Abstract: An excisional device for either handheld or stereotactic table use may comprise an outer sheath that may comprise a distal trough shape configured to penetrate and/or cut tissue independently or in concert with work element(s). The articulable work element(s) may comprise articulable beak(s) and may be configured to translate and/or rotate at a first rate and to cut tissue in a direction implied by placement of the trough shaped outer sheath. A first helical element or equivalent assembly may be configured to transport tissue cut by the work element(s) and/or trough, may be co-axially disposed relative to the work element(s) and may be operative to rotate at a second rotation rate that is different than the first rate. A proximal sheath may be co-axially disposed relative to the work element(s) and the first helical element, and may be configured to rotate and actuate the work element(s).

Abstract: A chip (12) counter (10) employs an ultrasonic distance measuring system (40) to determine the number of chips in a stack (54, 56) in a chip tray (16) channel (14). A computer (32) initially stores an average chip thickness (T) and receives distance data from the ultrasonic distance measuring system indicative of a first distance (D.sub.1) to the bottom of an empty channel. To count chips, the computer repeatedly receives data from the ultrasonic distance measuring system indicative of a second distance (D.sub.2) to the top of the stack of chips in the channel. The computer subtracts the second distance from the first distance to determine a height of the stack of chips and then divides the height by the average chip thickness to provide a continuous count of the number of chips in the channel. In a multichannel chip tray, each channel has a distance measuring transducer, and a multiplexer (28) scans all the transducers to provide the computer with second distance data for all channels in the chip tray.

Abstract: A computer interconnect system uses packet data transmission over serial links connecting nodes of a network. The serial links provide simultaneous dual paths for transmit/receive. An adapter couples a CPU or the like at a node to the serial link. The adapter includes a packet memory for temporarily storing transmit packets and receive packets, along with a port processor for executing the protocol. Packets of data are transferred between the system bus of the CPU and the packet memory of a pair of data movers, one for read and one for write. The packet memory is accessed upon demand by the serial link, the port processor and the data movers, using interleaved cycles. To accommodate this access upon demand without request/grant cycles, parking registers are provided to store read or write data until a later cycle, and the data rate on the packet memory port is high enough to allow ample time for simultaneous use of both channels as well as packet processing and moving to and from the CPU.

Abstract: A computer interconnect system uses packet data transmission over serial links connecting nodes of a network. The serial links provide simultaneous dual paths for transmit/receive. An adapter couples a CPU or the like at a node to the serial link. The adapter includes a packet memory for temporarily storing transmit packets and receive packets, along with a port processor for executing the protocol. The packet memory includes two zones in which the received packets are stored interchangably. Packets of data are transferred between the system bus of the CPU and the packet memory by a pair of data movers, one for read and one for write. The packet memory is accessed upon demand by the serial link, the port processor and the data movers, using interleaved cycles. The order of buffering the received packets in the two zones is recorded in a file or silo, and when the packets are transferred to the CPU the packets are accessed by referring to this silo so the order of receipt is maintained.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a stiff annular case and a resilient annular seal. The seal has a peripheral rim connected to a peripheral edge of the case and a peripheral rim extending radially from the case for resiliently radially sealing against a first surface, such as a shaft or shaft housing, spaced radially from the case. An intermediate rim extends axially from the body of the seal relative to the seal and case for resiliently axially sealing against a second surface, such as the outside surface of an antifriction bearing, located axially adjacent the case and extending between the first surface and the case. The peripheral edge of the case to which the seal is connected may be skewed at an obtuse angle relative to a radial flange of the case. The seal extends radially outward from the case in one embodiment and radially inward from the case in another embodiment.

Abstract: A coupling removing apparatus by which a threaded rod coupling can be removed from one threaded end of a sucker rod, comprising a main frame and a radially active segmented coupling engaging member which is mounted to the main frame and forms a cavity of a size to receive the made-up coupling on a sucker rod therein. An open ended wrench is mounted to the frame for movement radially towards and away from the centerline of the cavity at a location to engage the wrench flat of the rod. The wrench is moved into engagement with the rod flats adjacent the coupling, then the segments of the coupling engaging member are moved to engage the coupling with great force. The wrenches are counter-rotated about the axis of the rod and coupling with sufficient force to break the threaded connection between the coupling and the rod. The coupling engaging member includes an interior of cylindrical configuration that is divided into three segments.