Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing information associated with a particular product to a customer possessing a sample of the particular product. An identifier that is provided with the sample of the particular product and that uniquely identifies the product is received at a server. The information associated with the particular product is obtained based upon the received identifier. The information is provided from the server to the customer to thereby allow the customer to use the particular product that is in the customer's possession. The information provided may include safety information (e.g., a material safety data sheet (MSDS)) and usage information associated with the particular product. Such systems and methods may be particularly useful providing information relating to chemical components, such as those used in cosmetic, personal care or other industries.

Abstract: The invention provides a sanitizing composition in the form of a viscous liquid or gel suitable for use as a handwash composition comprising alcohol, water and a thickener wherein the viscous liquid or gel has particles suspended therein, wherein said particles provide the composition with a granular texture and are capable of being worn away when rubbed. The particles may deliver one or more agents to the skin e.g. antimicrobial, antibacterial or antiviral agents, emollients and/or moisturizers, fragrances, colourings or UV markers.

Abstract: A computer interface device includes circuitry enclosed in a housing; a first cable electrically connected to the circuitry and integral with the housing; a video port connection plug electrically connected to the circuitry via the first cable; a mouse port connection plug electrically connected to the circuitry via a path through the housing of the video port connection plug; and a keyboard connection plug electrically connected to the circuitry via a path through the housing of the video port connection plug.

Abstract: Apparatus for minimizing power losses associated with dead time between ON times of two series connected switches of a power converter connected across a supply potential, the apparatus comprising a control arrangement for monitoring a selected parameter associated with power loss during the dead time of the converter; the control arrangement changing the dead time from a first dead time to a second dead time and comparing the selected parameter associated with power loss for the first and second dead times and determining which of the power losses associated with the two dead times is smaller; a dead time implementing stage for implementing the two dead times; and the control arrangement selecting the dead time associated with the smaller power loss and providing a signal to the dead time implementing stage to set the selected dead time, wherein the control arrangement comprises a module sampling a signal related to the selected parameter associated with power loss at selected instants in time corresponding

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical instrument system including a first instrument defining a track extending along a length thereof, a second instrument releasably engageable with a prosthesis and having an engagement structure slidably engageable with the track of the first instrument, a third instrument having a cutting element and an engagement structure slidably engageable with the track of the first instrument, and a fourth instrument having a prosthesis trial element sized and shaped substantially similar to the prosthesis, and including an engagement structure slidably engageable with the track of the first instrument.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for harvesting a product with a mobile harvester so as to minimize the amount of product lost during harvesting. The disclosed systems include an array of catcher plates designed to surround a plant to be harvested, in a manner that minimizes the possibility of harvested product dropping through the plates to the ground and thus being lost. These systems may be useful for harvesting a wide variety of products that grow on plants such as trees or bushes, including without limitation berries, fruit, and coffee beans.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A fuel conversion device comprises a restriction in a carburetion system configured to draw a gaseous fuel and air into the carburetion system. The fuel conversion device comprises an air inlet and a fuel air outlet coupled within the restriction. The fuel conversion device includes a throat and a fuel supply passage near the throat. The fuel supply passage is located between an air inlet first end and a fuel air outlet second end from about 40 to about 55 percent of a venturi length measured from the fuel air outlet second end. A ratio between a restriction diameter and the venturi length comprises at most about 1.38 to 1. The air inlet has a radius with the fuel supply passage formed as slots, or a radius with the fuel supply passage formed as bores, or a taper with the fuel supply passage formed as slots.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic device configured to form at least a portion of a joint is provided. The method includes selecting a first component of the prosthetic device configured to be implanted in a body, determining a placement at which the first component will be fixed relative to a bone of the body, selecting a second component of the prosthetic device configured to be implanted in the body, and determining a placement at which the second component will be fixed relative to the bone. The determination of the placement of the second component is not constrained by a connection to the first component.

Abstract: A system for determining the concentration of an analyte in at least one body fluid in body tissue comprises an infrared light source, a body tissue interface, a detector, and a central processing unit. The body tissue interface is adapted to contact body tissue and to deliver light from the infrared light source to the contacted body tissue. The detector is adapted to receive spectral information corresponding to infrared light transmitted through the portion of body tissue being analyzed and to convert the received spectral information into an electrical signal indicative of the received spectral information. The central processing unit is adapted to compare the electrical signal to an algorithm built upon correlation with the analyte in body fluid, the algorithm adapted to convert the received spectral information into the concentration of the analyte in at least one body fluid.

Abstract: A system for determining the concentration of an analyte in at least one body fluid in body tissue comprises an infrared light source, a body tissue interface, a detector, and a central processing unit. The body tissue interface is adapted to contact body tissue and to deliver light from the infrared light source to the contacted body tissue. The detector is adapted to receive spectral information corresponding to infrared light transmitted through the portion of body tissue being analyzed and to convert the received spectral information into an electrical signal indicative of the received spectral information. The central processing unit is adapted to compare the electrical signal to an algorithm built upon correlation with the analyte in body fluid, the algorithm adapted to convert the received spectral information into the concentration of the analyte in at least one body fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pedicle screw system, which may include a bone fixation element having an elongate body. The elongate body may include a threaded segment having one or more spiral-oriented grooves, a neck segment adjacent to the threaded segment, and a head segment which is able to receive and/or couple to an orthopedic instrument or implant. The pedicle screw system may further include an anchoring element movably positionable about the bone fixation element. The anchoring element may include one or more elongate teeth which may be slidably positionable into a desired tissue region.

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: A method of fabricating a laminated layer includes the step of supplying first and second layer of a polymeric material, followed by serially removing blanks of the polymeric material from the first layer to produce an excess and useable layers. The blanks of the polymeric material are disposed serially along and fused to the second layer to provide a contoured pad.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a transaction. An authorization request for the transaction is received over a financial network. The authorization request includes account information and transaction information specifying at least a transaction amount. A financial account is identified from the account information. A history of the financial account is analyzed to generate a prediction of a balance of the financial account at a specified future time. It is determined that the balance of the financial account at the specified future time will support the transaction for the transaction amount. An approval response is accordingly generated for the transaction.

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 method, system and computer program are useful for enforcement of business application security rules in connection with applications external to the business application. To support secured access to data stored in a database system managed by a business application, a rule directed from the business application to a database system specifying security criteria for access to the data is received. A database view to select a subset of the data in accordance with the security criteria is then created, and a representation of the database view is stored in the database system to support the secured access to the subset of the data in connection with a query from the application external to the business application. When the query is then received, the user is identified along with a specification of the database view to return the subset of the data authorized by the security criteria for that user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting a plurality of link devices as separate nodes within a single serial bus module by generating individual or a distinct configuration ROM image for each link device in the module. Each configuration ROM includes an entry for a distinct identifier representing the corresponding link device thereby creating a one to one mapping of link device to node via the distinct configuration ROM.