Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090244058 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RAY TRACING WITH BLOCK FLOATING POINT DATA - Systems and methods include high throughput and/or parallelized ray/geometric shape intersection testing using intersection testing resources accepting and operating with block floating point data. Block floating point data sacrifices precision of scene location in ways that maintain precision where more beneficial, and allow reduced precision where beneficial. In particular, rays, acceleration structures, and primitives can be represented in a variety of block floating point formats, such that storage requirements for storing such data can be reduced. Hardware accelerated intersection testing can be provided with reduced sized math units, with reduced routing requirements. A driver for hardware accelerators can maintain full-precision versions of rays and primitives to allow reduced communication requirements for high throughput intersection testing in loosely coupled systems. Embodiments also can include using BFP formatted data in programmable test cells or more general purpose processing elements. | 10-01-2009 |
20090262132 | ARCHITECTURES FOR PARALLELIZED INTERSECTION TESTING AND SHADING FOR RAY-TRACING RENDERING - Ray tracing scenes is accomplished using a plurality of intersection testing resources coupled with a plurality of shading resources, communicative in the aggregate through links/queues. A queue from testing to shading comprises respective ray/primitive intersection indications, comprising a ray identifier. A queue from shading to testing comprises identifiers of new rays to be tested, wherein data defining the rays is separately stored in memories distributed among the intersection testing resources. Ray definition data can be retained in distributed memories until rays complete intersection testing, and be selected for testing multiple times based on ray identifier. A structure of acceleration shapes can be used. Packets of ray identifiers and shape data can be passed among the intersection testing resources, and each resource can test rays identified in the packet, and for which definition data is present in its memory. Test results for acceleration shapes are used to collect rays against acceleration shapes, and closest detection ray/primitive intersections are indicated by sending ray identifiers to shading resources. | 10-22-2009 |
20100231589 | RAY TRACING USING RAY-SPECIFIC CLIPPING - Systems, methods, and computer readable media embodying such methods provide for allowing specification of per-ray clipping information that defines a sub-portion of a 3-D scene in which the ray should be traced. The clipping information can be specified as a clip distance from a ray origin, as an end value of a parametric ray definition, or alternatively the clipping information can be built into a definition of the ray to be traced. The clipping information can be used to check whether portions of an acceleration structure need to be traversed, as well as whether primitives should be tested for intersection. Other aspects include specifying a default object that can be returned as intersected when no primitive was intersected within the sub-portion defined for testing. Further aspects include allowing provision of flags interpretable by an intersection testing resource that control what the intersection testing resource does, and/or what information it reports after conclusion of testing of a ray. | 09-16-2010 |
20110050698 | ARCHITECTURES FOR PARALLELIZED INTERSECTION TESTING AND SHADING FOR RAY-TRACING RENDERING - Ray tracing scenes is accomplished using a plurality of intersection testing resources coupled with a plurality of shading resources, communicative in the aggregate through links/queues. A queue from testing to shading comprises respective ray/primitive intersection indications, comprising a ray identifier. A queue from shading to testing comprises identifiers of new rays to be tested, wherein data defining the rays is separately stored in memories distributed among the intersection testing resources. Ray definition data can be retained in distributed memories until rays complete intersection testing, and be selected for testing multiple times based on ray identifier. A structure of acceleration shapes can be used. Packets of ray identifiers and shape data can be passed among the intersection testing resources, and each resource can test rays identified in the packet, and for which definition data is present in its memory. Test results for acceleration shapes are used to collect rays against acceleration shapes, and closest detection ray/primitive intersections are indicated by sending ray identifiers to shading resources. | 03-03-2011 |
20110267347 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRIMITIVE INTERSECTION IN RAY TRACING - Aspects include systems, methods, and media for implementing methods relating to increasing consistency of results during intersection testing. In an example, vertexes define edges of primitives composing a scene (e.g., triangles defining a mesh for a surface of an object in a 3-D scene). An edge can be shared between two primitives. Intersection testing algorithms can use tests involving edges to determine whether or not the ray intersects a primitive defined by those edges. In one approach, a precedence among the vertexes defining a particular edge is enforced for such intersection testing. The precedence causes an intersection tester to always test a given edge in the same orientation, regardless of which primitive defined (at least in part) by that edge is being intersection tested. | 11-03-2011 |
20120249553 | ARCHITECTURES FOR CONCURRENT GRAPHICS PROCESSING OPERATIONS - Ray tracing, and more generally, graphics operations taking place in a 3-D scene, involve a plurality of constituent graphics operations. Scheduling of graphics operations for concurrent execution on a computer may increase throughput. In aspects herein, constituent graphics operations are scheduled in groups, having members selected according to disclosed aspects. Processing for specific graphics operations in a group can be deferred if all the operations in the group cannot be further tested concurrently. Graphics operations that have been deferred are recombined into two or more different groups and ultimately complete processing, through a required number of iterations of such process. In one application, the performance of the graphics operations perform a search in which respective 1:1 matches between different types of geometric shapes involved in the 3-D scene are identified. For example, closest intersections between rays and scene geometry can be identified by processing scheduled according to disclosed aspects. | 10-04-2012 |
20140071123 | COMPACTING RESULTS VECTORS BETWEEN STAGES OF GRAPHICS PROCESSING - Ray tracing, and more generally, graphics operations taking place in a 3-D scene, involve a plurality of constituent graphics operations. Responsibility for executing these operations can be distributed among different sets of computation units. The sets of computation units each can execute a set of instructions on a parallelized set of input data elements and produce results. These results can be that the data elements can be categorized into different subsets, where each subset requires different processing as a next step. The data elements of these different subsets can be coalesced so that they are contiguous in a results set. The results set can be used to schedule additional computation, and if there are empty locations of a scheduling vector (after accounting for the members of a given subset), then those empty locations can be filled with other data elements that require the same further processing as that subset. | 03-13-2014 |
20150302630 | COMPACTING RESULTS VECTORS BETWEEN STAGES OF GRAPHICS PROCESSING - Ray tracing, and more generally, graphics operations taking place in a 3-D scene, involve a plurality of constituent graphics operations. Responsibility for executing these operations can be distributed among different sets of computation units. The sets of computation units each can execute a set of instructions on a parallelized set of input data elements and produce results. These results can be that the data elements can be categorized into different subsets, where each subset requires different processing as a next step. The data elements of these different subsets can be coalesced so that they are contiguous in a results set. The results set can be used to schedule additional computation, and if there are empty locations of a scheduling vector (after accounting for the members of a given subset), then those empty locations can be filled with other data elements that require the same further processing as that subset. | 10-22-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100122262 | Method and Apparatus for Dynamic Allocation of Processing Resources - A method and apparatus for dynamic allocation of processing resources and tasks, including multimedia tasks. Tasks are queued, available processing resources are identified, and the available processing resources are allocated among the tasks. The available processing resources are provided with functional programs corresponding to the tasks. The tasks are performed using the available processing resources to produce resulting data, and the resulting data is passed to an input/output device. | 05-13-2010 |
20100208826 | VARIABLE-LENGTH CODE DECODER - A method that decodes serially received MPEG variable length codes by executing instructions in parallel. The method includes an execution unit, which includes multiple pipelined functional units. The functional units execute at least two of the instructions in parallel. The instructions utilize and share general purpose registers. The general purpose registers store information used by at least two of the instructions. | 08-19-2010 |
20110283293 | Method and Apparatus for Dynamic Allocation of Processing Resources - A method and apparatus for dynamic allocation of processing resources and tasks, including multimedia tasks. Tasks are queued, available processing resources are identified, and the available processing resources are allocated among the tasks. The available processing resources are provided with functional programs corresponding to the tasks. The tasks are performed using available processing resources to produce resulting data, and the resulting data is passed to an input/output device. | 11-17-2011 |
20120070094 | VARIABLE-LENGTH CODE DECODER - An apparatus includes at least one general purpose register and at least one special purpose register and an execution unit that executes at least two instructions in parallel, to decode variable length codes, wherein each of the instructions share use of the at least one general purpose register and the at least one special purpose register. In one example, a processor stores variable length code information among a plurality of general purpose registers and generates decoded variable length code information by decoding the at least one variable length code. The processor also stores the decoded variable length code information among the plurality of general purpose registers. | 03-22-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221586 | Curviliner spinal access method and device - A curvilinear spinal access device for performing a procedure on a spine of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a working portal configured to be advanced toward a surgical site located at the spine of the patient. The working portal includes a distal end and a proximate end, a working portal housing having an open interior channel disposed between the distal end and the proximate end, an exterior channel disposed on an outside surface of the working portal housing and between the distal end and the proximate end. The distal end is configured to be disposed at the surgical site and the proximate end is disposed away from the surgical site. The housing has a curved shape defined between the proximate end and the distal end, wherein the proximate end is disposed with respect to the distal end. The working channel is configured to allow advancement of at least one surgical tool and/or at least one implant toward the surgical site. | 09-11-2008 |
20090030463 | Occipital fixation screw - A surgical implant assembly and a method for securing a fixation rod, where the assembly is capable of being secured to a bone structure are disclosed. The assembly includes at least two rigid structures configured to be secured to the bone structure. The structures include a distal portion for receiving a portion of the fixation rod therebetween, a tab positioned at a distal point of the distal portion, a screw compression nut and a distal expansion member coupled to the screw compression nut that are driven down the rigid structures, and a rod compression nut and a proximal expansion member coupled to the rod compression nut that engage the rigid structures so that the fixation rod is disposed between the combination the screw compression nut and the distal expansion member and the combination of the rod compression nut and the proximal expansion member. | 01-29-2009 |
20090318928 | Method and Device for Inplant Deployment - A surgical implant insertion system for deployment and removal of an implant into a vertebral body. The system includes an actuation rod, an actuator handle coupled to the actuation rod, and an inserter locking tube disposed over the actuation rod and coupled to an inserter handle. Upon insertion of the implant into the vertebral body using the inserter handle, the actuator handle is turned causing the actuation rod to expand or compress the implant disposed at a distal end of the inserter locking tube. | 12-24-2009 |
20100036419 | Spinous process device and method of use - A spinous process device and method are disclosed. The device includes a first plate having a first part slidably coupled to a second part, a second plate having a third part slidably coupled to a fourth part, and first and second connector devices configured to be placed through openings created in spinous processes and rotatably couple respective first and second parts to third and fourth parts of the first and second plates together allowing angular displacement of the second plate with respect to the first plate and secure the spinous processes between the first and second plates. | 02-11-2010 |
20100076502 | Curvilinear spinal access method and device - A curvilinear spinal access device having an expandable working portal. The device includes a slide having a channel with an open top and a movable top sized to cover the open top of the channel forming an expandable working portal with a proximal end and a distal end. The movable top can be moved between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable top blocks direct visualization between the proximal end and the distal end of the expandable working portal and in the open position movement of the movable top results in direct visualization from the proximal end to the distal end of the expandable working portal. | 03-25-2010 |
20110035007 | STAND-ALONE INTERBODY FIXATION SYSTEM - A stand-alone interbody fixation system having a cage, anterior fixation blade and posterior fixation blade. The cage includes an annular side wall with an open interior and upper and lower surfaces, the cage being configured to fit between end plates of adjacent vertebrae. The anterior fixation blade includes an anterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending anterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage. The posterior fixation blade includes a posterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending posterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage. The anterior alignment boss and posterior alignment boss being rotatably coupled to each other and with a first opening and a second opening in the annular side wall opposite the first opening. The anterior and posterior fixation blades are counter-rotating blades and the anterior alignment boss and posterior alignment boss are configured to receive or engage a blade activation tool having an anterior engagement portion and a posterior engagement portion configured to rotate the anterior and posterior fixation blades from a stowed position to a deployed condition. | 02-10-2011 |
20110112586 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PORTAL FIXATION TO THE SPINE - A method and device for attaching a curvilinear access device having a movable top and an expandable working portal to the spine, the attachment including a holding arm assembly, posterior tang, anterior tang and/or a portal fixation pin. | 05-12-2011 |
20120071980 | STEERABLE SPINE IMPLANT AND SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention being disclosed are directed to a spine implant that allows for in situ adjustment or steering during implantation which allows for precise placement. The structure of the device is composed of a series of hinged link components connected by dowel or shear pins allowing for the links to rotate with respect to each other. The steering feature of the device is activated by a series of tension members connected or coupled to the links. As the tension members are placed in tension, typically by pulling the appropriate member, forces are placed on the individual links to actuate/rotate them in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. By controlling the rotation of the links, the device may be steered in the desired direction. | 03-22-2012 |
20120083887 | INTERVERTEBRAL DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE - A minimally invasive intervertebral implant includes a circuitous body defining a luminal axis extending longitudinally therethrough. The circuitous body includes proximal and distal ends oppositely disposed along a lateral axis of the circuitous body. Each of the proximal and distal ends includes an aperture disposed therethrough such that the circuitous body includes a first configuration wherein the proximal and distal ends are at a maximum separation and a second configuration wherein the proximal and distal ends are closer together than in the first configuration. | 04-05-2012 |
20120083889 | INTERVERTEBRAL DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE - An intervertebral device comprises a plurality of struts that are rotatably associated with each adjacent strut to form a modifiable inner volume V for bone graft containment. | 04-05-2012 |
20120101506 | TISSUE RETRACTOR APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE - Apparatus and methods of use for a tissue retractor having a first retractor with a first main frame with a first distal blade and a second retractor having a second main frame with a second distal blade, the first distal blade and second distal blade being configured to engage each other on opposite sides of a spinal implant creating an expandable passageway p between the first main frame and second main frame. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101533 | POLYAXIAL BONE SCREW WITH LATERAL CONNECTOR - A polyaxial screw body includes a side wall defining a lumen having a first end and a second end. An opening disposed at the first end of the lumen, includes an interior surface disposed in the side wall thereabout. The interior surface is adapted to accommodate a head portion of a pedicle screw. A transverse channel extends from a first aperture through the side wall to a second aperture and is adapted to accommodate a portion of a fixation rod therebetween. A lateral connector extending integrally from the side wall. | 04-26-2012 |
20120203281 | SEMI-RIGID SCREW ASSEMBLY - A semi-rigid head for a bone screw comprising includes a first rigid portion, a second rigid portion, and a semi-rigid portion. The first rigid portion is configured to receive a fixation rod. The second rigid portion is configured for coupling with a bone screw. The semi-rigid portion links the first rigid portion with the second rigid portion. | 08-09-2012 |
20120215229 | CURVILINEAR SPINAL ACCESS METHOD AND DEVICE - A system for performing a procedure on a spine of a patient includes a curved tissue distractor, a curved housing, and an exterior channel. The curved tissue distractor includes a first distractor ramp and a second distractor ramp. The curved housing is configured to slide between the first and second distractor ramps. The curved housing includes a distal end, a proximal end, and an interior channel disposed between the distal end and the proximate end. The exterior channel is disposed on an outside surface of the curved housing and between the distal end and the proximal end. The curved housing is configured to slide between the first and second distractor ramps to provide access through the interior channel to the spine. | 08-23-2012 |
20120253396 | SPINOUS PROCESS DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - A spinous process device and method are disclosed. The device includes a first plate having a first part slidably coupled to a second part, a second plate having a third part slidably coupled to a fourth part, and first and second connector devices configured to be placed through openings created in spinous processes and rotatably couple respective first and second parts to third and fourth parts of the first and second plates together allowing angular displacement of the second plate with respect to the first plate and secure the spinous processes between the first and second plates. | 10-04-2012 |
20130317554 | LOCKING MECHANISM FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - In an implantable medical device, a locking mechanism with enhanced frictional stabilization comprises a substantially spherical elongating spring adapted to expand from a collapsed state to an elongated state, wherein the spring volume is increased in the elongated state for increasing a frictional contact with a surrounding surface. A screw or other protruding element is inserted into the spherical elongating spring for driving the expansion thereof. Locking methods include the expansion of a spring within an aperture of a device body for increasing frictional stabilization therein. | 11-28-2013 |
20140121773 | STAND-ALONE INTERBODY FIXATION SYSTEM - A stand-alone interbody fixation system having a cage, anterior fixation blade and posterior fixation blade. The cage includes an annular side wall with an open interior and upper and lower surfaces, the cage being configured to fit between end plates of adjacent vertebrae. The anterior fixation blade includes an anterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending anterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage. The posterior fixation blade includes a posterior alignment boss with two opposing outward extending posterior blades with end plate penetrating tips configured to fit within the open interior of the cage. The anterior alignment boss and posterior alignment boss being rotatably coupled to each other and with a first opening and a second opening in the annular side wall opposite the first opening. The anterior and posterior fixation blades are counter-rotating blades and the anterior alignment boss and posterior alignment boss are configured to receive or engage a blade activation tool having an anterior engagement portion and a posterior engagement portion configured to rotate the anterior and posterior fixation blades from a stowed position to a deployed condition. | 05-01-2014 |
20140172029 | Methods and Devices for Portal Fixation to the Spine - A method and device for attaching a curvilinear access device having a movable top and an expandable working portal to the spine, the attachment including a holding arm assembly, posterior tang, anterior tang and/or a portal fixation pin. | 06-19-2014 |
20140350603 | Polyaxial Bone Screw with Lateral Connector - A polyaxial screw body includes a side wall defining a lumen having a first end and a second end. An opening disposed at the first end of the lumen, includes an interior surface disposed in the side wall thereabout. The interior surface is adapted to accommodate a head portion of a pedicle screw. A transverse channel extends from a first aperture through the side wall to a second aperture and is adapted to accommodate a portion of a fixation rod therebetween. A lateral connector extending integrally from the side wall. | 11-27-2014 |
20140371540 | Retractor - A retractor device for spearing the body tissue apart is provided. The retractor includes a housing configured to include a plurality of sections, wherein each section is configured to accommodate placement of at least one blade, a blade holding mechanism configured to secure the at least one blade within the housing, a translation mechanism configured to provide translation movement of at least one of the sections, and a rotation mechanism configured to provide rotation movement of at least one blade. | 12-18-2014 |
20150032161 | Adjustable Occipital Plate - An adjustable occipital plate includes a fixation plate, at least one lateral rod configured to be coupled to said fixation plate, at least one laterally sliding link configured to be coupled to and configured to be compressed around said at least one lateral rod to create a friction fit, and at least one rod connector coupled to said at least one laterally sliding link that is configured to receive at least one posterior cervical rod. | 01-29-2015 |