Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090157470 | METHODS FOR FACILITATING CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES - A method of facilitating the maintenance of an address list of each of a plurality of mailers wherein master address information based on current address list information received from each of the mailers is maintained, and wherein the mailers are automatically notified of address changes based on change of address information for a plurality of movers provided. Also, a method of facilitating the maintenance of an address list of each of a plurality of mailers in response to a change of address request being provided to a postal service by a mover that specifies a new address for the mover. Finally, a method of assisting a party to notify selected payees of one or more changes in contact related information for the party that is provided in conjunction with an electronic bill payment system through which a party makes payments to the payees. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157821 | SYSTEM AND METHODS TO DETERMINE A RECIPIENT FOR AMBIGUOUSLY ADDRESSED MAIL - According to some embodiments a system and a method are provided to determine a correct mail recipient are disclosed. The method comprises receiving an incorrectly addressed mail piece from a sender, scanning the mail piece, analyzing the scanned mail piece to produce analysis results, determining a correct address for the mail piece based at least in part on the analysis results, printing a correctly addressed label based on the determination, adhering the correctly addressed label to the mail piece, sending the mail piece comprising the correctly addressed label to a mail recipient, and transmitting a notification of the correct address to the sender. | 06-18-2009 |
20090210341 | METHOD OF POSTAL PAYMENT FOR SET OF CUSTOMIZED POSTAGE - A method of paying for postage stamps, that involves the generation of a plurality of postage stamps, wherein each of the stamps has a unique identification code; and the debiting of an account for the generation of the plurality of stamps when a carrier processes one of the plurality of stamps. | 08-20-2009 |
20100138321 | METHOD OF POSTAL FRAUD DETECTION FOR STAMPS ACTIVATED AT POINT OF SALE - A method of paying for postage stamps, that involves offering a postage stamp for sale by a distributor to a consumer, wherein the stamp has a unique identification code and is initially inactive; distributing the postage stamp to the consumer; activating the stamp for use; and accounting with the distributor for postage associated with the stamp after the stamp has been distributed to the consumer. | 06-03-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120271365 | ROD REDUCER APPARATUS FOR SPINAL CORRECTIVE SURGERY - Spinal rod reduction apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided. In various examples, a rod reduction apparatus includes a first threaded member ( | 10-25-2012 |
20140222074 | BONE SUPPORT APPARATUS - A bone support apparatus includes a first bone connector with a first bone cradle insert configured to contact a patient's bone and constructed of a resilient material, a second bone connector configured to contact a patient's bone, and an adjustable rod assembly having a first end connected to the first bone connector and a second end connected to the second bone connector. The adjustable rod assembly has a first elongated member, a second elongated member, and an expansion member with a first end adjustably connected to the first elongated member and a second end adjustably connected to the second elongated member. The distance between the first bone connector and the second bone connector is adjustable by moving at least one of the first end and the second end relative to the first and second elongated member. | 08-07-2014 |
20150105831 | TIGHTENING DEVICE FOR SPINE SURGERY - A device for spinal surgery that may be used for tightening a locking cap onto at least a portion of a pedicle screw. The device may include a torque-generating body having a proximal end and an opposing distal end and a drive shaft rotatably driven by the torque-generating body. A proximal end of the drive shaft may be operatively engaged to the distal end of the torque-generating body and an opposing distal end of the drive shaft may engage at least a portion of one of the locking cap and the pedicle screw. An anti-torque device is provided that has an elongated and generally hollow member defining a longitudinal axis. The member has a proximal end and an opposing distal end, where the proximal end of the anti-torque device may be fixed from rotating relative to at least a portion of the torque-generating body and the distal end may be fixed from rotating relative to a spine rod or a pedicle screw. | 04-16-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100137913 | ADJUSTABLE ROD ASSEMBLY - An adjustable rod for spinal corrective surgery is provided that includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each having rod portions couplable to one or more bone connecting elements and expansion portions slidably moveable with respect to one another. A plurality of holes in each expansion portion are alignable with one another to choose the length of the adjustable rod and a locking element is inserted through a pair of aligned holes to couple the first and second elongate members and secure or fix the length of the expandable rod. | 06-03-2010 |
20100268284 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE FIXATION SYSTEM - A minimally invasive fixation system and method for providing access to a surgical site. The fixation system may include a holding assembly, the holding assembling preferably including a lateral implant holder which may be attached to a pedicle screw and a sleeve positioned in connection with the lateral implant holder to prevent the lateral implant holder from separating from the pedicle screw. The sleeve may further include a tissue protection portion to keep the tissue out of the surgical site. A holding sleeve may be operably connected to the holding assembly and pedicle screw and may be used to insert the pedicle screw into the body. Multiple constructs may be inserted into the body so that a portion of the holding assembly extends from the body and provides access to and visualization of the surgical site. A rod holder may also be used to insert a rod into the head of the screw. The rod may be held by the rod holder so that the rod may be angulated as the rod is inserted into the screw heads. Once the rod is positioned in the screw heads, locking caps and/or set screws may be positioned over the rod and engage the screw heads so that the position of the rod may be fixed with respect to the screws. In some embodiments, a movement mechanism may be used to move the screws relative to each other to compress and/or distract the vertebrae. | 10-21-2010 |
20130072991 | SNAP FIT ROD AND FASTENER SYSTEM - Implementations of the present disclosure provide a snap fit rod and fastener system including one or more fasteners for securing one or more rods to secure a spine or other anatomical structure. The fasteners include a fixation shaft, a clamp and a connector. The fixation shaft (for example a pedicle screw) is configured to frictionally engage a bone (vertebra) or other workpiece. The clamp has a pressure responsive portion that defines an opening configured to receive a rod. The connector is configured to connect the clamp to the fixation shaft and exert pressure on the clamp to modify the opening and secure the rod. A bias mechanism, such as a washer spring may be included to urge against the pressure responsive portion and which can be overcome by pressure on the rod for the “snap fit” effect. For additional adjustability, the clamp may be pivotally mounted on the fixation shaft. | 03-21-2013 |
20130268004 | ROD CONNECTOR - A connector for engaging two or more rods is disclosed. The connector includes a main body, at least two medial bodies and a compression mechanism. Generally, the connector provides for easy “snap-fit” lateral insertion of the rods into rod openings defined between the medial bodies and the main body. The snap-fit is achieved through a spring bias exerted by the compression mechanism. The compression mechanism may also be configured to lock the rods within the openings, such as through the use of a fastener. | 10-10-2013 |
20140330319 | Adjustable Rod Assembly - An adjustable rod for spinal corrective surgery is provided that includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each having rod portions couplable to one or more bone connecting elements and expansion portions slidably moveable with respect to one another. A plurality of holes in each expansion portion are alignable with one another to choose the length of the adjustable rod and a locking element is inserted through a pair of aligned holes to couple the first and second elongate members and secure or fix the length of the expandable rod. | 11-06-2014 |
20150134002 | Adjustable Rod Assembly - An adjustable rod for spinal corrective surgery is provided that includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each having rod portions couplable to one or more bone connecting elements and expansion portions slideably movable with respect to one another. A plurality of holes in each expansion portion are alignable with one another to choose the length of the adjustable rod and a locking element is inserted through a pair of aligned holes to couple the first and second elongate members and secure or fix the length of the expandable rod. | 05-14-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100094345 | TRANSCONNECTOR - The present invention is directed to a transconnector for joining adjacent longitudinal spinal rods. The transconnector preferably includes a bridge member and a pair of bone fixation coupling elements, the bridge member is preferably sized and configured to span a distance between the pair of bone fixation coupling elements. The bone fixation coupling elements are preferably sized and configured to engage the bridge member and sized and configured to receive one of the bone fixation elements. The bone fixation coupling elements are preferably sized and configured to engage the body portion of the bone fixation element. The bone fixation coupling elements may include a locking cap having a first set of threads for threadably engaging the bone fixation element. | 04-15-2010 |
20100121329 | TRANSLATABLE CARRIAGE FIXATION SYSTEM - Translational bone fixation assemblies, kits containing such assemblies, and methods of use are described herein. The described assemblies may be used in spinal fusion procedures in which a damaged or diseased disc (or part of a disc) is removed from between a pair of vertebrae and a spinal fusion spacer is placed between the vertebrae. The assemblies may be applied to an anterior portion of the affected vertebrae to span the affected disc space, and may be fixed to the vertebrae using bone screws. The assemblies may function to maintain the vertebrae aligned during the initial period following fixation in which fusion of the spacer to the adjacent vertebrae occurs. The assemblies may also function to share some of the axial spinal load applied to the fusion spacer to prevent extreme subsidence of the spacer into the vertebral body, such as where the patient has poor bone quality. | 05-13-2010 |
20100204733 | TRANSCONNECTOR - A transconnector for use in interconnecting a pair of longitudinal spinal rods in a spinal fixation procedure. The transconnector includes a bridge member and first and second spinal rod engaging members. The bridge member may include first and second members, wherein the first and second members are moveably associated with one another so that the distance between the first and second spinal rod engaging members can be adjusted. The first and second spinal rod engaging members include a rod receiving channel for receiving one of the spinal rods therein. The spinal rod engaging members may be articulating in, for example, the yaw and roll positions or non | 08-12-2010 |
20100324566 | DRILL-TAP-SCREW DRILL GUIDE - A surgical drill guide for use with a bone plate having fastener holes oriented at predetermined angles with respect to the plate, the surgical drill guide having at least one alignment drill guiding barrel that is aligned with the respective fastener holes in the bone plate for drilling the holes at the desired range of angles permitted by the plate hole. | 12-23-2010 |
20110137344 | BONE PLATE WITH CAPTIVE CLIPS - A fixation system includes a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a central longitudinal axis, at least one fixation hole extending between the top and bottom surfaces and comprising an undercut therein, and at least one passage intersecting one of the undercuts. At least one resilient clip is disposed in at least a portion of the undercut, with the at least one clip having a pair of generally parallel sides and an end tab. At least one fastener is provided and comprises a head and a threaded shaft, with the head comprising a perimetral groove extending around at least a portion thereof and an instrument receiving portion. The at least one clip is configured and dimensioned to seat in the undercut with the end tab extending within the passage, and the at least one fastener is configured and dimensioned to be received in the at least one fixation hole and securable therein when the at least one clip abuts the perimetral groove of the head. | 06-09-2011 |
20120065682 | BONE PLATE WITH CAPTIVE CLIPS - A fixation system includes a plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a central longitudinal axis, at least one fixation hole extending between the top and bottom surfaces and comprising an undercut therein, and at least one passage intersecting one of the undercuts. At least one resilient clip is disposed in at least a portion of the undercut, with the at least one clip having a pair of generally parallel sides and an end tab. At least one fastener is provided and comprises a head and a threaded shaft, with the head comprising a perimetral groove extending around at least a portion thereof and an instrument receiving portion. The at least one clip is configured and dimensioned to seat in the undercut with the end tab extending within the passage, and the at least one fastener is configured and dimensioned to be received in the at least one fixation hole and securable therein when the at least one clip abuts the perimetral groove of the head. | 03-15-2012 |
20130006306 | TRANSCONNECTOR - A transconnector for joining adjacent longitudinal spinal rods. The transconnector preferably includes a bridge member and a pair of bone fixation coupling elements, the bridge member is preferably sized and configured to span a distance between the pair of bone fixation coupling elements. The bone fixation coupling elements are preferably sized and configured to engage the bridge member and sized and configured to receive one of the bone fixation elements. The bone fixation coupling elements are preferably sized and configured to engage the body portion of the bone fixation element. The bone fixation coupling elements may include a locking cap having a first set of threads for threadably engaging the bone fixation element. | 01-03-2013 |
20130253586 | Transconnector - A transconnector for use in interconnecting a pair of longitudinal spinal rods in a spinal fixation procedure. The transconnector includes a bridge member and first and second spinal rod engaging members. The bridge member may include first and second members, wherein the first and second members are moveably associated with one another so that the distance between the first and second spinal rod engaging members can be adjusted. The first and second spinal rod engaging members include a rod receiving channel for receiving one of the spinal rods therein. The spinal rod engaging members may be articulating in, for example, the yaw and roll positions or non-articulating with respect to the bridge members. The spinal rod engaging members preferably include a spring, for example, a spring washer, to provide an opposing force so that the spinal rod engaging members can provisionally snap onto the spinal rods. | 09-26-2013 |
20140135854 | REDUCTION SLEEVE - A reduction sleeve for facilitating insertion of a spinal rod into a rod-receiving channel formed in a bone fixation element. The reduction sleeve may include a through-bore sized and configured to receive the bone fixation element and a substantially transverse channel sized and configured to receive the spinal rod. The channel being substantially aligned with the rod-receiving channel formed in the bone fixation element so that, once the bone fixation element has been inserted into the reduction sleeve, the spinal rod can pass through the aligned channels. The reduction sleeve may also include at least one break-off point or region for facilitating breaking and removal of the reduction sleeve once the spinal rod has been clamped into the rod-receiving channel of the bone fixation element. The reduction sleeve may also include a plurality of threads formed thereon for engaging a reduction instrument, an alignment mechanism so that the bone fixation element can only be inserted into the reduction sleeve when the rod-receiving channels are aligned, and an inwardly projecting protrusion formed on the inner surface of the reduction sleeve so that, once inserted, the projection contacts a top surface formed on the bone fixation element. | 05-15-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120144461 | MOBILE PIN PAD - A system is configured to: receive an authentication request for a transaction from a web server; identify a phone number of the mobile device based on identifying information of the user in the authentication request and the user information, transmit a message to the mobile device based on the phone number, receive a message response from the mobile device, determine whether the mobile device provided a mobile pin pad authentication for the user based on the message response, and transmit a success authentication response to the web server when the mobile device provided the mobile pin pad authentication for the user. | 06-07-2012 |
20130055362 | AUTHENTICATING VIA MOBILE DEVICE - A first server device is configured to receive an authentication request from a second server device; add the authentication request to a queue associated with a user; and provide a representation of the queue to a mobile device of the user. The representation of the queue includes an entry for the authentication request. The first server device is further configured to receive, from the mobile device, authentication information, provided by the user, for the authentication request; determine that authentication, of the user, for the authentication request is successful based on the authentication information; generate an authentication response that indicates that the authentication, of the user, for the authentication request is successful; and transmit, by the first server device, the authentication response to the second server device. | 02-28-2013 |
20140033273 | AUTOMATING CALLS BETWEEN SEPARATE AND DISTINCT APPLICATIONS FOR INVOKING AN IDENTITY VERIFICATION FUNCTION - A method, software and system allows for the novel and seamless integration between disparate hardware and software systems to facilitate strong authentication and identity assertion of an individual as an integral component of transaction processing. The method, software and system can combine quick response (QR) code(s) with more custom mobile device uniform resource locator (URL) scheme(s) to seamlessly invoke mobile application(s) that enable an end user to perform strong, multi-factor authentication as a component of completing a transaction. The use of mobile application(s) can simplify and automate the conveyance of transaction details between computing platforms and devices to allow a user to fully participate in a transaction approval process with a simplified, convenient experience. | 01-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090044719 | TROLLEY ASSEMBLY WITH NON-ROTATABLE AXLE - A trolley assembly for a conveyor includes a wheel assembly and a trolley arm. The wheel assembly includes a wheel that is rotatably mounted to an axle, with the axle extending along an axis of rotation of the wheel and comprising a mounting portion that is non-rotatably mounted to or at least partially received in the trolley arm. The mounting portion of the axle may be inserted into a passageway and at least partially expanded to limit retraction of the axle from the passageway, or a fastener or other retaining means may secure the axle at least partially within a passageway of the trolley arm. The mounting portion of the axle may comprise a non-cylindrical mounting portion that is received in a non-cylindrical-shaped passageway of the trolley arm. | 02-19-2009 |
20090260953 | CONVEYOR SLIDE PLATE WITH RESERVOIR - A conveyor slide plate for movably supporting a support element along a track or rail of a material handling system includes a body portion configured to be received at the track or rail and to move along the track or rail when driven by a chain of the material handling system. The body portion of the slide plate includes at least one reservoir formed in an upper surface of the body portion. The reservoir is configured to receive lubricating fluid therein, and is configured to direct the flow of the lubricating fluid toward a sliding interface between the body portion of the slide plate and the track or rail, such as to at least one perimeter region of the body portion of the slide plate. | 10-22-2009 |
20120160126 | ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT TROLLEY ASSEMBLY - A trolley assembly for a conveyor system includes a pair of trolley arms having wheels for rolling engagement with a track or rail of the conveyor system. A trolley attachment is adjustably mounted to the trolley arms and adjusted relative to the trolley arms to adjust a position of the trolley attachment relative to the wheels. The trolley attachment is positionable at a selected one of a plurality of vertical positions relative to the trolley arms and the trolley attachment is retained at the selected one of the plurality of vertical positions by engagement of the trolley attachment with the trolley arms. The engaging elements of the trolley arms or attachment may comprise projections, and the engaging elements of the other of the trolley arms or attachment may comprise recesses, with the recesses receiving the projections when the trolley attachment is positioned between the inner surfaces of the trolley arms. | 06-28-2012 |
20120267411 | COMBINATION BACKPACK AND CLOTHING HOLDER - A combination backpack and clothing holder allows for the organized storage and drying of individual clothing articles. The clothing holder is configurable between a stored state in which it is folded compactly when not in use, and a use state in which the clothing holder portion is unfolded or opened or deployed to store articles of clothing and to promote drying and access to the clothing articles. Optionally, the clothing holder portion may be generally in the shape of a body, including hand/arm portions and leg/foot portions, which facilitate organizing of clothing articles into corresponding compartments of the clothing holder according to how the articles are normally worn. Optionally, the clothing holder may be configured in a stored-use or transport state in which the articles are securely stored in a folded configuration while a backpack portion of the combination backpack and clothing holder is being worn. | 10-25-2012 |
20140261867 | LNG DISPENSER - A method is provided for verifying integrity of a recirculation valve in a recirculation line of an LNG dispenser. The method includes: closing the recirculation valve and a fill valve in a supply line that supplies LNG; monitoring a mass of the LNG flowing through the recirculation line to ensure that the mass flowing therethrough is less than an acceptable threshold; and aborting any pending sales if the mass of the LNG flowing therethrough is not less than the acceptable threshold. According to another embodiment, a method is provided for verifying integrity of a vent valve in an LNG dispenser. The method includes: closing the vent valve and opening a fill valve in a supply line that supplies LNG; monitoring the pressure of the LNG within the fill hose to ensure that the pressure remains steady; and aborting any pending sales if the pressure does not remain steady. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261882 | FUEL DISPENSERS - Fuel dispensers are provided that include a controller that controls sales transactions, The controller allows a user to dispense more than one fuel type in a single sales transaction. The types of fuel may include various combinations and subcombinations of liquid natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), gasoline, diesel fuel, and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). A display on the dispensers may be used to display training images. The dispensers may use a novel communication protocol for communicating with a control console of a fuel farm. | 09-18-2014 |
20140263420 | CNG DISPENSER - According to one embodiment, a CNG dispenser is provided that includes a user-actuatable button for allowing selection of a pressure to which to fill a vehicle tank with CNG, and a controller for opening a high pressure fill valve to dispense high pressure CNG into the vehicle tank while monitoring the pressure of the vehicle tank until the pressure reaches the user-selected pressure. According to another embodiment, the controller is operable in a selected one of two modes of operation. The two modes of operation include a one-pressure bank operation mode in which only the input of a high pressure fill valve is coupled to a CNG supply line, and a three-pressure bank operation mode in which the inputs of each of three fill valves are coupled to respective CNG supply lines. A graphic fuel gage may be provided on the dispenser payment terminal screen. | 09-18-2014 |