Abstract: A method is provided for configuring fluid in a programable fluid array which includes applying a sequence of magnetic fields to a movable fluidic network component; which includes a magnetic object to produce a force on the component. In one arrangement the fluid array includes a plurality of pre-formed channels and at least one property of at least one of said pre-formed channels is changed by the movable fluidic network component in another arrangement the fluid array comprises an injection molding system where the programmable fluid array is used to improve the speed and accuracy of the injection molding process and/or to additionally modify the shape and form of a molded object. In this arrangement the fluidic network component follows a path through the mold cavity determined at least in part by a sequence of magnetic fields and exerts a force on molding material therein.

Abstract: A method is provided for positioning and orienting a platform such as a sample or workpiece relative to a frame of reference where the platform is a complex magnetic object that contains at least two magnetic domains with non-collinear magnetic moments and the method includes generating a spatially and temporally varying magnetic field so that each magnetic moment of the complex magnetic object interacts with the applied magnetic field. This can be used to performs an operation on a workpiece such as addition or removal of material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for feeding magnetic objects in a stream which are singulated each from the next in a supply path where there is provided a series of electromagnets which provides a sequence of magnetic fields along the supply path to direct the magnetic objects by the series of electromagnets in a required direction toward a required location. The method can be used for carrying out an operation on a workpiece by interaction of the objects as individual tools with the workpiece including sorting, shaping, material removal, physical modification, chemical modification, addition of material cutting, polishing, abrading peening and addition of energy. A lubricant/purge material is supplied to the workpiece to arrive at different times relative to the tools.

Abstract: A method for dynamically generating or interacting with an electromagnetic field includes providing a spatial array of conductive segments, a switching device operable on each of the conductive segments to either allow or block transmission of an electrical signal and a control device operable on the switching device. A sequence of the conductive segments are connected to form a conductive path where each segments intersects with at least two different ones of the conductive segments at a node. The switching device operates to connect a selected first one of the conductive segments with a selected second one of the conductive segments to form the sequence according to a logic signal from the control device. Power is supplied to the conductive path to produce an electromagnetic field which depends at least in part on the spatial arrangement of the connected sequence of the conductive segments.

Abstract: A method is provided for spatially modulating electromagnetic radiation at high frequency where the modulation is phase, polarization or direction of propagation comprises a substrate carrying an ordered array of optical elements in relative motion with respect to an incident beam of electromagnetic radiation to be modulated and measuring the relative motion. The array contains at least three optical elements and at least two different types of optical elements. At least some of the optical elements are formed from and integral to the substrate material. The optical elements may be fabricated on the substrate material by a subtractive process. The electromagnetic radiation to be modulated is incident on a region of the substrate termed the active region. As the substrate moves relative to the incident electromagnetic radiation, the active region also moves and the designation of individual optical elements changes also.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring time varying particle fluxes with improved temporal resolution and signal to noise ratio. The particles can be photons, neutrons, electrons or electrically charged particles. The method includes a set of electronic and/or optical components and a set of algorithms that implement N-fold temporal multiplexing of the input flux. The system can be used to measure other types of flux by using a transducer to convert the flux into a compatible form. The system can include a transducer such as a scintillator that operates to convert particle flux incident into a photon flux proportional to the amplitude of particle flux. The invention can be used with multiplexing methods known to those skilled in the art, for example Hadamard and Fourier methods.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar extending around the trocar which can be inflated to a predetermined size by a source of fluid where the source of fluid is located on the trocar support apparatus itself so as to be carried thereby and is defined by a pump mechanism to provide a fixed volume allowing inflation only to a fixed size. An abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar sleeve and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position. A tube connecting the pump on the abutment to the inflatable collar is wrapped helically around the sleeve of the trocar. The collar includes a sleeve portion which can be unrolled on to the trocar sleeve.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar extending around the trocar which can be inflated to a predetermined size by a source of fluid where the source of fluid is located on the trocar support apparatus itself so as to be carried thereby and is defined by a pump mechanism to provide a fixed volume allowing inflation only to a fixed size. An abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar sleeve and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position. A tube connecting the pump on the abutment to the inflatable collar is wrapped helically around the sleeve of the trocar. The collar includes a sleeve portion which can be unrolled on to the trocar sleeve.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar extending around the trocar which can be inflated to a predetermined size by a source of fluid where the source of fluid is located on the trocar support apparatus itself so as to be carried thereby and is defined by a pump mechanism to provide a fixed volume allowing inflation only to a fixed size. An abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar sleeve and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position. A tube connecting the pump on the abutment to the inflatable collar is wrapped helically around the sleeve of the trocar. The collar includes a sleeve portion which can be unrolled on to the trocar sleeve.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar and a slidable abutment collar commonly connected for engagement onto the trocar following which the slide collar is released to slide along the trocar. The inflatable collar is inflated to a set size by a manually operable pump on the slidable collar operated by squeezing finger abutments together up to a latch so that threaded portion expels the inflation fluid. The abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position by a manually movable latch collar. The inflatable collar and slidably collar are held connected by a manually operable release.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting a trocar while the trocar extends through a body wall of a patient includes an inflatable collar extending around the trocar which can be inflated to a predetermined size by a source of fluid where the source of fluid is located on the trocar support apparatus itself so as to be carried thereby and is defined by a pump mechanism to provide a fixed volume allowing inflation only to a fixed size. An abutment member is shaped to be received on an outer surface of the trocar sleeve and adjustable longitudinally of the trocar sleeve so as to be located at a selected position. A tube connecting the pump on the abutment to the inflatable collar is wrapped helically around the sleeve of the trocar. The collar includes a sleeve portion which can be unrolled on to the trocar sleeve.