Abstract: A system and method for embedding tracking technology in a medical table is disclosed. A plurality of table sensors is attached to a medical table to form an array. An instrument sensor is attached to an instrument. At least one of the table sensors and the instrument sensor generates at least one magnetic dipole field. The instrument sensor is moved relative to the array while at least one of the table sensors and the instrument sensor measures at least one vector component of the field. The measured vector component(s) are communicated to tracker electronics that determine at least one of a position and orientation of the instrument sensor relative to the array.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a base, at least one disc rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly rotatably attached to base and supporting a slider and a transducer at a distal end thereof. The slider and transducer are positioned to be in transducing relation with respect to the disc. An air dam is positioned over the disc and near an arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated. The air dam is positioned so as to produce an area of high pressure substantially about an area including a portion of the arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated. Surfaces are aligned with and extend in a coplanar relationship with the disc to transfer an outwardly directed airflow away from the disc without impinging turbulent flow on or at the disc edge.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods and materials to induce homologous recombination in a plant, comprising introducing a recombination construct to a plant and making available to the plant a transposase, so as to induce recombination. Preferably, the recombination construct and transposase are from maize.

Abstract: A percutaneous surgical instrument for de-bulking calculi or drilling bone includes an actuator for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies and a horn coupled to said actuator for amplifying the actuator vibration. A fixed probe is attached to said horn for engaging the calculi and introducing the ultrasonic frequencies thereto. A floating probe is disposed concentric to and under said fixed probe and slidable thereover. A free mass is disposed between the horn and the floating probe for oscillating therebetween, in response to actuator vibration, for causing low frequency impact with the calculi.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to support one or more catalyst compounds comprising contacting the catalyst compounds with a pretreatment agent comprising an aluminum alkyl and or an alumoxane in solution and thereafter contacting the combination with a supported activator.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for attaching a component to a cylindrical instrument having a centerline. The attachment mechanism includes legs having respective first and second ends. The legs are pivotally connected relative to each other at the first ends such that the second ends of the legs can be pivoted away from each other and toward each other. The legs are configured to be connected to the component. Each leg has an engagement piece at its second end. The engagement piece is configured to engage around the cylindrical instrument. Each engagement piece is oriented toward its corresponding leg at a fixed angle. The orientation of each of the engagement pieces to its corresponding leg positions the engagement pieces to contact the instrument at contact points in order that the component is located at a known and constant distance from the centerline regardless of the diameter of the instrument.

Abstract: A medical instrument for use in an image guided surgery system, including a support member operatively connected to a flexible engaging member, and a strain gauge affixed to a portion of the flexible engaging member. The strain gauge is configured to detect deflection of the flexible engaging member.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for transporting laboratory animals comprises a container (12), a cover piece (14), and a closure piece (16). The container (12) has an open top. The cover piece (14) is connectable with the container (12) for closing the open top of the container (12). The cover piece (14) has a passage (188) through which the at least one laboratory animal passes during insertion into and extranction from a cavity (28). The closure piece (16) includes a portion (234) that is rotatable relative to the cover piece (14) between a first position in which the portion (234) of the closure piece (16) closes the passage (188) in the cover piece (14) and a second position in which the passage (188) in the cover piece (14) is open to permit the insertion and extraction of the at least one laboratory animal through the passage (188).

Abstract: A roller assembly for use, for example, in agricultural machines where the roller assembly has an exterior surface portion adapted to contact a conveyor element supporting the agricultural products and a bearing sub-assembly positioned about an axle in the center of the roller assembly. The bearing sub-assembly has at least one bearing, at least one sealing element having an elastomeric sealing portion positioned outboard of the bearing and at least one standoff also positioned outboard of the bearing. There may be a plug in place of one of the sealing elements, the plug being elastomeric and configured to make a compression fit with the hub.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use, for example, in agricultural machines where the roller assembly has an exterior surface portion adapted to contact a conveyor element supporting the agricultural products and a bearing sub-assembly positioned about an axle in the center of the roller assembly. The bearing sub-assembly has at least one bearing, at least one sealing element having an elastomeric sealing portion positioned outboard of the bearing and at least one standoff also positioned outboard of the bearing. The standoffs have grooves in their outer dimension adapted to receive the elastomeric sealing portion. The diameter of the standoffs are about the same as the diameter of the elastomeric sealing portion. The horizontal length of the standoffs may also be chosen so as to offset the exterior surface portion of the assembly a predetermined distance with respect to the conveyor element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device with an ultrasonic-based probe for drilling and coring. The invention uses ultrasonic and subsonic vibrations produced by a frequency compensation coupler or free mass to produce the hammering action of a partially disengaged probe, with a relatively low axial force required. The invention can also be fitted with irrigation and aspiration capabilities. The invention can furthermore be furnished with a body sensor-feedback apparatus, which provides feedback to the operator as to the optimal frequency and power use of the generator. One embodiment of the invention also has a cooling mechanism to keep the drill or coring apparatus at an optimum temperature.

Abstract: The electrical pin lead structure and brazing technique of the present invention provide a brazed lead in a sensor that adheres well to a semiconductor substrate while facilitating lateral flexibility without joint fatigue or breakage. In one example embodiment, the pin lead includes a coil head that is brazed to a silicon layer on a sapphire substrate using a silver-copper-palladium braze material. An advantage to this approach is the ability to both braze the pin lead to the diaphragm and seal the diaphragm to the ceramic backing plate with a high temperature glass in a single process step. Further, the palladium in the braze composition is a factor in reducing surface tension between the metal lead and semiconductor substrate during cooling to avoid stress fractures in the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel device with an ultrasonic based drill and corer. The invention uses ultrasonic and subsonic vibrations, which is produced by a frequency compensation coupler or free mass, to produce the hammering action with relatively low axial-force required. The invention can also be fitted with irrigation and aspiration capabilities. The invention is furnished with a body sensor-feedback apparatus, which provide feedback to the operator as to the optimal frequency and power use of the generator. The assembly presented also has a coolant jacket to keep the drill or coring apparatus at optimum temperature prolonging the life of the instrument and the quality of the sample. The invention can be used in numerous applications one of such notable application is on the field of orthopedics.

Abstract: A system for denoting time and other values by electronic or equivalent displays. Hours are indicated display pattern created out of centrally located displays that, in the aggregate, form the image of a six pointed star. Minutes are indicated by two sets of displays. The primary set appears on the perimeter of the display area, in correspondence to analogue locations, and represents 5 or 10-minute time spans. Complementary minute indicators appear either within or near the primary minute indicators, or outside the primary indicator displays, or inside the hourly indicator. These complementary indicators specify the time to the nearest minute within a primary minute span. Seconds are indicated by blinking elements of the minute indicator displays. The system may be used also to indicate such values as radio band location, time elapsed, date, CD track and operational mode.

Abstract: An ultrasonic resonator comprising a wire member with an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end further including a filler material disposed within the proximal end; a crimp screw with an annular end and a threaded end, the annular end adapted to receive and fixedly secure the proximal end of the wire member, the annular end being crimped after the proximal end of the wire member is inserted within the annular end of the crimp screw; an ultrasonic transducer adapted to receive the threaded end of the crimp screw; and the ultrasonic transducer operatively connected to an ultrasonic generator.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for transporting laboratory animals comprises a container (12), a cover piece (14), and a closure piece (16). The container (12) has an open top. The cover piece (14) is connectable with the container (12) for closing the open top of the container (12). The cover piece (14) has a passage (188) through which the at least one laboratory animal passes during insertion into and extraction from a cavity (28). The closure piece (16) includes a portion (234) that is rotatable relative to the cover piece (14) between a first position in which the portion (234) of the closure piece (16) closes the passage (188) in the cover piece (14) and a second position in which the passage (188) in the cover piece (14) is open to permit the insertion and extraction of the at least one laboratory animal through the passage (188).

Abstract: A method and system using a computer for presenting vehicles for sale at an electronic auction. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing validated data regarding a specific vehicle that is to be presented for sale at the electronic auction. The accuracy of the data can be validated by comparing initial data regarding the vehicle provided by the seller with corresponding reference data to produce the validated data. The method can also include determining a first valuation for the vehicle by mapping the validated data to itemized valuation data.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use, for example, in agricultural machines where the roller assembly has an exterior surface portion adapted to contact a conveyor element supporting the agricultural products and a bearing sub-assembly positioned about an axle in the center of the roller assembly. The bearing sub-assembly has at least one bearing, at least one sealing element having an elastomeric sealing portion positioned outboard of the bearing and at least one standoff also positioned outboard of the bearing. The standoffs have grooves in their outer dimension adapted to receive the elastomeric sealing portion. The diameter of the standoffs are about the same as the diameter of the elastomeric sealing portion. The horizontal length of the standoffs may also be chosen so as to offset the exterior surface portion of the assembly a predetermined distance with respect to the conveyor element.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a base, at least one disc rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly rotatably attached to base. The actuator assembly also has a suspension assembly having an attached end and a free end. The suspension assembly further includes a slider attached to attached to the free end of the suspension assembly; and a transducer attached to the slider. The slider and transducer are positioned to be in transducing relation with respect to the disc. The slider and transducer are rotated through an arc over the disc. An air dam is positioned over the disc and near the arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated. The air dam is positioned so as to produce an area of high pressure substantially about an area including a portion of the arc through which the slider and transducer are rotated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel device with an ultrasonic based drill and corer. The invention uses ultrasonic and subsonic vibrations, which is produced by a frequency compensation coupler or free mass, to produce the hammering action with relatively low axial-force required. The invention can also be fitted with irrigation and aspiration capabilities. The invention is furnished with a body sensor-feedback apparatus, which provide feedback to the operator as to the optimal frequency and power use of the generator. The assembly presented also has a coolant jacket to keep the drill or coring apparatus at optimum temperature prolonging the life of the instrument and the quality of the sample. The invention can be used in numerous applications one of such notable application is on the field of orthopedics.