Hutchinson Technology Corporation

Surgical Innovations Limited

Mark A Schmidt

Dean E Myers

Mark Steven Lewandowski

Kenneth R Quast

Mark R Christianson

Jeffry S Bennin

Shane J Van Sloun

James Roger Mahoney

Stevenson J Marek

Brandon K Fraser

Michael T Hofflander

Joseph P Ortner

James H Dettmann

Sergey I Gritsenko

John N Graber

Diane L Rupp

A method of making a multi-piece head suspension for a rigid disk drive. The method includes providing a first layer including a mounting region with an integral boss tower attached to a stiffener by one or more positioning tabs; attaching a second layer including a spring region to an interface between the mounting region and the stiffener; attaching a flexure to the stiffener; and removing the positioning tabs. The flexure can optionally be a portion of the second layer.

Method of forming a head suspension with an integral boss tower

An optical structure for combining light from a plurality of individual optical fibers into a single optical transmission device. The structure can be incorporated into the optical probe of a spectrophotometric instrument and includes a plurality of optical send fibers having input and output ends and an optical light mixer having input and output ends. The output ends of the send fibers are secured in optical communication with the input end of the light mixer.

Fiber optic light mixer

A disposable tip adapted for use in connection with an optical probe of an instrument. The tip includes a one-piece molded elastomeric base member having a boot and an opaque tissue-engaging surface. The boot releasably mates with and provides an interference/friction fit to the probe. The tissue-engaging surface surrounds and extends from the boot. A window in the base member extends into the boot to transmit light between the probe and tissue. A layer of optically transparent material covers the window on the tissue-engaging surface. Adhesive on the tissue-engaging surface of the base member releasably secures the probe to the tissue being analyzed.

Disposable tissue probe tip

A head suspension assembly in a rigid disk drive having a load beam with a mounting region, a rigid region and a spring region located between the mounting region and rigid region. The mounting region includes an integral boss tower having attachment features. A method of making a multi-piece head suspension for a rigid disk drive is also disclosed. The method includes providing a first layer including a mounting region with an integral boss tower attached to a stiffener by one or more positioning tabs; attaching a second layer including a spring region to an interface between the mounting region and the stiffener; attaching a flexure to the stiffener; and removing the positioning tabs. The flexure can optionally be a portion of the second layer.

Intergral base plate with boss tower

An optical connector latch to optically couple at least one optical fiber ferrule on an interface housing with an optics receptacle mount on an instrument and a method of using the same. The optical connector latch comprises one or more shell pegs adapted to advance the interface housing into engagement with the optics receptacle mount. One or more ferrule pins are adapted to extend through latch holes in the interface housing and latch holes in the optics receptacle mount to engage with the optical fiber ferrule. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shell pegs and the ferrule pins toward the optics receptacle mount.

Optical connector latching mechanism for a spectrophotometric instrument

A multifunctional minimally invasive surgical instrument. The instrument includes a tool set on the opposite end of a support tube from a handle assembly. Grasping, manipulating, retracting, cutting, cauterizing, irrigation, suction, and electrosurgery functions can be performed by actuating the handle assembly. The tool set can also be rotated and articulated with respect to the handle assembly.

Multifunctional minimally invasive surgical instrument

A tissue and organ extractor is provided for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures. The tissue and organ extractor has a handle, an elongated shank, and a flexible collapsible working end. The handle includes lock for locking a grasping instrument, such as forceps, securely in place in relation to the tissue and organ extractor. The extractor is inserted through a cannula into an abdominal cavity and the tissue or organ to be removed is manipulated into the working end by a grasping instrument. The extractor, grasping instrument and tissue are removed from the abdominal cavity through the cannula. The working end envelops the tissue and, during removal, compresses the enveloped tissue.

Growing community of inventors

Darwin, MN, United States of America

Mark A Schmidt