Abstract: An Electro-Magnetic Imaging (EMAI) System is presented. EMAI systems can include induction elements (e.g., an induction coil) configured to induce a target tissue to generate internally sourced ultrasounds. The induction elements can be shielded by one or more shielding elements to shape, or otherwise alter, an imaging field while attenuating radiated fields in a far zone. EMAI systems can further include a shield tuner to adjust shield parameters to achieved desired imaging or radiated field properties. A shielding element can be placed approximately one induction coil radius away from the coil to achieve suitably strong imaging field magnitudes while also achieving suitably weak radiated field magnitudes in a far zone. In some embodiments, acoustic sensors lack substantial shielding from the fields generated by the induction elements.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic method using systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and pulse frequency of a patient is provided to compute a normalized diastolic distensibility value and a normalized peripheral resistance value, and to automatically compute the product of the normalized diastolic distensibility value and the normalized peripheral resistance value to generate a first product value. The first product value is compared to a stored distribution of normalized diastolic distensibility and a normalized peripheral resistance values for comparable individuals to determine if the first product value is equivalent to a value determined to indicate an abnormal condition. Particular values of the computed parameters aid in determining the etiology of hypertension and direct selection of pharmacotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunoassay for simultaneously measuring the presence of antibodies to a plurality of HPV types that utilizes particle-based flow cytometric analysis. The presence and/or titre of neutralizing antibodies in a test sample are determined in a competitive format, where known, type-specific, fluorescently labeled neutralizing monoclonal antibodies compete with antibodies within a test sample for binding to conformationally sensitive, neutralizing epitopes on specific HPV-VLPs. The invention also provides a microsphere complex comprising a microsphere coupled to an HPV VLP.

Abstract: Ultrasound induced by RF irradiation within FDA exposure limits is produced with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio to allow acquisition of sub-millimeter resolution images within practical time frames.

Abstract: Ultrasound induced by RF irradiation within FDA exposure limits is produced with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio to allow acquisition of sub-millimeter resolution images within practical time frames.

Abstract: An apparatus having a coil of wire, energized by a repetitively pulsed radio frequency (RF) power source to provide electromagnetic fields to a region within a body. A scanning, directional hydrophone acoustically connected to the body, samples ultrasonic radiation generated by the RF fields at the RF frequency or twice the RF frequency induced from conductive spots. Signals from the hydrophone are analyzed with regard to their time of arrival relative to the RF pulses and with respect to their direction of arrival. These collected data are recorded and displayed as images of the spots within the region.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, high frequency directional hydrophone is disclosed which utilizes flexible optical waveguide wrapped about an hemispherical mandrel located at the focus of a paraboloidal acoustic reflector.

Abstract: A less expensive apparatus and associated method for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of body tissues are disclosed. A physician uses an ultrasonic detector in combination with a weak magnetic field and pulsed, low frequency R.F. generator. The patient lies partially within the field of a magnet and receives low frequency radio pulses. As is shown below, ultrasonic waves are produced within the patient's body by the ordinary occurrence of nuclear magnetic resonance. For this reason, ultrasonic acoustic detection replaces the usual radio detection of the magnetic resonance induced spin echoes. The physician manipulates a hand-held ultrasonic detector with real time image feedback in much the same way that an ultrasonic transducer is used to provide the usual ultrasonic images. In the present case, however, no ultrasonic waves are emitted by the transducer; instead, the waves emitted by the "slice" selected by the radio frequency resonance with tissue protons are the source of the ultrasonic image produced.

Abstract: A system for washing the air in a coastal environment in which a volume of air moves from a land mass to a water mass. The system includes a plurality of fountains 12 mounted offshore which spray a volume of water into the path of the air flow. Water is stored under pressure and selectively released to form the spray. In specific embodiments, wave motion is used to provide the power to pressurize the stored water. Wave power is extracted by dual reciprocating pumps 50 and 51 connected to a float 40. Wave power is amplified by lenses 20 which focus the waves onto the floats 40. A control system 100 senses pollution and controls the generation of the spray. In addition, wave motion is sensed and used to control the position of the lens 20 for optimum performance and minimum wear.

Abstract: A time-efficient method for smoothing a surface 20 of an applied coating composition 22 is disclosed herein. In particular, the present invention sets forth a technique for expediting the subsidence of coating surface nonmetallic vertical irregularities R1, R2. The technique of the present invention is applied subsequent to the application of the coating composition 22 to an electrically conductive object 24, which results in the formation of a coating surface 20. The technique of the present invention includes the step of generating electrically charged particles 40 in a volume of space adjacent to the coating surface 20. The charged particles 40 cause an electric field to develop across the coating composition 22, which induces the charged particles 40 to exert pressure on the coating surface 20.

Abstract: An enhanced electrostatic paint deposition apparatus (10) comprising a nozzle (16), a conduit (14) coupled to the nozzle for supplying paint (12) thereto, and a plurality of electrically conductive whiskers (18) positioned within the nozzle for applying an electrostatic charge to droplets of the paint. Each of the whiskers terminates in a jagged end (30) for enabling the droplets to acquire an enhanced electric charge. The whiskers may be provided with lengths which are tailored to provide an array of whiskers with a desired three-dimensional curvature for controlling the focussing field on the paint droplets. Each whisker is secured to a holder (22) which is, in turn, secured to a porous grid (20) whose mesh size is selected to divide that paint into narrow streams of desired size, which exit nozzle 16 in droplet form. The holder is configured by decreasing its center portion (28) in dimension to tume the holder's current limiting capabilities.

Abstract: An electro-optical system that implements the self-tiling process of fining proper Iterated Function Systems for modeling natural objects. The system can operate in two different modes, a real-time interactive mode and an automated mode. The purpose of the system is to speed up the process of finding a proper IFS for a given object to be modeled. The system makes use of optical processing, including optical means for rotating, magnifying/demagnifying and translating an input image. Optical beamsplitters are used to combine transformed images to produce a tiled output image. In one embodiment, an automated controller evaluates the goodness of the match between the tiled image and the input image and generates control signals which cause adjustment of the settings of the optical means. The process is repeated automatically until the match is sufficiently good. The invention can also be operated in a manual, man-in-the-loop mode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dispersive holographic spectrometer (12) for analyzing radiation from an infrared source (16). The holographic spectrometer (12) comprises a piezoelectric block (40) having a holographic lens (38) on one face, an array of detectors (36) on another face and a pair of vernier electrodes (32, 34) on opposite faces. Radiation from the source (16) incident upon the holographic lens (38) is dispersed into component wavelengths (44, 46) and directed towards the detector array (38). The holographic lens (36) has a holographic interference pattern recorded on it such that radiation of predetermined wavelength components are dispersed sufficiently enough such that radiation of specific wavelengths falls on different detector elements (48) of the detector array (36). By applying a voltage to the electrodes (32, 38), an electric field is created within the piezoelectric block (40) such that it is either compressed or expanded.

Abstract: An infrared holographic defect detector (10) comprises a far infrared pulsed coherent source (14) of infrared radiation which provides infrared radiation. The radiation is directed at a generally non-reflective surface (12), for example, a surface of an automobile body having a matt grey pre-coat thereon. A semi-transparent mirror (15) is placed in the path of the radiation to provide a reference beam (17) therefrom. An infrared detector (18) and a charge-coupled device (20) receives the radiation reflected from the surface and the reference signal. A comparator (22) compares the received reflected information and the reference signal and, preferably, information from a source (24) which defines a desired surface configuration in order to derive a quantitative measurement of the surface. A monitor (26) visually displays the quantitative mesurement and location of any dents in the surface.

Abstract: An improved curing oven using Wellsbach conversion is disclosed. The present invention 10 provides an improved curing oven which cures materials with electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet region. The invention consists of a surface 12 lined with a layer of material 14 effective to radiate ultraviolet radiation in response to the application of infrared radiation. In a specific illustrative implementation, the invention 10 includes a second surface 18 overlying the first surface 12 providing a passageway therebetween. The oven temperature is set and maintained by a conventional temperature controller 20. The temperature controller 20 measures the oven temperature and controls a valve 22 which adjusts the gas pressure from a gas supply 24 to a set of oven burners 26. Air is supplied through inlet ports 28 included in the second surface 18.

Abstract: A system for inspecting the electronic integrity of solder joints by repetitive pulse-heating the solder joints with radiant energy and determining the temperature oscillation of pulse-heated solder joints by measuring the infrared emissions from the solder joints during heating and non-heating periods. Advantageously, the exposed solder joints of a circuit board can be tested all at one time by pulse-heating the entire circuit board. The temperature oscillation of each joint can be compared to the temperature oscillations of corresponding standard solder joints of known good electronic integrity on properly operating boards.

Abstract: An electrical precipitator which uses a combination of field charging, diffusion charging, and electron charging for the enhancement of fine particle charging and collection. A precipitator is described for the collection of fine particles of less than 1.0 micron in diameter from an effluent by enhancing the charge thereon by electrons of high kinetic energy. Another feature of the invention describes a precharging stage which can be added to the electron charging stage, or other conventional precipitator stage, that operates the basis of ion bombardment or diffusion of thermally active ions. The precharging stage charges the fine particles and they can later be increased in charge and precipitated by the electron charging stage. Another feature of the invention describes disposing a conventional stage for coarse particulates over 1.0 micron in diameter between the diffusion charging stage and the electron charging stage.

Abstract: A multi-stage system is disclosed for removing particles from a gaseous medium and comprises an upstream precipitating stage of spaced corona discharging wires between parallel collecting plates, followed by a downstream precipitating stage having one or more electrically charges shells with flat sides generally parallel to collecting side plates for providing a uniform electric field in the medium carrying space, the sides of the shell having openings through which ions generated in the interior pass into the gaseous medium. A corona discharge apparatus inside the shell produces the ions at predictable, generally uniformly spaced locations. Alternative embodiments of the system include another stage located ahead of the upstream stage for removing the larger particles in the gaseous medium which can comprise a gravitational precipitator, a cyclone separator, a low voltage electrostatic precipitator or a low voltage ion beam generator.

Abstract: A multi-stage system is disclosed for removing particles from a gaseous medium and comprises an upstream precipitating stage of spaced corona discharging wires between parallel collecting plates, followed by a downstream precipitating stage having one or more electrically charged shells with flat sides generally parallel to collecting side plates for providing a uniform electric field in the medium carrying space, the sides of the shell having openings through which ions generated in the interior pass into the gaseous medium. A corona discharge apparatus inside the shell produces the ions at predictable, generally uniformly spaced locations. Alternative embodiments of the system include another stage located ahead of the upstream stage for removing the larger particles in the gaseous medium which can comprise a gravitational precipitator, a cyclone separator, a low voltage electrostatic precipitator or a low voltage ion beam generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in converting heat to electrical energy and comprises a plurality of capacitors which have a temperature dependent capacitance. Heat is used to decrease the dielectric constant in the capacitors causing charge to expand from the capacitors into an associated circuit and do electrical work. The invention also includes reeds which are caused to vibrate by the flow of vapor carrying heat between stages. These reeds serve as thermal switches which pulse heat at the proper frequency and phase through a large number of stacked capacitors. The efficiency of the apparatus is optimized by operating the individual capacitors through cycles approximating Carnot cycles.