Abstract: An ultrasonic suture device is provided for drilling arc shaped holes through hard materials, such as metals, glass, or bone. The ultrasonic suture device includes a transducer, horn and probe. The probe is constructed of three sections including a stem section, extension section and arc section. The stem section extends along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic suture device, while the arc section is constructed in the shape of an arc of a circle and is positioned concentrically with the stem's axis. At the distal extremity of the probe is a tip constructed for drilling into hard materials.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing satellite proximity operations such as inspection, recovery and life extension of a target satellite through operation of a “Satellite Inspection Recovery and Extension” (“SIRE”) spacecraft which can be operated in the following modes (teleoperated, automatic, and autonomous). The SIRE concept further consists of those methods and techniques used to perform certain (on-orbit) operations including, but not limited to, the inspection, servicing, recovery, and lifetime extension of satellites, spacecraft, space systems, space platforms, and other vehicles and objects in space, collectively defined as “target satellites”. The three basic types of SIRE proximity missions are defined as “Lifetime Extension”, “Recovery”, and “Utility”. A remote cockpit system is provided to permit human control of the SIRE spacecraft during proximity operations.

Abstract: A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane. However, in a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane.

Abstract: The effect of cancer chemotherapeutic agents is potentiated by combination with mineral ascorbates, Vitamin C metabolites and/or Vitamin C-derived furanones.

Abstract: The “Aerial Life Saver Combine” is a multipurpose mobile safety system that is used in relation to work performed on top of any kind of vehicle or on stationary structures where fall safety protection for workers in service, maintenance and construction is required. The uniqueness of this product is that one vehicle can do the job of two or more equipment to protect workers from a fall throughout their entire activity. Several accidents can be avoided by eliminating passages from equipment to equipment securing in such a way adequate anchorage for all time spent above ground. Wearing the proper harness, the user of the vehicle is protected by rails climbing the stairway and walking upon the platform. A gate secures the front of the platform. Thereafter, the worker attaches his harness —located at his back —to one of the life-lines previously installed between the anchor points and platform rail hooks. He then opens the front gate and walks onto the working area safely.

Abstract: A method for detecting epithelial cancer includes generating a real-time video image of the locus of potential cancerous sites on the epithelium. The real-time video image is displayed on a television monitor screen. The real-time video image on the monitor is examined to locate suspected cancerous sites and the results of such examination are recorded.

Abstract: A mobile communications system for permitting the communications of a mobile unit in proximity to a communications service having priority over the communications of the mobile unit. An interference zone is formed around the priority communications site such that if the mobile unit were to transmit in the frequency band of the priority system, interference would be created with the operation of the priority receiver. In order to eliminate interference with the priority system by the mobile unit, a proximity detector determines if the mobile unit is located in the interference zone. Once the determination has been made that the mobile unit is located in the interference zone, the mobile unit alters its transmission to eliminate the interference of the mobile unit with the priority service.

Abstract: An inexpensive, highly maneuverable vehicle is provided for operating within the proximity of landmines. The vehicle is preferably hydrostatically propelled and includes an adjustable hydraulic suspension for providing a varying ground clearance depending on terrain and operation. The vehicle includes “bendaway” or “breakaway” wheels and a smooth underside. The hydrostatic drive system and bendaway or breakaway wheels provide a vehicle which can still maneuver even with one or two wheels disengaged due to removal upon striking a landmine. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is constructed to operate as a battlefield ambulance. The vehicle includes a portal formed on the vehicle's underside for permitting the retrieval of injured persons to within the vehicle without subjecting occupants within the vehicle to be vulnerable to hostile fire.

Abstract: A method and kit for screening patients for oral epitheleal cancer. The clinician is provided with a kit containing the staining dye test solution in preselected concentration and volume in prepackaged form, to permit the clinician to dispense the solution directly from the package without diluting or reconstituting before application to oral tissue.

Abstract: A cold plate assembly for cooling a heat source is disclosed. The cold plate assembly includes a rectangular base having an inner surface for thermally interfacing with the heat source. Machining or casting or molding a contour to interface with the heat source forms the base. A heat pipe thermal plane or individual heat pipes are selected to conform to the thermal cooling capacity of the cold plate assembly. One or two compact heat exchangers are selected to remove the heat conducted through the base to the cooling fluid used in the compact heat exchanger. The three modules are bonded together to form the cold plate assembly.

Abstract: An improved swab applicator is provided including a swab connected to an elongate stick. The swab applicator further includes a sleeve encapsulating the swab and stick including a handle portion, receptacle portion and transition portion. The handle portion is preferably hollow and cylindrical in shape extending a substantial part around the length of the stick, while the receptacle portion of the sleeve is also hollow and cylindrically shaped having a substantially greater cross section than the handle portion. Meanwhile, the transition portion is preferably hollow and fristo conically shaped to connect the handle portion to the receptacle portion of the sleeve. The transition portion is substantially non-deformable when the receptacle portion of the sleeve is compressed creating a significant level of sheer stress to be imparted between the receptacle portion and transition portion of the sleeve causing the receptacle portion to sever from the rest of the sleeve.

Abstract: In a fugitive color fire retardant composition, the colorant initially colors the composition to a hue which contrasts with the hue of ground vegetation. A non-fugitive component is included in the colorant, in an amount sufficient to provide improved aerial visibility when the composition is first aerially applied to the vegetation. However, the amount of non-fugitive pigment is less than an amount which would prevent the composition from fading after application to an acceptable neutral hue.

Abstract: A noise measurement test system is provided for making phase noise measurements of a unit under test (UUT). The noise measurement test system comprises a variable amplifier, a variable low noise source, a variable phase shifter, a mixer, a variable low noise matching amplifier, analog-to-digital converter, a processor and a spectrum analyzer. A first low noise signal, created by the low noise source, is routed through the unit under test and variable amplifier to the mixer. A second low noise signal, also created by the low noise source, is routed through the variable phase shifter to the mixer. The mixer places the received signals in phase quadrature and outputs a measurement test signal which is routed through an analog-to-digital convertor to the processor and spectrum analyzer. The processor includes control links for adjusting the amplifier, low noise source and phase shifter to ensure that the signals received by the mixer are in phase quadrature.

Abstract: The invention relates to disposing of unwanted waste waters produced from purifying water. The methods of the present invention include applying waste water containing 0.15% by weight of the salts of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cl, SO4, and CO3 and mixtures thereof to soil to control dust, effect soil stabilization, seal ponds, inhibit root rot, and irrigate soil. The invention also relates to the utilization of waste waters within cooling towers and for laundry applications.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing 2-amino-5-dimethlyaminophenyl thiosulfonic acid comprises the step of oxidizing N,N′-dimethyl-&rgr;-phenylene-diamine in the presence of a source of thiosulfate ions, while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture not higher than about 10° C. This compound is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of toluidine blue O. A process for manufacturing toluidine blue O with improved yield, includes the step of preparing the intermediate 2-amino-5-diethylaminopropyl thiosulfonic acid according to the above described procedure.

Abstract: A remote inspection device is provided which is ideally suited for law enforcement and firefighting personnel. The remote inspection device includes an elongate housing, camera means and power supply for powering the camera means and video display. The camera means operates in the invisible light spectrum, preferably the infrared (IR) spectrum. The camera means creates an image of an object which is transmitted to the video display for producing a visible light image of the object to be evaluated.

Abstract: The improved ring seal includes an annularly shaped body element having a radial inner surface, a radial outer surface, a first axial end surface and a second axial end surface. The ring seal also includes a plurality of bores which project radially inward from the radial outer surface toward the radial inner surface. The projection of the bores through the ring seal form sidewalls which project between the axial end surfaces and radially from the ring seal's radial outer surface towards the ring seal's radial inner surface. The addition of the bores to the ring seal increases the ring seal's deformation during sealing compression, while the sidewalls provide elastic recovery of the ring seal during repeated cycles of compression and decompression. The ring seal also includes a circular ridge axially projecting from both axial end surfaces. The axial ridges separate the end surfaces into inner axial end surfaces and outer axial end surfaces.

Abstract: A valve cover apparatus is provided having a housing, lock and hook. The housing includes a top wall, bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls. The bottom wall includes an opening to a central chamber of the housing which is sized for receipt of a valve handle and valve stem of a pipe valve. Preferably, the sidewalls include one or more inlets for receipt of the pipe's conduit. The lock is affixed and integrated into the top wall of the housing and constructed to lockably engage and disengage the hook. The hooks includes a vertically extending shaft and one or more shanks. The shanks extend horizontally under a pipe valve to inhibit upward movement of the hook once the hook has been positioned in place.

Abstract: A security system for selectively enabling and disabling the internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided. The security system includes a security module which selectively interrupts current to or from crucial vehicle subsystems which are necessary for engine ignition or engine operation. The security module attaches and locks to the electrical terminal of a vehicle subsystem so that the security module cannot be removed from the engine compartment of a vehicle without removing the entire vehicle subsystem. Moreover, the security module covers and isolates the electrical terminal of the vehicle subsystem so as to electrically isolate the electrical terminal from unauthorized access. The security system further includes a controller and a switching element which are located within the security module for selectively controlling the flow of current from a conductive path to or from the vehicle subsystem which is sought to be controllably enabled and disabled.

Abstract: In an integrated telescoping mast-payload assembly, the payload forms the top telescoping section.