Abstract: A disc cartridge loading device for a recording medium utilizes a cartridge holder for holding a disc cartridge used as a recording medium for information signals. The cartridge holder performs a movement operation when moved from a first position permitting insertion/withdrawal of the disc cartridge to a second position for loading the disc cartridge into a loading portion of a recording/reproducing apparatus. The loading device further comprises a vertical movement operation mechanism including a vertical movement operation plate for allowing vertical movement of the cartridge holder with respect to the loading portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for ablating body tissue, and particularly for creating linear lesions within a chamber of a patient's heart, includes an elongate member having an ablation section. The ablation section includes an infusion tube and a plurality of spaced electrodes. The infusion tube and electrodes are covered by a fluid permeable foam material, and the foam material is covered by a fluid impermeable covering having a plurality of holes formed in it. During use, the ablation section is positioned against tissue to be ablated. Radiofrequency energy is delivered to he electrodes while saline or other conductive fluid is delivered to the infusion tube. The fluid exits the infusion tube at the ablation section, contacts the electrodes, and carries RF energy from the electrodes through the foam, through the holes in the covering and into contact with the body tissue to form a burn in the body tissue.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus having a casing of a main body portion and a slide tray mounted on the casing for being extracted forward via an opening surface of the casing. A resilient member is mounted on one of the casing and the slide tray for sliding in the direction of extraction. An engagement recess is formed in the other of the casing and the slide tray or the resilient member, and an engagement member is formed in the resilient member or the other of the casing and the slide tray. The engagement member is engaged in the engagement recess when the slide tray is in the pull-out position.

Abstract: A lightwave oven for cooking with light having wavelengths in the visible, near visible, and infra-red spectral ranges uses one or more quartz halogen tungsten lamps or quartz arc bulbs positioned above and below the food item and delivers light energy in select ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum during select portions of the cooking cycle.

Abstract: Prior art linear bearings generally have a roller element which, in such a reciprocating motion application, tend to creep or slide along the surfaces upon which they roll. This is due to unequal frictional forces between the rolling surfaces. The linear bearing of the present invention substantially prevents straying and/or sliding of roller elements, and therefore provides bearing functionality at high speeds and great loads with longer longevity and reliability. The linear bearing can be used in many engineering applications, such as in a rotary engine, for example.

Abstract: An electron gun that prevents undesirable arcing by providing an improved electrostatic field that generates a confined electron stream, an improved magnetic field that directs the confined electron stream to a crucible with minimal divergence, and an improved insulation on high voltage leads. The improved electrostatic field is provided by a cathode plate disposed adjacent to a filament and forming a cathode window aligned to the filament. An anode plate disposed adjacent to the cathode plate forms an anode window aligned to the cathode window. The cathode plate and anode plate form an electrostatic field and lensing effect that directs electrons emitted from the filament through the cathode and anode windows with minimal divergence. The improved magnetic field is provided by a magnet having a pair of poles, a pair of extension plates each extending from the magnet poles, and a plurality of extension members that extend from the extension plates toward the path of the electron stream.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for moving and aligning objects such as machine components includes a plate positionable beneath and engageable with an object to be moved, a block engageable with the plate, and a bolt extending through a bore in the block. The bolt includes an end which is positionable adjacent to the object to be moved and which is rotatable within the bore to cause axial movement of the bolt. Such axial movement of the bolt causes the end of the bolt to push against the object to be moved and to thereby move the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the skins or hulls from seeds, including those of legumes, grains, drupes, silques, and achenes involves wetting the seeds with an alkaline solution and then with a peroxygen solution. The two substances react underneath the skin to liberate gas between the seed meat and the skin. The gas bubbles blister the skin, causing it to become loosened. Slight mechanical action is used to dislodge the blistered skins from the seed meats.

Abstract: A cassette for supporting substantially planar objects such as photomasks, glass plates or semiconductor wafers during processing. The cassette is composed of bars connected at each end to an endpiece. Arms which form part of the endpiece are hinged to permit the side bars of the cassette to move inwardly and outwardly from one another when objects are inserted in the cassette. A bridge can connect an upper portion of the arms. The bridge can be used to lift the cassette and cause flexing of the cassette to ensure better retention while the cassette is being lifted.

Abstract: A container for containing food and/or beverage ingredients is described. The container is of a type which may be supported in a cup holder while the ingredients inside are processed, such as by a rotating blade or other mechanism, and which is restrained against rotation which would otherwise be caused by the action of the rotating blade or other processing tool. In a preferred embodiment, a non-circular anti-rotation pattern is formed on the cup bottom for mating with a corresponding pattern on a cup holder.

Abstract: A sampling device includes a barrel having a downhole end, an exterior surface, an interior surface defining a hollow interior, and an open end at the downhole end of the hollow interior. A fluid entrance penetrates the exterior surface. A fluid path having an outlet port is fluidly coupled to the fluid entrance. The device is driven into a subsurface so that a soil sample is forced into the hollow interior. While the device is still in the subsurface a fluid sample is collected through the least one fluid entrance and fluid path.

Abstract: An ablation catheter for ablating tissue, such as endocardial tissue. The ablation catheter includes a foam tip with an electrode embedded therein. Conductive fluid, such as saline solution, is pumped through the foam tip out to the tissue adjacent to the foam tip. The conductive fluid electrically couples the electrode embedded in the foam tip with the tissue to be ablated in order to effect ablation. The flow of the conductive fluid and the foam tip both help prevent any combustible products of the ablation from reaching the high current surfaces of the electrode itself.

Abstract: A catheter device for creating linear lesions in endocardial tissue or other body tissue is described. The catheter includes an inner shaft telescopically received within an outer shaft. The inner shaft has one or more spaced apart electrodes along its distal section. The outer shaft member includes a fluid permeable window positionable to selectively overlay some or all of the electrodes when the relative positioning of the inner and outer shaft members is adjusted. During use, the window is positioned adjacent to the body tissue which is to be ablated and at least a portion of the electrodes are exposed through the window. RF energy is delivered to the electrodes while saline or other conductive fluid is simultaneously delivered through the infusion tube.

Abstract: A sampling device capable of collecting fluid and soil samples includes a sensor for measuring a fluid parameter. The sensor is coupled to a monitor which records the fluid parameter measurements. A regenerative gas is passed through the sensor to regenerate the sensor so that a number of measurements may be taken. A movable drive tip covers an opening through which the fluid sample is collected.

Abstract: In a magnetooptical recording and reproducing device, a segment allocation table containing identification information for identifying whether a file should be time-continuously processed is recorded on a magnetooptical disc. When it is judged on the basis of the identification information of the table that a file to be reproduced from the magnetooptical disc of the magnetooptical recording and reproducing device is a time-continuous file, an MPU controls read-out and write-in operations for a main memory so that data contained in the file to be reproduced is written into a part of the main memory and at the same time data contained in the file to be reproduced is read out from another part of the main memory.

Abstract: In a shapable catheter and method for positioning a shapable catheter within a body cavity, a core wire is provided which includes a pre-shaped region bent into a predetermined shape. A catheter is provided which includes a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire. The catheter includes a rigid proximal section and a flexible distal section. A pull wire may additionally be provided to allow the user to cause deflection at a distal portion of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in arthroscopically attaching a suture to bone comprises a cannula and drill guide for use in drilling parallel holes in the bone and a scissors-like component for carrying a suture down one hole and pushing the suture through soft bone into the other hole where it can be retrieved.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for making frozen drinks from a frozen substance which has been frozen into a cup. According to the method of the present invention, a cup containing a frozen substance is positioned in a cup support located in a frozen drink machine. A rotatable blade having features for grinding the frozen substance and for aerating the ground frozen substance is lowered into the cup, grinding the frozen substance while a liquid is simultaneously introduced into the cup. In an alternative embodiment, a second blade is provided which incorporates air into the liquid before the liquid is introduced into the cup.