Abstract: A method of making a micron gap thermal photovoltaic device includes forming at least one standoff on a photovoltaic substrate, depositing a sacrificial layer on the photovoltaic substrate and about the standoff, forming an emitter attached to the standoff and having a lower planar surface separated from the photovoltaic substrate by the sacrificial layer, and removing the sacrificial layer to form a sub-micron gap between the photovoltaic substrate and the lower planar surface of the emitter.

Abstract: A method of making a micron gap thermal photovoltaic device wherein at least one standoff is formed on a photovoltaic substrate, a sacrificial layer is deposited on the photovoltaic substrate and about the standoff, an emitter is attached to the standoff and has a lower planar surface separated from the photovoltaic substrate by the sacrificial layer, and the sacrificial layer is removed to form a sub-micron gap between the photovoltaic substrate and the lower planar surface of the emitter.

Abstract: A method of making a micron gap thermal photovoltaic device wherein at least one standoff is formed on a photovoltaic substrate, a sacrificial layer is deposited on the photovoltaic substrate and about the standoff, an emitter is attached to the standoff and has a lower planar surface separated from the photovoltaic substrate by the sacrificial layer, and the sacrificial layer is removed to form a sub-micron gap between the photovoltaic substrate and the lower planar surface of the emitter.

Abstract: A method of making a micron gap thermal photovoltaic device wherein at least one standoff is formed on a photovoltaic substrate, a sacrificial layer is deposited on the photovoltaic substrate and about the standoff, an emitter is attached to the standoff and has a lower planar surface separated from the photovoltaic substrate by the sacrificial layer, and the sacrificial layer is removed to form a sub-micron gap between the photovoltaic substrate and the lower planar surface of the emitter.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic scalpel/cautery device is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a low voltage battery-powered ultrasonic generator and a handheld ultrasonic surgical instrument. The battery-powered ultrasonic generator generates an ultrasonic signal having a frequency of about 55 kHz.

Abstract: One device in accordance with the present invention includes a surgical device for creating channels in tissue of a patient. The device includes a catheter defining a lumen and a transducer assembly carried by the catheter along a lengthwise dimension of the catheter. An end effector is operatively coupled to the transducer assembly and extends distally relative to the transducer assembly. The end effector has a vibrating channel-forming tip wherein the channel-forming tip is adapted to create channels in the heart of a patient. A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of inserting an end effector having a tip into a patient, placing the tip of the end effector in direct contact with a surface of the heart, energizing the end effector to cause the tip to vibrate, piercing through the surface of the heart with the tip to create a channel, and removing the end effector.

Abstract: A microcavity apparatus and systems for maintaining microcavity spacing over a macroscopic area. An application of this invention is a microscale generator. This microscale generator includes a first element for receiving energy; a second element, opposite the first element for transferring energy; at least one panel on either of the first element or the second element, the panel facing the other element; a device for controlling the distance between the at least one panel and the facing element to form a predetermined, sub-micron gap between the panel and the facing element for increasing energy transfer to the element for receiving; and a device, responsive to the energy transfer, for generating electricity.

Abstract: A technique for enhancing the generation of carriers (ex. electrons and/or holes) in semiconductor devices such as photovoltaic cells and the like, receiving radiation from a heated surface, through the use of micron juxtaposition of the surface of the device and the heated surface and with the gap thereinbetween preferably evacuated.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical clamp coagulator apparatus is configured to effect cutting, coagulation, and clamping of tissue by cooperation of a clamping mechanism of the apparatus with an associated ultrasonic end-effector. Selective articulational positioning of the end-effector is achieved by the provision of an articulating mechanism incorporated into the clamp coagulator apparatus. The arrangement permits an elongated portion of the apparatus to be selectively articulatably positioned with respect to an apparatus housing.

Abstract: A coupling structure releasably attaches a plurality of transmission members to each other. Non-vibratory structures hold a second end of the first transmission member in contact with a first end of the second member. A method including the steps of providing a first non-vibratory structure carrying the first transmission member, and providing a second non-vibratory structure carrying the second transmission member. The method also includes the steps of attaching the first non-vibratory structure to the second non-vibratory structure to hold a coupling end of the first transmission rod in contact with a coupling end of the second transmission rod without the use of a threaded connection between the first and second components.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device in accordance with the present invention includes a transmission component adapted to receive ultrasonic vibration from a transducer assembly and to transmit the ultrasonic vibration from a first end to a second end. An inner damping member surrounds at least a portion of the transmission component. The dampening member is adapted to contact the transmission component to dampen undesired vibration during ultrasonic transmission.

Abstract: One device in accordance with the present invention includes a surgical device for creating channels in tissue of a patient. The device includes a catheter defining a lumen and a transducer assembly carried by the catheter along a lengthwise dimension of the catheter. An end effector is operatively coupled to the transducer assembly and extends distally relative to the transducer assembly. The end effector has a vibrating channel-forming tip wherein the channel-forming tip is adapted to create channels in the heart of a patient. A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of inserting an end effector having a tip into a patient, placing the tip of the end effector in direct contact with a surface of the heart, energizing the end effector to cause the tip to vibrate, piercing through the surface of the heart with the tip to create a channel, and removing the end effector.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical clamp coagulator apparatus is configured to effect cutting, coagulation, and clamping of tissue by cooperation of a clamping mechanism of the apparatus with an associated ultrasonic end-effector. The ultrasonic waveguide of the apparatus is preferably provided with an improved support member at the distal-most node thereof, which support member desirably functions to resist bending moments created in the waveguide, attendant to operation of the clamping mechanism, while sealing the region adjacent to the waveguide.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument in accordance with the present invention includes a transmission component adapted to receive ultrasonic vibration from a transducer assembly and to transmit the ultrasonic vibration from a first end to a second end. The transmission component has an aperture to allow torque to be coupled to the transmission rod.

Abstract: The ultrasonic instrument includes a shaft having an integral sheath of PTFE encompassing the shaft and attached solely to the shaft. At the proximal end of the shaft, wrench flats are exposed through openings in the sheath and grooves cooperate with complementary ribs on the sheath, to prevent relative longitudinal and rotational displacement of the sheath and shaft. The sheath is in contact with the shaft at the nodes along the shaft. The diameter of the sheath is about 5 mm whereby the instrument may be used with a 5 mm trocar port. To manufacture the instrument, the sheath is initially formed to a diameter equal to or less than the diameter of the shaft and then mechanically expanded. Subsequently, the sheath is heat-shrunk about the shaft and rolled continuously along the shaft, except at regions corresponding to the nodes along the shaft, to expand the sheath to a larger diameter to space the sheath from the shaft except at the nodes of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ultrasonic scalpel blade with a hook and having flat, non-sharpened, relatively dull edges to improve ultrasonic coupling to adjacent tissue and afford exceptional coagulation and hemostasis. The blade with hook is particularly useful for cutting loose, unsupported tissue by grasping the tissue with the hook portion and tensioning it while cutting. The blade affords improved coagulation and hemostasis in loose, unsupported tissue, while simultaneously providing an improved cutting action.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical apparatus includes a surgical instrument having a handpiece with a transducer for converting an electrical signal into longitudinal vibratory motion of a blade connected to the handpiece and an accessory releasably connected to the handpiece to enable clamping of tissue against the vibrating blade to afford improved coagulating and cutting of tissue. Scissors-like grips actuate a pivoted clamp jaw along one side of the ultrasonically vibrating blade to compress and bias tissue against the blade in a direction normal to the direction of longitudinal vibratory movement. The clamp jaw and blade are rotatable relative to one another to align a selected blade edge of a multi-edged blade with the clamp jaw for cutting and coagulating while clamping or circumferentially spacing a selected blade edge from the clamp jaw for cutting and coagulating without clamping.