Author: claimsbot

1. A method comprising:
providing at least one array of tips;
providing at least two patterning compositions different from each other;
ink jet printing at least two of the different patterning compositions onto at least some of the tips; and
depositing at least some of the ink jet printed patterning compositions onto a substrate surface;
wherein the array of tips and the ink jet printing are adapted to prevent substantial cross-contamination of the patterning composition on the tips.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tips are present with a tip density of at least 1,000 per square centimeter.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the array of tips is adapted by controlling the spacing of the tips.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the array of tips is a two dimensional array of tips and is adapted by controlling the spacing of the tips in each dimension.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ink jet printing is adapted by controlling the registration of the ink jet printer with respect to the array.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the ink jet printing is adapted by controlling the amount of patterning composition which is ink jet printed onto the tips.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the prevention of cross-contamination is sufficient that the amount of cross-contamination is less than about 5% by weight.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the prevention of substantial cross-contamination is measured by microscopy.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the array of tips are disposed on cantilevers, and the tips and cantilevers are surface adapted to encourage localization of the ink composition in a tip area.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the array of tips is a two-dimensional array.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the array of tips further comprises a plurality of cantilevers onto which the tips are disposed.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the array of tips is characterized by a tip spacing of less than about 150 microns.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the array is a two-dimensional array and is characterized by a tip-to-tip spacing of less than about 90 microns along a row of tips in one dimension and of less than about 90 microns between the rows of tips in another dimension.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the tips are scanning probe microscope tips.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the tips are atomic force microscope tips.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of the patterning composition being ink jet printed onto a tip is smaller than about 500 pL.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein depositing is carried out with simultaneously depositing at least two different ink compositions.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the tips are coated to encourage localization of the patterning composition on the tip.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the ink jet printing is controlled so that the tip is uniformly coated.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein ink jet printing comprises ejecting at least one droplet to be disposed on the entire surface of the tip, followed by contraction of the droplet by drying to localize on the tip.
21. A method comprising:
ink jet printing at least one patterning composition onto at least one tip; and
depositing the ink jet printed patterning composition onto a substrate surface at a deposition rate;
wherein the conditions for ink jet printing are adapted to control the rate of deposition.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the conditions adapted include the amount of patterning composition ink jet printed onto the tip.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the conditions adapted include the number of ink drops which are ink jetted onto the tip.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the conditions adapted include increasing the number of ink drops sufficiently to provide a uniform tip coating.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein the conditions adapted include the concentration of patterning composition.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein the ink jet printing and depositing are carried out to produce a direct relationship between the amount of patterning composition on the tip and the transport rate.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever.
28. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is one of an array of tips.
29. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is an AFM tip.
30. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is a scanning probe tip.
31. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is a nanoscopic tip.
32. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is a solid tip.
33. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever.
34. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip after ink jet printing has a shelf-life of at least about 30 days.
35. The method of claim 21, wherein the ink jet printing is performed with at least one piezoelectric-controlled nozzle.
36. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever to form a structure, and the structure is treated to encourage localization of the ink onto the tip.
37. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever to form a structure, and the structure is treated to provide at least two regions of different hydrophilicity to encourage localization of the ink onto the tip.
38. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever to form a structure, and the structure is surface treated with a monolayer to provide at least two regions of different hydrophilicity to encourage localization of the ink onto the tip.
39. The method of claim 21, wherein at least part of the tip is rendered hydrophilic or hydrophobic.
40. The method of claim 21, wherein the tip is functionalized to have different hydrophilicities in different portion of the tip.
41. A method comprising:
ink jet printing at least one patterning composition onto at least one array of tips comprising at least two tips; and
depositing the patterning composition from the tips onto a substrate surface to form a plurality of features;
wherein the conditions for ink jet printing are adapted to control the variability of deposition rate in the array of tips.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the array is a one-dimensional array.
43. The method of claim 41, wherein the array is a two-dimensional array.
44. The method of claim 41, wherein the array further comprises at least one cantilever.
45. The method of claim 41, wherein at least some of the tips are disposed on cantilevers.
46. The method of claim 41, wherein the patterning composition which is ink jet printed on the tips is disposed on the tips in substantially the same amount.
47. The method of claim 41, wherein the patterning composition which is ink jet printed on the tips is deposited from the tips at substantially the same diffusion rates.
48. The method of claim 41, wherein the tips after ink jet printing have a shelf-life of at least about one month.
49. The method of claim 41, wherein the tips are scanning probe microscope tips.
50. The method of claim 41, wherein the tips are atomic force microscope tips.
51. The method of claim 41, wherein the tip comprises a surface which has not been modified by an organic material.
52. The method of claim 41, wherein the patterning compositions on the tips provide substantially the same diffusion rates upon deposition.
53. The method of claim 41, wherein the patterning compositions on the tips have a standard variation in the diffusion rates less than about 10%.
54. The method of claim 41, wherein the features are about 100 nm to about 10 microns.
55. The method of claim 41, wherein the features are 10 nm to about one micron.
56. The method of claim 41, wherein the sizes of the features have a standard variation less than about 10%.
57. The method of claim 41, wherein the patterning composition diffusion is controlled by functionalization of the tips.
58. The method of claim 41, wherein the tips have been treated to encourage localization of the ink jet printed composition.
59. The method of claim 41, wherein the tips have been treated to become more hydrophilic or more hydrophobic.
60. The method of claim 41, wherein the tips are disposed on cantilevers and both the tips and the cantilevers have been treated to encourage localization of the ink jet printed composition on the tips.
61. A method comprising:
ink jet printing at least one patterning composition onto at least one tip in at least one array, wherein the tip has been treated to encourage localization of the patterning composition on the tip.
62. The method of claim 61, wherein tip has been treated to become more hydrophilic or more hydrophobic.
63. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever.
64. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever, and the cantilever and the tip are treated to encourage localization of the patterning composition on the tip.
65. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is treated with a monolayer.
66. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is substantially more hydrophilic than area surrounding the tip.
67. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is substantially less hydrophilic than area surrounding the tip.
68. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever, and the cantilever is more hydrophilic than the tip.
69. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever, and the cantilever is more hydrophobic than the tip.
70. The method of claim 61, wherein the treatments which provide for different hydrophilicities is created by anisotropic functionalization.
71. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip has been treated by methods which include lithography.
72. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip has been treated by methods which include coating the tip with a film.
73. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is disposed on a cantilever and a backside of the cantilever is further functionalized.
74. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is an atomic force microscope tip.
75. The method of claim 61, wherein the tip is a nanoscopic tip.
76. The method of claim 61, wherein the array is a one-dimensional or a two-dimensional array.
77. The method of claim 61, wherein the ink jet printing is performed by a nozzle with a diameter of about 100 microns or less.
78. The method of claim 61, wherein an array of tips used and the ink jet printing are adapted to prevent substantial cross-contamination of a plurality of patterning composition on the tips.
79. The method of claim 61, wherein an array of tips is used adapted by controlling the spacing of the tips to prevent substantial cross-contamination.
80. The method of claim 61, wherein the ink jet printing is adapted by controlling the registration of the ink jet printer.
81. A method comprising:
providing a contact printer surface,
disposing at least one patterning composition onto the contact printer surface; and
depositing at least some of the disposed patterning composition from the contact printer surface to a substrate;
wherein the contact printer surface is treated so as to encourage the localization of the patterning composition to a desired location on the surface.
82. The method of claim 81, wherein the disposing step is carried out by inkjet printing.
83. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface is adapted for a soft lithography method.
84. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface is a stamp surface for microcontact printing.
85. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface is a tip for direct write deposition.
86. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface comprises an array of cantilevers.
87. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface comprises an array of cantilevers, the cantilevers comprising tips thereon.
88. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface comprises an array of cantilevers, the cantilevers comprising AFM tips thereon.
89. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface is a nanoscopic tip.
90. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface is a scanning probe tip.
91. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface comprises an aperture.
92. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface comprises an elongated beam comprising an aperture.
93. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface is a solid tip.
94. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface is an AFM tip.
95. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface encourages localization by a boundary line between two regions with different hydrophilicities.
96. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface comprises a tip which has been treated to encourage localization of the patterning composition on the tip.
97. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface comprises a two-dimensional array of tips.
98. The method of claim 81, wherein the contact printer surface comprises a two-dimensional array of tips having a tip density of at least 3,000 tips per square centimeter.
99. The method of claim 81, wherein the disposing step is an ink jet printing step and the contact printer surface comprises an array of cantilevers with AFM tips thereon.
100. The method of claim 81, wherein the disposing step is an ink jet printing step and the contact printer surface comprises an array of cantilevers with AFM tips thereon, and the array has a tip spacing of less than about 100 microns.
101. A device comprising an array of cantilevers, the cantilevers having a tip thereon, wherein the cantilevers and tip are adapted to encourage localization of a deposited ink jet drop onto the tip.
102. The device of claim 101, wherein the localization is encouraged with use of a hydrophilic-hydrophobic boundary.
103. The device of claim 101, wherein the tips are AFM tips.
104. The device of claim 101, wherein the array is a two-dimensional array.
105. The device of claim 101, wherein the array has a cantilever spacing adapted to prevent cross-contamination of patterning compositions which are deposited by ink jet printing.
106. The device of claim 101, wherein the tips are elastomeric tips.
107. The device of claim 101, wherein the tips are solid tips.
108. The device of claim 101, wherein the tips are fountain pen tips.
109. A method comprising:
providing an ink well,
disposing at least one patterning composition onto the ink well surface; and
wherein the ink well surface is treated so as to encourage the localization of the patterning composition to a desired location on the surface.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of installing a spinal stabilization construct, comprising:
installing first and second vertebral anchors onto first and second vertebrae, respectively, each vertebral anchor having an upwardly open channel adapted to receive a flexible connecting element extending between the first and second vertebrae;
mounting first and second access members onto the first and second vertebral anchors, respectively, each access member having a cannula to provide access to the channel of the respective vertebral anchor;
inserting the connecting element through a slot in the first access member;
advancing the flexible connecting element from the slot in the first access member into the channel of the first vertebral anchor;
securing the flexible connecting element to the channel of the first vertebral anchor with a first fastener;
positioning a spacer on the connecting element adjacent the first vertebral anchor;
inserting the flexible connecting element through a slot in the second access member;
translating a tool along an exterior of the second access member without rotation to advance the flexible connecting element along the slot in the second access member into the channel in the second vertebral anchor;
positioning the spacer between the vertebral anchors; and
securing the flexible connecting element to the channel of the second vertebral anchor with a second fastener.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the spacer between the vertebral anchors includes:
pushing the spacer into position between the vertebral anchors with the tool.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the tool includes a lateral portion extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool for contacting the spacer.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the lateral portion is a flange including an arcuate surface.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the arcuate surface contacts an outer surface of the spacer.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tool is a tubular member slidably disposed around the second access member.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
tensioning the connecting element after securing the flexible connecting element to the channel of the first vertebral anchor and prior to securing the flexible connecting element to the channel of the second vertebral anchor.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
distracting the first and second vertebrae during positioning the spacer between the vertebral anchors.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the flexible connecting element to the channel of the first vertebral anchor with the first fastener includes passing the first fastener through the first access member percutaneously to the first vertebral anchor, and securing the flexible connecting element to the channel of the second vertebral anchor with the second fastener includes passing the second fastener through the second access member percutaneously to the second vertebral anchor.
10. A method of installing a spinal stabilization construct, comprising:
installing first and second vertebral anchors onto first and second vertebrae, respectively, each vertebral anchor including an upwardly open channel;
assembling a flexible stabilization assembly including a flexible member extending through a spacer;
positioning the flexible stabilization assembly between the first and second vertebral anchors by translating a tool having a arcuate surface in contact with the spacer toward the first and second vertebral anchors without rotation of the tool, wherein a first portion of the flexible stabilization assembly is positioned in the channel of the first vertebral anchor and a second portion of the flexible stabilization assembly is positioned in the channel of the second vertebral anchor;
securing the first portion of the flexible stabilization assembly in the channel of the first vertebral anchor with a first fastener; and
securing the second portion of the flexible stabilization assembly in the channel of the second vertebral anchor with a second fastener.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the spacer provides a compressive force against the first and second vertebral anchors.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the flexible member extends through the channel of the first vertebral anchor.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the flexible member extends through the channel of the second vertebral anchor.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
tensioning the flexible member prior to securing the second portion of the flexible stabilization assembly in the channel of the second vertebral anchor.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
distracting the first and second vertebrae during positioning the flexible stabilization assembly between the vertebral anchors.
16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
passing the flexible member along a slot of a first access device, through which the flexible member extends, into the channel of the first vertebral anchor.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
passing the flexible member along a slot of a second access device, through which the flexible member extends, into the channel of the second vertebral anchor.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein securing the flexible stabilization assembly in the channel of the first vertebral anchor with the first fastener includes passing the first fastener through a first access member to the first vertebral anchor, and securing the flexible stabilization assembly in the channel of the second vertebral anchor with the second fastener includes passing the second fastener through a second access member to the second vertebral anchor.

1. A noncontact coupler comprising a pair of magnetic cores each having a U-shaped open magnetic path, a primary coil and secondary coil being wound around said cores separately respectively, said coupler transmitting AC electric power between said primary and secondary coils by means of an annular closed magnetic path formed by opposing in proximity both open magnetic face sides of said cores, wherein each of the primary and secondary magnetic cores is split laterally into sections, and gaps through each of which part of a spatial magnetic path passes are interposed between adjacent ones of said split sections.
2. A noncontact coupler according to claim 1, wherein each of said primary and secondary magnetic cores is formed by a plurality of core members and gaps through each of which part of a spatial magnetic path passes are interposed between adjacent ones of said core members.
3. A noncontact coupler according to claim 1, wherein each of said primary and secondary magnetic cores is formed by fan-shaped core members and fan-shaped gaps having the same shape as said core members are interposed between adjacent ones of said core members.
4. A noncontact coupler according to claim 1, wherein each of said primary and secondary magnetic cores is formed by a plurality of elongated magnetic members extending radially and arranged around a circle.
5. A noncontact coupler according to claim 4, wherein said elongated magnetic member is board-shaped and has uniform thickness entirely.
6. A noncontact coupler according to claim 1, wherein said primary and secondary magnetic cores are formed respectively by the same odd numbers of core members extending radially and arranged at equiangular intervals, and said primary core members and secondary core members are arranged such that each core member of one of the primary and secondary magnetic cores is placed level with one of the gaps between adjacent ones of the core members of the other to form a magnetic coupling between said primary and secondary coils with the arrangement.
7. A noncontact coupler comprising a pair of magnetic cores each having a U-shaped open magnetic path, a primary coil and secondary coil being wound around said cores separately respectively, said coupler transmitting AC electric power between said primary and secondary coils by means of an annular closed magnetic path formed by opposing in proximity both open magnetic face sides of said cores, wherein each of the primary and secondary magnetic cores is formed by an annular outer circumferential core member, a disc-shaped inner circumferential core member, and a number of intermediate core members extending radially that bridge between both said circumferential core members.
8. A noncontact coupler according to claim 7, wherein an inner circumferential edge of each said intermediate core member is tapered.
9. A noncontact coupler according to claim 7, wherein an outer circumferential edge of each said intermediate core member is broadened in the width.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A system for a landing site for a helicopter or a load suspended from a helicopter, the system comprising landing positioning references that are visualised as a luminous pattern on the landing site, wherein the landing positioning references are formed as lines of light projected on to the landing site from at least one light source arranged at the landing site.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source constitutes one of several light source sets which together form a light source system encircling the landing site.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is a line light source.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the line light source comprises an optical system that may be manipulated by an actuator system connected to a light source control unit and is arranged to be able to direct a portion of a light beam collection toward any area of the landing site and to orientate a projected light line segment in a desired horizontal direction on the landing site.
5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the line light source comprises an optical system provided with several light line generating means that each, independently of each other, are arranged to be able to orientate a projected light line segment in a desired, horizontal direction on the landing site to thereby be able to project intersecting light lines.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is a point light source.
7. A device according to claim 3, wherein the point light source comprises an optical system that may be manipulated by means of an actuator system connected to a light source control unit and is arranged to be able to direct a light beam bundle toward any area of the landing site and to orientate a projected light point on the landing site.
8. A method for forming of landing positioning references visualised as a luminous pattern on a landing site for a helicopter or a load suspended from a helicopter, the method comprising:
projecting light on the landing site from one or more light sources arranged at the landing site.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:
forming the luminous pattern by cooperation of at least two line light sources that independently of each other are arranged to be able to project a light line.
10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:
forming the luminous pattern by more light line segments by pulsing a line light source coordinated with a projecting of a light line segment in alternating position and direction.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: by means of an actuator system connected to a light source control unit to manipulate an optical system connected to the line light source to thereby direct a portion of a light beam collection toward any area of the landing site and to orientate a projected light line segment in a desired, horizontal direction on the landing site.
12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:
forming the luminous pattern by several light points by pulsing of a point light source coordinated with a projection of a light point in an alternating position.
13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the method further comprises:
operating an actuator system connected to a light source control unit to manipulate an optical system connected to the point light source to thereby direct a light beam bundle toward any area of the landing site.