Abstract: An imaging endoscopy system is disclosed, having a base unit, a hand controller, an umbilical section releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller and an insertion section. The insertion section has a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip. The hand controller includes at least one steering control for controlling bending of the steering section, and wherein the distal tip includes a light source for illumination of a region of tissue of interest and an imaging chip for imaging the region of tissue of interest. The hand controller, umbilical section and insertion section are single use disposable. The base unit is configured to be re-usable.

Abstract: An imaging endoscopy system is disclosed, having a base unit, a hand controller, an umbilical section releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller and an insertion section. The insertion section has a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip. The hand controller includes at least one steering control for controlling bending of the steering section, and wherein the distal tip includes a light source for illumination of a region of tissue of interest and an imaging chip for imaging the region of tissue of interest. The hand controller, umbilical section and insertion section are single use disposable. The base unit is configured to be re-usable.

Abstract: A fenestration assembly comprising a sliding glass assembly that slides between a fully closed position and a fully open position in which the sliding glass assembly is received into a pocket of the fenestration assembly. The pocket is covered on at least one side with insulation. The fenestration assembly may have two sliding glass assemblies. The fenestration assembly may be used in an energy efficient building system.

Abstract: A fenestration assembly comprising a sliding glass assembly that slides between a fully closed position and a fully open position in which the sliding glass assembly is received into a pocket of the fenestration assembly. The pocket is covered on at least one side with insulation. The fenestration assembly may have two sliding glass assemblies. The fenestration assembly may be used in an energy efficient building system.

Abstract: A fenestration assembly comprising a sliding glass assembly that slides between a fully closed position and a fully open position in which the sliding glass assembly is received into a pocket of the fenestration assembly. The pocket is covered on at least one side with insulation. The fenestration assembly may have two sliding glass assemblies. The fenestration assembly may be used in an energy efficient building system.

Abstract: A framed panel and related method of manufacture are disclosed. A framed panel unit includes a panel along the edge of which thermoplastic frame members are disposed. The frame members have first and second opposed side walls which define a channel for receiving the edge of the panel. The channel of each frame member has spacers between the panel and each side wall for spacing the panel from the side walls. Prior to welding together the ends of the frame members, the spacers retain the frame members on the panel. The panel may include multiple opposed sheet members with a spacer between the sheet members spacing them apart, and a reactive thermoplastic sealant material bonding the sheets to the frame members. An associated method of forming a named panel, frame members for a panel, and a spacer component for use in mounting a panel within a channel of a frame member are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vibration welded joint structures, methods, and apparatus for thermoplastic members are disclosed. A welded joint structure includes first and second thermoplastic members and an interposed junction piece vibratory welded to the first and second members at respective welding surfaces. At least one of the welding surfaces partially defines an angle, in a plane normal to the interposed junction piece, between an unwelded portion of the first member and an unwelded portion of the second member. The junction piece may include surfaces for forming vibratory welded bonds with the first and second thermoplastic members and a component holder, physically coupled to those surfaces, for enabling the junction piece to hold a further component.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece of similar material and vibrating the junction piece at high speed while pressing the first and second members in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece. Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members. Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: A framed panel and related method of manufacture are disclosed. A framed panel unit includes a panel along the edge of which thermoplastic frame members are disposed. The frame members have first and second opposed side walls which define a channel for receiving the edge of the panel. The channel of each frame member has spacers between the panel and each side wall for spacing the panel from the side walls. Prior to welding together the ends of the frame members, the spacers retain the frame members on the panel. The panel may include multiple opposed sheet members with a spacer between the sheet members spacing them apart, and a reactive thermoplastic sealant material bonding the sheets to the frame members. An associated method of forming a named panel, frame members for a panel, and a spacer component for use in mounting a panel within a channel of a frame member are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vibration welding element for thermoplastic members, and related joint structures, assemblies, and methods, are disclosed. A vibration welding element that is composed at least in part of a thermoplastic material includes at least one welding surface for forming a vibratory welded bond with at least one thermoplastic member. The element also includes a component holder that is physically coupled to the welding surface for enabling the element to hold a further component. The component holder may also be held in a fixture of a vibratory head during a vibratory welding process by which a vibratory welded bond is formed.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece of similar material and vibrating the junction piece at high speed while pressing the first and second members in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece. Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members. Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece of similar material and vibrating the junction piece at high speed while pressing the first and second members in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece. Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members. Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members (32, 33) of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece (47) of similar material and vibrating the junction piece (47) at high speed while pressing the first second members (32,33) in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece (47). Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window-frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system (120) which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members (134, 135, 136, 137). Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: A support structure (10) for supporting a plurality of antennas (11) has a plurality of antenna supports (13) each for supporting at least one antenna (11). Each antenna support (13) is supported for rotation about an axis of rotation. At least one antenna support (13) is selectively rotatable with respect to the or each other antenna support (13) such that an antenna (11) supported by said at least one antenna support (13) rotates therewith.

Abstract: A face mask comprises a sealing collar (1) extending around the mouth with a shelf (4) extending under the nose supporting a gel insert (7) that makes sealing contact between the nostrils and a passage (6) through the shelf. A curved, rigid window (30) is a push fit in a central opening (2) of the collar (1) and has a gas inlet (33) attached with it so that the window can be removed or connected with the sealing collar as necessary. The collar (1) supported on the head by a harness (20) having two triangular portions (21) on opposite sides encircling respective ears.

Abstract: A fenestration sealed frame insulating glazing panel has an integral planar frame formed by four rigid plastic profiles interconnected end-to-end to define corners, the profiles having a low heat conductivity. Two glazing sheets are arranged in a spaced parallel relationship attached on opposite sides of the frame in a rigid manner by thermosetting adhesive to form an integral structure having an insulating cavity enclosed by the frame. The front face of each frame profile facing towards the cavity is covered by a low permeability sealant. The sealed frame glazing panel can include a third glazing sheet positioned in parallel between the first two glazing sheets and likewise interconnected at its perimeter to the frame to divide the insulating cavity into two parallel coextensive sub-cavities. The profiles of the frame can be made from structural plastic foam material, glass fiber, oriented thermoplastic, or various other materials of low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A fenestration sealed frame insulating glazing panel has an integral planar frame formed by four rigid plastic profiles interconnected end-to-end to define corners, the profiles having a low heat conductivity. Two glazing sheets are arranged in a spaced parallel relationship attached on opposite sides of the frame in a rigid manner by thermosetting adhesive to form an integral structure having an insulating cavity enclosed by the frame. The front face of each frame profile facing towards the cavity is covered by a low permeability sealant. The sealed frame glazing panel can include a third glazing sheet positioned in parallel between the first two glazing sheets and likewise interconnected at its perimeter to the frame to divide the insulating cavity into two parallel coextensive sub-cavities. The profiles of the frame can be made from structural plastic foam material, glass fiber, oriented thermoplastic, or various other materials of low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A support structure (10) for supporting a plurality of antennas (11) has a plurality of antenna supports (13) each for supporting at least one antenna (11). Each antenna support (13) is supported for rotation about an axis of rotation. At least one antenna support (13) is selectively rotatable with respect to the or each other antenna support (13) such that an antenna (11) supported by said at least one antenna support (13) rotates therewith.

Abstract: Vibratory welded connections are formed between first and second members (32, 33) of thermoplastic material by interposing a junction piece (47) of similar material and vibrating the junction piece (47) at high speed while pressing the first and second members (32,33) in a controlled manner against opposite sides of the junction piece (47). Friction created by the vibration generates heat which melts a small amount of material at the engaging surfaces which upon cooling provides a strong welded joint having minimal flash. Entire frame systems such as window-frames can be fabricated by an apparatus system (120) which forms a friction welded joint between adjacent ends of the frame members (134, 135, 136, 137). Furthermore the frame can be fabricated around a panel such as a glazing panel. The welded connections formed by the system do not mar the finish of the frame members and produce no unsightly flash bead requiring subsequent machining steps for its removal.

Abstract: An architectural building panel comprises a sealed glazing unit having at least two spaced apart parallel glazing sheets which define a cavity closed by a peripheral seal. Opaque strip elements on the building panel provide the appearance of window frames surrounding transparent glass areas, with regions of the panel outside these frames being provided with surface area patterns that simulate the appearance of conventional building materials such as brick or the like. The building panel can be used in any convenient size, and may be of a size to extend between structural floors of a building so that a curtain wall for the building can be composed of exteriors of such building panels.