Abstract: An instrument for cutting, ablating and coagulating tissue has a rod of ferromagnetic material fusion welded to the base of a conical tip of copper with the rod adjacent the base of the conic being of lesser diameter than the base to provide a region to accept a potted coil of wire about the rod whereby when the coil is connected to a constant current high frequency source the rod and tip are heated to a temperature approaching the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic rod. As Curie temperature is approached the rod becomes essentially non-magnetic heating decreases to produce a temperature below Curie temperature and the cycle repeats. As a result of the excellent heat exchange interfaces produced by fusion welding the energy delivered to the tissue or other load which may be non-biological is closely controlled by temperature which is self regulated. A ferromagnetic sleeve is placed about the coil to concentrate magnetic flux in the rod.

Abstract: A Curie point heater primarily for use in a soldering iron and initially designed to operate with currents in the megahertz range is restructured to operate in the kilohertz range. Further in one embodiment of the heater, the coil exciting the heater is mounted in the handle of the iron.

Abstract: A peak power measurement as a function of various system parameters is made to determine completion of a proper heating operation; in one embodiment by measuring peak power delivered to a level as a function of temperature within a specified time period for a specific load; and in another embodiment by the plot of peak power and ramp-up and ramp-down levels as a function of time.

Abstract: A thermal atherectomy catheter has a tip of high magnetic permeability cylindrical stem with an enlarged head at one end and an enlarged collar at the other end, a coil of wire wrapped about the stem adjacent the head and removed from said collar, a sleeve of ferromagnetic material disposed about the coil and a second sleeve of non-magnetic outer sleeve extending between and of the diameter of the head and collar to define a space between the sleeves whereby the outer sleeve to collar are maintained at a lower temperature than the head.

Abstract: A self regulating heater comprises a non-conductive, magnetic core having a coil wound about it and providing pole pieces extending into contact or very near contact with a surrounding ferromagnetic member which in turn may be surrounded by and in intimate contact with a non-magnetic low resistance member; the magnetic member having an effective Curie temperature at the temperature to be maintained.

Abstract: Provided is a cartridge soldering iron having a hollow cylindrical handle, incorporating an internal coaxial socket assembly, a connection to a power supply, and a cartridge housing support, and a soldering tip bearing cartridge incorporating a tip, a heater assembly, a tubular housing and a coaxial socket assembly adapted to mate with the handle socket assembly in a wiping electrically conductive manner.

Abstract: A self-heating and self-soldering bus bar for use in many applications. The pins of the bus bar are quickly and directly heated to a predetermined autoregulated temperature without significantly raising the temperature of the body of the bus. Thusly a bus bar may be mounted while maintaining thermal balance and mechanical integrity of all work pieces. The present invention avoids the problems normally associated with excess thermal expansion experienced when a bus bar is heated incidental to the heating of its contact points. A majority of this incidental heating is eliminated by direct quick heating of the mounting pins.

Abstract: A sealed bowl rotor having a transparent lid for easy visual checking of rotor contents. The lid has sealing means that automatically creates a seal which prevents the escape of liquid samples from within the rotor when the lid is placed on the rotor. The rotor design prevents the application of any possible hydraulic loading on the transparent lid. The installing/removing mechanism on the lid provides the capability for removal of the lid after the centrifugation run without disturbing the contents of the samples within the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube holder designed for use in a centrifuge rotor to hold a plurality of small volume tubes in such a manner that, when the centrifuge rotor is at rest, the tubes will be oriented at an inclined angle, but will assume essentially a horizontal orientation when the centrifuge rotor is operating. The holder provides improved collar support for the centrifuge tube during centrifugation and also provides for the inclusion of a tube pivot point in the plate to enhance the proper movement of the tube from its at-rest position to the correct support position during operational speeds of the centrifuge rotor.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube holder which not only provides support for the tubes in a vertical orientation when placed on a workbench, but also horizontal and radial support when the tubes are placed in a centrifuge rotor. The tube holder has at least two sections which are pivotally connected to allow for upright or vertical orientation of the tubes when placed on a workbench. The two sections can be pivotally oriented with respect to each other to place the tubes horizontally in a centrifuge rotor at different radial angles with respect to each other with reference to the spin axis of the rotor. The holder also incorporates means for securely holding the tubes within the holder while they are being transported, so that the holder can be inverted without the escape of the tubes. On the other hand, the biasing or securing means for the tubes in the holder is eliminated when the holder is at rest on the workbench to permit convenient and easy insertion or removal of the centrifuge tubes.