Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features methods that include directing radiation to a target location of a patient through a photonic crystal fiber, the photonic crystal fiber having a hollow core and flowing a fluid through the hollow core to the target location of the patient.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features systems, including a photonic crystal fiber including a core extending along a waveguide axis and a dielectric confinement region surrounding the core, the dielectric confinement region being configured to guide radiation along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the photonic crystal fiber. The systems also includes a handpiece attached to the photonic crystal fiber, wherein the handpiece allows an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to a target location of a patient.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features apparatus that include an assembly including a radiation input port configured to receive radiation from a radiation source and an output port configured to couple the radiation to a photonic crystal fiber, the assembly further including a retardation element positioned to modify a polarization state of the radiation received from the radiation source before it is coupled to the photonic crystal fiber.

Abstract: A serial data receiver circuit includes a pair of differential input nodes, and receiver circuitry and a termination circuit coupled between the differential input nodes. The termination circuit comprises a common mode node. A common mode control circuit is connected to the common mode node, and exhibits a substantially zero output impedance. In so doing, the common mode control circuit provides a common mode voltage to the common mode node of the termination circuit that exhibits substantially ideal termination of common mode signals and negligible loading on the differential input nodes. In another aspect, selection circuitry is provided that selectively passes single-ended or differential test signals to the differential input nodes during a test mode of operation. The selection circuitry facilitates observation of signals within the receiver circuitry.

Abstract: A circuit and method for evaluating serializer deserializer (SERDES) performance that is particularly advantageous when the SERDES has a decision feedback equalizer (DFE). In one embodiment, the circuit has a data processing path and an operational feedback loop coupled to said data processing path and containing an equalizer, perhaps a DFE. In that embodiment, the circuit includes an eye scanning circuit coupled to said data processing path but separate from said equalizer and configured to measure at least one dimension of an eye relative to which said equalizer is configured for operation without substantially affecting said operation.

Abstract: Current methods of focusing fingerprint sensors are typically slow and have difficulties in quickly and accurately focusing upon a fingerprint image. The present invention relates to a method of focusing a fingerprint image. The method obtains a partial fingerprint image, adjusts a control parameter value to obtain a focused partial fingerprint image, sets the adjusted focused control parameter value as a focused control parameter value and then obtains a focused full fingerprint image. The present invention also relates to a fingerprint sensing device which is capable of partially scanning a fingerprint image. The fingerprint sensing device comprises a sensing array having a plurality of sensing elements, the sensing array for detecting the ridges and troughs of a fingerprint located on a contact surface of the sensing array.

Abstract: A molding remover system for efficiently removing door molding from a vehicle without requiring removal of the door glass. The molding remover system includes a handle and a shaft member extending from the handle. The shaft member has an engaging portion that extends toward the handle. The engaging portion is formed for engaging a retainer clip attaching a window molding to a door frame.

Abstract: An air bearing burnish slider burnishes very small asperities and cleans the loose particles that adhere to the magnetic recording media. The slider applies a controllable contact force to effectively burnish disk asperities or partially attached particles. In addition, the slider cleans the loose particles effectively while flying in a stable fashion. In a low pitch design, diagonal rails push particles away from the disk surface and trailing edge pads contact the disk at lower linear velocities. Rail pads retain loose contamination and debris in their pockets and burnish asperities. Another design provides a milder burnish force and flies in a high pitch configuration. The trailing edge pads provide stable contacts and the rails help in sweeping away debris. In both designs, the contact forces can be controlled by adjusting linear velocities. A step taper at the leading edge provides a pitch-producing lift force.

Abstract: A filter comprises a tap multiplication circuit and a tap digital-to-analog (“DAC”) unit coupled to the tap multiplication circuit. Further, a plurality of clocks are provided that control timing associated with the tap multiplication circuit and that, permit one tap multiplication to be output while another tap multiplication is being computed for a 1/N rate implementation.

Abstract: An equalizer comprises a sampler, a filter, and a summer. The sampler samples a signal indicative of an input communication signal to determine digital decision output signals having a communication device data rate. The filter receives digital decision output signals from the sampler and generates equalization signals therefrom. The summer couples to the sampler and the filter and combines together the input communication signal with the equalization signals. Further, a plurality of clocks control timing associated with the sampler. These clocks have frequencies that are less than the predetermined data rate of the digital decision output signals.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates clock and data recovery (330,716/718) for serial data streams (317,715) by providing a mechanism that can be employed to maintain a fixed tracking capability of an interpolator based CDR circuit (300,700) at multiple data rates (e.g., 800). The present invention further provides a wide data rate range CDR circuit (300,700), yet uses an interpolator design optimized for a fixed frequency. The invention employs a rate programmable divider circuit (606,656,706) that operates over a wide range of clock and data rates (e.g., 800) to provide various phase correction step sizes (e.g., 800) at a fixed VCO clock frequency. The divider (606,656,706) and a finite state machine (FSM) (612,662,712) of the exemplary CDR circuit (600,650,700) are manually programmed based on the data rate (614,667).

Abstract: The present invention facilitates serial communication by performing duty cycle correction. A duty cycle correction component 302 performs duty cycle corrections on a pair of differential sinusoidal signals according to a pair of adjustment signals and, as a result, generates a differential pair of square wave signals. A cross coupled buffer 306 buffers the differential pair of square wave signals and provides the buffered signals to a feedback circuit 304 that measures duty cycles of the signals and generates the pair of adjustment signals accordingly. The buffer 306 can also remove skew from the signals. In a transmitter 102, the buffered signals are also generally provided to a multiplexer 112 or encoder and in a receiver 106, the buffered signals are also generally provided to a sampling component 122.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates clock and data recovery for serial data streams by providing a mechanism that can be employed to detect and adjust operation and timing of clocks. The invention employs a differential analog circuit, using current steering logic, to process center and edge samples and identify an average operation of the clocks. The circuit can identify transitions between adjacent center/edge data samples and determine whether an identified transition is early or late for each bit in a set of consecutive bits of a received serial data stream.

Abstract: A sense amplifier and associated method comprise a regenerative latch, an input differential pair of transistors coupled to the regenerative latch, and a leakage device coupled to each of the transistors comprising the input differential pair of transistors. The leakage device is adapted to maintain the input differential pair of transistors in an on state during a pre-charge phase. In other embodiments, the sense amplifier includes a clocked buffer coupled to the outputs of the regenerative latch. The clocked buffer provides additional drive current for the sense amplifier and is clocked by a clock signal that controls the regenerative latch. In yet other embodiments, the sense amplifier includes a secondary hold latch coupled to the outputs of the regenerative latch to maintain an output decision for the sense amplifier while other portions of the sense amplifier pre-charge.

Abstract: The head of a disk drive has write elements disposed on one protrusion pad that wears away during initial operation to permit reduced tolerances and, thus, reduced spacing between the disk and head, with the read element being disposed on a separate protrusion pad and spaced from the write element pad in the radial dimension. This prevents read element recession during cooling in the absence of write current that could otherwise occur if the read element were located on the same pad as the write head.

Abstract: A adapter provides for connection of a pressure relief mechanism to a connection fitting portion of a quick connect fitting through a mating connection fitting portion and provides for movement of the pressure relief mechanism against a check valve in a hydraulic fluid conduit through a screw thread connection to the adapter. When the check valve is thus opened fluid flow is provided substantially axially through the pressure relief mechanism, thereby reducing the likelihood of disengagement of respective portions of the quick connect fitting when hydraulic fluid is present. Collection of hydraulic fluid in a vessel connected to the pressure relief mechanism is provided to allow recycling of the fluid and to prevent release of the fluid into the environment.

Abstract: A closure device (10) is disclosed for use with an access port (62,72,82,92) of a medical respiratory apparatus (60,70,80,90). The closure device (10) comprises a cap (14) that seals the access port (62,72,82,92) save for an opening (28) in the cap (14), and a closure (16) for sealing the opening (28). The cap (14) includes a portion of flexible material (26) in which the opening (28) is formed, and is hingedly mounted with respect to the access port (62,72,82,92).

Abstract: A medical respiratory apparatus includes a chamber (10) which is at least in part at least translucent. The chamber (10) includes a float member (12) formed of an inert material and contains, in use, a fluid intended for inhalation. The float member (12) is adapted to float upon the fluid intended to be contained within the chamber (10) and has a peripheral dimension adjacent, but less than, the internal peripheral dimension of the chamber (10). At least the outer peripheral surface of the float member (12) has a colouration distinct from that of the fluid to be contained within the chamber such that the level of the fluid within the chamber (10) can be readily observed.

Abstract: A coaxial heat sink connector for providing a thermal path from the conductors associated with a coaxial cable connector to a heat sink includes a center conductor, an outer conductor, an insulative layer, TNC connector(s) and a thermal element. The outer conductor is positioned around the center conductor and the insulation layer is positioned between. The insulation layer has high thermal conductivity to provide substantial heat transfer between the center and outer conductors. TNC connector(s) are positioned at the end(s) of the connector and electrically coupled to the center and outer conductors. The thermal element is coupled to the outer conductor to conduct heat from the outer conductor to the heat sink. Heat sink connector providing transfer paths for bolted together RF components as well as individual RF power components.

Abstract: A adapter provides for connection of a pressure relief mechanism to a connection fitting portion of a quick connect fitting through a mating connection fitting portion and provides for movement of the pressure relief mechanism against a check valve in a hydraulic fluid conduit through a screw thread connection to the adapter. When the check valve is thus opened fluid flow is provided substantially axially through the pressure relief mechanism, thereby reducing the likelihood of disengagement of respective portions of the quick connect fitting when hydraulic fluid is present. Collection of hydraulic fluid in a vessel connected to the pressure relief mechanism is provided to allow recycling of the fluid and to prevent release of the fluid into the environment.