Abstract: A composite spring contact structure includes a structural component and a conduction component distinct from each other and having differing mechanical and electrical characteristics. The structural component can include a group of carbon nanotubes. A mechanical characteristic of the composite spring contact structure can be dominated by a mechanical characteristic of the structural component, and an electrical characteristic of the composite spring contact structure can be dominated by an electrical characteristic of the conduction component. Composite spring contact structures can be used in probe cards and other electronic devices. Various ways of making contact structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for mixing and delivering a mixture of fluids to a target site includes a tube for containing the mixture. A compressible auger for mixing the fluids is movably disposed within the tube, one end of the auger being free at the distal end of the tube. A plunger is also movable within the tube in communication with the other end of the auger. When the plunger is moved axially within the tube the auger also moves axially and the auger is compressed to dispense the fluid. The mixing and delivery device can be used with an apparatus for the arthroscopic delivery of a tissue repair material to a repair site. The apparatus includes a first sheath and a second sheath removably attached to the first sheath for delivering the tissue repair material to the repair site.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes.

Abstract: A probe card assembly can include a probe head assembly having probes for contacting an electronic device to be tested. The probe head assembly can be electrically connected to a wiring substrate and mechanically attached to a stiffener plate. The wiring substrate can provide electrical connections to a testing apparatus, and the stiffener plate can provide structure for attaching the probe card assembly to the testing apparatus. The stiffener plate can have a greater mechanical strength than the wiring substrate and can be less susceptible to thermally induced movement than the wiring substrate. The wiring substrate may be attached to the stiffener plate at a central location of the wiring substrate. Space may be provided at other locations where the wiring substrate is attached to the stiffener plate so that the wiring substrate can expand and contract with respect to the stiffener plate.

Abstract: A circuit component has an elastically deformable first structure, a second structure, and a support structure coupling the first and second structures, wherein the first structure can be variably deformed in response to a variable force, to provide either a variable capacitor or a variable tank circuit having a variable capacitor and an inductor. In one particular embodiment, a piezoelectric element is laminated to the surface of the first elastically deformable structure thereby providing the capability to deform the first structure. A method of making a circuit component includes forming an elastically deformable first structure, forming a second structure, and joining the first and second structures, to provide either a variable capacitor or a variable tank circuit having a variable capacitor and an inductor.

Abstract: A probe card assembly can comprise a probe head assembly and a wiring substrate. The probe head assembly can comprise a plurality of probes disposed to contact an electronic device disposed on a holder in a test housing. The wiring substrate can include an electrical interface to a test controller and a plurality of electrical wiring composing electrical paths between the electrical interface and ones of the probes, and the wiring substrate can comprise a first portion on which the electrical interface is disposed and a second portion composing the probe head assembly. The second portion of the wiring substrate can be moveable with respect to the first portion of the wiring substrate.

Abstract: Probes of a probe card assembly can be adjusted with respect to an element of the probe card assembly, which can be an element of the probe card assembly that facilitates mounting of the probe card assembly to a test apparatus. The probe card assembly can then be mounted in a test apparatus, and an orientation of the probe card assembly can be adjusted with respect to the test apparatus, such as a structural part of the test apparatus or a structural element attached to the test apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for growing nanostructures is presented. A growth substrate including at least one reaction site is provided as is a device disposed proximate the growth substrate. Energy is provided to the reaction site and a reaction species is introduced to the growth substrate. This results in a nanostructure growing from the reaction site wherein the growth process of the nanostructure is controlled by providing a force to the device.

Abstract: A probe card assembly comprises multiple probe substrates attached to a mounting assembly. Each probe substrate includes a set of probes, and together, the sets of probes on each probe substrate compose an array of probes for contacting a device to be tested. Adjustment mechanisms are configured to impart forces to each probe substrate to move individually each substrate with respect to the mounting assembly. The adjustment mechanisms may translate each probe substrate in an “x,” “y,” and/or “z” direction and may further rotate each probe substrate about any one or more of the forgoing directions. The adjustment mechanisms may further change a shape of one or more of the probe substrates. The probes can thus be aligned and/or planarized with respect to contacts on the device to be tested.

Abstract: A chair with a seat that moves on a curved motion mechanism in an arc relative to a base to provide flexion and extension of the knee when the user swings the seat back and forth. Telescoping structures adjust to fit different size users. A footrest in front of the chair allows the user to push against it with their feet, thus creating the swinging motion.

Abstract: A probe card assembly can include a probe head assembly having probes for contacting an electronic device to be tested. The probe head assembly can be electrically connected to a wiring substrate and mechanically attached to a stiffener plate. The wiring substrate can provide electrical connections to a testing apparatus, and the stiffener plate can provide structure for attaching the probe card assembly to the testing apparatus. The stiffener plate can have a greater mechanical strength than the wiring substrate and can be less susceptible to thermally induced movement than the wiring substrate. The wiring substrate may be attached to the stiffener plate at a central location of the wiring substrate. Space may be provided at other locations where the wiring substrate is attached to the stiffener plate so that the wiring substrate can expand and contract with respect to the stiffener plate.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for guiding and inserting a tool into an object, such as tissue. In an exemplary embodiment, a guidance and insertion device is provided that can be remotely controlled to adjust an insertion trajectory of a tool, and to advance the tool into tissue to a desired penetration depth. The tool can be, for example, a biopsy device, a brachytherapy device, or a lumpectomy device. The device can be configured for use with an imaging apparatus, such as computed tomography (CT) images, to allow the device and tool to be operated while viewing the device positioned in relation to a target surgical site. The device can also be configured to be positioned directly on a patient, so as to passively compensate for respiratory chest motion, and it can include features to passively compensate for needle oscillation. In other exemplary embodiments, the device can be entirely disposable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis and processing of materials, including nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Methods and devices are presented for controlling the growth and/or assembly of nanostructures, in some cases using small channel-type environments (e.g., microfluidic channels). In these micro-scale environments, forces can be applied to nanostructures during their growth process, for instance, to control the rate and/or direction of growth of the nanostructures. These forces can also be used to direct the assembly of nanostructures into ordered configurations such as strands or other assemblies having micro- and macroscopic length scales. In some embodiments, multiple forces are applied simultaneously to direct the growth and/or assembly of nanostructures.

Abstract: A structural connection device to be used primarily as a toy in conjunction with foam tubes, popularly known as “noodles” which are commonly used at swimming pools, wherein the connector is preferably made from foam and is configured as a longitudinal flexible member with a pattern of holes, each of which is slightly smaller than the diameter of a typical noodle, such that a noodle can be press-fit into a connector strip hole to act as a structural node; and because the connector may be made from foam, particularly for toy use, it can be bent and twisted, therefore enabling one simple element to act as a complex-shaped node into which many noodles can be inserted and used in conjunction with other connectors to build complex structures.

Abstract: A flow control valve is provided. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the flow control valve includes a valve element and a support element. The valve element is configured to deflect responsive to a change in pressure difference across the valve element. The support element cooperates with the valve element to present an effective flow-through area that changes as the valve element deflects. The amount of relative engagement between the valve element and the support element changes as the valve element deflects. External vibration causes the valve element to vibrate to reduce stiction or ice buildup.

Abstract: An acoustic suppression arrangement 7 for a component undergoing induced vibration is provided. The arrangement 7 includes a component body 8 having an interior surface 9 and an exterior surface 11 having a panel portion 20. A containment plate 24 is provided having a spaced relationship from the panel portion. A first projector 25 is connected to the component body panel portion 20 and extends toward the containment plate 24. A second projector 30 is connected to the containment plate. A connector system 39, 45 is provided to connect the containment plate 24 to the component body 8 while placing the first and second projectors 25, 30 in an interference fit. Vibratory energy of the component body 8 is dissipated by frictional contact between the projectors 25, 30.

Abstract: A device for calibration of an industrial robot, which calibration device is adapted for being in contact during the calibration with at least one plane of reference arranged on the robot, the calibration device includes an angle measuring member arranged for measuring an angle relative to the vertical line. The device further comprises two contact elements each having a curved surface, and the contact elements are arranged for being in contact with the plane of reference.

Abstract: A novel means for the design of the pockets of a hydrostatic spindle and the flow supply, collection, and pocket injection means to allow for very high speed rotation with a minimum of heat generation, mid maximum load capacity; furthermore the concept of self compensation is used to make the design insensitive to contaminants and thereby allow for the use of water based hydrostatic fluids, whereas the design of the compensator region is also advanced to facilitate high speed use. Accordingly, the present invention allows designers to increase the allowable speed and accuracy of rotary motion hydrostatic bearings. Design methodologies are presented for designing self compensating hydrostatic bearing spindle pockets and compensators to minimize the effects variation in stiffness with angular position, cavitation in bearing pockets, and turbulent shear power generation.

Abstract: A self-compensating rotary hydrostatic bearing and method in which preferably circular annular pressurized-fluid-receiving grooves provided in the opposed housing bearing surfaces regulate the fluid fed to longitudinal recess pockets formed in the opposing bearing surfaces, at an angle to avoid the occurrence of turbulence, to provide a thin film or layer of pressurized fluid in the gaps between a shaft and the opposing bearing surfaces; the regulation establishing differential pressures in the opposing bearing surface pockets to compensate for loads applied to opposite sides of the bearing.

Abstract: A multi-axis Digital Signal Processor based servo controller system in which all servo and sensor interface boards are connected to a common backplane bus system enabling inter-board communication, with parallel processing using dual port memory and multiple DSP chips, and with each servo board having access to position data from other axis feedback sensors as well as their own, and a self-tuning control software architecture that uses the hardware architecture high speed to allow it to self-tune control constants to optimize performance.