Abstract: Devices and methods for improved controlled and targeted decortication of the bone of a spinal facet joint are provided. In one aspect, a decortication tool is provided. The decortication tool may include a shaft with proximal and distal end portions. A handle may be connected to the proximal end portion of the shaft. A decortication head may be coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. In another aspect, a multi-use instrument for use in a spinal system is provided. The instrument may include a body including opposing first and second sides, and opposing first and second surfaces. A cavity may be defined in the body, the cavity being open to the second surface. The instrument may include a bar attached to the second side of the body. A portion of the bar may extend beyond the second surface of the body.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improved controlled and targeted decortication of the bone of a spinal facet joint are provided. In one aspect, a decortication tool is provided. The decortication tool may include a shaft with proximal and distal end portions. A handle may be connected to the proximal end portion of the shaft. A decortication head may be coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. In another aspect, a multi-use instrument for use in a spinal system is provided. The instrument may include a body including opposing first and second sides, and opposing first and second surfaces. A cavity may be defined in the body, the cavity being open to the second surface. The instrument may include a bar attached to the second side of the body. A portion of the bar may extend beyond the second surface of the body.

Abstract: A method for shifting a transmission in a machine. The method includes detecting a request for a directional shift of the transmission and determining a ground speed of the machine in response to the request. The method further includes overriding the request if the ground speed is above a ground speed threshold. Further, the method includes preparing the machine for the directional shift by limiting an output speed of a power source of the machine and by issuing a command to a brake unit of the machine to reduce the ground speed of the machine. Furthermore, the method includes validating and raising the request to the transmission to execute the directional shift if the ground speed is below the ground speed threshold.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improved controlled and targeted decortication of the bone of a spinal facet joint are provided. In one aspect, a decortication tool is provided. The decortication tool may include a shaft with proximal and distal end portions. A handle may be connected to the proximal end portion of the shaft. A decortication head may be coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. In another aspect, a multi-use instrument for use in a spinal system is provided. The instrument may include a body including opposing first and second sides, and opposing first and second surfaces. A cavity may be defined in the body, the cavity being open to the second surface. The instrument may include a bar attached to the second side of the body. A portion of the bar may extend beyond the second surface of the body.

Abstract: A method for shifting a transmission in a machine. The method includes detecting a request for a directional shift of the transmission and determining a ground speed of the machine in response to the request. The method further includes overriding the request if the ground speed is above a ground speed threshold. Further, the method includes preparing the machine for the directional shift by limiting an output speed of a power source of the machine and by issuing a command to a brake unit of the machine to reduce the ground speed of the machine. Furthermore, the method includes validating and raising the request to the transmission to execute the directional shift if the ground speed is below the ground speed threshold.

Abstract: A technique is provided to limit the number of vehicles required during a well project involving a plurality of well construction related procedures. The technique utilizes a modular unit, e.g. a vehicle, and a plurality of modules that may be interchanged on the modular unit according to the scheduled well procedure. A separate crane unit can be used to move the modules to and from the vehicle as required for specific phases of well construction.

Abstract: A technique is provided to limit the number of vehicles required during a well project involving a plurality of well construction related procedures. The technique utilizes a modular unit, e.g. a vehicle, and a plurality of modules that may be interchanged on the modular unit according to the scheduled well procedure. A separate crane unit can be used to move the modules to and from the vehicle as required for specific phases of well construction.

Abstract: A technique is provided to limit the number of vehicles required during a well project involving a plurality of well construction related procedures. The technique utilizes a modular unit, e.g. a vehicle, and a plurality of modules that may be interchanged on the modular unit according to the scheduled well procedure. A separate crane unit can be used to move the modules to and from the vehicle as required for specific phases of well construction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary cutting bit for use in road milling, mining and/or excavating applications that includes a split wear ring which is harder than the steel cutting bit body. The cutting bit has a cutting tip made of hard material such as tungsten carbide brazed into a nose portion of the steel tool body. The split wear ring is positioned in an annular channel in the tool body near the steel nose of the tool body. In one embodiment, the split wear ring is positioned so that the inner diameter of the split wear ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the cutting tip. Such a configuration allows the split wear ring to be tucked under the outer diameter of the cutting tip, decreasing tool body wear that could otherwise occur, thus providing longer tool life and reduced operating costs. The split wear ring pieces may be retained in place by a retainer such as banding rings, epoxies, tape or wire.

Abstract: An agricultural irrigation assembly includes an irrigation hose, a drip tape, and a fluid fitting interconnecting the irrigation hose with the drip tape. The fluid fitting includes a tab fitting and a swivel fitting. The tab fitting has a tab and a threaded collar. The tab is insertable into an opening formed in the irrigation hose and held in place using the collar. The swivel fitting is fluidly coupled to the tab fitting. The swivel fitting includes a threaded fitting defining a longitudinal axis. The threaded fitting is rotatable about the longitudinal axis and substantially immovable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary cutting bit for use in road milling, mining and/or excavating applications that includes a split wear ring which is harder than the steel cutting bit body. The cutting bit has a cutting tip made of hard material such as tungsten carbide brazed into a nose portion of the steel tool body. The split wear ring is positioned in an annular channel in the tool body near the steel nose of the tool body. In one embodiment, the split wear ring is positioned so that the inner diameter of the split wear ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the cutting tip. Such a configuration allows the split wear ring to be tucked under the outer diameter of the cutting tip, decreasing tool body wear that could otherwise occur, thus providing longer tool life and reduced operating costs. The split wear ring pieces may be retained in place by a retainer such as banding rings, epoxies, tape or wire.

Abstract: Packaging systems for medical devices, such as surgical instruments, implants, and prostheses, are provided herein. In one embodiment, the packaging system comprises a blister tray that is at least semi-transparent and has at least one cavity capable of containing a medical device or portion thereof. The system additionally comprises a card having at least one window, wherein the at least one cavity in the blister tray protrudes through the at least one window in the card. The packaging systems provide a convenient, informative, and preferably sterile means of distributing medical devices.

Abstract: A free space optical switch that uses both an open loop control mode and a closed loop control mode. The open loop control mode is used to transition to a state where at least some light is sensed at a destination port. A closed loop control mode is then used, whereby a series of controlled dither signals are adjusted for system dynamics. Modifying the dither signals in this matter allows moving actuators at a rate that is much closer to the natural frequency of the underlying system, and hence speeds up the system convergence process. Variable modulation amplitudes may be employed on the dither signals to maximize convergence speed. In particular, changes in the dither signal can be made in accordance with the change in amplitude as a function of a gradient along a parabola that models the optical system response. According to still further aspects, the dither signals may be compensated for a desired and selectable attenuation level of output optical power.

Abstract: A technique is provided to limit the number of vehicles required during a well project involving a plurality of well construction related procedures. The technique utilizes a transport vehicle able to receive a plurality of equipment modules that may be used for specific well related procedures. The modules may be interchanged with other vehicles for performance of specific procedures corresponding to specific modules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating patients with solid tumors, leukemias, and other malignancies using a combination of zosuquidar, daunorubicin, and cytarabine. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical formulations comprising zosuquidar, daunorubicin, and cytarabine. The formulations are particularly effective in treating relapsed Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining P-glycoprotein expression and/or function for a patient with solid tumors, leukemias, and other malignancies. The invention also relates to using a P-glycoprotein expression and/or function diagnostic in conjunction with methods for treating solid tumors, leukemias, and other malignancies with a chemotherapeutic agent in combination with zosuquidar. The methods are particularly effective in treating acute myelogenous leukemia, metastatic breast cancer, and other cancers expressing P-glycoprotein, wherein the P-glycoprotein expression and/or function is used to select a treatment option for the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating patients with leukemias, solid tumors, and other malignancies using chemotherapeutic agents in combination with zosuquidar that has been solubilized by a modified cyclodextrin, such as sulfobutylcyclodextrin or hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical formulations comprising zosuquidar in combination with a modified cyclodextrin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating patients with solid tumors, leukemias, and other malignancies using a combination of zosuquidar, daunorubicin, and cytarabine. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical formulations comprising zosuquidar, daunorubicin, and cytarabine. The formulations are particularly effective in treating relapsed Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating patients with solid tumors, leukemias, and other malignancies using a combination of zosuquidar and a calicheamicin-antibody conjugate, such as Mylotarg. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical formulations comprising zosuquidar and calicheamicin-antibody conjugates. The formulations are particularly effective in treating relapsed Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) and metastatic breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating patients with leukemias, solid tumors, and other malignancies using chemotherapeutic agents in combination with zosuquidar that has been solubilized by a modified cyclodextrin, such as sulfobutylcyclodextrin or hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical formulations comprising zosuquidar in combination with a modified cyclodextrin.