Abstract: A wireless communication system employs directive antenna arrays and knowledge of position of users to form narrow antenna beams to and from desired users and away from undesired users to reduce co-channel interference. By reducing co-channel interference coming from different directions, spatial filtering with antenna arrays improves the call capacity of the system. A space division multiple access (SDMA) system allocates a narrow antenna beam pattern to each user in the system so that each user has its own communication channel free from co-channel interference. The position of the users is determined using geo-location techniques. Geo-location can be derived via triangulation between cellular base stations or via a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

Abstract: A clamping device for a machine tool that is securable to a work table of the machine tool. The machine tool typically has a work table and a saddle. The worktable is slidably mounted to the saddle. An elongated table screw is carried by the work table and extends through threaded block carried by the other saddle. A pair of jaws of the clamping device each have an acurate surface for engaging the elongated table screw. A mechanism moves the jaws relative to each other and into a closed position engaging and retaining the elongated table screw.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition suitable for topical application comprising: an effective amount of a prostaglandin, a polymer thickener, a lipophilic component, and a buffer system. In another embodiment, the invention provides a composition suitable for topical application comprising: an effective amount of a vasoactive agent, a polymer thickener, a lipophilic component, and a buffer system. The invention also provides methods of ameliorating female sexual dysfunction. Also provided are methods of increasing female sexual arousal and methods of enhancing female sexual response.

Abstract: A zoom laparoscope having a laparoscope base unit with a proximal end and a distal end and having a sheath with a zoom assembly. In one embodiment, the laparoscope comprises a two dimensional solid state imaging sensor. The laparoscope can contain a sheath locking mechanism located at both its proximal and distal ends. The sheath can comprise a light transmitting material for illumination of a region of interest. In an alternate embodiment, the sheath comprises an attachment for changing the angle of view of the laparoscope. The laparoscope can also contain a handle at its proximal end.

Abstract: An automated drug dispensing system includes a cabinet adapted to store a variety of prepackaged pharmaceuticals in a plurality of bins for filling patient prescriptions. Each bin stores a particular variety of packaged multiple-dose pharmaceutical. Each variety of pharmaceutical is associated with a particular code. A controller receives request signals and in response generates dispense signals. Each bin includes a dispenser coupled to the controller for dispensing the packaged pharmaceuticals therefrom in response to a dispense signal sent from the controller. After a package is dispensed, a code reader determines the code of the dispensed package and verifies whether the code on the dispensed package matches the code of the requested package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical retractor that immobilizes tissue at a surgical site. A preferred embodiment of the retractor is used during minimally invasive direct coronary bypass procedures to arrest movement of the grafting site while the heart continues pumping. Tape or thread can be used to connect the artery to the retractor with a holder.

Abstract: A clean, high efficiency, low pressure drop, adsorptive filter material that is porous and includes an acidic functional group. The filter can include, for example, a non-woven filter composite has a porous sulfonated divinyl benzene styrene copolymer beads having sulfonic acid functional side groups. The non-woven filter is used to remove molecular bases, including ammonia, organic amines, inides, aminoalcohols, alcoholoamines from the atmosphere used in semiconductor fabrication and other processes that require uncontaminated gaseous environments of high quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of polarized light to measure properties of tissue. More particularly, polarized light can be used to detect dysplasia in tissue as the polarization of backscattered light from such tissues is preserved while the contribution of diffusely scattered light from underlying tissues can be removed. A fiber optic system for delivery and collection of light can be used to measure tissues within the human body.

Abstract: A steam turbine has multiple valves for introducing steam into a steam turbine. Each of the input valves introduce steam flow around the entire the 360 degree arc. The set of nozzles are each divided into a plurality of chambers. Each set of chambers extends around the full arc of the turbine. Each set has a valve. The chambers are designed so that all valves are open when the turbine is running at maximum output. The chambers are sized such that valve throttling losses are minimized when the turbine is at its normal operating condition.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a scan conversion process for converting ultrasound data into a standard display format conversion and can be performed on a personal computer by programming the computer to convert data from polar coordinates to cartesian coordinates suitable for display on a computer monitor. The data is provided from scan head enclosure that houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging tissue autofluorescence through a video endoscope is described, comprising a light source capable of providing both ultraviolet light capable of inducing tissue autofluorescence and visible light which induces little or no autofluorescence, an optical system to deliver both wavelength bands to the tissue with the same apparent spatial and angular intensity distribution, a means for digitally acquiring the resulting, visible fluorescence and visible reflectance images using a single imaging detector at the distal tip of the endoscope and a means for digitally processing said images to generate a final, false-color image for display which indicates regions of tissue dysplasia. This system can either be added on to an existing video endoscope or integrated into its structure. The combined system can be electronically switched between normal white light imaging and fluorescence imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of time gated scattered light, for determining the location and composition of material within various organs of the human body. The systems and methods of the present invention provide for medical imaging in three dimensions of internal body structures for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting base contamination at low concentrations in gas, for instance to protect a sensitive process, characterized in that the detection system is constructed to examine multiple amines in gas to produce a reading stoichiometrically related to the proton bonding characteristic of the multiple amines present, the detection system comprising at least two channels through which a gas to be examined passes, an amines remover located in one of the channels, at least one thermal/catalytic converter which discharges NO for each channel, and at least one chemiluminescent NO detector, whereby the total amine concentration is determined from the difference between the detected signals for the channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemical vapor deposition includes a dispenser for dispensing a precursor to a vaporizer positioned within a vaporization chamber. A delivery conduit joins the vaporization with a process chamber. A flow meter is positioned within the delivery conduit for measuring the flow of precursor through the delivery conduit. A flow controller is likewise positioned within the delivery conduit for controlling the flow of precursor in response to the measured flow rate.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional beamforming device that performs consecutive one-dimensional operations. For example, beamsteering for a two-dimensional array can be include a projection of a beam onto each of the respective axes of the array. In such a device, a first beamforming processing element is used to form multiple beams for each array output along a given row. In a preferred embodiment, sequential output vectors from the first processing element are then applied to a transposing or corner turning memory and the data are reformatted such that all elements on a given column of the array are applied to a second beam forming processing element.