A PV panel uses an array of small silicon sphere diodes (10-300 microns in diameter) connected in parallel. The spheres are embedded in an uncured aluminum-containing layer, and the aluminum-containing layer is heated to anneal the aluminum-containing layer as well as p-dope the bottom surface of the spheres. A phosphorus-containing layer is deposited over the spheres to dope the top surface n-type, forming a pn junction. The phosphorus layer is then removed. A conductor is deposited to contact the top surface. Alternatively, the spheres are deposited with a p-type core and an n-type outer shell. After deposition, the top surface is etched to expose the core. A first conductor layer contacts the bottom surface, and a second conductor layer contacts the exposed core. A liquid lens material is deposited over the rounded top surface of the spheres and cured to provide conformal lenses designed to increase the PV panel efficiency.

A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms an output aperture of the light guide, characterized by an index of refraction, n1, and further characterized by a length dimension in an intended light propagation direction towards the output aperture, where the intended light propagation direction is a z-axis direction of a Cartesian coordinate system; and a plurality of light injection elements disposed in the form of at least one linear strip in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the light guide layer, wherein some of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on one lateral side of the strip and some other of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on an opposing lateral side of the strip at a rotation angle Δz about the y-axis.

Hemispheres and spheres are formed and employed for a plurality of applications. Hemispheres are employed to form a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes peaks of pillars which have a base attached to the lower surface. The peaks have a density defined at the upper surface by an array of hemispherical metal structures that act as a mask during an etch to remove substrate material down to the lower surface during formation of the pillars. The pillars are dense and uniform and include a microscale average diameter. The spheres are formed as independent metal spheres or nanoparticles for other applications.

Methods of forming a photovoltaic structures including nanoparticles are disclosed. The method includes electrospray deposition of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can include TiO2 nanoparticles and quantum dots. In an example, the nanoparticles are formed on a flexible substrate. In various examples, the flexible substrate is light transparent. Photovoltaic structures and apparatus for forming photovoltaic structures are disclosed.

Provided is an organic light emitting device. The organic light emitting device comprising a first light emitting part on a substrate, emitting a first light of a first wavelength, wherein the first light emitting part includes a transparent first electrode, a first organic light emitting layer, and a transparent second electrode sequentially stacked on the substrate, a second light emitting part on the first light emitting part, emitting a second light of a second wavelength, wherein the second light emitting part includes a transparent third electrode, a second organic light emitting layer, and a reflective fourth electrode sequentially stacked on the first light emitting part, and a fluorescent material disposed at least one between the substrate and the first light emitting part, and between the first light emitting part and second light emitting part.

An automatic circle forming apparatus adapted for automatically forming OPP (O-phenylphenol) plastic circles includes a lower equipment cabinet, a first base plate, a transmitting module, an automatic separating module, an automatic tearing film module, a sucking waste mechanism, a displacement module, an automatic forming module and an upper equipment cabinet. The upper equipment cabinet is positioned on the first base plate for installing the transmitting module, the automatic separating module, the automatic tearing film module, the sucking waste mechanism, the displacement module and the automatic forming module therein. The upper equipment cabinet is equipped with a man-machine control interface which connects with and controls the transmitting module, the automatic separating module, the automatic tearing film module, the sucking waste mechanism, the displacement module and the automatic forming module for automatically forming the OPP plastic circles so as to improve operation efficiency and save a human cost.

The invention relates to a packaging machine, in particular a thermoformer, traysealer, comprising at least two transport chains for transporting a web of material, such as a film or the like. The packaging machine is characterized in that sensor means are provided for detecting the chain length and/or the chain pitch and/or the chain tension of the transport chains, means being provided for stretching and/or relaxing at least one individual transport chain, and control means being provided for adapting different lengths or chain pitches of two transport chains by stretching and/or relaxing at least one transport chain in a controlled manner.

An amplifier receives an amplitude signal of a polar modulated signal at a base terminal of a transistor and receives a phase modulated carrier signal of the polar modulated signal at the base terminal of the transistor. The amplifier combines the amplitude signal and the phase modulated signal to produce a full complex waveform at a collector terminal of the transistor.

A modulator generates a baseband digital signal from an information-bearing digital signal. The baseband signal has time-varying phase and amplitude defined by a sequence of complex data words, each having an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component. A noise-shaping modulator generates a noise-shaped digital signal from the baseband digital signal such that quantization noise in the noise-shaping modulator is attenuated by a spectral null of its noise transfer function. The spectral null is selected by a noise-shaping parameter corresponding to a selected one of a plurality of output frequencies. A signal converter generates an analog signal conveying the information of the information-bearing digital signal on an analog carrier signal having the selected output frequency.

A signal generator for a transmitter or a receiver for transmitting or receiving RF-signals according to a given communication protocol includes an oscillator and a mismatch compensator. The oscillator is configured to provide a signal generator output signal having a signal generator output frequency and comprises a fine tuning circuit for providing a fine adjustment of the signal generator output frequency based on a fine tuning signal and a coarse tuning circuit for providing a course adjustment of the signal generator output frequency based on a coarse tuning signal. The mismatch compensator is configured to receive the signal generator output signal and compensate a frequency mismatch between a desired signal generator output frequency and the signal generator output frequency generated by the oscillator by providing the fine tuning signal for changing the state of the fine tuning circuit of the oscillator and by providing the coarse tuning signal for changing a state of the coarse tuning circuit of the oscillator. The mismatch compensator provides the coarse tuning signal during a guard period defined in the given communication protocol, during which no RF-signals are transmitted by the transmitter or no RF-signals are to be received by the receiver, such that the state of the coarse tuning circuit is changed within the guard period.

Parallel/serial conversion is performed on an N (where N is a natural number)-bit first parallel data signal with a first converted clock acquired by multiplying a reference clock by N, and parallel/serial conversion is performed on an (N×K)-bit (where K is a natural number) second parallel data signal with a second converted clock acquired by multiplying the reference clock by N×K.

A method for tuning a digital compensation filter within a transmitter includes: obtaining at least one resistance-capacitance (RC) detection result, wherein the digital compensation filter includes an RC compensation module; and tuning the digital compensation filter by inputting the RC detection result into the RC compensation module. For example, the RC detection result may correspond to a detected value representing a product of a resistance value and a capacitance value. In another example, the at least one RC detection result may be obtained by performing RC detection on at least a portion of the transmitter without individually measuring resistance values of resistors therein and capacitance values of capacitors therein. An associated digital compensation filter and an associated calibration circuit are also provided.

A method for generating/transmitting a transmission-unit symbol sequence is disclosed. In the case of transmission information, the information is modulated in time and frequency domains on the basis of a predetermined transmission unit (e.g., a transmission time interval TTI or slot), simultaneous transmission of the information is made, and then a transmission unit symbol is generated/transmitted. A transmission sequence is masked in each symbol contained in one transmission unit. Symbol-unit circular shift (cyclic shift) is applied to the masked result, so that transmission efficiency increases. A control signal transmission method for supporting a variety of formats and a signal transmission method based on a prime-length sequence are also provided.

A communications transmitter includes a baseband processor configured to generate amplitude, angle, in-phase and quadrature baseband signals and a combination modulator that is configurable to modulate in the polar domain and, alternatively, in the quadrature domain. The combination modulator includes a quadrature modulator and a separate and distinct angle modulator that is configured to serve as a local oscillator for the quadrature modulator. In one embodiment of the invention the combination modulator is configured to modulate in the quadrature domain when the transmitter is operating according to a first communications condition (e.g., first transmit power level or first modulation scheme) and is configured to modulate in the polar domain when the transmitter is operating according to a second communications condition (e.g., second transmit power level or second modulation scheme).

A device for mixing multiple (N) pulse density modulated (PDM) bit streams of a bit rate, the device comprises an input logic, an error accumulation circuit, an error correction circuit and an adder of more than N bits; wherein the device is arranged to output an output PDM bit stream that represents a mixture of the multiple input PDM bit streams; wherein the output PDM bit stream comprises a plurality of output PDM bits, wherein a certain output PDM bit of a plurality of output PDM bits that form the output PDM bit stream is generated during a certain clock cycle; wherein the input logic is arranged to select, during each fraction of the certain clock cycle, a current bit of a selected PDM bit stream, wherein different PDM bit streams are selected during different fragments of the certain clock cycle; wherein the error accumulation circuit is arranged to store intermediate values during a first fraction till a penultimate fraction of the certain clock signal and to store a last value during a last fraction of the certain clock signal.

A frequency modulating path for generating a frequency modulated clock includes a direct feed input arranged for directly modulating frequency of an oscillator, and a compensating feed input arranged for compensating effects of frequency modulating on a phase error; wherein the compensating feed input is resampled by a down-divided clock that is an integer edge division of the oscillator. A reference phase generator for generating a reference phase output includes a resampling circuit, an accumulator and a sampler. The resampling circuit is for resampling a modulating frequency command word (FCW) input to produce a plurality of samples. The accumulator is for accumulating the samples to generate an accumulated result. The sampler is for sampling the accumulated result according to a frequency reference clock, and accordingly generating a sampled result, wherein the reference phase output is updated according to at least the sampled result.

Provided is a method for transmitting data in a communication or broadcasting system using a linear block code by generating a codeword by encoding input information data bits, interleaving the codeword; outputting modulation signal-constituting bits by bit-mapping the interleaved codeword using a bit-mapping table predetermined depending on a modulation scheme and a coding rate, outputting a modulation signal by modulating the modulation signal-constituting bits and transmitting the modulation signal via a transmit antenna.

A transmission device for transmitting a signal in a wireless communication system is provided. The transmission device includes: a serial-to-parallel converter configured to convert an input serial bit stream into a parallel bit stream having three bits; and a phase rotation symbol mapper configured to map the parallel bit stream to a symbol having phase rotation characteristics, wherein when the parallel bit stream includes first to third bits, the phase rotation symbol mapper maps the second and third bits to a complex variable and sequentially maps a real number part and an imaginary number part of the complex variable to the front part and the rear part of a symbol in this order or to the rear part and the front part of the symbol in this order.

In a method of transmitting a data stream from a transmitter in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication system, where the transmitter comprises a plurality of transmit antennas, a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is applied to the data stream to generate a plurality of symbol sequences; symbols of a first symbol sequence from the plurality of symbol sequences are paired with symbols of a second symbol sequence from the plurality of symbol sequences to generate a plurality of symbol pairs, wherein the pairing results in an orphan symbol; a space-time block code (STBC) is applied to the symbol pairs to generate a plurality of sets of STBC symbols, each set of STBC symbols being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of antennas; a cyclic delay diversity (CDD) operation is applied to the orphan symbol to generate a plurality of CDD symbols, each CDD symbol being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of antennas; and each one of the antennas transmits the corresponding set of STBC symbols and the corresponding CDD symbol.

A method for phase modulation of a carrier signal from a transmitter to a contactless transponder in which data is coded as consecutive symbols, each corresponding to a predefined number of carrier cycles, and in which a symbol time is at least two cycles of the carrier signal includes, at the transmitter, spreading a phase jump of a symbol in relation to a preceding symbol over a first part of the symbol time. The establishment of the phase jump is completed in the first part of the symbol time. The periods of the cycles are constant during a second part of the symbol time.

A modulator which has a first terminal to receive a carrier signal, a second terminal to receive a first control signal to control a frequency band of the carrier signal and a third terminal to receive a second control signal to control a modulation depth of the carrier signal.

Disclosed are a power transmission device for a vacuum interrupter, and a vacuum breaker having the same. The device includes: a driving link coupled to an adjuster; a driven link coupled to a movable electrode of a vacuum interrupter; connection links configured to connect the driving link and the driven link with each other, and coupled to the driving link and the driven link such that an interval between the driving link and the driven link is varied; cams coupled to the connection links in a perpendicular direction; and cam guides having guide recesses for slidably coupling the cams, and configured to guide the interval between the driving link and the driven link to be changed.

A circuit protection device is provided for use with a circuit that includes at least one pair of conductors. The protection device is configured to generate an arc. The protection device includes at least a pair of electrode assemblies electrically coupled to the at least one pair of conductors and a conductor base to support the pair of electrode assemblies. The protection device includes a cover coupled to the conductor base and defining at least one isolation chamber, wherein the electrode assemblies are disposed within the isolation chamber. The protection device includes a containment shield moveably coupled to the cover. The containment shield defines a containment chamber configured to contain charged particles produced by the arc. The containment shield is operative to move relative to the cover in response to a change in pressure produced by the arc within the containment chamber. An isolation assembly is coupled to at least one of the cover and the containment shield and configured to prevent the cover from contacting the containment shield.

Equipment protection systems, arc containment devices, and methods of assembling arc containment devices are disclosed. In one example, an electrical isolation structure includes a conductor base, a cover coupled to the conductor base and defining an isolation chamber, a containment shield disposed on the conductor base within the isolation chamber, and a biasing assembly positioned between the cover and the containment shield. The containment shield defines a containment chamber configured to enclose the plurality of electrode assemblies. The containment shield is configured to at least partially contain the arc products within the containment chamber. The biasing assembly is configured to permit the containment shield to move away from the conductor base to thereby define a gap between the conductor base and the containment shield to enable at least some of the arc gases to vent from the containment chamber.

A gas-insulated type circuit breaker including a housing defining a gas volume for a dielectric insulation gas; a first arcing contact member and a second arcing contact member, wherein the first arcing contact member and the second arcing contact member are movable relative to each other along an axis; a first nominal contact member and a second nominal contact member, wherein the first nominal contact member and the second nominal contact member are movable relative to each other along the axis; and a first nominal contact shielding arrangement including an inner shield member and an outer shield member, wherein the inner shield member and the outer shield member are arranged coaxially about the axis. The first nominal contact member is arranged co-axially between the inner shield member and the outer shield member, and is movable relative to the inner shield member and to the outer shield member.

An ergonomic garment carrier which accommodates garments such as suit shirts, jackets, pants and skirts as well as other items a traveler would typically transport or store.

A multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier is about the same size as a thick credit card and fits into a wallet. The multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier has bays that accept flash-memory cards. Larger bays on one side receive SD cards and a Memory Stick Duo card, while micro bays on another side of the carrier receive microSD cards and Memory Stick Micro cards. A carrier spine sandwiched between top and bottom covers has openings forming the bays. Spring-clip tabs on spring-clip fingers fit into notches on the side of the flash-memory cards to secure the flash-memory cards into the multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier to prevent loss. The spring-clip fingers are movable parts of the carrier spine that are deformed during insertion of the flash-memory cards. Both micro and standard flash-memory cards can be carried in the same multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier that can be placed in plastic sleeves for credit cards in a person's wallet.

A wireless communication node (10) dynamically estimates passive intermodulation (PIM) interference coupled into the node's receive path from the transmission of a composite signal through the node's transmit path. The node (10) then cancels the estimated PIM interference in the receive path. In some embodiments, the node dynamically estimates the PIM interference as a function of the composite signal that models PIM interference generation and coupling in the node (10) according to one or more coefficients (30). The coefficients (30) may be determined by transmitting a test signal (34) during a test stage, when the node (10) is not scheduled to receive any signal. Later, when the composite signal (18) is transmitted, the node (10) uses the coefficients (10) to dynamically estimate and cancel the resulting PIM interference.

A radio frequency channel amplification module for communication satellite, comprises an input configured to convey an input radio frequency signal, an output configured to restore a pre-amplified output radio frequency signal intended to power a travelling wave tube amplifier that can be equipped with linearization means with predistortion, at least one first upstream gain control module arranged downstream of the input and one second downstream gain control module arranged downstream of the first upstream gain control module and upstream of any linearization means by predistortion. The channel amplification module also comprises an instantaneous power limiter intended to clip the peaks of the input radio frequency signals with a level exceeding a determined threshold value, the instantaneous power limiter being arranged in series between said first upstream gain control module and said second downstream gain control module.

A system for pre-charging a current minor includes a controller configured to provide a first current and an additional current to a current minor to rapidly charge a capacitance associated with the current minor based on a reference voltage or control signals. A power amplifier module includes at least one current minor and a controller. A capacitor is coupled to the current minor. The controller provides a bias current in an amount proportional to an input to a voltage-to-current converter. The controller receives a control signal that directs the controller to apply one of a pre-charge voltage and a nominal voltage to the voltage-to-current converter.

An input receiver circuit including a single-to-differential amplifier and a semiconductor device including the input receiver circuit are disclosed. The input receiver circuit includes a first stage amplifier unit and a second stage amplifier unit. The first stage amplifier unit amplifies a single input signal in a single-to-differential mode to generate a differential output signal, without using a reference voltage. The second stage amplifier unit amplifies the differential output signal in a differential-to-single mode to generate a single output signal.

The present invention discloses a transmit-receive (TR) front end. The TR front end includes a low-noise amplifier (LNA); a power amplifier (PA); a transformer, coupled to the PA, for increasing a voltage swing and a power transmission of the PA; and a TR switch, coupled between the transformer and the LNA. The LNA is single ended and there is no transformer between the LNA and the TR switch.

This disclosure relates generally to radio frequency (RF) amplification devices and methods of limiting an RF signal current. Embodiments of the RF amplification device include an RF amplification circuit and a feedback circuit. The RF amplification circuit is configured to amplify an RF input signal so as to generate an amplified RF signal that provides an RF signal current with a current magnitude. The feedback circuit is used to limit the RF signal current. In particular, a thermal sense element in the feedback circuit is configured to generate a sense current, and thermal conduction from the RF amplification circuit sets a sense current level of the sense current as being indicative of the current magnitude of the RF signal current. To limit the RF signal current, the feedback circuit decreases the current magnitude of the RF signal current in response to the sense current level reaching a trigger current level.

A microwave semiconductor amplifier includes a semiconductor amplifier element, an input matching circuit and an output matching circuit. The semiconductor amplifying element includes an input electrode and an output electrode and has a capacitive output impedance. The input matching circuit is connected to the input electrode. The output matching circuit includes a bonding wire and a first transmission line. The bonding wire includes first and second end portions. The first end portion is connected to the output electrode. The second end portion is connected to one end portion of the first transmission line. A fundamental impedance and a second harmonic impedance seen toward the external load change toward the one end portion. The second harmonic impedance at the one end portion has an inductive reactance. The output matching circuit matches the capacitive output impedance of the semiconductor amplifying element to the fundamental impedance of the external load.

High impedance, high frequency nanoscale device electronics configured to interface with low impedance loads include an impedance transforming stage constructed of multiple nanoscale devices, such as carbon nanotube field-effect transistors. In an embodiment of the present invention, an impedance transforming output stage of a multistage amplifier is configured to drive a 50 ohm transmission line with unity voltage gain using multiple carbon nanotube field-effect transistors in parallel. In a further embodiment, a receiver provided for an electronically steered receive array is a monolithic, lumped-element system formed from nanoscale devices and configured to interface with the external electrical systems via a single transmission line.

A light emitting apparatus including: a plurality of light emitting elements; a drive circuit including a transistor and a capacitor having one end connected to a gate of the transistor; and a signal supply circuit for receiving a digital gradation signal and outputting an analog voltage signal to the drive circuit, including a computation circuit configured to correct the input digital gradation signal to generate a corrected digital gradation signal, in which the drive circuit is configured to conduct an auto-zero operation which reduce the gate-source voltage of the transistor to a threshold voltage by flowing the drain current to the capacitor, and the computation circuit is configured to generate the corrected digital gradation signal by multiplying a correction coefficient to the input digital gradation signal subtracted by a particular signal common to the plurality of light emitting elements.

A semiconductor package device comprises a radio frequency power transistor having an output port operably coupled to a single de-coupling capacitance located within the semiconductor package device. The single de-coupling capacitance is arranged to provide both high frequency decoupling and low frequency decoupling of signals output from the radio frequency power transistor.

An automatic antenna impedance matching method for a radiofrequency transmission circuit. An impedance matching network is inserted between an amplifier and an antenna. The output current and voltage of the amplifier and their phase difference are measured by a variable measurement impedance, and the complex load impedance of the amplifier is deduced from this; the impedance of the antenna is calculated as a function of this complex impedance and as a function of the known current values of the impedances of the matching network. Starting from the value found for the impedance of the antenna, new values of the matching network are calculated that allow the load to be matched to the nominal impedance of the amplifier. The measurement impedance has a value controllable by the calculation processor according to the application and notably as a function of the operating frequency and of the nominal impedance of the amplifier.

Apparatus and methods disclosed herein perform gain, clipping, and phase compensation in the presence of I/Q mismatch in quadrature RF receivers. Gain and phase mismatch are exacerbated by differences in clipping between I & Q signals in low resolution ADCs. Signals in the stronger channel arm are clipped differentially more than weaker signals in the other channel arm. Embodiments herein perform clipping operations during iterations of gain mismatch calculations in order to balance clipping between the I and Q channel arms. Gain compensation coefficients are iteratively converged, clipping levels are established, and data flowing through the network is gain and clipping compensated. A compensation phase angle and phase compensation coefficients are then determined from gain and clipping compensated sample data. The resulting phase compensation coefficients are applied to the gain and clipping corrected receiver data to yield a gain, clipping, and phase compensated data stream.

An automatic gain control device includes: a variable gain adjusting unit, for adjusting an input signal by a variable gain and outputting an adjustment result; an analog-digital converting unit, for performing analog-digital conversion on the adjustment result to obtain an analog-digital conversion result; and a gain determining unit, for determining a distribution status over a predetermined period of time of a maximum or a minimum of the analog-digital conversion result, comparing the distribution status with a first distribution condition, and if the distribution status meets the first distribution condition, then keeping the variable gain unchanged, otherwise changing the variable gain and determining newly a distribution status until the newly determined distribution status meets a second distribution condition which is at least as strict as the first distribution condition.

A damping tool holder, such as a boring head, a chuck, or a milling cutting arbor, integrates a damping device (2), in the form of an elongated body. The damping device (2) is housed in a mounting body (3), connected by one end to the tool-holder body (1) and having at its other end an end fitting (4) for mounting a tool, whereby the mounting body (3) is equipped with at least one lubricant feed pipe (32), emptying at its front end into the end fitting (4) for mounting a tool and connected at its other end to a circular groove (102) for distributing lubricant that is provided on the front surface of the tool holder (1).

A surgical milling cutter includes a milling cutter bracket, a locking device and a bottom electric motor connected successively. The milling cutter bracket includes a fixing seat with a through hole. A finger guide apparatus with an L-type first bracket at the top end thereof is provided on the upper part of the fixing seat. The end of the L-type first bracket's short side is provided with a downward projection. The lowest point of the projection is lower than that of the milling cutter's cylindrical head when the milling cutter is working normally. The surgical milling cutter utilizes the projection to prevent the possibility of an object contacting with the cylindrical head, thus avoiding an object being cut unevenly. Meanwhile, the L-type bracket can be driven by the finger guide apparatus to rotate so as to change the running direction of the milling cutter, thus facilitating surgical procedures.

An internal adapter for use in torque-limiting handles for interchangeable orthopedic tools contains a slidable collar component, house component, retaining ring, spring, driver component, cover and cam which engages a torque-limiting mechanism. A plurality of securing ball mechanisms releasably secure an orthopedic tool in the adapter, while a configuration of chamfered surfaces centrally stabilize the tool. A plurality of guiding chamfers located in a driver component rotationally secures the orthopedic tool.

An apparatus of semiconductor process including a chuck and a vacuum source is provided. The chuck has a plurality of holes for holding a semiconductor substrate, and the vacuum source is used for providing vacuum suction through the holes to make the semiconductor substrate be subjected to varied suction intensities according to a warpage level thereof.

A tool holder has a body with a spindle side for fastening the tool holder to a spindle of a machine tool and a tool side for accommodating a tool and has a lubricating media passage from the spindle side to the tool side that contains a lubricating media bush adjustable in the axial direction in the body. The lubricating media bush opens out on the tool side of the body, wherein a guide for the lubricating media hush is provided in the body. The guide contains a fitting section in which the lubricating media bush is adjustably guided, wherein a seal is provided which seals the lubricating media bush relative to the body.

An apparatus having a frame; a shuttle member, adapted to receive and hold a needle blank, and movably mounted to the frame; a clamp member detachably mounted on the frame for supplying needle blanks to the shuttle member; a transfer mechanism mounted on the frame for facilitating the transfer of the needle blanks from the clamp member to the shuttle member; a press mechanism for imparting first flat surfaces to first opposing sides of the needle blanks held by the shuttle member; a mandrel mounted on the frame for imparting an arcuate profile to the needle blanks; a transport mechanism for transporting the needle blanks from the shuttle member to the mandrel; and a needle side press for imparting second flat surfaces to second opposing sides of the needle blanks. A method of forming a curved, rectangular bodied needle from substantially round-elongated needle blanks is also disclosed and comprises the steps of: transferring needle blanks from a clamp to a holding shuttle having die surfaces on needle engaging faces thereof; flat pressing first opposing sides of the needle blanks between die surfaces; transporting the needle blanks from the shuttle onto a rotatable mandrel; curving the needle blanks between the rotatable mandrel and a reciprocable belt; rotating the needle blanks about the mandrel and adjacent side press dies and depositing the needle blanks therebetween; and side pressing second opposing sides of the needle blanks between side press dies.

An apparatus for preparing drilled needle blanks from a spool of coiled stock wire may include a laser for drilling a bore in the end of the stock wire and a cutting device for cutting the drilled wire into needle blanks.

An apparatus for forming at least one curved, rectangular bodied surgical needle which comprises frame means, flat press means associated with said frame means for imparting first flat surfaces to opposite sides of at least a portion of at least one needle blank, curving means associated with said frame means for imparting an arcuate profile to at least a portion of the at least one needle blank and side press means mounted on said frame portion for imparting second flat surfaces to opposite sides of the needle blank, wherein said second flat surfaces are imparted substantially perpendicular to said first flat surfaces. There is also disclosed a method of forming a curved rectangular bodied needle from a substantially round-elongated needle blank comprising the steps of flat pressing opposite sides of the needle blanks between a pair of flat press dies, drawing the needle blanks from at least one of said flat press dies onto a rotatable mandrel, curving the needle blanks between said rotatable mandrel and a reciprocable belt, rotating the needle blanks adjacent side press dies and depositing the needle blanks therebetween and side pressing opposite sides of the needle blanks between said side press dies, on sides of the needle blanks substantially perpendicular to the flat pressed sides. A surgical needle is also disclosed having a tapered distal portion, a rectangular central portion and a bored proximal portion formed according to the apparatus and method described above. The tapered distal portion of the needle has a generally circular cross-section, the rectangular central portion is generally square and the bored proximal portion also has a generally circular cross-section.

There is disclosed an apparatus for forming a surgical incision member comprising which includes a first die associated with a base and having a first groove therein for receipt of at least a portion of a needle blank. A second die is mounted for movement on the base between a position remote from the first die and a position adjacent the first die. The second die includes a second groove alignable with the first groove to hold a needle blank therebetween, the first and second dies each having spaced apart channels intersecting the first and second grooves. A notching die is provided and is mounted for movement within at the channels so as to engage and notch an edge of the needle blank contained within the first and second grooves. The apparatus also includes structure for curving a needle blank contained within the first and second grooves. A method of forming a surgical incision member is also disclosed, and a surgical incision member blank.

An apparatus for forming at least one curved, rectangular bodied surgical needle which comprises frame means, flat press means associated with said frame means for imparting first flat surfaces to opposite sides of at least a portion of at least one needle blank, curving means associated with said frame means for imparting an arcuate profile to at least a portion of the at least one needle blank and side press means mounted on said frame portion for imparting second flat surfaces to opposite sides of the needle blank, wherein said second flat surfaces are imparted substantially perpendicular to said first flat surfaces. There is also disclosed a method of forming a curved rectangular bodied needle from a substantially round-elongated needle blank comprising the steps of flat pressing opposite sides of the needle blanks between a pair of flat press dies, drawing the needle blanks from at least one of said flat press dies onto a rotatable mandrel, curving the needle blanks between said rotatable mandrel and a reciprocable belt, rotating the needle blanks adjacent side press dies and depositing the needle blanks therebetween and side pressing opposite sides of the needle blanks between said side press dies, on sides of the needle blanks substantially perpendicular to the flat pressed sides. A surgical needle is also disclosed having a tapered distal portion, a rectangular central portion and a bored proximal portion formed according to the apparatus and method described above. The tapered distal portion of the needle has a generally circular cross-section, the rectangular central portion is generally square and the bored proximal portion also has a generally circular cross-section.