Abstract: A disposable suction valve is provided. In some embodiments, the disposable suction valve may include a stem providing an air passage through the stem, a spring, a spring stanchion cup, and a boot. A method for manufacturing a disposable suction valve may include several steps. A stem and spring stanchion cup are molded, and a bottom end of the stem is placed through the center of a spring. The bottom end of the stem is placed through a stem opening in the spring stanchion cup, and the tabs or the spring stanchion cup are placed into recessed apertures of the stem. The boot may be over-molded on the spring stanchion cup or molded and placed onto the spring stanchion cup.

Abstract: A disposable suction valve is provided. In some embodiments, the disposable suction valve may include a stem providing an air passage through the stem, a spring, a spring stanchion cup, and a boot. A method for manufacturing a disposable suction valve may include several steps. A stem and spring stanchion cup are molded, and a bottom end of the stem is placed through the center of a spring. The bottom end of the stem is placed through a stem opening in the spring stanchion cup, and the tabs or the spring stanchion cup are placed into recessed apertures of the stem. The boot may be over-molded on the spring stanchion cup or molded and placed onto the spring stanchion cup.

Abstract: A disposable suction valve is provided. In some embodiments, the disposable suction valve may include a stem providing an air passage through the stem, a spring, a spring stanchion cup, and a boot. A method for manufacturing a disposable suction valve may include several steps. A stem and spring stanchion cup are molded, and a bottom end of the stem is placed through the center of a spring. The bottom end of the stem is placed through a stem opening in the spring stanchion cup, and the tabs or the spring stanchion cup are placed into recessed apertures of the stem. The boot may be over-molded on the spring stanchion cup or molded and placed onto the spring stanchion cup.

Abstract: In an articulating probe system, an articulating probe is constructed and arranged to articulate in at least one degree of motion and to transition between a flexible state and a rigid state, the articulating probe comprising a plurality of links between a proximal link and a distal link. The distal link of the articulating probe includes a side port constructed and arranged to receive a distal end of an elongate tool. A tool support is in communication with the articulating probe for supporting the elongate tool, the tool support including a tool tube that extends from the tool support at an intermediate portion to the side port of the distal link at a distal portion, the tool tube having a first flexibility in the intermediate portion and having a second flexibility in the distal portion; the second flexibility being greater in flexibility than the first flexibility.

Abstract: A disposable suction valve is provided. In some embodiments, the disposable suction valve may include a stem providing an air passage through the stem, a spring, a spring stanchion cup, and a boot. A method for manufacturing a disposable suction valve may include several steps. A stem and spring stanchion cup are molded, and a bottom end of the stem is placed through the center of a spring. The bottom end of the stem is placed through a stem opening in the spring stanchion cup, and the tabs or the spring stanchion cup are placed into recessed apertures of the stem. The boot may be over-molded on the spring stanchion cup or molded and placed onto the spring stanchion cup.

Abstract: In an articulating probe system, an articulating probe is constructed and arranged to articulate in at least one degree of motion and to transition between a flexible state and a rigid state, the articulating probe comprising a plurality of links between a proximal link and a distal link The distal link of the articulating probe includes a side port constructed and arranged to receive a distal end of an elongate tool. A tool support is in communication with the articulating probe for supporting the elongate tool, the tool support including a tool tube that extends from the tool support at an intermediate portion to the side port of the distal link at a distal portion, the tool tube having a first flexibility in the intermediate portion and having a second flexibility in the distal portion; the second flexibility being greater in flexibility than the first flexibility.

Abstract: A disposable suction valve is provided. In some embodiments, the disposable suction valve may include a stem providing an air passage through the stem, a spring, a spring stanchion cup, and a boot. A method for manufacturing a disposable suction valve may include several steps. A stem and spring stanchion cup are molded, and a bottom end of the stem is placed through the center of a spring. The bottom end of the stem is placed through a stem opening in the spring stanchion cup, and the tabs or the spring stanchion cup are placed into recessed apertures of the stem. The boot may be over-molded on the spring stanchion cup or molded and placed onto the spring stanchion cup.

Abstract: A disposable suction valve is provided. In some embodiments, the disposable suction valve may include a stem providing an air passage through the stem, a spring, a spring stanchion cup, and a boot. A method for manufacturing a disposable suction valve may include several steps. A stem and spring stanchion cup are molded, and a bottom end of the stem is placed through the center of a spring. The bottom end of the stem is placed through a stem opening in the spring stanchion cup, and the tabs or the spring stanchion cup are placed into recessed apertures of the stem. The boot may be over-molded on the spring stanchion cup or molded and placed onto the spring stanchion cup.

Abstract: Various methods of fabricating a tungsten conductor structure are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a tungsten conductor structure in an opening in an insulating film is provided that includes forming a titanium nitride film in the opening and heating the a titanium nitride film. The titanium nitride film is exposed to a flow of hydrogen gas and a flow of an inert carrier gas. The titanium nitride film is exposed to a flow of silane at a first flow rate for a first time interval and to a flow of tungsten hexafluoride for a second time interval that begins after the beginning but prior to the end of the first time interval. The flow of silane is reduced at the end of the first time interval to a second flow rate and maintained at the second flow rate for a third time interval. Fluorine diffusion into the titanium nitride film and the potential for void formation due to non-conformal tungsten deposition are reduced.