Abstract: A computer system having a PCI expansion connector and further including: an operating system operable to detect a PCI-to-PCMCIA bridge on the PCI expansion connector and in response thereto to allocate a legacy interrupt channel for interrupts originating from the PCI-to-PCMCIA bridge, and also operable to detect connection of a PCMCIA card to the PCI-to-PCMCIA bridge and in response thereto to allocate a further legacy interrupt channel for interrupts originating from the PCMCIA card; and a device driver for a PCI-to-PCMCIA bridge, the device driver including a trap mechanism operable to intercept PCI interrupts received through the PCI expansion connector and, in response to interception of a PCI interrupt, to call an interrupt management routine operable to determine that one of said legacy interrupt channel and said further legacy interrupt channel associated with the intercepted PCI interrupt and to call an interrupt service routine using the determined legacy interrupt channel as an operand.

Abstract: A surgical cable system and method for securing surgical cable around a portion of a human element (e.g., bone) is described. The surgical cable system may include a connector and a tensioner. The connector may be adapted to hold a pin, positionable within the connector, such that the pin may secure the cable within the connector. The pin may be repositioned, after securing the cable, to allow the cable to move freely through the connector. The cable may be oriented within the connector such that the ends of the cable are perpendicular or parallel with respect to each other. The tensioner is preferably adapted to vary the tension of the cable. The cable may be passed through the connector, around a portion of a human bone, and back through the connector. The cable may be tensioned by use of the tensioner and secured into position within the connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilized power supply device for an assembly of remotely powered electronic components, for which the supply and the data transmission take place on the same channel. The device includes an electronic module which is interposed between the supply channel and the assembly of electronic circuits, supplies the said assembly of electronic components with a variable current in order for the proper operation of the said assembly of electronic components to be satisfied, and consumes a constant current in order to allow effective data transmission.

Abstract: The semiconductor region of an intrinsic collector is surrounded with a lateral insulating region. A semi-conducting layer comprising a SiGe heterojunction is partially located between the transmitter and the intrinsic collector and extends on either side of the transmitter above the lateral insulating region. The base intrinsic region is formed in said semi-conducting layer with heterojunction between the transmitter and the intrinsic collector. The base extrinsic region and the collector extrinsic region respectively comprise first zones formed in said semi-conducting layer with heterojunction, located respectively on either side of the transmitter and above the lateral insulating region first part and mutually electrically insulated by the lateral insulating region second part.

Abstract: A method of nitriding the gate oxide layer of a semiconductor device includes the chemical growth on a silicon substrate of a native silicon oxide layer ≦1 nm thick; treating said substrate coated with the native silicon oxide layer with gas NO at a temperature ≦700° C. and a pressure level ≦104 Pa to obtain a nitrided native silicon oxide layer; and the growth of the gate oxide layer. The method is applicable to PMOS devices. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens forming composition containing light absorbing compounds which may undergo light initiated polymerization is provided. Typically, lens forming compositions that absorb light do not permit enough activating radiation to penetrate into the depths of the lens cavity to adequately initiate polymerization of the lens forming composition. An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for curing such a lens forming composition to form a lens that does not transmit ultraviolet light. Activating light is used having a wavelength greater than the wavelengths of light which the light absorbing compounds absorb. The power of the formed lenses may be controlled by varying the lens forming conditions. Additionally, the lens forming process may be controlled using a microprocessor based control system.

Abstract: An eyeglass lens forming composition containing light absorbing compounds which may undergo light initiated polymerization is provided. Typically, lens forming compositions that absorb light do not permit enough activating radiation to penetrate into the depths of the lens cavity to adequately initiate polymerization of the lens forming composition. An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for curing such a lens forming composition to form a lens that does not transmit ultraviolet light. Activating light is used having a wavelength greater than the wavelengths of light which the light absorbing compounds absorb. The power of the formed lenses may be controlled by varying the lens forming conditions. Additionally, the lens forming process may be controlled using a microprocessor based control system.

Abstract: A rework nozzle includes a gripping device that is used to remove a soldered device from a circuit board. The rework nozzle attaches to a module that generates hot gas. The device that is to be removed from the circuit board is placed within the nozzle. The module generates hot gas, and the hot gas is directed by the nozzle to soldered connections that couple the device to the circuit board. The hot gas melts the solder and the gripping mechanism is used to grasp the device. The device may be removed from the circuit board by separating the circuit board from the nozzle after the hot gas melts the solder. The nozzle will release the device if the force needed to remove the device is greater than the force applied to the device by the gripping mechanism. The release of the device will prevent damage to the device or to the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of making and certifying submicron line width calibration standards includes steps of thermal growth of a silicon dioxide film layer on top and vertical side wall surfaces of silicon regions, e.g. strips or mounds, that are formed over a silicon dioxide layer on a silicon substrate, then optically measuring the top film layer thickness, removing the oxide film from the top surface of the silicon regions via a planarization technique that protects the film on the side walls, and finally removing at least some, and in most cases preferably all, of the silicon material to leave just the oxide film that was on the side walls of the former silicon regions as submicron linear features, such as extended isolated lines or connected line segments arranged in a polygon.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an electrical component is disclosed which comprises a sorber containing a sorbent; a condenser in fluid communication with the sorber; an evaporator in fluid communication with both the sorber and the condenser and connected in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; wherein a sorbate which has been condensed in the condenser is evaporated in the evaporator, thereby absorbing heat from the electrical component, and then adsorbed onto the sorbent; an electromagnetic wave generator; a waveguide coupler for directing the electromagnetic waves to the sorbent; wherein the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and condensed in the condenser, and wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is substantially isothermal.

Abstract: A method for making a plastic lens and a plastic lens made thereby. The method comprises disposing a liquid poly(meth)acrylyl monomer, or a monomer mixture, an aromatic bis(allyl carbonate)-functional monomer and a photosensitive initiator into a mold cavity and directing ultraviolet light to act on the lens forming material in the cavity to produce a lens therefrom.

Abstract: A spinal plate system and method for fixation of the human spine is provided. In an embodiment, the spinal fixation system includes a plate, a coupling member, a locking system for substantially locking the coupling member in a desired position, and an anchoring system to secure the coupling member in the locking system. The plate may have a hole that allows the coupling member to couple the plate with a bone. At least a portion of the coupling member may swivel in the hole so that a bottom end of the member may extend at a plurality of angles substantially oblique to the plate. The locking system may lock the coupling member in desired positions relative to the plate. The anchoring system may secure the coupling member in the locking system to inhibit the coupling system from detaching from the locking system when stressed. An assembly tool may be used to engage and disengage the anchoring system during the installation or removal of the spinal fixation system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making and coating a plastic lens. Oxygen barrier containing photoinitiator is used to cure incompletely cured lens portions. Radiation pulses are used to control lens curing rate. Lens is postcured while in a mold cavity using a conductive heat source.

Abstract: An antenna feed system capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting in multiple frequency bands is disclosed. In one embodiment, the feed system comprises a dielectric loading rod, an inner cylindrical waveguide, and one or more outer cylindrical waveguides. The dielectric loading rod lies along a central axis, as do the inner waveguide and outer waveguides. The axis of the inner waveguide and the rod may coincide. Each waveguide may be configured to receive and transmit a different frequency band simultaneously with the other waveguides. In addition, the axes of the outer waveguides also coincide with the central axis. The antenna feed system may further comprise one or more junctions disposed to propagate electromagnet radiation into and out of the inner waveguide and outer waveguides. A method and kit for simultaneously receiving and transmitting in multiple frequencies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the anisotropic etching of a dielectric organic polymer material using a plasma is provided. The gas phase of the plasma may include a gas mixture of O2/NH3, O2/H2O, O2/CH4 or O2/H2. The oxygen concentration of the gas mixture may be less than 40% by volume. The process may include the fabrication of metal interconnects in a damascene-type structure of an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removing solvents from coated materials while capturing evaporated vapors in a confined space and maintaining non-explosive conditions within the space. Microwave energy may be applied to a coated material as the coated material passes through a cavity configured to produce an electromagnetic resonance mode. The application of microwaves to the coated material causes rapid evaporation of the solvents. The cavity is also configured to confine the evaporated vapors in a small volume and control the inflow of air into the volume so as to produce an effluent waste stream which includes a relatively high concentration of solvent molecules while maintaining a non-explosive atmosphere within the cavity. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for treating coated web materials, especially continuous webs.

Abstract: Data communication between a processing unit and external means may take place via a plurality of data streams. Means check the mutual consistency of said streams and report and correct abnormalities. This self-synchronization is achieved by inserting separators into the data streams to separate the data, and by means of a freezing mechanism for freezing the internal operation of the processing unit.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) catadioptric imaging system, with broad spectrum correction of primary and residual, longitudinal and lateral, chromatic aberrations for wavelengths extending into the deep UV (as short as about 0.16 &mgr;m), comprises a focusing lens group with multiple lens elements that provide high levels of correction of both image aberrations and chromatic variation of aberrations over a selected wavelength band, a field lens group formed from lens elements with at least two different refractive materials, such as silica and a fluoride glass, and a catadioptric group including a concave reflective surface providing most of the focusing power of the system and a thick lens providing primary color correction in combination with the focusing lens group. The field lens group is located near the intermediate image provided by the focusing lens group and functions to correct the residual chromatic aberrations. The system is characterized by a high numerical aperture (typ. greater than 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for polymerization or copolymerization of an olefin. The catalyst is produced by first reacting a mixture of a magnesium compound and an aluminum compound with an ester compound which has at least one hydroxy group and a silane compound which has at least one alkoxy group, and next reacting with a titanium compound. The catalyst may be used in the polymerization or copolymerization of ethylene and propylene.

Abstract: To cool heat-emitting electronic components, a compact, non-moving-parts compressor, an evaporator in juxtaposition to the electronic components and a condenser are mounted as a unit, preferably within a vacuum can. A heat exchanger is mounted external to the can but in proximity to the condenser. The foregoing comprise a unit which may be detachably connected to a host pump and heat exchanger. The unit may be removed from the system of which it is a part for upgrade and maintenance. All its components are thermally isolated from the ambient atmosphere to prevent water vapor condensation corrosion.