Abstract: In general, devices, systems, and methods for fiducial identification and tracking are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical system includes a surgical device having a distal portion configured to be advanced into a body of a patient during performance of a surgical procedure, and a fiducial marker on an exterior of the distal portion of the surgical device.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis including a stem assembly attached to the femur and having a generally spherical head and a cup assembly having an outer casing received within the hip socket. The cup assembly outer casing includes threadedly attached upper and lower portions to encapsulate the lining and the lining includes an upper portion having a recess receiving the head and a split lower portion seating the head. The cup assembly also includes an interior spring assembly providing shock absorption between the head and the casing. The stem assembly includes an elongate stem and a cooperating shield attached to the stem, the stem being independently movable following insertion of the stem and shield into the femur.

Abstract: A compound clamp ring secures a semiconductor wafer having a wafer flat portion to a wafer pedestal during wafer processing while maintaining a continuous seal between the wafer edges and the wafer pedestal to prevent leakage of coolant gases circulated at the backside of the wafer into the process environment. The clamp ring has an annular wafer clamp surface adapted to press a round portion of the wafer into sealing abutment with the wafer pedestal. A cavity formed in the clamp ring securely receives a comb-like array of resilient flexures that are adapted to apply a yieldable bias to the flat portion of the wafer to complete the seal between the wafer and the pedestal at the flat portion of the wafer; and encloses the flexures to shield the flexures from process gases.

Abstract: A clamping ring having a downwardly extending finger that mates with a pocket in the periphery of a susceptor for supporting a wafer in a chemical vapor deposition chamber, provides alignment of the clamping ring, the wafer and the susceptor. A source of inert gas connected to the pocket provides a positive pressure in the pocket that prevents reactive gas in the chamber from reaching the edge and backside of the wafer. A source of vacuum connected to the susceptor support surface ensures good contact between the wafer and the susceptor.The clamping ring also has a lip extending over the top surface of the wafer having a rear surface that has a negative angle with respect to the upper surface of the clamping ring, providing a knife edge seal to the wafer, reducing the area of contact between the clamping ring and the wafer and providing a reduced area of thermal contact between the clamping ring and the wafer.

Abstract: An improved clamping ring apparatus is disclosed comprising a clamping ring means for yieldably engaging a generally circular semiconductor wafer to peripherally clamp the wafer to a support pedestal to provide a peripheral seal between the wafer and the surface of the pedestal facing the wafer, adjacent the generally circular end edge of the wafer by providing a central generally circular opening in the clamping ring and a series of slots which radially extend outwardly from the central opening in the clamping ring means to thereby divide the inner portion of the clamping ring means into a series of yieldable fingers inwardly extending toward the central opening in the clamping ring means.

Abstract: The package (10) for shipping and storing articles such as cut flower arrangements (14) includes a flower container (12) lower portion is provided with water-containing absorbent foam block (18) receiving the flower stems (38) in pierced relation and a block (20) of non-absorbent, relatively rigid foam, above the absorbent block sealing said block and said flower stems in place. A plastic film vented shell (16) is disposed about the flowers and connected to the container in shrink-wrap relation. The package includes U-shaped insert (22) which holds the container firmly in place in the shipping carton (24) and refrigerated gel envelopes to ensure freshness of the flowers on arrival at their destination.

Abstract: This container system can be used for a delivery van (10) having an interior floor covering (18) providing the loop component of a hook and loop fastener. The floor covering provides attachment for a tray (24) having VELCRO strips (32) on the bottom (26) providing the hook component of the hook and loop fastener. The tray (24) can have tapered sides (28) adapted to receive the compatibly configurated container (40) of a relatively tall floral package (22). The floral package (22) includes a cooperating, tapered sleeve (42) which is sandwiched between the two containers when the floral package (22) is placed within the awaiting tray (24). The gripping interaction between the VELCRO strips (32) on the tray (24) and the floor covering (18) resists the tendency of the package to overturn and slide.

Abstract: The package (10) for shipping and storing articles such as cut flower arrangements (14) includes a flower container (12) lower portion is provided with a water-containing absorbent foam block (18) receiving the flower stems (38) in pierced relation and a block (20) of non-absorbent, relatively rigid foam, above the absorbent block sealing said block and said flower stems in place. A plastic film vented shell (16) is disposed about the flowers and connected to the container in shrink-wrap relation. The package includes U-shaped insert (22) which holds the container firmly in place in the shipping carton (24) and refrigerated gel envelopes to ensure freshness of the flowers on arrival at their destination.

Abstract: This shrink wrap package includes a container having side margins defining an open top and a shrink wrap plastic cover having a first portion disposed above the container margins and a second portion disposed in lapped relation to the container below the margins, the first portion including vent openings of a size and number to permit free airflow through the package and allow the escape of gas. The cover is shring-wrapped to the container by means of a heat gun and in one embodiment the cover is dome-shaped to suit placement over a container basket having an arcuate handle.

Abstract: This shrink wrap package includes a container having side margins defining an open top and a shrink wrap plastic cover having a first portion disposed above the container margins and a second portion disposed in lapped relation to the container below the margins, the first portion including vent openings of a size and number to permit free airflow through the package and allow the escape of gas. The cover is shrink-wrapped to the container by means of a heat gun and in one embodiment the cover is dome-shaped to suit placement over a container basket having an arcuate handle.

Abstract: A package for horticultural items with a receptacle includes a container having a base portion for supporting the receptacle and side portions connected to and extending upwardly from the base portion about the receptacle. A flexible sleeve engages the container side portions to support the container and enclose the horticultural item. The sleeves are supported on a pedestal having flexible straps for spreading the sleeves and allowing removal of a sleeve for packaging the horticultural item.

Abstract: A package for horticultural items with a receptacle includes a container having a base portion for supporting the receptacle and side portions connected to and extending upwardly from the base portion about the receptacle. A flexible sleeve engages the container side portions to support the container and enclose the horticultural item. The sleeves are supported on a pedestal having flexible straps for spreading the sleeves and allowing removal of a sleeve for packaging the horticultural item.