Abstract: A system (10) and method for use by a subject with a sleep disorder, such as nocturnal enuresis. The system (10) comprises at least one sensor (11) that detects at least one attribute of the sleep disorder, for example urine, and outputs at least a first signal on or after detection of that attribute. The system (10) further comprises a control device (12) that comprises an arousal device (14), such as a loudspeaker, that activates on or after receipt of the first signal, an interactive device (15) that is actuable by the subject to deactivate or modify the operation of the arousal device (14) and an output device (16) for delivering an output to the subject. The output being delivered on or after deactivation or modification of the arousal device (14).

Abstract: A system (10) and method for use by a subject with a sleep disorder, such as nocturnal enuresis. The system (10) comprises at least one sensor (11) that detects at least one attribute of the sleep disorder, for example urine, and outputs at least a first signal on or after detection of that attribute. The system (10) further comprises a control device (12) that comprises an arousal device (14), such as a loudspeaker, that activates on or after receipt of the first signal, an interactive device (15) that is actuable by the subject to deactivate or modify the operation of the arousal device (14) and an output device (16) for delivering an output to the subject. The output being delivered on or after deactivation or modification of the arousal device (14).

Abstract: A system (10) and method for use by a subject with a sleep disorder, such as nocturnal enuresis. The system (10) comprises at least one sensor (11) that detects at least one attribute of the sleep disorder, for example urine, and outputs at least a first signal on or after detection of that attribute. The system (10) further comprises a control device (12) that comprises an arousal device (14), such as a loudspeaker, that activates on or after receipt of the first signal, an interactive device (15) that is actuable by the subject to deactivate or modify the operation of the arousal device (14) and an output device (16) for delivering an output to the subject. The output being delivered on or after deactivation or modification of the arousal device (14).

Abstract: A system (10) and method for use by a subject with a sleep disorder, such as nocturnal enuresis. The system (10) comprises at least one sensor (11) that detects at least one attribute of the sleep disorder, for example urine, and outputs at least a first signal on or after detection of that attribute. The system (10) further comprises a control device (12) that comprises an arousal device (14), such as a loudspeaker, that activates on or after receipt of the first signal, an interactive device (15) that is actuable by the subject to deactivate or modify the operation of the arousal device (14) and an output device (16) for delivering an output to the subject. The output being delivered on or after deactivation or modification of the arousal device (14).

Abstract: A pulsed coherent fiber array laser system that includes a beam generating sub-system that provides a signal pulse beam having pulses of the desired duration that is split into several fiber channels. Optical leakage between the pulses in each split beam is measured and locked to a reference beam by a phase sensing circuit and phase adjusters so that the phase of each fiber pulsed beam is aligned with the phase of the reference beam. A pulse clipper or filter is employed to remove the pulses in the fiber beams so that they do not saturate the phase sensing circuit. The beam generating sub-system can employ any suitable combination of devices to generate the signal beam and the reference beam, including continuous wave master oscillators, amplitude modulators, frequency shifters, injection seed oscillators, Q-switched lasers, reference oscillators, frequency lockers, wavelength division multiplexers, time gated switches, etc.

Abstract: An optical beam combiner and a related method for its operation, in which multiple coherent input beams are directed onto a diffractive optical element (DOE) along directions corresponding to diffraction orders of the DOE, such that the DOE generates a single output beam in a direction corresponding to a desired diffraction order, and suppresses outputs in directions corresponding to unwanted diffraction orders. The phases of the input beams are actively controlled to ensure and maintain the condition that only a single diffraction mode is present in the output of the DOE.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting methane gas from methane hydrate. The method includes heating the methane hydrate with a laser apparatus. The laser apparatus includes a diode laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a diode laser. The laser is guided to a working end of a tool with a fiber optic bundle. The tool is guided to heat the methane hydrate with the laser, which emanates from a beam expander at the working end of the tool. The tool can be modified for removing obstructions of methane hydrate in pipelines. Also, the tool can be modified for extracting methane from mined methane hydrate, which is in a container. The characteristics of diode lasers or diode-pumped solid state lasers such as efficiency, size, nature of operation, environmental impact and durability, make methane gas extraction from methane hydrate economically feasible.

Abstract: A technique for polarization locking optical outputs of N optical amplifiers to a reference polarization output, N being an integer, includes providing N optical loops and a reference optical loop. Each of the N optical loops includes a polarization controller connected to an optical amplifier. The reference optical loop includes a reference polarization controller and a linear optical polarizer. An optical output from a laser source is fed to all of the polarization controllers. A portion of an optical output of the reference polarization controller is fed back to an input of the reference polarization controller via the linear polarizer. A portion of the optical output of the reference polarization controller is fed to an optical input of each of N beam splitters and an optical output of each amplifier of the N loops is fed to an optical input of a respective one of the N beam splitters. A substantial portion of the optical output of each amplifier is output by its respective beam splitter.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and a method for the mechanical removal of whole-tissue meat from the region of the vertebrae of an animal carcass including a support for support at least a part of the carcass. A cutting mechanism makes a longitudinal cut in the meat along the line of the vertical dorsal protrusions of the vertebrae. There is also provided a substantially rigid clearing mechanism having a substantially fixed shape and causing relative movement between the support and the clearing mechanisms such that the clearing mechanism is able to move longitudinally along at least part of the carcass to force the meat away from the vertical and lateral protrusions of the vertebrae and, if present, at least part of the length of the ribs extending from the vertebrae.

Abstract: A heart pacer providing heart stimulating electrical impulses in the absence of naturally occurring heartbeats, together with means to prevent inhibition of the electrical impulse in the presence of electrical interference signals of either physiological or nonphysiological origin. Logic functions are incorporated to detect the presence of any sensed signal occurring after a first predetermined time but earlier than a second predetermined time, both measured from the preceding detected signal which may be either a natural heartbeat, a stimulating electrical impulse, or an interference signal. The first predetermined time interval is greater than the time duration of the electrical manifestations of a single heartbeat while the second predetermined time interval is less than the interval between two natural heartbeats. Sensed signals are delayed before triggering the demand function.

Abstract: An improved muscle stimulator, particularly suited to long term rhythmic stimulation for the selective development of musculature otherwise asymmetric or retarded in relative development. To minimize the subjects' awareness of stimulation, to permit nocturnal use, and to minimize battery consumption, the energy content of each pulse train is modulated by a progressive increase of pulse width up to a maximum, followed by a progressive decrease of pulse width, thus yielding a gradual contraction and relaxation of the muscle.

Abstract: A heart pacer providing heart stimulating electrical impulses in the absence of naturally occurring heartbeats, including two electrical impulse generating time bases each capable of emitting heartbeat stimulating impulses. A sensed signal, accepted against criteria preceding it in time, as a valid heartbeat signal rather than an interference signal, serves to reset one time base while a second time base continues its cycle on the assumption that the sensed signal is an invalid or interference signal. If further signals are sensed, within criteria indicating that the original sensed signal was, in fact, invalid, the second time base continues its cycle until it emits a heart stimulating impulse at which time the first time base timing cycle is cancelled. If, however, the original sensed signal is not shown to be invalid the output of the second time base is suppressed and the reset timing cycle of the first time base continues.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a bone prosthesis having a keying electrode. The electrode is provided with key formations into which bone may grow for locking engagement therewith.