Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a noise signal is introduced into a read-back signal when data is written to a removable data storage medium. While writing the data to the removable data storage medium, a portion of the data written to the removable data storage medium is read from the removable data storage medium. An error rate is determined based on the portion of the data read from the removable data storage medium. A read-back signal is generated corresponding to the portion of the data read from the removable data storage medium, which is used to detect if an error occurred in writing the portion of the data to the removable data storage medium. A noise signal is added to the read-back signal. The noise signal is adjusted based on the determined error rate.

Abstract: A programmable logic device (PLD) such as an FPGA or CPLD is supplementally configured to verify the integrity of its configuration data during operation of the device. The programmable logic device includes a checksum calculation engine to calculate a checksum based upon the configuration data. A checksum comparator compares the calculated checksum to a previously-calculated checksum to verify the integrity of the configuration data.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a noise signal is introduced into a read-back signal when data is written to a removable data storage medium. While writing the data to the removable data storage medium, a portion of the data written to the removable data storage medium is read from the removable data storage medium. An error rate is determined based on the portion of the data read from the removable data storage medium. A read-back signal is generated corresponding to the portion of the data read from the removable data storage medium, which is used to detect if an error occurred in writing the portion of the data to the removable data storage medium. A noise signal is added to the read-back signal. The noise signal is adjusted based on the determined error rate.

Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.

Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.

Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder and the blade can be established with a tool assembly that accurately controls the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The tool allows a manufacturer to closely control the cutting depth of the blade assembly. The blade holder may have a color or other indicator that provides an indication of the cutting depth of the blade assembly. The blade assembly may be carried in a package that has an opening to allow visual inspection of the blade. The package may have a color or other indicator that provides a visual indication of the blade cutting depth.

Abstract: This invention relates to molded papier-mache supports for holding and spacing a plurality of rolls in a secure multi-layer stack. The supports are made of first and second sections connected to each other along a seam line. These sections are foldable to move a first section to a position beneath and in register with a second section. To strengthen the structure, the sections are formed with depressions which create lands. When in folded position, the lands on one support engage the lands on the other support. This stabilizes the structure.