Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A renal therapy system is disclosed. In an example, the renal therapy system includes a home renal therapy machine that stores, to a log file, dates of when renal therapies were performed and a type of each renal therapy that was performed. The system also includes a server that receives the log file from the home renal therapy machine. The server compares the dates and types of performed renal therapies stored in the log file to a device program that specifies dates for performing renal therapies and the types of renal therapies to be performed. The server displays a flag in a user interface of a clinician computer when there is a deviation from the comparison.

Abstract: A gas preheater (10) that includes an exit plate (20) having first and second sides (22, 24) and a plurality of through holes (26) and at least one body (34) mounted adjacent the first side (22), the at least one body (34) having a first end (36) and a second end (38), the second end (38) located between the body first end (36) and the exit plate first side (22), at least one sidewall (40) connecting the first and second ends (36, 38), a body opening (42) in the first end (36) extending into the body (34) and defining a body inner wall (44), and a plurality of passages (46) extending between the at least one sidewall (40) and the body inner wall (44).

Abstract: A gas preheater (10) includes an entrance plate (12) having a first side (14), a second side (16), at least one opening (18) connecting the first side (14) and the second side (16), and a plurality of walls (19) on the second side (16) having tops (21) spaced from the second side (16), the walls (19) defining at least one circuitous pathway (22e, 22f, 22g, 22h) on the second side (16) beginning at the at least one opening (18), and a diffuser plate (40) having a first side and a second side and a plurality of holes (42) between the first side and the second side, the diffuser plate first side defining with the entrance plate second side (16) and the plurality of walls (19) at least one circuitous passage along the at least one circuitous pathway (22e, 22f, 22g, 22h), the at least one circuitous pathway having a first portion (22e1) leading from the at least one opening (18) and a second portion (22e2) spaced from the at least one opening (18), wherein the holes (42) in the diffuser plate (40) overlie the circ

Abstract: A hearth plate (30) includes a flat rectangular plate (32) having a top surface (34), a bottom surface (36), and a plurality of through openings (38) between the top surface (34) and bottom surface (36), four support walls (40) having top edges connected around the periphery of the bottom surface (36) and bottom edges and a bottom wall (42) connected to the bottom edges of the support walls (40). A preheater structure (46) is mounted in the space (44) defined by the four support walls (40), flat rectangular plate (32) and bottom wall (42), and a rectangular enclosure comprising four interconnected graphite walls (54, 56, 58) is mounted around the peripheral edge of the top surface (34) to define a processing volume for receiving objects (50) to be processed. A graphite lid (72) is removably supported by the rectangular enclosure.

Abstract: A gas preheater (10) includes an entrance plate (12) having a first side (14), a second side (16), at least one opening (18) connecting the first side (14) and the second side (16), and a plurality of walls (19) on the second side (16) having tops (21) spaced from the second side (16), the walls (19) defining at least one circuitous pathway (22e, 22f, 22g, 22h) on the second side (16) beginning at the at least one opening (18), and a diffuser plate (40) having a first side and a second side and a plurality of holes (42) between the first side and the second side, the diffuser plate first side defining with the entrance plate second side (16) and the plurality of walls (19) at least one circuitous passage along the at least one circuitous pathway (22e, 22f, 22g, 22h), the at least one circuitous pathway having a first portion (22e1) leading from the at least one opening (18) and a second portion (22e2) spaced from the at least one opening (18), wherein the holes (42) in the diffuser plate (40) overlie the circ

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and isolating heat exchanger flows in a heat exchanger includes at least one isolation and flow direction control plate (40) having at least one fluid slot (45). The isolation and flow direction control plates (40, 41, 42) create a plurality of smaller heat exchangers 50 within a heat exchanger assembly (1). The isolation and flow direction control plates (40, 41, 42) permit fluid communication between the corresponding smaller heat exchangers (50) and individualized flow direction control over a shell side fluid flow between a shell side fluid inlet (11) and a shell side fluid outlet (12) of the heat exchanger assembly (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing gas ports in CVD/CVI furnaces and processes is disclosed. A fluid direction nozzle (160) is positioned between a top lip (101) of a gas inlet port (100) delivering a reactant gas (G) to a furnace compartment(200) in a CVD/CVI furnace (10) and corresponding holes (151) of a CVD/CVI process apparatus such as a hearth plate (150). The fluid direction nozzle 160 reduces leakage of reactant gases (G) and ensures a smooth transition of gas flow direction between the gas inlet port (100) and the corresponding holes (151). CVD/CVI process times are significantly reduced with the use of the reusable/replaceable flow direction nozzles (160).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing gas ports in CVD/CVI furnaces and processes is disclosed. A fluid direction nozzle (160) is positioned between a top lip (101) of a gas inlet port (100) delivering a reactant gas (G) to a furnace compartment(200) in a CVD/CVI furnace (10) and corresponding holes (151) of a CVD/CVI process apparatus such as a hearth plate (150). The fluid direction nozzle 160 reduces leakage of reactant gases (G) and ensures a smooth transition of gas flow direction between the gas inlet port (100) and the corresponding holes (151). CVD/CVI process times are significantly reduced with the use of the reusable/replaceable flow direction nozzles (160).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing gas ports in CVD/CVI furnaces and processes is disclosed. A fluid direction nozzle (160) is positioned between a top lip (101) of a gas inlet port (100) delivering a reactant gas (G) to a furnace compartment (200) in a CVD/CVI furnace (10) and corresponding holes (151) of a CVD/CVI process apparatus such as a hearth plate (150). The fluid direction nozzle 160 reduces leakage of reactant gases (G) and ensures a smooth transition of gas flow direction between the gas inlet port (100) and the corresponding holes (151). CVD/CVI process times are significantly reduced with the use of the reusable/replaceable flow direction nozzles (160).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing gas ports in CVD/CVI furnaces and processes is disclosed. A fluid direction nozzle (160) is positioned between a top lip (101) of a gas inlet port (100) delivering a reactant gas (G) to a furnace compartment(200) in a CVD/CVI furnace (10) and corresponding holes (151) of a CVD/CVI process apparatus such as a hearth plate (150). The fluid direction nozzle 160 reduces leakage of reactant gases (G) and ensures a smooth transition of gas flow direction between the gas inlet port (100) and the corresponding holes (151). CVD/CVI process times are significantly reduced with the use of the reusable/replaceable flow direction nozzles (160).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and isolating heat exchanger flows in a heat exchanger includes at least one isolation and flow direction control plate (40) having at least one fluid slot (45). The isolation and flow direction control plates (40, 41, 42) create a plurality of smaller heat exchangers 50 within a heat exchanger assembly (1). The isolation and flow direction control plates (40, 41, 42) permit fluid communication between the corresponding smaller heat exchangers (50) and individualized flow direction control over a shell side fluid flow between a shell side fluid inlet (11) and a shell side fluid outlet (12) of the heat exchanger assembly (1).

Abstract: A pair of EPS foam panels have laterally aligned holes arranged in a rectangular grid. Cross wires or rods extend through the holes. Longitudinally extending wires or rods are located against the interior surfaces of the walls and are welded to the cross rods. Retaining means on the ends of the cross rods are disposed against the exterior surfaces of the walls to provide a sandwich construction firmly to interconnect the walls and the rods.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip package is manufactured comprising a heatsink bonded to an aluminum nitride insulative layer by a thermally conductive and electrically nonconductive epoxy. The aluminum nitride insulative layer is bonded to several portions of a leadframe by an epoxy which is thermally conductive and electrically nonconductive and another epoxy which is thermally conductive and electrically conductive. A semiconductor die is bonded to the aluminum nitride insulative layer by a thermally conductive and electrically conductive epoxy.

Abstract: A forming system for a hardenable material is provided having a form unit including a pair of wall panels arranged in a predetermined upright spaced relation and a skeletal grid assembly disposed therebetween. The skeletal grid assembly includes locking means for interconnecting with a grid assembly of a second form unit of like construction and disposed in side by side relation therewith.

Abstract: A concrete forming system is provided which incorporates a pair of wall panels arranged in a predetermined upright spaced relation and a skeletal grid assembly disposed between the wall panels and retaining same in predetermined upright spaced relation while concrete is being poured between the wall panels. The grid assembly is provided with a plurality of first rods arranged in spaced relation and spanning the distance between the wall panels. The ends of each first rod are disposed within preformed holes formed in the wall panels. Each rod end has a portion thereof disposed adjacent an exterior surface of a wall panel. A plurality of second rods are disposed between the wall panels and engage interior surfaces of the wall panels. The second rods interconnect with the first rods.

Abstract: A collapsible forming system for hardenable material is provided which includes at least one form unit having a pair of wall panels adjustable between operative and inoperative modes. The wall panels, when in either mode, are interconnected by a grid assembly. When the wall panels are in an operative mode, they are disposed in an upright spaced relation, and when in an inoperative mode, the wall panels are disposed in a proximate face to face relation. The grid assembly includes a first section which is disposed intermediate the panels and spans the distance therebetween when the panels are in an operative mode. The grid assembly also includes a pair of second sections which are disposed adjacent exterior surfaces of said wall panels when the latter are in either mode.

Abstract: A tool for wrapping wire on a terminal post which includes a rod-like member having an axial end face with a terminal pin receiving bore therein. A configuration on the axial end face is provided to cause wire to wrap around the terminal when the rod is rotated. A slot open to the periphery of the rod is provided communicating with the axial end face, the slot lying on an angle to the axis. The slot extends partway through the rod forming a periphery which is axially spaced from the end face and which is axially arcuate on a radius having a center point at or spaced outward from the axial end face. The slot is adapted to receive the wire. The rod is axially movable with respect to a cut-off formed as an axial open end of a tubular member receiving the rod.