Abstract: The present invention pertains to a direct current electric arc furnace for melting or heating raw materials or molten material. The furnace comprises a refractory lined vessel for holding raw or molten metal material. The furnace also comprises a first top electrode and at least a second top electrode. Each of the top electrodes enters the vessel above the raw or molten material and has a position in the vessel. The furnace comprises at least one bottom electrode mounted in the bottom of the vessel and in electrical contact with the raw or molten material in the vessel. Additionally, the furnace comprises an electrical power supply mechanism with conductors to electrically connect to the top electrodes and the bottom electrode in order to input electrical energy into the material through the top and bottom electrodes in the form of arcs which deflect toward each other and define a hot area.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for examining a body part. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for immobilizing and compressing the body part. The apparatus also comprises a mechanism for providing an internal anatomical image of the body part and a mechanism for detecting single gamma-rays emitted by a radiotracer infiltrated into the body part. The detecting mechanism is disposed in an adjacent relationship with the mechanism for providing an internal anatomic image so that the body part remains in the same position during and between anatomic and radiotracer imaging. In one embodiment, the detecting mechanism includes a detector module disposed on one side of the immobilizing mechanism. The detector module preferably has at least one array of gamma ray sensitive material in communication with a position detector. In another embodiment, the detecting mechanism includes a pair of detector modules disposed one on each side of the immobilizing mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for producing collimated electron beams. The device comprises a gated field emission array having at least one emission tip and a grid electrode having a grid opening disposed above the emission tip in a first direction. The device also comprises an integrated planar lens electrode for producing a focusing effect on electron beams emitted by the emission tip. The planar lens electrode has a lens edge disposed aside at a distance from the grid opening in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Preferably, the planar lens electrode is an integrated layer with the gated field emission array on a substrate. The grid electrode and the lens electrode can be on the same layer and separated by a gap of vacuum. The planar lens electrode can be above the grid electrode, separated by an insulative material. Similarly, the planar lens electrode can be below the grid electrode, and separated by an insulator material.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of joining two materials by single pulse electron radiation. The method comprises the step of disposing a first material layer adjacent to a second material layer such that an interface is disposed therebetween. Then there is the step of irradiating the interface with a pulsed electron beam such that energy of the pulsed electron beam is selectively deposited in a narrow spatial region and localized at the interface to produce an effective joint between the first and second material layers in a single pulse. Preferably, before the irradiating step, there is the step of calculating an optimum temperature profile across the interface depending on electron energy, beam current density and pulse length of the pulsed electron beam. The electron energy of the pulsed electron beam is preferably in the range of 100 keV to 10 MeV. The pulsed electron beam current density is preferably in the range of 1-1000 A/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for examining a body part. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for immobilizing and compressing the body part. The apparatus also comprises a mechanism for providing an internal anatomical image of the body part and a mechanism for detecting single gamma-rays emitted by a radiotracer infiltrated into the body part. The detecting mechanism is disposed in an adjacent relationship with the mechanism for providing an internal anatomic image so that the body part remains in the same position during and between anatomic and radiotracer imaging. In one embodiment, the detecting mechanism includes a detector module disposed on one side of the immobilizing mechanism. The detector module preferably has at least one array of gamma ray sensitive material in communication with a position detector. In another embodiment, the detecting mechanism includes a pair of detector modules disposed one on each side of the immobilizing mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a relatively simple mechanism which heretofore has not been tried before. The mechanism depends on modulation of a collimated beam transverse to the beam direction rather than the usual longitudinal modulation. Conversion of the transverse motion into longitudinal bunching in an output cavity is accomplished by means of the difference in path length in a bending magnet. Since the present invention does not depend on longitudinal modulation, it is suitable for pulsed superpower (1 GW) applications, but it can be equally suited for multi-megawatt cw applications. The present invention pertains to an apparatus for bunching relativistic electrons. The apparatus comprises means for imparting a periodic velocity in a first direction in a first region to electrons of an electron beam moving in a second direction.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for monitoring the flow of inspired and expired air. The apparatus includes a respiratory air tract and a piezoelectric sensor for sensing the pressure within the air tract relative to ambient pressure and generating a corresponding pressure signal. There can be alarm means in communication with the pressure sensor for indicating when flow within the air tract is inadequate. The present invention is also an apparatus for maintaining a breathing passage in the trachea of a patient. The apparatus has a tracheotomy tube for fitting into the trachea and a pressure sensor disposed such that the pressure of the air in the tracheotomy tube is sensed and produces a pressure signal corresponding to the air pressure in the tracheotomy tube. Preferably, there is also a capacitor disposed in the tracheotomy tube such that the capacitance of the capacitor corresponds to the percent occlusion of the tube by an obstruction.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for examining a body part of a patient. The apparatus is comprised of a first detector module for detecting radiotracer emissions from the body part and a second detector module for detecting radiotracer emissions from the body part. The first and second detector modules are disposed adjacent to each other with the body part disposed therebetween. The apparatus also comprises means for backprojecting detected coincident events with respect to the first and second detector modules onto a plurality of imaging planes between the first and second detecting modules. Preferably, the backprojecting means comprises means for defining a line between a point on the first sensor array and a point on the second sensor array associated with a coincident event and means for determining the intersection of the line with each imaging plane.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a cautery dissector. The cautery dissector is comprised of a cautery blade and a handle member having a sheath portion and a device for adjustably retracting the cautery blade into the sheath portion. The cautery dissector also comprises a device for conducting electrical current to the tissues of the patient. Heat is generated within the tissue by communication between the cautery blade and the electrical dissecting unit. Preferably, the cautery dissector includes a suction system having a suction opening disposed adjacent to the cautery blade. Preferably, the cautery blade retracts into the sheath portion through a sheath opening which scrapes accumulated material from the cautery blade such that when the cautery blade is retracted into the sheath portion, the suction opening is unobstructed for suction. Preferably, a scraper member is disposed within the sheath member to assist in scraping accumulated material from the cautery blade.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for containing material produced by a patient. The apparatus is comprised of a container having a first portion with a first cavity within which the anatomical material is held and an opening through which the anatomical material is provided to the first cavity. The apparatus is also comprised of a second portion with a second cavity in communication with the first cavity, and a removable seal disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity. Additionally, the apparatus is comprised of an immobilizing material disposed in the first portion, which when the seal is removed between the first cavity and second cavity mixes with patient material and immobilizes it. The present invention also pertains to a method for collecting anatomical material produced by a patient. The method comprises the steps of placing or collecting the anatomical material into a first cavity of a first portion of a container.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for measuring nasal air flow. The apparatus includes a head for interacting with at least one of the nasal cavities of a patient. The head has a measuring chamber through which air is inhaled into and exhaled from the nasal cavity. A resistance wire is positioned within the measuring chamber with the path of air flow. There is also a current generator electrically connected to the resistance wire for providing a constant current through the resistance wire such that the resistance wire is heated. The apparatus further includes means for analyzing change in voltage across the resistance wire over time such that air flow through the measuring chamber is determined. The analyzing means is electrically connected to the resistance wire. There are also means for displaying the determined air flow. The present invention is also a method for measuring nasal air flow.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for examining a body part. The apparatus comprises a device for providing an anatomical image of the body part, such as an x-ray and a device for providing a physiological image of the body part in an adjacent relationship with said means for providing an anatomic image such that the body part remains in the same position during and between anatomic and physiological imaging. Preferably, the body part is infiltrated with a radiotracer and the device for providing a physiological image includes a device for detecting emissions of the radiotracers from the body part. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus for examining a body part has a device for immobilizing the body part and a device for providing a physiological image of the body part. The providing device is in an adjacent relationship with the immobilizing means.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for maintaining and monitoring a breathing passage in the trachea of a patient. The apparatus is comprised of a tracheotomy tube for fitting into the trachea. The apparatus is also comprised of means for warning when the tracheotomy tube become obstructed to air flow. In a preferred embodiment, the warning means includes a sensor in contact with the tracheotomy tube for sensing when the tracheotomy tube becomes obstructed. In a more preferred embodiment, the sensor includes at least one temperature sensor disposed such that the temperature of the air in the tracheotomy tube is sensed and produces the temperature sensor signal corresponding to the air temperature in the tracheotomy tube. The temperature sensor is in electrical connection with an alarm which indicates when the tube is obstructed.