Abstract: An instrumentation set may include insertion instruments for forming an implant between bone structures. The insertion instruments may include a spreader and a separator. The bone structures may be vertebrae. Implant members may be attached to the spreader and positioned between the bone structures. The separator may be inserted into the spreader to establish a desired separation distance between the implant members. Connectors may be inserted into the implant members to join the implant members together and form the implant. The insertion instruments may be removed. A seater may be used to set the position of the connectors relative to the implant members to inhibit disassembly of the implant.

Abstract: Various stabilization rods and methods for manufacturing a connection member having a flexible section coupled between two rigid sections are disclosed. The rigid sections may have exterior surfaces adapted to have an increased surface area to inhibit the flexible section from separating from the rigid sections.

Abstract: An instrumentation set may include insertion instruments for forming an implant between bone structures. The insertion instruments may include a spreader and a separator. The bone structures may be vertebrae. Implant members may be attached to the spreader and positioned between the bone structures. The separator may be inserted into the spreader to establish a desired separation distance between the implant members. Connectors may be inserted into the implant members to join the implant members together and form the implant. The insertion instruments may be removed. A seater may be used to set the position of the connectors relative to the implant members to inhibit disassembly of the implant.

Abstract: An instrumentation set may include insertion instruments for forming an implant between bone structures. The insertion instruments may include a spreader and a separator. The bone structures may be vertebrae. Implant members may be attached to the spreader and positioned between the bone structures. The separator may be inserted into the spreader to establish a desired separation distance between the implant members. Connectors may be inserted into the implant members to join the implant members together and form the implant. The insertion instruments may be removed. A seater may be used to set the position of the connectors relative to the implant members to inhibit disassembly of the implant.

Abstract: A decoupling capacitor control circuit is configured to be coupled between supply voltage and reference voltage planes. The control circuit includes a decoupling capacitor having a first node configured to be coupled to the supply voltage plane and having a second node. A first switching element has a first signal node coupled to the second node of the decoupling capacitor and has a second signal node and a control node. A second switching element has a first signal node coupled to the first node of the decoupling capacitor and has a second signal node coupled to the control node of the first switching element, and has a control node. A biasing circuit is coupled to the control nodes of the first and second switching elements. The biasing circuit activates both switching elements when the decoupling capacitor is not defective and deactivates both switching elements when the decoupling capacitor is defective.

Abstract: A decoupling capacitor control circuit is configured to be coupled between supply voltage and reference voltage planes. The control circuit includes a decoupling capacitor having a first node configured to be coupled to the supply voltage plane and having a second node. A first switching element has a first signal node coupled to the second node of the decoupling capacitor and has a second signal node and a control node. A second switching element has a first signal node coupled to the first node of the decoupling capacitor and has a second signal node coupled to the control node of the first switching element, and has a control node. A biasing circuit is coupled to the control nodes of the first and second switching elements. The biasing circuit activates both switching elements when the decoupling capacitor is not defective and deactivates both switching elements when the decoupling capacitor is defective.

Abstract: An overvoltage circuit detects differences between the supply voltage from a first circuit and the operating voltage of a second circuit. The circuit may detect when the power supply value of the first circuit is below, above, or equal to the operating voltage of the second circuit. The overvoltage circuit consumes substantially zero static current and may be used in a variety of implementations.

Abstract: An overvoltage circuit detects differences between the supply voltage from a first circuit and the operating voltage of a second circuit. The circuit may detect when the power supply value of the first circuit is below, above, or equal to the operating voltage of the second circuit. The overvoltage circuit consumes substantially zero static current and may be used in a variety of implementations.

Abstract: An implant may be formed in a disc space between vertebrae using instruments in an instrumentation set. In some embodiments, the implant may be formed from individual pieces including implant members and connectors. After formation of the implant, the implant may be set using a seater. The seater may fix the position of pieces of the implant relative to each other to inhibit separation of the pieces. The seater may apply force to pieces of the implant. The force applied to the pieces may deform the pieces sufficiently to inhibit subsequent separation of the pieces from each other.

Abstract: An implant may be formed in a disc space during a spinal fusion procedure. The implant may include implant members and connectors. The connectors may include sections with removed material that allow for some flexibility of the connectors. The connectors may include limiters that limit the amount of flexibility of the connectors. The ability of the connectors to flex may allow stress to be applied to bone growth material positioned in the implant. Stress may promote desirable bone growth.

Abstract: An instrumentation set may include insertion instruments for forming an implant between bone structures. The insertion instruments may include a spreader and a separator. The bone structures may be vertebrae. Implant members may be attached to the spreader and positioned between the bone structures. The separator may be inserted into the spreader to establish a desired separation distance between the implant members. Connectors may be inserted into the implant members to join the implant members together and form the implant. The insertion instruments may be removed. A seater may be used to set the position of the connectors relative to the implant members to inhibit disassembly of the implant.

Abstract: A bicompartmental tensiometer for use in prosthetic knee surgery, and in particular for use in revision knee surgery. The tensiometer comprises two parallel, independently operable jaws which are inserted between resected surfaces on the distal femur and the proximal tibia. The jaws are opened manually by the surgeon until the proper tension is placed on the collateral ligaments. Each of the jaws comprises two paddles which remain parallel to each other as they are opened. Moreover, the two jaws remain parallel to each other, or in the same angular orientation, when adjusted to be placed adjacent the condyles. Each jaw is held open by a pawl which engages a rack.

Abstract: A CMOS latch is coupled to a differential driver that is operated from the input data. Driver conduction is determined by the conduction in a strobe transistor responding to the signal of a strobe line. The strobe line is normally operated at a level that turns the strobe transistor off. The strobe line is coupled to the output of a four input comparator which senses the DATA IN, DATA IN, DATA OUT and DATA OUT. So long as the DATA IN and DATA OUT are in agreement the strobe line will remain at the level that holds the strobe transistor off and the latch will remain in its original state. However, if there is a disagreement the comparator will produce an output that turns the strobe transistor on and the device will then reset the latch. Thus, the circuit will only change its latch state when the input logic changes.

Abstract: A motorized operator is used for control of a closure, e.g., a garage door operator. Where the garage door is an upward opening door, there are four conditions for operation of the control system, namely stop-down, run-up, stop-up, and run-down. The present operator is one wherein safety conditions prevail, in that the run-down condition may not be established by a simple single closing of a switch because this might be effected carelessly or accidentally. The run-down condition is only established by plural closings of a switch. Gate means are provided within the control system so that the plural actuations of the switch will establish the run-down condition and this may be established only when the door is in the stop-up condition. The plural actuations of the switch must take place within a predetermined time period in order to establish the run-down condition.