Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A data recording apparatus for recording video data and audio data to a record medium, the video data having a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data having a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the apparatus comprising:
first error correction code encoding means for separating the video data into first data packets, forming first error correction code blocks with the first data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the first error correction code blocks;
second error correction code encoding means for separating the audio data into second data packets, forming second error correction code blocks with the second data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the second error correction code blocks;
means for adding a synchronous signal to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and forming first sync blocks and second sync blocks, respectively; and
recording means for recording data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks to the record medium,
wherein the length of each of the first sync blocks is different from the length of each of the second sync blocks.
2. A data recording apparatus for recording video data and audio data to a record medium, the video data having a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data having a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the apparatus comprising:
first error correction code encoding means for separating the video data into first data packets, forming first error correction code blocks with the first data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the first error correction code blocks;
second error correction code encoding means for separating the audio data into second data packets, forming second error correction code blocks with the second data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the second error correction code blocks;
means for adding a synchronous signal to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and forming first sync blocks and second sync blocks, respectively; and
recording means for recording data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks to the record medium,
wherein at least one first data packet is placed in each of the first sync blocks, the number of first data packets placed in each of the first sync blocks being an integer number and depending on the data rate of the video data.
3. A data recording and reproducing apparatus for recording video data and audio data to a record medium and reproducing video data and audio data from a record medium, the video data having a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data having a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the apparatus comprising:
first error correction code encoding means for separating the video data into first data packets, forming first error correction code blocks with the first data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the first error correction code blocks;
second error correction code encoding means for separating the audio data into second data packets, forming second error correction code blocks with the second data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the second error correction code blocks;
means for adding a synchronous signal to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and forming first sync blocks and second sync blocks, respectively;
recording means for recording data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks to the record medium;
reproducing means for reproducing data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks from the record medium;
synchronization detecting means for detecting the synchronous signal from the reproduced data and separating the reproduced data into the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks having different lengths corresponding to the detected synchronous signal;
first error correction code decoding means for decoding data of the separated first sync blocks for each of the first error correction code blocks with an error correction code and generating reproduced video data; and
second error correction code decoding means for decoding data of the separated second sync blocks for each of the second error correction code blocks with an error correction code and generating reproduced audio data,
wherein the length of each of the first sync blocks is different from the length of each of the second sync blocks.
4. A data recording and reproducing apparatus for recording video data and audio data to a record medium and reproducing video data and audio data from a record medium, the video data having a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data having a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the apparatus comprising:
first error correction code encoding means for separating the video data into first data packets, forming first error correction code blocks with the first data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the first error correction code blocks;
second error correction code encoding means for separating the audio data into second data packets, forming second error correction code blocks with the second data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the second error correction code blocks;
means for adding a synchronous signal to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and forming first sync blocks and second sync blocks, respectively;
recording means for recording data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks to the record medium;
reproducing means for reproducing data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks from the record medium;
synchronization detecting means for detecting the synchronous signal from the reproduced data and separating the reproduced data into the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks having different lengths corresponding to the detected synchronous signal;
first error correction code decoding means for decoding data of the separated first sync blocks for each of the first error correction code blocks with an error correction code and generating reproduced video data; and
second error correction code decoding means for decoding data of the separated second sync blocks for each of the second error correction code blocks with an error correction code and generating reproduced audio data,
wherein at least one first data packet is placed in each of the first sync blocks, the number of first data packets placed in each of the first sync blocks being an integer number and depending on the data rate of the video data.
5. A data reproducing apparatus for reproducing video data and audio data from a record medium, the video data stored in the record medium being one selected from a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data stored in the record medium being one selected from a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the video data being separated into first data packets, first error correction code blocks being formed with the first data packets, an error correction code encoding process being performed for each of the first error correction code blocks, the audio data being separated into second data packets, second error correction code blocks being formed with the second data packets, an error correction code encoding process being performed for each of the second error correction code blocks, a synchronous signal being added to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and thereby first sync blocks and second sync blocks being formed, the apparatus comprising:
reproducing means for reproducing data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks from the record medium;
synchronization detecting means for detecting the synchronous signal from the reproduced data and separating the reproduced data into the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks corresponding to the detected synchronous signal;
first error correction code decoding means for decoding data of the separated first sync blocks for each of the first error correction code blocks with an error correction code and forming the video data with the decoded first data packets; and
second error correction code decoding means for decoding data of the separated second sync blocks for each of the second error correction code blocks with an error correction code and forming the audio data with the decoded second data packets.
6. A data record medium on which video data and audio data are recorded, the video data stored in the record medium being one selected from a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data stored in the record medium being one selected from a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the record medium having a video data record area and an audio data record area, data composed of first sync blocks being recorded in the video data record area, data composed of second sync blocks being recorded in the audio data record area, the length of each of the first sync blocks being different from the length of each of the second sync blocks.
7. A data record medium on which video data and audio data are recorded, the video data stored in the record medium being one selected from a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data stored in the record medium being one selected from a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the record medium having a video data record area and an audio data record area, data composed of first sync blocks being recorded in the video data record area, data composed of second sync blocks being recorded in the audio data record area,
wherein at least one first data packet is placed in each of the first sync blocks, the number of first data packets placed in each of the first sync blocks being an integer number and depending on the data rate of the video data.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7,
wherein the length of each of the second data packets depends on only the frequency of the data edit unit of the video data.
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7,
wherein the arrangement of a plurality of samples numbered in the data edit unit of each of the second error correction code blocks composed of the second data packets does not vary depending on the frequency of the data edit unit.
10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3, or 4,
wherein said first error correction code encoding means and said second error correction code encoding means each perform an outer code encoding process for data of two-dimensional array in the vertical direction and an inner code encoding process for that in the horizontal direction.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7,
wherein the video data is generated by performing a variable length code encoding process for data generated by a compression-encoding process.
12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11,
wherein the compression encoding process is a combination of a DCT process and the variable length code encoding process.
13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, 4, or 5,
wherein said synchronization detecting means has:
synchronous pattern detecting means for detecting a synchronous pattern of the synchronous signal from the reproduced data;
first memory means for successively storing the reproduced data as data blocks with a predetermined data length and outputting stored data as data blocks with the predetermined data length in the order of order data blocks, said first memory means having a first data length;
first comparing means for determining whether or not both data that is input to said first memory means and data that is output therefrom match the synchronous pattern corresponding to the detected result of said synchronous pattern detecting means;
second memory means for inputting the reproduced data that is the same as the reproduced data that is input to said first memory means, storing the reproduced data as data blocks with the predetermined data length, and outputting stored data as data blocks with the predetermined data length in the order of older data blocks, said second memory means having a second data length K, the second data length K being smaller than the first data length L, the second data length K not being any integer times the first data length L; and
second comparing means for determining whether both data that is input to said second memory means and data that is output therefrom match the synchronous pattern corresponding to the detected result of said synchronous pattern detecting means,

wherein when a match of the synchronous pattern is detected in one of said first comparing means and said second comparing means, it is supposed that a synchronous pattern has been detected.
14. A data recording method for recording video data and audio data to a record medium, the video data having a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data having a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the method comprising the steps of:
separating the video data into first data packets, forming first error correction code blocks with the first data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the first error correction code blocks;
separating the audio data into second data packets, forming second error correction code blocks with the second data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the second error correction code blocks;
adding a synchronous signal to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and forming first sync blocks and second sync blocks, respectively; and
recording data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks to the record medium,
wherein the length of each of the first sync blocks is different from the length of each of the second sync blocks.
15. A data recording method for recording video data and audio data to a record medium, the video data having a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data having a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the method comprising the steps of:
separating the video data into first data packets, forming first error correction code blocks with the first data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the first error correction code blocks;
separating the audio data into second data packets, forming second error correction code blocks with the second data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the second error correction code blocks;
adding a synchronous signal to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and forming first sync blocks and second sync blocks, respectively; and
recording data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks to the record medium,
wherein at least one first data packet is placed in each of the first sync blocks, the number of first data packets placed in each of the first sync blocks being an integer number and depending on the data rate of the video data.
16. A data recording and reproducing method for recording video data and audio data to a record medium and reproducing video data and audio data from a record medium, the video data having a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data having a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the method comprising the steps of:
separating the video data into first data packets, forming first error correction code blocks with the first data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the first error correction code blocks;
separating the audio data into second data packets, forming second error correction code blocks with the second data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the second error correction code blocks;
adding a synchronous signal to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and forming first sync blocks and second sync blocks, respectively;
recording data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks to the record medium;
reproducing data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks from the record medium;
detecting the synchronous signal from the reproduced data and separating the reproduced data into the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks having different lengths corresponding to the detected synchronous signal;
decoding data of the separated first sync blocks for each of the first error correction code blocks with an error correction code and generating reproduced video data; and
decoding data of the separated second sync blocks for each of the second error correction code blocks with an error correction code and generating reproduced audio data,
wherein the length of each of the first sync blocks is different from the length of each of the second sync blocks.
17. A data recording and reproducing method for recording video data and audio data to a record medium and reproducing video data and audio data from a record medium, the video data having a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data having a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the method comprising the steps of:
separating the video data into first data packets, forming first error correction code blocks with the first data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the first error correction code blocks;
separating the audio data into second data packets, forming second error correction code blocks with the second data packets, and performing an error correction code encoding process for each of the second error correction code blocks;
adding a synchronous signal to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and forming first sync blocks and second sync blocks, respectively;
recording data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks to the record medium;
reproducing data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks from the record medium;
detecting the synchronous signal from the reproduced data and separating the reproduced data into the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks having different lengths corresponding to the detected synchronous signal;
decoding data of the separated first sync blocks for each of the first error correction code blocks with an error correction code and generating reproduced video data; and
decoding data of the separated second sync blocks for each of the second error correction code blocks with an error correction code and generating reproduced audio data,
wherein at least one first data packet is placed in each of the first sync blocks, the number of first data packets placed in each of the first sync blocks being an integer number and depending on the data rate of the video data.
18. A data reproducing method for reproducing video data and audio data from a record medium, the video data stored in the record medium being one selected from a plurality of types of data rates, the audio data stored in the record medium being one selected from a plurality of types of data amounts as data edit units, the video data being separated into first data packets, first error correction code blocks being formed with the first data packets, an error correction code encoding process being performed for each of the first error correction code blocks, the audio data being separated into second data packets, second error correction code blocks being formed with the second data packets, an error correction code encoding process being performed for each of the second error correction code blocks, a synchronous signal being added to each of the first data packets and the second data packets and thereby first sync blocks and second sync blocks being formed, the method comprising the steps of:
reproducing data composed of the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks from the record medium;
detecting the synchronous signal from the reproduced data and separating the reproduced data into the first sync blocks and the second sync blocks corresponding to the detected synchronous signal;
decoding data of the separated first sync blocks for each of the first error correction code blocks with an error correction code and forming the video data with the decoded first data packets; and
decoding data of the separated second sync blocks for each of the second error correction code blocks with an error correction code and forming the audio data with the decoded second data packets.
19. A digital data reproducing apparatus for reproducing data blocks from a record medium, the data blocks having at least two data lengths, the data blocks each having a synchronous pattern for detecting synchronization, comprising:
synchronous pattern detecting means for detecting a synchronous pattern of the synchronous signal from the reproduced data;
first memory means for successively storing the reproduced data as data blocks with a predetermined data length and outputting stored data as data blocks with the predetermined data length in the order of order data blocks, said first memory means having a first data length;
first comparing means for determining whether or not both data that is input to said first memory means and data that is output therefrom match the synchronous pattern corresponding to the detected result of said synchronous pattern detecting means;
second memory means for inputting the reproduced data that is the same as the reproduced data that is input to said first memory means, storing the reproduced data as data blocks with the predetermined data length, and outputting stored data as data blocks with the predetermined data length in the order of older data blocks, said second memory means having a second data length K, the second data length K being smaller than the first data length L, the second data length K not being any integer times the first data length L;
second comparing means for determining whether both data that is input to said second memory means and data that is output therefrom match the synchronous pattern corresponding to the detected result of said synchronous pattern detecting means; and
output means for outputting the reproduced data as data blocks with a data length corresponding to said first comparing means or said second comparing means that has detected a match of the synchronous pattern.
20. The digital data reproducing apparatus as set forth in claim 19,
wherein the first data length L and the second data length K have the relations of L>K and 2K>L.
21. The digital data reproducing apparatus as set forth in claim 19, further comprising:
delaying means for delaying the reproduced data;
synchronous signal generating means for outputting a synchronous signal at intervals corresponding to the data length of which synchronization has been detected; and
output controlling means for outputting data received from said delaying means in synchronization with the synchronous signal generated by said synchronous signal generating means,
wherein when said second comparing means detects a match of the synchronous pattern, said synchronous signal generating means delays the synchronous signal by a time period corresponding to the difference between the first data length and the second data length.
22. The digital data reproducing apparatus as set forth in claim 19,
wherein identification information corresponding to the first data length and the second data length is stored in the data blocks with the first data length and the second data length, the data blocks being output from said output means, the identification information being compared with the detected result of the synchronization.
23. A synchronization detecting apparatus for detecting a synchronous pattern from each of data blocks with at least two data lengths, the data blocks each having a synchronous pattern for detecting synchronization, the apparatus comprising:
synchronous pattern detecting means for detecting a synchronous pattern from input data;
first memory means for successively storing the input data as data blocks with a predetermined data length and outputting stored data as data blocks with the predetermined data length in the order of order data blocks, said first memory means having a first data length;
first comparing means for determining whether or not both data that is input to said first memory means and data that is output therefrom match the synchronous pattern corresponding to the detected result of said synchronous pattern detecting means;
second memory means for inputting the input data that is the same as the input data of said first memory means, storing the input data as data blocks with the predetermined data length, and outputting stored data as data blocks with the predetermined data length in the order of older data blocks, said second memory means having a second data length K, the second data length K being smaller than the first data length L, the second data length K not being any integer times the first data length L; and
second comparing means for determining whether both data that is input to said second memory means and data that is output therefrom match the synchronous pattern corresponding to the detected result of said synchronous pattern detecting means,
wherein when a match of the synchronous pattern is detected in one of said first comparing means and said second comparing means, it is supposed that a synchronous pattern has been detected.
24. The synchronization detecting apparatus as set forth in claim 23,
wherein the first data length L and the second data length K have the relations of L>K and 2K>L.
25. The synchronization detecting apparatus as set forth in claim 23, further comprising:
delaying means for delaying the input data;
synchronous signal generating means for outputting a synchronous signal at intervals corresponding to the data length of which synchronization has been detected; and
output controlling means for outputting data received from said delaying means in synchronization with the synchronous signal generated by said synchronous signal generating means,
wherein when said second comparing means detects a match of the synchronous pattern, said synchronous signal generating means delays the synchronous signal by a time period corresponding to the difference between the first data length and the second data length.
26. The synchronization detecting apparatus as set forth in claim 23,
wherein identification information corresponding to the first data length and the second data length is stored in data blocks with the first data length and the second data length, the identification information being compared with the detected result of the synchronization.
27. A synchronization detecting method for detecting synchronization of each of data blocks with at least two data lengths, the data blocks each having a synchronous pattern for detecting synchronization, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) successively storing input data as data blocks with a predetermined data length to a first memory and outputting data as data blocks with the predetermined data length from the first memory in the order of older data blocks, the first memory having a first data length;
(b) inputting the input data to a second memory, storing the input data as data blocks with the predetermined data length, and outputting stored data as data blocks with the predetermined data length in the order of older data blocks, the input data being the same as the input data of the first memory, the second memory having a second data length K, the second data length K being smaller than the first data length L, the second data length K not being any integer times the first data length L;
(c) detecting a synchronous pattern from the input data;
(d) determining whether or not both the data that is input to the first memory and the data that is output therefrom match the synchronous pattern corresponding to the detected result at step (c); and
(e) determining whether or not both the data that is input to the second memory and the data that is output therefrom match the synchronous pattern corresponding to the detected result at step (c),
wherein when a match of the synchronous pattern is detected at one of step (d) and step (e), it is supposed that the synchronization is detected.

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 light source device capable of being used by adjacently connecting with each other in multiple, and being arranged on convex curved surfaces or on different flat surfaces of a polygonal column or a polyhedral shape, the light source device comprising:
a point light source having high directionality;
a box-shaped housing having a bottom to center of which the point light source is fixed, sidewall portions arranged in a standing manner from edges of the bottom up to a predetermined height, a side portion defining an opening provided facing the point light source, and a reflection member forming an inner wall surface of the housing; and
a transmissivereflective plate covering the opening of the housing and being fixed at a circumference thereof to edges of the opening of the housing,
at least one of the sidewall portions that is in contact with a sidewall portion of another light source device being arranged in a standing manner at an angle \u03b8, where 90\xb0<\u03b8\u2266150\xb0, relative to the bottom, and being provided with a light-transmitting hole on the side of the opening of the housing.
2. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein a first pair of opposed sidewall portions out of the sidewall portions are arranged in a standing manner at an angle \u03b8, where 90\xb0<\u03b8\u2266150\xb0, relative to the bottom, a second pair of opposed sidewall portions adjacent to the first pair of opposed sidewall portions are arranged in a standing manner at an angle of 90\xb0 or more relative to the bottom, and the first pair of opposed sidewall portions and the second pair of opposed sidewall portions are each provided with the light-transmitting hole on the side of the opening of the housing.
3. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein an area of the light-transmitting hole is proportional to the angle \u03b8 relative to the bottom, and increases as the angle 0 increases.
4. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the transmissivereflective plate includes a plate-shaped body that is provided on the side facing the point light source with a center transmissivereflective portion and an outer transmissivereflective portion around the center transmissivereflective portion, the center transmissivereflective portion and the outer transmissivereflective portion are provided to have a high reflectance and a low transmittance, the outer transmissivereflective portion is provided with a plurality of light-transmitting portions penetrating the transmissivereflective plate, the plurality of light-transmitting portions in the outer transmissivereflective portion are each a hole having a predetermined diameter or a slit having a predetermined width and length, and the size of the hole or the width and length of the slit increases as the hole or the slit departs outward from the center transmissivereflective portion.
5. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the transmissivereflective plate includes a light reflectivediffusivetransmissive member.
6. The light source device according to claim 5, wherein the transmissivereflective plate includes an ultrafinely foamed reflective member.
7. The light source device according to claim 6, wherein the housing and the transmissivereflective plate are integrally formed from one sheet of base plate.
8. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the housing is further provided on the light output side of the transmissivereflective plate with a light diffusing plate in a manner covering the opening of the housing at a predetermined distance from the transmissivereflective plate.
9. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the point light source is a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode (LD).
10. An illumination device comprising:
a plurality of light source devices, each of the plurality of light source devices capable of being used by adjacently connecting with each other in multiple, and being arranged on convex curved surfaces or on different flat surfaces of a polygonal column or a polyhedral shape, the light source devices comprising:
a point light source having high directionality;
a box-shaped housing having a bottom to center of which the point light source is fixed, sidewall portions arranged in a standing manner from edges of the bottom up to a predetermined height, a side portion defining an opening provided facing the point light source, and a reflection member forming an inner wall surface of the housing; and
a transmissivereflective plate covering the opening of the housing and being fixed at a circumference thereof to edges of the opening of the housing,
at least one of the sidewall portions that is in contact with a sidewall portion of another light source device being arranged in a standing manner at an angle \u03b8, where 90\xb0<\u03b8\u2266150\xb0, relative to the bottom, and being provided with a light-transmitting hole on the side of the opening of the housing;
the light source devices being adjacently connected with each other in such a manner that the sidewall portions forming the same angle \u03b8 relative to the bottom are in contact with each other.
11. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein each of the light source devices has a regular polygonal shape for the bottom and the transmissivereflective plate thereof, and the plurality of light source devices constitute the illumination device by being adjacently connected with each other to form a regular polyhedral shape, a spherical surface shape, or a spherical shape.
12. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein each of the light source devices has a rectangular shape for the bottom and the transmissivereflective plate thereof, and a plurality of such point light sources are arranged at predetermined intervals on the center line along the longitudinal direction of the bottom, and the plurality of light source devices constitute the illumination device by being adjacently connected with each other in a lateral direction to form a semicircular shape or a cylindrical shape so that the longitudinal direction of the light source devices corresponds to the vertical direction.
13. A display device comprising:
an illumination device comprising:
a plurality of light source devices, each of the plurality of light source devices capable of being used by adjacently connecting with each other in multiple, and being arranged on convex curved surfaces or on different flat surfaces of a polygonal column or a polyhedral shape, the light source devices comprising:
a point light source having high directionality;
a box-shaped housing having a bottom to center of which the point light source is fixed, sidewall portions arranged in a standing manner from edges of the bottom up to a predetermined height, a side portion defining an opening provided facing the point light source, and a reflection member forming an inner wall surface of the housing; and
a transmissivereflective plate covering the opening of the housing and being fixed at a circumference thereof to edges of the opening of the housing, at least one of the sidewall portions that is in contact with a sidewall portion of another light source device being arranged in a standing manner at an angle \u03b8, where 90\xb0<\u03b8\u2266150\xb0, relative to the bottom, and being provided with a light-transmitting hole on the side of the opening of the housing;
the light source devices being adjacently connected with each other in such a manner that the sidewall portions forming the same angle \u03b8 relative to the bottom are in contact with each other; and
a display plate provided at an outer side of either the transmissivereflective plate or the diffusion plate of the illumination device.

1. An orthopaedic surgical instrument system for use during a surgical procedure to implant an orthopaedic knee prosthesis, comprising:
a tibial base trial component adapted to be positioned on a surgically-prepared proximal end of a patient’s tibia, the tibial base trial component having an opening defined therein,
an insert component shaped to be received in the opening defined in the tibial base trial component, the insert component having a base plate and a central post extending upwardly from a superior surface of the base plate, wherein a superior surface of the central post has a ramp surface defined therein, the ramp surface inclines superiorly in the anterior-to-posterior direction, and
a tibial bearing trial component having an opening defined therein, the central post of the insert component being configured to be received in the opening of the tibial bearing trial assembly.
2. The orthopaedic surgical system of claim 1, wherein:
the central post comprises a collar extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the central post, and
the ramp surface is defined in a superior surface of the collar.
3. The orthopaedic surgical system of claim 2, wherein:
the ramp surface defined in the collar has an anterior end and a posterior end,
the anterior end of the ramp surface defined in the collar is coplanar with the superior surface of the base plate, and
the posterior end of the ramp surface defined in the collar is spaced apart superiorly from the superior surface of the base plate.
4. The orthopaedic surgical system of claim 1, wherein:
the central post comprises a connector configured to secure the insert component to a surgical handle,
the connector comprising a flange extending anteriorly away from the longitudinal axis of the central post, and
the ramp surface is defined in a superior surface of the flange of the connector.
5. The orthopaedic surgical system of claim 1, wherein:
the central post further comprises an elongated anit-rotation lug extending in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the central post, and
the ramp surface is defined in a superior surface of the elongated anti-rotation lug.
6. The orthopaedic surgical system of claim 1, wherein:
the insert component comprises an inferior surface opposite its superior surface, and
the insert component defines a tibial evaluation component, the tibial evaluation component having a pair of bone engaging spikes extending inferiorly from the inferior surface of the insert component.
7. The orthopaedic surgical system of claim 1, wherein the tibial bearing trial component comprises:
a tibial bearing surface trial component having an articular surface, and
a shim removably secured to the tibial bearing surface trial component.
8. The orthopaedic surgical system of claim 1, wherein:
the insert component comprises an inferior surface opposite its superior surface, and
the insert component defines a keel punch, the keel punch having a pair of serrated wings extending inferiorly from the inferior surface of the insert component.
9. A surgical instrument for use to surgically prepare a proximal end of a patient’s tibia during a surgical procedure to implant an orthopaedic knee prosthesis, the surgical instrument comprising:
a keel punch comprising (i) a base plate, (ii) a central post extending upwardly from a superior surface of the base plate, wherein a superior surface of the central post has a ramp surface defined therein, the ramp surface inclines superiorly in the anterior-to-posterior direction, and (iii) a pair of serrated wings extending inferiorly from an inferior surface of the base plate.
10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein:
the central post comprises a collar extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the central post, and
the ramp surface is defined in a superior surface of the collar.
11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein:
the ramp surface defined in the collar has an anterior end and a posterior end,
the anterior end of the ramp surface defined in the collar is coplanar with the superior surface of the base plate, and
the posterior end of the ramp surface defined in the collar is spaced apart superiorly from the superior surface of the base plate.
12. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein:
the central post comprises a connector configured to secure the keel punch to a surgical handle,
the connector comprising a flange extending anteriorly away from the longitudinal axis of the central post, and
the ramp surface is defined in a superior surface of the flange of the connector.
13. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein:
the central post further comprises an elongated anit-rotation lug extending in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the central post, and
the ramp surface is defined in a superior surface of the elongated anti-rotation lug.
14. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein:
the surgical punch further comprises a tapered cylindrical post extending inferiorly from the inferior surface of the base plate, and
one of the pair of serrated wings is secured to a medial side of the tapered cylindrical post and extends medially therefrom, with the other serrated wing being secured to a lateral side of the tapered cylindrical post and extending laterally therefrom.
15. A method of trialing prosthetic components of a knee prosthesis, the method comprising
positioning a tibial base trial component on a surgically-prepared proximal end of a patient’s tibia,
inserting an insert component into an opening defined in the tibial base trial component, the insert component having (i) a base plate, and (ii) a central post extending upwardly from a superior surface of the base plate, wherein a superior surface of the central post has a ramp surface defined therein, and
advancing a tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction such that a leading edge of the tibial bearing trial component contacts, and rides up, the ramp surface so as to urge a posterior edge of the tibial bearing trial component superiorly in a direction away from the tibial base trial component.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction comprises advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction such that the leading edge of the tibial bearing trial component contacts, and rides up, the ramp surface so as to urge a femoral trial component and the tibial base trial component in a direction away from one another.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein:
the tibial bearing trial component comprises a tibial bearing surface trial component secured to a shim, and
advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction comprises advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction such that a leading edge of the shim contacts, and rides up, the ramp surface so as to urge a posterior edge of the tibial bearing surface trial component superiorly in a direction away from the tibial base trial component.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein:
the central post comprises a collar extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the central post,
the ramp surface is defined in a superior surface of the collar, and
advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction comprises advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction such that a leading edge of the shim contacts, and rides up, the ramp surface of the collar so as to urge a posterior edge of the tibial bearing surface trial component superiorly in a direction away from the tibial base trial component.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein:
the central post comprises a connector configured to secure the insert component to a surgical handle,
the connector comprising a flange extending anteriorly away from the longitudinal axis of the central post,
the ramp surface is defined in a superior surface of the flange of the connector, and
advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction comprises advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction such that a leading edge of the tibial bearing surface trial component contacts, and rides up, the ramp surface of the connector so as to urge a posterior edge of the tibial bearing surface trial component superiorly in a direction away from the tibial base trial component.
18. The orthopaedic surgical system of claim 15, wherein:
the central post further comprises an elongated anit-rotation lug extending in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the central post,
the ramp surface is defined in a superior surface of the elongated anti-rotation lug, and
advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction comprises advancing the tibial bearing trial component in the anterior-to-posterior direction such that a leading edge of the shim contacts, and rides up, the ramp surface of the anti-rotation lug so as to urge a posterior edge of the tibial bearing surface trial component superiorly in a direction away from the tibial base trial component.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein:
the insert component comprises an inferior surface opposite its superior surface,
the insert component defines a tibial evaluation component, the tibial evaluation component having a pair of bone engaging spikes extending inferiorly from the inferior surface of the insert component, and
inserting the insert component into the opening defined in the tibial base trial component comprises inserting the bone engaging spikes of the tibial evaluation component through the opening defined in the tibial base trail component and into bone tissue.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein:
the insert component comprises an inferior surface opposite its superior surface,
the insert component defines a keel punch, the keel punch having a pair of serrated wings extending inferiorly from the inferior surface of the insert component, and
inserting the insert component into the opening defined in the tibial base trial component comprises inserting the serrated wings of the keel punch through the opening defined in the tibial base trail component and into bone tissue.

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 electrostatic precipitator unit, comprising:
an outer housing having an inlet for a gas stream to be treated in the electrostatic precipitator and an outlet for treated gases,
an array of electrically-conducting tubes located within said housing and extending continuously from adjacent said inlet to adjacent said outlet, said array of tubes being electrically grounded to permit said array of tubes to act as collecting surfaces for particulate removal from the gas stream,
pairs of elongate rod electrodes located in each of said tubes, with one member of each pair of electrodes extending a first distance from one end of said tubes and the other member of each pair of electrodes extending a second distance from the other end of said tubes to be spaced apart from one another,
said one member of each pair of electrodes being electrically powered by a first power supply and said other member of each pair of electrodes being electrically powered by a second power supply to permit each pair of electrodes to act as ionizing electrodes for the gas stream,
wherein, in operation, differing power levels may be applied by said first and second power supply to gas flowing through said array of tubes during said first distance and to gas flowing in said array of tubes during said second distance.
2. The unit of claim 1 wherein the tubes have a round cross-section.
3. The unit of claim 1 wherein the tubes have a polygonal cross-section.
4. The unit of claim 3 wherein the tubes have a hexagonal cross-section.
5. The unit of claim 1 configured as a wet electrostatic precipitator unit.
6. The unit of claim 1 wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.
7. The unit of claim 1 wherein said array of electrically-conducting tubes is constructed of a carbon-fiber reinforced cross-linked thermosetting resin.