Abstract: A fixation component includes tines extending from a base portion of the fixation component. Each tine is elastically deformable between a pre-set position and an open position. Each tine includes a hook segment extending from a proximal end near the base portion to a distal end. Each tine also includes a distal segment extending from the distal end of the hook segment to a tissue-piercing tip. When positioned in the pre-set position, the hook segment extends along a pre-set curvature that encloses an angle between 135 degrees and 270 degrees, and the distal segment extends away from a longitudinal axis of the fixation component.

Abstract: A fixation component includes tines extending from a base portion of the fixation component. Each tine is elastically deformable between a pre-set position and an open position. Each tine includes a hook segment extending from a proximal end near the base portion to a distal end. Each tine also includes a distal segment extending from the distal end of the hook segment to a tissue-piercing tip. When positioned in the pre-set position, the hook segment extends along a pre-set curvature that encloses an angle between 135 degrees and 270 degrees, and the distal segment extends away from a longitudinal axis of the fixation component.

Abstract: A tine portion of an implantable medical device includes a hook segment and a distal segment terminated by a tissue-piercing tip, wherein the distal segment extends from a distal end of the hook segment to the tip. The hook segment, which is elastically deformable from a pre-set curvature, for example, defined by a single radius, preferably tapers from a first width thereof, in proximity to a proximal end thereof, to a smaller, second width thereof, in proximity to the distal end thereof, wherein the tip has a width that is greater than the second width of the hook segment. Alternately, the tine portion may include a hook segment that is defined by two radii and a straight section extending therebetween.

Abstract: A tine portion of an implantable medical device includes a hook segment and a distal segment terminated by a tissue-piercing tip, wherein the distal segment extends from a distal end of the hook segment to the tip. The hook segment, which is elastically deformable from a pre-set curvature, for example, defined by a single radius, preferably tapers from a first width thereof, in proximity to a proximal end thereof, to a smaller, second width thereof, in proximity to the distal end thereof, wherein the tip has a width that is greater than the second width of the hook segment. Alternately, the tine portion may include a hook segment that is defined by two radii and a straight section extending therebetween.

Abstract: A method, system, and software for assessing the cost tradeoffs associated with performing inspection includes determining measurement variations and product characteristic variations to define an inspection plane. The inspection plane is divided into a plurality of regions corresponding to respective different outcomes resulting from an inspection process. The probability of each outcome is determined based on a probability mass in each region of the inspection plane, wherein the probability mass is based on a joint probability density of the measurement and product characteristic variations. Costs are associated to various outcomes based on the inspection process, and overall costs of the inspection process are computed by using the associated costs and the determined probability of each outcome based on the regions of the inspection plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of representations of color that are stored in an electronic color library and that can be selected by a user. After a color selection is made, a plurality of color ink formulas and/or colorant formulas capable of producing the selected color are provided. Further, other selections can be made to define a substrate or other criteria that can impact the color ink formulas. A plurality of color ink and/or colorant formulas are provided and optimized in order to reduce or eliminate undesired effects caused by metamerism. The formulas can be transmitted over a communication network, such as the Internet or a local Intranet to another party, such as color products manufacturers.

Abstract: A method, system, and software for assessing the cost tradeoffs associated with performing inspection includes determining measurement variations and product characteristic variations to define an inspection plane. The inspection plane is divided into a plurality of regions corresponding to respective different outcomes resulting from an inspection process. The probability of each outcome is determined based on a probability mass in each region of the inspection plane, wherein the probability mass is based on a joint probability density of the measurement and product characteristic variations. Costs are associated to various outcomes based on the inspection process, and overall costs of the inspection process are computed by using the associated costs and the determined probability of each outcome based on the regions of the inspection plane.

Abstract: In a system and method for saving and retrieving process capability and guidance information related to supporting product design and manufacturing activities, specific capability and guidance information related to sets of standardized product attributes are collected and stored as a plurality of records in a database. A user may then access the database through a suitable computer program interface and design a product using any combination of standardized attributes. Upon each attribute selection, the system queries the database and retrieves the process capability and guidance information associated with the received set of attributes. This information is then displayed to the user to assist in product design and manufacturing activities. Users may also group information retrieved relating to various sets of attributes and generate composite checklists including ranked listings of relevant guidance information.

Abstract: A method for providing producibility information to a user during a design process includes providing process capability models with integrated coaching information and providing a producibility evaluation worksheet having at least one input and at least one output, the input being selectable to represent a specific design. The worksheet is initialized with a relevant process capability model that is used to determine a producibility measure indicating an effect of the input on the output. The producibility measure is then displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method for evaluating performance of a production process by users includes using a system including a server and at least one device connected to the server. The method includes determining evaluation area categories, receiving information relevant to the performance of the production process within the evaluation categories, compiling the received information, comparing the received information to reference information, and displaying the results to the user via the device.

Abstract: A tolerancing method includes modeling positions and sizes of apertures in an assembly of parts. The parts are best-fit together. Aperture position in the parts is statistically varied. The best-fitting and statistical variations of the aperture positions are repeated for a statistically significant number of trials to create a statistical model. The size of fasteners for assembly through the mating apertures may be selected as determined in the statistical model.

Abstract: A method of driving and sensing a resonant sensor network wherein a least a one resonant sensor is driven by a first light from a first light source at a first frequency, wherein said first light source is modulated by an a.c. source. A second light source at a second frequency is utilized sense the resonant frequency of the at least one resonant sensor. Wherein said at least one resonant sensor modulates said second light source. The modulated light is provided to a photo detector and the first light source is filtered out of said reflected light. The detector ac amplifies the filtered reflected light, thereby detecting said the resonant frequency of the resonant sensor.

Abstract: A tank is suspended in an enclosure and defines therebetween a chamber completely surrounding the tank. A fluid or air within the chamber is heated to create a thermal blanket and an oven-like condition completely around the tank to maintain the tank and used oil and coagulant within the tank at a substantially constant temperature for an extended period of time for settling of contaminants towards the bottom of the tank. Clean oil remaining at the top of the tank is removed for reuse. The invention is particularly useful for heavy users of lubricating oil such as railroads or shipping companies.

Abstract: An automatic wicketted bag leader is suited to load one bag while simultaneously closing and sealing a preceding bag, each bag to contain a predetermined amount of a commodity. A hopper feeds the commodity when desired into a wicket bag which has been opened via mechanism connected to a retractable hopper-closing plate. A bag clamping mechanism simultaneously moves into position adjacent the sides of the opened bag and clamps the sides at about the midpoint thereof such that when the plate returns to its hopper-closing position the bag sides are drawn apart at the opening to bring the bag faces close together. The bag opening changes its configuration from generally square to a long rectangle. Clamping mechanism then moves laterally to encompass the bag opening and to clamp the two faces together and to then withdraw the clamped bag from below the hopper. The clamped bag may be heat sealed as it is withdrawn and then fed to an output conveyor. During withdrawal another bag may be loaded.

Abstract: An automatic wicketted bag loader is suited to load one bag while simultaneously closing and sealing a preceding bag, each bag to contain a predetermined amount of a commodity. A hopper feeds the commodity when desired into a wicket bag which has been opened via mechanism connected to a retractable hopper-closing plate. A bag clamping mechanism simultaneously moves into position adjacent the sides of the opened bag and clamps the sides at about the midpoint thereof such that when the plate returns to its hopper-closing position the bag sides are drawn apart at the opening to bring the bag faces close together. The bag opening changes its configuration from generally square to a long rectangle. Clamping mechanism then moves laterally to encompass the bag opening and to clamp the two faces together and to then withdraw the clamped bag from below the hopper. The clamped bag may be heat sealed as it is withdrawn and then fed to an output conveyor. During withdrawal another bag may be loaded.