Abstract: A device is provided for performing intra myocardial injections. The device comprises a needle, a catheter formed with a lumen, and an abutment member mounted within the lumen for axial movement. The abutment member is movable between a first configuration, wherein it is substantially tube-like and is positioned within the lumen of the catheter, and a second configuration, wherein it extends beyond the distal end of the catheter and is substantially radially flared. Before the needle is advanced to perform an injection, the abutment member is moved to its second configuration to prevent contact between the catheter and the myocardial tissue during the injection.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing the onset of keratoconus in a cornea requires subjecting the cornea of an eye to a pressure that changes its shape. A topography of the cornea's anterior surface (possibly, the posterior surface also) is mapped. The mapped topography is then fitted on a mathematical model of the cornea. Measurements corresponding to biomechanical parameters in the cornea are then taken from the model. Next, a computer is used to evaluate the biomechanical parameters to diagnose whether the cornea is keratoconic.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for growing algae with improved photoefficiency. The system includes a bioreactor formed with a conduit for growing algae cells in a medium. Further, the system is provided with a paddle wheel for moving the medium through the conduit at a predetermined fluid flow velocity. In order to ensure that algae cells are efficiently converting light energy to chemical energy, a plurality of barriers is positioned in the fluid stream. Specifically, the barriers are separated by predetermined distances to create von Karman vortices in the medium. As a result, algae cells are sequentially flowed to the surface of the fluid stream to receive light energy for predetermined intervals of time.

Abstract: A braking member for rotatable mounting on a wheel axle of a hand-driven wheeled vehicle such as a shopping cart has a first part having an opening for mounting on a wheel axle, and a second part releasably secured to the first part and having a braking surface adapted to engage the ground when the braking member is in an operative position. When the braking member becomes worn, the entire member does not have to be removed from the wheel or caster, but instead the second part is released from the first part while the first part remains on the wheel. The second part can only be released using a special tool which is provided to store personnel.

Abstract: A system for treating a feedstock for the purposes of waste destruction, energy generation, or the production of useful chemicals is disclosed and includes a reactor vessel. A heating lance is configured to outflow the products of a partial oxidation reaction into a reaction chamber in the vessel. The hot reaction products heat and pyrolyze the feedstock in the chamber generating a process effluent which typically includes gases (e.g. syn-gas) and carbon solids. Glasses and metals in the feedstock accumulate in the chamber in a molten state. The molten materials store thermal energy and provide thermal stability to the treatment system. A recycle loop uses carbon solids from the process effluent as an input to the lance for reaction with an oxidant therein.

Abstract: A method for performing intrastromal ophthalmic laser surgery requires Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) of stromal tissue without compromising Bowman's capsule (membrane). In detail, the method creates cuts in the stroma along planes radiating from the visual axis of the eye. Importantly, these cuts are all distanced from the visual axis. The actual location and number of cuts in the surgery will depend on the degree of visual aberration being corrected. Further, the method may include the additional step of creating cylindrical cuts in the stroma. The radial cuts and cylindrical cuts may be intersecting or non-intersecting depending on the visual aberration being treated.

Abstract: A cap is provided for preventing clogging of a spray nozzle on a container. Structurally, the cap includes a hollow, truncated cone-shaped member with first and second ends. At its first end, the cap defines an orifice dimensioned to selectively receive the spray nozzle to create a fluid-tight seal with the container. At its second end, the cap defines a periphery. Further, the cap includes a panel that has a flat surface bounded by a perimeter that is interconnected to the periphery by an intermediate section. As a result, the cone-shaped member, intermediate section and panel form a fluid chamber. Fluid is positioned in the chamber for movement between a first location where the spray nozzle is submerged and a second location where the fluid is held at a distance from the spray nozzle for removal of the cap from the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A system and method for performing laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) in corneal tissue of an eye requires calculating a pattern of focal spots. LIOB is then induced at a first focal spot, and is continued at a plurality of interim focal spots within a time period ?. Each focal spot has a diameter “d1” and generates a temporal cavitation bubble of diameter “d2”. It then collapses within time “?” to a substantially stationary diameter “d3”, with (d1?d3?d2). Importantly, each focal spot is located more than “d2” from every other interim focal spot within the time period of “?”. At the time “?”, a second focal spot in the pattern can be generated at a distance “d3” from the first focal spot. This process is then continued with another plurality of interim focal spots being generated within another time period “?”.

Abstract: A method for performing intrastromal ophthalmic laser surgery requires Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) of stromal tissue without compromising Bowman's capsule (membrane). In detail, the method creates cuts in the stroma over all, or portions of, a plurality of concentric cylindrical surfaces (circular or oval). Importantly, these cuts are all centered on the visual axis of the patient's eye. In accordance with the present invention, cuts can be made either alone or in conjunction with the removal of predetermined volumes of stromal tissue. The actual location of cuts in the surgery will depend on whether the treatment is for presbyopia, myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ophthalmic surgery requires splitting a laser beam into a pattern having a plurality of focal points. The pattern is then moved along a spiral path according to a predetermined, two-phase protocol. In the first phase, a radial spacing “?r” between spiral lines, and the velocity of the pattern “r?” are held constant as the radius “r” is decreased from r1 to r2. In the second phase the angular velocity “?” is held constant and the radial spacing “?r” is proportionally increased as “r” is further decreased from r2 to r3. Additional LIOB is required both inside r3, as r is reduced to zero and, then, along the periphery of the treatment area for a rim cut at r1.

Abstract: A system is provided for maximizing solar energy utilization by moving a solar panel to track movement of the sun from sunrise to sunset. Preferably, the solar panel is inclined from the horizontal plane by a fixed angle of about ten degrees. And, movements of the solar panel are accomplished, daily, in accordance with a programmed schedule of consecutive cycles. In this schedule, each cycle has a start time (i.e. sunrise) and a start point that is determined by the sun's direction from the solar panel.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging retinal tissues in an eye generates an input light beam having ultra-short pulses and an input wavelength (?i) to stimulate the tissue. Depending on the particular type tissue being imaged, the retinal tissue responds to the input beam by generating a return beam of light having first and second components of different wavelengths (?r1 and ?r2). An imaging unit then receives the return light and images the tissue according to the return wavelength (?r1 vis-a-vis ?r2). Additionally, a sensor unit is used to evaluate light returning from the retina to measure optical and phase aberrations introduced by the eye, and to program a compensator (e.g. an active mirror) that compensates the input beam by removing the aberrations.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing algae with high oil content. The system includes a chemostat formed with a conduit for growing algae, an input port for feeding a medium into the conduit, and an output port for passing an effluence from the conduit. Further, the chemostat includes a paddlewheel or other device that moves the medium around the conduit. Also, the system includes a plug flow reactor for receiving the effluence from the chemostat. In order to trigger high oil production in the algae, a modified nutrient mix is added to the effluence in the plug flow reactor. Specifically, the modified nutrient mix comprises a limited amount of a selected constituent to trigger oil production in the algae. Further, the system includes an algae separator for removing high oil content algae from the plug flow reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is a pump control and distribution system consisting of a pump and reversing flow control valve with a single-handle to control flow direction and flow rate of a liquid. The system can be operated at a rate of 0 to 300 gallons per minute and the flow reversed or stopped with a single motion of the operating handle. The flow rate of the liquid can be precisely controlled in either direction, along with the liquid pressure. This allows the use of a constant speed pump turning in one direction and gives the operator the ability to control the product transfer regardless of viscosity or volume. A purge valve connected to the outlet of the pump is used to remove substantially all retained liquid in the system after transfer of liquid is complete. The system can be mounted to a vehicle for delivery of bulk liquids.

Abstract: The invention is an equipment support bracket that can be secured to a vehicle frame without drilling holes. The top bracket has a top tang that fits over the top web of the frame. A bottom bracket has a bottom tang that secures against the bottom web. Once installed on the frame, tensioning bolts tighten the top tang against the top web. In one embodiment, the equipment can be first attached to the support bracket and then the support bracket with equipment attached is positioned between the top bracket and the rail of the frame. In another embodiment, the equipment bracket can be attached to an I beam frame.

Abstract: A method for photodisrupting a preselected subsurface volume of corneal tissue to alter a cornea's refractive properties is disclosed. Specifically, at least one stromal volume having a substantially conical shaped surface is photodisrupted. For this purpose, a laser device having a laser source, laser scanner and one or more optical elements is typically used. In one embodiment, a plurality of stromal volumes, with each stromal volume having a substantially conical shaped surface, is sequentially photodisrupted to form a contiguous stromal cavity. In a particular implementation, each conical shaped surface defines a cone axis that is aligned to be co-linear with a reference axis that passes through the anterior surface of the eye and may be aligned orthogonally to the anterior surface of the eye.

Abstract: A device and method for steering a laser beam to a focal point in target tissue requires generating a laser beam. Diversions of the laser beam from a central beam path are minimized by a sequential arrangement of optical steering components. In order, the beam is first directed to the center of a z-scanning apparatus which will move the focal point in the medium in a z-direction. The beam is then passed to the center of a first galvanometric mirror which introduces focal point movements in the x-direction. A second galvanometric mirror then compensates for the x-direction movement by redirecting the beam to the center of a third galvanometric mirror where focal point movements in the y-direction are introduced.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing a flap created from a transparent material compensates for aberrations, particularly higher order aberrations, which are pre-existing or otherwise induced during creation of the flap. Before flap creation, the distorted wavefront of the transparent material is determined and the topology of the transparent material is defined in order to predict contributions likely to be encountered or induced by the stress distribution during creation of the flap. In view of the topology of the transparent material, a prototypic dissection path based on the distorted wavefront is refined to establish a refined dissection path. As a result, the flap is created along the refined dissection path to correct and minimize or eliminate the formation of higher order aberrations.