Abstract: A surgical system uses a single entry port in a wide variety of surgeries. To insert multiple surgical instruments into a patient through a single entry port requires that the shaft of at least one of the surgical instruments be bent between the base of the surgical instrument and the point where the shaft contacts a channel in an entry guide. Each surgical instrument is positioned by an instrument manipulator positioning system so that when the shaft is inserted in a channel of the entry guide, any bending of the shaft does not damage the surgical instrument and does not inhibit proper operation of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal. The liquid crystal includes a metal acetylide, of which the metal is a square, planar transition metal. The metal acetylide includes first and second acylphosphine ligands and first and second phenyl acetylene ligands. Each of the first and second phenyl acetylene ligands have a meta- or para-substituent, which are selected from the group consisting of H, F, CN, OCH3, C?C—C6H5,(COO—C34H50O2), and COO—C5H10—C))—C34H50O2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of platinum acetylide nonlinear optical chromophores which are liquid at room temperature. The viscosity of these liquid chromophores is low enough that they are easily processable into optical cells and can be used for nonlinear optical applications. The compounds remain liquids below room temperature, converting to a glass in the range of from about ?80° C. to ?100° C. Neat liquids have a high chromophore concentration (˜1 Mole/liter) making possible the development of optical devices requiring materials with a high chromophore concentration.

Abstract: Chitosan-based electro-optic elements are disclosed. An optical waveguide is made from films of chitosan-acetic acid, and from films of chitosan-acetic acid doped with various rare-earth metal ions, over a substrate. Optical limiters are made from chitosan gel host materials doped with a variety of photo-interactive or light limiting dopants. Three different suitable example chitosan gel hosts are disclosed. An electrostatically self-assembling multilayer film is made with a chitosan base layer.

Abstract: A data buffer includes parallel and serial data ports connected to one or more equipment modules that produce output data or respond to input commands. The data buffer also includes a serial control port communicating with a host computer. The data buffer receives and stores output data from the equipment modules via the data ports. The buffer configures each data port to match the data transfer protocol (baud rate, parity checking etc.) of the equipment module to which it is connected in response to input commands transmitted from the host computer via the control port. The host computer may also command the buffer to immediately route incoming data on one data port outward on one or more other selected data or control ports or to store incoming data for later transmission via a selected port in response to an input command. The host computer may additionally command the buffer to periodically transmit a stored data string outward on one or more designated data ports.

Abstract: A method for eliminating an individual's tobacco smoking habit and associated nicotine dependence includes the step of gradually decreasing tobacco consumption over a first period of time until no further tobacco is consumed. This is done by first recording the individual's daily tobacco consumption. The day is broken down into consumption periods of one hour each. An alternative oral nicotine source is then progressively administered as a substitute for tobacco consumed during sequential consumption periods over each succeeding day for approximately two weeks until no further tobacco is consumed. Following a period during which the administration of the alternative nicotine source is maintained, it, too, is progressively eliminated over a period of approximately sixteen weeks.