Abstract: A resectoscope having a curved sheath that can be made with different lengths, diameters and radii of curvature to better reach the areas of the bladder that are not accessible with a conventional resectoscope. The device is equipped with a fiber optic scope that follows the curved electrode tube and can transmit images for observing the interior of bladder where the surgical procedure is performed. The device of the present invention further comprises a modified obturator to facilitate the movement of the sheath inside the body, and interior guides on the sheath help move the cutting tool and obturator through the curved portions of the sheath.

Abstract: A resectoscope having a curved sheath that can be made with different lengths, diameters and radii of curvature to better reach the areas of the bladder that are not accessible with a conventional resectoscope The device is equipped with a fiber optic scope that follows the curved electrode tube and can transmit images for observing the interior of bladder where the surgical procedure is performed. The device of the present invention further comprises a modified obturator to facilitate the movement of the sheath inside the body, and interior guides on the sheath help move the cutting tool and obturator through the curved portions of the sheath.

Abstract: A method of metallic part fabrication includes loose metal powder spread over an additive manufacturing build tank. A fluid binder/ceramic agent solution is selectively deposited upon a predetermined portion of the loose metal powder to create a printed layer. The printed layer is dried to remove a portion of the fluid binder/ceramic agent solution from the printed layer, to create a dried layer. A plurality of dried layers is stacked longitudinally to create a green part. The green part is bulk sintered to create a metallic part with uniformly dispersed and distributed ceramic particles in the metal matrix. A system for metallic part fabrication is also provided.

Abstract: A method for selecting a suitable workpiece having a material composition and a thickness for forming an article. The method calculates expected strain resulting from straight bends, stretch flanges, and shrink flanges utilizing customized strain correlations developed from strain test data of work piece samples. The calculated straight bend strain and stretch flange strain from multiple bends are then compared with the material yield strain to determine workpiece suitability. The shrink flange strain is compared with the material buckle stain to determine workpiece suitability. The method also calculates a spring back deformation for determining suitability of the workpiece and the press forming procedures.

Abstract: Heated superplastic material is deformed using gas pressure which forces the material into a die cavity. Improved three dimensional models for deforming superplastic materials are based upon spherical shapes penetrating the die cavity which is approximated by one of two different rectangular box models. The three dimensional and box models produced radius and thickness equations from which an accelerated gas pressure versus time profile and a minimum thickness value are calculated. The gas pressure deforms the superplastic material at the maximum possible strain rate without rupturing thereby reducing the speed at which parts are formed. Die frictional effects and variable flow stress phenomena are included into the pressure versus time profile computation and thickness equations so as to improve the speed and accuracy of the superplastic forming process.