Abstract: A reduced size ceramic block filter has trap holes whose center is askew from the line running through the center of the transmission poles such that the height-wise distance between its center and the center line of the transmission poles is greater than (dt+d1)/2, but not greater than 3/8 of the height of the filter. The trap hole is also width-wise spaced from the next nearest transmission hole by an amount which approximates the distance between transmission holes. Due to this layout the diameter of the trap holes are reduced in order to maintain performance which is equivalent to a conventional filter whose trap holes are timely aligned with its transmission poles. The combination of reduced trap hole diameter and reduced width-wise spacing between traps and transmission holes, results in a reduced size ceramic filter.

Abstract: A filter with an equivalent circuit that functions as well as physically larger filters without substantial drop off in performance.

Abstract: A stent has a tubular body with longitudinal struts interconnected by multi-bar linkages. The linkages comprise a pair of circumferential extending links, a pair of axial links and a pair of spaced hinges located between the circumferential links and the axial links. The struts inhibit foreshortening of the body and relative rotation between the links in the linkages, permitting radial expansion. The links are plastically deformed as they are expanded to maintain the expanded diameter.