Abstract: In some embodiments, a method removes gold plating on an electronic component. The method includes forming a gold and solder mixture on the electronic component via a first incrementally controlled heating procedure; incrementally cooling the electronic component via a first cooling procedure; wicking part or all of the gold and solder mixture from the electronic component to a metallic screen via a second incrementally controlled heating procedure; and incrementally cooling the electronic component via a second cooling procedure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method removes gold plating on an electronic component. The method includes forming a gold and solder mixture on the electronic component via a first incrementally controlled heating procedure; incrementally cooling the electronic component via a first cooling procedure; wicking part or all of the gold and solder mixture from the electronic component to a metallic screen via a second incrementally controlled heating procedure; and incrementally cooling the electronic component via a second cooling procedure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method removes gold plating on an electronic component. The method includes forming a gold and solder mixture on the electronic component via a first incrementally controlled heating procedure; incrementally cooling the electronic component via a first cooling procedure; wicking part or all of the gold and solder mixture from the electronic component to a metallic screen via a second incrementally controlled heating procedure; and incrementally cooling the electronic component via a second cooling procedure.

Abstract: A component is an anchor having a hollow shank with an outer threaded surface for securely fixing to a bone and a threaded interior surface for cooperatively receiving a screw. The anchor cooperates with the screw that engages the interior surface of the shank to form an assembly for holding an element in place to support and strengthen the bone. A method for using the device includes forming a cavity in the bone; fixing the anchor; placing the element over the anchor; and fixedly attaching the plate by engaging the screw through the element and into the anchor.

Abstract: A spinal implant that has a rod that connects and stabilizes the vertebrae of a vertebral column. The implant has screws that are attached to the vertebrae. Each screw has a clamp with a first bore that allows the clamp to be placed over the screw. The first bore of the clamp is larger than the major diameter of the screw, so that the clamp can float about the screws. The clamps each have a second bore perpendicular to the first bore, adapted to receive and hold the rod. Integrally formed with the second bore of each clamp are a pair of flanges. When the flanges are deflected inward, the clamp "grabs" the rod. The clamp is placed on a hexagonally shaped shoulder of the screw. A nut is fastened onto the opposite side of the clamp, such that the flanges are pressed between the shoulder and the nut. The diameter of the second bore and rod are approximately the same so that a small deflection of the flanges produces a large clamping force on the rod.

Abstract: A spinal implant that has an adjustable rod that connects and stabilizes the vertebrae of a vertebral column. The implant has screws that are attached to the vertebrae. Each screw has a clamp with a first bore that allows the clamp to be placed over the screw. The first bore of the clamp is larger than the major diameter of the screw, so that the clamp can float about the screws. The clamps each have a second bore perpendicular to the first bore, adapted to receive and hold the rod. Integrally formed with the second bore of each clamp are a pair of flanges. When the flanges are deflected inward, the clamp "grabs" the rod. Placed on both sides of each clamp are a pair of nuts that are tightened to deflect the flanges and secure the rod to the clamp. The diameter of the second bore and rod are approximately the same so that a small deflection of the flanges produces a large clamping force on the rod.

Abstract: A guide, and methods for its manufacture and use, for use with a medical instrument whereby the instrument must contact a patient's tissue at a particular location. Given the specific patient's tissue geometry, the general medical procedure and the specific practitioner's requests, if any, a nonadjustable guide is specifically manufactured such that one or more locations of the invention attaches to and/or abuts against a portion of patient tissue correctly orienting the device with respect to the patient's tissue geometry for purposes of performing the given medical task. The remaining geometric features of the device are dictated by the task for which it is designed and other characteristics of the tissue.

Abstract: A symmetric self locking nut with a deflecting annular flange that allows the nut to be installed from opposite ends. The nut has a shank with a threaded hole through the longitudinal axis of the shank. Extending from the shank perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is at least one annular flange. At the end of the flange are a pair of annular rims that extend in opposite directions from the flange. The rims define the outmost end portions of the nut and have outer surfaces that engage the working surface of a workpiece. When the nut is screwed onto the bolt and one of the rims engages the workpiece, the flange deflects causing the nut thread nearest the workpiece to press against the adjacent thread of the bolt. The deflection of the flange increases the frictional force between the threads of the nut and bolt, insuring that the nut is in constant contact with the bolt even when the fasteners are subjected to vibrational loading.

Abstract: A bone broach and method of manufacture of the same for broaching the inside of a femur or other bone preparatory to the receipt of an implant, as in the installation of an artificial hip or the like. The borach is comprised of a support mandrel and a plurality of broach plates stacked on the mandrel and angularly referenced thereto, each of the broach plates having a peripheral surface shaped at least in part to form a cutting edge to define at least part of the desired bone opening for the respective axial position of that broach plate on the mandrel. In this manner, individual broach plates may be cut and finished as desired, so that once stacked on the mandrel in the appropriate order, the same collectively will define the desired three dimensional broach surface. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved lock nut adapted for repeated use in locking onto a series of bolts, each time compressively gripping the bolt with substantially the same high compressive force. In one embodiment, the locking is achieved by a plurality of resilient locking beams that flex radially outwardly to accommodate the bolt, while in another embodiment, the locking is achieved by a generally oval-shaped sleeve that flexes into a more circular shape when the bolt is threaded into it. In both embodiments, the flexing is made to occur at multiple locations along the beam's (or sleeve's) length by providing a stepped radial thickness, such that the total amount of elastic flexing can be maximized. In another feature of the invention, usable in the embodiment that includes the multiple locking beams, the axial slots separating the beams are defined by beam side walls that diverge from each other by an amount that increases from substantially zero at the bases of the beams to a maximum at the remote tips of the beams.