40results about How to "Closer packing" patented technology

The present invention relates to a method of making clips which can be used to engage body tissue for the purpose of closing wounds. Such clips are generally annular in shape and have radially inwardly extending tines. It is often desirable for such clips to have a small lateral dimension, but manufacturing difficulty has been encountered in making small clips because of the difficulty in cutting materials accurately when attempting to produce a clip with closely packed elements. The present invention avoids these difficulties by first forming a precursor which, in one embodiment, has the tines extending radially outwardly from the annular body and then forms the clip by inverting the precursor such that the tines extend radially inwardly. In an alternate embodiment, the precursor is formed with an over-sized lateral dimension and then compressed inwardly to bring the tines closer together and to reduce the lateral dimension of the precursor. It is preferred to manufacture such clips from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium, in which case the inverted or compressed precursor must be heated and quenched to heat set the clip in its final shape.

Organic / inorganic nanocomposites and methods for their preparation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing an organic / inorganic concentrate and processing the concentrate with a polymer resin. In a preferred embodiment the organic / inorganic concentrate and polymer resin are processed by extrusion using a single-screw extruder. In another embodiment, the method further comprises surface modifying an inorganic additive, mixing the modified additive with a polymer solution to produce an organic / inorganic solution, and removing solvent from the organic / inorganic solution to produce the organic / inorganic concentrate. Processing of the organic / inorganic concentrate with a polymer resin produces a homogeneous nanocomposite with superior mechanical and thermal properties.

The present invention is a wavelength-selective optical switching system. The switching system includes an input waveguide designated as waveguide WG(0) for receiving a multiplexed optical signal comprising optical signals transmitted over a plurality of wavelength channels represented by λ1, λ2, λ3, , λN, where N is a positive integer wherein the input waveguide extending over a first direction. The switching system further includes a two dimensional waveguide array comprising a plurality of first direction waveguides WG(i), i=1, 2, 3, , M extending over the first direction substantially parallel to the input waveguide WG(0) where M is a positive integer and a plurality of second direction waveguides WG′(j), j=1, 2, 3, N, extending over a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and intersecting with the input waveguide and each of the first direction waveguide WG(i), i=0, 1, 2, 3, ,M, thus forming (M+1)×N intersections. The switching system further includes a plurality of wavelength selective grating-based switches SW(i, j) where i=0, 1, 2, 3, , M and j=1, 2, 3, , N, each disposed on one of the (M+1)×N intersections for selectively transmitting an optical signal of wavelength λj into a waveguide WG′(j) and for selectively transmitting an optical signal of a predefined combination of wavelengths into at least one of the waveguide WG(i) for i=1, 2, 3, M.

A “toggling” type of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) has memory stacks arranged in the X-Y plane on the MRAM substrate with each memory stack having a plurality of toggle memory cells stacked along the Z axis. Each memory stack is located at an intersection region between two orthogonal write lines. Each cell in the stack is a “toggle” cell that has its synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) free layer easy axis of magnetization aligned nonparallel with the X and Y axes and angularly spaced about the Z axis from the easy axes of magnetization of all the other SAF free layers in the stack. Each cell in a stack is magnetically separated from adjacent cells in the stack by a nonmagnetic separation layer. The magnetization direction of the free layer in a selected memory cell in a stack can be switched without switching the magnetization directions of the free layers in the other memory cells in the stack.

An energy absorption material, formed of a plurality of structural layers each formed of a substantially rigid material; a plurality of cushion layers interleaved with the structural layers, with each cushion layer formed of a substantially compressible material; wherein the cushion layers are coupled to adjacent structural layers; and one of the cushion layers and the structural layers is further positioned on a threat face of the energy absorption material.

A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) has memory units or stacks of multiple memory cells arranged in the X-Y plane on the MRAM substrate with each memory unit having four possible magnetic states. Each memory unit is located at an intersection region between two orthogonal write lines and has two stacked memory cells. The two cells are magnetically separated from each other by a separation layer and have the easy axes of magnetization of their free ferromagnetic layers aligned substantially orthogonal to one another. The application of write-current pulses of equal magnitude and the appropriate direction through the orthogonal write lines above and below the memory units can generate each of the four magnetic states which can be detected as four independent logical states.

The invention provides series interconnected thin-film photovoltaic module and method of preparation thereof. The photovoltaic module includes photovoltaic cells that may be interconnected by a conductive member. The conductive member may electrically connect a top surface of a photovoltaic cell with the bottom surface of another photovoltaic cell, while contacting the photovoltaic cells along the bottom surfaces of the photovoltaic cells. The conductive member may connect the photovoltaic cells without coming between the cells. A photovoltaic cell may include an insulating layer and a collector electrode that may wrap around the side of the cell to cover at least a portion of the bottom of the cell.

A falling off of a through electrode is inhibited without decreasing a reliability of a semiconductor device including a through electrode. A semiconductor device 100 includes: a silicon substrate 101; a through electrode 129 extending through the silicon substrate 101; and a first insulating ring 130 provided in a circumference of a side surface of the through electrode 129 and extending through the semiconductor substrate 101. In addition, the semiconductor device 100 also includes a protruding portion 146, being provided at least in the vicinity of a back surface of a device-forming surface of the semiconductor substrate 101 so as to contact with the through electrode 129, and protruding in a direction along the surface of the semiconductor substrate 101 toward an interior of the through electrode 129.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide polymer compositions and methods for controlling a property of a resultant gel. A preferred method includes dissolving a vinyl polymer in a first solvent to form a solution; and contacting the vinyl polymer solution in a suitable volume of at least one immersion solvent comprising a second solvent to cause gelation. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides poly(vinyl alcohol) compositions and methods that produce physically crosslinked hydrogels that have tunable physical properties. Also provided are articles of manufacture such as prosthetic intervertebral disks and contact lenses.

A bioNEMS device comprises a piezoresistive cantilever having flexing legs of which attach the cantilever to a support and a biofunctionalized portion at the tip. A bias current applied to the legs is limited by a maximal acceptable temperature increase at the biofunctionalized tip. The length of the cantilever has a magnitude chosen to minimize background Johnson noise. A catalyzed receptor on the device binds to a ligand whose binding rate coefficient is enhanced. The catalyst lowers the receptor-ligand binding activation energy and is designed by forced evolution to preferentially bind with the ligand. A carrier signal is injected by a magnetic film disposed on the cantilever which is electromagnetically coupled to a source of the carrier signal. A plurality of NEMS fluidicly coupled transducers generate a plurality of output signals from which a collective output signal is derived, either by averaging or thresholding. The NEMS devices are disposed in microfluidic flow channels and fabricated in a membrane. A linking molecule is attached to the tip of the transducer and a fluffball attached to the linking molecule to increase damping.

An outputs signal, v(t), is generated from a bioNEMs transducer and mixed with a reference signal and then filtered to generate a correlator output, r(t). The correlator output is detected to generate a signal u(t) and then determined whether the signal u(t) satisfies a predetermined threshold. If qualified, it is then decided whether the signal u(t) represents a predetermined type of interaction between a free ligand in a fluid in which the NEMS device is immersed and a receptor attached to the transducer. The threshold is the Neyman-Pearson criterion based on a predetermined probability of false detection, Pfa. The interaction may be binding of a free ligand to the receptor or releasing a bound ligand from the receptor by competitive binding with the free ligand. The step of detecting comprises detecting the envelope of the signal, r(t).

An outputs signal, v(t), is generated from a bioNEMs transducer and mixed with a reference signal and then filtered to generate a correlator output, r(t). The correlator output is detected to generate a signal u(t) and then determined whether the signal u(t) satisfies a predetermined threshold. If qualified, it is then decided whether the signal u(t) represents a predetermined type of interaction between a free ligand in a fluid in which the NEMS device is immersed and a receptor attached to the transducer. The threshold is the Neyman-Pearson criterion based on a predetermined probability of false detection, Pfa. The interaction may be binding of a free ligand to the receptor or releasing a bound ligand from the receptor by competitive binding with the free ligand. The step of detecting comprises detecting the envelope of the signal, r(t).

A method of fabricating a self-aligned buried wordline in a structure which contains a self-aligned buried bit line, where the overall structure which makes up a portion of a vertical channel DRAM. The materials and processes used enable self-alignment of elements of the buried wordline during the fabrication process. In addition, the materials and processes used enable for formation of individual DRAM cells which have a buried bit line width which is 16 nm or less and a perpendicular buried wordline width which is 24 nm or less.

Embodiments of the invention include additional compositions and related methods and devices for the use of phage-nanoparticle assemblies. Embodiments of the invention include compositions, methods and devices related to phage-nanoparticle assemblies and their use in a variety of methods including detection methods, in vitro and in vivo diagnostic methods, direct and / or indirect therapeutic methods, or combinations thereof. Phage-nanoparticle assemblies of the invention comprise a plurality of nanoparticles complexed with one or more phage particles to form a phage-nanoparticle assembly. In certain aspects, the phage-nanoparticle assembly may also include other agents, including but not limited to organizing agents and / or therapeutic agents.

An optical device having a housing for one or more optoelectronic components, for example a semiconductor laser transmitter or a photodiode. The optoelectronic device, comprises an open-ended metal canister, an insulating substrate, at least one optoelectronic component mounted on the substrate, and one or more electrical connections made to the component(s). The insulating substrate closes the open end of the metal canister so that the metal canister and insulating substrate together form a housing for one or more of the components mounted on the substrate. The insulating substrate acts as a circuit board to carry the electrical connections from the component(s) externally of the housing. The canister has at least one optical port by which optical radiation may be transmitted into and / or out of the housing.

A seat support structure including an elastomeric panel. The elastomeric panel positions and supports a seated occupant. The panel is constrained on a forward side and a rearward side.

There is disclosed a coupling for a radiation source assembly that comprises an elongate radiation source and an elongate radiation transparent protective sleeve for receiving the elongate radiation source. The coupling disengages in two stages when it is desired to remove the elongate radiation source for servicing (or any other purpose). The coupling is disengaged from a first position in which a seal is made between the sleeve bolt element and the lamp plug element. When this action takes place, the lamp plug element is still secure with respect to the sleeve bolt element but since there is no seal between the two, any fluid which has flooded the elongate radiation source (e.g., due to breakage or other damage to the protective sleeve) will emerge from the coupling warning the operator not to fully disengage the lamp plug element from the sleeve bolt element. If no such fluid is seen by operator, the operator may continue to disengage the lamp plug element from the sleeve bolt element to withdraw the elongate radiation source from the elongate radiation transparent protective sleeve.

The system for packaging a flexible web (2) that is layered in a zigzag loops comprises the following for simplifying the handling and packaging processes: a layering device (1) for forming a tier consisting of a web (2) that is layered in zigzag loops; a transfer device (26) for directly or indirectly transferring the looped web tier to a packaging container; and a memory-programmable control device for components of the system.

The present invention discloses a sack comprising a second container and a first container, an activated carbon filter that is positioned between said first and second containers and a sealable rubberized zipper and the activated carbon filter is positioned such that it may absorb at least a portion of odor and moisture from items stored inside sack. In addition, an antimicrobial material may be infused into the material of the sack.

A haptic device includes a first signal generator embedded in a host and configured to generate a first haptic signal. A first waveguide is operatively connected to and configured to transmit the first haptic signal away from the first signal generator. A first integrator is operatively connected to the first waveguide and configured to receive the first haptic signal. The first waveguide and the first integrator are in mechanical communication with the host. The first waveguide may include a first bent portion characterized by a first bend angle. An additional waveguide may be configured to transmit the first haptic signal to the first integrator. The additional waveguide may include an additional bent portion characterized by a second bend angle. The haptic device may be part of a seat assembly, where the host is at least one of a seat bottom, a seat back and a head rest.