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Resistive heated surgical staple cartridge with phase change sealant

An apparatus for endosurgical use includes an instrument having an end effector and a staple cartridge insertable into the end effector. The staple cartridge includes staples, staple apertures, a resistive member, and a medical fluid. When coupled to a power source, the medical fluid is vaporized by the resistive member and expelled out the staple apertures onto the stapled tissue. The power source may be contained within the instrument. In one configuration, a resistive strip with strip contacts may electrically couple to a conductor in the end effector. The medical fluid may also be divided into a plurality of sealant pads corresponding to the staple apertures, and the medical fluid may be a depolymerizable cyanoacrylate, a sprayable thermoplastic urethane, or any vaporizable medicament or pharmaceutical. The staple drivers may include one or more apertures to permit the medical fluid to pass through or around the staple drivers.




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Surgical fastener applying apparatus

A surgical stapler is provided. The stapler includes a tubular body portion. A cartridge assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion for expelling an annular array of staples. Each of the staples of the annular array of staples has a generally bent backspan. An anvil member disposed at the distal end of the tubular body portion is positioned opposite the cartridge assembly to clinch the staples in tissue upon expulsion of the staples from the cartridge assembly. The anvil member has a corresponding annular array of staple forming buckets. Each of the buckets is configured to accommodate the generally bent configuration of the staples to facilitate formation thereof.




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Method of manufacturing surgical staples

One exemplary process for manufacturing a surgical apparatus may include providing a flat, generally-planar strip of biocompatible material; cutting the strip to produce a feeder belt with at least one lateral edge, and staples affixed to the feeder belt in proximity to at least one lateral edge, where the staples and feeder belt are substantially aligned along a first plane; and bending at least one staple out of the first plane, while the feeder belt remains in the first plane. Another exemplary process for manufacturing a surgical apparatus may include providing a flat, generally-planar strip of biocompatible material; cutting that strip to produce a feeder belt with edges, and staples affixed to different edges of the feeder belt; and coining at least one staple after the cutting.




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System and method for manufacturing semiconductor device

According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a spontaneous joining unit and a deformative joining unit. The spontaneous joining unit overlaps a first substrate and a second substrate and spontaneously joins mutual center portions of respective joint faces of the first substrate and the second substrate. The deformative joining unit deforms at least one peripheral portion of the respective joint faces of the first substrate and second substrate joined by the spontaneous joining unit toward the other peripheral portion and joins the mutual peripheral portions of the respective joint faces.




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Cartridgizable feeder belt for surgical stapler

An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt lying substantially in a single plane; and staples fixed to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt. A cartridge may hold at least one feeder belt, where that cartridge may be detachably held by a receiver. The cartridge itself may be reloadable. A surgical method may include providing a surgical instrument including a detachable cartridge holding a feeder belt, where staples are fixed to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; deforming at least one staple to a deformed state; frangibly separating at least one deformed staple from the feeder belt; and removing the cartridge from the surgical instrument.




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Surgical instrument having a plastic surface

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.




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Buttress and surgical stapling apparatus

Multilayer structures including a porous layer and a non-porous layer are useful as buttresses when associated with a surgical stapling apparatus.




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Surgical stapling apparatus

A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.




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Surgical instrument

A surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing. The surgical instrument includes an elongated portion extending distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. An end effector operably couples to the elongated portion. A first pivoting member pivotably couples to a distal end of the elongated portion. The first pivoting member defines a first pivot axis intersecting the longitudinal axis when the first pivoting member is rotated. A distal mounting assembly pivotably couples to the first pivoting member and operably couples to the end effector. The distal mounting assembly defines a second pivot axis intersecting the first pivot axis and the longitudinal axis when the proximal mounting assembly is rotated.




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Releasable buttress retention on a surgical stapler

A surgical stapling apparatus including a releasable buttress material includes a cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, and a buttress material. The cartridge assembly includes a plurality of staples, a tissue contacting surface defining staple retaining slots, and a swaged outer edge. The anvil assembly includes a tissue contacting surface defining staple pockets for forming staples expelled from the staple retaining slots of the cartridge assembly. The buttress material has an outer portion that is retaining within the swaged outer edge of the cartridge assembly.




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End effector identification by mechanical features

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a tool assembly, the loading adapted to be coupled to the body portion. The instrument also includes a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit and a load switch coupled to a microcontroller. The load switch is adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion.




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Corner device and corner device attachment kit

A corner device (10) having a main body (12) for carrying information or an ornamental pattern on an upper surface and locating formation (14) extending from one end of the main body. The locating formation locates and aligns the corner device with respect to an article before attaching the corner device to the article. The locating formation is shaped to receive the legs of a staple on either side thereof. The device also includes a folding area adapted to allow the main body to be folded over the locating formation once the corner device has been attached to the article, thereby to display the information or ornamental pattern.




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Device and method for controlling compression of tissue

A method and device for controlling the compression of tissue include clamping tissue between a first clamping member and a second clamping member by driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members and, during the clamping, monitoring a parameter of the electric motor indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the clamping members. The method and device include, during the clamping, controlling the electric motor, based on the monitored parameter, to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.




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Apparatus for endoscopic procedures

An end effector includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a drive beam, and a drive screw. The second jaw member is pivotally movable relative to the first jaw member between an open position and a closed position. The drive beam is positioned to engage the second jaw member and is longitudinally movable through the first and second jaw members. The drive screw is supported within the first jaw member and includes a threaded portion coupled to the drive beam such that rotation of the drive screw imparts longitudinal movement of the drive beam along the second jaw member to move the first and second jaw members from the open position to the closed position.




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Anvil-mounted dissecting tip for surgical stapling device

A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a first longitudinal axis. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is supported adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and includes a dissecting tip extending therefrom. The cartridge assembly is pivotably mounted adjacent the distal end of the endoscopic portion. The cartridge assembly is mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the anvil assembly between open and approximated positions.




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Surgical device having multiple drivers

A surgical device is provided, the surgical device including a first driver for performing a first movement function; a second driver for performing a second movement function; a first rotatable drive shaft configured, upon actuation, to cause selective engagement of one of the first and second drivers with a second rotatable drive shaft, wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive the selectively engaged one of the first and second drivers. Third and fourth drivers may also be included. The drivers may function to rotate a shaft portion of the surgical device relative to, and about the longitudinal axis of, a handle; move a jaw portion relative to the shaft portion; move a first jaw relative to a second jaw; and/or move a surgical member within the second jaw.




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Surgical instrument having a plastic surface

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.




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Device and method for delivering shape-memory staples

An apparatus comprising a plurality of chambers for receiving an associated plurality of staples, each formed with a shape memory that allows the staple to adopt a straightened configuration, when placed in a stapler, and a deployed configuration for suturing when released from the stapler; and a sleeve moveable relative to the chambers between a first position, in which the staples are trapped by the sleeve within the chambers in the straightened configuration, and a second position, whereby the staples are freed to adopt the deployed configuration, wherein the sleeve is adapted to move between the first and second positions by rotating relative to the chambers.




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Surgical fastener-applying apparatuses with sequential firing

A surgical fastening instrument is provided. The surgical fastening instrument includes a handle portion and an elongate portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis along a length thereof. The surgical fastening instrument also includes an end effector assembly that includes an anvil and a cartridge supported adjacent a distal end of the elongate portion. Each of the anvil and the cartridge includes a tissue contacting surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. One or more independently movable pushers is configured to support one or more surgical fasteners. A thrust bar is operatively coupled to the elongate portion, wherein the thrust bar is movable over a predetermined stroke to effect sequential ejection of at least two surgical fasteners of the plurality of surgical fasteners from the cartridge.




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Surgical stapling apparatus including sensing mechanism

A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.




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Locking articulation mechanism

A surgical device including a handle assembly, an elongated body extending from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate and lock an articulable tool assembly in one or more positions is provided. The articulation mechanism includes a main shaft member mounted for rotation and connected to an articulation linkage, a locking member configured to be received about the shaft portion of the main shaft member, the locking member defining a plurality of notches, an articulation handle fixedly secured to shaft portion of the main shaft member and configured for rotation relative to the locking member, and a lug member operatively mounted on the articulation handle and including a locking tab configured to be selectively received within a notch of the plurality of notches formed in the locking member.




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Surgical instrument having a plastic surface

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.




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Circular stapling devices with tissue-puncturing anvil features

Circular stapling instruments and anvil assemblies. The anvil assemblies may have collapsible anvil support members that may be inserted through an opening in a patient and then expanded to be attached to an anvil plate assembly that has a staple-forming surface thereon. The anvil support member is attachable to the anvil plate assembly in such a way that when the anvil assembly is coupled to the stapling head of a circular stapler, the staple-forming surface is in substantial registry with the staples supported in the stapling head. A variety of different anvil support members and anvil plate assemblies are disclosed. Various embodiments have a tissue-piercing feature.




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Articulated surgical instrument

An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a shaft defining a lumen therein; articulation bands extending through and slidable generally longitudinally within the lumen of the shaft; an end effector affixed to the articulation bands; and generally annular segments positioned about the articulation bands along at least a portion of the length of the articulation bands to define an articulated region, where the segments laterally constrain the articulation bands.




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Feeder belt actuation mechanism for true multi-fire surgical stapler

One example of a surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt, a plurality of staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt, and at least one pull tab extending laterally from the feeder belt. An example of a surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include providing at least one feeder belt and staples frangibly connected thereto, and at least one wedge movable relative to the feeder belt; moving at least one wedge in a first direction to contact and thereby form and shear at least one staple from at least one feeder belt; and moving at least one wedge in a second direction to engage and advance the feeder belt.




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Devices and methods for endoluminal plication

Devices and methods are provided for forming and securing a tissue plication. More particularly, the devices and methods of the present invention can be used to create multiple tissue folds on an anterior and posterior wall of a stomach cavity to reduce the volume thereof. In one aspect, a method of acquiring and fixating tissue is disclosed that includes inserting a surgical device having first and second jaws and a tissue acquisition member into a body lumen, positioning the device in a first position in which the jaws extend substantially parallel to a tissue surface, drawing tissue through the jaws by moving the tissue acquisition member away from the jaws, and driving at least one fastener through the tissue disposed between the jaws.




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Process for the purification of organometallic compounds or heteroatomic organic compounds with hydrogenated getter alloys

A process for the purification of organometallic compounds or heteroatomic organic compounds from oxygen, water and from the compounds deriving from the reaction of water and oxygen with the organometallic or heteroatomic compounds whose purification is sought, comprising the operation of contacting the organometallic or heteroatomic compound to be purified in the liquid state or in form of vapor, pure or in a carrier gas, with a hydrogenated getter alloy, and optionally also with one or more gas sorber materials selected among palladium on porous supports and a mixture of iron and manganese supported on zeolites.




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Fiber-reinforced ceramic composite

Fiber-reinforced ceramic composites contain bundles, tows or hanks of long fibers, wherein the long fiber bundles, tows or hanks are completely surrounded by a short fiber-reinforced matrix, with the long and short fibers having, independently of one another, a mean diameter of from 4 to 12 μm and the long fibers having a mean length of at least 50 mm and the short fibers having a mean length of not more than 40 mm, a process for producing them and their use for producing clutch disks or brake disks.




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Chemical process and plant

A chemical plant for performing a chemical reaction between particles of a material such as lithium metal, and a reagent such as butyl chloride in solution in hexane, in which one reaction product is a solid material, includes a reaction vessel (12). Several ultrasonic transducers (16) are attached to a wall of the vessel (12) so as to irradiate ultrasonic waves into the vessel, the vessel being large enough that each transducer irradiates into fluid at least 0.1 m thick, each transducer irradiating no more than 3 W/cm2, and the transducers being sufficiently close to each other and the number of transducers being sufficiently high that the power dissipation within the vessel is at least 10 W/liter but no more than 200 W/liter. The high intensity of ultrasound ensures that lithium chloride is cleaned off the surface of lithium metal particles throughout the vessel (12).




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Chemically-modified peptides, compositions, and methods of production and use

Compositions and methods for inhibiting and controlling the growth of microbes are disclosed. The composition comprises at least one chemically-modified peptide with antimicrobial activity and at least one carrier. The method comprises of administering an amount, effective for the prevention, inhibition and termination of microbial growth for industrial, pharmaceutical, household and personal care use.




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Fiber-reinforced material composed, at least in a surface region, of a metal/ceramic composite, molding composed of the fiber-reinforced material and method of producing the fiber-reinforced material

A method is provided for producing a fiber-reinforced material which is composed, at least in a region of a surface layer, of a ceramic composite and has carbon-containing fibers reaction-bonded to a matrix containing the elements Si and C. In particular a method of producing fiber-reinforced silicon carbide is provided in which a structure of a matrix contains cracks and/or pores, at least at ambient temperature, because of a high thermal expansion coefficient compared with that of the fibers. Metals are selectively electrodeposited in the open pores and cracks of the matrix and, in particular, in a region of the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. As a result, the open pores and cracks are filled and, in addition, metallic top layers are optionally formed that are firmly keyed to the ceramic composite and that may serve as an interlayer for glass top layers or ceramic top layers. A fiber-reinforced composite material, as well as moldings, in particular brake discs, brake linings or clutch plates, composed of such a composite material, are also provided.




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Fiber-reinforced ceramic material

Process for a fiber-reinforced ceramic material whose reinforcing fibers are present in the form of at least one of woven fabrics, short fibers and long fibers, wherein the mass ratio of the fibers in the form of woven fabrics, short fibers and long fibers is 0-35:25-80:0-45 and at least a part of the reinforcing fibers has at least one protective layer of carbon produced by pyrolysis of resins or pitches, boron compounds or phosphorus compounds or combinations thereof which have been deposited thereon, a process for producing it and its use as material for brake linings




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Functionally graded friction material

A functionally graded friction material 18 having improved wear resistance and thermal conductivity with fibers 10 and heat conducting elements 12 disposed in an arrangement that conducts heat away from a first surface 20 to a second surface 22. Preferably, the heat conducting elements 12 are copper, copper alloy, filaments, threads, or wire situated substantially perpendicular to the engaging surface and extending to the non-engaging surface 22.




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Mask for crystallizing polysilicon and a method for forming thin film transistor using the mask

A mask for forming polysilicon has a first slit region where a plurality of horizontal slit patterns are arranged in the vertical direction while bearing the same width, a second slit region where a plurality of horizontal slit patterns are arranged in the vertical direction while bearing the same width, a third slit region where a plurality of horizontal slit patterns are arranged in the vertical direction while bearing the same width, and a fourth slit region where a plurality of horizontal slit patterns are arranged in the vertical direction while bearing the same width. The slit patterns arranged at the first to fourth slit regions are sequentially enlarged in width in the horizontal direction in multiple proportion to the width d of the slit pattern at the first slit region. The centers of the slit patterns arranged at the first to fourth slit regions in the horizontal direction are placed at the same line. The slit patterns arranged at the respective slit regions in the vertical direction are spaced from each other with a distance of 8*d. Alternatively, the first to fourth slit regions may be arranged in reverse order, or in the vertical direction.




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Mixing method for friction material with a pre-mix in a single mixer

An improved method of producing a friction material for use in the production of brake pads. A first mixing step blends binder, fiber, and filler materials together in a mixer to create a pre-mix, with one of the materials doubling as a wetting agent promoting the homogeneity of the mixture. A second non-asbestos material is added to the pre-mix in the same mixer, and the two are mixed together to produce the final friction material.




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Preparation of functionalized anionic polymerization initiators

A process for preparing a functionalized polymerization initiator, the process comprising combining a functionalized styryl compound and an organolithium compound.




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Method of fabricating polysilicon thin film transistor with catalyst

A method of forming a polycrystalline silicon active layer for use in a thin film transistor is provided. The method includes forming a buffer layer over a substrate, forming an amorphous silicon layer over the buffer layer, applying a catalytic metal to a surface of the amorphous silicon layer, crystallizing the amorphous silicon layer having the catalytic metal thereon into a polycrystalline silicon layer, annealing the polycrystalline silicon layer in an N2 gas atmosphere to stabilize the polycrystalline silicon layer, etching a surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer using an etchant, and patterning the polycrystalline silicon layer to form an island-shaped active layer.




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Precursor compositions for atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition of titanate, lanthanate, and tantalate dielectric films

Barium, strontium, tantalum and lanthanum precursor compositions useful for atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of titanate thin films. The precursors have the formula M(Cp)2, wherein M is strontium, barium, tantalum or lanthanum, and Cp is cyclopentadienyl, of the formula (I), wherein each of R1-R5 is the same as or different from one another, with each being independently selected from among hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 amino, C6-C10 aryl, C1-C12 alkoxy, C3-C6 alkylsilyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, R1R2R3NNR3, wherein R1, R2 and R3 may be the same as or different from one another and each is independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C6 alkyl, and pendant ligands including functional group(s) providing further coordination to the metal center M. The precursors of the above formula are useful to achieve uniform coating of high dielectric constant materials in the manufacture of flash memory and other microelectronic devices.




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Dicarbanionic initiator, a process for the preparation and use thereof

The present invention provides a novel dicarbanionic initiator of formula (I). The present process further provides a process for the preparation of dicarbanionic initiator of formula (I) comprising reacting 1-bromo-4-(4'-bromophenoxy)-2-pentadecyl benzene of formula (II) with alkyllithium compound for an effecting halogen-lithium exchange reaction of 1-bromo-4-(4'-bromophenoxy)-2-pentadecyl benzene with sec-butyllithium in the presence of a non polar solvent, at a temperature in the range of 0 to 25° C. and its use as an initiator for the synthesis of telechelic polydienes and polystyrenes and SBS or SIS triblock copolymers.




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Precursor compositions for atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition of titanate, lanthanate, and tantalate dielectric films

Barium, strontium, tantalum and lanthanum precursor compositions useful for atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of titanate thin films. The precursors have the formula M(Cp)2, wherein M is strontium, barium, tantalum or lanthanum, and Cp is cyclopentadienyl, of the formula wherein each of R1-R5 is the same as or different from one another, with each being independently selected from among hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 amino, C6-C10 aryl, C1-C12 alkoxy, C3-C6 alkylsilyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, R1R2R3NNR3, wherein R1, R2 and R3 may be the same as or different from one another and each is independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C6 alkyl, and pendant ligands including functional group(s) providing further coordination to the metal center M. The precursors of the above formula are useful to achieve uniform coating of high dielectric constant materials in the manufacture of flash memory and other microelectronic devices.




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Process for preparing organic alkali metal compound and organic transition metal compound

[Problem] To provide a preparation process by which an organic alkali metal compound is obtained in a high yield and a process for preparing an organic transition metal compound using the organic alkali metal compound. [Means to solve the problem] A process for preparing an organic alkali metal compound, which is characterized by adding a compound represented by the following formula (2) in the reaction of an active proton-containing compound represented by the following formula (1) with an alkali metal compound. RHp (1) In the formula (1), R is a hydrocarbon group or an amino group and may contain a halogen atom, a silicon atom, an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom, H is an active proton, and p is the number of hydrogen atoms abstracted in the reaction with the alkali metal compound. In the formula (2), Ra to Rc are each an atom or a group selected from a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a heteroatom-containing group and a silicon-containing group and may be the same as or different from each other, and the neighboring substituents may be bonded to each other to form a ring.




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Strontium precursor for use in chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition and rapid vapor deposition

A method of depositing a crystalline strontium titanate film on a substrate is provided, comprising carrying out an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process with strontium and titanium precursors, wherein the strontium precursor is bis(n-propyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl)strontium.




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Antistatic ionomer composition and articles therewith

Disclosed are ionomer compositions neutralized by a combination of cesium and potassium that have antistatic properties. Also disclosed are articles, including laminates and monolayer or multilayer structures comprising such compositions to which neither powders nor dusts easily adhere electrostatically.




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Precursor compositions for atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition of titanate, lanthanate, and tantalate dielectric films

Barium, strontium, tantalum and lanthanum precursor compositions useful for atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of titanate thin films. The precursors have the formula M(Cp)2, wherein M is strontium, barium, tantalum or lanthanum, and Cp is cyclopentadienyl, of the formula wherein each of R1-R5 is the same as or different from one another, with each being independently selected from among hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 amino, C6-C10 aryl, C1-C12 alkoxy, C3-C6 alkylsilyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, R1R2R3NNR3, wherein R1, R2 and R3 may be the same as or different from one another and each is independently selected from hydrogen and C1-C6 alkyl, and pendant ligands including functional group(s) providing further coordination to the metal center M. The precursors of the above formula are useful to achieve uniform coating of high dielectric constant materials in the manufacture of flash memory and other microelectronic devices.




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Organometallic compound purification and apparatus

A method of purifying crude organometallic compounds using a stripping column and a gas stream is provided. This method removes relatively more volatile impurities as compared to the organometallic compound.




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Automatic hole punch

An automatic hole punch is disclosed for creating holes in a sheave of sheet material. The automatic hole punch is preferably user-selectable between punching modes, such as two-hole and three-hole modes. A motor is coupled to a camshaft by a gear train. The cam shaft carries a plurality of cams each having an associated punch. As the camshaft rotates, the cams sequentially drive corresponding punches. However, depending on the selected modality, one or more punches may be idle by not being engaged with their respective cams, thus resulting in varying combinations of driven punches resulting in different hole patterns. Finally, a spacer can be inserted into a material receiving slot for adjusting the relative positioning of the material to the punches to properly position the hole pattern along an edge of the material to be punched.




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Quick-extraction punch-holder adapter for converting punching machines from a single-punch to a multiple-punch configuration

A punching machine comprising at least one punching head including a support body having a first end delimiting a peripheral shoulder, a second end, and at least two parallel seats being angularly spaced from one another and extending through said support body from said first end to said second end; a punching tool holder slibably mounted in at least one of said seats; a multiplicity of removable resilient means angularly spaced from one another, each having a first end resting on said peripheral shoulder and a second end facing away from said peripheral shoulder; an annular cap member arranged in front and spaced from said peripheral shoulder and designed to abut against said second end of said resilient means; a rotor member mounted for rotation on said annular cap member and having an inner face thereof facing towards said punching tool holder; a sliding member projecting from said inner face and arranged to slide onto said punching tool holder when said rotor member rotates; and driving means designed to stepwise drive said rotor member, whereby locating said sliding member onto a pre-selected punching tool holder.




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Punching device, sheet processor having the punching device, and image forming apparatus having the punching device

There is provided a punching device including: a die member having a plurality of die holes formed therein; a plurality of punch members which are caused to advance into the die holes to punch holes in a member to be punched; an operating member having cam portions formed along a direction intersecting the direction of advancement of the punch members, the operating member being moved along the direction intersecting the direction of advancement of the punch members to cause by a conversion function of the cam portions the punch members to advance into the die holes; and a drive unit for selectively causing advancement of the plurality of punch members by changing the direction of movement of the operating member. In the punching device, each of the cam portions has a straight groove and a cam groove for performing the conversion function, and when the operating member is moved in one of opposite directions, at least one of the cam grooves of the cam portions acts on one of the punch members to selectively cause the same to advance.




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Sheet punching device and image forming apparatus having the same

A sheet punching device that cuts holes in a sheet while punches are entering die holes, in which a plurality of punch trains along each of which a plurality of punches are aligned on a rotating shaft in parallel with the rotating shaft are disposed in the rotation direction of the rotating shaft, and the die holes are disposed in correspondence with the punches of the punch trains.




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Moving-film display device

A moving-film display device includes a moving-film having fixed and movable ends, and a stationary body having a counter face that is shaped more distant from the moving-film as a position of the counter face shifts from the fixed end side to the movable end side. A colored portion is disposed at the movable end of the moving-film. An auxiliary electrode is disposed on the moving-film between the fixed end and the movable end. A scanning electrode and holding electrode are disposed on the counter face to face the auxiliary electrode on the fixed end side and movable end side, respectively. A signal line is electrically connected to the holding electrode to supply an image signal. A drive section is configured to control voltages to be supplied to the auxiliary electrode, the scanning electrode, and the holding electrode.