Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating bright light sources includes a first plurality of semiconductor lasers in which each of the first plurality of semiconductor lasers emits a beam of light of a first frequency; a second plurality of semiconductor lasers in which each of the second plurality of semiconductor lasers emits a beam of light of a second frequency; a first bundle of optical fibers for receiving the light from ones of the first plurality of semiconductor lasers and providing a first combined laser beam of a predetermined shape and having a cross-sectional area and a solid angle; a second bundle of optical fibers for receiving the light from ones of the second plurality of semiconductor lasers and providing a second combined laser beam of a predetermined shape and having a cross-sectional area and a solid angle; and frequency responsive optics for combining the first and second combined laser beams into a composite laser beam, the composite laser beam having substantially the same product of cross

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: A folding bag according including front and rear pliable rectangular faces, each face including a rigid base panel region. When the bag is in its first, closed position, the front and rear faces lie flat against each other. When the bag is in its second, open position, the base panels, which are hingeably attached to each other, open up to form part of the bottom of the bag, with the pliable portion of the faces remaining substantially parallel to each other, separated by the two base panels. The sides of the bag are provided by pliable right and left faces that are pleated and mounted to the front and rear faces and to the bottom the base panels are hinged in such a way that when the bag is in its first, closed position, the right and left faces are tucked between the front and rear faces such that the closed bag is a rectangle of substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A foot switch for systems such as laser surgery systems. The foot switch utilizes a base, a signal generator connected to the base and a cover rotatably connected to the base in such a way that the cover can be rotated from a first closed position to a second open position. Thus the foot switch is compact and light weight.

Abstract: An apparatus essentially consisting of an aspiration conduit, a pump, and a pressure transducer and logic console which senses vacuum level fluctuations in the aspiration conduit. The aspiration conduit is connected to a surgical cavity. The pump creates a vacuum in the pre-pump aspiration conduit and transports the fluid and/or tissue material from the surgical cavity, through the aspiration conduit and into a collection container. The logic console responds to a predetermined rate of decrease in vacuum in the pre-pump aspiration conduit and causes an electric signal to be sent to 1) the pump, which upon receiving such signal, reverses its action and/or: 2) an electromechanical valve located along the aspiration conduit, which upon receiving such signal acts to occlude the aspiration conduit and terminate the removal of tissue or fluid from the surgical site. The reversal of rotation prevents the occurrence of a fluid surge which would result in the collapse of the surgical cavity.

Abstract: A wheelchair is made up of a pair of parallel main frames connected to each other on the rear side via a detachable back supporter and on the front side via footplates foldable along a center hinge extending in the longitudinal direction. Large wheels and a seat plate are detachably coupled to the main frames. The seat plate is changeable in level by leverage operation. After detachment of the large wheels, and unlocking of the back supporter, the wheelchair can approach very close to a user lying on a bed. When the large wheels are detached, the wheelchair can go through doors of ordinary sizes. By folding the foot plates together, the main frames can be put together side by side for convenience in transportation.

Abstract: Underwater sampling apparatus for collecting uncontaminated samples from an underwater environment at in situ pressure includes a sample chamber in which the sample is to be collected, and a lid chamber in hydraulic or pneumatic communication with the sample chamber for defining a controllable interface between the sample chamber and the underwater environment. The lid chamber includes a stack of lid-chamber-defining plates coupled together to form a unitary whole and a lid movable between a closed position sealing the sample chamber and an open position in which the sample chamber is open to the undersea environment. Motion control element move the lid between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an acoustic composite material for an ultrasonic phased array and a method for making. The acoustic composite material is formed from a microcapillary array having a plurality of holes of a constant cross-section and volume fraction. In each of the plurality of holes of the microcapillary array, a polymer fill is deposited therein. The polymer filled microcapillary array is cut at an axis perpendicular to the microcapillary array into a plurality of sections. Each of the plurality of sections are then ground into a predetermined thickness and bonded to a phased array of piezoelectric elements and backfill material.

Abstract: An inductive linear electric dc motor including a stator and a slidable or rollable rotor. The stator has a ferromagnetic strip with spaced poles dispersed along the strip in a checkerboard pattern. The rotor has a ferromagnetic housing made up of an upper yoke and side yokes, concentrators disposed within the ferromagnetic housing such that of each of the concentrators has a segment which segments together form an armature, and different arrangements of permanent magnets that optimize the uniformity of the magnetic field through an armature winding wound about the armature.

Abstract: A method of providing multi-switch business group (MBG) services at each of a plurality of locations is described. The MBG services can be provided for calls made from a calling party served by an originating switch at one location to a called party served by a terminating switch at a location serviced by an inter-exchange carrier (IEC). When the calling party goes off-hook, a determination is made of whether the call is made from a centrex line. Digits dialed by the calling party are then collected at the originating switch. A determination is then made of whether the dialed digits contain an access code indicative that the call is to be routed to one of the plurality of locations which is served by an IEC. If the call is to be routed via an IEC, the initial address message (IAM) required for IEC calls, is modified to include MBG service information. This will permit MBG services to be offered between the calling party and the called party over public CCS7 trunks routed via an IEC.

Abstract: An anoxic treatment process which eliminates organisms such as insects, fungi and/or microbes from fine art objects such as paintings includes filling an enclosure placed around the object, flushing the enclosure of oxygen by applying an inert gas such as argon, and/or helium separately or in combination, and maintaining selected conditions of pressure, temperature, humidity and ph (acidity) for a selected period of time, typically on the order of several weeks. In one practice of the invention, infrared spectra are monitored to determine when all live organisms have been eliminated from the object, by measuring respiratory by-products from the organisms to determine when all have been eliminated. The by-product measurement system may utilize a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy system (FTIR) to monitor carbon dioxide and/or methane.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of N-[2-[4-(amino-sulfonyl)phenyl]ethyl]-5-methylpyrazinecarboxamide is described which is simple and effective.

Abstract: An article-structure comprises a bag that can be folded into a substantially flat configuration, and bound in a conventional manner into a magazine. The bag includes reinforcing element for maintaining the structural integrity of the bag when the bag is removed from the magazine and deployed. The reinforcing element includes a second attachment side, which may be constructed of conventional cardboard. The second attachment side that reinforces the bag forms a detachable portion of an attachment bound into the magazine in a conventional manner. The bag may contain printed material or graphical material on at least one outer surface. Handle elements may be provided in the bag to facilitate carrying by a user when the bag is in the deployed state.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for removing tissue, such as a cataract, from a patient's body includes a hollow vibrating needle surrounded by one or two hollow infusion sleeves. Methods and apparatus for reducing friction between the surface(s) of the sleeve(s) and the outer surface of the needle and/or surrounding ocular tissue are disclosed. Such friction reduction dramatically reduces the amount of heat generated during surgery, thus reducing the possibility of thermal damage to tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of removing smoke and vaporized tissue from a patient's mouth and controlling a patient's tongue through use of a hollow tongue blade coupled to a pneumatic evacuation device which can be used in conjunction with a pharyngeal handpiece during laser applications.