Abstract: A probe measurement system for measuring the electrical characteristics of integrated circuits or other microelectronic devices at high frequencies.

Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a probe card with conductors supported thereon, wherein the conductors include at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. A membrane assembly includes a membrane with contacts thereon, and supporting at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. The guard conductors of the probe card are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly. The guard conductors of the membrane assembly are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly.

Abstract: A low-current pogo probe card for measuring currents down to the femtoamp region includes a laminate board having a layer of conductive traces interposed between two dielectric layers. A plurality of probing devices, such as ceramic blades, are edge-mounted about a central opening so that the probing needles or needles included therein terminate below the opening in a pattern suitable for probing a test subject workpiece. A plurality of pogo pin receiving pad sets, each including a guard pad, occupy the periphery of the board. Each guard pad is electrically connected to a trace from the layer of conductive traces. The pad sets may be connected to the probing devices by low noise cables or traces. Air trenches separate the pad sets for reducing cross talk and signal settling times.

Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.

Abstract: To reduce noise in measurements obtained by probing a device supported on surface of a thermal chuck in a probe station, a conductive member is arranged to intercept current coupling the thermal unit of the chuck to the surface supporting the device. The conductive member is capacitively coupled to the thermal unit but free of direct electrical connection thereto.

Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a support element having an incompressible forward support tiltably coupled to a rearward base and a membrane assembly, formed of polyimide layers, with its central region interconnected to the support by an elastomeric layer. Flexible traces form data/signal lines to contacts on the central region. Each contact comprises a rigid beam and a bump located in off-centered location on the beam, which bump includes a contacting portion. After initial touchdown of these contacting portions, further over-travel of the pads causes each beam to independently tilt locally so that different portions of each beam move different distances relative to the support thus driving each contact into lateral scrubbing movement across the pad thereby clearing away oxide buildup. The elastomeric member backed by the incompressible support ensures sufficient scrub pressure and reliable tilt recovery of each contact without mechanical straining of the beam.

Abstract: Plural spaced projections attached to the outer surface of a branch pipe of a tapping sleeve positioned on a main water line are disposed in contact with a rubber gasket also positioned on and disposed about the branch pipe. A two-piece split gland is also positioned about the branch pipe and engages a first surface of each of the projections. The split gland is adapted for coupling to the flange of a mechanical joint tapping valve by plural nut and bolt combinations for urging the gasket into intimate contact with a second opposed surface of each of the projections and the tapping sleeve's mechanical joint in forming a seal with the branch pipe. The split gland coupling allows for vertically orienting the tapping sleeve even when the main water line is not level, or horizontal, to facilitate tapping valve access via an extension pipe when the tapping sleeve is buried.

Abstract: A direct current and a modulation signal are simultaneously applied to contact pads on a device under test, such as a laser diode. A probe and method of probing reduces signal distortion and power dissipation by transmitting a modulated signal to the device-under-test through an impedance matching resistor and transmitting of a direct current to the device-under-test over a second signal path that avoids the impedance matching resistor.

Abstract: An acoustic barrier that achieves excellent noise insulating properties, and is relatively thin and relatively light in weight includes a flexible thermoplastic barrier layer having a plurality of apertures defining a latticed structure which includes apertures for pass-through components and non-pass-through apertures. The non-pass-through apertures are located where noise levels are expected or known to be relatively low. Effective acoustic performance can be maintained by completely eliminating material from the relatively thick and dense barrier layer at the low noise levels areas, and providing only absorptive decoupler material and/or lightweight sheet material such as plastic films in those areas.

Abstract: A wheelchair seatback assembly suitable for detachable mounting to the back-supporting posts of a wheelchair. The back assembly includes a relatively rigid shell member carrying post-engaging pins and a plurality of mounting clips attachable to wheelchair posts. At least selected ones of the mounting clips are further formed to releasably engage the post-engaging pins. The mounting units are also formed for single-handed automatic unlocking and release of the pair of hooks from the mounting units and posts upon rotation of the shell member forwardly over the wheelchair seat by an amount in excess of any displacement occurring during normal use of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A low-current pogo probe card for measuring currents down to the femtoamp region includes a laminate board having a layer of conductive traces interposed between two dielectric layers. A plurality of probing devices, such as ceramic blades, are edge-mounted about a central opening so that the probing needles or needles included therein terminate below the opening in a pattern suitable for probing a test subject workpiece. A plurality of pogo pin receiving pad sets, each including a guard pad, occupy the periphery of the board. Each guard pad is electrically connected to a trace from the layer of conductive traces. The pad sets may be connected to the probing devices by low noise cables or traces. Air trenches separate the pad sets for reducing cross talk and signal settling times.

Abstract: A system for low-current testing of a test device includes a probing device for probing a probing site on the test device. The probing device includes a dielectric substrate having first and second sides, an elongate conductive path on the first side of the substrate, an elongate probing element connected to the elongate conductive path so as to extend in a cantilevered manner beyond the substrate, and a conductive area on the second side of the substrate. The probe housing is matingly detachably engageable with the probing device.

Abstract: A clamp for handling stacked loads of different sizes has a hydraulic circuit capable of selectively causing closing movement of a pair of clamp arms in synchronized unison with each other and thereafter, automatically in response to resistance to closing movement by one but not the other of the pair of clamp arms, causing unsynchronized closing movement of the other clamp arm. Subsequently, upon opening of the clamp, the hydraulic circuit initially causes opening movement of the previously unsynchronized clamp arm and thereafter, automatically in response to the attainment of synchronized clamp arm positions, causes opening movement of the pair of clamp arms in synchronized unison with each other.

Abstract: A direct current and a modulation signal are simultaneously applied to contact pads on a device under test, such as a laser diode. A probe and method of probing reduces signal distortion and power dissipation by transmitting a modulated signal to the device-under-test through an impedance matching resistor and transmitting of a direct current to the device-under-test over a second signal path that avoids the impedance matching resistor.

Abstract: A probe card includes a plurality of probes, where each probe is supported by the probe card. A plurality of landings are on the top of the probe card. Each of the landings is electrically interconnected with a coaxial cable that is also associated with one of the probes. A plurality of trenches defined by the probe card substantially encircles respective landings.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for preparing an autologous solid-fibrin web suitable for regenerating tissue in a living organism. The system includes a sealed primary container containing a separation medium and a low-density high-viscosity liquid. The separation medium is capable of separating red blood cells from plasma when the container contains blood and is centrifuged, and the primary container has a first pressure. The system further includes a sealed secondary container containing a calcium-coagulation activator. The secondary container has a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The system also comprises a transfer device including a cannula having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are capable of puncturing the sealed primary and secondary containers in order to provide fluid communication between the first and second containers. The low-density high-viscosity liquid of the primary container is capable of blocking flow through the cannula upon entering therein.

Abstract: A fluid power load-clamping system includes at least one fluid valve for variably regulating the maximum fluid pressure causing closure of the clamp. Preferably the valve increases the maximum fluid pressure automatically in relation to the measured magnitude of the weight of the load to regulate the load-gripping force. A controller causes the valve to permit a relatively high maximum fluid pressure as the clamp closes toward the load to enable high initial clamp closure speed. Thereafter the valve automatically reduces the maximum pressure as the clamping surfaces close into a predetermined relationship with the load, and then increases the maximum pressure to regulate the gripping force. Other preferable features include continuous weight-responsive automatic regulation of the gripping pressure while the load is supported by the clamp, and compensation of the weight measurement for the longitudinally-extensible position of the lifting mechanism, to maximize the accuracy of the load-weight measurement.

Abstract: Enhanced presentation techniques for modeling a connectivity universe associated with a particular user or device are provided. Example embodiments provide a WorldView Display System (a “WVDS”), which automatically organizes a user's online relationships with entities, such as devices, data collections, services, and people, and provides a user interface for accessing and interacting with these entities. The WVDS automatically determines the universe of objects that the user has relationships with, automatically groups objects having similar measures of access proximity, displays a multi-dimensional representation of these groups of objects on a display device, and provides a uniform user interface for initiating an interaction with any represented object. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Enhanced presentation techniques for modeling a connectivity universe associated with a particular user or device are provided. Example embodiments provide a WorldView Display System (a “WVDS”), which automatically organizes a user's online relationships with entities, such as devices, data collections, services, and people, and provides a user interface for accessing and interacting with these entities. The WVDS automatically determines the universe of objects that the user has relationships with, automatically groups objects having similar measures of access proximity, displays a multi-dimensional representation of these groups of objects on a display device, and provides a uniform user interface for initiating an interaction with any represented object. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.