Abstract: An electronic surgical probe including an axially elongated member adapted to receive ultrasonic vibrations from an ultrasonic motor or transducer and having a circular cross-section, has a coaxially positioned cannula or sheath surrounding the elongated member, the cannula or sheath defining an aperture adjacent the distal end portion of the elongated member, wherein fluid adjacent the distal end portion of the elongated member is activated or cavitated by ultrasonic vibrations from the distal end of the elongated member and passing through the aperture of the cannula acts upon tissue and/or other matter.

Abstract: An automatic sample preparation system for polishing and grinding metallurgical and other samples prior to microscopic examination of the samples, including a rack which holds a plurality of abrasive platens, and platen transfer mechanism for selecting one platen from the rack and transferring the same to a platen drive plate for a polishing operation and for later returning the platen to the rack and transferring another selected platen to the platen drive plate, and a polishing head which can be rotated between a polishing position for polishing samples and a wash position where it is over a wash and dry station, the platen transfer mechanism being operated when the polishing head is rotated to its wash position.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system uses head units attached to each of the four wheels of an automotive vehicle. Angle measurements are taken using light sources and light sensors. Pitch sensors measure the pitch of the head units with respect to a horizontal plane. The head units are connected to the left and right front wheels of the automotive vehicle. The pitch information is used to compensate for errors in left and right cross-toe measurements between the left and right front wheels of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle wheel alignment system uses a light source and a linear CCD to measure angles. A mask having a slit through which light from the light source is projected onto the surface of the linear CCD is interposed between the light source and the linear CCD. A microprocessor controls the light source and the linear CCD and uses an output from the linear CCD to calculate an angle between the light source and the linear CCD. The microprocessor uses a search algorithm to locate the center of the image projected on the linear CCD. Calibration data for the linear CCD is stored in an EEPROM.