Abstract:
Disclosed is a surgical needle, or active cannula, that is capable of following a complex path through cavities and tissue within a patient's anatomy. The needle has a plurality of overlapping flexible tubes, each of which has a pre-formed curvature and a pre-determined flexibility. Each of the plurality of flexible tubes is selected based on their respective pre-formed curvature and flexibility so that a given overlap configuration causes the combination of overlapping flexible tubes to form a predetermined shape that substantially matches a desired path through the anatomy. By individually controlling the translation and angular orientation of each of the flexible tubes, the surgical needle may be guided through the anatomy according to the desired path.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for treating a target stain on a target surface with a stain treatment composition. The apparatus includes a pump with a manually compressible pump housing that defines a chamber. The chamber stores the stain treatment composition The apparatus also includes an applicator with an orifice that is in fluid communication with the chamber. The pump and the applicator are positioned such that the pump housing is manually compressible to deliver treatment composition from the chamber directly to a target stain on the target surface by way of the orifice. Further, the pump is elastically constructed such that the pump housing is manually compressible from an initial configuration to displace the treatment composition in the chamber and resiliently returns to the initial configuration after compression.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for combining a fluid delivery system with an analysis system for performing immunological or other chemical of biological assays. The method comprises a miniature plastic fluidic cartridge containing a reaction chamber with a plurality of immobilized species, a capillary channel, and a pump structure along with an external linear actuator corresponding to the pump structure to provide force for the fluid delivery. The plastic fluidic cartridge can be configured in a variety of ways to affect the performance and complexity of the assay performed.
Abstract:
A process of forming a nitrocellulose film on a carrier includes the steps of (i) atomizing a nitrocellulose solution to form a plurality of fine nitrocellulose particles and (ii) evenly spraying the nitrocellulose particles on the carrier to form the nitrocellulose film. The film has a predetermined thickness. The nitrocellulose solution is atomized by an ultrasonic spraying nozzle to control a size of each of the nitrocellulose particles to be sprayed on the carrier. The nebulizer can be air-assisted by inert air to control characteristics of the nitrocellulose spray pattern.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for near net warm forging relatively small, complex shaped parts, such as automotive rocker arms, is disclosed. Die and punches are provided, which collectively have surfaces corresponding to the surfaces of the as-forged parts. Centralized workpieces, e.g., a transverse cylinders having a length-to-diameter ratio of approximately 1:1, are placed in cavities of the dies, and the punches are cycled through forging strokes to form the as-forged parts. The as-forged parts may have draft angles of 0-2.degree. and surface-to-surface transitions with radii of less than or equal to about 1mm, and may also have substantially parallel side surfaces.
Abstract:
A female die of a closed die set for use in near net warm forging a part includes a cavity having a tapered upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is configured to support a workpiece at a preliminary position in the cavity, and to cause the workpiece to be pre-bent as it is moved through the upper portion of the cavity by a punch. The lower portion has a constant length and width so that the workpiece remains in the pre-bent shape during movement through the lower portion to the bottom end of the cavity. The workpiece is finally formed at the bottom end of the cavity to produce the part.