Abstract: An adjustable occipital plate includes a central body portion having a plurality of arms extending therefrom in a generally Y-shaped configuration. Two of the arms include elongate slots for slidably receiving retaining members therein. Each retaining member includes a U-shaped channel for receiving a spine rod and a set screw. The central body portion and one arm include openings for receiving bone screws therein. Each of the arms may be angled with respect to the central body portion.

Abstract: A video recording device is described having an orientation sensor. The recording device rotates video data received from an image sensor according to signals received from the orientation sensor. The rotation occurs before the video data is compressed according to a video codec and stored on a tangible storage device. By rotating the video data before compression, the need for intensive, post-capture video rotation on the compressed video file is eliminated.

Abstract: A method for generating a drive signal for a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner is provided. The method includes generating the drive signal for the MEMS scanner using a direct digital synthesis, numerically-controlled oscillator. For a particular embodiment, the drive signal is generated by receiving a summation of (i) an initial control word and (ii) an accumulated correction signal generated based on a comparison of a horizontal drive signal for the MEMS scanner and a horizontal sensor signal received from the MEMS scanner. The summation is added to a phase accumulator output, an address is extracted from the phase accumulator output, and a digital lookup table output is addressed based on the extracted address. The digital lookup table output is converted into an analog signal with a digital-to-analog converter, the analog signal is filtered to generate the drive signal, and the horizontal drive signal is generated based on the drive signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamic stabilization device positionable about a portion of a spinal column. The stabilization device may generally include a first component and a second component, where the first and second components are movably coupled to one another to define an arcuate path of motion. The stabilization device may also include one or more adjustment elements positionable within first and second adjustment openings to affect the path of motion between the first and second components and/or the behavior and characteristics of the movement. In addition, one or more resistive elements may be adjustably positionable within either and/or both of the first and second adjustment openings to provide resistance and/or dampening of the forces experienced as the first and second components move relative to one another. The stabilization device may further define a joint having three degrees of freedom to adapt to movement of a spinal column.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus 100 for the reduction or removal of smoke particles suspended in a local atmosphere A and resulting from a surgical procedure, the apparatus including or comprising two electrodes 140 and 150 each in electrical communication with or being electrically connectable to opposite poles of a source of high voltage dc electricity. A first of the electrodes 140 may be electrically connectable to a patient P. and a second 150 may be positionable within or adjacent a patient such that the two electrodes, when in communication with opposite poles of said high voltage, ionise said particles in use, for attracting said particles toward the patient or toward the second of the electrodes.

Abstract: A persona determination approach can be utilized to apply digital personas across multiple communications domains. A service gateway can determine whether to transfer a request for communications services to a Persona Determination Mechanism (PDM). The PDM can select a digital persona based on available information and transmit the digital persona to the service gateway. The service gateway can process the communications services based on the selected digital persona or based on the determination not to transfer the request. In some methods, the service gateway can forward the processed request to one or more network elements for further processing. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode a mutant acetaldehyde-CoA/alcohol dehydrogenase or mutant alcohol dehydrogenase and confer enhanced tolerance to ethanol. The invention also provides related expression vectors, genetically engineered microorganisms having enhanced tolerance to ethanol, as well as methods of making and using such genetically modified microorganisms for production of biofuels based on fermentation of biomass materials.

Abstract: A system for suppressing undesirable oscillations in a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner is provided. The system includes a tunable notch filter and a MEMS scanner. The tunable notch filter is operable to receive an original drive signal and to generate a compensated drive signal based on the original drive signal. The MEMS scanner, which is coupled to the tunable notch filter, is operable to receive the compensated drive signal and to be driven by the compensated drive signal without oscillating at a first mode resonance frequency.

Abstract: Embodiments of circuits, devices, and methods for a power detection arrangement are disclosed. The power detection arrangement may have a coupler coupled with, and in between, a switch and an output to couple a signal to a detector. The power detection arrangement may include a harmonic suppressor coupled with, and in between, the coupler and the detector to reduce an amount of harmonic signals transmitted back to the coupler. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A three-quarter bridge power converter includes a first switch configured to selectively couple a switch node to a higher voltage. The power converter also includes a second switch configured to selectively couple the switch node to a lower voltage. The power converter further includes a third switch configured to selectively cause a third voltage to be provided to the switch node when the first and second switches are not coupling the switch node to the higher and lower voltages. The third switch may be configured to selectively couple the switch node to an energy storage or energy source, such as a capacitor. The third switch may also be configured to selectively couple an energy storage or energy source to ground, where the energy storage or energy source is coupled to the switch node.

Abstract: A method for operating a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner on a resonant mode frequency is provided. The method includes generating a drive signal for a MEMS scanner. A sensor signal is received from the MEMS scanner. The drive signal is compared to the sensor signal. An accumulated correction signal is generated based on the comparison of the drive signal and the sensor signal. The drive signal for the MEMS scanner is then adjusted based on the accumulated correction signal.

Abstract: A transverse rod connector includes an elongate member having first and second ends and first and second connection members. The first and second connection members are connected with first and second ends, respectively. The first and second connection members are configured for multidirectional positioning with respect to the elongate member. The first and second connection members are each dimensioned to be selectively and releasably secured to a bone anchor. The elongate member is longitudinally adjustable.

Abstract: A method for providing feed forward compensation in a drive signal for a rapid resonant frequency change due to a rapid LASER intensity change upon a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror and/or a surrounding MEMS structure in a MEMS scanner causing a mirror temperature change is provided. The method includes determining an intensity factor for at least one laser beam projected onto the MEMS scanner and adjusting a drive frequency of the drive signal based on the intensity factor. The intensity could represent a single intensity factor for multiple laser beams projected onto the MEMS scanner. The method could also include delaying the adjustment of the drive frequency to allow the resonant frequency change to take affect in the MEMS scanner. Delaying the adjustment could include delaying delivery of the intensity factor such that the intensity factor is provided coincident with the resonant frequency change of the MEMS scanner.

Abstract: A correction circuit for use in a switched power supply wherein the correction circuit provides a correction signal indicating a duty cycle adjustment necessary to modify pulse width modulation of the power supply such that the output inductor current matches the load current drawn by a load connected to the power supply. The correction circuit may be used in conjunction with feed forward and/or feed back control circuits. The correction circuit may be implemented using either digital or analog circuit components.

Abstract: A cushioning boot for bed-ridden patients. The boot includes a thickly-padded leg engaging portion and foot engaging portion with a front opening for easy insertion of a patient foot and leg. A series of stretchable, adjustable closure panels are removably secured to the boot for positioning and inserted leg in the proper orientation and retaining it in place.

Abstract: A circuit for transitioning between a discontinuous and a fixed frequency continuous conduction mode (DCM) and (CCM) of a power converter having a driver receiving PWM signals and controlling a switching stage comprises a control switch and a sync switch connected at a common switching node for driving a load.

Abstract: A cushioning boot for bed-ridden patients. The boot includes a thickly-padded leg engaging portion and foot engaging portion with a front opening for easy insertion of a patient foot and leg. A series of stretchable, adjustable closure panels are removably secured to the boot for positioning and inserted leg in the proper orientation and retaining it in place.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.