A bearing for use with curing lights provides a secure mounting structure for curing light emitter heads while allowing rotation of the same about an axis defined by the curing light handpiece and its connection structure. The bearing allows for the curing light emitter head to rotate fully about the axis while allowing light to pass therethrough for the purpose of curing materials during a procedure.

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses, medical systems, and methods for attaching two dissimilar materials. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a first rod formed from a first material and a second rod formed from a second material. The first rod includes a first end defining a cavity exposed at an end of the first rod. The cavity has a cavity length and a cavity width perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first rod. The cavity length is greater than the cavity width. The second rod includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a width that corresponds to the cavity width and a length that corresponds to the cavity length. The apparatus includes a bonding structure that attaches the first rod to the second rod.

A ball and socket joint assembly is disclosed that includes a body defining a cavity, a collet disposed in the cavity to receive a ball of a connector, and an actuator shaft coupled to the collet for rotating and translating the collet in the cavity. The cavity has a distal opening to accept the ball and an engagement feature extending into the cavity. The collet has an outer diameter larger than the opening in the body when the ball is disposed in the collet, and the collet has a corresponding engagement feature around at least a portion of the outer surface for receiving the engagement feature and converting rotation of the compression member into translation of the compression member along a proximal-distal axis of the body. The collet is compressed against the opening of the cavity when the collet is advanced distally against the opening.

An apparatus for attaching a cannula to a robotic surgical system, the apparatus comprising: a clamp assembly configured to attach a cannula to a robotic surgical system, the clamp assembly comprising an actuator coupled to a clamp to transition the clamp between an open position configured to receive the cannula and a closed position to attach the cannula to the robotic surgical system; and a lock out assembly coupled to the clamp assembly to control the transition of the clamp, the lock out assembly having a hook that is dimensioned to engage a bearing coupled to the actuator when the clamp is in the open position and disengage the bearing to allow the clamp to automatically transition to the closed position.

A double-row rolling-element bearing unit of a medical pump, preferably syringe pump, has a bearing core forming a first inner running surface for first rolling elements, which first inner running surface faces in an axial direction, and forms a second inner running surface for second rolling elements, which second inner running surface is arranged oppositely to the first inner running surface in the axial direction. The pump has a bearing bush, which can be mounted on a housing portion and forms a first outer running surface, which lies opposite the first inner running surface, and the pump has a bearing pan, which forms a second outer running surface, which lies opposite the second inner running surface. At least one preloading element couples the bearing pan to the bearing bush with a defined preload to join the double-row rolling-element bearing unit as a unit.

The invention relates to a bearing assembly (10) comprising at least one first bearing element (12) and a second bearing element (14) which are rotatably connected relative to each other along a common longitudinal axis (14). The bearing assembly (10) comprises a brake device (18) which inhibits the rotation of the two bearing elements (12) relative to each other by means of a frictional force produced by the brake device (18), wherein the brake device (18) has at least one frictional element (20) and at least one clamping device (22), by means of which the frictional element (20) is permanently clamped against one of the two bearing elements (12). The bearing assembly also comprises a coupling device (30) which can be moved between an open state and a closed state. In the closed state, the brake device (18) is engaged, whereby when the two bearing elements (12) rotate relative to each other, the rotation is inhibited by the frictional force produced by the brake device (18), and in the open state, the brake device (18) is disengaged.

A variable-stiffness actuator is to be installed into a flexible member and provide different degrees of stiffness to the flexible member. The actuator includes two hard members located apart from each other, and a shape-memory member connecting the hard members. The shape-memory member has a property of transitioning in phase between a first phase and a second phase. The shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state when in the first phase, and is in a high stiffness state when in the second phase. The actuator also includes a inducing member configured to cause a portion of the shape-memory member between the hard members to transition in phase between the first and second phases, and a urging member configured to urge the hard members in directions away from each other.

A hinge has a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge. The articulating section is adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first and second ends are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end. The hinge body may define a receptacle along the articulating section, and an insert may be provided for insertion into the receptacle. The insert can modify the stiffness of the hinge in the angular range and is arranged parallel to the neutral axis.

Embodiments of the disclosure include an extended length core sample scanning apparatus that enables the imaging of extended length core samples using medical-type CT scanners. The extended length core sample scanning apparatus has a frame that defines a U-shaped receptacle that receives core housing containing the core sample when the core sample is placed in a CT scanner. The extended length core sample scanning apparatus may have two or more rollers located in the U-shaped receptacle to enable translation of the extended length core sample through a CT scanner during scanning. The rollers may also provide for a minimum clearance between the core housing and the walls of the U-shaped receptacle. Methods of imaging an extended length core sample are also provided.

A method for manufacturing a bearing ring of a rolling bearing includes a series of steps of cutting out an annular member from a material, forming a surface-hardened layer on the annular member, quenching and tempering the annular member, and polishing inner and outer diameter surfaces of the annular member. The method includes, after the quenching, rapidly cooling the ring member such that the ring member has a surface temperature of 50° C. or lower to form a bearing ring intermediate member, and after the tempering, polishing inner and outer diameter surfaces of the bearing ring intermediate member.