Abstract: A part ejector is shown and described wherein a machined part in a CNC lathe is ejected from a spindle of the lathe by means of an air pressure differential. The part ejector includes inner and outer tubes that are coupled to, and aligned with a spindle collet. Machined parts are received within the inner tube and a pin tool moves a pin into the inner tube to pneumatically seal the inner tube and push a machined part past one or more air ports that pneumatically connect the inner tube with an air channel located between the inner and outer tubes. Pressurized air is applied to the air channel and the pin is partially retracted to uncover the air ports thus allowing the pressurized air to enter the inner tube and eject the machined part out.

Abstract: Woven structures and associated systems for weaving such structures are disclosed. Some disclosed innovations pertain to braided structures, such as braided wire structures, with axially asymmetric woven structures (or “directional meshes”) being examples. Other innovations disclosed herein pertain to methods of manufacturing woven structures, with automated methods of braiding directional meshes being examples. Some directional mesh embodiments can be configured and used as energizable electrodes for electrosurgical therapies, for example, bipolar vaporization therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous powder extrusion method for making an article having a profile including an outer shape and optionally including one or more inner hollows. One or more bulk material powders and one or more binders are provided, and the bulk material powders and the binders are mixed to form a mixture. A die is provided, the die optionally including a mandrel having one or more shapes. The mixture is extruded through the die and the optional mandrel to produce a green form. The green form is debound to produce a brown form and the brown form is sintered to produce a densified form. The densified form is optionally processed using thermal, mechanical, and/or thermomechanical processing to produce a wrought form. The densified or wrought form is optionally cut to a length and/or finished using traditional metal finishing processes.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for measuring and calculating tensile elongation of ductile metals on small diameter specimens. The method includes marking a tensile specimen with a pattern of gage markings at predetermined intervals. The tensile specimen is pulled to failure and then fitted together at the fracture. Distances between corresponding markings straddling the fracture are measured extending progressively outward from the fracture. From the measurements, elongation as a function of gage length is determined. End point elongation values (i.e., elongation at zero or near zero and infinite or very long gage lengths) are also determined. Determined elongations are scaled to reflect the values that would have been generated on a standard 0.5 inch diameter specimen. Based on the scaled elongation as a function of gage length and the end point elongation values, a value of elongation can be determined that represents a material property for FEA modeling the plastic strain behavior of a device.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of making a metal injection molded article and the metal injection molded article. The method includes mixing metal powders and a binder to form a mixture. The metal powders include a bulk material and at least one radiopaque material. The mixture is injected into a mold and processed into a green part. The green part is debound to form a brown part. The brown part is sintered to create a completed article. The completed article includes a metal alloy that includes the bulk material and a dispersion of the at least one radiopaque material substantially independent of the metal alloy.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for measuring and calculating tensile elongation of ductile metals on small diameter specimens. The method includes marking a tensile specimen with a pattern of gage markings at predetermined intervals. The tensile specimen is pulled to failure and then fitted together at the fracture. Distances between corresponding markings straddling the fracture are measured extending progressively outward from the fracture. From the measurements, elongation as a function of gage length is determined. End point elongation values (i.e., elongation at zero or near zero and infinite or very long gage lengths) are also determined. Determined elongations are scaled to reflect the values that would have been generated on a standard 0.5 inch diameter specimen. Based on the scaled elongation as a function of gage length and the end point elongation values, a value of elongation can be determined that represents a material property for FEA modeling the plastic strain behavior of a device.

Abstract: An article made of a medical alloy having two or more alloying elements, and a uniform dispersion of discrete particles, which are substantially free of the two or more alloying elements. A method of making the article includes melting a composition having two or more alloying elements to form an alloy and dispersing a discrete particle in the alloy to form an ingot. The melting and dispersing are performed at a temperature above the alloying temperature of the composition and below the melting temperature of the discrete particle. The ingot is hot worked to form a processed ingot. The processed ingot is cold worked and annealed to form the article.

Abstract: Various wires and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a wire is provided that includes a core and a tube around the core. The tube is composed of an alloy containing about 33 to 37% nickel, about 31.5 to 39% cobalt, about 9 to 10.5% molybdenum, and about 19 to 21% chromium. The wire has an ultimate tensile strength of about 150 to 250 kpsi, an amount of cold work following a final anneal and a torsional ductility of greater than about 6 turns-to-failure per inch of the wire.