Abstract: Disclosed herein are expanding spinal fusion cage embodiments including an expandable cage assembly configured to expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state in an intervertebral space when inflated with a material. The assembly can include an inflatable section defining an interior volume configured to receive the material and expand the interior volume in response to a pressure from the received material to cause the expandable cage assembly to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state, and a stabilization section configured to restrain the inflatable section during inflation.

Abstract: A container comprising: a first panel; a second panel opposing the first panel; a first side; a second side opposing the first side; a third side; a fourth side opposing the third side; wherein each of the sides joins the first panel and the second panel; a chamber defined by the four sides, the first panel, and the second panel, wherein the chamber is configured to receive a biological specimen; a port defined in the first side; a plug inserted into the port; an opening defined in the second side; and a closure element coupled to the opening, wherein the chamber is leak proof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for fixing tissue for cytologic, histomorphologic, and/or molecular analysis (e.g., DNA, RNA, and/or protein analysis). In some embodiments, the fixatives are aldehyde-free fixatives, for example, formaldehyde- or formalin-free fixatives. Particular disclosed compositions include buffered ethanol. The buffer is a phosphate buffer or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in some examples. In further embodiments, the fixative includes additional components, such as glycerol and/or acetic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for fixing tissue for cytologic, histomorphologic, and/or molecular analysis (e.g., DNA, RNA, and/or protein analysis). In some embodiments, the fixatives are aldehyde-free fixatives, for example, formaldehyde- or formalin-free fixatives. Particular disclosed compositions include buffered ethanol. The buffer is a phosphate buffer or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in some examples. In further embodiments, the fixative includes additional components, such as glycerol and/or acetic acid.

Abstract: A container comprising: a first panel; a second panel opposing the first panel; a first side; a second side opposing the first side; a third side; a fourth side opposing the third side; wherein each of the sides joins the first panel and the second panel; a chamber defined by the four sides, the first panel, and the second panel, wherein the chamber is configured to receive a biological specimen; a port defined in the first side; a plug inserted into the port; an opening defined in the second side; and a closure element coupled to the opening, wherein the chamber is leak proof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for fixing tissue for cytologic, histomorphologic, and/or molecular analysis (e.g., DNA, RNA, and/or protein analysis). In some embodiments, the fixatives are aldehyde-free fixatives, for example, formaldehyde- or formalin-free fixatives. Particular disclosed compositions include buffered ethanol. The buffer is a phosphate buffer or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in some examples. In further embodiments, the fixative includes additional components, such as glycerol and/or acetic acid.

Abstract: A method of accelerating link loss detection includes providing a plurality of IP devices in communication with a central server. The method includes: a first one of the plurality of IP devices broadcasting a link loss message to others of the plurality of IP devices when communication between the first one of the plurality of IP devices and the central server is interrupted, one of the others of the plurality of IP devices performing a verification process to confirm interruption of communication between the central server and the plurality of IP devices and upon successful completion of the verification process, the one of the others of the plurality of IP devices broadcasting a link loss confirmation message and each of the IP devices terminating communication with the central server and reconnecting to a new central server following receipt of the link loss confirmation message.

Abstract: A method performed by a videoconferencing device, the method comprising: maintaining a database (129) comprising multiple records, each record including bit rate information and relating to a particular endpoint identifier; initiating a videoconference call with a target endpoint (101, 103); identifying (S2) one or more records in the database (129) that relate to the endpoint identifier of the target endpoint (101, 103); identifying (S5) one or more records in the database (129) that relate to the endpoint identifier of one or more endpoints located in a common zone with the target endpoint (101, 103); using bit rate information from the identified records to calculate (S4, S7, S8) an initial video bit rate for the videoconference call; and initially transmitting video to the target endpoint (101, 103) at the calculated initial video bit rate. Apparatus configured to implement the foregoing method.

Abstract: A method performed by a videoconferencing device, the method comprising: maintaining a database (129) comprising multiple records, each record including bit rate information and relating to a particular endpoint identifier; initiating a videoconference call with a target endpoint (101, 103); identifying (S2) one or more records in the database (129) that relate to the endpoint identifier of the target to endpoint (101, 103); identifying (S5) one or more records in the database (129) that relate to the endpoint identifier of one or more endpoints located in a common zone with the target endpoint (101, 103); using bit rate information from the identified records to calculate (S4, S7, S8) an initial video bit rate for the videoconference call; and initially transmitting video to the target endpoint (101, 103) at the calculated initial video bit rate. Apparatus configured to implement the foregoing method.

Abstract: In a client/server network, each of a plurality of IP devices has access to a network capability, such as an analog line, when connected to a central server. At least one of the IP devices is in direct communication with a second analog line and grants other IP devices access to the second analog line when the other IP devices lose their connection to the central server.

Abstract: A client/server network includes a plurality of IP devices in communication with a central server and one another. Each of the plurality of IP devices maintains a count of the number of the IP devices attempting to connect to the central server at one time in order to monitor the load on the central server. Wherein each of the plurality of IP devices verifies that the count does not exceed a maximum count prior to attempting connection to the central server.

Abstract: A client/server network includes a plurality of IP devices in communication with a central server. The plurality of IP devices communicate with one another to queue themselves onto a linked list. The plurality of IP devices then connect to the central server in the order determined by the linked list. Prior to attempting to connect to the central server, each of the plurality of IP devices verifies that a number of IP devices currently attempting to connect to the central server is not equal to a maximum number.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for processing data on a plurality of communication devices is provided. Data is received at a master communication device via a master communication network. The data is distributed to a plurality of communication devices in communication with the master communication device. Processing of the data at, at least a subset of the plurality of communication devices is triggered. Distribution of the data may occur via a cascade process wherein the data is first distributed to communication devices which are designated as masters, and the data is further distributed to the remaining communication devices via the masters.

Abstract: A packetised data network includes IP telephones (ITs) and a network intelligence (NI). All of the keys of each IT are “soft” keys (i.e., they have no fixed function). The NI associates a configuration data structure with the IT which correlates the keys with functions, and, based on this, may control the display of the IT to indicate the current function of certain of the soft keys. Some of the functions are requests for data services at the telephone (e.g., video or programmed audio over the internet). When a user requests such a service with a key press, the NI sets up the service between the data source and the telephone. This may require associating a new configuration data structure with the keys of the IT. The IT user may activate multiple data services through the NI.

Abstract: A client/server network includes a plurality of IP devices in communication with a central server. The plurality of IP devices communicate with one another to queue themselves onto a linked list. The plurality of IP devices then connect to the central server in the order determined by the linked list. Prior to attempting to connect to the central server, each of the plurality of IP devices verifies that a number of IP devices currently attempting to connect to the central server is not equal to a maximum number.

Abstract: A client/server network includes a plurality of IP devices in communication with a central server and one another. Each of the plurality of IP devices maintains a count of the number of the IP devices attempting to connect to the central server at one time in order to monitor the load on the central server. Wherein each of the plurality of IP devices verifies that the count does not exceed a maximum count prior to attempting connection to the central server.

Abstract: In a client/server network, each of a plurality of IP devices has access to a network capability, such as an analog line, when connected to a central server. At least one of the IP devices is in direct communication with a second analog line and grants other IP devices access to the second analog line when the other IP devices lose their connection to the central server.

Abstract: A method of accelerating link loss detection includes providing a plurality of IP devices in communication with a central server. The method includes: a first one of the plurality of IP devices broadcasting a link loss message to others of the plurality of IP devices when communication between the first one of the plurality of IP devices and the central server is interrupted, one of the others of the plurality of IP devices performing a verification process to confirm interruption of communication between the central server and the plurality of IP devices and upon successful completion of the verification process, the one of the others of the plurality of IP devices broadcasting a link loss confirmation message and each of the IP devices terminating communication with the central server and reconnecting to a new central server following receipt of the link loss confirmation message.

Abstract: A method for providing a distributed TFTP server network among a plurality of IP devices, said method including providing a plurality of IP devices in communication with a central TFTP server, each IP device maintaining a list of available servers with the central TFTP server being at the bottom the list, each IP device selecting and attempting to connect to the TFTP server at the top of the list of available servers, downloading software from the TFTP server and sending a server ready signal over the distributed TFTP server network following successful download, the IP device then being added to the top of the list of available servers and operating as a TFTP server to allow software download to other IP devices in the distributed TFTP server network.

Abstract: A real-time, non-invasive system and method for determining the level of an analyte of interest in the urine of a patient is disclosed. The system and method uses the measured level of an analyte of interest to detect the onset of acute renal failure (ARF) as early as possible to prevent that patient from developing the disease or mitigating the effects of the disease. The system and method may be used to monitor the recovery of a patient after an ARF diagnosis. Preferably, the analyte of interest is creatinine or urea. The system may be placed in the urine drain line of a patient between a Foley catheter or other urinary drain and a urine collection bag.