Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a housing having an aft end that terminates in a row of chevrons. At least one surface of the housing has scalloped root regions proximate bases of adjacent chevrons. The scalloped root regions have a reduced thickness relative to the rest of the aft end.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a housing having an aft end that terminates in a row of chevrons. At least one surface of the housing has scalloped root regions proximate bases of adjacent chevrons. The scalloped root regions have a reduced thickness relative to the rest of the aft end.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a housing having an aft end that terminates in a row of chevrons. At least one surface of the housing has scalloped root regions proximate bases of adjacent chevrons. The scalloped root regions have a reduced thickness relative to the rest of the aft end.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a housing having a length which extends along a central longitudinal axis and comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a row of chevrons extending from an aft end of the housing, the chevrons having a root region and a tip, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the interior surface or the exterior surface is scalloped proximate the root region of a chevron. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a housing having a length which extends along a central longitudinal axis and comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a row of chevrons extending from an aft end of the housing, the chevrons having a root region and a tip, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the interior surface or the exterior surface is scalloped proximate the root region of a chevron. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: A method for automatically measuring the modulation transfer function of an imager is disclosed. A opaque mask is placed over selected columns and rows of the imager during fabrication. In the course of an automated process, photons are uniformly shone over the image sensor. The amount of the input signal that flows from the unmasked pixel cells to the masked pixel cells can then be measured and the modulation transfer function can be determined.

Abstract: A method for automatically measuring the modulation transfer function of an imager is disclosed. A opaque mask is placed over selected columns and rows of the imager during fabrication. In the course of an automated process, photons are uniformly shone over the image sensor. The amount of the input signal that flows from the unmasked pixel cells to the masked pixel cells can then be measured and the modulation transfer function can be determined.

Abstract: A system for strategy management within an organization. The system includes a shared strategic plan, and a first processing device controllable by a user having a user identification. The first processing device includes a first communications module operable to communicate the user identification, to communicate a request to receive at least a portion of the shared strategic plan, and to receive the requested portion after communicating the user identification and the request. The system further includes a second processing device. The second processing device includes an administration module operable to validate that the user has permission to receive the requested portion, and a communications module. The communications module is operable to receive the user identification from the first processing device, and to communicate the requested portion to the first processing device when the user identification is valid.

Abstract: A testing station tests integrated circuits and determines if the integrated circuits pass or fail predefined tests. The integrated circuits are placed in a pass bin if the integrated circuits passed the tests, or a fail bin if the integrated circuits failed the tests. A marking station marks identification information on the integrated circuits in the pass bin. The testing and marking stations are both included in a single, integrated tester-marker system.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention relates to an instrument for obtaining tissue samples from a site deep within the body. The instrument has an elongated proximal portion that is constructed to follow a long, torturous path to the site and has a distal end constructed to sever and remove a tissue sample from the body, including tissue specimens, polyps or the like. The improvement includes that the instrument is constructed to take multiple biopsy samples without being withdrawn from the body. The instrument includes a tissue sample retractor. The retractor is axially movable between an extended tissue-engaging position and a retracted position. There is an open passage into which the retractor moves when moving from the extended to the retracted position. The retractor has a distal end portion constructed to engage tissue and apply axial transporting force thereto while moving from the extended to the retracted position.

Abstract: An instrument for obtaining tissue samples from a site deep within the body. The instrument has an elongated proximal portion that is constructed to follow a long, torturous path to the site and a distal end constructed to remove a tissue sample from the body, including tissue specimens, polyps or the like. The instrument is constructed to take multiple biopsy samples without being withdrawn from the body by including a storage space along the axis of the device suitable for storage of multiple, successively taken samples. The instrument includes a side-facing sampling element constructed such that it can be actuated in a first, rotational motion about the device axis to separate a tissue sample from the body and a second, axial motion for disposing the sample axially to facilitate positioning the sample in the storage space.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting from a tissue surface, a sample of tissue, including tissue specimens, polyps, or the like. A device body defines a forward-facing tissue receiving opening of substantially predetermined width through which tissue may pass when the opening is near the tissue surface. A severing element is actuatable across the width of the tissue receiving opening when tissue from the surface extends through the opening for severing the tissue from the surface. A storage space proximal of and adjacent the opening is provided for storage of multiple, successively taken samples by repeatedly passing tissue through the opening and actuating the severing element.

Abstract: An instrument for obtaining tissue samples from a site deep within the body. The instrument has an elongated proximal portion that is constructed to follow a long, torturous path to the site and a distal end constructed to remove a tissue sample from the body, including tissue specimens, polyps or the like. The instrument is constructed to take multiple biopsy samples without being withdrawn from the body by including a device body defining a storage space along the axis of the device suitable for storage of multiple, successively taken samples. The instrument includes a sampling assembly having a cutting member, constructed such that it can be actuated in a first, rotary motion to take a tissue sample from the body and a second, axial motion for disposing the sample axially into the storage space.

Abstract: An instrument for obtaining tissue samples from a site deep within the body. The instrument has an elongated proximal portion that is constructed to follow a long, torturous path to the site and a distal end constructed to remove a tissue sample from the body, including tissue specimens, polyps or the like. The instrument is constructed to take multiple biopsy samples without being withdrawn from the body by including a storage space along the axis of the device suitable for storage of multiple, successively taken samples. The instrument includes a side-facing sampling element constructed such that it can be actuated in a first, rotational motion about the device axis to separate a tissue sample from the body and a second, axial motion for disposing the sample axially to facilitate positioning the sample in the storage space.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting from a tissue surface, a sample of tissue, including tissue specimens, polyps, or the like. A device body defines a forward-facing tissue receiving opening of substantially predetermined width through which tissue may pass when the opening is near the tissue surface. A severing element is actuatable across the width of the tissue receiving opening when tissue from the surface extends through the opening for severing the tissue from the surface. A storage space proximal of and adjacent the opening is provided for storage of multiple, successively taken samples by repeatedly passing tissue through the opening and actuating the severing element.

Abstract: Samples of tissue are cleanly severed from locations deep within the body of a patient. A catheter has a catheter body constructed for placement through a narrow passageway and includes at its distal portion a cutter. The cutter includes a moveable cutting member that can be controllably actuated to sever the tissue sample from the location deep within the body. A firing mechanism is provided at a proximal end of the catheter. The firing mechanism includes, for example, a moveable actuating element connected to the cutting member and a preaccelerator element. The preaccelerator element is accelerated to high speed before transferring force to the actuating element to cause the actuating element to accelerate to rapidly actuate the moveable cutting member and cleanly cut the sample. The cutting element may be a jaw-form that has sharp end cutting edges and is constructed to provide shearing action.

Abstract: An instrument for obtaining tissue samples from a site deep within the body. The instrument has an elongated proximal portion that is constructed to follow a long, torturous path to the site and a distal end constructed to remove a tissue sample from the body, including tissue specimens, polyps or the like. The instrument is constructed to take multiple biopsy samples without being withdrawn from the body by including a device body defining a storage space along the axis of the device suitable for storage of multiple, successively taken samples. The instrument includes a sampling assembly having a cutting member, constructed such that it can be actuated in a first, rotary motion to take a tissue sample from the body and a second, axial motion for disposing the sample axially into the storage space.

Abstract: A surgical instrument useful for laparoscopic surgery comprising an insulated shaft, a control means and a connection to an electrosurgical radiofrequency power source, its distal end being of general J-hook form having a tissue-engaging ledge, and the shaft supporting a tissue-engaging clamping or cutting member movable toward the ledge in response to the control means so that an artery or other tissue in the pocket of the J-hook can be clamped or cut while radiofrequency current is applied. Instrument constructions disclosed incorporate one or two clamping members and a cutting member arranged such that with actuation, the clamping member(s) engages the ledge before the cutting member, and, by selective actuation of the electrosurgical power source, coagulation current can be applied while clamping an artery or other tissue against the ledge to stop flow of blood, and by further actuation of the control and suitable current to the cutting member, the artery or tissue may be cut.

Abstract: A mechanized ball includes a hollow sphere having a removable hatch through which a powered ball driving unit can be placed within the sphere and removed therefrom. The ball driving unit can be electrically or mechanically powered and may be in the form of a single powered driving wheel or a self-contained four wheeled toy vehicle. The vehicle may be guided within the ball by a strut and/or a spring device which contacts an interior part of the ball. In some species the ball may be steered by a weight which is moved back and forth along a dual helical groove on a diametral support from which a single powered drive wheel is suspended.