Author: claimsbot

1. A headgear securement system comprising
an outer layer having a face opening;
a relatively flexible inner layer within the outer layer, each layer having a front edge, a rear edge and opposite sides;
a middle layer including a plurality of hollow compressible cells mounted to the inner layer;
a first fastening device fastening together the front edges of said layers;
a second fastening device fastening together the rear edges of said layers;
a substantially inextensible belt extending around the inner layer, said belt being secured to the rear edge of the outer layer and having segments extending around the sides of the inner layer substantially to the face opening, and
a tensioning device located outside the outer layer and connected to the belt segments for tensioning the belt so as to flex the sides of the inner layer inward away from the outer layer.
2. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said tensioning device includes first and second strap segments constituting extensions of said belt and a tensioner for applying tension to the first and second strap segments.
3. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said belt comprises a closed loop having upper and lower runs positioned at different elevations within the outer layer and said tensioning device is connected to first and second spaced-apart locations on the loop.
4. The system defined in claim 1 wherein the belt has first and second ends located near the face opening and further including motion limiting devices for limiting movements of said belt ends away from said rear edges of the inner and outer layers.
5. The system defined in claim 1 and further including a plurality of spaced-apart slides for supporting said belt segments, each slide being connected to one or another of said layers.
6. The system defined in claim 5 wherein at least some of the slides are connected to different ones of the cells.
7. A headgear securement system comprising
an outer layer having a face opening;
a relatively flexible inner layer within the outer layer, each layer having a front edge, a rear edge and opposite sides;
a first fastening device fastening together the front edges of said layers;
a second fastening device fastening together the rear edges of said layers;
a substantially inextensible belt extending around the inner layer, said belt being secured to the rear edge of the outer layer and having segments extending around the sides of the inner layer substantially to the face opening, and
a tensioning device located outside the outer layer and connected to the belt segments for tensioning the belt so as to flex the sides of the inner layer inward away from the outer layer,
wherein said tensioning device includes first and second strap segments constituting extensions of said belt, a tensioner for applying tension to the first and second strap segments, and the first and second strap segments and the tensioner comprise an adjustable chinstrap assembly.
8. A headgear securement system comprising
an outer layer having a face opening;
a relatively flexible inner layer within the outer layer, each layer having a front edge, a rear edge and opposite sides;
a first fastening device fastening together the front edges of said layers;
a second fastening device fastening together the rear edges of said layers;
a substantially inextensible belt extending around the inner layer, said belt being secured to the rear edge of the outer layer and having segments extending around the sides of the inner layer substantially to the face opening, and
a tensioning device located outside the outer layer and connected to the belt segments for tensioning the belt so as to flex the sides of the inner layer inward away from the outer layer,
wherein said belt comprises a closed loop having upper and lower runs positioned at different elevations within the outer layer, said tensioning device is connected to first and second spaced-apart locations on the loop, said inner layer has a crown and said upper run extends around said opposite sides and crown of the inner layer.
9. A headgear securement system comprising
an outer layer having a face opening;
a relatively flexible inner layer within the outer layer, each layer having a front edge, a rear edge and opposite sides;
a first fastening device fastening together the front edges of said layers;
a second fastening device fastening together the rear edges of said layers;
a substantially inextensible belt extending around the inner layer, said belt being secured to the rear edge of the outer layer and having segments extending around the sides of the inner layer substantially to the face opening, and
a tensioning device located outside the outer layer and connected to the belt segments for tensioning the belt so as to flex the sides of the inner layer inward away from the outer layer, and
wherein said belt comprises a closed loop having upper and lower runs positioned at different elevations within the outer layer, said tensioning device is connected to first and second spaced-apart locations on the loop and the loop is composed of a single strand having opposite ends and mating connectors affixed to said ends.
10. A headgear securement system comprising
an outer layer having a face opening;
a relatively flexible inner layer within the outer layer, each layer having a front edge, a rear edge and opposite sides;
a first fastening device fastening together the front edges of said layers;
a second fastening device fastening together the rear edges of said layers;
a substantially inextensible belt extending around the inner layer, said belt being secured to the rear edge of the outer layer and having segments extending around the sides of the inner layer substantially to the face opening, and
a tensioning device located outside the outer layer and connected to the belt segments for tensioning the belt so as to flex the sides of the inner layer inward away from the outer layer,
wherein said belt comprises a closed loop having upper and lower runs positioned at different elevations within the outer layer, said tensioning device is connected to first and second spaced-apart locations on the loop and the tensioning device comprises a chinstrap assembly including a chin protector having opposite ends, a first strap segment extending from the first location on the loop to one end of the chin protector, a second strap segment extending from the second location on the loop to the opposite end of the chin protector, and a buckle for adjusting the length of at least one of the first and second strap segments.
11. The system defined in claim 10 and further including first and second motion limiters adjacent to said opposite sides which limit movement of said first and second locations on the belt loop away from said rear edges of the inner and outer layers.
12. The system defined in claim 11 wherein each of the said first and second motion limiters comprises an elongated, normally relatively slack member connected between each location on the loop and said outer layer.
13. The system defined in claim 12 wherein the connection of each slack member to the associated loop location is a releasable connection.
14. A headgear securement system comprising
an outer layer having a face opening;
a relatively flexible inner layer within the outer layer, each layer having a front edge, a rear edge and opposite sides;
a first fastening device fastening together the front edges of said layers;
a second fastening device fastening together the rear edges of said layers;
a substantially inextensible belt extending around the inner layer, said belt being secured to the rear edge of the outer layer and having segments extending around the sides of the inner layer substantially to the face opening, and
a tensioning device located outside the outer layer and connected to the belt segments for tensioning the belt so as to flex the sides of the inner layer inward away from the outer layer, said belt having first and second ends located near the face opening and motion limiting devices for limiting movements of said belt ends away from said rear edges of the inner and outer layers, said limiting devices each comprising a normally relatively slack member connected between the associated end of the belt and said outer layer.
15. The system defined in claim 14 wherein the connection of each slack member to the associated belt end is a releasable connection.
16. A headgear securement system comprising
an outer layer;
a relatively flexible inner layer;
a middle layer including a plurality of compressible cells mounted to the inner layer;
an inner liner composed of a plurality of resilient members, each resilient member being positioned opposite a different one of the compressible cells of the middle layer;
a relatively inextensible belt extending around the inner layer within the outer layer, and
a tensioning device connected to the belt and which tensions the belt so as to flex the inner layer inward away from the outer layer.
17. Protective headgear for positioning on a wearer’s head, said headgear comprising
an outer layer having a face opening;
a relatively flexible inner layer within the outer layer, each layer having a front edge, a rear edge and opposite sides;
a first fastening device fastening together the front edges of said layers;
a second fastening device fastening together the rear edges of said layers;
a substantially inextensible belt extending around the inner layer, said belt being secured to the rear edge of the outer layer and having segments extending around said sides of the inner layer to first and second ends located near the face opening, and
a chinstrap assembly including a chin protector having opposite ends, a first strap having one end extending from the first end of the belt to one end of the chin protector and a second strap extending from the second end of the belt to the opposite end of the chin protector, said straps being slidably connected to the corresponding ends of the chin protector and having free ends which when pulled back toward the outer layer will draw the chin protector against the wearer’s chin and snug the inner layer toward the wearer’s head by tensioning the belt.
18. The headgear defined in claim 17 wherein the belt comprises a closed loop having upper and lower runs slidably supported by a plurality of spaced-apart slides connected to one or the other of said layers.
19. The headgear defined in claim 18 and further including fastening devices for fastening the free ends of said straps to said outer layer.
20. The headgear defined in claim 19 wherein the fastening devices include buckles adjustably positioned on said straps adjacent to the free ends thereof, and fasteners for fastening the buckles to the opposite sides of said outer layer.

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. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member positonable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae and including a first outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
a second member positonable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member being movable relative to said first member and including a second outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said first and second outer surfaces are tapered relative to one another from said proximal ends to said distal ends to form an angle between said first and second outer surfaces;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and
at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member including a wedge shaped body with opposite first and second surfaces tapering toward one another at a taper angle and contacting respective ones of said first and second members, wherein said taper angle of said first and second surfaces is substantially greater than said angle between said first and second outer surfaces, said at least one actuating member being movable with said handle assembly from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member displaces at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members and said angle between said first and second outer surfaces is maintained, wherein:
said first and second members each include a cam surface in contact with respective ones of said first and second surfaces of said actuating member;
said body of said actuating member includes a pair of engagement members extending from said second surface;
said second member includes a pair of actuator slots extending along a central axis of said second member, said pair of engagement members being slidably received in a corresponding one of said actuator slots of said second member; and
said actuator slots each include an intermediate surface in contact with an enlarged head of said engagement member positioned therein.
2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said first and second outer surfaces are positionable against an endplate of an adjacent vertebra.
3. The instrument of claim 2, wherein said first and second outer surfaces each include a plurality of engagement recesses therein.
4. The instrument of claim 2, wherein said angle between said first and second outer surfaces corresponds to a lordotic angle between the adjacent vertebrae.
5. The instrument of claim 4, wherein said first and second outer surfaces taper toward one another distally and said angle is selected from the group consisting of: 6 degrees, 9 degrees, and 12 degrees.
6. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said cam surfaces are each inclined along an angle that corresponds to an angle of the adjacent first or second surface relative to a longitudinal axis of the instrument.
7. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said intermediate surface extends into said second member parallel to said second surface of said body of said actuating member.
8. The instrument of claim 7, wherein said intermediate surface is positioned adjacent an outer surface of said second member at a proximal end of said actuator slot and positioned adjacent an inner surface of said second member at a distal end of said actuator slot.
9. The instrument of claim 8, wherein said actuator slots each include an enlarged opening at said distal end thereof sized to allow passage of said enlarged head of said engagement member positioned therein to pass therethrough to uncouple said second member from said actuating member.
10. The instrument of claim 1, wherein:
one of said first and second members includes at least one post adjacent a proximal end thereof extending toward the other of said first and second members; and
the other of said first and second members includes at least one receiving member adjacent a proximal end thereof, said receiving member including a passage aligned with and movably receiving said post.
11. The instrument of claim 10, wherein:
said at least one post includes a pair of posts positioned on opposing sides of a central axis of said one of said first and second members; and
said at least one receiving member includes a pair of receiving members positioned on opposing sides of a central axis of said other of said first and second members.
12. The instrument of claim 1, wherein said first and second members each include opposing sidewalls extending therealong and said actuating member is confined between said opposing sidewalls.
13. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae;
a second member positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member being movable relative to said first member;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member being movable with said handle assembly from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member displaces at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members, wherein:
said first member includes a pair of grooves opening toward a proximal end of said first member, said grooves being adapted to receive respective ones of a first arm of a first stop member and a second arm of a second stop member, said first and second arms being adjustable in said grooves to position said first and second stop members at a desired location relative to said first member;and
said handle assembly includes an intermediate shaft and an outer shaft movable along said intermediate shaft, said first and second arms extending from a distal end of said outer shaft, wherein said handle assembly further comprises an inner shaft extending through said intermediate shaft, said inner shaft including a distal end coupled to said at least one actuating member and a proximal end coupled with a connector, wherein said connector is operable to selectively move said inner shaft axially relative to said intermediate shaft.
14. The instrument of claim 13, wherein said handle assembly includes a handle fixed to a proximal end of said intermediate shaft and said outer shaft is coupled with an adjustment mechanism at said handle, said adjustment mechanism operable to move said outer shaft axially along said intermediate shaft.
15. The instrument of claim 14, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a thumbwheel threadingly coupled about a proximal end of said outer shaft.
16. The instrument of claim 13, wherein said first member is fixed to said intermediate shaft of said handle assembly and said second member is removably coupled to said first member with said actuating member.
17. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member including a first bone contacting surface positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae;
a second member including a second bone contacting surface positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member being movable relative to said first member;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and
at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member being movable with said handle assembly from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member displaces at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members;
wherein said first member extends along a central axis and includes:
a pair of lateral actuator slots positioned on opposite sides of said central axis; and a pair of medial actuator slots positioned on opposite sides of said central axis and offset from said lateral slots toward said central axis, wherein said medical and lateral actuator slots open along said first bone contacting surface of said first member and said actuating member includes a first pair of engagement members slidably received in respective ones of said lateral slots and a second pair of engagement members slidably received in respective ones of said medial slots, wherein said first and second pair of engagement members move along said medial and lateral actuator slots and away from said bone contacting surface of said first member as said first and second members move from said unexpanded configuration to said expanded configuration.
18. The instrument of claim 17, wherein each of said actuator slots includes an intermediate surface and each of said engagement members includes an enlarged head slidably received along a respective one of said intermediate surfaces to secure said actuating member thereto.
19. The instrument of claim 18, wherein each of said actuator slots is inclined in said first member from a position adjacent an outer surface of said first member at a proximal end of said actuator slot to a position adjacent an inner surface of said first member at a distal end of said actuator slot.
20. The instrument of claim 19, wherein said lateral actuator slots are offset proximally from said medial actuator slots and said first pair of engagement members are offset proximally of said second pair of engagement members.
21. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae and including a first outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
a second member positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member being movable relative to said first member and including a second outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said first and second outer surfaces are tapered relative to one another from said proximal ends to said distal ends to form an angle between said first and second outer surfaces;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and
at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member including a wedge shaped body with opposite first and second surfaces tapering toward one another at a taper angle and contacting respective ones of said first and second members, wherein said taper angle of said first and second surfaces is substantially greater than said angle between said first and second outer surfaces, said at least one actuating member being movable with said handle assembly from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member displaces at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members and said angle between said first and second outer surfaces is maintained, wherein said handle assembly includes an inner shaft extending proximally from and coupled to said actuating member and an intermediate shaft about said inner shaft, said intermediate shaft coupled with said first member, said inner shaft longitudinally movable in said intermediate shaft to move said actuating member relative to said first and second members.
22. The instrument of claim 21, further comprising an outer shaft about said intermediate shaft, said outer shaft including at least one stop member extending therefrom adjacent said first member, said outer shaft adjustably positionable along said intermediate shaft to adjust a position of said at least one stop member relative to said first member.
23. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae;
a second member positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member being movable relative to said first member;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member being movable with said handle assembly from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member displaces at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members, wherein said handle assembly includes an inner shaft extending proximally from and coupled to said actuating member and an intermediate shaft about said inner shaft, said intermediate shaft coupled with said first member, said inner shaft longitudinally movable in said intermediate shaft to move said actuating member relative to said first and second members, and further comprising a distraction indicator coupled to said inner shaft, said distraction indicator moving longitudinally with said inner shaft in said intermediate shaft in accordance with a position of said actuating member relative to said first and second members, said distraction indicator being viewable along a proximal portion of said handle assembly and providing an indication of a distraction height, said distraction height corresponding to a separation of said first and second members imparted by said actuating member.
24. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae and including a first outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
a second member positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member being movable relative to said first member and including a second outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said first and second outer surfaces are tapered relative to one another from said proximal ends to said distal ends to form an angle between said first and second outer surfaces;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member including a wedge shaped body with opposite first and second surfaces tapering toward one another at a taper angle and contacting respective ones of said first and second members, wherein said taper angle of said first and second surfaces is substantially greater than said angle between said first and second outer surfaces, said at least one actuating member being movable with said handle assembly from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member displaces at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members and said angle between said first and second outer surfaces is maintained, wherein said second member comprises a plurality of second members, each of said plurality of second members being removably engageable to said first member.
25. The instrument of claim 24, wherein said angle between said first and second outer surfaces is different for each of said plurality of second members.
26. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae;
a second member positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member being movable relative to said first member, said first and second members including outer bone contacting surfaces facing in opposite directions;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and
at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member being movable with said handle assembly from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member displaces at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members to position said outer bone contacting surfaces in contact with the adjacent vertebrae, wherein at least one of said first and second members includes a central keyway opening along said outer bone contacting surface thereof adapted to receive a guiding fin of a cutting instrument movable therealong, wherein:
said at least one of said first and second members includes opposite sidewalls adapted to receiving guide portions of corner blades of the cutting instrument movable therealong; and
said opposite sidewalls are beveled from an outer surface of said at least one of said first and second members toward a central axis of said at least one of said first and second members, and said at least one of said first and second members comprising a support member adjacent an inner surface thereof extending alone at Least a portion of each of said sidewalls.
27. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae and including a first outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
a second member positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member being movable relative to said first member and including a second outer surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said first and second outer surfaces are tapered relative to one another from said proximal ends to said distal ends to form an angle between said first and second outer surfaces;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and
at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member including a wedge shaped body with opposite first and second surfaces tapering toward one another at a taper angle and contacting respective ones of said first and second members, wherein said taper angle of said first and second surfaces is substantially greater than said angle between said first and second outer surfaces, said at least one actuating member being movable with said handle assembly from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member displaces at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members and said angle between said first and second outer surfaces is maintained, wherein said at least one actuating member and said first and second members are configured so that the proximal ends of said first and second members and said distal ends of said first and second members move the same distance relative to one another as said actuating member is moved therebetween.
28. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae;
a second member positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member movable relative to said first member; and
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members along a longitudinal axis, said handle assembly including an intermediate shaft extending along said longitudinal axis with said intermediate shaft having a distal portion coupled to said first and second members, an outer shaft along said intermediate shaft and an adjustment mechanism coupled to said outer shaft, said outer shaft further including at least one stop member extending from a distal end thereof transversely to said longitudinal axis, said stop member being positionable in contact with one of the adjacent vertebrae to limit an insertion depth of said first and second members in the space between the adjacent vertebrae, said stop member being adjustable in the direction of said longitudinal axis relative to said first and second members by rotating said adjustment mechanism about said longitudinal axis to longitudinally adjust a position of said outer shaft relative to said intermediate shaft and thereby move said stop member in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein said at least one stop member extends from a distal end of said outer shaft.
29. The instrument of claim 28, further comprising at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member being movable from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position wherein said actuating member displaces at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members to provide an expanded configuration.
30. The instrument of claim 28, wherein said handle assembly includes a handle member fixed to a proximal end of said intermediate shaft.
31. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae;
a second member positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member movable relative to said first member;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members along a longitudinal axis, said handle assembly including at least one stop member extending from a distal end thereof transversely to said longitudinal axis, said stop member being positionable in contact with one of the adjacent vertebrae to limit an insertion depth of said first and second members in the space between The adjacent vertebrae, said stop member being adjustable in the direction of said longitudinal axis relative to said first and second members, wherein said handle assembly includes:
an intermediate shaft and an outer shaft movable along said intermediate shaft, said at least one stop member extending from a distal end of said outer shaft; and
a handle member fixed to a proximal end of said intermediate shaft and said outer shaft is coupled with an adjustment mechanism at said handle, said adjustment mechanism operable to move said outer shaft along said intermediate shaft, wherein said

adjustment mechanism includes a thumbwheel threadingly coupled about a proximal end of said outer shaft, wherein said thumbwheel is housed in said handle.
32. The instrument of claim 31, wherein said outer shaft includes indicia therealong providing an indication of an insertion depth for said first and second members based on a location of said at least one stop member relative thereto.
33. The instrument of claim 32, wherein said indicia are viewable through a window in said handle member.
34. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member including at least a portion positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae;
a second member including at least a portion positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member being movable relative to said first member and wherein at least one of said first and second members is structured to engage with and guide a cutting instrument along an outer surface thereof;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and
at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members, said at least one actuating member being movable with said handle assembly from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member contacts at least one of said first and second members along at least a portion thereof contactable with the adjacent vertebral endplate thereby moving the at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members, wherein:
at least one of said first and second members includes a central keyway opening along the outer surface thereof adapted to receive a guiding fin of the cutting instrument movable therealong;
said at least one of said first and second members includes opposite sidewalls adapted to receiving guide portions of corner blades of the cutting instrument movable therealong; and
said opposite sidewalls are beveled from the outer surface of said at least one of said first and second members toward a central axis of said at least one of said first and second members, and said at least one of said first and second members includes a support member adjacent an inner surface thereof extending along at least a portion of each of said sidewalls.
35. The instrument of claim 34, wherein said actuating member includes a wedge-shaped body movable along a cam surface of the at least one of the first and second members.
36. The instrument of claim 35, wherein each of said first and second members includes a cam surface facing one another and said wedge-shaped body is movable along each of said cam surfaces.
37. The instrument of claim 34, wherein said actuating member is coupled with said handle assembly and movable along a longitudinal axis of the instrument.
38. The instrument of claim 34, wherein said actuating member is recessed between said first and second members when said first and second members are in said unexpanded configuration.
39. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member including at least a portion positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae, said first member including a first width between opposite lateral sidewalls thereof;
a second member including at least a portion positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member including a second width between opposite lateral sidewalls thereof, said second member being movable relative to said first member and wherein at least one of said first member and said second member includes an instrument guide positioned between the lateral sidewalls thereof, said instrument guide being formed in an outer surface thereof and extending along a longitudinal axis of said at least one member;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and
at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members and confined between said opposite lateral sidewalls of each of said first and second members, said at least one actuating member being movable from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member is moved relative to at least one of said first and second members to move the at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members, wherein:
said instrument guide is a central keyway opening along the outer surface of said at least one of said first member and said second member, said keyway adapted to receive a guiding fin of a cutting instrument;
said lateral sidewalls of said at least one of said first and second members are adapted to receive guide portions of corner blades of the cutting instrument; and
said lateral sidewalls are beveled from the outer surface of said at least one of said first and second members toward a central axis of said at least one of said first and second members, and said at least one of said first and second members includes a support member adjacent an inner surface thereof extending along at least a portion of each of said sidewalls.
40. The instrument of claim 39, wherein said opposite lateral sidewalls of said first and second members are each beveled along an outer surface thereof to guide a cutting instrument therealong.
41. The instrument of claim 39, wherein each of said opposite lateral sidewalls of each of said first and second members includes an inner surface and said actuating member is confined between said inner surfaces.
42. The instrument of claim 39, wherein said actuating member includes at least one engagement member slidably engageable with a slot in one of said first and second members, said engagement member confining said actuating member between said opposite lateral sidewalls of said first and second members.
43. The instrument of claim 39, wherein said instrument guide is configured to slidably engage with a cutting instrument to guide the cutting instrument along said at least one of said first member and said second member.
44. An instrument for separating adjacent vertebrae, comprising:
a first member including at least a portion positionable along an endplate of one of the adjacent vertebrae, said first member including a first width between opposite lateral sidewalls thereof;
a second member including at least a portion positionable along an endplate of the other of the adjacent vertebrae, said second member including a second width between opposite lateral sidewalls thereof, said second member being movable relative to said first member and wherein at least one of said first member and said second member includes an instrument guide positioned between the lateral sidewalls thereof, said instrument guide being formed in an outer surface thereof and extending along a longitudinal axis of said at least one member;
a handle assembly extending proximally from said first and second members; and at least one actuating member positioned between said first and second members and confined between said opposite lateral sidewalls of each of said first and second members, said at least one actuating member being movable from a first position wherein said first and second members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the space between adjacent vertebrae to a second position providing an expanded configuration wherein said actuating member is moved relative to at least one of said first and second members to move the at least one of said first and second members away from the other of said first and second members, wherein said lateral sidewalls of said at least one of said first and second members are adapted to receive guide portions of corner blades of a cutting instrument and said lateral sidewalls are beveled from the outer surface of said at least one of said first and second members toward a central axis of said at least one of said first and second members, and said at least one of said first and second members includes a support member adjacent an inner surface thereof extending along at least a portion of each of said sidewalls.

1-9. (canceled)
10. A method for fabrication of a stacked capacitor as part of a CMOS process, the method comprising the following steps:
applying a buried silicon layer on a substrate with a buried oxide insulating layer;
heavy n or p doping a portion of the buried silicon layer to form a base plate of the capacitor;
masking a connecting portion within the area of the base plate and forming a lower dielectric of the capacitor within the connecting portion when producing a gate-oxide layer as part of the CMOS process;
applying a poly-silicon layer in the area of the connecting portion to form a center plate of the capacitor;
forming an upper dielectric on the surface of the center plate;
applying a layer of a metallic conductor on the upper dielectric to form a cover plate of the capacitor.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein at least part of the poly-silicon layer is covered by a silicide layer prior to the formation of the upper dielectric.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the upper dielectric is produced by the formation of an oxide layer.
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the upper dielectric is produced by the formation of a nitride layer.
14. The method according to claim 10, wherein titanium nitride or a titanium alloy is used as the metallic conductor for the formation of the cover plate.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein TiW is used as the metallic conductor for the formation of the cover plate.

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 method for, from a timing unit, obtaining configuration data for a data processing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
storing configuration data in the timing unit via a circuit element having a value that corresponds to the configuration data;
commencing a first mode of the timing unit;
detecting a first event, which first event occurs after the commencement of the first mode, the first event being caused by the timing unit and responsive to the value of the circuit element;
calculating a first time interval between the commencement of the first mode and the first event;
performing a first comparison between the calculated first time interval and a first reference time interval; and
determining the configuration data in dependence on the result of the first comparison.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein following the step of performing a first comparison, the method further comprising the steps of:
I. calculating an error value in dependence on the result of the first comparison;
commencing a second mode of the timing unit;
detecting a second event, which second event occurs after the commencement of the second mode, the second event being caused by the timing unit;
calculating a second time interval between the commencement of the second mode and the second event;
adjusting the calculated second time interval in dependence on the error value; and
performing a second comparison between the adjusted second time interval and a second reference time interval;
wherein the step of determining the configuration data is also in dependence on the result of the second comparison.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein following the step of commencing a second mode, the method further comprises the step of:
counting time periods.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein following step I the method further comprises the step of:
determining configuration data in dependence on the result of the first comparison.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein following the step of commencing a first mode, the method further comprises the step of:
counting time periods.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first time interval is calculated using the counted time periods.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mode is commenced in response to a voltage applied to the data processing apparatus.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first event is detected in response to a voltage applied to the data processing apparatus.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mode is commenced in response to software running on the data processing apparatus.
10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mode is commenced in nonnal operation of the timing unit independently of the data processing apparatus.
11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first time interval is calculated by using a timestamp.
12. A data processing apparatus comprising:
a timing unit to generate a first event signal, the timina unit having a first mode of operation;
a first port to receive the first event signal;
non-volatile storage to store a software program and data related to said software program; and
a CPU to calculate a first time interval between commencement of the first mode of operation of the timing unit and the receipt of the first event signal by the first port, to perform a first comparison between the calculated first time interval and a first reference time interval, to determine configuration data in dependence on a result of the first comparison, and to run said software program in response to the configuration data.
13. A data processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first port outputs a mode indication signal.
14. A data processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the timing unit includes
a first port to receive the mode indication signal and to output the first event signal; and
a circuit to generate the first event signal in response to and subsequent to the mode indication signal.
15. A data processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:
a second port to output a mode indication signal.
16. A data processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the timing unit includes:
a first port to receive the mode indication signal;
a second port to output the first event signal; and
a circuit to generate the first event signal in response to and subsequent to the mode indication signal.
17. A data processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the timing unit includes
a first port to output the first event signal; and
a circuit to generate the first event signal.
18. A data processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first event signal is a voltage pulse.
19. A data processing apnaratus according to claim 12, wherein the first event signal is a voltage transition.
20. A data processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first event signal is a periodically varying voltage.
21. A data processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the timing unit includes an RC network that determines the first time interval.
22. A data processing apparatus according to claim 12,
wherein the non-volatile storage further stores software configured to calculate the first time interval between commencement of the first mode of the timing unit and the receipt of the first event signal by the first port, to perform the first comparison between the calculated first time interval and the first reference time interval, and to determine the configuration data in dependence on the result of the first comparison.