Abstract: A method and apparatus applying a laser beam to a working surface, by displacing the laser beam to trace a plurality of circular scans over the working surface; and continuously varying the diameters of the circular scans at a rate to produce a substantially homogenous distribution of the laser energy over the working surface.

Abstract: An exercise device for doing crunches that has a frame that includes a head rest support to support the back of the head, two wings extending outwardly from opposite sides of the head rest support and a torso support. The wings each accommodate stacking of weights. The head rest support and the torso support cooperate with each other to stabilize the relative position of the head and neck by preventing their relative movement with respect to the upper torso.

Abstract: There is provided a side-emitting optical fiber having a proximal end for receiving radiation and a distal end for emitting the radiation in a direction laterally of the longitudinal axis of the fiber via a radiation exit region at the distal end; characterized in that the outer surface of the distal end of the a glass cap is formed with a visually discernible surface formation which is narrow at one end thereof and which increases in width towards the opposite end thereof, to thereby enable visually discerning the orientation of the optical fiber with respect to the radiation exit region thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric having a decal and ornaments bonded and affixed, respectively thereto, whereby the ornaments overlap and have the same configuration as the decal so that the decal is no longer visible when the ornaments are affixed.

Abstract: Multilayer adhesive label which is shrinkable on a circumferential surface of a body, particularly of a dry-cell battery, including a carrier layer for an outwardly visible imprint which is covered with a transparent protective layer, whose outermost layer is formed by means of an at least axially stretched, transparent laminated foil of shrinkable plastics material. The carrier layer may have at least one cut in the vicinity of its edge extending along the generating line of the circumferential surface of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device to control the physical conditions of the solvent within a pre-column, in a gas chromatography analysis apparatus. To achieve desired and controlled conditions of recondensation in the pre-column with vaporization injectors or of vaporation with "on-column" injectors, the dew-point of the solvent in the pre-column is calculated and the factors which influence this dew-point are varied and/or the temperature of the pre-column is varied, in order to set such temperatures in a desired correlation.

Abstract: A fabric used as outerwear having a stabilized substrate, an adhesive and flock adhered to the substrate with the adhesive. The adhesive is dried and cured, preferably aerated. A waterproof film may be applied either to the substrate or to a lining adjacent the substrate. The flock may be flattened into a laid down condition.

Abstract: Single or gangable multiplexed animal bathing stations comprise a rearward sloped wash platform between two side courtesy walls, along with a back splash wall and a rearward sloped floor. A wash platform--back splash wall drainage gap G improves drainage, cleanliness and efficiency, along with rearward tilted station floor angles .beta..sub.floor and wash platform angles .beta..sub.platform, which improve drainage and animal-groomer stance. Gangable animal bathing stations are disclosed that share common walls and effluent processing for passage to a central waste filtration and treatment means.

Abstract: An infant bathing apparatus including a cushioned body having a cavity surrounded on all sides except one by the body. The sides and bottom of the cushioned body are formed from a water permeable outer layer joined to a water permeable inner layer having a hydrophobic material disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A multiple access communications system reuses a set of either N carrier frequencies or time slots in adjacent communications sites to provide more than N or T minimally cross-correlated frequency or time hopping communications channels respectively. A first set of communications channels is associated with a first of the communications sites. No two of the channels in the first set employ the same frequency or T time slots at the same time. A second set of communications channels is associated with a second of the adjacent communications sites. No two of the channels in the second set of channels employ the same one of the N carrier frequencies or T time slots at the same time. One or more sets of the minimally cross-correlated channels are further defined so that none of the channels in such sets employ the same frequency at the same time as more than a predetermined number of the channels in another of the sets of the minimally cross-correlated frequency-hopping communications channels.

Abstract: A device for treating the interior of a body cavity with laser energy includes an optical fiber having a distal end to be inserted into the body cavity to be treated, and a proximal end to be located externally of the body cavity and to be coupled to a source of laser energy; a second fiber axially movable with respect to the optical fiber and mechanically coupled to its distal end to cause it to move in the lateral direction; and a stiffening spine normally supporting the distal ends of the two fibers in side-by-side relation, but permitting the distal end of one fiber to move laterally with respect to the other fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser-assisted hair transplantation preferably utilizes a CW mode CO.sub.2 laser, which may already have been installed in a surgeon's office, and a flashscanner to scan the laser over the area of holes to be drilled, thereby minimizing thermal necrosis on the recipient walls or slits. Optionally, a computer controls the laser/flashscanner assembly to redirect the beam from hole to hole, so as to rapidly drill a plurality of uniformly spaced holes. Advantageously, the time duration of the laser procedure is not limited, but depends instead on the CW laser power level parameters and the focal length selected for the procedure, thereby affording the surgeon significant flexibility in choosing appropriate treatment parameters.

Abstract: A method of cutting and removing a wrapping from an intraocular lens implant within the eye. The method employs either a laser beam to effect the curing or an ultrasonic vibratory probe to effect the cutting. Once cut, the lens is free to unroll within the eye. The wrapping is then removed from the eye.

Abstract: A capsulorrhexis instrument that is retractable within a tube and extendable into a position projecting out of the tube. The instrument comprises a flexible band having a razor sharp cutting edge which is fixed to a plunger and located within an inserter tube. While in its retracted position within the inserter tube, the flexible band assumes an elliptical or oblong shape. However, when the flexible band is in its extended position outside of the inserter tube such as inside the eye, it expands into a circular shape whose cutting edge is sufficiently sharp to cut lens capsular tissue in response to pressure being applied to the lens capsular tissue by the cutting edge. The dimension to which the flexible band expands to reach the circular shape upon becoming clear of the inserter tube is larger than a cross-section of the gap defined by the inserter tube through which the flexible band travels in its elliptical or oblong shape.

Abstract: A portable urinal including a urine bottle support having a receiving area. The urine bottle support includes a hollow rod and an extension rod disposed within the hollow rod. The extension rod is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the hollow rod. Further, the portable urinal includes a urine bottle selectively coupled to the urine bottle support.

Abstract: A programmable time interval alarm that has a plurality of switches or buttons to set the alarm interval. Each button corresponds to a different time interval setting. In this manner, the alarm is simply programmable by actuating a single button corresponding to the desired interval. The alarm has a housing with a resilient element such as a rubberized inner surface to compress against containers of different dimensions and be clamped into position to move with the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a myringotomy in a child's ear without the need for anaesthesia. A charge coupled device or television camera is aimed within a micromanipulator housing at a child's ear drum. The housing is retained to the ear, either with a fastener such as an adhesive or in a helmet, so that the housing moves with the movement of the child's head. A video image of the ear drum surface is displayed on a screen from signals transmitted from the camera device. A physician marks on the screen with an electronic pen pointer where the laser beam should be aimed at the ear drum surface. A microprocessor responds to this marking to determine the appropriate coordinates and instructs mirror control motors to rotate a scanning mirror in the path of the laser beam. The laser may be fired and its beam is directed by the scanning mirror to strike a desired location by passing through the housing attached to the child's ear without being affected by any sudden movement of the child's head.

Abstract: A package for an optical fiber includes a mounting sheet material, and a plurality of clips carried by the mounting sheet in a closed-loop, e.g., circular or oblong array. Each of the clips has a pair of jaws for receiving between them an optical fiber to be wound around, and releasably retained by, the array of clips.