Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing an operating system to automatically configure and operate multiple types of the same component. According to various embodiments, characteristic information associated with a particular component, such as a tuner, can be written to a nonvolatile memory. An operating system can be configured to read characteristic information from the nonvolatile memory associated with the component. In one example, the characteristic information includes power characteristics associated with the component. By providing characteristic information in a nonvolatile memory, a single version of an operating system can configure and operate many different versions and types of the same component.

Abstract: The time required to perform a passive voltage contrast test of an area of interest of a layer of interest is substantially reduced by digitizing a passive voltage contrast image to form contrast data that represents the image, and comparing the contrast data to computer aided design (CAD) data that defines the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A tray and a clamp mounted adjustably on the tray and supporting a leg or other limb or simulated limb including an articulated animal joint or a joint from a cadaver, for use in instruction of and practice by surgeons in joint replacement or other orthopedic surgery. A bone mounting device for fastening a joint to an artificial bone includes an expandable engagement member that fits within a cavity formed within a bone to hold the bone securely so that a surgical procedure can be performed on the joint.

Abstract: Features of non-vacuum AC/DC probe systems are combined with features of the DC vacuum chamber testers to provide an AC/DC probe system that can be used in a vacuum environment, such as a SEM vacuum chamber. Features of the DC vacuum chamber tester are modified to include new op-amp circuitry that provides the AC/DC testing functionality of the non-vacuum chamber systems, resulting in an AC/DC probe system that can be used in a vacuum environment.

Abstract: A device and a method for establishing a position and orientation for a preliminary saw cut in a distal end of a femur to prepare the femur for installation of a prosthetic knee joint. A guide block defining a cutting plane is carried on an adjustably positioned locating arm that is supported on an alignment body that can be mounted on a femur either with or without an intramedullary rod in place in the distal end of the femur. Adjustment screws and horizontal slots in the alignment body provide for varus/valgus angular adjustment of the position of the alignment body. An adjustment guide block may have a saw guiding face defining a differently oriented cutting plane.

Abstract: In a test system for a semiconductor device, the device under test (DUT) is remotely located relative to the tester that generates the test vector signals. The tester and remotely located DUT are connected by a serial connection and each includes a serializer-deserializer for converting outgoing data to serial form and deserializing incoming data.

Abstract: A device for removable attachment to a bone of a living patient, useful as a mounting support for a trackable part of a computerized surgical navigation system and a method for attaching an object removably to a bone of a living patient. A shaft having a self drilling, self-tapping screw tip can be inserted transversely of the bone and securely screwed into the cortex. A screw drives a sharp-edged sleeve along the shaft to engage the near cortex. A stepping mechanism allows incremental angular movement of a portion of an adjustment mechanism and indicates when the sleeve is securely engaged by resisting further tightening.

Abstract: A tray and a clamp mounted adjustably on the tray and supporting a leg or other limb or simulated limb including an articulated animal joint or a joint from a cadaver, for use in instruction of and practice by surgeons in joint replacement or other orthopedic surgery. A bone mounting device for fastening a joint to an artificial bone includes an expandable engagement member that fits within a cavity formed within a bone to hold the bone securely so that a surgical procedure can be performed on the joint.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a support frame clamp member, a retraction shaft clamp member and a handle linked to the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member for moving the clamp members between loosened and tightened positions. Both the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member permit transverse attachment. The shaft clamp and the support frame permit pivoting of the retraction shaft relative to the support frame. The handle is always in alignment with the retractor shaft, with a gripping portion extending above and in line with the shaft but attached to the clamp below the shaft. With this clamp and handle configuration, the clamp maintains a very low profile while still allowing easy access to the handle from above during the tightening and/or loosening motions, permitting a single handed “scissors action” tightening.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a support frame clamp member, a retraction shaft clamp member and a handle linked to the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member for moving the clamp members between loosened and tightened positions. The handle includes a cam, and the handle/cam is unitarily formed by metal injection molding. The handle includes relatively uniform thickness throughout to better accept the shrinkage induced by the metal injection molding process. The base used for a bottom position of the cam is adjustable and spring loaded, to better support a wider range of manufacturing tolerances on the cam as well as the other components of the clamp without over stressing the metal injection molded handle during use. The handle includes a gripping portion with a planar portion inducing alignment of the clamping force as desired for best operation of the clamp.

Abstract: Methods of quantifying and/or characterizing antigen-specific T cell populations, identifying T cell antigens and epitopes, and preparing targeted pharmaceutical compositions by (i) introducing a peptide into an antigen-presenting cell (APC) expressing a fusion protein comprising a major histocompatibility complex portion and a reporter peptide portion such that a complex forms between the fusion protein and the peptide and the peptide is displayed by the APC and (ii) contacting the APC with a population of cells, such that T cells in the population of cells that react with the peptide detectably internalize the complex; novel APCs useful in such methods; and related therapeutic and diagnostic methods.

Abstract: The thickness of a semiconductor wafer is non-destructively measured using infrared (IR) microscopy. The wafer is placed on a stage. A distance between the stage and a detector is then varied so that a first image of the wafer is focused on the detector. When focused, a first separation distance is measured. The distance between the stage and the detector is again varied so that a second image is focused on the detector. When again focused, a second separation distance is measured. The difference between the first and second separation distances is then determined and multiplied by the refractive index of light in silicon.

Abstract: A flyer assembly is adapted for launching with, transit in, and deployment from an artillery shell having a central void region extending along a ballistic shell axis. The flyer assembly includes a jettisonable shroud and a flyer. The shroud extends along a shroud axis, and is positionable within the central void region with the shroud axis substantially parallel to the shell axis. The flyer is adapted to withstand a launch acceleration force along a flyer axis when in a first state, and to effect aerodynamic flight when in a second state. When in the first state, the flyer is positionable within the shroud with the flyer axis parallel to the shroud axis and the shell axis. The flyer includes a body member disposed about the flyer axis, and a foldable wing assembly mounted to the body member. The wing assembly is configurable in a folded state characterized by a plurality of nested wing segments when the flyer is in the first state.

Abstract: A flyer assembly is adapted for launching with, transit in, and deployment from an artillery shell having a central void region extending along a ballistic shell axis. The flyer assembly includes a jettisonable shroud and a flyer. The shroud extends along a shroud axis, and is positionable within the central void region with the shroud axis substantially parallel to the shell axis. The flyer is adapted to withstand a launch acceleration force along a flyer axis when in a first state, and to effect aerodynamic flight when in a second state. When in the first state, the flyer is positionable within the shroud with the flyer axis parallel to the shroud axis and the shell axis. The flyer includes a body member disposed about the flyer axis, and a foldable wing assembly mounted to the body member. The wing assembly is configurable in a folded state characterized by a plurality of nested wing segments when the flyer is in the first state.

Abstract: A flyer assembly is adapted for launching with, transit in, and deployment from an artillery shell having a central void region extending along a ballistic shell axis. The flyer assembly includes a jettisonable shroud and a flyer. The shroud extends along a shroud axis, and is positionable within the central void region with the shroud axis substantially parallel to the shell axis. The flyer is adapted to withstand a launch acceleration force along a flyer axis when in a first state, and to effect aerodynamic flight when in a second state. When in the first state, the flyer is positionable within the shroud with the flyer axis parallel to the shroud axis and the shell axis. The flyer includes a body member disposed about the flyer axis, and a foldable wing assembly mounted to the body member. The wing assembly is configurable in a folded state characterized by a plurality of nested wing segments when the flyer is in the first state.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a mechanical system in response to messages from a host computer system. The apparatus includes a conventional communications link for communicating messages from the host computer system to a motion control processor and interface and driver circuits for converting digital signals generated by the motion control processor in response to messages from the host computer system into control signals having appropriate waveforms and timing for controlling a particular mechanical system. The motion control processor is programmed to perform a number of tasks in accordance with a schedule downloaded from the host computer system. The host computer system downloads profiles which consist of series of segments consisting of data structures which define elements in the mechanical system to be controlled, identify functions to be performed and include necessary data.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing latent viral infection is described. The method utilizes an agent such as OKT3 to stimulate CD3 receptor complex on T-cell line so that the latent virus harbored in the T cells is expressed and then the virus is identified by standard techniques.