1. A method for converting analog data to digital data, comprising the steps of:
operating an analog-to-digital data converter in a tracking mode to sample an input signal and in a convert mode to convert the sampled input signal after sampling to a digital signal; and
controlling with a controller the operation of the analog-to-digital data converter to operate in different track modes of operation by providing at least one step wherein the tracking mode of operation is controlled to initiate at a predetermined time to begin the sampling operation after a non tracking period wherein no sampling occurs and no conversion operation occurs.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the analog-to digital data converter operates under the control of a data converter clock, wherein the convert mode operates over a predetermined number of clock cycles of the data converter clock.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of controlling comprises controlling the operation of the analog-to-digital data converter in the tracking mode to sample the input signal for a predetermined amount of time prior to the beginning of the convert mode of operation.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined amount of time comprises a predetermined number of clock cycles of the data converter clock.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the beginning of the tracking mode is controlled to operate in a plurality of different initiation modes controlled by external stimuli.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein one of the stimuli comprises the step of initiating the tracking mode in response to the setting of a data bit in a register which, when read in the set state, indicates the start of the tracking mode.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the convert mode of operation is initiated at the end of the predetermined time such that setting of the data bit causes operation in the convert mode.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein one of the stimuli comprises the step of initiating the tracking mode in response to an elapse of time determined by a timer, the elapse of which indicates the start of the tracking mode.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the convert mode of operation is initiated at the end of the predetermined time such that the elapse of time is the causative effect to initiate the convert mode of operation.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein, in one of the track modes operation, the beginning of the convert mode is controlled to operate in response to receipt an external convert start signal being in a first of two states and the tracking mode is controlled to operate when the convert start signal is in the other of the two states.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the convert mode operates in accordance with a SAR data conversion algorithm.
12. A method for converting analog data to digital data, comprising the steps of:
sampling an input signal onto an input of an analog-to-digital data converter in a tracking mode;
converting in a convert mode with the analog-to-digital data converter in accordance with a predetermined data conversion algorithm the sampled input signal, after sampling in the tracking mode, to a digital signal; and
controlling the tracking mode of operation to initiate the sampling operation at a predetermined time prior to and dependent upon the initiation of the convert mode of operation, which predetermined time is not defined by the end of a prior convert mode of operation.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the analog-to-digital data converter operates under the control of a data converter clock, wherein the convert mode operates over a predetermined number of clock cycles of the data converter clock.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of controlling comprises controlling the operation of the analog-to-digital data converter in the tracking mode to sample the input signal for a predetermined amount of time after initiation thereof.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined amount of time comprises a predetermined number of clock cycles of the data converter clock.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the beginning of the tracking mode is controlled to operate in a plurality of different initiation modes controlled by external stimuli.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein one of the stimuli comprises the step of initiating the tracking mode in response to the setting of a data bit in a register which, when read in the set state, indicates the start of the tracking mode.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the convert mode of operation is initiated at the end of the predetermined time such that setting of the data bit causes operation in the convert mode.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein one of the stimuli comprises the step of initiating the tracking mode in response to an elapse of time determined by a timer, the elapse of which indicates the start of the tracking mode.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the convert mode of operation is initiated at the end of the predetermined time such that the elapse of time is the causative effect to initiate the convert mode of operation.
21. The method of claim 12, wherein the convert mode operates in accordance with a SAR data conversion algorithm.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A prosthetic spinous process, comprising:
a member, and
a plurality of crosslinking rods connected to the member at an angle relative to each other, wherein
the member comprising at least one opening therethrough.
2. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1, wherein the crosslinking rods define a first plane, and the member defines a second plane.
3. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 2, wherein the first plane and the second plane are disposed at a second angle of 80 to 100 degrees relative to one another.
4. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 2, wherein the opening is disposed above or below the first plane.
5. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1, further comprising an attachment selectively attached to each of the rods, each attachment being adapted to be attached to a posterior aspect of a spinal column.
6. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1, wherein the angle of the rods relative to each other is 110 to 170 degrees.
7. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 3, wherein the second angle is 85 to 95 degrees.
8. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 3, wherein the second angle is 90 degrees.
9. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 2, wherein the opening in the member has an axis normal to the second plane.
10. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1, wherein the crosslinking rods are cylindrical.
11. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1, wherein the opening is adapted to allow one or more tensile elements to pass therethrough.
12. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1, wherein the member has a parallelpiped, square, rectangular, ovoid, circular, or triangular shape.
13. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1, wherein the member further comprises at least one compressible material in contact therewith.
14. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 1, wherein the member further comprises at least one second opening.
15. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 2, wherein the opening is disposed above the first plane.
16. The prosthetic spinous process of claim 2, wherein the opening is disposed below the first plane.
17. A method, which includes contacting the prosthetic spinous process of claim 1 with at least one part of a human body.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the contacting further comprises attaching the prosthetic spinous process to at least one bony part of a vertebral column.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the contacting further comprises attaching the prosthetic spinous process to at least one human vertebra selected from the group consisting of L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, S1, S2, S3, S4, or S5, or a combination thereof.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the contacting further comprises attaching the prosthetic spinous process to at least one bony part of a vertebral column with at least one pedicle screw.
21. The method of claim 17, which further comprises stabilizing one or more segments of a vertebral column using the prosthetic spinous process
22. The method of claim 17, which further comprises arthrodesing one or more segments of a vertebral column using the prosthetic spinous process.
23. A method, which comprises one or more artificial ligaments, cushions, tensile elements, spinal reconstructive devices, posterior artificial ligaments, posterior dynamic systems, posterior arthrodesis stabilization systems, or a combination thereof to at least one part of a vertebral column with the prosthetic spinous process of claim 1.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the part comprises at least one human vertebra selected from the group including L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, S1, S2, S3, S4, or S5, or a combination thereof.