Abstract: An object is sterilized with ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm. An advantageous wavelength for the UV-C radiation is about 253.7 nm. The object is inserted into a container, which is then sealed. At least a portion of the container is substantially transparent to UV-C radiation over the wavelengths of interest. The container and object are placed into a UV-C irradiation device and are irradiated for an exposure time with UV-C radiation having a predetermined intensity. The exposure time is determined such that a predetermined portion of user-specified pathogens disposed on the object is inactivated. Technical sterilization (99.9999% inactivation) can be attained with relatively short exposure times. The container can be a flexible pouch or a rigid kit. Suitable materials that are substantially transparent to UV-C radiation over the wavelengths of interest include quartz, borosilicate glass, cyclic olefin copolymer, and fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a germicidal system and method for deactivating pathogens on the surface of a bodily extremity protected by a prophylactic covering substantially opaque to UV-C radiation. The device includes an enclosure having one or more openings through which the extremity can be inserted. The enclosure contains a radiation source configured to produce germicidal radiation having a wavelength of about 253.7 nm. The openings are configured relative to the radiation source such that the inserted extremity is in close proximity to the radiation source. The prophylactic covered extremity is preferably a gloved hand thereby sanitizing the surface of the glove. The extremity inserted is preferably exposed for a predetermined period of time to ensure a desired level of sanitization. Optionally, the device can include detectors to determine the position of the hand, the spread of the fingers, and whether the hand is covered by a glove.

Abstract: Disclosed are a germicidal system and method for deactivating pathogens on the surface of a bodily extremity protected by a prophylactic covering substantially opaque to UV-C radiation. The device includes an enclosure having one or more openings through which the extremity can be inserted. The enclosure contains a radiation source configured to produce germicidal radiation having a wavelength of about 253.7 nm. The openings are configured relative to the radiation source such that the inserted extremity is in close proximity to the radiation source. The prophylactic covered extremity is preferably a gloved hand thereby sanitizing the surface of the glove. The extremity inserted is preferably exposed for a predetermined period of time to ensure a desired level of sanitization. Optionally, the device can include detectors to determine the position of the hand, the spread of the fingers, and whether the hand is covered by a glove.

Abstract: A germicidal system and method for deactivating pathogens on the surface of a bodily extremity protected by a prophylactic covering substantially opaque to UV-C radiation. The device includes an enclosure having one or more openings through which the extremity can be inserted. The enclosure contains a radiation source configured to produce germicidal radiation having a wavelength of about 253.7 nm. The openings are configured relative to the radiation source such that the inserted extremity is in close proximity to the radiation source. The prophylactic covered extremity is preferably a gloved hand thereby sanitizing the surface of the glove. The extremity inserted is preferably exposed for a predetermined period of time to ensure a desired level of sanitization. Optionally, the device can include an orientation detector to determine the position of the user's hand and the spread of the user's fingers, and a surface detector to determine whether the user's hand is covered by a glove.

Abstract: A method and system for sterilizing an item using ozone and a secondary molecule is provided. The secondary molecule comprises hydrogen for conversion to a hydroxyl radical. The item and secondary molecular are inserted into a container, and a gaseous mixture containing ozone can be inserted into the container by way of a filling station having an ozone source and a vacuum pump to remove air from the container. Sterilization occurs within the container such that the container can be removed from the filling station. A preferred secondary molecule is an alcohol, such as isopropyl alcohol. Prior to insertion of the item into the container, the item can be soaked in a nutrient rich hot water bath at or near boiling and optionally at a pressure above atmospheric to assist in sterilization.

Abstract: A system for sanitizing or sterilizing an item and storing the item in a sanitized or sterile environment. The system includes an enclosure into which a sealable package containing the item is placed. At least one ozone source is configured to introduce ozone inside the package. The ozone sterilizes the interior of the package and the item. The ozone source can include an electron beam which ionizes the oxygen, a corona discharge generated within the package, or Vacuum Ultra-Violet (“VUV”) radiation emitted into the package. A germicidal radiation source can be used to sanitize the item and generate ozone. The package containing the item is substantially transparent to germicidal radiation so that the germicidal radiation sanitizes the item as well as the interior of the package. Ultrasonic transducers can introduce ultrasonic energy into the item being sanitized, to break apart groups of clumped pathogens resident on the item.

Abstract: A sanitizer utilizing electrical fields for hands and gloved hands. The sanitizer includes a power supply, a first and second electrode, and a dielectric between the first and second electrode. For sanitizing the outer surface of a glove, the first electrode is disposed inside the glove and the second electrode is disposed near the outer surface of the glove. A signal generator produces a high-voltage, periodic signal across the first and second electrode for a predetermined period of time to generate an electrical field configured to inactivate pathogens between the two electrodes. The second electrode can include a metallic layer or a conducting liquid in which a gloved hand is inserted. Alternatively, an electric field can be generated between the stratum corneum of a user's skin and an outer conducting layer of a glove so as to deactivate pathogens on the surface of the hand.

Abstract: A germicidal system and method for deactivating pathogens on the surface of a bodily extremity protected by a prophylactic covering substantially opaque to UV-C radiation. The device includes an enclosure having one or more openings through which the extremity can be inserted. The enclosure contains a radiation source configured to produce germicidal radiation having a wavelength of about 253.7 nm. The openings are configured relative to the radiation source such that the inserted extremity is in close proximity to the radiation source. The prophylactic covered extremity is preferably a gloved hand thereby sanitizing the surface of the glove. The extremity inserted is preferably exposed for a predetermined period of time to ensure a desired level of sanitization. Optionally, the device can include an orientation detector to determine the position of the user's hand and the spread of the user's fingers, and a surface detector to determine whether the user's hand is covered by a glove.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new approach to reshaping of the cornea, e.g., for refraction change, using multiple, displaced planar cuts and a custom shaping template. Large refractive change and/or substantial tissue removal can be obtained by a two-cut approach to reshaping of the cornea to a desired shape using a template or applanator. The process begins with a planar template being applied to the cornea. The template includes one or more moveable sections or cams positioned to provide an overall flat contact surface with the cornea. Then, a first cut is made by a water microjet producing a hinged flap. The first cut is parallel to but displaced from the anterior cornea surface in contact with the template. Then the template cam or cams are repositioned to change the shape of the cornea surface in situ in preparation for the second cut. The hinged flap is not moved; it remains in contact with the stromal bed. The second cut is along the same path as the first cut.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new approach to reshaping of the cornea, e.g., for refraction change, using multiple, displaced planar cuts and a custom shaping template. Large refractive change and/or substantial tissue removal can be obtained by a two-cut approach to reshaping of the cornea to a desired shape using a template or applanator. The process begins with a planar template being applied to the cornea. The template includes one or more moveable sections or cams positioned to provide an overall flat contact surface with the cornea. Then, a first cut is made by a water microjet producing a hinged flap. The first cut is parallel to but displaced from the anterior cornea surface in contact with the template. Then the template cam or cams are repositioned to change the shape of the cornea surface in situ in preparation for the second cut. The hinged flap is not moved; it remains in contact with the stromal bed. The second cut is along the same path as the first cut.

Abstract: Improvement of visual acuity beyond the “20—20” standard or achievement of “super acute vision” is effected by means of either selective refractive surgery or by use of a centering corneal contact lens which non-refractively corrects for natural spherical aberrations of the eye.

Abstract: The device for benign, non-surgical external shaping of corneal tissue to compensate, by refractive correction, for deviations from normal focussing. The jet is directed to erode corneal tissue to provide an increase in curvature to correct for far-sightedness i.e., to refocus a perceived image from beyond retina onto the surface of the retina.

Abstract: A method and device for benign, non-surgical external shaping of corneal tissue to compensate, by refractive correction, for deviations from normal focussing. Corneal tissue is externally gently removed by erosion to a maximum 30% depth, within several seconds, by an imperceptibly felt, highly controlled and limited area, isotonic water jet, exerting a total force of at most several ounces. The jet is directed to erode corneal tissue to provide an increase in curvature to correct for far-sightedness i.e., to refocus a perceived image from beyond retina onto the surface of the retina. To correct for near-sightedness and to refocus a perceived image from in front of the retina onto the surface of the retina, the jet is directed to flatten out by eroding, a central portion of corneal tissue, to decrease curvature. The jet is either applied by a nozzle or array of nozzles. The jet is applied and directed, in a computer controlled, raster or similar type movement, until the desired diopter change is effected.

Abstract: A method and device for highly accurate corneal topographical mapping and a device for effecting the mapping for use in effecting vision correction by removal of corneal tissue. The method and device involve use of a modified optical interferometer with directing of a coherent light beam, such as from a laser, to the anterior surface of a cornea; splitting the beam so that half the beam is directed to a reference object having a predetermined shape; capturing the reflected light from the cornea and the reference object so as to form an interference pattern; and using the interference pattern to determine deviations or displacements of the corneal surface from the known reference shape. The deviations are then utilized in corneal tissue removing procedures, such as RK, PRK and RLK, by determination of the extent and position of tissue removal.

Abstract: A method for the selective removal of corneal tissue, and change of curvature thereof, for refractive vision correction, by means of a correction template in conjunction with a planar cutting high pressure water jet micro-keratome. The correction template is adapted to provide a planar cutting guide, on the corneal tissue, for the refractive correction required, with the template being shaped with a non-planar surface of predetermined configuration (related to the desired correction). The non-planar surface of the template is fitted to the area of the cornea to be refractively corrected, whereby the corneal tissue to be removed is selectively deformed so as to be substantially conformed to and held against the non-planar surface. Application of a vacuum between the template and cornea aids in this holding.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasensitive detection of low concentrations of constituents using a broad band LED source is described. The apparatus provides enhanced resolution by synchronously detecting an imbalance between two analog signals due to absorption in a measurement cell at a wavelength of interest. Elements are provided to balance the signals in the absence of absorption to provide a reference point for concentration calculations. In accordance with several embodiments of the present invention, a time alternating signal for synchronous detection is achieved by combining signals from each of two alternating paths, only one of which travels through the measurement cell and which may have absorption. If there is absorption in the measurement cell, then the signal created by combining the alternating paths will exhibit residual modulation at the path alternation rate.

Abstract: An electronic printer employing a fiber optic bundle arranged linearly at a first face and in an area array in a second face also employs an area light emission device for directing light signals into the fibers of the second face simultaneously in a manner to faithfully reproduce an image at the first face even though there was no predetermined relationships between the ends of the same fibers in the two faces. An initialization procedure establishes the addresses of the cells which correspond to pixels in the first face. Data representative of the on or off state of the cells is stored in memory and applied to all the enabled cells simultaneously also. The arrangement is usefull for similar scanners.

Abstract: A color image scanner comprises a noncoherent fiber optic bundle having a linear entrance face and an area exit face coupled to an array of photosensors. The density of sensors of the array is such that each fiber end in the exit face corresponds to a plurality of sensors. A striped (RGB) color filter positioned between the exit face and the sensor array permits a sensor to be selected for each color for each pixel in the entrance face. The addresses of the three sensors for each pixel are stored in a lookup table in a proper sequence to correspond to the proper pixel sequence in the entrance face. the addresses are stored in sequence in ROM and the sequence is triggered for each of the consecutive scan lines of a page being scanned. Thus, color scanner operation is achieved with a monochrome photosensor array in the absence of time-sequential color illumination.

Abstract: A color image scanner comprises a noncoherent fiber optic bundle having a linear entrance face and an area exit face coupled to an array of photosensors. The density of sensors of the array is such that each fiber end in the exit face corresponds to a plurality of sensors. A striped (RGB) color filter positioned between the exit face and the sensor array permits a sensor to be selected for each color for each pixel in the entrance face. The addresses of the three sensors for each pixel are stored in a lookup table in a proper sequence to correspond to the proper pixel sequence in the entrance face. The addresses are stored in sequence in ROM and the sequence is triggered for each of the consecutive scan lines of a page being scanned. Thus, color scanner operation is achieved with a monochrome photosensor array in the absence of time-sequential color illumination.

Abstract: An alignment fixture includes an optical bench 12 mounting a semiconductor laser 21, a monitor 23 of optical emission, a lens 27 focused for transmitting optical emission along an optical axis 43, a holder 26 mounting the lens 27, a pedestal 36 positioning a diaphragm 29 spaced for the lens 27, an optical fiber 45, a tube 49 surrounding the fiber 45 and joined to the fiber 45, a bushing 55 surrounding the tube 49 and joined to the optical bench 12, and a datum surface 16' on the bench 12 for aligning the lens 27 and the fiber 45 with the optical axis 43.