40results about How to "Maintaining access" patented technology

The present invention encompasses tools and a tool-holding retractor assembly. The retractor assembly spreads an incision and holds the incision open. At least one extension device, having a tool holder on one end, attaches to the assembly. The holder includes a selectively locking multi-axis adjustable mounting element adapted to grip a tool shaft. The mounting element acts as a universal mounting providing rotational and sliding movement of the tool shaft. The extension device adjusts to position the tool holder peripherally of the surgical field. Once the retractor is placed, the extension device provides full access to regions below the incision. The extension device allows the surgeon to chose the insertion point and insertion angle of the tool shaft.

A pressure-equalizing vial access device and method providing closed and sealed reconstitution of vial contents. A rigid container with a fixed internal volume is connected with a vent lumen extending into the vial. As pressure in the vial increases, the pressure is equalized with atmospheric pressure by varying the volume of a compartment within the rigid container. The compartment is formed with a volume control device that automatically varies the volume of the compartment in the rigid container to accommodate and equalize the pressure in the vial by increasing or decreasing the volume of the compartment. In one case the volume control device comprises a sliding disk and in another, a bladder that compresses with an increase in volume in the container and expands with a decrease.

A security system and method is provided. An embodiment includes a security access device that includes a first transmitter for transmitting authentication to a computer and a second transmitter for transmitting verification information to a computer. The first transmitter is typically active and consumes power from the access device, while the second transmitter is typically passive, and consumes less or nil power from the access device. When the security access device is initially brought proximal to the computer and activated, the authentication information is sent to the computer and the user is logged in. Periodically, the computer will query the passive transmitter for verification information, to ensure that the security access device is still proximal to the computer.

A method for data distribution, including distributing logical addresses among an initial set of devices so as provide balanced access, and transferring the data to the devices in accordance with the logical addresses. If a device is added to the initial set, forming an extended set, the logical addresses are redistributed among the extended set so as to cause some logical addresses to be transferred from the devices in the initial set to the additional device. There is substantially no transfer of the logical addresses among the initial set. If a surplus device is removed from the initial set, forming a depleted set, the logical addresses of the surplus device are redistributed among the depleted set. There is substantially no transfer of the logical addresses among the depleted set. In both cases the balanced access is maintained.

A storage system includes a RAID adapter, disk array switches, sub-processors, and hard disk drives (HDDs). A disk-related operation is initiated in the RAID adapter. The RAID adapter dispatches a command to a disk array processor (or sub-processor) in an enclosure for the processor to perform the operation on one or more drives. The adapter may dispatch the command to a processor in a single enclosure through a disk array switch or to processors in multiple enclosures through switches in the upstream enclosures. The adapter is then free to perform other functions. The processor commences the specified operation on one or more selected drives, either sequentially one at a time or sequentially more than one (or all) at a time. Upon completion of the operation, the results are transmitted by the processor and received by the adapter. Thus, by offloading the task to the distributed sub-processors, the burden on the RAID adapter is significantly reduced, system bandwidth usage is reduced, and access to other drives within the enclosure (as well as within other enclosures) may be maintained. Tasks which may be offloaded in such a manner include, but are not limited to, drive firmware updating, drive scrubbing and secure data erasure.

A drilling operation suspension spool system which operates to provide a dual sealing barrier for a well during suspension of drilling operations. The system includes a spool having a spool adapted to be secured in fixed relation to a wellhead and a dummy hanger adapted to be matedly inserted into the spool. The dummy hanger includes an annular sleeve and a removable axial plug disposed within the annular sleeve insert. A plurality of extendable and retractable locking pins secure the dummy hanger in place.

The system includes pedicle screws anchored to multiple vertebra, at least one of which needs to be de-rotated about a central spine axis relative to adjacent vertebrae. Elongate posts are attached to the pedicle screws and extend away from the pedicle screws. A holder, such as in the form of multiple clamps and bars and a de-rotation rod, hold the posts together after de-rotation of a mis-rotated vertebra. A coupling joint secures the posts to a table upon which a spine surgery patient is resting. With the vertebra held where desired, a spine rod can then be attached to heads of the pedicle screws to hold the vertebrae in their desired positions. After spine rod attachment, to the pedicle screws, other portions of the system can then be removed. The pedicle screws and spine rods remain implanted to hold the vertebrae in their de-rotated positions.

The present invention provides method and apparatus that may be patient mounted for surgical retraction. The retractor disclosed herein may be positioned with a base plate resting against the patient's skin surface. In one embodiment, retractor blades extending into the patient's body from the base plate of the retractor device may be adapted to be inserted in a closed position for minimally invasive access, and adapted to be moved away from each other in a controlled fashion to create the desired surgical retraction of soft tissue. Because the blades are inserted in a closed position, the skin incision is small compared to the available exposure of nerves and delicate tissue.

A tubing head adapter which operates to provide a supplemental sealing barrier for a tubing head while maintaining access to the interior of the tubing head. The adapter includes an annular body adapted to be secured in fixed relation to the tubing head and a dummy hanger adapted to be matedly inserted into the annular body. The dummy hanger includes an annular sleeve insert and a removable axial plug disposed within the annular sleeve insert. A plurality of extendable and retractable locking pins secure the dummy hanger in place.

In a mechanism to select an access layer termination node for a communication connection of a user terminal in a multi-access network, a connection parameter list is transmitted in a mobile IP registration procedure from a mobility layer network portion to a user terminal. The connection parameter list comprises prioritized information on connection parameters of an access layer. The prioritized information is then used for selecting an access layer network portion when establishing a connection between the user terminal and a network comprising the access layer network portion.

The system includes multiple pedicle screws anchored to multiple vertebra, at least one of which needs to be de-rotated about a central spine axis relative to adjacent vertebrae. Elongate posts are attached to the pedicle screws and extend away from the pedicle screws. A holder, such as in the form of multiple clamps and bars and a de-rotation rod, hold the posts together after de-rotation of a mis-rotated vertebra. With the vertebra held where desired, a spine rod can then be attached to heads of the pedicle screws to hold the vertebrae in their desired positions. After spine rod attachment, the posts and associated portions of the system other than the pedicle screws and spine rods can then be removed, with the pedicle screws and spine rods typically remaining implanted to hold the vertebrae in their desired and de-rotated positions.

A turbine blade has a trailing end and a leading end and a tip. A gutter is formed in the tip and extends to an exit defined in a region of the trailing end of the blade. The gutter is defined at least in part by a floor, and the floor defines a decreased depth in a region proximal to the exit than in a region distal to the exit.

Systems and methods are presented to allow or prohibit any or all services between a network and a node in the network based upon the geographic location and rate of travel of the node. One exemplary application is for the prevention of texting while driving. For example, in FIG. 1: Typical Wireless Communications Network, the location and rate of travel of the mobile station, (MS), 140, can be determined from the use of Global Positioning System, (GPS), information received by the MS, (140), and transmitted to the network. The MS, (140), may have any or all of its subscriber services enabled or disabled by the network based upon the speed that the MS, (140), is traveling and/or its geographical location. Other methods are possible to determine the location and rate of travel of a mobile station as well. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, it is possible for a mobile wireless network to determine the location and speed of an MS. The preferred exemplary embodiment will disallow the operation of features like text messaging or speaking on the mobile phone, when an individual is driving over a range of predetermined speeds. Additionally, this embodiment would disallow the operation of similar features in specific locations, like schools, and jails. In this embodiment it is also possible to allow any MS to access predetermined destinations for emergencies, like 911, at any time. This embodiment also allows services at otherwise forbidden speeds and/or locations to specific MSs or end-users. In this way public safety officials are not restricted and “hotspot” service can be offered on buses or trains. This enhancement to the network would permit more fine-grained control over where and when services can be allowed.

A highly effective and regenerable method, system and device that enables the desulfurization of warm fuel gases by passing these warm gasses over metal-based sorbents arranged in a mesoporous substrate. This technology will protect Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts and other sulfur sensitive catalysts, without drastic cooling of the fuel gases. This invention can be utilized in a process either alone or alongside other separation processes, and allows the total sulfur in such a gas to be reduced to less than 500 ppb and in some instances as low as 50 ppb.

A swing-away hitch adapter system couples a vehicle hitch mounted device of a vehicle while maintaining the ability of the user to access the rear storage of the vehicle. The swing-away hitch adapter has a receiver insert, a base-member, a secondary-member, a hitch receiver, a hinge-pin, a swing-limiting pin, a restraining-pin, and a return limiting pin. Additional embodiments of a swing-away hitch adapter system may further include a wiring harness extension, a plug adapter, a handle attached to the secondary-member, a handle attached to the restraining-pin, and a wire attached to the restraining-pin. The swing-away hitch adapter system, in a folded condition, is ready for transportation of the vehicle. When in a swing-away condition, the swing-away hitch adapter system allows access to the rear entry of the vehicle.

A head positioning aid (100) includes positioning members (102) secured to a headwear member (110). The positioning members maintain an infant's head in midline. At least one strap (120) on the headwear member secures the head positioning aid to an infant's head. Optional securing devices (200) secure and orient tubing (172, 174) for CPAP and nasal cannulas to the headwear member.