Westover Scientific, Inc.

Mitutoyo Corporation

Coopervision, Inc.

Applied Precision, Inc.

Microvision, Inc.

International Biomedics, Inc.

Gregory J Gerhard

Kevin Cassady

William M Graham

Steve Lytle

Clarence T Tegreene

Kim W Atherton

Wade C Vaughn

Robert J Gornstein

Bashir Z Eslam

Anilbhai S Patel

John M Smith

A cleaning apparatus () for cleaning an endface () of an optical fiber (), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device () is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing () having an interface portion () adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly () at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion () of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly () and/or a microscope ().

Fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus and method

A cleaning apparatus () for cleaning an endface () of an optical fiber contained within an interface device () is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing () having an interface portion () adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus also includes at least a first nozzle () operable to deliver a pressurized gas and a solvent upon the endface to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. A method for cleaning an endface of an optical fiber contained within an interface device is also provided. The method comprises the steps of inserting an interface portion within the interface device so as to position a nozzle in proximity to the endface of the interface device. The method further comprises the steps of directing a pressurized gas through the nozzle toward the endface and intermixing a solvent with the pressurized gas.

Fiber-optic endface cleaning assembly and method

A cleaning apparatus ( ) for cleaning an endface ( ) of an optical fiber contained within an interface device ( ) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing ( ) having an interface portion ( ) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus also includes at least a first nozzle ( ) operable to deliver a pressurized gas and a solvent upon the endface to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. A method for cleaning an endface of an optical fiber contained within an interface device is also provided. The method comprises the steps of inserting an interface portion within the interface device so as to position a nozzle in proximity to the endface of the interface device. The method further comprises the steps of directing a pressurized gas through the nozzle toward the endface and intermixing a solvent with the pressurized gas.

A display apparatus includes an image source that scans about two axes. To offset motion about a first of the axes during sweeps about the second axis, the apparatus includes a structure to produce offsetting motion about the first axis at a scanning rate equal to the twice-scanning rate about the second axis. The offsetting scan can be a ramp or other motion. In one embodiment, the offsetting motion is a resonant sinusoid. The offsetting motion may be produced by an auxiliary scanner such as a mechanical scanner, a piezoelectric scanner, a MEMs scanner or other scanner. Because the offsetting motion is very small, the auxiliary scanner can function with a very small scan angle.

Scanned display with pinch, timing, and distortion correction

A linear motion micropositioning device employs a housing containing fixed, electrically excited stators. A rotating permanent magnet rotor is directly attached to a spindle of a precision lead screw. The stators are provided with sufficient axial depth to permit the rotor to rotate and reciprocate axially while under continuous magnetic influence of the stators.

Liner motion micropositioning apparatus and method

An orthogonal motion stage provides Z axis motion, along an optical axis independently of translational motion in an orthogonal, X-Y axis reference plane. Conversely, motion in the X-Y reference plane does not induce unwanted motion in the Z axis. Straight line mechanisms interconnect the Z axis carrier to a base plate. Flexible connections are used in the straight line mechanisms to ensure accurate orthogonal motion.

Orthogonal motion microscope stage

In a capacitive-type linear displacement measuring device, a pick-off body is resiliently biased into sliding contact with a scale. The pick-off body is supported by a flat spring and resiliently biased towards the scale by a leaf spring. The front surface of the scale slides in abutting contact with the front surface of the pick-off body. The flat spring restrains non-axial movement of the pick-off body but permits movement normal to the axial movement so that the pick-off body accurately tracks and remains in abutting contact with the scale as it slides in an axial direction. Changes in capacitance caused by axial displacement of the scale are accurately sensed and changes in capacitance caused by non-axial motion are avoided. According to an alternative embodiment, the pick-off body and scale are positioned with their sliding surfaces aligned with the axis of the support member to reduce the moment arm for any friction forces to zero, further reducing the likelihood of inaccurately sensing the axial movement of the scale.

Precision linear measuring suspension system having sliding contact

A spindle for a linear distance measuring member is described herein. A linear gauge is provided with a hollow spindle having a flexible rod therein. The flexible rod is rigidly coupled at one end to the spindle, and at the other end thereof to the measuring member. Axial motion of the spindle is transferred directly to axial motion of the measuring member, because the axial movement of the rod exactly corresponds to axial movement of the spindle. If the spindle undergoes nonaxial movement, such as by tilting, the flexible rod within the spindle bends to accommodate for the change in length to the spindle. The use of a hollow spindle with a flexible rod therein effectively decouples nonaxial movement of a spindle from axial movement of a measuring member. A device made according to the principles taught herein may be used in any linear measuring system which transfers axial motion of one member to axial motion of a measuring member, to decouple laterial motion between the two for minimizing the errors.

Precision linear measuring device having an improved spindle mounting

The article includes a first vial (12) which is positioned within a second larger vial (32). The first vial (12) separately contains a first fluid, such as a first calibrating fluid, and the second vial (32) contains a second fluid, such as a second calibrating fluid. A stopper (18) seals the first vial (12) and holds a sensing portion (21) of the sensor in the first vial (12). The first vial (12) is released from the second vial (32) by activating a plunger (36). An encapsulation package (50) having first and second elements (51, 52) maintains the chemical sensor and a calibrating article or vessel in a sterile condition. The package includes a first cavity (54) which receives the calibrating vessel, the sensing portion of the sensor and a substantial portion of the sensor cable, and a second cavity (56) which receives the sensor connector. A passageway (58) connecting the two cavities (54, 56) is adapted to receive a portion of the sensor cable.

Article for preparing a chemical sensor for use

A surgical scalpel for use in ophthalmic and other forms of surgery having a blade that can be adjustably extended beyond a foot. The scalpel also includes an indicator for showing the length of the blade that is exposed beyond the foot. The indicator can be calibrated to compensate for variations in blade length and other manufacturing tolerances.

Surgical scalpel

An intraocular lens four point contact haptics with an asymmetrical cross section. The ends of each of the haptics are contiguously juxtaposed and inserted in a common bore in the periphery of the optic. The legs of each of the haptics spiral outwardly in juxtaposed relationship, separate and extend away from each other to form eye contacting heel and toe portions residing on opposing sides of the inferior-superior axis of the lens. When two such haptics are employed, a wide haptic compression range can be achieved with little differential in compression force.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Gregory J Gerhard