Conveyor slat bottom flanges are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members. The mode field diameter of the optical fiber is expanded by heating an optical fiber 1 with a burner 11 so as to thermally diffuse the dopant forming the refractive-index profile. The nose section tapers distally and inwardly from the base section to form a generally pointed or rounded distal tip portion and comprises a solid piece of bone. Additionally, the lower surface of each belt link may have an electrically conductive layer. In one embodiment, the first set of latches in each short path is held in a transparent state while a second phase clock signal comprised of shortened duty cycle pulses is supplied to the second set of latches. A method of patch cord assembly is provided for detachably securing a first patch cord relative to a second patch cord.