Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating bone fractures by the application of intermittent compression. In certain embodiments an energy source is applied to the limb to facilitate intermittent compression treatment. In certain embodiments, intermittent compression is applied to a limb for pre-determined periods.

Abstract: An information processing system, includes several processors, each having at least one optical fiber input and at least one optical fiber output; a controller having an optical fiber input and at least one fiber output; fibers, bundled for transmitting information; and a fiber bundle redriver, coupled to the controller, having an input channel and an output channel, for simultaneously redriving an optical signal received from any selected one of the plurality of input fibers onto substantially all of the plurality of output fibers. The fiber output of each of the plurality of processors and the at least one fiber output of the controller are respectively is coupled to the input channel of the fiber bundle redriver, and the at least one fiber input of each of said plurality of processors and the fiber input of the controller are respectively coupled to the output channel of the fiber bundle redriver.

Abstract: A structure that includes a substrate, typically a semiconductor chip such as a VCSEL or photodetector chip, and a guide for aligning a signal conveying device, typically an optical fiber, to a transducer such as an optoelectronic device on the semiconductor chip. The guide is formed, in a preferred embodiment, by lithographically exposing and developing a thick layer of photoresist. The structure is assembled by placing and securing the signal conveying device into a cavity-like region of the guide.

Abstract: An information processing system, comprising a plurality of processors, each having at least one optical fiber input and at least one optical fiber output; a controller having at least one optical fiber input and at least one fiber output; a plurality of fibers, bundled for transmitting information; and a fiber bundle redriver, coupled to the controller, having an input channel and an output channel, for simultaneously redriving an optical signal received from any selected one of the plurality of input fibers onto substantially all of the plurality of output fibers, wherein the at least one fiber output of each of the plurality of processors and the at least one fiber output of said controller are respectively coupled to the input channel of the fiber bundle redriver, and the at least one fiber input of each of said plurality of processors and the at least one fiber input of said controller are respectively coupled to the output channel of the fiber bundle redriver.

Abstract: A package is described that couples a twelve channel wide fiber optic cable to a twelve channel Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) transmitter and a multiple channel Perpendicularly Aligned Integrated Die (PAID) receiver. The package allows for reduction in the height of the assembly package by vertically orienting certain dies parallel to the fiber optic cable and horizontally orienting certain other dies. The assembly allows the vertically oriented optoelectronic dies to be perpendicularly attached to the horizontally oriented laminate via a flexible circuit.

Abstract: Alignment systems for optoelectronic modules with overmolded chip carriers include drilled or milled substrate corners for engaging dowel pins to precisely align the substrate in a mold for molding an overmold frame on the substrate. The overmold frame includes slot and trilobe holes for receiving retainer posts to precisely align a retainer assembly on the overmold frame. Cooperating standoff pads on the overmold frame and on the retainer assembly stabilize the assembly of these components and provide a precise gap for receiving an adhesive to permanently attach these two components. The retainer assembly carries optoelectronic components that include a flexible circuit, and a distal end portion of this flexible circuit and walls of a receiving cavity in the overmold frame have cooperating features for precisely aligning distal electrical leads of the flexible circuit with an array of electrical pads on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for providing X,Y and Z alignment during fabrication of an optical subassembly (OSA) by active alignment and fixing with epoxy through the agency of radio frequency (RF) heating in order to provide acceptable feedback-induced noise level along with acceptable coupling efficiency.

Abstract: An optical subassembly for transferring light between an optoelectronic converter and an optical fiber where the housing and the lens are of plastic in which the housing is made to dimensions within the precision of molded plastic and the lens imparts focusing properties that compensate for the limitations of the plastic technology. Alignment in the X-Y plane only is employed. The lens has a first surface focused on the optoelectronic converter which substantially collimates the light through the lens and a second surface that introduces deliberate longitudinal spherical aberration that compensates for component position. Attachment or fixing of the optoelectronic converter to the housing is accomplished by RF heating a TO can to quickly cure an epoxylayer.

Abstract: An optical subassembly for transferring light between an optoelectronic converter and an optical fiber where the housing and the lens are of plastic in which the housing is made to dimensions within the precision of molded plastic and the lens imparts focusing properties that compensate for the limitations of the plastic technology. Alignment in the X-Y plane only is employed. The lens has a first surface focused on the optoelectronic converter which substantially collimates the light through the lens and a second surface that introduces deliberate longitudinal spherical aberration that compensates for component position. Attachment or fixing of the optoelectronic converter to the housing is accomplished by RF heating a TO can to quickly cure an epoxylayer.

Abstract: A stirrup-type ankle brace having an outer shell member, the shell member having a lateral elongated, substantially rigid, support member with a corresponding supporting cushion thereon substantially coextensive therewith and an opposed medial support member with a corresponding cushion thereon. The lateral supporting cushion has a pre-inflated flap extending the anterior margin of its distal end with enough width to cover the area over and surrounding the anterior talofibular ligament. The flap is compressed against the ATF by a strap of elastic hook-and-loop compatible material. A tab of hook material is attached to the anterior end of the elastic strap so that it can engage the opposite end at any length. The strap is retained between the lateral shell and supporting cushion in the preferred embodiment so as to overlap the flap and compress the ATF ligament and medial malleolus when wrapped around the ankle.

Abstract: This invention relates to three dimensional packaging of integrated circuit chips into stacks to form cuboid structures. Between adjacent chips in the stack, there is disposed an electrical interconnection means which is a first substrate having a plurality of conductors one end of which is electrically connected to chip contact locations and the other end of which extends to one side of the chip stack to form a plurality of pin-like electrical interconnection assemblies. The pin-like structures can be formed from projections of the first substrate having an electrical conductor on at least one side thereof extending from this side. Alternatively, the pin-like structures can be formed from conductors which cantilever from both sides of an edge of the first substrate and within which corresponding conductors from both sides are aligned and spaced apart by the first substrate thickness. The spaces contain solder and form solder loaded pin-like structures.

Abstract: A high density package for a plurality of integrated circuit chips is described, the package including a number of planar subunits. A subunit includes first and second planar metal plates and a spacer metal plate sandwiched therebetween. Each spacer metal plate is provided with a plurality of circuit-receiving apertures. A planar circuit carrier is provided for each aperture in the spacer metal plate. One face of each circuit carrier includes a plurality of bonded chips. Each circuit carrier is positioned in a circuit-receiving aperture so that rear aspects of the bonded chips bear upon the second planar metal plate. Each circuit carrier has a connector region which extends out from between the first planar metal plate and the metal spacer plate at one extremity of each circuit-receiving aperture. A circuit card is positioned at that extremity and has a plurality of interconnection areas, one for each extended connector region.

Abstract: A method is described for aligning a contact pattern on an electronic device held by a first movable support, with a bond site pattern on a lead frame held by a second movable support. The method includes the steps of: (a) creating and storing models of a chip's contact pattern and a lead frame's bond site pattern; (b) imaging the electronic device and lead frame; (c) determining the position of contacts on said electronic device and reorienting the contact pattern model to a best fit with the imaged contact position; (d) determining the position of each bond site on the imaged lead frame and reorienting the bond site model to a best fit with the imaged bond site position; (e) determining positional differences between the reoriented lead frame and contact pattern models; and (f) generating signals to reorient the first and second movable supports to minimize the positional differences when they are moved into a bonding positon.

Abstract: A direct optical connector (DOC) comprised of first and second members, each including a plurality of light emitting and light detecting locations, operative in combination with energy transfer media to form direct optical connections between the light emitting locations and the light detecting locations, wherein said first and second members are adapted for reclosable connection to each other whereupon the light emitting locations on one member are aligned with the light detecting locations on the other member. The first and second members of the preferred DOC are modular. Alternative forms of energy transfer media are used in various embodiments of the invention including lenslet arrays, imaging fiber plates (IFPs), and energy transfer fiber plates (ETFPs). These media have differing alignment criteria, differing degrees of immunity from crosstalk, differing degrees of transfer efficiency, different manufacturing costs, etc.