Abstract: A seal for a rotary shaft comprising having a stuffing box at least partially filled with a sealant material. At least one sealing ring bounds the stuffing box. Pressure applied to the sealant material in the stuffing box is transferred to at least one sealing ring in a radially inward direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods to facilitate visual and tool access within a volume reached by an endoscopic tool inserted into brain tissue. Cameras are placed in various locations distal to and/or proximal to the volume, and in some cases are repositionable. Provision of different viewing angles helps to maintain close visual monitoring of surgical progress. Retractor and scaffolding are used, in some embodiments, to open and/or maintain opening of a working volume, particularly a working volume from which material is being removed, and which may be prone to partial collapse as surrounding tissue pushes inward into the evacuated area. Working channels are reconfigurable by use of inner and outer parts, and working channels may be shaped to allow simultaneous use by a plurality of tools and/or supports.

Abstract: Dual surgical manipulator systems adapted for operating in stringently confined intrabody spaces, and/or for reaching such spaces via stringently confined access routes. In some embodiments, each of a pair of surgical manipulator arms introduced together and initially in parallel to each other is configured to approach a shared action zone from two different sides relative to their direction of introduction. Optionally, the arms may bend once to reach the shared action zone. One may bend by less than 90°, one may bend by more than 90°. One or more imagers may be provided which are configured to view the arms from a location lateral to their direction of introduction. The manipulator arms may be of a nested tubular design, which may contribute to reducing their complexity, and to their suitability for miniaturization.

Abstract: Systems and methods to correct the working volume of a surgical tool operating under automatic control to ablate within a baseline working volume of tissue subject to shifting and/or shrinkage during ablation. Early ablation may be performed in regions of the target which remain safe with respect to a risk of tissue shifting. At least once after early ablation, the working volume is reset to account for volume shifts, and ablation restarted. In some embodiments, information guiding the working volume reset comprises 2-D imaging results. In some embodiments, early ablation generates fiducial marks used to reset the working volume. In some embodiments, an imager is rotationally coupled to the surgical tool.

Abstract: A sealing unit for a drive shaft driving a working fluid; the sealing unit comprising a sleeve attached to the drive shaft and a gland attached to the housing, a static seal ring attached to the gland and in close proximity to the sleeve, and a stuffing box about the static seal ring, fibrous packing seal blocking the distal and proximal ends of the stuffing box and a first sealant comprising a viscous, non-Newtonian fluid that is injected into the stuffing box under a first pressure exceeding the pressure of the working fluid; the sealing unit further comprising an inner fluid seal of a Newtonian fluid between the first sealant and the drive shaft upstream of the first sealant, such that the Newtonian fluid seal is kept at a pressure slightly higher than the pressure of the working fluid and prevents the working fluid from reaching the first sealant.

Abstract: A seal for a rotary shaft having a sleeve surrounding the rotary shaft that rotates with the shaft and a stationary housing surrounding the sleeve. One or more sealing rings reduce or prevent escape of working fluid in a gap from between the sleeve and the housing. An injection tube serves to introduce a sealant into the gap. Two confining rings affixed to the housing surround the sleeve that mate with circumferential grooves on an outer surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: Systems comprising a needle assembly configured to be inserted and steered within the brain, body tissue, or cavity, for the purpose of performing a surgical procedure. The needle assembly comprises robotically controlled and motorized concentric cannulas. For bending, there may be provided, for example, a tensioning wire configured to bend an inner cannula, or a cannula with an adjustable natural curve. A flexible inner element passing through the bend of the inner cannula is made self-straightening to minimize susceptibility to displacement from its intended path as it is advanced through the tissue. The self-straightening inner element comprises, for example, at least one of a super-elastic tube, a shape-memory alloy tube, a slotted tube, a tightly coiled memory alloy spring, circular links held together by pulling cables preloaded by springs, and a notched inner cannula with a cable connected via a loaded spring to tension the inner cannula.

Abstract: A sealing unit for a drive shaft driving a working fluid; the sealing unit comprising a sleeve attached to the drive shaft and a gland attached to the housing, a static seal ring attached to the gland and in close proximity to the sleeve, and a stuffing box about the static seal ring, fibrous packing seal blocking the distal and proximal ends of the stuffing box and a first sealant comprising a viscous, non-Newtonian fluid that is injected into the stuffing box under a first pressure exceeding the pressure of the working fluid; the sealing unit further comprising an inner fluid seal of a Newtonian fluid between the first sealant and the drive shaft upstream of the first sealant, such that the Newtonian fluid seal is kept at a pressure slightly higher than the pressure of the working fluid and prevents the working fluid from reaching the first sealant.

Abstract: A delivery unit (40) for automatically delivering a viscous sealant at a predetermined pressure to a stuffing box (70) of a shaft (20) is disclosed. The delivery unit (40), such as a pressure booster incrementally displaceable piston, is controlled to deliver the sealant at a predetermined pressure on demand when the pressure of the sealant within said stuffing box is less than the predetermined delivery pressure being sufficient to promote adhesion of the sealant onto a shaft segment and to thereby prevent or retard the egress of working fluid from a corresponding working chamber (17) of a machine adapte to perform work by the shaft. A system for reducing the pressure of sealant within a stuffing box by use of the delivery unit and of an impeller-based dynamic seal is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insert for a pressure sealant type sealing system, an improved sealing system for sealing between an aperture of a machine housing and a rotating shaft of the machine protruding through the aperture, comprising the insert to provide a pair of outlets into the driveshaft arranged collinearly around the driveshaft, a method of injecting the sealant into the stuffing box in two positions on opposite sides of the drive shaft thereby balancing the pressure, and a method of retrofitting existing pressure sealant systems by retrofitting with the insert.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the measurement of wafer thickness, flatness and the trench depth of any trenches etched thereon using the back surface of the wafer to accurately measure the back side of a trench, rendering the trench an effective bump, capable of being measured on the top surface and the bottom surface through a non-contact optical instrument that simultaneously measures the wavelength of the top surface and bottom surface of the wafer, converting the distance between wavelengths to a thickness measurement, using a light source that renders the material of which the wafer is composed transparent in that wavelength range, i.e., using the near infrared region for measuring the thickness and trench depth measurement of wafers made of silicon, which is opaque in the visible region and transparent in the near infrared region. Thickness and flatness, as well as localized shape, can also be measured using a calibration method that utilizes a pair of optical styli.

Abstract: A sealing system for sealing between an aperture of a machine housing and a rotating machine-shaft protruding through the aperture, said sealing system comprising: (i) a stuffing box for encasing the aperture of the machine housing and a segment of said shaft and, (ii) a viscous fluid type sealant within said stuffing box, wherein the shaft is concentric about its axis of rotation and said segment has at least one variation in its effective external diameter thereby increasing the surface area thereof, in contact with the liquid sealant.

Abstract: A conduit for a cooling liquid, said conduit for substantially contacting a viscous fluid type sealant within a stuffing box, thereby conducting heat away from said sealant within said stuffing box by flowing said cooling liquid though said conduit.

Abstract: A delivery unit (40) for automatically delivering a viscous sealant at a predetermined pressure to a stuffing box (70)of a shaft (20) is disclosed. The delivery unit (40), such as a pressure booster incrementally displaceable piston, is controlled to deliver the sealant at a predetermined pressure on demand when the pressure of the sealant within said stuffing box is less than the predetermined delivery pressure being sufficient to promote adhesion of the sealant onto a shaft segment and to thereby prevent or retard the egress of working fluid from a corresponding working chamber (17) of a machine adapte to perform work by the shaft. A system for reducing the pressure of sealant within a stuffing box by use of the delivery unit and of an impeller-based dynamic seal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for the measurement of high aspect ratio trenches. The preferred embodiment consists of three elements: a) an integrated microscope and optical height sensor, b) an axially dispersive, afocal lens system, which is included in the optical height sensor, and c) an algorithm for processing the optical height sensor data to produce the depth of the high aspect ratio trench. The present invention combines a traditional imaging microscope with a chromatic confocal, single point, height sensor. This combination instantaneously provides an image of the object and the height value at one point in the image. No mechanical movement is necessary anywhere in the system to achieve that result. The chromatic confocal height sensor is integrated with a traditional microscope through the use of separate wavelength bands such as a wavelength band in the visible part of the spectrum, and a wavelength band in the infrared or ultraviolet part of the spectrum.

Abstract: A capacitive rain sensor for activating automotive window wipers includes: capacitive plates, electronic circuitry for sensing the capacitance between said plates, processing the sensed capacitance signal, and generating wipe commands. The capacitive plates are protected from water adsorption and condensation by means of a hermetic enclosure. The interconnection between the inside and outside of the enclosure is optionally implemented by means of conductors printed on the window. Wiper-induced and other parasitic signals are rejected by means of an adaptive filter Optional radiation sensor is utilized to suppress solar induced fast temperature variations. An optional far-field cancellation plate is utilized to minimize false wipes due to nearby objects.

Abstract: A high average power, high brightness solid state laser system. A laser produces a first pulse laser beam with a high pulse frequency. A pulse spacing selector removes from the first pulse laser beam more than 80 percent of the pulses to produce a second pulse laser beam having a series of periodically spaced short pulses in excess of 1,000 pulses per second. A laser amplifier amplifies the second pulse train to produce an amplified pulse laser beam which is focused to produce pulses with brightness levels in excess of 10.sup.11 Watts/cm.sup.2. A preferred embodiment produces an amplified pulse laser beam having an average power in the range of 1 KW, an average pulse frequency of 12,000 pulses per second with pulses having brightness levels in excess of 10.sup.14 Watts/cm.sup.2 at a 20 .mu.m diameter spot which is steered rapidly to simulate a larger spot size. These beams are useful in producing X-ray sources for lithography.