Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing components. The methods and apparatus of the invention are particularly advantageous to manually mix the components of radiopaque bone cement and inject the resulting radiopaque bone cement into skeletal structures. The manually actuated apparatus of the invention comprises: (1) a sealed mixing chamber for mixing components; (2) a dispensing chamber isolated from the sealed mixing chamber; (3) a controllable portal to open a flow path between the sealed mixing chamber and the dispensing chamber so that the dispensing chamber can receive the mixed components after they are mixed; and (4) a drive mechanism associated with the dispensing chamber to force the mixed contents from the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing components. The methods and apparatus of the invention are particularly advantageous to mix the components of radiopaque bone cement and inject the resulting radiopaque bone cement into skeletal structures. The apparatus of the invention comprises: (1) a sealed mixing chamber for mixing components; (2) a dispensing chamber isolated from the sealed mixing chamber; (3) a controllable portal to open a flow path between the sealed mixing chamber and the dispensing chamber so that the dispensing chamber can receive the mixed components after they are mixed; and (4) a drive mechanism associated with the dispensing chamber to force the mixed contents from the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing components. The methods and apparatus of the invention are particularly advantageous to manually mix the components of radiopaque bone cement and inject the resulting radiopaque bone cement into skeletal structures. The manually actuated apparatus of the invention comprises: (1) a sealed mixing chamber for mixing components; (2) a dispensing chamber isolated from the sealed mixing chamber; (3) a controllable portal to open a flow path between the sealed mixing chamber and the dispensing chamber so that the dispensing chamber can receive the mixed components after they are mixed; and (4) a drive mechanism associated with the dispensing chamber to force the mixed contents from the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing components. The methods and apparatus of the invention are particularly advantageous to mix the components of radiopaque bone cement and inject the resulting radiopaque bone cement into skeletal structures. The apparatus of the invention comprises: (1) a sealed mixing chamber for mixing components; (2) a dispensing chamber isolated from the sealed mixing chamber; (3) a controllable portal to open a flow path between the sealed mixing chamber and the dispensing chamber so that the dispensing chamber can receive the mixed components after they are mixed; and (4) a drive mechanism associated with the dispensing chamber to force the mixed contents from the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: A tuned RF coaxial connector for mating a coaxial transmission line includes a cylindrical outer conductor, a coupling mechanism for mating the coaxial transmission line to the substantially cylindrical outer conductor, and an inner conductor extending coaxially within cylindrical outer conductor. One end of the cylindrical outer conductor interfits with the coaxial transmission line and another end of the cylindrical outer conductor interfits with an electrical device. The connector has an open circuit inner stub where the inner conductor of the transmission line couples to the inner conductor of the connector, or an open circuit outer stub where the outer conductor of the transmission line couples to the outer body of the connector, or both. Without the need for precise fitting of the conductors of the coaxial transmission line and the connector, the invention facilitates field installation of cables and connectors while reducing implementation cost.

Abstract: A frequency selective low loss transmission system for communicating a signal using a coaxial cable of one impedance to a device of different impedance. A connector with a matching transformer is integral to the connector which terminates with a standard interface. The invention also includes a coupling mechanism to couple the coaxial cable with the connector. The invention can also include series open stub conductors for capacitive coupling to the conductors of the coaxial cable. In addition to low losses over a broad frequency range, the connector facilitates connector installation due to the series open stub conductor while reducing cost and complexity of both coaxial cable and connector.

Abstract: A frequency selective low loss transmission system for communicating a signal using a coaxial cable of one impedance to a device of different impedance. A connector with a matching transformer is integral to the connector which terminates with a standard interface. The invention also includes a coupling mechanism to couple the coaxial cable with the connector. The invention can also include series open stub conductors for capacitive coupling to the conductors of the coaxial cable. In addition to low losses over a broad frequency range, the connector facilitates connector installation due to the series open stub conductor while reducing cost and complexity of both coaxial cable and connector.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing components. The methods and apparatus of the invention are particularly advantageous to manually mix the components of radiopaque bone cement and inject the resulting radiopaque bone cement into skeletal structures. The manually actuated apparatus of the invention comprises: (1) a sealed mixing chamber for mixing components; (2) a dispensing chamber isolated from the sealed mixing chamber; (3) a controllable portal to open a flow path between the sealed mixing chamber and the dispensing chamber so that the dispensing chamber can receive the mixed components after they are mixed; and (4) a drive mechanism associated with the dispensing chamber to force the mixed contents from the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing components. The methods and apparatus of the invention are particularly advantageous to mix the components of radiopaque bone cement and inject the resulting radiopaque bone cement into skeletal structures. The apparatus of the invention comprises: (1) a sealed mixing chamber for mixing components; (2) a dispensing chamber isolated from the sealed mixing chamber; (3) a controllable portal to open a flow path between the sealed mixing chamber and the dispensing chamber so that the dispensing chamber can receive the mixed components after they are mixed; and (4) a drive mechanism associated with the dispensing chamber to force the mixed contents from the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: An RF connector of a coaxial cable having an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, a dielectric cylinder located between the inner and outer conductors, an outer radial barb projecting radially inwardly from the outer conductor into the cylinder, and an axial barb projecting axially from the outer conductor into the cylinder. The outer radial barb and axial barb work in cooperation to decrease the effect of contraction in the dielectric cylinder during colder temperatures, thereby providing a seal which prevents water and moisture from entering the connector.

Abstract: An RF connector of a coaxial cable having an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, a dielectric cylinder located between the inner and outer conductors, an outer radial barb projecting radially inwardly from the outer conductor into the cylinder, and an axial barb projecting axially from the outer conductor into the cylinder. The outer radial barb and axial barb work in cooperation to decrease the effect of contraction in the dielectric cylinder during colder temperatures, thereby providing a seal which prevents water and moisture from entering the connector.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector is disclosed. The connector includes a body, a backnut, a clamping insert and a deformable helical split washer. The deformable split washer, clamping insert, body and backnut provide a simple means for deforming and clamping the outer conductor. In one disclosed embodiment, the split washer is captivated in a tubular extension to facilitate installation on the outer conductor.

Abstract: In a coaxial cable having a hollow inner-conductor, a connector assembly is provided for electromagnetically connecting the hollow inner-conductor and outer-conductor of the coaxial cable to a standard connector. In one disclosed embodiment, the connector assembly is formed from a body having an axial opening extending therethrough and an outer conductor contact portion. A dielectric cylinder is disposed within the axial opening of the body of the outer-conductor contact, the dielectric cylinder is provided with an axial opening extending therethrough.

Abstract: A self clamping connector 10 for a radio frequency coaxial cable having a helically corrugated outer conductor 14 which does not require flaring of the outer conductor of the cable is disclosed. The connector includes a clamping back nut 30 having a plurality of resilient fingers 32 at one end. Each of the resilient fingers 32 have an outer conductor matching threaded portion 38. A cup shaped collet 40, further including a base 42 having an opening 44 therein, is positioned over the resilient fingers 32 to clamp the fingers 32 onto the helically corrugated outer conductor. The cup shaped collet 40 also enables the connector to collapse part of the outer conductor corrugation. The collapsed corrugation is held between the collet and the resilient fingers. A body 50, having threading to enable coupling to the clamping back nut 30, forces the cup shaped collet to remain over the resilient fingers when the connector is in the assembled state.

Abstract: A disposable, limited-use torque limiting wrench is provided having a predetermined maximum number of torque-applying cycles of use for applying a fixed torque to an adaptably connected driven member. This torque limiting wrench includes a rotatable casing including a slotted hub portion and a curved bias spring dimensioned to fit around the slotted hub portion. A dowel pin is also included having a center portion which is dimensioned to fit within and be gripped by a slot formed in the slotted hub portion and to be rotated thereby in response to a torque imparted on the rotatable casing. A torque ring is cooperatively engaged with the above by a predetermined number of pairs of radially extending and substantially equiangularly spaced slots. The respective ends of the dowel pin are uniquely dimensioned to fit within respective ones of the slots which become positioned colinearly therewith as the dowel pin is caused to be circumferentially rotated about the torque ring.

Abstract: A hollow center conductor connector assembly having an expandable plug (12), a plug-expanding-conductor-coupler (14) and a bolt (15) provides a connector for smooth wall hollow center conductors and corrugated wall center conductors. The expandable plug (12) is provided with fine teeth (34) for gripping a smooth wall type center conductor and a helical groove (36) for gripping a corrugated wall type center conductor. The diameter of the expandable plug (12) is expanded when the plug-expanding-conductor-coupler (14) and expandable plug (12) are drawn together by a bolt (15).

Abstract: Male and female radio frequency cable connectors 64 and 13 have corresponding circumferential grooves 80 and 44 which are aligned and face each other when the connectors 64 and 13 are in a connected state so as to form a channel. The connectors 64 and 13 are held together by a canted-coil spring 11 residing in the channel formed by the two aligned and facing circumferential grooves 80 and 44. Deformation of the canted-coil spring 11 residing in the channel allows the male and female counterpart RF cable connectors 64 and 13 to resist separation as well as provide a primary electrical contact between the two connectors. If a substantial tensile force is placed on the cables 12 and 85, the spring 11 will deform sufficiently to allow separation of the two connectors 64 and 13.

Abstract: A cable hanger includes a hinge section, a cable retention section and a structure attachment section. The structure attachment section includes first and second locking fingers extending from the cable retention section toward the open end of the cable hanger. Each locking member has an outwardly facing concave cross-section and is provided with a pair of locking barbs extending outwardly from the ends thereof. The barbs are dimensioned to extend over and contact the inner surface of the support structure about the attachment opening and thereby retain the cable hanger within the attachment opening. Thus, the cable hanger makes contact with the inner surface of the support structure at four (4) discrete locations.