Abstract: Disclosed is a stage system and metrology apparatus comprising at least one such stage system. The stage system comprises a stage carrier for holding an object and a stage carrier positioning actuator for displacing the stage carrier. The stage system also comprises a balance mass to counteract a displacement of the stage carrier, and a balance mass positioning actuator for displacing the balance mass. A cable arrangement is connected to the stage carrier for the supply of at least power to said stage carrier. The stage system is operable to apply a compensatory feed-forward force to the balance mass which compensates for a cable arrangement force exerted by the cable arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stage system and metrology apparatus comprising at least one such stage system. The stage system comprises a stage carrier for holding an object and a stage carrier positioning actuator for displacing the stage carrier. The stage system also comprises a balance mass to counteract a displacement of the stage carrier, and a balance mass positioning actuator for displacing the balance mass. A cable arrangement is connected to the stage carrier for the supply of at least power to said stage carrier. The stage system is operable to apply a compensatory feed-forward force to the balance mass which compensates for a cable arrangement force exerted by the cable arrangement.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation device for cyclically compressing a patient's chest. The CPR device comprises a front structure with a first and a second movable unit arranged to move back and forth along said front structure; a back support for positioning behind the patient's back arranged to keep the front structure in a fixed position relative to the patient's back; a chest pad; two arms each rotatably coupled to the chest pad with one end and each being rotatably coupled to a respective one of the first and the second movable units; and a motor arranged for, when in operation, driving the first and the second movable units back and forth such that the chest pad cyclically compresses the patient's chest.

Abstract: A device for measuring a geometry of a fluid meniscus includes a fluid chamber storing a first electrically conductive fluid and a second electrically insulating fluid. The fluids are mutually immiscible and define a fluid meniscus in between them. The device further includes a main electrowetting electrode and auxiliary electrowetting electrodes for controlling the geometry of the fluid meniscus. A voltage source provides a voltage between the main electrowetting electrode and the auxiliary electrowetting electrodes and a measurement circuit separately measures capacitances between the main electrowetting electrode and at least two of the auxiliary electrowetting electrodes. The measurement circuit includes a multiplexer for demodulating a signal indicative for the capacitances.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation device for cyclically compressing a patient's chest. The CPR device comprises a front structure (43) with a first and a second movable unit (44 a, b) arranged to move back and forth along said front structure; a back support (41) for positioning behind the patient's back arranged to keep the front structure in a fixed position relative to the patient's back; a chest pad (46); two arms (45 a, b) each rotatably coupled 5 to the chest pad with one end and each being rotatably coupled to a respective one of the first and the second movable units; and driving means (47,48,51,52) arranged for, when in operation, driving the first and the second movable units back and forth in opposite directions such that the chest pad cyclically compresses the patient's chest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (102) arranged for measuring a geometry of a fluid meniscus (132). The device comprises a fluid chamber (104) storing a first electrically conductive fluid (128) and a second electrically insulating fluid (324). The fluids are mutually immiscible and define a fluid meniscus (132) in between them. Furthermore a main electrowetting electrode (118) and auxiliary electrowetting electrodes (120, 122, 124, 126) are provided for controlling the geometry of the fluid meniscus. Hereto a voltage source (134) for providing a voltage between the main electrowetting electrode and the auxiliary electrowetting electrodes is comprised, as well as a measurement circuit (144) for separately measuring capacitances between the main electrowetting electrode and at least two of the auxiliary electrowetting electrodes. For this purpose the measurement circuit comprises a multiplexer for demodulating a signal indicative for said capacitances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus 1 for transferring cells 2 suspended in a fluid 3 from the fluid 3 to a substrate 17. The apparatus 1 comprises a transfer device 8 having an exterior surface 9, an interior cavity 10, and a plurality of passages 11 each having a first end 12 at the exterior surface 9 and a second end 13 in fluid 5 communication with the cavity 10 and each having a diameter corresponding to a predefined size of the cells 2 to be transferred. The apparatus further comprises a pressure regulating device 14 capable of regulating a pressure in the cavity 10 so as to establish a pressure difference between the first and second ends 12, 13 of each passage 11, a container 4 for containing the fluid 3, and a flow device 7 capable of causing the fluid 3 to flow across the 10 exterior surface 9 when in contact with the fluid 3.

Abstract: Beam manipulation member for use in an optical tweezers system, the beam manipulation member comprising at least one optical element, being controllably deformable in order to act on a laser beam in response to signals coming from the optical tweezers system. The beam manipulation member may be used to change the focal distance of the optical tweezers system and also to deflect the laser beam.

Abstract: A positioning system in an optical card reading apparatus, for accurately positioning the optical card (801) relative to the probe array (102) used to read the data stored on the card. The card (801) is provided with a pattern of servo bands (800) and the sensor (103) used to read out data stored on the optical card (801) has a windowing function which is used to narrow its field of view (802) to define a region of interest (900) corresponding to one or the servo bands (800), and the output is fed to an analogue-to-digital converter. Thus, the “windowing” function of the sensor (103) is used to increase the readout speed and, therefore, the speed of detection of servo marks (800) to enable more rapid positioning of the probe array (102) relative to the optical card (801).

Abstract: The invention relates to an information carrier, and a system for positioning such an information carrier in an apparatus. This system comprises an optical element (102) for generating a periodic array of light spots (103) intended to be applied to an information carrier (101), said information carrier (101) comprising a first periodic structure (108) intended to interfere with said periodic array of light spots (103) for generating a first Moiré pattern, and a second periodic structure (109) intended to interfere with said periodic array of light spots (103) for generating a second Moiré pattern, analysis means for deriving from said first and second Moiré patterns, the angle value (S) between said periodic array of light spots (103) and said information carrier (101), and actuation means (AC1-AC2-AC3) for adjusting the angular position of said information carrier (101) with respect to said array of light spots (103), from control signals (114) derived based on said angle value (S).

Abstract: The invention relates to an information carrier (101) intended to be read and/or written by a periodic array of light spots, said information carrier (101) comprising a data area (105) defined by a set of elementary data areas, a first periodic structure (108) intended to interfere with said periodic array of light spots for generating a first moiré pattern, a second periodic structure (109) intended to interfere with said periodic array of light spots for generating a second moiré pattern, said second periodic structure (109) being arranged perpendicularly to said first periodic structure (108). The invention also relates to an apparatus for reading and/or writing said information carrier (101).

Abstract: A disk drive comprising a tray (TR) for receiving a disk, the tray (TR) being supported for movement between a first position within a casing (CS) of the disk drive and a second position projecting from the casing (CS), an electric motor for moving the tray (TR) between the first and second positions, and a regulation device for regulating an electric current through the motor for regulating the rotation of the motor. The regulation device comprises a detection device for detecting a back-electromotive voltage produced during rotation of the motor for deriving position information of the tray (TR) with respect to the first and second positions.

Abstract: A repetitive controller for suppressing periodic signals with half-wave symmetry includes a memory loop fed with a periodic signal of period NT and in which the memory size includes N/2 memory elements. A negative feedback connection is provided and a factor of ?½ is provided at the output of the memory loop. Such a repetitive controller may be used for instance in the disturbance compensation module of a drive servo system in a recording and reproducing apparatus including a head for recording data on a recording medium.