Abstract: A system is provided for the approximation of two bones. The system may include an implant having a first anchor, a flexible segment, and a second anchor. The first anchor may be configured for insertion into a first bone. The second anchor may be configured to engage with a second bone. The flexible segment may extend between the first and second anchors. The system may include a delivery device which may include a removable driver configured to facilitate insertion of the first anchor into the first bone, and a first handle configured to engage the removeable driver. The delivery device may include a second handle configured to increase tension on the flexible segment. The delivery device may include a third handle configured to engage the second anchor with the second bone and to attach the flexible segment to the second anchor.

Abstract: An implant for placing a first bone anchor within a first bone. The first bone anchor may include an outer body including an outer surface configured to engage the first bone, an opening configured to pass a suture therethrough, and an inner channel. The first bone anchor may include a resilient element being deformable between a first and second state. The first bone anchor may include a suture coupler disposed within the inner channel, configured to couple to the suture and engage to the resilient element such that a force on the suture coupler in a proximal direction results in deformation of the resilient element to the second state and proximal translation of the suture coupler in relation to the outer body and a release of the force results in a return of the resilient element to the first state and distal translation of the suture coupler.

Abstract: An example method is provided for maintaining stability to an injury defined by a separation of two bones (e.g., the tibia and fibula), the separation being an injured distance greater than a pre-injury distance between the two bones in a first human patient. The method may include delivering a first apparatus for approximation of the two bones in the first human patient comprising the injury, the first apparatus including a flexible segment disposed between a first anchor and a second anchor. The method may further include maintaining, by the first apparatus, a restored distance between the two bones in the first human patient after a repetitive dynamic loading, the restored distance approximately equal to the pre-injury distance.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus may be attached to first and second anatomical structure segments. Images of the fixation apparatus and the attached anatomical structure segments may then be captured. In some examples, the images need not necessarily be orthogonal with respect to one another. Configuration information associated with the fixation apparatus may then be received. Additionally, first image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of one or more elements of the fixation apparatus. Additionally, second image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of the first and the second anatomical structure segments. Manipulations to the fixation apparatus for correction of the anatomical structure deformity may then be determined, and indications of the determined manipulations may then be provided to one or more users.

Abstract: An example method is provided for maintaining stability to an injury defined by a separation of two bones (e.g., the tibia and fibula), the separation being an injured distance greater than a pre-injury distance between the two bones in a first human patient. The method may include delivering a first apparatus for approximation of the two bones in the first human patient comprising the injury, the first apparatus including a flexible segment disposed between a first anchor and a second anchor. The method may further include maintaining, by the first apparatus, a restored distance between the two bones in the first human patient after a repetitive dynamic loading, the restored distance approximately equal to the pre-injury distance.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus may be attached to first and second anatomical structure segments. Images of the fixation apparatus and the attached anatomical structure segments may then be captured. In some examples, the images need not necessarily be orthogonal with respect to one another. Configuration information associated with the fixation apparatus may then be received. Additionally, first image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of one or more elements of the fixation apparatus. Additionally, second image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of the first and the second anatomical structure segments. Manipulations to the fixation apparatus for correction of the anatomical structure deformity may then be determined, and indications of the determined manipulations may then be provided to one or more users.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining a speed of a belt moving along a transport axis in conveyor oven tunnel. The method includes providing a sensor module, capturing signals, processing the signals, and outputting least one speed estimate. The sensor module is disposed upon the moving belt. The sensor module includes a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor. The optical sensors are spaced apart by a distance D along the transport axis. Capturing signals includes capturing first and second signals from the first and second sensors respectively as they are transported along the belt and within the oven tunnel. Processing the signals includes determining a delay ?T between the signals. The speed estimate is based upon D divided by ?T.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus may be attached to first and second anatomical structure segments. Images of the fixation apparatus and the attached anatomical structure segments may then be captured. In some examples, the images need not necessarily be orthogonal with respect to one another. Configuration information associated with the fixation apparatus may then be received. Additionally, first image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of one or more elements of the fixation apparatus. Additionally, second image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of the first and the second anatomical structure segments. Manipulations to the fixation apparatus for correction of the anatomical structure deformity may then be determined, and indications of the determined manipulations may then be provided to one or more users.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus may be attached to first and second anatomical structure segments. Images of the fixation apparatus and the attached anatomical structure segments may then be captured. In some examples, the images need not necessarily be orthogonal with respect to one another. Configuration information associated with the fixation apparatus may then be received. Additionally, first image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of one or more elements of the fixation apparatus. Additionally, second image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of the first and the second anatomical structure segments. Manipulations to the fixation apparatus for correction of the anatomical structure deformity may then be determined, and indications of the determined manipulations may then be provided to one or more users.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining a speed of a belt moving along a transport axis in conveyor oven tunnel. The method includes providing a sensor module, capturing signals, processing the signals, and outputting least one speed estimate. The sensor module is disposed upon the moving belt. The sensor module includes a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor. The optical sensors are spaced apart by a distance D along the transport axis. Capturing signals includes capturing first and second signals from the first and second sensors respectively as they are transported along the belt and within the oven tunnel. Processing the signals includes determining a delay ?T between the signals. The speed estimate is based upon D divided by ?T.

Abstract: An instrument to produce ionizing radiation includes a high voltage source of charge and ionizing radiation; a housing filled with insulating gas and containing the high voltage source; an insulator to which the high voltage source is mounted so that the source is spaced from the housing; one or more collector electrodes arranged in the housing such that the high voltage source preferentially discharges to the collector electrode(s); a control system which determines a level of ionization of the insulating gas through the amount of discharge to the collector electrode(s); and/or discharge rate limiting means controllable by the control system to deionize the insulating fluid at a controlled discharge rate and thereby maintain the maximum rate of discharge below a predetermined current. In this way, breakdown events can be inhibited.

Abstract: A fixation apparatus may be attached to first and second anatomical structure segments. Images of the fixation apparatus and the attached anatomical structure segments may then be captured. In some examples, the images need not necessarily be orthogonal with respect to one another. Configuration information associated with the fixation apparatus may then be received. Additionally, first image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of one or more elements of the fixation apparatus. Additionally, second image information may be received, for example including indications of one or more locations, within the images, of at least part of the first and the second anatomical structure segments. Manipulations to the fixation apparatus for correction of the anatomical structure deformity may then be determined, and indications of the determined manipulations may then be provided to one or more users.

Abstract: An instrument is provided which produces ionizing radiation. The instrument includes a high voltage source of charge and ionizing radiation. The instrument further includes a housing filled with insulating gas and containing the high voltage source. The instrument further includes an insulator to which the high voltage source is mounted so that the source is spaced from the housing. The instrument further includes one or more collector electrodes arranged in the housing such that the high voltage source preferentially discharges to the collector electrode(s). The instrument further includes a control system which determines a level of ionization of the insulating gas through the amount of discharge to the collector electrode(s). The instrument further includes discharge rate limiting means controllable by the control system to deionize the insulating fluid at a controlled discharge rate and thereby maintain the maximum rate of discharge below a predetermined current.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method of cutting a sheet of feed stock comprising: positioning a cutting mechanism having a cutting line positioned between a first conveyor roller and a second conveyor roller; advancing the feed stock to align the feed stock into position over the cutting line; lowering the cutting blade to cut through the feed stock, traversing the cutting blade through the feed stock to cut the feed stock into sheets of a desired length.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a sheet of flexible material to a cylindrical body is disclosed. The apparatus includes an applier frame segment movably mounted on a supporting frame member, a servo arm rotatably connected to said applier frame segment for retracting and extending said applier frame segment towards and away from cylindrical body. The invention provides in a second aspect a method of applying a sheet of elastomer to a cylindrical body comprising the steps of: providing an applier frame movably mounted to a frame assembly, providing the sheet of elastomer to the applier frame, pivoting the applier frame upwards and moving the applier frame towards the cylindrical body, locating the applier frame in an inclined position adjacent the cylindrical body, applying the sheet of elastomer to the cylindrical body, and then retracting the applier frame to its starting position.