An apparatus includes a bonding system configured to bond at least two wafers. The bonding system has a flag-out mechanism configured to remove a plurality of flags from an area between the at least two wafers. The apparatus also includes sensors configured to detect data related to a flag-out condition of the flags of the plurality of flag. The apparatus further includes at least one processor configured to receive inputs from the sensors, to calculate at least one value related to flag-out timing, and to drive a display indicating an alignment of the at least two wafers.

An expandable helical stent is provided, wherein the stent may be formed of an amorphous metal alloy or other non-amorphous metal with a securement. The stent is formed from flat or tubular metal in a helical coiled structure which has an undulating pattern. The main stent component may be formed of a single helically coiled component. Alternatively, a plurality of helically coiled ribbons may be used to form a stent heterogeneous in design, material, or other characteristic particular to that stent. The helical tubular structure may be secured with a securement, such as a weld, interlock or a polymer, to maintain the helical coils in a tubular configuration. The helical coils of the main stent component may be spaced apart or nestled to each other-maintain the tubular shape of the helically coiled stent and prevent the polymer layer from sagging at any point between cycles of the coils.

A method and apparatus for designing and fabricating a pantomesh. The pantomesh includes a plurality of pantomesh elements each including a pairs of links connected to one another by a revolute joint at points between their ends. Each of a plurality of the pantomesh elements is connected using spherical joints to a plurality of neighboring pantomesh elements, wherein a first line that extends along one side of a first pantomesh element forms a first variable angle with a second line that extends along an opposite side of the first pantomesh element. In some embodiments, at least some of the pantomesh elements of the pantomesh are not isosceles trapezoidal elements. In some embodiments, the pantomesh is used to compress breast tissue during an MRI procedure. In some embodiments, the pantomesh is connected to one or more actuators that facilitate remote control of the amount of compression provided.

The invention relates to a retaining device for an instrument, comprising at least one joint having at least two parts that can be moved relative to each other and at least one drive unit associated with the joint. The drive unit is designed to move the joint by driving at least one of the parts of the joint that can be moved relative to each other. The retaining device also comprises a securing device, which has a locking mechanism associated with the joint and a release unit that can be activated, wherein the locking mechanism interacts with the release unit in such a way that the locking mechanism holds the joint in a locked position as long as the release unit is not activated. The securing device is designed to permit a motion of the joint out of the particular locked position within a specified range of motion even if the release unit is not activated. The invention further relates to a corresponding securing device for a retaining device and to an operating method for said securing device.

A vehicular illumination module includes a housing, a circuit board accommodated by the housing, an illumination source disposed at the circuit board, and a freeformed lens optic accommodated by the housing. With the illumination source operated to emit light, light emitted by the illumination source passes through the freeformed lens optic and through an outer cover of the housing. The freeformed lens optic is configured such that light emitted by the illumination source that passes through the freeformed lens optic and through the outer cover provides illumination at an illuminated region. The illumination includes background illumination of the illuminated region. Within the illuminated region, a logo is formed by light emitted by the illumination source that passes through the freeformed lens optic. The logo formed by the freeformed lens optic has a light intensity greater than the light intensity of the background illumination of the illuminated region.

A tunable pressure transducer assembly that comprises a sensing element disposed within a housing, wherein the sensing element is adapted to output a signal substantially indicative of an applied pressure, and a filter assembly also disposed within the housing. In one example embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a filter assembly having a tube, a cap and a cavity defined by a housing, a pressure, wherein the cap is positioned to set a predetermined volume of the cavity and the tube is associated with an application of the pressure to the cavity, wherein the pressure includes a static pressure component and a dynamic pressure component; filtering, by the tube and the cavity, at least a portion of the dynamic pressure component of the pressure to obtain a filtered pressure; outputting, from the filter assembly, the filtered pressure; and wherein the filtered pressure is used to determine the static pressure component of the pressure.

The present invention is directed to a drug delivery device comprising a cartridge with a movable bung, a drive mechanism including a bearing for driving the bung in a distal direction for delivering a medicament and a piston rod for actuating the bearing. An electric conductor for transmitting an electrical signal is provided, wherein the electric conductor is configured such that a conductive connection is established or interrupted when the piston rod contacts the bearing or when the bearing contacts the bung. The invention is further directed to a method for detecting the contact between the drive mechanism and the movable bung.

The invention relates to a valve used in medical procedures. More specifically the invention relates to an introducer sheath valve used in minimally invasive and conventional surgical procedures. The valve may accommodate a wide range of surgical implement diameters, shapes, and multiple implements without imposing the high frictional forces of known valves.

A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function. The localized device or system communicates the position of the opening member to a remote device or system at a location remote from the transportable container. The remote device or system is capable of providing remote monitoring and control functions or actions at the transportable container depending on the communicated position of the opening member.

A method for configuring a hand-held riveting tool operated by an electric drive to set a blind rivet element in a setting operation. The hand-held riveting tool includes a mandrel configured to perform an axial movement so as to perform the setting operation of the blind rivet element, and a control unit which monitors the axial movement of the mandrel. The mandrel includes a front end position to which the blind rivet element is fitted in a form-locked manner and/or a force-locked manner. The method includes axially moving the mandrel from the front end position into a rear end position which is assumed at a beginning of the setting operation, and automatically adjusting the rear end position of the mandrel based on a parameter provided to the control unit.