Abstract: Disclosed is the automated rapid advancement of a guide wire through a guide catheter using x-ray markers. The procedure involves providing a guide wire with a marker at or adjacent its tip, providing a guide catheter with a marker at or adjacent its distal terminus, rapidly advancing the guide wire through the guide catheter from its proximal end to its distal end under the control of an automated apparatus, and terminating the automated rapid advancement when the guide wire tip marker becomes adjacent to the guide catheter distal end marker. Fluoroscopic images may be taken of the of the guide wire as it rapidly advances through the guide catheter and image processing software used to determine when to terminate the rapid advancement. This software may use either the position or the velocity of the guide wire to make this determination.

Abstract: In order to develop a surgical needle comprising an elongate needle body and a needle point formed on a distal end of the needle body, wherein the needle body is manufactured in particular from an elongate cylindrical blank, in a way that improves the handling ability of the surgical needle, it is proposed that the needle body has at least one textured-profile lateral face, which comprises at least one textured-profile lateral-face region provided with a textured profile, wherein the textured profile comprises a plurality of indentations and wherein the at least one textured-profile lateral-face region extends as far as the needle point. An improved method of manufacturing a surgical needle is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for machining a part by micro-electrical discharge machining, said machine comprising a mechanism (44, 45, 46, 48) for modifying the configuration of the machine so as to alternatively and reversibly switch from a machining configuration to a sharpening configuration in which the tip of a same etching electrode (20) and another electrode (64) are dipped in an electrolyte bath in order to sharpen the tip of the etching electrode by electrochemnical corrosion.

Abstract: A process for preparing the cutting edge of a cutting tool having a rake face and a clearance face. The process comprises the elimination of material from the cutting edge by providing a series of rapidly recurring electrical spark discharges in a gap located between the tool edge and a counterface. The spark discharges vaporize and melt the tool edge to form a desired radius.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an array of micro electrodes enabled to have customizable lengths. A substantially criss-cross pattern of channels on a top surface of the work-piece substrate (10) is formed using electrical discharge machining to form a plurality of shaped columns (20) having tapered profiles. The shaped columns have a tapering profile which extends at least 50% of the length of the columns. The plurality of shaped columns is etched to sharpen the tapered tips into needle tips forming the array of microelectrodes.

Abstract: A producing method for grater includes: coating etching resistant layers (2, 3) with etching openings (5, 6) on the front surface and the rear surface of a metal plate (1), the opening (6) on the rear surface being larger than the opening (5) on the front surface, etching liquid attacking the metal plate (1) via the etching opening (6) on the rear surface and corroding towards the etching opening (5) on the front surface without pressure, thereby etching the exposed area in the etching opening (5, 6), then, forming a sharp edge (7) near the front surface and a curved surface along the discharging direction. The edge of the grater produced by the method is sharp, and cutting is smooth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for machining a part by micro-electrical discharge machining, said machine comprising a mechanism (44, 45, 46, 48) for modifying the configuration of the machine so as to alternatively and reversibly switch from a machining configuration to a sharpening configuration in which the tip of a same etching electrode (20) and another electrode (64) are dipped in an electrolyte bath in order to sharpen the tip of the etching electrode by electrochemnical corrosion.

Abstract: A medical device, particularly a suture needle, comprising a tungsten alloy and having a blue, yellow or black surface coloration.

Abstract: Microneedle arrays and drug delivery devices are provided for transdermally delivering a drug formulation to a patient. The microneedle array device includes a substantially planar substrate having an array of apertures; and a plurality of microneedles projecting at angle from the planar substrate, the microneedles having a base portion integrally connected to the substrate, a tip end portion distal to the base portion, and body portion therebetween, wherein each microneedle has at least one channel extending substantially from the base portion through at least a part of the body portion, the channel being open along at least part of the body portion and in fluid communication with at least one of the apertures in the substrate. In a preferred embodiment, each microneedle has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and the channel is open to two opposing surfaces of the microneedle.

Abstract: Manufacturing equipment and manufacturing process steps that improve upon prior art processes for the manufacturing of filament tube and arc tube light sources, their components and subassemblies, and lamps employing said light sources. A double ended, tipless filament tube or arc tube light source incorporates a drawn-down tubular body, and one piece foliated leads with spurs for process handling and for spudding into a filament with stretched-out legs. Bugled ends on the body provide a novel cutoff means, facilitate a flush-fill finishing process, and enhance mounting and support of the light sources in lamps. The foliated leads are made from a continuous length of wire in a process including foil hammering and two-bath AC electrochemical etching. Cost-reduced light source and lamp production enables affordable household consumer lamps, even when containing two series-connected halogen filament tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping small three-dimensional articles such as nanotube exhibiting a layered structure through material removal such that the article is controllably shaped to exhibit a desired contour. Typically, material removal does not require use of a chemical etchant and is carried out while the article and a shaping electrode are positioned in contact material removal relationship with under a potential difference. The invention also relates to nanotubes and small three-dimensional articles exhibiting a layered structure having a controllably shaped contour.

Abstract: A device and method for etching a wire to manufacture it into a tip for a scanning probe microscope or the like. The wire etching device generates a voltage signal for determining the level of a wire etching voltage, and applies the etching voltage of the level determined depending on the generated voltage signal to the wire to primarily etch it. The wire etching device measures the amount of etching current generated during the primary etching process and controls the level of the voltage signal according to the measured etching current amount so as to control the level of the etching voltage. Then, the device secondarily etches the wire with the level-controlled voltage signal. Therefore, the wire etching device can manufacture the tip while controlling its curvature radius and aspect ratio and reducing the amount of oxide on its surface.

Abstract: A hard material layer deposited on a hard metal work piece is removed by electrolytic passivation in which a maximum current density equal to at least 0.01 A/cm2 is generated on the work piece at the beginning of the layer removal process. The hard material layer rapidly flakes off without causing substantial damage to the hard metal material located underneath.

Abstract: A razor blade sharpener utilising the principles of an electrochemical cell. The blade (10) forms an anode (−) and a cathodic plate (16) is provided in close proximity to the razor edge (12) to be sharpened. The present invention electrochemically sharpens the edge (12) of the blade tip (14) to provide a fresh, or “as new” razor blade. The blade sharpener has additional uses for sharpening, for example, kitchen knifes and surgical blades.

Abstract: In a process for the electrolytic polishing of surgical needles, a plurality of unfinished needles, which are arranged side by side and are secured to at least one web (6, 7) in their end-regions lying opposite the needle tips, are moved with the help of the web (6, 7) through an acid-containing polishing bath (22) which is electrically connected to an electrode. The web (6, 7) is guided above the polishing bath (22). The unfinished needles dip at least with the needle tips into the polishing bath (22). Above the polishing bath (22) and alongside the web (6, 7), a metal ribbon (40) connected as a counter-electrode provides an electrical connection with the unfinished needles.

Abstract: A device and method for etching a wire to manufacture it into a tip for a scanning probe microscope or the like. The wire etching device generates a voltage signal for determining the level of a wire etching voltage, and applies the etching voltage of the level determined depending on the generated voltage signal to the wire to primarily etch it. The wire etching device measures the amount of etching current generated during the primary etching process and controls the level of the voltage signal according to the measured etching current amount so as to control the level of the etching voltage. Then, the device secondarily etches the wire with the level-controlled voltage signal. Therefore, the wire etching device can manufacture the tip while controlling its curvature radius and aspect ratio and reducing the amount of oxide on its surface.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a nanofilament field emission device in which a via in a dielectric layer is self-aligned to gate metal via structure located on top of the dielectric layer. By the use of a hard mask layer located on top of the gate metal layer, inert to the etch chemistry for the gate metal layer, and in which a via is formed by the pattern from etched nuclear tracks in a trackable material, a via is formed by the hard mask will eliminate any erosion of the gate metal layer during the dielectric via etch. Also, the hard mask layer will protect the gate metal layer while the gate structure is etched back from the edge of the dielectric via, if such is desired. This method provides more tolerance for the electroplating of a nanofilament in the dielectric via and sharpening of the nanofilament.

Abstract: A method for making a probe device makes use of the main shaft of an electrodischarge machining machine to mount thereon a probe for effecting the drilling operation of a PCB board. Upon completion of the drilling operation, the probe is severed and then fastened with the PCB board.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for edge rounding of cutting tool inserts, in combination with a high surface finish over the whole insert, of cemented carbide or titanium-based carbonitride alloys. An electrolytic method is used with an electrolyte which provides an even removal of both binder phase and hard constituent phases. The electrolyte comprises perchloric (HClO.sub.4) or sulphuric (H.sub.2 SO.sub.4) acid, in amounts >15 and <50 volume %, in methanol or other suitable organic liquid. The method is easier to control than conventional mechanical methods and is particularly useful for providing very small edge radii of about 10 .mu.m in combination with a high surface finish over the whole insert which cannot be made by mechanical or other electrolytic methods.

Abstract: A method for sharpening field emitter tips by electroetching/polishing. In gated field emitters, it is very important to initiate electron emission at the lowest possible voltage and thus the composition of the emitter and the gate, as well as the emitter-gate structure, are important factors. This method of sharpening the emitter tips uses the grid as a counter electrode in electroetching of the emitters, which can produce extremely sharp emitter tips as well as remove asperities and other imperfections in the emitters, each in relation to the specific grid hole in which it resides. This has the effect of making emission more uniform among the emitters as well as lowering the turn-on voltage.

Abstract: A new field of technology, near-field photolithography, is proposed. In near-field photolithography, an opaque pattern having a nanoscale resolution is made using a modified scanning tunneling microscope to deposit the opaque material on an electrically conductive material. A transparent sheet of indium tin oxide is patterned with a plurality of opaque copper deposits having a nanoscale resolution. The patterned indium tin oxide is then used as a photolithographic mask in the optical near-field. Near-field resolution is not diffraction limited, and near-field photolithography is able to pattern objects with sub-wavelength resolution. As a result, smaller semiconductor microchips can be manufactured and a new nanotechnology, e.g., nanomachines, can be developed. The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is used as an "electrochemical paintbrush" to transfer the copper from a massive copper supply to the STM electrode tip and then to the ITO surface without degrading the STM tip.

Abstract: A method to improve the robustness of an elongated electrode used in an arc fusion apparatus for splicing optical fibers by reshaping the tip of the elongated electrode by electrolytic etching. The method involves reshaping the substantially sharp tip of the elongated electrode by immersing it as the anode in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is one capable of dissolving an oxidation product of the elongated electrode. Then a second electrode is provided at a predetermined distance from the elongated electrode in the electrolyte solution. Afterward, an electrical current is passed, or caused to flow, between the elongated electrode and the second electrode for a predetermined period of time through the electrolyte solution to reshape the substantially sharp tip of said elongated electrode into a predetermined profile having a substantially round tip.

Abstract: According to this process a structure is produced comprising an insulating substrate (10) carrying at least one cathode conductor (12), an insulating layer (14), a gate layer (16), holes being formed through these layers, level with the cathode conductor. In the holes are formed microtips made from a metallic material by forming a protective insulating layer (50) on the gate layer, forming a chemical deposit (60) of the metallic material at the bottom of the holes until said material overflows therefrom, by eliminating the protective layer and by electrolytically etching the metallic material. Application to the manufacture of flat screens.

Abstract: A carbide substrate including a binder prepared to receive a cutting material such as a diamond coating thereon. The substrate is immersed in an electrolyte solution with the substrate acting as the anode thereby providing for an electro-polished substrate surface. The electro-polished substrate surface is then etched to substantially remove the binder phase of the carbide substrate, the etching being to a depth of up to about 15 microns. The resulting surface is susceptible for receiving a coating of the diamond cutting material.

Abstract: A tip and substrate preparation system for use with scanning probe microscopes (SPMs) includes a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip maker, STM tip coater, a substrate treatment method for producing clean, flat gold substrates for STM use and methods for preparing chemically activated substrates for use with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The tip maker includes a coater and an etcher which are preferably controlled by electronic controllers. The etcher provides fully automatic tip etching in a two-stage process in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, permitting platinum alloys to be etched without the use of cyanide-containing chemicals. The coater is used to insulate the tips with soft polymer coatings so as to ensure very low tip leakage current (on the order of about 1 pA typical). The substrate treatment device comprises a quartz plate and a quartz torch for annealing substrates in a hydrogen flame.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for edge rounding of cutting tool inserts of cemented carbide or titanium based carbonitride alloys. An electrolytic method is used with an electrolyte which provides an even removal of both binder phase and hard constituent phases. The electrolyte comprises perchloric (HC10.sub.4) sulphuric (H.sub.2 SO.sub.4) acid, 2-15 vol %, and mixtures thereof in methanol or other suitable organic liquid. The method is easier to control than conventional mechanical methods and is particularly useful for providing very small edge radii of about 10 .mu.m which cannot be made by mechanical methods.