Abstract: An apparatus for forming a corneal flap includes a housing from which extend a shaft and a reciprocating member. An aplanating member is mounted at a distal end of the shaft to aplanate a region of the cornea. A cutting blade is mounted to the reciprocating member at a position selected to slice the aplanated region off the cornea.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: A splittable occlusion balloon sheath includes a splittable sheath onto which an occlusion balloon has been secured near the distal end of the splittable sheath. A splittable hemostasis valve or a partitioned hemostasis valve system may also be secured within or to the splittable occlusion balloon sheath. This splittable occlusion balloon sheath is utilized to introduce a medical device, such as electrode leads, into the coronary sinus of the human heart. A dilator may also be used with the splittable occlusion balloon sheath for introduction of the medical devices. The splittable occlusion balloon sheath and/or the dilator may be precurved with a particular shape to assist in the introduction of the splittable occlusion balloon sheath and/or dilator into the coronary sinus. Also disclosed is a process of use of the splittable occlusion balloon system within the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A target tissue localization device (28) has outer and inner members (30, 32) which are longitudinally movable relative to one another. An anchor (42) is secured to the outer and inner members and is movable from a radially-contracted configuration to a radially-expanded configuration. The anchor may be a tubular mesh anchor. The anchor may have a sufficiently large cross-sectional area when in the radially-expanded configuration to substantially eliminate inadvertent dislodgment of the anchor once radially-expanded. In use, the location of the target tissue (56) is determined and the distal end of the localization device is passed through the patient's skin (58) and to the target tissue to create a tissue track (60) between the patient's skin and the target tissue. The target tissue includes near and far sides (62, 64). The anchor element, located at the target tissue is expanded to an expanded configuration. The method the anchor element may be located on the far side of the target tissue.

Abstract: A cancer thermotherapy apparatus of the present invention has an ortho-hexahedral cavity resonator and a loop antenna on a upper inner wall surface of the cavity resonator. The loop antenna is attached so that its loop face can be parallel to two side inner wall surfaces which are opposed each other, and orthogonal and adjacent to the upper inner wall surface. A high frequency electric power introduced into the cavity resonator is resonated in the parallel direction to the side wall surfaces on an excited mode with a constant electric field intensity along the side wall surfaces. A human body is set in the direction parallel to the side inner wall surfaces in the cavity resonator, and the resonated high frequency electric power is applied to the human body.

Abstract: Flexible treatment catheters are configured to be inserted into a body lumen or cavity to deliver heated fluid through at least one fluid lumen therein to thermally treat or ablate a targeted site in a biological subject. The flexible treatment catheters can include improved thermally insulated regions comprising a mixture formed of liquid elastomeric (such as a polyurethane) mixture (which transitions to a solid state) and miniaturized hollow plastic bodies positioned between the outer wall of the treatment catheter and the fluid lumen. The thermally insulated region is configured such that, measured ex vivo, the treatment catheter can present a maximum temperature of below about 45° C. on the external surface of the outer wall of the treatment catheter when the treatment catheter circulates fluid having an inlet temperature of above or between about 60°-62° C.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy and elastically self-expanding endoluminal stents which are at least partially encapsulated in a substantially monolithic expanded polytetrafluorethylene (“ePTFE”) covering. An endoluminal stent, which has a reduced diametric dimension for endoluminal delivery and a larger in vivo final diametric diameter is encapsulated in an ePTFE covering which circumferentially covers both the luminal and abluminal walls along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the endoluminal stent. The endoluminal stent is fabricated from a shape memory alloy which exhibits either shape memory or pseudoelastic properties or from an elastic material having an inherent spring tension.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis, for example a stent, is provided having one or more elements that form the body structure of the prosthesis. The elements have a width that is variable from a nominal or conventional width to an increased width. Depots are formed in the elements and are generally located at the increased width portions of the elements. The diameter of the depots is based on a percentage of the width of the element. As such, the depots have increased drug-loading capabilities. Substances such as therapeutic substances, polymeric materials, polymeric materials containing therapeutic substances, radioactive isotopes, and radiopaque materials can be deposited into the depots. Further, the variable width of the elements ensures that sufficient material surrounds each depot so as not to compromise the structural integrity of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An expandable stent having a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another, and a tubular wall disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The tubular wall has a longitudinal axis and a porous surface defined by a plurality of intersecting members comprising a series of longitudinal struts disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent. Each longitudinal strut in the series comprises flexure members for substantially complementary extension and compression of a diametrically opposed pair of the longitudinal struts upon flexure of the stent. The flexure members may comprise first and second curved sections which are of a different size. At least one of the curved sections may comprise an arc of greater than about 180°.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer device having a pair of opposing plates for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by at least one force restoring element. The preferred force restoring mechanism is a wave washer. In a first embodiment the wave washer is ring-shaped. In a second embodiment the wave washer is spiral-shaped.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement body device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a connecting member having an upper member and a lower member engaged thereto at opposite ends thereof. The vertebral replacement body device can have a chamber extending therethrough for fusion of the supported vertebrae.

Abstract: This invention relates to intervertebral spacers for use in orthopedic treatment of spinal defects. The intervertebral space is formed of a shaped memory polymer material. The spacer can be fabricated into a desired configuration and then deformed into an alternative or deformed configuration. Cooling the deformed spacer effectively freezes the spacer into its deformed conformation. The deformed configuration can be selected to facilitate implantation of the spacer into a prepared disc space between adjacent vertebrae. During operation, the surgeon can heat the spacer to allow it to revert to its original configuration. The spacer in its original conformation is sized to restore and/or maintain the adjacent vertebrae in a desired conformation and disc space height.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a cementless prosthetic bearing element which has been molded and which is possible to place in an acetabular socket without cement, the outer surface of the backing being provided with elements to assist stabilization and the ingrowth of bone. Thus, the bearing element is cheaper and easier to produce and provides superior location and installation in the bone. According to the present invention a cementless prosthetic bearing element comprises a backing which supports a bearing liner having a bearing surface, the backing being molded from a rigid polymeric material and said bearing liner being made from elastomeric polyurethane material to which the backing is molded with an outer surface which includes a number of raised engagement features provided in directions extending away from and/or towards the outer periphery of the outer surface.

Abstract: A method for preparing a soft tissue xenograft includes the steps of removing at least a portion of a soft tissue from a non-human animal to provide a xenograft; washing the xenograft in saline and alcohol; subjecting the xenograft to cellular disruption treatment; and either digesting the xenograft with a glycosidase or glycosidase digestion followed by treatment for sialylation. A soft tissue xenograft for implantation into a human includes a portion of a soft tissue from a non-human animal, wherein the portion has extracellular matrix and substantially only dead cells. The matrix and dead cells have substantially no surface &agr;-galactosyl moieties and have sialic acid molecules linked to at least a portion of surface carbohydrate moieties. Each of the xenografts of the invention has substantially the same mechanical properties as a corresponding native soft tissue.

Abstract: Hair coloring compositions which comprise: (A) non-nitrogenous chelating agents from the group consisting of polyphosphate; phosphonates; hydroxycarboxylates; polyacrylates; zeolite; and mixtures thereof; (B) an oxidative dye primary intermediate; and (C) an oxidative dye coupler; (D) and water  are described. The present invention also relates to a method for coloring hair which comprises contacting said hair with a hair coloring composition as described above.

Abstract: A method for permanently dyeing hair which comprises subjecting said hair to a number of treatments, having a set time interval between each two consecutive such treatments, wherein each treatment comprises steps a.) and b.) below: a.) contacting said hair, for a period of about 5 seconds to about 5 minutes with a recently made mixture of: part ai: oxidative dye intermediates in a shampoo base at alkaline pH and wherein part ai optionally has about 0.01 to about 5.0% of a conditioning agent; and part ai optionally has about 0.01 to about 10.0% of a structurant; part aii: an oxidative compound in a shampoo base at acidic pH and wherein part ai optionally has about 0.01 to about 5.0% of a conditioning agent; and part ai optionally has about 0.01 to about 10.0% of a structurant; with the proviso that at least one of part ai and part aii has about 0.01 to about 5.0% of a conditioning agent; and part aii optionally has about 0.01 to about 10.0% of a structurant; b.

Abstract: An electrochemical capacitor includes a polymer thin film, a liquid electrolyte absorbed in the polymer thin film, and thin flexible active electrode layers constituting anode and cathode composed of energy dense material of high intrinsic surface area positioned at either side of the electrolyte-retaining polymer thin film to tightly sandwich it between the electrode layers. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes a polymer electrolyte in which a polymer thin film is cast from the base polymer and impregnated with the electrolyte solution, which contains a salt for ionic conduction. In another embodiment, the base polymer material includes an ionically conducting polymer, a perfluorocarbon polymer backbone to which sulfonic acid sites are permanently anchored. The energy dense material of the electrode layers may be physically mixed with battery active material to enhance the capacity and discharge time of the capacitor.

Abstract: Substantially soot free candles that incorporate paraffin and fatty material (hydrogenated triglycerides (TG) and/or free fatty acids (FFA)) that has a low Iodine Value (IV). The use of low IV fatty material and proper component percentages results in low soot or soot free candles. Paraffin/TG, paraffin/TG/FFA and paraffin/FFA candles are disclosed as are appropriate component percentages and/or IV values to achieve desired low or non sooting characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a diesel fuel blend having a pre-determined flash-point and a pre-determined increase in cetane number over the stock diesel fuel. Upon establishing the desired flash-point and increase in cetane number, an amount of a first oxygenate with a flash-point less than the flash-point of the stock diesel fuel and a cetane number equal to or greater than the cetane number of the stock diesel fuel is added to the stock diesel fuel in an amount sufficient to achieve the pre-determined increase in cetane number. Thereafter, an amount of a second oxygenate with a flash-point equal to or greater than the flash-point of the stock diesel fuel and a cetane number greater than the cetane number of the stock diesel fuel is added to the stock diesel fuel in an amount sufficient to achieve the pre-determined increase in cetane number.

Abstract: A new fuel composition useful for catalytic fuel cells is made up of at least two components. The primary fuel component is a surface active compound, such as methanol, that is a source of and acts to prevent unwanted decomposition of the auxiliary fuel. The auxiliary fuel is a hydrogen-containing inorganic compound with a high reduction potential, such as NaBH4, which acts as a highly reactive source of energy and serves to catalyze the catalytic oxidation of the primary fuel.

Abstract: A polishing slurry prepared by dispersing in a dispersion medium, abrasive grains comprised of a material having a solubility in the dispersion medium at 25° C., of 0.001 g/100 g or higher is used to effectively remove any abrasive grains standing adherent to the surfaces of objects to be polished or the interiors of polishing apparatus after polishing.

Abstract: An arrangement for separating a hydrophobic liquid phase from a gaseous stream includes a coalescer filter, a housing, a gas flow direction arrangement, and a liquid collection arrangement. The coalescer filter includes a non-woven media of fibers. The housing includes an interior having a gas flow inlet and a gas flow outlet. The liquid collection arrangement is positioned within the housing construction and is oriented for receiving liquid collected from the coalescer filter and drained therefrom. Methods for conducting the separations are also provided.

Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum cleaner includes a debris collection drum having a top opening and a power head covering the top opening of the collection drum, which has an inlet and an outlet. A rotating filter filters dust laden air and is suspended from the power head extending into the collection drum. The power head has an impeller to draw dust laden air, through the inlet, into the collection drum, through the filter, to remove particulate from the dust laden air and to discharge the filtered air through the outlet. The impeller is driver by an electric motor. A stationary blade within the collection drum scrapes an outer surface of the rotating filter, while rotating, to remove accumulated globs of debris from the outer surface of the filter and drop the debris into the collection drum.

Abstract: A robotic welding station cleaning assembly (10) for removing particulates from an air-filled chamber surrounding a welding robot (12). A frame (14) is positioned about the robot (12) and includes a top (20) defining an opening (26) therein. A shield (28) is supported by the frame (14) to define the robot chamber. A spark arrestor (48) is supported on the frame (14) for controlling sparks created by welding. A blower housing (30) having an inlet (27) is disposed immediately above and in direct fluid communication with the opening (26) to move air from the chamber to the blower housing (30). The frame (14) includes a separate support stand (32) for supporting the blower housing (30) on the top (20) of the chamber.

Abstract: A method of using a substrate transport pod is provided, which is suitable for manufacturing semiconductor devices with copper wiring and low dielectric insulating film having dielectric constants of less than 3. The method is based on loading the substrates into a pod from an atmosphere of a first process, and circulating a gaseous atmosphere through interior of the pod in such a way to selectively remove at least one contaminant including moisture, particulate substances or chemical substances, and to expose the substrates to a controlled atmosphere intermittently or continually while the substrates are held in the pod before they are unloaded from the pod and introduced into a second process. For a pod that is used to house the substrates for the purpose of retaining or transporting, the pod has a pod main body and a door that provides a hermetic sealing seal, and the pod is made primarily of a materiel that has moisture absorption factor of less than 0.

Abstract: A filter and a method of manufacturing the filter which is formed by spinning a fiber in a semi-molten state onto a mold such that the mold is provided as a filter structural member. The method obviates the need to remove the filter from the mold and thus simplifies the manufacture of the filter.

Abstract: Self-supporting pleated fluid filter medium and method of making the same wherein the filter medium and accompanying flow-through border frame are of coated thermobondable materials, which are heat bonded together.

Abstract: An improved process for enhancing the plant nutrient value of relatively low analysis organic waste material (e.g., sewage sludge) involves treating the waste material with an acid and base in a pipe-cross reactor. The process more particularly involves mixing the waste material with water to form a slurry (or initially taking the waste material as a slurry); pumping the slurry to a pipe-cross reactor for reaction with a base, acid, and water to form a melt; spraying the melt onto a recycling bed of fines in a granulator, and flashing off the water contained in the melt as steam; rolling the melt onto recycled fine particles in a granulator to form granulated particles; and drying these granulated particles to form an enhanced plant nutrient value composition (e.g., a fertilizer or soil conditioner having a greater “NPK” value than the original relatively low analysis organic waste material).

Abstract: A method of disposing materials such as pet waste. First, an assembly is provided that has a container; a fitting for accepting and retaining a garden hose; a pressure nozzle for receiving water from the fitting and expressing the water under pressure; and a nozzle-retaining apparatus oriented so that the water expressed is directed into the container at an angle adapted to produce a churning motion within the container. Biodegradable material is placed into the container and the insertive coupler of a standard garden hose is attached into the fitting. Finally the faucet is turned on to cause water to flow through the hose and out the nozzle, thereby watering and stirring and fragmenting the biodegradable material while the operator remains at a distance far enough away from the container to avoid the unpleasant odor that is emitted from the container by virtue of the watering and stirring and fragmenting.

Abstract: Ag particles produced by chemical reduction and having a mean particle size of 5 &mgr;m are added by 0.05-3 wt % and Zn are added by 2-10 wt % to a Pb-less brush body containing graphite, Cu and a metal sulfide solid lubricant of a metal-graphite brush.

Abstract: A Mo source powder is added to and mixed with an iron-based powder containing 1.0% by mass or less of prealloyed Mn to yield a powder mixture containing 0.2 to 10.0% by mass of Mo, the resulting powder mixture is subjected to heat treatment in a reducing atmosphere to thereby yield an alloyed steel powder containing Mo as a powder partially diffused and bonded to a surface of the iron-based powder particles. The prepared alloyed steel powder for powder metallurgy has satisfactory compactability. The use of this alloyed steel powder can produce a sintered powder metal body (an intermediate material after compaction and preliminary sintering in re-compaction of sintered powder materials process) for highly strong sintered member.

Abstract: An apparatus for decreasing water vapor in a compressed gas, such as compressed air, using cooling. A pipe, tapered or not, is attached to the air inlet port of the main gas compressor tank, or in a secondary tank or other downstream device, such that the compressed gas is forced through the pipe and onto a heat conductive plate, where water vapor condenses and is drained away.

Abstract: A filtration system for filtering particulates from air. A plurality of point ionization sources are positioned in the proximity of the periphery of an air flow channel and being oriented to generate ions in the proximity of the air flow channel in a direction generally upstream from each respective one of the plurality of point ionization sources. A particulate collection surface is positioned within the air flow channel in a downstream direction from the plurality of point ionization sources. The particulate collection surface is electrostatically charged in an opposite direction with respect to ground than the electrical charge of the ions. An ion trap is positioned within the air flow channel between the plurality of ionization sources and the particulate collection surface. The ion trap is relatively electrically neutral as compared with the particulate collection surface and the ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrocarbon trap positioned in the air intake system of a vehicle, upstream from the engine and wholly in the airflow. The hydrocarbon trap comprises a holder and a material for adsorbing the hydrocarbons, inserted inside the holder. The holder comprises a screen that is added at the end facing the engine. The screen is held in place with the help of a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism comprises a locking ramp on the holder and corresponding locking tab on a clamping ring surrounding the holder.

Abstract: A three-phase separator for separating off from a fluid gas and particles contained therein, includes at least one pair of two gas collection caps extending in a horizontal longitudinal direction (L) and each having a plate section. The plate sections converge in the downward direction. At the bottom ends the plate sections leave an inlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for the fluid containing particles and an outlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for settled particles. A discharge opening for fluid, opening into the settling chamber, is provided at a level higher than the inlet and outlet passages. The inlet passage and the outlet passage are located in the extension of one another, viewed in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A waterborne epoxy corrosion resistant primer comprises a waterborne epoxy, a curing agent, and a non-chromate containing corrosion-inhibiting pigment.

Abstract: A water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion ink for stencil printing is provided which is prevented from pigment aggregation and thus excellent in ink fixability, high in printing density and less declining in printing density even after printing many sheets. The emulsion ink has a ratio by volume of the water phase to liquid components of the oil phase (i.e., volume of water phase/volume of the liquid components of oil phase) in a range of 1.0 to 3.5, preferably 1.0 to 3.0 at 23° C. The liquid components of the oil phase may be composed of a resin, a solvent and a surfactant. The oil phase can contain a pigment at a ratio by volume of 0.19 or less to the total volume of the oil phase. The pigment preferably has an average particle size of 0.02 to 1.5 (&mgr;m). The water phase preferably has an average particle size of 0.1 to 1.0 (&mgr;m). The ink is suitable for containing particles of organic pigments with non-uniform shapes and a large average particle size like copper phthalocyanine blue and diaxazine violet.

Abstract: An ink for ink-recording is provided, which makes it possible to reduce color bleed while suppressing even when recording is performed on regular paper. The ink for ink-jet recording contains water, a coloring agent, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R represents a alkyl group having a number of carbons of 8 to 18, and x+y is not more than 10. A surface tension of the ink is controlled to 31 to 35 mN/m, which can reduce color bleed and feathering.

Abstract: Aqueous ink for ink jet recording comprising a coloring matter and an aqueous medium, in which at least one of dyes represented by the formula (A) or a salt thereof is contained as the coloring matter wherein R1 and R3, independently from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted alkoxy group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group or a halogen atom, R2 and R4, independently from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group or an aralkyl group, A represents an optionally substituted phenyl group or naphthyl group, X represents a divalent bonding group free from a saturated carbon ring, and m and n, independently from each other, represent an integer of 1 to 4.

Abstract: A carbon-containing material with organic groups, which is obtainable by reaction of the carbon-containing material with organic compounds of the general formula 1 A process for preparing the carbon-containing material according to the invention is also described. The carbon-containing materials according to the invention can be used as fillers, reinforcing fillers, UV stabilizers, conductivity carbon blacks or pigments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stone mastic asphalt compounds which are produced using a new technique and process. The process utilizes a specific aggregate gradation and matrix for high stability. Specially formulated fiber mastic asphalt is used to hold the aggregate in place while providing extended durability. This formulation is able to handle heavy loading from commercial vehicles and thus minimize pavement surface distresses. The use of the present invention is expected to reduce the cost of materials by about 15 to 20 percent.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of pigment granules includes mixing at least one pigment selected from the group consisting of iron oxide and chromium oxides with 1-25 wt. % water to form a damp powder. The damp powder is then pressure extruded through at least one die to form granules. The granules are then dried so that the final water content of the granules is less than about 1%, crumble and sieved to form the final product.

Abstract: A black pigment substantially free of objectionable transition metal materials is disclosed. This pigment is particularly useful for coloring glass since the absence of the transition metal gives it excellent recycling properties. The pigment is an alkaline earth (preferably strontium) iron maganese oxide material as specifically defined the in the present invention.

Abstract: A particulate hydrous mineral suitable for use as an opacifying pigment, filler or extender has a shape factor which is greater than S, where S is defined by Equation 1 as follows: S=(d50/0.036)+20  Equation 1; where d50 is the mean particle size of the particles of the mineral measured in microns. The particulate mineral is preferably a kaolin, which is particularly suitable for use in aqueous matt paint compositions.

Abstract: Clinkered materials containing high concentrations of {(C,K,N,M)4 (A,F,Mn,P,T,S)3 Cl,{overscore (S)})}(crystal X), and {C2S)3(C{overscore (S)})3Ca(f,Cl)2} or C9S3{overscore (S)}3Ca(f,cl)2 crystal Y), and/or {C5S2{overscore (S)}) (crystal Z) directly from the kiln, rapidly hardening ultra-high early strength cement including these clinkered materials, methods for forming and using said compositions and the cements so produced are claimed. The methods include the steps of forming a mixture of raw material containing CaO, MgO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, TiO2, Mn2O5, SiO2, SO3, Na2O, K2O, P2O5 and F, respectively designated C, M, A, F, T, Mn, S, {overscore (S)}, N, K, P and f, and heating said mixture to an elevated temperature between 900° C. and 1,200° C.; before determining average amount of crystals X, Y, and Z.

Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for growing single crystals of barium titanate [BaTiO3] and barium titanate solid solutions [(BaxM1−x)(TiyN1−y)O3]. This invention is directed to a method for growing single crystals of barium titanate or barium titanate solid solutions showing the primary and secondary abnormal grain growths with increasing temperature higher than the liquid formation temperature, characterized by comprising the step for a few secondary abnormal grains to continue to grow at a temperature slightly below the critical temperature where the secondary abnormal grain growth starts to occur. The method for growing single crystals of barium titanate or barium titanate solid solutions according to this invention has the advantage of providing an effective low cost in manufacturing process for single crystals by using a conventional heat-treatment process without the need of special equipment.

Abstract: A crystal growth vessel for growing a crystal within a main container has a crystal growth starting portion in which the crystal starts to grow, whereas the crystal growth starting portion is formed from a material having a thermal conductivity higher than that of a material of the main container.

Abstract: A micro three-dimensional structure capable of producing a micro three-dimensional structure (micrometer-to nanometer-order outer shape) having a complicated structure, a production method therefor and production device therefor are provided. In the production method for the micro three-dimensional structure, performed are the step of irradiating a focused ion beam (4) to a sample (1) while supplying a material gas (3) to form a first-layer deposit (5), the step of releasing secondary electrons (6) from the first-layer deposit (5) hit by ions to allow the secondary electrons (6) to form a terrace (7) on the first-layer deposit (5), a step of deflecting the focused ion beam (4) in a desired direction of the terrace (7) based on a set amount from a focal position controlling apparatus, a step of forming a second-layer deposit (8) in a deflected position on the terrace (7) based on the deflection amount, and a step of repeating the above steps to form a set micro three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for supporting a crystal ingot while pulling a single crystal, in particular such a crystal composed of silicon, according to the Czochralski method. To this end, a crystal support is provided which engages with a specialized bead, which is formed on the neck of the single crystal ingot and which has the shape of a bicone, by means of bearings in a housing. A support of the crystal ingot is thus achieved which may be disengaged at any time, and which has no disruptive effects on crystal growth and which acts independently of the length of the grown crystal. The bearings are moved into the support position on the bicone by a central pulling element which can be independently displaced relative to a second pulling element.