Abstract: The inventive technology describes to a novel surgical device having a high-speed rotating hollow cutting needle capable of longitudinally cutting, sampling, removing and/or coring targeted tissue pathologies as well as the efficient collection and/or disposal of said tissue pathologies. In particular, the inventive technology may be suitable for application on lesions near the skin, and/or pathologies internal to the body, and perhaps even especially for procedures performed in conjunction with image guidance, particularly active X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or ultrasound scans, where the presence of a large electro-magnetic field may impose significant constraints on the design and operation of mechanical mechanisms.

Abstract: A surgical screw and driver arrangement whereby the end of the driver is vertically inserted and removed from the slotted end of the surgical screw and whereby the end of the driver is attached to and removed from the slotted end of the surgical screw by a quarter turn in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The driver includes an inner shaft connecting with a center locking cam at one end of the driver and an outer shaft that connects with a pair of blades, one on each side of the locking cam. The surgical screw includes a slotted head at one end and a tapered threaded rod attached to the head. A pair of dovetail slots extending perpendicular within the slotted head receives the locking cam when the driver inner shaft is rotated a quarter turn clockwise to fasten the surgical screw to the end of the driver.

Abstract: A microelectronic battery is formed from Zn/Air technology as a volumetric energy storage device from soft lithography techniques. The microelectric battery includes an anode and a cathode disposed in an electrolyte tank having a volume <1 mm3 that is filled with an electrolyte.

Abstract: A MEMS volumetric lithium-ion battery formed using a soft lithography technique. The battery includes a reduced footprint area with a corresponding increase in capacity by exploiting the Z dimension through increased volume, while utilizing a chemistry capable of one Joule per cubic millimeter. The battery may be manufactured to cell sizes of one millimeter and cell volumes of one cubic millimeter. The battery can be formed into battery banks, electrically connected in series and parallel, and integrated into a system-on-a-chip. The battery may also be implemented for on-board applications and is suitable for space, air, and terrestrial applications, and in particular, for providing a MEMS volumetric battery.

Abstract: A system for and methods of easily and securely inserting and removing a fastener usable during orthopedic surgery to promote proper healing of injured bone are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a system for positive, complete tri-modal retention of a bone media fastener element by a bone media fastener driver element so that three types of positional divergence of the driver relative to the fastener—bi-axial, bi-rotational, and bi-lateral—may be prevented. At least one embodiment of a bone media fastener apparatus may comprise a shaft element, a threaded bone engagement element, and a head element that itself may comprise a fastener-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element that is engageable with a driver-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element of a bone media fastener driver element to prevent bi-lateral divergence, bi-rotational divergence, and bi-axial divergence.

Abstract: A system for and methods of easily and securely inserting and removing a fastener usable during orthopedic surgery to promote proper healing of injured bone are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a system for positive, complete tri-modal retention of a bone media fastener element by a bone media fastener driver element so that three types of positional divergence of the driver relative to the fastener—bi-axial, bi-rotational, and bi-lateral—may be prevented. At least one embodiment of a bone media fastener apparatus may comprise a shaft element, a threaded bone engagement element, and a head element that itself may comprise a fastener-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element that is engageable with a driver-side, positive, complete tri-modal retention element of a bone media fastener driver element to prevent bi-lateral divergence, bi-rotational divergence, and bi-axial divergence.

Abstract: A pretensioner (50) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) has a member (52) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device (120) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member (52).

Abstract: A microelectronic supercapacitor is amenable to being fabricated using micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques. By utilizing MEMS techniques, the supercapacitor in accordance with the present invention can be formed with volumes <1 mm3. As such, such microelectronic supercapacitor is suitable for use in applications in which only a few millimeters are available for both a supercapacitor and an energy storage device, such as a battery.

Abstract: A spacecraft component (20) includes a plurality of parts, e.g., a first part (22) and a second part (23) connected to one another, at least the first part (22) being mounted for movement with respect to another of the parts, e.g., the second part (23). At least one microthruster (27) is provided on the first part for actuation thereof and includes a chamber (2, 14), a fluid provided in the chamber and a diaphragm (3, 13) covering an opening in the chamber (2, 14).

Abstract: A microelectronic battery which provides increased battery capacity relative to known thin film batteries without the need for increasing the footprint. In order to provide increased capacity, the microelectronic battery in accordance with the present invention is formed from Zn/Air technology as a volumetric energy storage device. As a volumetric energy storage device, the height dimension of the device may be increased relative to known thin film batteries to provide increased battery capacity without the need to increase the footprint dimensions. As such, the microelectronic battery in accordance with the present invention is suitable for various applications which require a relatively high capacity power supply with a relatively small footprint.

Abstract: A microelectronic supercapacitor is amenable to being fabricated using micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques. By utilizing MEMS techniques, the supercapacitor in accordance with the present invention can be formed with volumes <1 mm3. As such, such microelectronic supercapacitor is suitable for use in applications in which only a few millimeters are available for both a supercapacitor and an energy storage device, such as a battery.

Abstract: A microthruster (11) provides a small unit force. The microthruster is useful, for example, as a propellant for a microsatellite. The microthruster includes an aerospike (12) extending outwardly beyond the face of an outer wall of the chamber (14) of the microthruster in the vicinity of an outlet nozzle thereof formed by two diaphragms or burst disks (15, 16), closing the chamber on respective sides of the aerospike. The aerospike is preferably formed integrally with the chamber by batch microelectronic fabrication methods. Higher thrust efficiency and more controllable and uniform impulse characteristics are attainable with the microthruster and with an array (17) comprising a plurality of the microthrusters.

Abstract: Miniature arm fire and safe and arm devices include an electrically operated pyrotechnic initiation device (5) to generate a detonation wave upon command and a movable pressure barrier (9) that blocks propagation of the detonation wave if the device is not intended to be fired and opens a window (12) to transfer the detonation wave externally of the device. The detonation wave may in alternate embodiments be a subsonic flame front and pressure wave or a supersonic shock wave, respectively. An electromagnet (7) may serve to move the pressure barrier. Detonation waves output from the device have application in igniting an explosive train, either directly or indirectly, the latter by operating an electrical switch. In the arm fire device, the barrier automatically prevents a detonation output when electrical power is removed from the device. In the safe and arm device, the barrier, once moved out of the way, remains out of the way, even when electrical power is removed.

Abstract: A pretensioner (50) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) has a member (52) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device (120) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member (52).

Abstract: A pulse plasma thruster (50) utilizes a vapor producing solid (54) and a micro-sized heater (52) to produce a high pressure vapor that is directed into an ignition chamber (58) and to a thrust discharge chamber (70). The thrust discharge chamber (70) comprises two oppositely disposed electrode plates (72, 74) and oppositely disposed fuel propellants sources (60, 62). The passageway (56) leading from vapor producing solid (54) to the thrust discharge chamber (70) is configured to permit uniform feeding of the vapors to the thrust discharge chamber (70). A pair of electrode terminals (82, 84) extend from the electrode plates (72, 74) and through a housing (88). A power source (100) is coupled to the terminals (82, 84) and provides the ignition signals necessary to cause a spark and a breakdown to a useful plasma arc by controlling the voltage-current shape of the ignition signal.

Abstract: A propulsion system and, in particular, a microthruster for a microsatellite. The microthruster may be formed as a resistojet type thruster formed with a chamber, closed by a diaphragm which acts as a blow-out disk. A fluid, such as an inert gas, is disposed within the chamber. Heating of the gas causes the gas pressure to increase until the diaphragm ruptures, which, in turn, causes the gas to flow out of the chamber, acting as a propellant, and providing a small unit force. The microthruster is adapted to be formed by known batch processing methods with 10.sup.4 -10.sup.6 microthrusters per wafer. The unit of force can be easily scaled by varying the number of microthruster 20 used for an application, the geometry of the chamber 22, as well as the type of fluid used within the chamber, to suit the microsatellite application.

Abstract: A spinning apparatus for conducting magnetic resonance spectroscopy on a sample, having: an inner holder for the sample; mechanism for spinning the inner holder, while positioned in a magnetic field, about its axis; and a substantially nonmagnetic mechanical first bearing for supporting the first end-portion of the inner holder. Also, a spinning apparatus having: an inner holder for the sample; mechanism for spinning the inner holder, while positioned in a magnetic field, about its axis; a first and second bearing for supporting, respectively, a first and second end-portion of the inner holder; an outer housing for retaining the inner holder; mechanism for spinning the outer housing about its axis; and a substantially nonmagnetic mechanical third bearing for supporting the right end-portion of the outer housing. Also included is a device for measuring the magnetic resonance spectrum of a sample.

Abstract: A technique and design for variable-temperature magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Designs utilizing a separate gas for control of sample temperature confine temperature gradients away from the sample. Annular seals isolate a sample gas chamber along a rotor and avoid gas mixing and other sample temperature effects. Improved resolution by avoiding temperature gradients and independence of rotational speed from sample temperature is provided.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance spinning apparatus includes an elongated cylindrical sample rotor with slotted air vanes on one tapered end thereof, an axial stator air drive and air end bearing, and a lateral ring air bearing around the opposite end of the rotor. The lateral end bearing retains the spinning axis at a precise pre-set angle, and the slotted air vanes are designed for high speed, low pressure applications. An adjustable cradle support mounts the spinning apparatus in a manner that allows convenient spin angle adjustment, and an insulated probe is provided with a convenient access opening and door structure for access to the spinning apparatus mounted therein.

Abstract: A fail safe device for isolating the revolution limiter from the ignition system of an internal combustion engine, in which the output stage of the revolution limiter is continuously monitored to ascertain whether or not it is absorbing ignition pulses at a speed lower than the limiting speed. In the event that the absorption of ignition pulses is taking place at a speed lower than the limiting speed, the fail safe device becomes operative upon the engine revolutions falling below a given value and causes a fuse in series with the output stage of the revolution limiter to blow, thus isolating the revolution limiter from the ignition system to allow ignition to be instantly re-established in the event of a fault occuring in the revolution limiter.