A push-pull solenoid is provided with a cylindrical guide member that is fixed to a case. A circular outer peripheral surface of a plunger is in contact with a friction guide surface formed on a circular inner peripheral surface of the guide member, and slides along the friction guide surface. Frictional force due to contact with the friction guide surface is always acting on the plunger, so it is possible to suppress impact-like contact of the plunger with an object to be manipulated during suctioning, and vibration and noise caused thereby. Moreover, over-recovery and falling-out of the plunger after suction is released can also be prevented.

Presented are a single coil apparatus and a method of forming. An exemplary apparatus includes solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly includes a core tube extending along a longitudinal axis. The solenoid assembly further includes a first magnet and a second magnet located outside the core tube, the first magnet spaced along the longitudinal axis from the second magnet, and an excitation coil disposed radially outward of the first magnet and the second magnet.

An electromagnetic actuator having at least one electromagnetic actuator unit, the actuator unit comprising a coil and a plunger, which plunger is axially movable relative to the coil via energization of the coil, and the actuator unit being arranged in a housing. In order to achieve a particularly simple design, the plunger is arranged approximately coaxially with the coil according to the invention.

An adjustable solenoid assembly with an adjustable threaded pole having an interference fit section to be used with a complementary threaded receiver (e.g., the bore of the top plate) with an interference fit section. The adjustable threaded sections are used to pull or push the interference fit sections together and allow for precise locating of the interference fit sections and adjustment. The threaded pole may be used to set and maintain a precision working air gap between the pole piece and the plunger of the electromagnetic solenoid assembly. The interference fit holds the pole piece into location while still allowing the solenoid to be adjustable without a loss in flux density.

An adjustable solenoid assembly with an adjustable threaded pole having an interference fit section to be used with a complementary threaded receiver (e.g., the bore of the top plate) with an interference fit section. The adjustable threaded sections are used to pull or push the interference fit sections together and allow for precise locating of the interference fit sections and adjustment. The threaded pole may be used to set and maintain a precision working air gap between the pole piece and the plunger of the electromagnetic solenoid assembly. The interference fit holds the pole piece into location while still allowing the solenoid to be adjustable without a loss in flux density.

An apparatus is provided for mechanically loading a biological sample. The apparatus comprises: a container for housing the biological sample; a ferromagnetic element, for attachment to the biological sample within the container; and a solenoid for generating a magnetic field within the container, so as to apply a force to the ferromagnetic element. The solenoid is configured, when energised by a constant current, to produce a force on the ferromagnetic element that varies by less than a predetermined amount over a predetermined range of movement of the magnet within the container. A method of mechanically loading a biological sample is also disclosed.

A valve solenoid includes a coil pot having an internal volume. A coil is positioned concentrically within the internal volume. An outer tube is positioned concentrically within the coil. A pole core is positioned concentrically within the outer tube. An armature includes an armature first portion positioned distal from the pole core and an armature second portion at least a portion of which is positioned concentrically within the outer tube. An inner tube is positioned concentrically within the channel defined by the armature such that the at least a portion of the armature second portion is positioned concentrically between the outer tube and the inner tube. An armature pin is fixedly coupled to the armature. A biasing member is positioned within the channel. A first end of the biasing member is coupled to the armature pin and a second end of the biasing member coupled to the pole core.

An electromagnetic actuating mechanism comprising an armature unit (10) which can be moved by a certain armature excursion along an axial direction of travel as a result of stationary coil means being energized, plunger means (16) which are associated with the armature unit, are designed such that the end thereof cooperates with an external actuating partner, and can be moved by a certain plunger excursion along the direction of travel from a starting position into an engagement position, and spring means (22) which bias the plunger means in the direction of travel.

An electromagnetic actuating mechanism comprising an armature unit (10) which can be moved by a certain armature excursion along an axial direction of travel as a result of stationary coil means being energized, plunger means (16) which are associated with the armature unit, are designed such that the end thereof cooperates with an external actuating partner, and can be moved by a certain plunger excursion along the direction of travel from a starting position into an engagement position, and spring means (22) which bias the plunger means in the direction of travel.

A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the vapor delivery needle can be advanced a predetermined distance into the prostate with a solenoid actuation mechanism. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.