Abstract: Polymer (preferably polyimide) sheets (10) with laser ablated through-holes plated with metal (20) are used for making electrical conections to specified microcircuits, especially unbumped microchips and Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) articles. Bonding with different melting point materials at opposite ends of the plated holes is disclosed. Preferred polyimides are those derived from polymerisation of 4,4'-biphenyldianhydride and (4,4'-diaminobiphenyl, or 4,4'-diaminobiphenylether, or phylenediamine, preferably p-phenylenediamine).

Abstract: An induction heater for heating a portion of a load comprises a side entry coil driven by a source of alternating current, with a flux concentrator located at the coil opening. The coil produces a magnetic field in the region occupied by the flux concentrator and the heated portion of the load. The flux concentrator extends along the opening of the coil and is fabricated of high permeability, low loss material, such as nickel-zinc ferrite, so as to enhance the uniformity of the magnetic field generated within the coil. In the preferred application, heating produces a complete fluid block in a cable section within the coil without overheating or damaging the cable.

Abstract: A device for electrically connecting a coaxial cable to another electrical component comprises a sleeve for receiving an end of the coaxial cable, the sleeve having a pair of elongate conductive members that extend out of the sleeve from the interior thereof for forming a connection with the electrical component and two quantities of solder for connecting each conductive member to a conductor of the coaxial cable, wherein the sleeve is a unitary sleeve and the conductive members both extend out of the same end of the sleeve, at least one of the elongate conductive members being electrical insulated in order to prevent a short circuit between the conductive members. Also disclosed are a plurality of such devices located on a strip which joins at least one of the conductive members of each device, and a method of manufacturing the devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate metallic members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the metallic member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the metallic member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the metallic member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the metallic member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature.

Abstract: An open end of a hollow member is sealed using a sealing member comprising a layer of sealant between two constraining layers. Force is applied to the sealing member to maintain the sealant in sealing contact with the inner walls of the hollow member. At least one of the constraining layers and/or the means of applying force is sufficiently resilient to accommodate volume changes of the sealant during temperature fluctuations and displacement of the sealant when a substrate is inserted into the hollow member through the sealing member. To facilitate insertion of the substrate through the sealing member, holes and/or slits may be provided in one or both of the constraining layers and/or through the sealant layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of forming a solder connection between a plurality of elongate bodies, comprises:(i) forming an initial connection between the elongate bodies by inserting them into an induction heatable connecting element of a connector, the connector comprising a dimensionally heat-recoverable sleeve and, retained within the sleeve, the connecting element and a solder insert that is in thermal contact with the connecting element; and(ii) heating the connector (a) by subjecting the connecting element to an alternating magnetic field so that it is heated by induction thereby melting the solder insert, and (b) subjecting the sleeve to hot air and/or infrared radiation, thereby causing the sleeve to recover.The apparatus for applying heat to an elongate connector, comprises a first heat source which comprises an induction coil, and a second heat source arranged to generate hot air or infrared radiation.

Abstract: A flexible hollow sealing member that can be inflated through a hole in a wall thereof to seal to a first article, the member having: a first sealing material at an inwardly-facing surface of the wall, which first sealing material can be deformed to block the hole by pressure within the member when inflated; and a device for maintaining, during deformation of the first sealing material, separation between the article and an outwardly-facing surface of the wall immediately adjacent the hole.

Abstract: A method of sealing a duct having a non-uniform cross-section which comprises:(i) positioning within the duct a device for locating a sealing material at a localized portion of an inner surface of the duct, at the non-uniformity; and(ii) positioning within the duct a sealing member than can at least partially block a cross-section of the duct such that the sealing material forms a seal between a portion of the duct and a portion of the sealing member.

Abstract: A device for terminating a cable having a screen and at least one inner conductor comprises:(i) a hollow electrically conductive outer body for terminating the screen of the cable, which has two open ends and which is provided with an internal screw thread that tapers from one of its open ends;(ii) a metallic coil, at least part of which is screwed into the tapering screw thread of the outer body and tapers towards a constriction at least when screwed into the tapering screw thread; and(iii) a conformable metallic foil in tubular form, at least part of which is located within the constriction of the metallic coil;the device being arranged so that the screen of the cable may be terminated by inserting an exposed portion of it into the tube of metallic foil and screwing the metallic coil further into the outer body by means of the tapering screw thread, thereby constricting the coil further and causing the metallic foil to tighten about the cable screen.

Abstract: A termination arrangement for a coaxial cable comprises a dimensionally heat-recoverable sleeve that encloses a connecting element for the screen of the cable and a quantity of solder for forming a permanent electrical connection between the connecting element and the cable screen. The connecting element has a generally cylindrical portion whose diameter is capable of changing and which is held in a state of larger diameter by the solder and/or the sleeve, the element changing to a smaller diameter state when the sleeve is recovered. In use, the arrangement is positioned over a coaxial cable which has been prepared so as to expose an appropriate length of the central conductor, dielectric and screen. when the sleeve is recovered, the solder fuses and the connecting element contracts around the screen.

Abstract: A self supporting sealing member having a layer of sealant positioned longitudinally between two constraining layers. The lateral dimensions of the sealing member are designed to fit within a hollow member. The constraining layer is preferably a gel having a Voland hardness greater than the Voland hardness of the sealant. This configuration does not allow particles to contaminate the connection of substrates or wires inserted through the sealing member.

Abstract: Flame retarded organopolysiloxane gels suitable for sealing and protecting electrical contacts include (i) an organopolysiloxane gel having repeat units of the structure ##STR1## where each R is independently phenyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or fluoroalkyl, at least 40% of the R groups being phenyl; and (ii) an additive package mixed with the organopolysiloxane, which is (a) zinc oxide; (b) antimony oxide; (c) a brominated compound having a molecular weight of at least 450 and a bromine content of at least 40 weight %; (d) a chlorinated compound having a molecular weight of at least 300 and a chlorine content of at least 40 weight %; or (e) combinations of the above. The additive package is used in an amount between about 10 and about 60 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of organopolysiloxane.

Abstract: A device for forming an electrical connection between a plurality of elongate electrical conductors comprises an electrically insulating sleeve, and contained within the sleeve a resiliently deformable tapering coil and a quantity of fusible polymeric material, the device being arranged so that the elongate electrical conductors may be connected by twisting them into the coil so that at least part of the coil is deformed and heating the device so that at least some of the fusible polymeric material melts and then, when solidified, substantially binds the coil in its deformed state.

Abstract: A device for dissecting, grasping and/or cutting an object has at least two elongate elements at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material, preferably a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy. End portions of the elements can be moved away from one another and then toward one another to dissect, grasp and/or cut an object with the elements. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises an actuating means and at least a portion of the elements and/or the actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material. The device is particularly useful in dissecting, grasping and/or cutting objects located in difficult to reach areas, for example within the body during surgery.

Abstract: This invention relates to multi-component assemblies comprising a plurality of substantially parallel insulated conductors and or cables at least one of which is wrapped in a flexible affixment means thereby enabling the wrapped component to be secured to a support substrate.

Abstract: Article and method of making same by laser-ablation-machining of (a) aromatic and/or amorphous polyamide material, or (b) polymeric material having repeating in its polymer backbone aromatic rings and aliphatic chains (with the proviso that the aliphatic chains have at least 4 carbon atoms when the material is a polyester, and preferably in all cases U.V. laser radiation is preferred, preferably at wavelengths greater than 248 nm from a KrF or XeCl excimer laser. The preferred polyamides, polyetheresters, and polyimides have superior machining performance and may be useful for making uniaxially electrically conductive articles by machining holes cleanly through laminar sheets of the preferred polymers, which sheets are subsequently metal plated.

Abstract: The present invention accordingly provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature.

Abstract: An electrical cable comprises one or more insulated elongate electrical conductors (1,2), a metal electrical shield 5 surrounding the conductors and a pull-thread 7 that extends along the cable under the shield so that the shield can be cut longitudinally by pulling the thread.The cable can be stripped of shield and jacket simply by pulling the thread and then tearing the end of the shield and jacket off. If desired a second conventional pull thread may be located between the shield and jacket in order to allow the jacket to be removed and the shield exposed.

Abstract: A hollow, heat-recoverable article 1, for enclosing objects such as electronic components etc. has a thermoplastic lining on its interior surface and includes a fusion bonded portion 2 in which different parts of the article have been brought together and bonded by fusion of the lining with substantially no welding of the heat-recoverable material forming the wall. The lining has a melting point that is higher than the recovery temperature of the article, thereby enabling subsequent recovery of the article without rupture of the bonded portion.

Abstract: A device for forming an electrical connection between part of an elongate electrical conductor between its ends and one or more other electrical conductors comprises and electrically insulating sleeve, a metallic connecting element located within the sleeve, and a quantity of solder for forming a permanent electrical connection between the conductors. The electrically insulating sleeve and the connecting element have two open ends to allow the elongate electrical conductor to extend through them, and the connecting element has a tapering internal surface which has a screw thread to enable the other electrical conductor or conductors to be held in contact with the elongate electrical conductor by twisting the connecting element about the conductors.