Abstract: The present invention provides divided-end artificial limbs and methods for making divided-end artificial limbs that are inexpensive, simple, and customizable. A limb is formed by dividing an end of an elongated shaft member into extending prongs that are shaped into custom lengths and curvatures. Furthermore, the method of the present invention provides affixing a sole plate to the limb, reinforcement of the prongs by nesting additional prongs within the elongated shaft member, dividing the proximal end of the shaft member into circumferentially spaced-apart fingers, and dividing a midsection of the shaft member into circumferentially spaced-apart flexing vanes. The present invention also provides that the prongs may be further modified by division into toe and heel extensions or by wrapping a prong around another prong to form a sole. Methods of reducing stress concentration using bolts and stress relief holes in these limbs are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides divided-end artificial limbs and methods for making divided-end artificial limbs that that are inexpensive, simple, and customizable. A limb is formed by dividing an end of an elongated shaft member into extending prongs that are shaped into custom lengths and curvatures. Furthermore, the method of the present invention provides affixing a sole plate to the limb, reinforcement of the prongs by nesting additional prongs within the elongated shaft member, dividing the proximal end of the shaft member into circumferentially spaced-apart fingers, and dividing a midsection of the shaft member into circumferentially spaced-apart flexing vanes. The present invention also provides that the prongs may be further modified by division into toe and heel extensions or by wrapping a prong around another prong to form a sole. Methods of reducing stress concentration using bolts and stress relief holes in these limbs are also presented.

Abstract: A method for redirecting void diffusion away from vias in an integrated circuit design includes steps of forming an electrical conductor in a first electrically conductive layer of an integrated circuit design, forming a via between a distal end of the electrical conductor and a second electrically conductive layer of the integrated circuit design, and reducing tensile stress in the electrical conductor to divert void diffusion away from the via.

Abstract: A method of diverting void diffusion in an integrated circuit includes steps of forming an electrical conductor having a boundary in a first electrically conductive layer of an integrated circuit, forming a via inside the boundary of the electrical conductor in a dielectric layer between the first electrically conductive layer and a second electrically conductive layer of the integrated circuit, and forming a slot between the via and the boundary of the electrical conductor for diverting void diffusion in the electrical conductor away from the via.

Abstract: A method for redirecting void diffusion away from vias in an integrated circuit design includes steps of forming an electrical conductor in a first electrically conductive layer of an integrated circuit design, forming a via between a distal end of the electrical conductor and a second electrically conductive layer of the integrated circuit design, and reducing tensile stress in the electrical conductor to divert void diffusion away from the via.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting void diffusion away from vias in an integrated circuit design includes steps of forming an electrical conductor in a first electrically conductive layer of an integrated circuit design, forming a via between a distal end of the electrical conductor and a second electrically conductive layer of the integrated circuit design, and reducing tensile stress in the electrical conductor to divert void diffusion away from the via.

Abstract: A cooling system comprises a first fan operable to push air to a device, where the air pushed forms an air column, a second fan adjacent to the device, and operable to pull air from the device, and a guide coupled to the first fan and the device and operable to guide the air column from the first fan to the second fan.

Abstract: A microkeratome blade for use for the removal of the epithelial layer and underlying Basement Membrane while leaving a smooth and undisturbed Bowman's Membrane in preparation for a laser refractive surgical procedure. The blade is capable of cutting through the epithelial layer and Basement Membrane, but not capable of cutting through Bowman's Membrane.

Abstract: A refractive surgical procedure method using microkeratome blade for use for the removal of the epithelial layer and underlying Basement Membrane while leaving a smooth and undisturbed Bowman's Membrane in preparation for a laser refractive surgical procedure. The blade is capable of cutting through the epithelial layer and Basement Membrane, but not capable of cutting through Bowman's Membrane. Prior to removing the epithelium, a solution suitable for reducing the adhesion of the epithelium is applied to the eye. Following surgery, a customized contact lens is placed on the eye. The contact lens may contain an agent to assist in the regeneration of the epithelium.

Abstract: A microkeratome blade for use for the removal of the epithelial layer and underlying Basement Membrane while leaving a smooth and undisturbed Bowman's Membrane in preparation for a laser refractive surgical procedure. The blade is capable of cutting through the epithelial layer and Basement Membrane, but not capable of cutting through Bowman's Membrane.

Abstract: A method for the removal of the epithelial layer and underlying Basement Membrane while leave a smooth and undisturbed Bowman's Membrane in preparation for a laser refractive surgical procedure. The method of the present invention uses a microkeratome having a blade that is capable of cutting through the epithelial layer and Basement Membrane, but not capable of cutting through Bowman's Membrane.

Abstract: A conventional imagesetting system includes an imagesetter for transferring an image onto media, a wet chemical processor for processing the imaged media, an enclosed dryer section for drying the media by circulating air thereabout, and extraction rollers for extracting the media from the enclosed dryer section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus used for polishing wafers. The apparatus includes a polish platen and structure for separating the platen into at least first and second zones such that polishing fluid used in the first zone is prevented from entering the second zone.

Abstract: A polishing slurry composition and its method of making for planarization of silicon semiconductor wafers by chemical mechanical polishing of the wafer. A slurry formulation utilizing a ferric salt tungsten oxidizer, an ammonium persulfate titanium oxidizer, a fatty acid suspension agent, alumina particles with a small diameter and tight diameter range, coated with a solubility coating, and a chemical stabilizer, provides high tungsten and titanium polish rates with high selectivity to silicon dioxide, and good oxide defectivity for use in tungsten local interconnect applications. A method for making a tungsten slurry includes first thoroughly blending small diameter alumina particles with a tight diameter range in an aqueous concentrate with a suspension agent, then mixing with water and oxidizers. Ferric salt tungsten slurries made by this method provide excellent tungsten polish characteristics for via plug and local interconnect applications.

Abstract: A dual buffer internal to an imaging device uses a one-way, over-running clutch system to buffer multiple sheets of media between an internal drum recorder and a processor. The one-way over-running clutch system is incorporated into a drive system of a plurality of rollers that transport the media. An input set of rollers and an output set of rollers are driven independently to allow for two sheets of media to be buffered simultaneously and at different speeds if desired. The buffer is mounted pivotally within the imaging device to allow access into the imaging device and to allow installation of a take-up cassette as an alternative to the buffer.

Abstract: A thermal imaging apparatus includes an internal drum for supporting a receiver material and a donor material in a superimposed relationship, an imaging unit for thermally transferring an image from the donor material to the receiver material, and a material dispensing mechanism for dispensing the receiver and donor materials from a plurality of material supply rolls. A rotatable material supply carousel having a plurality of supply stations for supporting the plurality of supply rolls is provided. A drive system rotates the carousel to sequentially position a selected plurality of the supply stations at a dispensing position.

Abstract: A media transport bridge is an integral media transport device within an internal drum laser imagesetter that transports media from an imaging area in the drum to an external processor or intermediate buffer. Five pairs of rollers transport the film over the drum. A first stage of the bridge includes a first pair of rollers driven independently so that the first stage is removable and replaceable with a take-up cassette if desired. A friction drive within the imagesetter is adaptable to drive either the first stage or the take-up cassette when installed. Upon removal of the first stage, an automatic adjustment of the bridge is performed to balance the pivotally mounted bridge. The media is moved into the bridge by a pair of drum rollers while the first stage is synchronized with the other four pairs of rollers in the bridge and monitored to keep a slack loop of media at the first stage rollers to eliminate perturbations in the media.

Abstract: Film winding between exposures in a photographic camera is interrupted and/or braked as a function of film velocity. The camera uses velocity in a control mechanism that stops the winding motor as a function of the velocity in response to detection of a film perforation. The function acts on a time interval between sensing a perforation and stopping the motor or applying a brake. The perforation detector and the velocity sensor use a single sensing element that generates first and second signals at the respective leading and trailing edges of a perforation. The time interval between the first and second signals is indicative of film velocity, and is used to determine the stopping function preferably in accordance with a predetermined look-up table. The control then selects an appropriate time interval between sensing a respective one of the perforations and stopping said motor. A brake also may be applied for stopping film movement, and the control applies the brake as a function of the velocity.

Abstract: Camera autofocus apparatus and method employing an autoranging device to determine a lens destination focus position in terms of a target number of signal pulses from a lens motion sensor photo-interrupter. A lens drive motor is initially driven at maximum speed by a 100% pulse width modulated drive signal. At a fixed number of signal pulses in advance of the target, the average motor speed is calculated and a reduced pulse with modulated drive signal, determined based on the calculated motor speed, is applied to the drive motor to cause the lens to arrive at a uniform speed at a near destination focus position that is suitable for application of a standard motor stopping routine. During the motor stopping routine, the motor is initially "plugged" (reverse polarity drive signal) and the signal pulse period is monitored until a predetermined period is reached.