Abstract: An optical resonance analysis system comprising a sensor means (60) and an illumination means (400) for generating non-monochromatic illumination. The illumination means (400) further comprises a means for generating illumination at a plurality of angles, a lens system for projecting said illumination at said plurality of angles (390) and a dispersive device (380) for dispersing said illumination at each of said plurality of angles so that there is a correlation between said plurality of angles and the wavelengths of said illumination such that a resonance condition is generated on said sensor mean (60) for all wavelengths generated by said non-monochromatic source simultaneously. The analysis system also comprises a detection means (90) for detecting the reflected or transmitted illumination. Another embodiment comprises an anamorphic imaging means (120).

Abstract: A device including a body portion having proximal and distal end areas, and defining an internal cavity opening at the distal end area, and a channel that extends along a perimeter of the internal cavity in a spiral inclined planar configuration leading from the opening of the internal cavity and terminating at an apex region of the internal cavity. The distal end area of the body portion is configured and dimensioned to be placed upon a top portion of a beverage container and rotated thereon. Upon rotation of the body portion, the channel is configured so as to engage a lift-tab lever on a beverage container and progressively urge the lift-tab lever upwardly as the body portion of the present invention is rotated.

Abstract: An optical resonance analysis system comprising a sensor means (60) and an illumination means (400) for generating non-monochromatic illumination. The illumination means (400) further comprises a means for generating illumination at a plurality of angles, a lens system for projecting said illumination at said plurality of angles (390) and a dispersive device (380) for dispersing said illumination at each of said plurality of angles so that there is a correlation between said plurality of angles and the wavelengths of said illumination such that a resonance condition is generated on said sensor mean (60) for all wavelengths generated by said non-monochromatic source simultaneously. The analysis system also comprises a detection means (90) for detecting the reflected or transmitted illumination. Another embodiment comprises an anamorphic imaging means (120).

Abstract: A device including a body portion having proximal and distal end areas, and defining an internal cavity opening at the distal end area, and a channel that extends along a perimeter of the internal cavity in a spiral inclined planar configuration leading from the opening of the internal cavity and terminating at an apex region of the internal cavity. The distal end area of the body portion is configured and dimensioned to be placed upon a top portion of a beverage container and rotated thereon. Upon rotation of the body portion, the channel is configured so as to engage a lift-tab lever on a beverage container and progressively urge the lift-tab lever upwardly as the body portion of the present invention is rotated.

Abstract: An optical resonance analysis system comprising a sensor means (60) and an illumination means (400) for generating non-monochromatic illumination. The illumination means (400) further comprises a means for generating illumination at a plurality of angles, a lens system for projecting said illumination at said plurality of angles (390) and a dispersive device (380) for dispersing said illumination at each of said plurality of angles so that there is a correlation between said plurality of angles and the wavelengths of said illumination such that a resonance condition is generated on said sensor mean (60) for all wavelengths generated by said non-monochromatic source simultaneously. The analysis system also comprises a detection means (90) for detecting the reflected or transmitted illumination. Another embodiment comprises an anamorphic imaging means (120).

Abstract: An optical resonance analysis system comprising a sensor means (60) and an illumination means (400) for generating non-monochromatic illumination. The illumination means (400) further comprises a means for generating illumination at a plurality of angles, a lens system for projecting said illumination at said plurality of angles (390) and a dispersive device (380) for dispersing said illumination at each of said plurality of angles so that there is a correlation between said plurality of angles and the wavelengths of said illumination such that a resonance condition is generated on said sensor mean (60) for all wavelengths generated by said non-monochromatic source simultaneously. The analysis system also comprises a detection means (90) for detecting the reflected or transmitted illumination. Another embodiment comprises an anamorphic imaging means (120).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a modifiable headspace for measuring a concentration of volatile releases from a sample. The invention includes a collapsible housing for containing the air sample and a plurality of spacers between the housing and the sample surface for separating them from one another. The plurality of spacers permit the distance between the housing and the sample to be adjustable.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a modifiable headspace for measuring a concentration of volatile releases from a sample. The invention includes a collapsible housing for containing the air sample and a plurality of spacers between the housing and the sample surface for separating them from one another. The plurality of spacers permit the distance between the housing and the sample to be adjustable.

Abstract: A flexible structural barrier is provided which is capable of yielding upon application of excessive force and immediately recovering to a rigid state with removal of the force, without either sustaining damage or imparting damage to the source of the force. The flexible structural barrier is made of a flexible material arranged to form a generally tubular structure when an appropriate air flow is establish therethrough. The flexible structural barrier is normally in a retracted or collapsed condition and is extended to an extended condition by the appropriate air flow, either automatically or upon demand. The barrier preferably includes an air flow source which is connected in fluid communication with the flexible material and is adapted to establish the appropriate air flow through the flexible material.

Abstract: Constituents such as oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin are monitored non-invasively in an animal organ such as a brain with a spectrometric instrument by passing radiation through the organ. Concentrations are computed from the spectral intensities and from a statistical correlation model. To predetermine the correlation model, the procedures are effected for a plurality of organs of a same type with each organ having established concentrations of the selected constituents, and the correlation model is statistically determined from the concentrations and corresponding intensities. For more accuracy computations are normalized to path length which may be determined by utilizing several discrete wavelengths with RF modulations.

Abstract: A optical fiber terminator comprising: a cylindrical housing having a through bore that is cylindrical at one end and conical at the other end, a frusto-conical collet mounted inside the conical bore where the collet has a stepped cylindrical through bore with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of an industry standard ST ferrule; and, a means to receive and retain an industry standard ST termination attached to the end of the housing having the conical bore. The housing and collet assembly provide a means for precisely placing the tip of the optical fiber ferrule in both a radial and axial direction to facilitate using standard ST terminations.

Abstract: A system is provided for carrying out real time fluorescence-based measurements of nucleic acid amplification products. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an excitation beam is focused into a reaction mixture through a surface, the reaction mixture containing (i) a first fluorescent indicator capable of generating a first fluorescent signal whose intensity is proportional to the amount of an amplification product in the volume of the reaction mixture illuminated by the excitation beam and (ii) a second fluorescent indicator homogeneously distributed throughout the reaction mixture capable of generating a second fluorescent signal proportional to the volume of reaction mixture illuminated by the excitation beam. Preferably, the excitation beam is focused into the reaction mixture by a lens through a portion of a wall of a closed reaction chamber containing the reaction mixture.

Abstract: In a system for measuring variations in thickness of an optical etalon, a light source and a diffraction grating are mounted on a base structure with an axle. A lever arm is affixed to the axle, and a micrometer is held in contact with the lever arm. The grating directs a into an optical path a wavelength of radiation dependent on orientation of the grating. The etalon is supported in the optical path to effect a fringe pattern representing variations in thickness of in the etalon. The orientation is varied with the micrometer so as to vary the wavelength to the etalon and thereby positioning of the fringe pattern across the etalon which is viewed through a microscope. The micrometer measures the variation of orientation and thereby variation in thickness across the interference element.

Abstract: A writing aid for use with a writing instrument as a pen or pencil that is to assist the writer in applying proper pressure to the writing surface.

Abstract: Pressurized gas is applied between a wafer and electrode in a plasma etching system. Gas between the wafer and electrode provides cooling of the wafer. A control arrangement maintains the gas at a predetermined pressure.