Abstract: A plurality of electrical interconnections may be formed in an electrical device including a first component having a plurality of contact pads and a second component having a plurality of contact pads. The two components are placed in a confronting spaced relationship such that each contact pad of the first component locationally corresponds to one of the contact pads of the second component. The contact pads of the second component are further arranged such that at least two of the contact pads are laterally offset relative to their locationally corresponding contact pads on the first component with one of the at least two contact pads being offset in a first direction while the other is offset in another direction. A mass of conductive material is disposed between each contact pad of the first component and its corresponding contact pad of the second component.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally embossed non-woven fabric, which is comprised of fibers and/or filaments (3) oriented primarily in the moving direction (2) of the machine, and has zones (5, 7) with regularly alternating elevations (4a, 8a) and indentations (4b, 8b), which are separated from one another by non-embossed areas (6) that are continuous in the moving direction (2) of the machine. These non-embossed areas constitute a proportion ranging from 5% to 50% with regard to the entire surface of the non-woven fabric (1) and the elevations (4a, 8a), and indentations (4b, 8b), when viewed from the opposite side, form indentations or elevations respectively, whereby the surfaces (10a, 10b) delimited by the elevations give the non-woven fabric an apparent thickness ranging from 0.5 mm to 5.5 mm.

Abstract: Transmissivity is restored to a gallium stained substrate by directing an electron beam to the substrate in the presence of an etching gas. For higher concentrations of implanted gallium, the transparency can be substantially restored without reducing the thickness of the substrate. For lower doses of implanted gallium, the transmission is restored to 100%, although the thickness of the substrate is reduced. The invention is suitable for use in the repair of photolithography masks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method to control the transformation of the microstructure of shape memory material. The rate of implant shape change as well as the force exerted on the surrounding tissue can be controlled by the surgeon and the extent of movement is controlled in circumstances where the bone element is free to move.

Abstract: Masks can be repaired by creating a structure that is different from the original design, but that produces the same aerial image. For example, missing opaque material can be replaced by implanting gallium atoms to reduce transmission and quartz can be etched to an appropriate depth to produce the proper phase. In another aspect, a laser or other means can be used to remove an area of a mask around a defect, and then mask structures, either the intended design structures or alternate structures that produce the same aerial image, can be constructed using charged particle beam deposition and etching. For example, an electron beam can be used to deposit quartz to alter the phase of transmitted light. An electron beam can also be used with a gas to etch quartz to remove a layer including implanted gallium atoms. Gallium staining can also be reduced or eliminated by providing a sacrificial layer that can be removed, along with the implanted gallium atoms, using, for example, a broad ion beam.

Abstract: A MIDI controller musical instrument (80) with buttons (34) on two sensorboards (54,56) for controlling musical notes. The buttons (34) are arranged such that the most harmonious note combinations are played by fingering the most proximate button (34) combinations, and such that any given chord or scale can be played with a characteristic fingering pattern regardless of the range or key signature it is played in. The buttons (34) are placed such that the fingers and thumb of a hand can span the entire note range of the instrument (80). The buttons (34) that control the notes for any one key signature of the major scale are located within their own delimited area which does not contain buttons (34) controlling notes which are not part of that key signature. Notes are assigned to the buttons in such a way that the notes can be tuned to a wide variety of intonations without any consequent necessity to change the fingering patterns of the major scale or its modes.

Abstract: A MIDI controller musical instrument (80) with buttons (34) on two sensorboards (54,56) for controlling musical notes. The buttons (34) are arranged such that the most harmonious note combinations are played by fingering the most proximate button (34) combinations, and so that any given chord or scale may be played with a characteristic fingering pattern regardless of the range or key signature it is played in. The buttons (34) are placed such that the fingers and thumb of ether hand can simultaneously span the entire note range of the instrument (80). The buttons (34) that control the notes of a given major scale may be fingered within the boarders of a common area that does not contain buttons (34) for the notes that are not part of that scale. The buttons (34) are organized so that the notes can be tuned to a wide variety of intonations without altering the fingering of the major scale or its modes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to instrumentation and uses thereof for collection of cuttings from cutting tools. Cuttings may be from precious metals, toxic or hazardous substances, or from living tissue such as bone. In a particular embodiment of collecting bone cuttings, the present invention includes instrumentation used with a drill bit so that bone cuttings (195) are aseptically collected in a collection chamber (110) for subsequent transplantation purposes. When in use, marrow and bone cuttings (195) are drawn into the flutes (170) of a drill bit (150), carried up the bore of the instrument tip (100) and collect in the collection chamber (110). The flutes of the drill bit (150) can be cleared of residual tissue through the use of a rotating flute wiper (160) that rotates with the drill bit (150) when drilling or when the drill bit (150) is withdrawn from the instrument.

Abstract: Fasteners having coordinated self-seeking conforming members for implanting into a cavity such as a hole, tube, or hard tissue defect are provided. An actuator mechanism translates applied force to conform members of a plurality of members to the cavity. The fasteners may be used for implanting a prosthetic device into hard tissue of humans or animals, for anchoring a device while the device is being worked on, or for centering a device in a hole or tube, such as in well technology. The mechanism operates expanding members so that they independently or dependently conform and apply a controlled and known pressure to surrounding materials.

Abstract: A method for filtering suspended materials from a cooking substance, e.g. oil or shortening, in a central filtration system 100. The method including the steps of (i) receiving the cooking substance in a first tank 106 from a deep fryer and filtering in a first filtration stage through a separator 112 and returning to the first tank 106; (ii) transitioning to a second stage by filling a second tank 118; (iii) filtering in a second filtration stage through filters 120 and 112; and (iv) holding the cooking substance in a heated tank 126 before returning to the deep fryer. Each stage commences when a certain condition is met, e.g. a predetermine level or weight of cooking substance in a tank or a predetermined clarity of the cooking substance.

Abstract: A system is provided for the configuration of operations in a network comprising at least a server computer and a respective plurality of client computers connected to each server computer. The system involves the combination of means for interactively prompting a user to make a sequence of data entries, each of said entries being apparently unrelated to computer operations and covering a demographic aspect of the business environment using the network, and means for allocating network computing components and operations among the computers in the network in response to and based upon said user entries. All of the programming resources which are allocated may be found in the server and the algorithms for allocating and distributing are also on the server. The allocation of programs by the server computer is based upon user profiles for each user developed as a result of the data entries made in response to the above-described prompt panels.

Abstract: A network of a server and a plurality of client computers for small businesses which is easy to install, configure and operate and still provides all of the users in the business with the same transparent access to all of their allocated software resources through a same graphical user interface irrespective of which one of the client computers in the network they may sign onto. The operating systems and the application programs to be used on the client computers are loaded on the server. The users have been prompted for the one time input of data required by the server computer to allocate an operating system and application programs for use by each of a plurality of users on each of the plurality of client computers.

Abstract: A system is provided for setting up what is in effect a “plug and play” local area network for small businesses comprising a server computer and a plurality of client computers. The server computer is preloaded with a network operating system, an operating system for each of the client computers and substantially all application programs to be used by the client computers. There is a programmed interactive display interface in the server computer for interactively prompting a user to make a sequence of data entries relative to the computing needs of the client computers and the users of the client computers. The server computer is then physically interconnected with the client computers. Then means in the server computer allocate the client operating systems and the application programs as needed by the user of the client computers based upon the set up resulting from the prompted data entries.

Abstract: A helmet backpack is provided to carry a helmet. A helmet enclosure combined with strapping form the helmet backpack. A helmet is inserted through an opening of the enclosure and secured with a zipper assembly, buttons and buttonholes, hook-and-loop fasteners, such as VELCRO strips, a drawstring assembly and/or other closure. The strapping is used by a wearer to position and hold the enclosure on his or her back. The strapping may be adjustable in length for greater user comfort. Detachable straps are also allowed for, whereby the helmet backpack strap or straps may be removed or strapped in typical backpack style or worn across the wearer's chest in a bandoleer style. Certain models include pouches which may be located either internal or external to the helmet or to the enclosure. Padding is utilized to increase protection to the helmet and to reduce discomfort to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to instrumentation and uses thereof for collection of cuttings from cutting tools. Cuttings may be from precious metals, toxic or hazardous substances, or from living tissue such as bone. In a particular embodiment of collecting bone cuttings, the present invention includes instrumentation used with a drill bit so that bone cuttings (195) are aseptically collected in a collection chamber (110) for subsequent transplantation purposes. When in use, marrow and bone cuttings (195) are drawn into the flutes (170) of a drill bit (150), carried up the bore of the instrument tip (100) and collect in the collection chamber (110). The flutes of the drill bit (150) can be cleared of residual tissue through the use of a rotating flute wiper (160) that rotates with the drill bit (150) when drilling or when the drill bit (150) is withdrawn from the instrument.

Abstract: An implant port for repeated access to the medullary portion of bone is provided. The implant port includes an access port fittable into a surgically constructed bone orifice and an insert means that seals and fills the port volume. A penetrable insert means allows repeated access within bone using sharp surgical instruments; while an adapter means allows guided placement of a surgical instrument, such as a catheter, optical device, or rotating cutter. Skeletal surgery from the inside of bone is contemplated using the implant port provided.

Abstract: A method and implant for surgical manipulation of bone consist of methods and devices to sample bone (21 and 23) and marrow, (22) and perform skeletal surgery from the inside of the bone. The method uses a hollow cylinder (13 or 15) inserted permanently or temporarily into a drill hole in a bone which acts as a port. To this port, adapters (27) can be used to guide fiber optics (31); surgical devices, such as rotating cutters (32); and aspiration or infusion catheters (33). The ability of the insert (13 or 15) to seal in bone allows the collection of tissue under sterile conditions for transplantation to other sites in the patient. The aspiration and collection capability of this method and device allows the aspirate to be processed aseptically, to be concentrated to its vital components, and combined with donor or synthetic bone material for the treatment of bone at a distant skeletal site.

Abstract: Fasteners having coordinated self-seeking conforming members or implanting into a cavity such as a hole, tube, or hard tissue defect are provided. An actuator mechanism translates applied force to conform members of a plurality of members to the cavity. The fasteners may be used for implanting a prosthetic device into hard tissue of humans or animals, for anchoring a device while the device is being worked on, for centering a device in a hole or tube, such as in well technology. The mechanism operates expanding members so that they independently or dependently conform and apply controlled and known pressure to surrounding materials.

Abstract: A polling device (10) includes a housing (12), pushbuttons (14, 16) mounted on the housing for receiving customer responses to an inquiry, circuitry for counting and storing the number of times each pushbutton (14, 16) is depressed, and a time delay circuit for disabling the counting circuitry for a predetermined period of time after one of the pushbuttons has been depressed for discouraging repetitive voting. A display unit (46) for reading and displaying the number of times each pushbutton (14, 16) has been depressed is also provided.