Abstract: A direct vision cryosurgical and methods of use are described herein where the device may generally comprise an elongated rigid structure with a distal end, a proximal end, and a central lumen. The distal end may comprise a non-coring optically transparent needle tip with at least one lateral fenestration in communication with the central lumen. The distal end may also house at least one imaging device configured for distal imaging. A proximal end of the device may comprise a handle with a means for connecting the imaging device(s) to an imaging display(s), and a means for accessing bodily tissue in the vicinity of the distal end with a cryo-ablation probe through the central lumen and the lateral fenestration(s) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A direct vision cryosurgical and methods of use are described herein where the device may generally comprise an elongated rigid structure with a distal end, a proximal end, and a central lumen. The distal end may comprise a non-coring optically transparent needle tip with at least one lateral fenestration in communication with the central lumen. The distal end may also house at least one imaging device configured for distal imaging. A proximal end of the device may comprise a handle with a means for connecting the imaging device(s) to an imaging display(s), and a means for accessing bodily tissue in the vicinity of the distal end with a cryo-ablation probe through the central lumen and the lateral fenestration(s) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A direct vision cryosurgical and methods of use are described herein where the device may generally comprise an elongated rigid structure with a distal end, a proximal end, and a central lumen. The distal end may comprise a non-coring optically transparent needle tip with at least one lateral fenestration in communication with the central lumen. The distal end may also house at least one imaging device configured for distal imaging. A proximal end of the device may comprise a handle with a means for connecting the imaging device(s) to an imaging display(s), and a means for accessing bodily tissue in the vicinity of the distal end with a cryo-ablation probe through the central lumen and the lateral fenestration(s) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A direct vision cryosurgical and methods of use are described herein where the device may generally comprise an elongated rigid structure with a distal end, a proximal end, and a central lumen. The distal end may comprise a non-coring optically transparent needle tip with at least one lateral fenestration in communication with the central lumen. The distal end may also house at least one imaging device configured for distal imaging. A proximal end of the device may comprise a handle with a means for connecting the imaging device(s) to an imaging display(s), and a means for accessing bodily tissue in the vicinity of the distal end with a cryo-ablation probe through the central lumen and the lateral fenestration(s) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling voiding caused by gasses in solder joints of electronic assemblies. In various embodiments, a preform can be embedded into the solder paste prior to the component placement. The solder preform can be configured with a geometry such that it creates a standoff, or gap, between the components to be mounted in the solder paste. The method includes receiving a printed circuit board comprising a plurality of contact pads; depositing a volume of solder paste onto each of the plurality of contact pads; depositing a solder preform into each volume of solder paste; placing electronic components onto the printed circuit board such that contacts of the electronic components are aligned with corresponding contact pads of the printed circuit board; and reflow soldering the electronic components to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A direct vision cryosurgical and methods of use are described herein where the device may generally comprise an elongated rigid structure with a distal end, a proximal end, and a central lumen. The distal end may comprise a non-coring optically transparent needle tip with at least one lateral fenestration in communication with the central lumen. The distal end may also house at least one imaging device configured for distal imaging. A proximal end of the device may comprise a handle with a means for connecting the imaging device(s) to an imaging display(s), and a means for accessing bodily tissue in the vicinity of the distal end with a cryo-ablation probe through the central lumen and the lateral fenestration(s) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A facility for presenting a visual user interface for guiding the performance of a process relating to a patient localization and tracking system is described. The facility displays the user interface in a first state that corresponds to a first process task in an ordered sequence of process tasks. Each time the process task to which the displayed state of the user interface corresponds is completed, the facility redisplays the user interface in a state corresponding to a process task following the process task to which the displayed state of the user interface corresponds.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling voiding caused by gasses in solder joints of electronic assemblies. In various embodiments, a preform can be embedded into the solder paste prior to the component placement. The solder preform can be configured with a geometry such that it creates a standoff, or gap, between the components to be mounted in the solder paste. The method includes receiving a printed circuit board comprising a plurality of contact pads; depositing a volume of solder paste onto each of the plurality of contact pads; depositing a solder preform into each volume of solder paste; placing electronic components onto the printed circuit board such that contacts of the electronic components are aligned with corresponding contact pads of the printed circuit board; and reflow soldering the electronic components to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A direct vision cryosurgical and methods of use are described herein where the device may generally comprise an elongated rigid structure with a distal end, a proximal end, and a central lumen. The distal end may comprise a non-coring optically transparent needle tip with at least one lateral fenestration in communication with the central lumen. The distal end may also house at least one imaging device configured for distal imaging. A proximal end of the device may comprise a handle with a means for connecting the imaging device(s) to an imaging display(s), and a means for accessing bodily tissue in the vicinity of the distal end with a cryo-ablation probe through the central lumen and the lateral fenestration(s) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient in radiation therapy and other applications. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure and a panel carried by the support structure. The support structure can have first and second support members, such as rigid girders or other structures comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel is also a rigid structure comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel can further include a pass-through zone or other type of zone that is compatible with an ionizing radiation beam. For example, the panel can have a grid or solid low-density structure that mitigates beam contamination. The support structure and the panel together are configured to position a magnetic marker implanted in the patient in a navigational zone in which a magnetic field transmitted from the marker is not affected by conductive components or loops of conductive material in the pedestals or cantilevered support structures of conventional patient support systems.

Abstract: A solder is provided that produces a more impact resistant solder joint that is usable in high-end applications. The solder joint has a strong interconnection that can perform all of the normal functions of a solder joint while being more impact resistant. Furthermore, the solder joint retains its capabilities over the service life of a high-end product such as a computer or a cell phone. The solder meets the requirements of the soldering industry both today and into the future, including but not limited to an ability to be printed or dispensed with standard methods and conformity to health and safety standards.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient in radiation therapy and other applications. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure and a panel carried by the support structure. The support structure can have first and second support members, such as rigid girders or other structures comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel is also a rigid structure comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel can further include a pass-through zone or other type of zone that is compatible with an ionizing radiation beam. For example, the panel can have a grid or solid low-density structure that mitigates beam contamination. The support structure and the panel together are configured to position a magnetic marker implanted in the patient in a navigational zone in which a magnetic field transmitted from the marker is not affected by conductive components or loops of conductive material in the pedestals or cantilevered support structures of conventional patient support systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient in radiation therapy and other applications. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure and a panel carried by the support structure. The support structure can have first and second support members, such as rigid girders or other structures comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel is also a rigid structure comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panels can further include a pass-through zone or other type of zone that is compatible with an ionizing radiation beam. For example, the panel can have a grid or solid low-density structure that mitigates beam contamination. The support structure and the panel together are configured to position a magnetic marker implanted in the patient in a navigational zone in which a magnetic field transmitted from the marker is not affected by conductive components or loops of conductive material in the pedestals or cantilevered support structures of conventional patient systems.

Abstract: A low-density sensor panel assembly system is provided for use with remote marker assemblies that generates a marker signal and for use with a radiation therapy source that generates a radiation beam during radiation therapy. The system includes a sensor array having a layer of sensor coils arranged in a selected pattern and configured to receive the marker signal from the remote marker. A support panel is connected to the sensor array and retains each of the sensor coils in a substantially fixed and unmoving position relative to the other sensor coils. The sensor panel and sensor array define a low-density panel structure configured to dwell in the radiation beam during the radiation therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient in radiation therapy and other applications. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure and a panel carried by the support structure. The support structure can have first and second support members, such as rigid girders or other structures comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel is also a rigid structure comprising substantially dielectric materials. The panel can further include a pass-through zone or other type of zone that is compatible with an ionizing radiation beam. For example, the panel can have a grid or solid low-density structure that mitigates beam contamination. The support structure and the panel together are configured to position a magnetic marker implanted in the patient in a navigational zone in which a magnetic field transmitted from the marker is not affected by conductive components or loops of conductive material in the pedestals or cantilevered support structures of conventional patient systems.

Abstract: A facility for presenting a visual user interface for guiding the performance of a process relating to a patient localization and tracking system is described. The facility displays the user interface in a first state that corresponds to a first process task in an ordered sequence of process tasks. Each time the process task to which the displayed state of the user interface corresponds is completed, the facility redisplays the user interface in a state corresponding to a process task following the process task to which the displayed state of the user interface corresponds.

Abstract: A low-density sensor panel assembly system is provided for use with remote marker assemblies that generates a marker signal and for use with a radiation therapy source that generates a radiation beam during radiation therapy. The system includes a sensor array having a layer of sensor coils arranged in a selected pattern and configured to receive the marker signal from the remote marker. A support panel is connected to the sensor array and retains each of the sensor coils in a substantially fixed and unmoving position relative to the other sensor coils. The sensor panel and sensor array define a low-density panel structure configured to dwell in the radiation beam during the radiation therapy.

Abstract: A door for a computer case is provided which can be moved to a blocking position for blocking access to bays and/or drives of the case. The door can be attached to the case by a slide connection for sliding it along the front of the case between its blocking and accessing positions. In the preferred form, the case is a vertical tower type of case and the door is preloaded on track guides so that when it is raised such as to the blocking position it will not fall back to the accessing position under the influence of its own weight. A gear drive can be provided between the door and housing to provide for smooth manual sliding of the door to readily allow the door to be pushed to overcome the frictional resistance provided by the preload without hang ups in the track guides.

Abstract: A case for a personal computer or the like is provided which includes a modular multiple drive bay unit that is removably attached to the case. The removable unit can have various drive units such as floppy disk drives, CD drives, and the like, installed in the bays. The removable attachment between the case and modular drive bay unit allows the drive unit to be removed from the case while maintaining electrical communication therewith by way of an external cable so that the case can be placed on the ground such as under a desk, and the removable drive unit can be put on the desk to provide ready access to the drive units of the modular unit.