Abstract: An autofocus system and method designed to account for instabilities in the system, e.g. due to instabilities of system components (e.g. vibrating mirrors, optics, etc) and/or environmental effects such as refractive index changes of air due to temperature, atmospheric pressure, or humidity gradients, is provided. An autofocus beam is split into a reference beam component (the split off reference channel) and a measurement beam component, by a beam splitting optic located a predetermined distance from (and in predetermined orientation relative to) the substrate, to create a first space between the beam splitting optic and the substrate. A reflector is provided that is spaced from the beam splitting optic by the predetermined distance, to create a second space between the reflector and the beam splitting optic.

Abstract: A bone clamp for securing a surgical instrument to a bone including a body on which the instrument can be mounted, a first and second contacting arms, each of which has a first end that is pivotally connected to the body, and a second end for gripping the bone, whenever the first and second contacting arms are connected to the body at or towards opposite ends thereof so that, when the body is positioned adjacent to the bone, the arms can grip the bone on opposite surfaces thereof, and an actuator which can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions. When the actuator is in its disengaged position, the contacting arms can pivot independently with respect to each other, and when the actuator is in its engaged position, the pivoting movement of one contact arm is accompanied by approximately equal pivoting movement of the other contact arm in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A new and useful optical imaging process is provided for imaging of a plurality of substrates, in a manner that makes efficient use of an optical imaging system with the capability to image a single reticle to a pair of imaging locations, and addresses the types of substrate stage movement patterns to accomplish such imaging in an efficient and effective manner. At least three substrates are imaged by moving their substrate stages in patterns whereby (i) two of the substrates are completely imaged at respective imaging locations, (ii) a substrate on at least one of the three stages is partially imaged at one imaging location and then partially imaged at the other imaging location, and (iii) the movement of the stages of the three substrates is configured to avoid movement of the stages of the three substrates in paths that would cause interference between movement of any one substrate stage with movement of any of the other substrate stages.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus (10) for transferring a mask pattern (12A) from a mask (12) to first and second substrates (14A) (14B) includes an illumination system (18) that generates and simultaneously directs a first beam (32A) at the mask pattern (12A) and a second beam (32B) at the mask pattern (12A). Further, the first beam (32A) is spaced apart from the second beam (32B) at the mask pattern (12A). As provided herein, the first beam (32A) directed at the mask (12) creates a first pattern beam (34A) that is transferred to a first substrate location (33A), and the second beam (32B) directed at the mask (12) creates a second pattern beam (34B) that is transferred to a second substrate location (33B). Moreover, the first substrate location (33A) is spaced apart from the second substrate location (33B). With this design, the first pattern beam (34A) can be transferred to the first substrate (14A) and the second pattern beam (34B) can be simultaneously transferred to the second substrate (14B).

Abstract: An exposure apparatus (210) for transferring a mask pattern (346) from a mask (212) to a substrate (214) includes a first site (315) having a first site dimension (348) along a first axis and a second site dimension (350) along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The second site dimension (350) is larger than the first site dimension (348). The exposure apparatus (210) includes an illumination system (218), a mask stage assembly (222), a substrate stage assembly (224), and a control system (228). The illumination system (218) generates an illumination beam (235) that is directed at the mask (212). The mask stage assembly (222) retains and positions the mask (212) along the first axis relative to the illumination beam (235). The substrate stage assembly (224) retains and positions the substrate (214) along the first axis.

Abstract: An instrument assembly for use in orthopaedic surgery comprises a reamer or other cutting component which is to be positioned within a body cavity to engage a bone, having at least one bar portion extending across it. A manipulator has at least one clasp for engaging the bar portion so as to fasten the cutting component to the manipulator, the clasp comprising a hook and a keeper pin. The hook can be displaced relative to the keeper pin between an open position in which the keeper pin is retracted relative to the hook so that the hook is open at one side to allow the bar portion to be slid between the hook and the keeper pin, and a closed position in which the keeper pin closes the hook sufficiently to prevent the bar portion from being removed from under the hook.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for rapid haplotyping a DNA or RNA segment. Two or more target sites on a segment of DNA or RNA are labeled with separate distinguishable luminescent hybridization probes, where the targets are selected genetic markers. A dilute solution is formed containing the labeled DNA or RNA segments. Each DNA or RNA segment is illuminated with light beams effective to excite each luminescent hybridization probe, when present. The presence or absence of each luminescent hybridization probe on each DNA or RNA segment is detected to determine the haplotype of each DNA or RNA segment.

Abstract: A bone clamp for securing a surgical instrument to a bone including a body on which the instrument can be mounted, a first and second contacting arms, each of which has a first end that is pivotally connected to the body, and a second end for gripping the bone, whenever the first and second contacting arms are connected to the body at or towards opposite ends thereof so that, when the body is positioned adjacent to the bone, the arms can grip the bone on opposite surfaces thereof, and an actuator which can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions. When the actuator is in its disengaged position, the contacting arms can pivot independently with respect to each other, and when the actuator is in its engaged position, the pivoting movement of one contact arm is accompanied by approximately equal pivoting movement of the other contact arm in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A formulation for preparing a cementitious product comprising a cementitious material, a siliceous material, and a low bulk density material being substantially calcium silicate hydrate and including unreacted siliceous reactant. A method of forming a cementitious product comprises adding a cementitious material, a siliceous material and a low bulk density material to water to form a slurry, forming a green shaped article from the slurry and curing the article in an autoclave, wherein the low bulk density material is substantially calcium silicate hydrate and includes unreacted siliceous reactant.

Abstract: A formulation for preparing a cementitious product comprising a cementitious material, a siliceous material, and a low bulk density material being substantially calcium silicate hydrate and including unreacted siliceous reactant. A method of forming a cementitious product comprises adding a cementitious material, a siliceous material and a low bulk density material to water to form a slurry, forming a green shaped article from the slurry and curing the article in an autoclave, wherein the low bulk density material is substantially calcium silicate hydrate and includes unreacted siliceous reactant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for fault detecting in an electrical system such as a redundant or fault-tolerant system. A current receiving device connected in shunt or in series in such a system draws electric current from the electrical system being monitored. During normal operation, while current is still flowing properly through the system being monitored, an appropriate indication such as a continued series of pulses is generated, which is interpreted as indicating proper operation. If that current flow is cut off, indicating a fault condition, then the apparatus and method provide an appropriate signal (such as cutoff of the series of pulses) to a communication system which provides an appropriate indication to an external location. The current receiving device can be a relaxation oscillator together with another device which can be a pulse generator, an L-C energy transfer arrangement, a bridge circuit including an inductor, a two-winding inductor or a capacitor.

Abstract: An anticipatory power failure detection apparatus and method, for use in connection with power supplies providing a regulated voltage signal to an electronic load such as a computer, employing circuitry for determining whether a control signal, within the regulated power supply circuit, is in a saturation state. Upon detecting a saturation state for the control signal, circuitry signals that an input power failure is occurring. The regulated power supply system can be a switching-type voltage regulation control system, wherein a pulse-width modulated switching system controls the periodic input of energy to an energy-storage network which generates the regulated voltage output signal. A derivative of the error signal is periodically sampled for determining whether it is in the saturation state. The regulated power supply control signal will be in the saturation state when the unregulated input voltage supply is insufficient to maintain the regulated voltage signal at the specified optimum operating point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting an AC power failure condition employs a fast attack, slow decay, energy storage circuit for tracking an AC input signal and for providing a slowly decaying output based upon a last received peak voltage input value. A current detection circuit monitors the current flow to the storage circuit from the AC mains and generates a current detection signal in response thereto. A power failure condition is declared when either the voltage across the energy storage circuit decays below a selected threshold value or current is not detected flowing to the energy storage circuit at a selected time. A particular current detection circuit employs a high permeability core which is saturated by a current in the sensed line having a current value below an expected peak current flowing to the energy storage circuit. An interrogation pulse periodically energizes an interrogation winding which, in the absence of current in the sensed line, induces a signal across an output winding.