523results about How to "Minimizing damage" patented technology

A system for forming linear lesions in tissue, the system comprising a control unit having an ultrasound vibration driving section, and an ultrasonic applicator operatively connected to the control unit. The ultrasonic applicator comprises an ultrasonic transducer having an acoustic window, and an ultrasonic vibratory element, the ultrasonic vibratory element having a convergent shape with a focus located in the direction of the acoustic window. An air gap is adjacent to the ultrasonic vibratory element in an opposite direction from the focal point. The system further comprises means for controlling the depth of the lesion formed in the tissue.

A solar-powered lighting system includes a flexible, wrap-around, preferably self-stick panel of photovoltaic laminate applied to the outside surface of a light pole. An LED light fixture is connected preferably at or near the top of the pole and has the same or similar diameter as the pole. The LED light fixture has multiple columns and rows of LEDs and an interior axial space for air flow to cool the LEDs. The pole preferably also has vents and axial passage(s) for creating a natural updraft through at least a portion of the pole and the light fixture, for cooling of the photovoltaic panel interior surface, the LEDs, and / or other equipment inside the fixture or pole, and batteries that may be provided inside the pole or pole base. A purely or mainly decorative additional fixture, which emulates conventional outdoor light fixtures, may be provided on the lighting system, wherein the decorative additional fixture includes no, or only a minimal, light source. The lighting system has a sleek profile with few or no protrusions from the sides of the pole and from the LED light fixture, except for the optional decorative fixture that provides a conventional street light appearance even though the main light source is the LED fixture.

A method of removing a portion of an oxide layer includes forming first byproducts by reacting a reaction gas with the oxide layer, the reaction gas including fluorine and nitrogen, reacting the reaction gas with the first byproducts to form second byproducts, and removing the second byproducts.

A non-volatile memory element includes a recording layer that includes a phase change material, a lower electrode provided in contact with the recording layer, an upper electrode provided in contact with a portion of the upper surface of the recording layer, a protective insulation film provided in contact with the other portion of the upper surface of the recording layer, and an interlayer insulation film provided on the protective insulation film. High thermal efficiency can thereby be obtained because the size of the area of contact between the recording layer and the upper electrode is reduced. Providing the protective insulation film between the interlayer insulation film and the upper surface of the recording layer makes it possible to reduce damage sustained by the recording layer during patterning of the recording layer or during formation of the through-hole for exposing a portion of the recording layer.

A device for repair of intervertebral discs and cartilages in articular joints includes a catheter for inserting through a cannula, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. An expandable balloon may optionally be detachably attached to the catheter near the distal end. The proximal end of the catheter is coupled to an injector that holds a supply of a thermoplastic elastomer material at a predetermined elevated temperature sufficiently high to maintain the thermoplastic elastomer at a liquid state. The device allows a thermoplastic elastomer material to be injected into the intervertegral disc space or the articular joint space as a replacement prosthetic for the disc's nucleus pulposus or the joint's cartilage. This procedure is carried out percutaneously through the cannula.

A solar-powered lighting system includes a flexible, wrap-around, preferably self-stick panel of photovoltaic laminate on the outside surface of a light pole. An LED light fixture is connected at or near the top of the pole and has the same or similar diameter as the pole. The LED light fixture has multiple columns and rows of LEDs and an interior axial space for air flow to cool the LEDs. The pole has vents and axial passage(s) for creating a natural updraft through at least a portion of the pole and the light fixture, for cooling of the photovoltaic panel interior surface, the LEDs, and / or other equipment inside the fixture or pole, and batteries provided inside the pole or pole base. A decorative additional fixture, which emulates conventional outdoor light fixtures, may be provided on the lighting system, wherein the decorative additional fixture includes no, or only a minimal, light source.

A system for replacing a natural nuclear disc in an intervertebral space has a spinal device configured for placement in the intervertebral space. An insertion tool is configured for holding the spinal device while the spinal device is inserted into the intervertebral space. A gripping member of the insertion tool has an end for adjustably holding the spinal device within the intervertebral space. A steering actuator of the insertion tool is operably connected to the spinal device and configured for pivoting the adjustably held spinal device within the intervertebral space while the steering actuator is controlled remotely from the intervertebral space.

Provided is a flexible organic electroluminescent device and a method for fabricating the same. In the flexible electroluminescent device, line hole patterns are formed on surfaces of a plurality of inorganic layers positioned in a pad region in which a flexible printed circuit board is connected to prevent a path of cracks caused by repeated bending and spreading of the organic electroluminescent device from spreading to the interior of the device.

Systems and methods for planning a cryoablation procedure and for facilitating a cryoablation procedure utilize integrated images displaying, in a common virtual space, a three-dimensional model of a surgical intervention site based on digitized preparatory images of the site from first imaging modalities, simulation images of cryoprobes used according to an operator-planned cryoablation procedure at the site, and real-time images provided by second imaging modalities during cryoablation. The system supplies recommendations for and evaluations of the planned cryoablation procedure, feedback to an operator during cryoablation, and guidance and control signals for operating a cryosurgery tool during cryoablation. Methods are provided for generating a nearly-uniform cold field among a plurality of cryoprobes, for cryoablating a volume with smooth and well-defined borders, thereby minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

The present invention is directed towards a chucking system, including, inter alia, a body having a surface with a pin extending therefrom having a throughway defined therein, and a land surrounding the protrusions defining a channel between the pin and the land. In a further embodiment, the body comprises a plurality of protrusions.

A system for replacing a natural nuclear disc in an intervertebral space has a spinal device configured for placement in the intervertebral space. An insertion tool is configured for holding the spinal device while the spinal device is inserted into the intervertebral space. A gripping member of the insertion tool has an end for adjustably holding the spinal device within the intervertebral space. A steering actuator of the insertion tool is operably connected to the spinal device and configured for pivoting the adjustably held spinal device within the intervertebral space while the steering actuator is controlled remotely from the intervertebral space. The steering actuator is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the tool. A locking mechanism is provided to keep the spinal device from pivoting in an insertion position and to keep the disc device from being released unintentionally.

A method for real-time optical diagnostics in laser ablation and laser processing of layered or structured materials or material structures. Diagnostics is provided during laser ablation that is utilized regularly in laser processing and / or chemical analysis of structured materials, by means of measuring optical emission generated as a result of the pulsed laser-material interaction in real time. The method can involve a single-layer-film or a stack of multiple layers or a structure of different domains. The method is particularly beneficial in fabrication of thin-film structures, such as photovoltaic and electronic devices or circuits of devices.

A developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a container body, having a non-circular cross-section, for containing a developer, the container body having an arcuate portion and an extension upwardly extending from the arcuate portion; a discharge opening, formed in the arcuate portion for discharging the developer from the container body; a stirring member for in stirring the developer in the container body, the stirring member having a rotation shaft provided in the arcuate portion and a flexible resin material sheet mounted on the rotation shaft; wherein the flexible resin material sheet includes a feeding blade for feeding the developer toward the discharge opening, the feeding blade being slidable relative to an inner surface of the arcuate portion and being non-slidable relative to a ceiling portion of an inner surface of the extension, and includes a stirring blade for stirring the developer, the stirring being slidable relative to a ceiling portion of the inner surface of the extension.

The present disclosure pertains to composite articles, and in particular a composite face plate for a golf club-head, and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, a composite face plate for a club-head comprises a lay-up of multiple, composite prepreg plies. The face plate can be made by first forming an oversized lay-up of multiple prepreg plies having a central portion and a sacrificial portion surrounding the central portion. The lay-up is at least partially cured in a mold under elevated pressure and heat. The lay-up is then removed from the mold and the sacrificial portion is removed from the central portion to form a composite part that is substantially free of defects.

Methods and device are provided for delivery of biologics to an intervertebral disc. Device described herein include a needle assembly and handle assembly that optimize biologic delivery parameters to a target location within a disc. The needle assembly includes the capability of advancing into the disc at pre-configured pathways that allow for minimized damaged and maximized positioning of the biologic.

A protective film includes an adhesive material configured for “dry” application to a surface that is to be protected, such as the surface of an electronic device. An installation assembly that includes the protective film is configured to minimize or eliminate contact with the protective film as it is applied to the surface that is to be protected. Methods for manufacturing a protective film and an installation assembly that includes the protective film may be effected in contaminant-free conditions. Methods for applying the protective film are also disclosed, as are device (e.g., electronic devices, etc.) with at least one surface covered with a protective film.

A liner for a container, such as a shipping container, including an end panel (11), a first side wall panel (12), a second side wall panel (13), a floor panel (14), a roofpanel (15) and a second end panel (16), the end panel (11) including flaps (17), (18), end panel (12) including top flap (19) and a lower flap (not shown) the side wall panel (13) including similar top and lower flaps to side wall panel (12), the floor panel (14) including a first flap (20) and a second flap (21), the roof panel (15) including flap (22) and another flap (not shown) on the edge opposed to the edge carrying flap (22), the second end panel (16) including flap (23) and another flap (not shown) on the opposed edge to that carrying flap (23), the panels (11 to 16) being formed from double faced corrugated paperboard. At least panel (11), and preferably panels (13 to 16), can have multiple fold or score lines (25a to c and 26a to c) to enable folding at selected lines to fit different containers. Diagonal slots (31) can be provided at each corner to accommodate protuberances in the corners of the container.

The present invention is of a system and method for accurate cryoablation, useable to enhance a surgeon's ability to accurately cryoablate a selected cryoablation target and to limit cryoablation to that selected target. Presented are apparatus and method for accurately delimiting a cryoablation volume, for minimizing damage to tissues surrounding a cryoablation volume, and for real-time visualization of a border of a cryoablation volume during cryoablation. Also presented are a method for mildly heating tissues during cryoablation, cryoprobes operable to simultaneously cool first tissues while heating second tissues, and cryoprobes operable to cool tissues extending in a first lateral direction from those probes while not substantially cooling tissues extending in a second lateral direction from those probes.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming a sample of an object, extracting the sample from the object, and subjecting this sample to microanalysis including surface analysis and electron transparency analysis in a vacuum chamber. In some embodiments, a method is provided for imaging an object cross section surface of an extracted sample. Optionally, the sample is iteratively thinned and imaged within the vacuum chamber. In some embodiments, the sample is situated on a sample support including an optional aperture. Optionally, the sample is situated on a surface of the sample support such that the object cross section surface is substantially parallel to the surface of the sample support. Once mounted on the sample support, the sample is either subjected to microanalysis in the vacuum chamber, or loaded onto a loading station. In some embodiments, the sample is imaged with an electron beam substantially normally incident to the object cross section surface.

A plasma reactor and a plasma ignition method using the same are disclosed. The disclosed plasma reactor includes at least one magnetic core having a transformer primary winding wound thereon, an AC power supply for supplying AC power to the transformer primary winding wound on the magnetic core, at least one plasma chamber body, at which the magnetic core is installed, to directly induce a voltage in the plasma chamber body through the magnetic core, thereby inducing induced electromotive force in the plasma chamber body, and at least one floating chamber connected to the plasma chamber body via an insulating region, the induced electromotive force from the plasma chamber body being indirectly transferred to the floating chamber. Ignition of plasma is generated in accordance with a voltage difference generated between, the plasma chamber body and the floating chamber, and the ignited plasma is supplied to a process chamber.

A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.

Methods and systems are disclosed for initiating oxygen scavenging in an angular preformed packaging article comprising an oxygen scavenging layer. The packaging article is moved into and out of a chamber, in which it is exposed to UV radiation of at least about 280 nm. The wavelength of UV radiation to which the article is exposed can be selected so that it will be absorbed by the oxygen scavenging layer as efficiently as possible, taking into account the composition of the oxygen scavenging layer and any additional layers that are present.

A method of performing policy enforcement by a switch, including receiving a plurality of frames, examining at least some of the received frames to determine whether they require non-default policy enforcement according to pre-programmed policy rules which pertain to at least one protocol, and forwarding, with default policy handling, at least some of the received frames which belong to the protocol to which the rules pertain, regardless of the policy enforcement they require.

Multiple planes within the sample are exposed from a single perspective for contact by an electrical probe. The sample can be milled at a non-orthogonal angle to expose different layers as sloped surfaces. The sloped edges of multiple, parallel conductor planes provide access to the multiple levels from above. The planes can be accessed, for example, for contacting with an electrical probe for applying or sensing a voltage. The level of an exposed layer to be contacted can be identified, for example, by counting down the exposed layers from the sample surface, since the non-orthogonal mill makes all layers visible from above. Alternatively, the sample can be milled orthogonally to the surface, and then tilted and / or rotated to provide access to multiple levels of the device. The milling is preferably performed away from the region of interest, to provide electrical access to the region while minimizing damage to the region.

An intercalary implant has two stem members and a collar. One stem member includes a stem portion to be received in the intramedullary canal of a native end portion of a long bone and a threaded male portion to be outside of the intramedullary canal. The second stem member also includes a stem portion to be received in the intramedullary canal of the opposite native end portion of the long bone. The second stem member has a spacer portion and a shoulder to be outside of the intramedullary canal. The collar has an annular base portion with an opening and a cylindrical female threaded portion. When assembled, collar connects the first and second stem members and the implant spans a gap in the shaft of the long bone. The parts can be assembled without distracting the native end bone portions in the proximal-distal direction to prevent damage to soft tissue around the native end bone portions.

A fiber optic connector for coupling focused radiant energy from a laser to a fiber optic conductor includes a secondary transmission path, one or more diffusers and, optionally, one or more internal heat sinks for diffusing radiant energy so as to and thereby minimize damage to the connector. In addition, coupling of the radiant energy to the cladding of the fiber is minimized by stripping or at least partially removing the cladding to reduce the amount of cladding in the area that extends to the focal plane of the radiant energy source, while reduction of higher order propagation modes may optionally be achieved by tapering a section of the fiber in such a manner that light entering the fiber at large critical angles are effectively collimated, i.e., bent towards the axis of the fiber.

A dried fruit or vegetable has a water content in the range 4% to 7%, and has a water activity of 0.4. Substantially all of the cells of the dried product are undamaged. An air drying process is gentle and contains four phases, during which the temperature of the drying air is maintained at 60° C. In a first phase the relative humidity of the drying air is allowed to rise to between 50% and 55%, and is maintained substantially constant at this value during a second phase by maintaining exchange of the drying air with fresh air substantially constant. In a third phase of the process, the relative humidity of the drying medium is permitted to decrease relatively rapidly until the fourth phase commences, at which stage the relative humidity is permitted to asymptotically approach a predetermined relative humidity value. During the drying process, excessive temperature differences and relative humidity differences between the temperature and relative humidity, respectively of the drying medium and the product are avoided in order to minimize damage to the cellular structure of the product.