Abstract: A traffic reporting system and method for geographic area of interest. The system includes standard wireless telecommunication components configured to establish search criteria, determine a sample size, collect traffic information, calculate additional traffic information, and generate reports.

Abstract: A deuterated ocular solution is applied to an eye. The deuterated ocular solution includes deuterated water and one or more ocular drugs (such as proparacaine). A protective corneal device is applied to a cornea of the eye. The device includes a window configured to contact at least a portion of the cornea. At least part of the cornea is irradiated using light energy that passes through the window during a cornea reshaping procedure, where the window is substantially transparent to the light energy. The window of the protective corneal device and the deuterated ocular solution may prevent clinically significant damage to a corneal epithelium of the cornea during the cornea reshaping procedure, such as by preventing a temperature of the corneal epithelium from exceeding approximately 70° C. during the cornea reshaping procedure. This may help to avoid a wound healing response in the eye and an associated regression of refractive correction.

Abstract: One or more treatment parameters are determined for a cornea reshaping procedure. The one or more treatment parameters are selected so as to reduce an amount of collagen shrinkage in a cornea of a patient's eye caused by the cornea reshaping procedure. For example, the one or more treatment parameters could be selected so as to minimize an amount of stromal collagen shrinkage in the cornea of the patient's eye caused by the cornea reshaping procedure. As another example, the cornea reshaping procedure could include irradiating multiple spots on the cornea of the patient's eye, where each spot is associated with an amount of stromal collagen. The one or more treatment parameters could be selected so that no more than 1% or 5% of the stromal collagen in the irradiated spots undergoes clinically significant shrinkage as a result of the cornea reshaping procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time communication of high-quality audio is provided. The system contains a series of audio devices and a series of client devices, where each client device is in communication with an audio device, and each client device is capable of converting analog signals received from an audio device, into digital data. In addition, a series of server devices is provided where each service device is capable of communicating with one of the series of client devices via a network, and each server device is capable of converting digital data received from a client device, into analog signals. A series of server computers is provided, each having a sound card. A connection between a server device and a server computer resulting in analog signals from the server device being directly received by the sound card located within the server computer.

Abstract: A system and method that allows for early detection of biological conditions, such as a disease, through analysis of appropriate gaseous samples. The system and method are particularly amenable to the early screening for diseases, such as lung cancer, through the detection of specific biomarkers when present in exhaled breath from an individual. A preferred system implements a CO overtone laser that generates radiation and directs it through a photoacoustic cell. The absorption of the radiation is detected acoustically, and the absorption characteristics are utilized in determining the presence of a specific biological condition.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for use in combination with a noninvasive ophthalmological method for cornea reshaping in order to correct ocular refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. This apparatus is called a coupler and it is made of a material which is substantially transparent to the light energy used to reshape the cornea. The coupler conducts heat from the anterior portion of the cornea during the heating of the stroma by the light energy. The reshaping is enhanced by the coupler as it has a corneal engaging surface with a radius of curvature which approximates the desired emmetropic shape of the cornea. In addition to being a heat sink and template for the eye, the coupler also acts as a positioner and restrainer of the eye by attaching itself to the eye via an annular suction ring. Finally, the coupler also acts as a mask to prevent accidental exposure of the central optic zone to any light energy during the cornea reshaping procedure.

Abstract: A cosmetic system and technique are provided for improving the texture and appearance of an individual's skin. The system includes a light transport modifier that may be applied to a portion of the individual's epidermis. The light transport modifier is designed to displace naturally occurring water within that portion. Energy from an appropriate laser, infrared lamp, or the sun can then be directed to a treatment area beneath the epidermal layer without detrimental heat buildup in that area of the epidermis.

Abstract: A system and method for modification of tissue. The system and method utilize a disposable sample cell that contains a chemical mixture capable of photoinitiation. Upon photoinitiation, a chemical reaction creates electromagnetic radiation that is readily absorbed by a desired portion of tissue. The absorption of energy creates heat which can be controlled to result in predetermined modifications to the tissue.

Abstract: A noninvasive method is described for performing accurate and controlled reshaping of the anterior surface of the cornea in order to correct ocular refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The invention uses a light source emitting a wavelength or wavelengths with correct optical penetration depth(s) to induce changes in corneal stromal collagen without damaging the corneal endothelium, together with a light delivery and control means for producing the required irradiance, exposure time, and geometric pattern, in order to achieve the desired change in corneal shape. Corneal shape is monitored before, during, and after the procedure by a corneal topography system. Anterior corneal surface cooling by a transparent heat sink is used to prevent damage to the epithelium and to Bowman's layer.

Abstract: A laser isotope separation process is disclosed which comprises selectively exciting to a high vibrational state of the ground electronic state a polyatomic molecule of a gaseous composition which contains a particular isotope of an element bound to hydrogen. The excited molecule undergoes a unimolecular reaction to yield a product which is enriched in the particular isotope. The product may then be conveniently separated from the starting gaseous composition by conventional means and used in scientific research, medicine, agriculture, or power generation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectroscopic material analysis are provided. Two coherent beams of monochromatic radiation are directed through a sample of material. A tuning mechanism adjusts the frequency difference between the radiation beams to equal substantially the vibrational frequency of a preselected constituent of the material. Molecular energy of a preselected constituent of the material is increased, thereby producing a detectable signal in the form of a pressure wave. The signal is received by a detecting mechanism which indicates the magnitude thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectroscopic material anaylsis are provided. Two coherent beams 15, 17 of monochromatic radiation are directed through a sample of material. A tuning mechanism 14 adjusts the frequency difference between the radiation beams 15, 17 to equal substantially the vibrational frequency of a preselected constituent of the material. Molecular energy of a preselected constituent of the material is increased, thereby producing a detectable signal 22 in the form of a pressure wave. The signal is received by a detecting mechanism 24 which indicates the magnitude thereof.