Abstract: An RF (radio frequency) positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes an RF detector system on a laser head and an RFID tag on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The detector system includes four RF antennas located on a horizontal plane for detecting RF signals from the RFID tag, where one pair of antennas are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative strengths and phase difference of the RF signals detected by each pair of antennas, the RF detector system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The RF detector system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: An RF (radio frequency) positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes an RF detector system on a laser head and an RFID tag on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The detector system includes four RF antennas located on a horizontal plane for detecting RF signals from the RFID tag, where one pair of antennas are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative strengths and phase difference of the RF signals detected by each pair of antennas, the RF detector system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The RF detector system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: A patient interface device for use in ophthalmic surgery, which includes a rigid body and a suction ring joined to a lower end of the body, where the suction ring includes an annular skirt made of a soft and flexible material and located at a lower end of the suction ring, and where an inner surface, and optionally an outer surface, of the skirt is coated with medication. The medication includes one or more of the following types of medication: anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, numbing, lubricating, and anti-redness. The coating method may include dip coating, sputter deposition, ultrasonic-spraying, and spin-coating. The skirt may be formed by a process that increases its material porosity and/or surface roughness, and may be surface-treated to enhance adhesion and retention of the medication.

Abstract: An RF (radio frequency) positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes an RF detector system on a laser head and an RFID tag on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The detector system includes four RF antennas located on a horizontal plane for detecting RF signals from the RFID tag, where one pair of antennas are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative strengths and phase difference of the RF signals detected by each pair of antennas, the RF detector system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The RF detector system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: A single-piece patient interface device (PI) for coupling an patient's eye to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, which includes a rigid shell, a flexible suction ring joined to a lower edge of the shell, an applanation lens, and a flexible annular diaphragm which joins the applanation lens to the shell near the lower edge of the shell. The flexible diaphragm allows the applanation lens to move relative to the shell, including to shift in longitudinal and lateral directions of the shell and to tilt. In operation, the surgeon first secures the PI to the patient's eye by hand, and then couples the laser system to the PI by lowering the laser delivery head into the PI shell. During the lowering process, the laser delivery head presses the applanation lens down relative to the PI to applanate the cornea of the eye.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for interfacing an ophthalmic surgical laser system with a patient's eye using a single-piece patient interface (PI). The PI includes a hollow shell, with an applanation lens and a flexible skirt at its lower end. Through channels are formed around the applanation lens to connect the spaces above and below the lens. When the PI is coupled to the laser system and the eye, the upper rim of the shell forms a seal with the laser system and the flexible skirt forms a seal with the eye. A vacuum is applied to the interior of the shell via a vacuum port on the laser system, and the vacuum is communicated to the space enclosed by the applanation lens, the skirt and the eye through the channels around the lens. A magnetic mechanism is also provided to hold the PI shell to the laser system.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes: a first interface port configured to be interfaced with a laser surgery apparatus; a second interface port configured to be interfaced with a patient's eye, the second interface port including an applanating lens for application to a patient's eye during a laser surgery procedure; a chamber extending between the first interface port and the second interface port and defining a chamber therein, wherein air may be evacuated from the chamber by the laser surgery apparatus via the first interface port; and a tubular light guiding structure having at a first end thereof a light receiving surface, configured to receive light, and having at a second end thereof a light-emitting surface, wherein the second surface is disposed adjacent the applanating lens and configured to provide the light in a vicinity of the patient's eye when the applanating lens is applied to the patient's eye.

Abstract: A bucket storage system is disclosed. The bucket storage system comprising a pail and a sleeve. The pail comprising a base and a sidewall. The pail contains a bucket cavity configured to store and hold sports equipment. The pail comprises a bottom diameter and a top diameter. The bucket cavity comprises a space above the base comprises and within the sidewall of the pail. The sleeve comprises a sidewall and a sleeve cavity. The sleeve comprises a upper sleeve diameter and a lower sleeve diameter. The upper sleeve diameter is greater in size than the lower sleeve diameter. The upper sleeve diameter is smaller than the top diameter of the pail.

Abstract: Tissue anchoring and deployment systems are described herein. Generally, an anchor housing may define a receiving channel within or along its periphery. A securement member which is adjustably slidable relative to the receiving channel and further defining a suture receiving channel along a portion of the member may also be used such that the suture receiving channel is aligned with an opening defined along a first surface. The securement member and a compression surface along the receiving channel are spaced apart from one another and form a suture compression interface. Additionally, a length of suture may also be used where the suture has a first portion positioned along the suture compression interface and a second portion passed through the suture receiving channel and opening along the first surface. The compression interface has a height which is sized to be relatively smaller than a diameter of the first portion of suture.

Abstract: Tissue anchoring and deployment systems are described herein. Generally, an anchor housing may define a receiving channel within or along its periphery. A securement member which is adjustably slidable relative to the receiving channel and further defining a suture receiving channel along a portion of the member may also be used such that the suture receiving channel is aligned with an opening defined along a first surface. The securement member and a compression surface along the receiving channel are spaced apart from one another and form a suture compression interface. Additionally, a length of suture may also be used where the suture has a first portion positioned along the suture compression interface and a second portion passed through the suture receiving channel and opening along the first surface. The compression interface has a height which is sized to be relatively smaller than a diameter of the first portion of suture.

Abstract: A device for blood-plasma separation and plasma-based blood analysis is described. The device uses blood samples smaller than 5 ?L, (directly from the finger) and flow is achieved with a degassing-driven flow technique that causes blood to flow spontaneously into air-filled dead-end channels without external pumping mechanisms.

Abstract: A milk analysis apparatus for detecting mastitis in a milk sample by isolating somatic cells in the form of a pellet using centrifugal sedimentation is described. The apparatus comprises a vessel for holding the milk sample, and a centrifuge for rotating the vessel. The vessel includes an inlet for facilitating charging milk into a body portion of the vessel; and a trap for capturing somatic cells suspended in the milk sample. The somatic cells are biased towards the trap upon rotation of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material comprising a web wherein said web comprises at least one surface layer comprising polyether polymeric antistat, extrudable polymer, and compatibilizer wherein said surface layer has a roughness of greater than 0.3 Ra.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material comprising a web wherein said web comprises at least one surface layer comprising polyether polymeric antistat, extrudable polymer, and compatibilizer wherein said surface layer has a roughness of greater than 0.3 Ra.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and material for purging comprising adding a purge material of thermoplastic polymer and layered inorganic particles into polymer melt processing equipment containing residual contaminant, and passing the purge material through the processing equipment so that the residual contaminant intercalates the layered inorganic particle, thereby removing the residual contaminant from the processing equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal dye-transfer dye-image receiving element comprising: (a) a dye-receiving layer 1; (b) beneath layer 1, a microvoided layer 2 containing a continuous phase polyester matrix having dispersed therein crosslinked organic microbeads, said layer having a void volume of at least 25% by volume; and (c) beneath layer 2, a microvoided layer 3 comprised of a continuous phase polyester matrix having dispersed therein non-crosslinked polymer particles that are immiscible with the polyester matrix of layer 3. The invention provides a receiver exhibiting an improved combination of dye-transfer efficiency and tear strength.

Abstract: A synthetic or natural human hair end is encapsulated with a biodegradable implantable material, to form an artificial follicle suitable for implantation. The biodegradable material can be programmed to be reabsorbed by the body in a predetermined term of time. Once the material is substantially absorbed by the body the hair shaft will lose its anchor hold into the derma. The degenerated hair will shed by simply combing or washing the hair. The created artificial hair must be implanted individually to create a natural appearance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal dye-transfer dye-image receiving element comprising:

Abstract: The invention relates to a material comprising a web wherein said web comprises at least one surface layer comprising polyether polymeric antistat, extrudable polymer, and compatibilizer wherein said surface layer has a roughness of greater than 0.3 Ra.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising an image layer and a support comprising at least one layer comprising an inorganic particle having an aspect ratio of at least 10 to 1, a lateral dimension of between 0.01 &mgr;m and 5 &mgr;m, and a vertical dimension between 0. 5 nm and 10 nm, and polymeric resin.