Abstract: Devices for performing fine-needle aspiration of tissue and methods of using the same are disclosed. The device includes a syringe including a fiber optic probe, a plunger, and a needle and a holder including a coupling mechanism, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The fiber optic probe is configured to move within a lumen of the needle and is guided into the needle by a fiber optic channel. The plunger is configured to create a vacuum in the needle.

Abstract: A system employs wave energy harvesting apparatus and a water vessel (e.g., a ship) carrying an energy storage apparatus (e.g., array of batteries). The energy harvesting apparatus is preferably also carried by the water vessel, but may be fixed or carried by a separate water vessel. The water vessel is operated in an energy storing mode at an energy harvesting location subject to wave activity, during which the energy storage apparatus stores energy from the wave activity as harvested by the energy harvesting apparatus. The water vessel is operated in an energy transporting mode to transport the stored energy from the energy harvesting location to an energy releasing location (preferably onshore, but may be offshore) having a connection to an electrical power grid. The water vessel is operated at the energy releasing location in an energy releasing mode in which the stored energy is transformed into appropriate AC electricity supplied to the electrical power grid.

Abstract: A system employs wave energy harvesting apparatus and a water vessel (e.g., a ship) carrying an energy storage apparatus (e.g., array of batteries). The energy harvesting apparatus is preferably also carried by the water vessel, but may be fixed or carried by a separate water vessel. The water vessel is operated in an energy storing mode at an energy harvesting location subject to wave activity, during which the energy storage apparatus stores energy from the wave activity as harvested by the energy harvesting apparatus. The water vessel is operated in an energy transporting mode to transport the stored energy from the energy harvesting location to an energy releasing location (preferably onshore, but may be offshore) having a connection to an electrical power grid. The water vessel is operated at the energy releasing location in an energy releasing mode in which the stored energy is transformed into appropriate AC electricity supplied to the electrical power grid.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for shaping an end of an optical fiber. The apparatus may include a frame and a clamp constructed to hold the optical fiber in a fixed location relative to the frame. The apparatus may further include a tip shaper supported by the frame and movable in a first direction toward and away from the clamp, and moveable in a second direction that lies in a plane transverse to the first direction to shape the end of the optical fiber when the tip shaper is placed in contact with the optical fiber. The apparatus may include an abrasive substrate which abrades the end of the fiber.

Abstract: A system employs wave energy harvesting apparatus and a water vessel (e.g., a ship) carrying an energy storage apparatus (e.g., array of batteries). The energy harvesting apparatus is preferably also carried by the water vessel, but may be fixed or carried by a separate water vessel. The water vessel is operated in an energy storing mode at an energy harvesting location subject to wave activity, during which the energy storage apparatus stores energy from the wave activity as harvested by the energy harvesting apparatus. The water vessel is operated in an energy transporting mode to transport the stored energy from the energy harvesting location to an energy releasing location (preferably onshore, but may be offshore) having a connection to an electrical power grid. The water vessel is operated at the energy releasing location in an energy releasing mode in which the stored energy is transformed into appropriate AC electricity supplied to the electrical power grid.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for shaping an end of an optical fiber. The apparatus may include a frame and a clamp constructed to hold the optical fiber in a fixed location relative to the frame. The apparatus may further include a tip shaper supported by the frame and movable in a first direction toward and away from the clamp, and moveable in a second direction that lies in a plane transverse to the first direction to shape the end of the optical fiber when the tip shaper is placed in contact with the optical fiber. The apparatus may include an abrasive substrate which abrades the end of the fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for shaping an end of an optical fiber. The apparatus may include a frame and a clamp constructed to hold the optical fiber in a fixed location relative to the frame. The apparatus may further include a tip shaper supported by the frame and movable in a first direction toward and away from the clamp, and moveable in a second direction that lies in a plane transverse to the first direction to shape the end of the optical fiber when the tip shaper is placed in contact with the optical fiber. The apparatus may include an abrasive substrate which abrades the end of the fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for shaping an end of an optical fiber. The apparatus may include a frame and a clamp constructed to hold the optical fiber in a fixed location relative to the frame. The apparatus may further include a tip shaper supported by the frame and movable in a first direction toward and away from the clamp, and moveable in a second direction that lies in a plane transverse to the first direction to shape the end of the optical fiber when the tip shaper is placed in contact with the optical fiber. The apparatus may include an abrasive substrate which abrades the end of the fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for shaping an end of an optical fiber. The apparatus may include a frame and a clamp constructed to hold the optical fiber in a fixed location relative to the frame. The apparatus may further include a tip shaper supported by the frame and movable in a first direction toward and away from the clamp, and moveable in a second direction that lies in a plane transverse to the first direction to shape the end of the optical fiber when the tip shaper is placed in contact with the optical fiber. The apparatus may include an abrasive substrate which abrades the end of the fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for shaping an end of an optical fiber. The apparatus may include a frame and a clamp constructed to hold the optical fiber in a fixed location relative to the frame. The apparatus may further include a tip shaper supported by the frame and movable in a first direction toward and away from the clamp, and moveable in a second direction that lies in a plane transverse to the first direction to shape the end of the optical fiber when the tip shaper is placed in contact with the optical fiber. The apparatus may include an abrasive substrate which abrades the end of the fiber.

Abstract: This invention provides a disk drive having an actuator for engaging and disengaging read/write heads with a recording medium, where the actuator comprises a head stack assembly, on which the heads are mounted, a guide track on which the head stack assembly slides, and a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on at least a portion of the guide track, wherein reduced actuator friction and increased wear resistance is achieved. The invention also provides an actuator, for mounting in a disk drive and for communicating with a recording medium, a head stack assembly having read/write heads thereon, a corrosion resistant, heat dissipating guide track on which the head stack assembly slides, and a DLC coating on at least a portion of the guide track, for reducing actuator friction and wear and wherein corrosion resistance and heat dissipation is achieved.

Abstract: An improved disk drive includes an improved operating system, an improved eject system, an improved head retract system and an improved motor loading system. In a preferred embodiment of the operating system it includes a motor, an eject crank, a head crank and an actuator. The output of the motor can be selectively controlled by the actuator to power either the eject crank or the head crank. Powering the head crank, causes the disk drive heads to move, and powering the eject crank causes a disk cartridge to be ejected from the disk drive. The motor loading system may have a disk drive motor having a threaded exterior and a member extending from the exterior to interface with the eject system. Additionally, this motor loading system may include an aperture in the chassis of the disk drive that has a threaded ring running around the circumference of the aperture and a spring extending from the threaded ring.

Abstract: A disk drive with steering magnets that reduce the magnetic flux leakage from the actuator magnets of a linear actuator is disclosed. The steering magnets reduce flux leakage in the area of the magnetic disk where magnetic information is read and record, thereby enabling disk drive size to be reduces. The steering magnets are arranged along the sides of the outer return path. Like poles of the steering magnets face inward toward like poles of the actuator magnets.

Abstract: An improved disk drive includes an improved operating system, an improved eject system, an improved head retract system and an improved motor loading system. In a preferred embodiment of the operating system it includes a motor, an eject crank, a head crank and an actuator. The output of the motor can be selectively controlled by the actuator to power either the eject crank or the head crank. Powering the head crank, causes the disk drive heads to move, and powering the eject crank causes a disk cartridge to be ejected from the disk drive. The motor loading system may have a disk drive motor having a threaded exterior and a member extending from the exterior to interface with the eject system. Additionally, this motor loading system may include an aperture in the chassis of the disk drive that has a threaded ring running around the circumference of the aperture and a spring extending from the threaded ring.

Abstract: Narrow gaps near the end of travel of a linear actuator coil of a magnetic disk drive is disclosed. The gaps are formed between actuator magnets and inner return path members on opposing sides of an actuator carriage. The narrow gaps are formed by protrusions on the inner return path members that extend into the gaps. The narrow gaps enhance uniformity of force applied to the carriage by diminishing the end effects, which enables the entire length of the air gap to be used for actuator travel.

Abstract: An electrodeposition cell for electrodepositing metal onto a surface of a rotating drum that is partially immersed in an electrolytic solution. The cell includes an anode comprised of a main anode body portion and an anode extension portion. The main anode body portion has an arcuate main anode body surface having a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the drum. The main anode body portion is totally immersed in the electrolytic solution adjacent the drum wherein a generally uniform gap is formed therebetween. The anode extension portion has an anode extension surface facing the drum and at least one opening extending therethrough. The anode extension portion is disposed within the electrolytic solution wherein a portion thereof extends above the electrolytic solution and the electrolytic solution can flow through the opening.

Abstract: A voice coil actuator return path for a linear actuator of a disk drive, which accurately and precisely positions the center guide track is disclosed. The outer return path is precisely formed from laminas of low carbon steel. The outer return path supports and accurately positions a central guide track, on which a carriage assembly slides. Moreover, the outer return path is oriented in a rectangle that is coupled to a disk drive platform, and includes an aperture through which a portion of the carriage assembly passes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk drive having a linear actuator for carrying read/write heads into engagement with a recording medium. The heads are mounted on a carriage assembly along with a voice coil motor for driving the carriage assembly into and out of engagement of the heads with the medium. The carriage assembly slides linearly on a central guide track. A flexure is provided for the central guide track for linear movement by the carriage assembly so that initial linear movement of the carriage assembly is by flexing the flexure and further, larger linear movement of the carriage assembly is by sliding along the guide track. In one form of the invention the central guide track is suspended at the front end by a flexure and at the rear end by a bearing. In another form of the invention the central guide track is suspended at each end by a flexure. The flexure has an attaching mechanism for attaching the flexure to the central guide track so that the flexure pivots freely on the central guide track.

Abstract: A linear actuator carries read/write heads into engagement with a removable cartridge having a recording disk. The magnetic heads are mounted on a carriage which moves linearly on a central guide track. The carriage moves linearly on front and rear bearings which move on a central guide track as the magnetic motor is energized. The rear bearing is elongated in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the disk to allow movement of the carriage transverse to the direction of travel. This compensates for planar misalignment of the plane of the recording disk with respect to the axis of the central track.

Abstract: A dual loop flex circuit for conducting signals between heads of an actuator carriage assembly and an electrical circuit board and for supplying power to a voice coil is provided. The first loop conducts the signals between the heads and the second loop supplies power to the coil. Each loop is mounted in part on a shroud which serves as an anchor for the loops. The other parts of the loops are attached to opposite sides of the actuator carriage assembly such that forces exerted on the actuator carriage assembly by the first loop are canceled by forces exerted on the actuator carriage assembly by the second loop.