Abstract: A surgical drill bit and retrograde reamer bit perform antegrade and retrograde drilling of a stepped diameter surgical tunnel employing a detachable reamer bit of a different diameter than the entry (antegrade) bit. The entry drill bit employs a cannulated shaft having a bore adapted to receive a guidewire and fluted cutting edges on an outer circumference of the shaft to define the surgical tunnel. A transverse receptacle across a diameter of the shaft extends substantially orthogonal to an axis of the bore is adapted to receive a reamer bit having a wider diameter for antegrade drilling the larger of the stepped diameters by withdrawing the reamer bit in the opposed direction from entry. The transverse receptacle is shaped for receiving the reamer bit and is adapted to secure the bit for retrograde cutting by intersecting with the bore for securing the reamer bit via engagement of a guidewire.

Abstract: A laser optical fiber storage device (10,100) for temporarily storing a free end (12a) of an elongated flexible laser optical fiber (12). A storage housing (14,114) with an open end (116) has an elongated flexible tube (28,128) disposed therein to receive the elongated flexible laser optical fiber so as to prevent laser light from escaping the storage housing. A restrictor (32, 117a, 117b) within the storage housing reduces the inner diameter of the elongated flexible tube. Further, a laser optical fiber storage device (40,100) for temporarily storing a free end (12a) of an elongated flexible laser optical fiber (12) is provided with a clamp (42,123). The storage housing (41,114) has an open end (41a, 116) and an elongated flexible tube (28,128) disposed within the storage housing to receive the elongated flexible laser optical fiber so as to prevent laser light from escaping the storage housing. A laser fiber clamp (42,123) is mounted to the open end to secure the laser optical fiber.

Abstract: A laser optical fiber storage device (10,100) for temporarily storing a free end (12a) of an elongated flexible laser optical fiber (12). A storage housing (14,114) with an open end (116) has an elongated flexible tube (28,128) disposed therein to receive the elongated flexible laser optical fiber so as to prevent laser light from escaping the storage housing. A restrictor (32, 117a, 117b) within the storage housing reduces the inner diameter of the elongated flexible tube. Further, a laser optical fiber storage device (40,100) for temporarily storing a free end (12a) of an elongated flexible laser optical fiber (12) is provided with a clamp (42,123). The storage housing (41,114) has an open end (41a, 116) and an elongated flexible tube (28,128) disposed within the storage housing to receive the elongated flexible laser optical fiber so as to prevent laser light from escaping the storage housing. A laser fiber clamp (42,123) is mounted to the open end to secure the laser optical fiber.

Abstract: One or more gateways (107 and 108) as serve to interconnect the discrete call facilitation platforms (403 and 404) of a given communication network with an external communication network (109) as provided with the routing addresses of such discrete call facilitation platforms. The discrete call facilitation platforms, however, are not provisioned in a reciprocal fashion. Instead, the discrete call facilitation platforms are only provided with a subset of available gateway addresses. In a preferred approach, this is accompanied by less-than-fully-meshed connectivity between the gateways and the discrete call facilitation platforms.

Abstract: These teachings facilitate interaction between two or more communication networks (10 and 11) comprising separate and discrete communication system peers. At least one of these networks is functionally partitioned with respect to interrogation and call signaling procedures over a plurality of geographic service areas (14, 15, and 16). Gateways (12 and 13) permit interaction between these networks, wherein at least some of the gateways provide functionally partitioned interrogation and call signaling procedures for some, but not all, of the plurality of geographic service areas. Upon receiving (32) a call routing message from a source from a remote communication network, which message identifies a target communication unit that is currently serviced by the first communication network, such a gateway can process (33) that call routing message as a function, at least in part, of a home geographic service area and a serving geographic area as corresponds to the target communication unit.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically routing a message between communication units in a network sends a first message (116) to a first server (106). A redirect message (118) is responsively received from the first server (106). The redirect message (118) comprises identification of a destination server (112) associated with a destination communication unit (119) and a target range. The target range includes a plurality of communication units associated with the destination server (112).

Abstract: A dispatch call setup method selects (101) either a forced dispatch call (105) or an invite dispatch call (103). The originating unit (20) of the dispatch call may select either option. Depending on how the required target users (30, 40) respond, the originating terminal has the option to complete the call (119). The terminating unit may accept, reject or convert the forced dispatch call (127). Further, the target may establish preset preferences which accept, reject or allow user controls for an invite dispatch call (139).

Abstract: A third generation (3G) gateway (30) provides the facilities for extending a number of internet protocols (40, 64, 74, 83, 100, 110, 120 and 130) between a second generation (2G) network and a 3G network. The various messages of a session initiation protocol (SIP) are extended to provide user identification and server identification subfields (42). The SIP message extensions facilitate the communication of 2G and 3G networks for the purposes of implementing push-to-talk and dispatch service features.

Abstract: For a network server (35) communicating with a wireless unit (10) via a Session Initiation Protocol, a retransmission method (50) first sets a timer based upon a time likely for a mobile unit to respond (54). Then the network server waits for a response (56). When the timer set for the kind of mobile unit being used expires (64), a retransmit of the original SIP request takes place (68). Optionally, modes for waiting may include a linear mode (72) and an exponential mode (74).

Abstract: A third generation (3G) gateway (30) provides the facilities for extending a number of internet protocols (40, 64, 74, 83, 100, 110, 120 and 130) between a second generation (2G) network and a 3G network. The various messages of a session initiation protocol (SIP) are extended to provide user identification and server identification subfields (42). The SIP message extensions facilitate the communication of 2G and 3G networks for the purposes of implementing push-to-talk and dispatch service features.

Abstract: Transcoding needs and selection are performed by a central call control function (17, 35). Each transcoder (18, 23, 34, 36) registers with the appropriate call control (17, 35). The call control then determines whether a vocoder is required at all. If vocoding is required, call control (17, 35) selects the appropriate transcoder (18, 34) and inserts the appropriate transcoder into the bearer traffic stream (16).

Abstract: A dispatch call setup method selects (101) either a forced dispatch call (105) or an invite dispatch call (103). The originating unit (20) of the dispatch call may select either option. Depending on how the required target users (30, 40) respond, the originating terminal has the option to complete the call (119). The terminating unit may accept, reject or convert the forced dispatch call (127). Further, the target may establish preset preferences which accept, reject or allow user controls for an invite dispatch call (139).

Abstract: A system is provided for changing the shape of a foresail from a spinnaker shape to a Genoa shape through the utilization of a tensioning line which runs from the head of the spinnaker shaped sail to its tack. Tensioning of this line provides that the flap of material forward of the tensioning line folds back over the leeward side of the foresail, where differential pressure across the luff created by the tensioning line sucks the loose flap of material in towards the sail, such that it lays flat against the leeward side of the sail. The reshaping permits the use of the sail to within 50 degrees of the wind, thus allowing the use of one sail for wind conditions which would normally require two or more sails.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for lower pressure distribution of gases from a higher pressure source of gas including a gas inlet and a gas outlet defining a gas path therebetween, a regulating element disposed downstream of the gas inlet remote from the gas path, including a resiliently displaceable device responsive to gas pressure and connected to a valve at the gas inlet to thereby regulate the gas pressure at the gas outlet, and to gas distribution systems employing the same.