Abstract: A multi-piece intervertebral disc augmentation implant that may be assembled within the annulus fibrosus is disclosed. The implant may be guided into a precise location through a relatively small opening in the annulus fibrosus with the aid of an elongated guide.

Abstract: A multi-piece intervertebral disc augmentation implant that may be assembled within the annulus fibrosus is disclosed. The implant may be guided into a precise location through a relatively small opening in the annulus fibrosus with the aid of an elongated guide.

Abstract: A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, and a sleeve. The lock body includes opposed front and rear longitudinally extending side walls terminating at first and second end portions. The shackle extends from the first end portion of the lock body. The sleeve covers at least a portion of each of the longitudinally extending side walls, and an internal surface of the sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending rib contacting at least one of the front and rear longitudinally extending side walls to define a gap between the sleeve and the lock body.

Abstract: A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, and a sleeve. The lock body includes opposed front and rear longitudinally extending side walls terminating at first and second end portions. The shackle extends from the first end portion of the lock body. The sleeve covers at least a portion of each of the longitudinally extending side walls, and an internal surface of the sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending rib contacting at least one of the front and rear longitudinally extending side walls to define a gap between the sleeve and the lock body.

Abstract: A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, and a sleeve. The lock body includes opposed front and rear longitudinally extending side walls terminating at first and second end portions. The shackle extends from the first end portion of the lock body. The sleeve covers at least a portion of each of the longitudinally extending side walls, and an internal surface of the sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending rib contacting at least one of the front and rear longitudinally extending side walls to define a gap between the sleeve and the lock body.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion device for promoting fusion of first and second vertebrae comprises first and second endplate modules. Each endplate module includes an outer surface adapted to interface with vertebral bone and an opposite inner surface. The endplate modules further include an attachment feature. A central module is adapted to extend between the first and second endplate modules and is further adapted for connection with the attachment feature. A through passage extends through the outer and inner surfaces of the each of the first and second endplates and through the central module.

Abstract: A computer implemented Availability Checking Tool wherein tool users work within a common work environment, from common enterprise data, and considering assets and demands across multiple order management systems and manufacturing facilities within boundaries established by manufacturing specifications, process flows and business policies. Tool users can easily maintain a synergistic relationship between orders from multiple demand sources or ordering systems. A demand configurator receives demand information from each demand source and coordinates product requests in accordance with customer request rules and priorities. A supply configurator receives manufacturing and planning data from a planning source and manipulates the received manufacturing and planning data to create new supply data. A material resource engine provides material supply information from the new supply data, the received demand information following product supply rules and priorities.

Abstract: A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, and a sleeve. The lock body includes opposed front and rear longitudinally extending side walls terminating at first and second end portions. The shackle extends from the first end portion of the lock body. The sleeve covers at least a portion of each of the longitudinally extending side walls, and an internal surface of the sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending rib contacting at least one of the front and rear longitudinally extending side walls to define a gap between the sleeve and the lock body.

Abstract: An optical beam combiner and a related method for its operation, in which multiple coherent input beams are directed onto a diffractive optical element (DOE) along directions corresponding to diffraction orders of the DOE, such that the DOE generates a single output beam in a direction corresponding to a desired diffraction order, and suppresses outputs in directions corresponding to unwanted diffraction orders. The phases of the input beams are actively controlled to ensure and maintain the condition that only a single diffraction mode is present in the output of the DOE.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method are provided for positioning an intervertebral device between vertebral members. The tool includes an elongate shaft, an anti-rotation sleeve, and an actuation mechanism. The shaft has proximal and distal ends, with the distal end of the shaft including an engagement member for releasably engaging an intervertebral device. The sleeve includes proximal and distal ends, and is movably mounted to the shaft for reciprocating relative thereto between retracted and extended positions. The distal end of the sleeve includes an anti-rotation member. The actuation mechanism controls positioning of the sleeve between the retracted and extended positions, and locks the sleeve relative to the shaft. When the intervertebral device is releasably engaged by the engagement member, and the sleeve is in the extended position, the anti-rotation member engages the intervertebral device and prevents rotation of the intervertebral device when releasing the engagement member from the intervertebral device.

Abstract: A laser utilizing a liquid based lasing medium, comprising a colloidal suspension of selected solid state lasant nanoparticles in a selected liquid. Use of sufficiently small lasant nanoparticles allows relaxation of the requirement to match the refractive indices of the lasant and the liquid because the nanoparticles have a desirably low scattering loss even when the refractive indices are not perfectly matched. Therefore, higher laser powers are achievable without unwanted thermally induced birefringence and depolarization.

Abstract: An image detection system includes a multimode fiber amplifier. The multimode fiber amplifier includes a core configured to receive an input image that includes a plurality of input beams spanning a range of incidence angles and to propagate at least some of the input beams as different ones of a plurality of transverse modes along the core. The multimode fiber amplifier provides an amplified image at an output facet thereof corresponding to the input image. A focal plane detector includes an array of detectors arranged to receive different portions of the amplified image.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier array and related method, in which high beam quality is achieved by varying the frequency of an input signal applied to all of the fiber amplifiers, to locate a frequency at which the amplifiers produce nearly coherent optical outputs. In spite of statistical variations in length and other factors among the fibers, there are frequencies at which the amplifiers produce nearly coherent outputs. In the control system of the invention, the input signal frequency is scanned across a selected narrow range and the beam quality is monitored by measuring on-axis far-field output beam intensity. The frequency is scanned until the beam intensity exceeds a selected threshold, and then the frequency is held constant until the beam intensity falls below a second selected threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to product license information include validating a license redemption record when a customer redeems a software license via a license server. A customer site identifier is associated with the license redemption record, and a customer data warehouse is formed that includes license redemption records associated with the same customer site identifier. A customer associated with the site identifier can access the license redemption records in the customer data warehouse.