Abstract: A method for occluding an anatomical structure (such as a vessel or duct) having a lumen comprises: introducing percutaneously into the body of the patient a delivery device; advancing the delivery device to an occlusion site outside the lumen of an anatomical structure; deploying an occlusion instrument from the delivery device; and occluding the anatomical structure with the occlusion instrument. The advance of the delivery device and the deployment of the occlusion instrument are guided by near-real-time imaging of a target region of a body of a patient, the target region including the occlusion site on the anatomical structure. The delivery device is guided to the occlusion site outside the lumen of the anatomical structure, and the structure is occluded with the deployed occlusion instrument engaging the exterior of the structure.

Abstract: A fire suppression surface system comprises a flat sheet and a plurality of support members. The sheet has fluid channels therethrough. The support members lie on a support surface in a spaced-apart arrangement, and the sheet rests on the support members substantially parallel to and offset vertically above the support surface and defines with the support surface a containment space for receiving fluid spilled on the upper surface of the sheet that flows through the fluid channels. Area of channel upper openings is larger than about twice area of lower openings so as to restrict flow of air into or restrict escape of combustion products from the containment space, thereby suppressing combustion of a flammable fluid spilled on the sheet. A method for suppressing combustion of flammable fluid spilled on the support surface comprises covering the support surface with the sheet supported by the support members.

Abstract: A method for providing wireless online access comprises: establishing a wireless access signal space wherein a wireless communications link is established between a secondary wireless unit and at least one primary wireless unit, thereby providing a corresponding secondary subscriber with online access by data packet transmission between the primary wireless unit and the secondary wireless unit; and receiving, from an online access provider, a credited revenue amount in return for providing online access for the secondary subscriber.

Abstract: A pulley assembly for a compound archery bow comprises a set of multiple power cable pulleys and a draw cable pulley. The draw cable pulley is arranged to be rotatably mounted on a bow limb, to let out the draw cable when the bow is drawn, and so as to have interchangeably mounted thereon any one of the multiple power cable pulleys. Each power cable pulley is arranged to take up the power cable when the bow is drawn. At least one of the power cable pulleys is arranged so as to result in substantially negligible let-off of draw force of the bow. At least one other of the power cable pulleys is arranged so as to result in substantial let-off of the draw force of the bow at a corresponding draw length.

Abstract: A method comprises computing an interference pattern between a simulated design input optical signal and a simulated design output optical signal, and computationally deriving an arrangement of at least one diffractive element set from the computed interference pattern. The interference pattern is computed in a transmission grating region, with the input and output optical signals each propagating through the transmission grating region as substantially unconfined optical beams. The arrangement of diffractive element set is computationally derived so that when the diffractive element set thus arranged is formed in or on a transmission grating, each diffractive element set would route, between corresponding input and output optical ports, a corresponding diffracted portion of an input optical signal incident on and transmitted by the transmission grating. The method can further comprise forming the set of diffractive elements in or on the transmission grating according to the derived arrangement.

Abstract: A bow comprises: a riser; first and second limbs attached to the riser; first and second pulley members rotatably connected to the respective bow limbs; draw, power, and tensioning cables; and a tensioning pulley. The draw cable engages draw cable journals of the pulley members and rotates them as the bow is drawn and the draw cable is let out from the draw cable journals. The tensioning cable is secured at its first end to the first bow limb and engaged at its second end to be taken up by a power cam of the first pulley member as the bow is drawn and the first pulley member rotates. The tensioning pulley includes a tensioning cable journal and is arranged with the tensioning cable engaged therewith. The power cable is connected at its first end to the tensioning pulley and at its second end to the second bow limb.

Abstract: A source of terahertz radiation at a fundamental terahertz frequency is tunable over a fundamental terahertz frequency range, and is coupled into a first waveguide. The first waveguide supports only a single transverse spatial mode within the fundamental terahertz frequency range. A solid-state frequency multiplier receives from the first waveguide the terahertz radiation and produces terahertz radiation at a harmonic terahertz frequency. A second waveguide receives the harmonic terahertz radiation. The tunable terahertz source can comprise a backward wave oscillator with output tunable over about 0.10-0.18 THz, 0.18-0.26 THz, or 0.2-0.37 THz. The frequency multiplier can comprises at least one varistor or Schottky diode, and can comprise a doubler, tripler, pair of doublers, doubler and tripler, or pair of triplers. The terahertz source can be incorporated into a terahertz spectrometer or a terahertz imaging system.

Abstract: A network interface apparatus comprises a bidirectional optical signal port, an optical diplexer connected to the bidirectional optical signal port, a first RF signal port (bidirectional), a second RF signal port, a first RF diplexer, and an RF splitter. The RF diplexer transmits a first received RF input signal from the first RF signal port to the optical diplexer to modulate an optical output signal transmitted by the optical diplexer to the optical signal port. The RF splitter receives from the optical diplexer an RF signal derived from an RF-modulated optical input signal received from the bidirectional optical signal port, transmits a first portion of the derived RF signal as a first RF output signal to the first RF signal port through the first RF diplexer, and transmits a second portion of the derived RF signal as a second RF output signal to the second RF signal port.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises: a substrate; an optical device, an optical waveguide, or an optical element on the first substrate surface; a reflection-suppressing layer on a second substrate surface opposite the first substrate surface; and an absorbing layer on the reflection-suppressing layer, so that over at least a portion of the second substrate surface the reflection-suppressing layer is between the second substrate surface and the absorbing layer. The absorbing layer absorbs light over at least a portion of an operative wavelength range of the optical apparatus, while the reflection-suppressing layer suppresses reflection from the second substrate surface of light over at least a portion of the operative wavelength range of the optical apparatus to a reflectivity value below that of the second substrate surface with only the absorbing layer present.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a substantially transparent material having opposing first and second transmission surfaces and a substantially flat mounting surface between them, an alignment mark, and an optical coating. The optical element is mounted self-supporting on a substrate with the mounting surface on a mating portion thereof. With the alignment mark aligned to a corresponding mark on the substrate, waveguides on the substrate can be end-coupled by reflection from the first transmission surface. The transmission and mounting surfaces are arranged to position the transmission surfaces at respective orientations relative to the substrate surface so that an optical beam propagating substantially parallel to the substrate surface and entering the optical element through the first transmission surface propagates as an optical beam through the optical element above the mounting surface and exits the optical element through the second transmission surface.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises: a waveguide substrate; three planar optical waveguides formed on the substrate, each comprising a transmission core and cladding; a laser positioned to launch its optical output to propagate along the first waveguide; a photodetector positioned to receive an optical signal propagating along the second waveguide; and a lateral splitter core formed on the substrate for (i) transferring a first fraction of laser optical output propagating along the first waveguide to the second waveguide, and (ii) transferring a second fraction of the laser optical output propagating along the first waveguide to the third waveguide.

Abstract: A wireless network apparatus comprises: a wireless transmitter and receiver operated according to at least one recognized wireless communications protocol; a data storage unit; and a programmed processor. The processor is programmed for establishing direct and indirect links with wireless network nodes, storing wireless connectivity data, transmitting wireless connectivity data to the linked nodes for storage, receiving connectivity data from the linked nodes for storage. The wireless network apparatus may function as a wireless network node apparatus, and wireless network terminus, and/or a wireless portal node. Wireless connectivity data, wireless network terminus data, and/or other data associated with the wireless network may be redundantly stored distributed among the wireless network nodes. The wireless network apparatus may be further adapted for enhancing network connectivity, capacity, security, reliability, and/or functionality of the wireless network.

Abstract: An apparatus for launching a flying disc comprises launching and handle members connected to permit relative angular motion, a disc gripper connected to the launching member, and a release mechanism coupled to the disc gripper to (i) enable it to hold the disc with the launching and handle members forming an angle less than a release angle and (ii) cause the disc gripper to release automatically the held disc as the launching and handle members move to the release angle. Launching the disc comprises: arranging the launching and handle members to form an angle less than the release angle; loading the disc into the disc gripper; engaging the release mechanism to engage the disc gripper to hold the disc; and grasping the handle member and swinging the launching apparatus to cause the launching and handle members to move to the release angle and to cause automatically the disc gripper to release the disc, thereby launching the disc.

Abstract: An archery sight assembly comprises a sight, a mounting bracket, and a positioning mechanism for providing adjustment of relative positions or orientations of sight and bracket, which can include a transverse position relative to a sighting direction defined by the sight. The positioning mechanism can include a linear bearing with cylindrical bearing members, a scale and a pointer adjustable relative to the scale, or a rack coupled by one or more gears to an adjustment knob. A method for making the archery sight assembly comprises coupling the archery sight to the mounting bracket using the positioning mechanism. A method for using the archery sight assembly comprises adjusting the position or orientation of the archery sight relative to the mounting bracket using the positioning mechanism.

Abstract: A method comprises: (i) forming a first optical waveguide on a first substrate; (ii) forming a second, structurally discrete optical waveguide on a structurally discrete second substrate; (iii) assembling the second substrate or second optical waveguide with the first substrate or first optical waveguide so that the first and second optical waveguides are positioned between the first and second substrates and are relatively positioned for transferring the optical signal therebetween via optical transverse coupling; and (iv) arranging the first or second optical waveguide for transferring the optical signal therebetween via substantially adiabatic optical transverse coupling with the first and second waveguides so positioned.

Abstract: A multiply-integrated system for inventory, sales, and distribution of products comprises a supplier database, an order database, and a programmed order processor. The supplier database includes inventory/pricing information for multiple independent participating product suppliers, which may include: product manufacturers, distributors, and/or retailers. The order database includes order information received by the multiple participating product suppliers from multiple independent product purchasers. The multiple product purchasers may include any or all of: product manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and/or purchasers.

Abstract: A method comprises: forming an optical device on a device substrate; forming a first optical waveguide on the device or device substrate; forming a second, structurally discrete optical waveguide on a structurally discrete waveguide substrate; and assembling the optical device, first waveguide, or device substrate with the second waveguide or waveguide substrate. The device and first waveguide are arranged for transferring an optical signal between the device and the first waveguide. Upon assembly the first and second waveguides are positioned between the device and waveguide substrates and are relatively positioned for transferring the optical signal therebetween via optical transverse coupling. The first or second optical waveguide is arranged for transferring the optical signal therebetween via substantially adiabatic optical transverse coupling with the first and second waveguides so positioned.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a set of diffractive elements on a substrate. They are arranged: (i) to receive an input signal propagating from an input port as a diffraction-guided optical beam, (ii) to diffract a portion of the received input signal as an output signal, (iii) to route the output signal to propagate to an output port as a diffraction-guided optical beam, and (iv) to exhibit a positional variation in diffractive amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase over some portion of the set. The arrangement of the diffractive elements corresponds to an interference pattern derived from computed interference at a surface of the substrate between a simulated design input and output optical signals. Each diffractive element comprises at least one trench segment positioned along a path defined by a constant-phase contour of the interference pattern. Each trench segment is substantially rectangular or trapezoidal in transverse cross section.

Abstract: An archery bow comprises an elongated riser, two coupling members, and two bow limbs. The riser has a pair of distal pivotable connection points, a pair of proximal pivotable connection points between the distal connection points, and a central handle portion between the proximal connection points. Each coupling member is pivotably connected at a first pivotable connection point thereof to the riser at a corresponding proximal connection point thereof. Each bow limb is pivotably connected to the riser at a corresponding distal pivotable connection point thereof and pivotably connected to a corresponding coupling member at a second pivotable connection point thereof. Each bow limb is adapted at a pulley pivotable connection point thereof to receive a pulley member pivotably connected thereto.