Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A filamentary loop is threaded through the femoral tunnel and tibial tunnel and partially through the transverse tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in a human knee. Femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia. A transverse tunnel is drilled into the femur to intersect the femoral tunnel. A replacement graft is formed into a loop and moved into the femoral and tibial tunnels using a surgical needle and suture. A flexible filamentary member is simultaneously moved along with the loop into the femoral and transverse tunnels. A pin passing member maintains one end of the filamentary wire in the transverse tunnel as the graft is being moved into place in the femoral and tibial tunnels. The filamentary member is used as a guide wire in the transverse tunnel to insert a cannulated cross-pin to secure a top of the looped graft in the femoral tunnel.

Abstract: A device for locking a suture in place without the need for tying knots once the suture is placed within tissue is provided. The device comprises an anchor having a cannula and a locking mechanism for securing the suture within the cannula.

Abstract: Device detachably attached to a chair, especially an office chair, providing an ergonomic workstation, comprising at least one pivotal arm unit, the one end of which is attached to the chair, and to the other end of which a work plate having a manageable size for the placement of working tools is pivotally attached. The arm unit and work plate are selectively positionable for a user of the working tools for sitting working position in the chair, and standing working position behind the chair, respectively.

Abstract: A novel cross-pin for use in ACL reconstructive surgical procedures. The cross-pin has an elongated body having a distal tapered end. A guide wire opening in the distal end is in communication with a tunnel contained in the distal end. There is a trough extending into the outer surface of the trough for receiving a guide wire. The trough is in communication with the tunnel.

Abstract: A suture anchor system for repairing torn or damaged tissue is provided and generally includes a first suture anchor having at least one length of suture attached thereto, and a second suture anchor having at least one length of suture attached thereto. Each length of suture is coupled to one another such that a distance between the first and second suture anchors with respect to each other can be selectively adjustable. The suture anchor system also preferably includes at least one slip knot that allows the first and second suture anchors to be maintained in a fixed position with respect to one another. In use, the suture anchors can be deployed through tissue to be repaired and into the anchoring tissue at a position spaced apart from one another by a selected distance. The suture length(s) can then be tensioned to re-approximate the torn or damaged tissue toward the anchoring tissue, thereby securely attached the torn tissue to the anchoring tissue.

Abstract: A vibration sensor (1) for monitoring the state of rotating components or bearings, includes a housing (2), a sensor element (3), evaluation electronics (4), and at least one interface (5, 6). With the vibration sensor (1), reliable monitoring of the state of rotating components and bearings can be done easily and economically, and in addition the vibration sensor can be easily operated. The evaluation electronics (4) has an analog-to-digital converter (7), and a signal conditioning means (8) having a plurality of signals, which have been acquired by the sensor element (3), and which are converted into a state value using signal analysis and a diagnosis algorithm.

Abstract: A device for connecting communications networks has a safety switch with which two communications networks present in the motor vehicle may be connected by a user. In this connection, in particular, a multimedia network having an air interface, preferably implemented by a mobile phone, is connected to a safety network to which vehicle components are connected that are critical to safety. This connection becomes necessary when a remote diagnosis of the vehicle components or a software update is to be undertaken.

Abstract: An implement for manipulating and cutting a knotted suture includes a body member having a handle at one end, and a knot-engageable section at the opposite end for engaging the knotted suture to be cut; and a cutting member carried by the body member and having an end portion formed with a cutting edge for cutting the knotted suture at a predetermined distance from the knot. The cutting member is movable along its longitudinal axis from a normal position to an actuated position for cutting the knotted suture. The knot-engageable section of the body member is formed with an axial bore for receiving the end portion of the cutting member when the cutting member is moved to its actuated position, and with an angled bore intersecting the axial bore at an angle to the longitudinal axis for receiving the knotted suture.

Abstract: A surgical knot pusher device allows a prepared knot to be pushed down a length of suture without deforming or collapsing the knot. The surgical knot pusher device includes a handle portion and an elongate body extending from the handle portion. The elongate body has a curved tip that is tapered and has a groove along a length of the tip. The tip also includes a central channel extending from the groove to a distal end of the tip.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to a resource of an application in a data-processing device, comprising the steps: registering an access interface of an access-management component at the data-processing device; request by a first application for an access to the access interface of the access-management component at the data-processing device; registering of a resource of the first application at the access-management component actuation of a second application by a user which requests access to the resource of the first application; sending an access-authorization query of the first application about the user to the access-management component; and, given authorization of the user, granting access to the resource of the first application by the second application.

Abstract: A bioimplantable tissue fixation device is provided for use in repairing and replacing torn or damaged connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons. The device includes an elongate body formed of a bioresorbable material including an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The body includes an internal cavity open at the proximal end which terminates proximal to the distal end. The internal cavity is in fluid communication with at least one opening formed in the outer surface of the body. The internal cavity is able to accept a treatment material for delivery external to the outer surface of the body through the at least one opening at the proximal end.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a user for access to a software-based system via an access medium is described for simpler and faster authentication of a user. The user transmits his/her public key to the software-based system; the software-based system verifies whether the user has already been registered based on this key. If this is the case, the software-based system transmits to the user a string encoded using the first public key, which the user decodes using his/her private key and encodes using a key of the service server and subsequently transmits back to the service server. If the string transmitted is identical to the string received, the software-based system recognizes the user as being authenticated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1), for the ventilation of the crankcase (20) of an internal combustion engine (2), with a breather tube (3), running from the crankcase (20) to an inlet manifold (22) on the internal combustion engine (2), in the course of which an oil-mist separator (30) is arranged. The novel device is characterised in that in the course of the breather line (3), a pump device is arranged, by means of which a reduced pressure may be generated in the crankcase (20) relative to ambient pressure.

Abstract: An adjustable self retaining retractor ring assembly is provided. The self retaining retractor ring assembly is formed from two half-rings connected together by hinges to form a 360° enclosure or ring. The hinges allow the two half-rings to bend or pivot 180° relative to a plane of the ring. One of the hinges includes a positionable locking mechanism to lock or set the angular orientation of the two half-rings relative to each other. In this manner, fixed angles for the half-rings can be selected and maintained. Each half-ring includes a plurality of axially protruding pegs or posts (relative to a plane of the half-ring) positioned thereabout. The posts are shaped to releasably accept retractors and/or ancillary instruments thereon. Additionally, each post preferably includes a slot configured to allow for the locking of suture material therein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for burn-in of integrated circuit (IC) dies at the wafer level. In one embodiment, a wafer is fabricated having an array of dies formed thereon wherein the dies are separated by scribe areas. Surrounding each die is one or more ring conductors which are electrically coupled to various circuits on the die via die bond pads. The wafer further includes a series of conductive pads located in an inactive region of the wafer. Electrically connecting the conductive pads to the ring conductors is a series of redundant scribe conductors. During burn-in, a burn-in indicating apparatus located on each die monitors burn-in parameters such as elapsed burn-in time. The indicating apparatus further records the elapsed burn-in time (or other parameter). The indicating apparatus may be subsequently interrogated to verify the burn-in time.

Abstract: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection scheme includes a divided rail structure to route damaging ESD away from sensitive circuitry. Specifically, Vdd and Vss rails are divided to segregate the ESD current within a circuit, thus isolating the sensitive circuitry from ESD exposure. In an exemplary embodiment, Vdd is divided into Vdd-esd and Vdd core, while Vss is divided into Vss-esd and Vss core. The structure in cooperation with diodes, clamps and resistors enables to isolate the rails (Vdd core and Vss core) associated with sensitive circuitry from ESD current.

Abstract: A method and system for computing a supply chain planning process efficiency E in relation to manufacturing activities of an organization. Input data, including supply and demand input data, is received beginning at time T0. An iteration index R is set equal to 0. Then the method and system implements: incrementing R by 1; adjusting the input data (i.e., changing, deleting, or updating the input data); executing a central planning engine (CPE), using the input data; analyzing results of executing the CPE; and iterating, or computing and stopping. The iterating repeats the incrementing, adjusting, executing, and analyzing. The computing computes E. E may be a function of Q, C, and RP/T. Q is a manual edit ratio in conjunction with adjusting the input data, C=S/D, S is supply, D is demand, T=TE−T0, and P is a real number.

Abstract: An adjustable self retaining retractor ring assembly is provided. The self retaining retractor ring assembly is formed from two half-rings connected together by hinges to form a 360° enclosure or ring. The hinges allow the two half-rings to bend or pivot 180° relative to a plane of the ring. One of the hinges includes a positionable locking mechanism to lock or set the angular orientation of the two half-rings relative to each other. In this manner, fixed angles for the half-rings can be selected and maintained. Each half-ring includes a plurality of axially protruding pegs or posts (relative to a plane of the half-ring) positioned thereabout. The posts are shaped to releasably accept retractors and/or ancillary instruments thereon. Additionally, each post preferably includes a slot configured to allow for the locking of suture material therein.

Abstract: A transfer fluxing apparatus is provided. The apparatus is a flux reservoir for holding flux, a compliant pad attached to an opening in the flux reservoir and a means for controlling deposition of flux onto the compliant pad. The apparatus can be attached to an automated component placement machine. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the control means is a valve located within the flux reservoir. The valve is opened by applying pressure to a plunger that extends through the compliant pad. When the plunger is pressed, the valve opens, and flux falls onto the compliant pad. Flux then passes through the pad to a component placement site. A method for automated fluxing and to component placement also is provided.