Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

Abstract: A putter-type golf club head that, when oriented in a reference position, includes a striking wall extending in the heel to toe direction and defines a substantially planar striking face for hitting a golf ball. A central elongate member is in communication with, and extends rearward from, the striking wall. An upper surface of the central elongate member includes a plurality of separate alignment elements. At least one of the plurality of alignment elements has an edge that extends substantially parallel to the striking face. The length of the parallel edge is substantially equivalent to the diameter of a golf ball.

Abstract: A system for equalizing amplitude tilt distortion in a signal includes an amplitude tilt maker and an amplitude tilt sensor. The input signal is split in the amplitude tilt maker between a signal through path and a phase shifted, time delayed signal path. The phase shifted, time delayed signal then passes through a voltage controlled attenuator. Combining the phase shifted, time delayed signal with the signal that travels along the signal through path provides the amplitude tilt. The tilt can be adjusted by changing the control voltage to the attenuator in order to compensate for amplitude tilt distortion in the input signal. The voltage controlled attenuator is controlled by the amplitude tilt sensor, which “senses” the tilt using a loop signal from the amplitude tilt maker.

Abstract: A low voltage optical phase modulator includes a splitter having an input, a first output, and a second output. The input receives an optical signal and is split between the first and second outputs. A phase adjustment element is coupled to the second output and produces a predetermined optical shift in the optical signal to produce a phase-shifted optical signal. A first electroabsorptive element is coupled to the first output and blocks transmission of the optical signal when the first electroabsorptive element is activated with a low voltage. A second electroabsorptive element is coupled to the phase adjustment element and blocks transmission of the phase-shifted optical signal when the second electroabsorptive element is activated using the low voltage. An optical combiner having a first combiner input, a second combiner input, and a combiner output is coupled to the first and second electroabsorptive elements and receives the optical signal and the phase-shifted optical signal.

Abstract: A system for equalizing amplitude tilt distortion in a signal includes an amplitude tilt maker and an amplitude tilt sensor. The input signal is split in the amplitude tilt maker between a signal through path and a phase shifted, time delayed signal path. The phase shifted, time delayed signal then passes through a voltage controlled attenuator. Combining the phase shifted, time delayed signal with the signal that travels along the signal through path provides the amplitude tilt. The tilt can be adjusted by changing the control voltage to the attenuator in order to compensate for amplitude tilt distortion in the input signal. The voltage controlled attenuator is controlled by the amplitude tilt sensor, which “senses” the tilt using a loop signal from the amplitude tilt maker.

Abstract: A low voltage optical phase modulator includes a splitter having an input, a first output, and a second output. The input receives an optical signal and is split between the first and second outputs. A phase adjustment element is coupled to the second output and produces a predetermined optical shift in the optical signal to produce a phase-shifted optical signal. A first electroabsorptive element is coupled to the first output and blocks transmission of the optical signal when the first electroabsorptive element is activated with a low voltage. A second electroabsorptive element is coupled to the phase adjustment element and blocks transmission of the phase-shifted optical signal when the second electroabsorptive element is activated using the low voltage. An optical combiner having a first combiner input, a second combiner input, and a combiner output is coupled to the first and second electroabsorptive elements and receives the optical signal and the phase-shifted optical signal.