Abstract: A filter assembly for use in a disk drive assembly is disclosed. The filter assembly is configured to remove contaminants within the drive assembly and to prevent entry of contaminants into the drive assembly. In one implementation the filter assembly includes a housing configured for placement in a disk drive assembly containing a rotating disk, the housing including an air scoop having an entrance configured for placement beneath the rotating disk in the drive assembly; and a major surface having a wall and an opening in the wall, the opening configured for receiving a filter material and being in fluid communication with the entrance to the air scoop. A filter element is positioned within the housing and configured so that a first portion of the element filters air directed from the air scoop, while a second portion of the element filters air from the exterior of the drive assembly, the first and second portions sealed by a common filter material placed over the opening in the major surface.

Abstract: A multiple diffusion channel filter assembly is disclosed. The filter assembly provides filtration of air entering and exiting an electronic enclosure through a breather hole. In one implementation, the filter assembly contains a housing with an adsorbent component and a first diffusion channel and a second diffusion channel. In another implementation, the filter assembly contains a first layer and a second layer which surround an adsorbent component and a first and a second diffusion channel that are in fluid communication with the interior space defined by the first and second layers. In yet another implementation, the invention, includes a filter accessory containing a diffusion channel configured to work in conjunction with a separate filter assembly thereby adding an additional diffusion channel to the existing design.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses that reduce problems encountered during coating of a device, such as a medical device having a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus including a bi-directional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bi-directional indexing movement. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating solution supply member having a major axis oriented parallel to a gap between rollers on a coating apparatus. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device retaining member. In an embodiment, the invention includes an air nozzle or an air knife. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method including removing a static charge from a small diameter medical device.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for coating a device comprising a coating chamber and a device rotator having at least one device mount wherein the apparatus allows insertion and retraction of the device on the device mount into and out of the coating chamber. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of applying a substantially uniform coating on a device comprising the steps of providing an apparatus for coating a device, mounting the device onto the device mount, purging the coating chamber to reduce humidity in the coating chamber, maintaining a reduced humidity content in the coating chamber, inserting the device into the coating chamber, disposing a coating material on the device and rotating the device mounts about the device axis.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for distributing digitized electronic representations of representative responses to non-objective assessment tasks and established scores for the responses to readers in order to train the readers to determine scores for responses in accordance with a scoring criteria, to qualify the readers to determine scores for responses in accordance with the scoring criteria, and to monitor how well a reader is determining scores for such responses in accordance with the scoring criteria. In disclosed embodiments, the methods provide such distribution for multiple scorers on a network located at a single site, for multiple scorers on a network remote from a central site; and scoring by individual scorers remote from the central site. Distribution may be accomplished by transferring data from electronic files using diverse techniques such as magnetic storage discs, CD-ROM, cable or high-speed public communications network, in accordance with the needs of the particular job and setting.

Abstract: This invention provides a coating apparatus and methods for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device. The apparatus is suitable for providing a coating using a photoactivatable compound and a polymerizable compound. In another aspect, the apparatus and methods are useful for coating a device wherein the surface of the device has small pores or apertures. The apparatus includes of containers suitable for holding the object to be coated and the coating solution, a gas supply source for supplying gas to solution, an irradiation station for providing light used in the coating process, and a conveyor mechanism to direct the containers to and from the irradiation station.