Abstract: Rapid switching is provided by a circuit that controls the current passing through a chain of CMOS devices arranged in a series circuit. A node output terminal to the circuit is provided intermediate the chain to control the partially conductive state of two other CMOS devices. Voltages at the output terminal sets one or the other of the two CMOS devices in the current conducting state. That state is a partially conducting state of the CMOS device so that small changes flowing in the current path allows a quick transfer of the operating state to the other device. With this arrangement, discharging of large capacitances is avoided by using the small current changes to rapidly switch between the partially conducting CMOS devices.

Abstract: Unique semi-circular papillary muscle and annulus bands are described that are useful for modifying the alignment of papillary muscles, a mitral valve annulus and/or a tricuspid valve annulus. Methods to effect the alignment are also described and an unique sizing device that can be used for such alignment is described.

Abstract: A lead screw coupling that includes two universal joints. The first joint is operatively connected between a first member that includes a mounting site for coupling to a lead screw nut, and a second member. The second joint is operatively connected between the second member and a third member that includes a mounting site for coupling to a movable printer carriage. In a preferred embodiment the universal joints and the members are all defined by a plurality of slanted planar slots that are each cut along a plane that is tilted with respect to an axis of rotation of the lead screw.

Abstract: A cluster computer system capable of filtering stale messages resulting from changes in a cluster membership. The system has interconnected nodes each hosting one or more applications and having a node filter for filtering messages to and from other nodes based on a membership identification and information about source nodes and destination nodes of the messages. Each application of a hosting node includes multiple application filters corresponding to other nodes in the system for filtering messages to and from the application based on the membership identification and an application view of the cluster membership. Each node further includes a communication agent for detecting when another node is disconnected from the membership and for updating its filters with the membership identification that reflects the node disconnection.

Abstract: A system and method for solving the weak membership problem in a system of nodes that might include redundancies. Each node is given the same random seed. Each node uses a link state protocol to determine the current system topography, and then an optimization such as simulated annealing is run on the topography at each node, independently of the other nodes, to determine the optimum weak membership for use thereof in subsequent system operations. Since each node starts with the same random seed, the nodes all arrive at the same solution without having to communicate a common solution between nodes.

Abstract: An ink pen assembly of a continuous ink jet printer includes a printhead nest and an ink pen cartridge removably received within the nest. The cartridge includes a pen body in electrical communication with the printhead nest, and a nozzle body in fluid communication with the printhead nest. A charge electrode charges ink drops breaking off from ink jetted from an outlet of the nozzle body. A deflection electrode deflects the charged ink drops along an axis substantially transverse to a direction of travel of a substrate being printed. An ink block mount includes an ink blocking element for diverting deflected ink drops. An ink block actuator pivots with respect to the pen body to adjust the position of the ink blocking element. The printhead nest defines at least four ink outlets for delivering different colored inks, and at least four ink pen cartridges are removably received by the printhead nest.

Abstract: Device leads on a packaged integrated circuit are protected during a decapsulation process. A composite material such as wax is applied to coat the leads. At least a portion of a package containing the integrated circuit is then removed while the composite material is coating the leads, the coated leads being protected from fumes associated with the decapsulation process and less susceptible to deformation during handling. The composite material is then removed from the leads after the portion of the package is removed from the packaged device.

Abstract: A system for interfacing wafer sort prober apparatus and packaged IC handler apparatus to a common test computer is provided that includes a single motherboard and at least one daughter board. The motherboard includes a probe card interface area having a plurality of contactors that mate with symmetrical connectors provided on a probe card. The probe card includes a series of contact probes adapted to make electrical connection to a semiconductor wafer. The motherboard also includes a hole in its center to allow visual inspection and alignment of the wafer when it is positioned beneath the motherboard. A test head interface area is also provided on the motherboard and includes a plurality of contactors that mate with symmetrical contactors provided on a test head assembly of the test computer. The motherboard further includes a daughter board interface area having a plurality of contactors that mate with symmetrical contactors provided on each daughter board.

Abstract: A biscuspate cardiac valve prosthesis for use in human clinical medicine as a mitral valve graft. The valve has a support ring with an arched crosspiece containing apertures or a single longitudinal aperture along its length, joined at its ends to the lower portion of the support ring. Valve flaps are attached to both sides of the crosspiece, the opposite edges of the flaps being able to move freely during functioning of the valve. When the valve is closed, the flaps abut the inner surface of the support ring in a low dome profile.

Abstract: A fiber optic scanner system for reading coded patterns is provided having a single optical fiber extending from the reading end of the scanner tip to a remote terminal. The remote terminal includes an optical signal generator for generating and driving light pulses along the single optical fiber to the reading end of the scanner member so as to illuminate a bar code and obtain reflected pulses therefrom which are carried to the remote terminal receiver and decoded.