Abstract: An expandable introducer sheath with an interlock dilator. The present technology provides an expandable sheath with a step feature inside its distal opening, and a dilator with an interlock that includes a catch surface configured to engage with the step feature and resist further relative movement so that the body of the dilator is prevented from exiting the distal end of the expandable sheath. This interlocking engagement may allow the dilator to be used to extend and maintain tension on the expandable sheath during insertion into a patient, and then to be retracted from the expandable sheath by pulling the dilator in the opposite direction. The present technology also provides a dilator hub with a spring mechanism configured to achieve and maintain a desired tension on the expandable sheath and to prevent overextension of the expandable sheath when the dilator is being inserted into the expandable sheath.

Abstract: Rare earth metal containing compounds of the formula Sr2YbSbO6 have been prepared with high critical temperature thin film superconductor structures, and can be fabricated into a superconductor insulator superconductor step edge Josephson junction, as well as being used in other ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: Rare earth metal containing compounds of the formula Sr2LuSbO6 and Sr2LaSbO6 have been prepared as high critical temperature thin film superconductor structures, and can be used in other ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: Rare earth metal containing compounds of the general formula Sr2RESbO6, wherein RE is a rare earth metal, have been prepared as dielectric substrates and buffer layers in thin film superconductor structures, and can be used in other ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: Rare earth metal containing compounds of the formula Sr2LuSbO6 have been prepared with high critical temperature thin film superconductor structures, and can be fabricated into an antenna, as well as being used in other ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: Rare earth metal containing compounds of the general formula Sr2RESbO6, wherein RE is a rare earth metal, have been prepared with high critical temperature thin film superconductor strucutures, and can be used in other ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula A4MeSb3O12 wherein A is either barium (Ba) or strontium (Sr) and Me is an alkali metal ion selected from the group consisting of lithium (Li), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) have been prepared and included in high critical temperature thin film superconductors, ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: The microwave properties of numerous perovskite antimonates like A2MeSbO6 where A=Ba or Sr, Me=a rare earth, Y, Sc, Ga, or In and A4MeSb3O12 where A=Ba or Sr and M=Li, Na or K were measured at 10 Ghz and 300 K. Using the microwave properties and lattice parameters of these materials, the Clausius-Mossotti relationship and a nonlinear regression fitting program, the polarizability of Sb5+ was investigated and determined to be 1.18±0.49 A3. This low polarizability and the low loss of antimonates in general indicate that Sb5+ is an excellent candidate for use as a constituent in the fabrication of low dielectric constant, low loss, lattice matching perovskite oxide microwave substrates.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula Ca.sub.2 MeSbO.sub.6 where Me is a 3+ ion selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), scandium (Sc), indium (In), gallium (Ga), or a rare earth metal have been prepared and included as the substrate or barrier dielectric in high critical temperature thin film superconductors, ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula A.sub.4 MeSb.sub.3 O.sub.12 wherein A is either barium (Ba) or strontium (Sr) and Me is an alkali metal ion selected from the group consisting of lithium (Li), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) have been prepared and included in high critical temperature thin film superconductors, ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula A.sub.2 MeSbO.sub.6 wherein A is either barium (Ba) or strontium (Sr) and Me is a non-magnetic ion selected from the group consisting of scandium (Sc), indium (In) and gallium (Ga) have been prepared and included in high critical temperature thin film superconductor structures.

Abstract: A superconducting film of HoBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x on a substrate is tained from a mixture containing stoichiometric amounts of Ho.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO powders by a method including the steps of(A) processing the powder mixture to an average particle size of about 2 to 3 .mu.m,(B) adding about three grams of the powder to about 25 cc of an organic dispersant,(C) depositing the powder in the organic dispersant on the substrate by electrophoresis in electric fields of about 100 to about 1000 volts/cm for about 3 to about 15 minutes to obtain superconducting films having a thickness of about 5 to about 25 .mu.m; and(D) sintering and annealing in oxygen.

Abstract: Rare earth magnet alloys are comminuted into fine particles at room tempeure up to about 400.degree. C. by placing the alloy into a vessel and pressurizing the vessel, hydriding the alloy, depressurizing the alloy to atmospheric pressure after the absorption of hydrogen and evacuating the vessel so that the absorbed hydrogen is given up leaving microfissures in the alloy, and comminution of the sample.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of operating a cold-cathode-cold-reservoir thyratron for laser/radar and other systems employing high voltage and current pulses using ZrVFe as the hydrogen thyratron material. According to the method, a hydride of ZrVFe is first formed and the hydrided material then placed in the cathode structure of the thyratron. The tube is then pumped down to its operating pressure of approximately 10.sup.-3 atmospheres, the hydrided material then acting as a ballast to maintain that partial pressure of hydrogen at room temperature.