Abstract: A novel instrument for automatic sampling or removal of tissue percutaneously from a patient. In a disclosed embodiment the instrument comprises a housing, a means for excising tissue from a target site within a patient's body extending from the housing, a means for impelling the excising means into a target tissue site in response to an impelling force, and a rotatable handle.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic splice terminal comprises a forward resilient contact portion having a pair of laterally squeezable tines projecting from a base which is connected to a narrow assembly neck. The rearward portion of the terminal has a pair of flanged clasping ears located between core and insulation crimp wings securing the terminal to a lead wire. The terminal is substantially flat with the clasping ears and crimp wings projecting laterally in opposite directions to avoid interference when the terminal is coupled to an identical terminal. The tines of each terminal incorporate latch and stop shoulders which cooperate with the flanged clasping ears of the other terminal to lock the terminals in the coupled position.

Abstract: A spade terminal of unitary sheet metal construction comprises a flanged forward portion, a triple layer median portion and a rearward attachment portion. The flanges extend in opposite direction to a height equal to a layer thickness. The triple layer median portion comprises upper and lower wings which terminate short of opposite longitudinal sides so that each longitudinal side is a double layer. This configuration permits use with an insulator body having guide channels for the forward and median portions of the terminal which can be made in a butt cored mold.

Abstract: An insulation displacement terminal has front and back end plate portions interconnected by a central perpendicularly disposed spring portion of hairpin shaped section. The spring portion permits but resists relative movement between the front and back end plate portions. The end plate portions have slots designed to simultaneously scrape a conductor core for good electrical contact and energize the spring portion and then lock the scraped conductor core at their inner closed ends under the bias of the energized spring.

Abstract: An electrical component package includes a housing having a pair of open ended terminal receiving passages and a cavity intermediate the inner ends of the passages for receiving the body of the component. The bent leads of the component are received in grooves located outwardly of the passages. A cover is integrally hinged to the housing and includes a pair of flanges which cover the grooves and component leads when the cover is in closed position. The cover further includes a pair of cavities which open to the inner ends of the terminal receiving passages when the cover is in closed position and an opening through the cover intermediate the cavities to permit viewing of the body of the component. Cooperating shoulders on the cover and housing maintain the cover in closed position. After assembly of the electrical component within the housing, female terminals can be inserted through the passages and electrically connected to the component leads.