Abstract: An RF system includes a cryostat having a chamber and a cold region in the chamber, a high-temperature superconducting filter disposed in the cold area, a low-noise amplifier disposed in the chamber, a bypass switch coupling the high-temperature superconducting filter to the low-noise amplifier, and a conventional filter coupled to the bypass switch.

Abstract: A yoke suitable for connecting an end effector to a manipulator shaft therefor in a surgical instrument. The yoke includes an elongated hollow stem which defines a central passageway for the manipulator shaft and a plurality of barbed flexible leaves unitary with the stem. Each of the leaves terminates in a sphenoid barb portion. Adjacent barb portions define a substantially v-shaped slot therebetween which facilitates the compression and flexing of the leaves during the connection of the manipulator shaft to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A monopolar electrosurgical device suitable for cutting and/or coagulation of tissue is described. The device includes a trocar assembly and a probe assembly. The trocar assembly has an insulated portion and a conductive guide portion. The conductive guide portion defines a passage with the probe assembly slidably received therein. The probe assembly includes a conductive probe with a proximal end and a distal end. Surrounding the probe is an insulation layer which extends from the distal end of the probe. Attached to the insulation layer and also surrounding the probe is a conductive shield. The conductive shield is electrically connected to the conductive guide portion of the trocar assembly.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled exposure control system for a camera uses a modified analogue-to-digital ramp-type converter to trigger an amplitive comparator after a time lapse proportional to the scene brightness as sensed by a photosensor. The comparator output is interrogated at a rate algorithmically governed according to filmspeed sensings to provide an interrogation rate proportional to the filmspeed. A running tally of the number of interrogations until the comparator triggers is kept in memory storage, the resulting number being a digital representation of the filmspeed-scene brightness product. The need for algorithmic multiplication of the digital representations of these two numbers is eliminated.