Abstract: A method and device for approximating tissue, particularly the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture is then tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.

Abstract: A high-frequency wireless communication system on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip is presented. This system incorporates analog, digital (logic and memory) and high radio frequency circuits on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip. The devices are fabricated using conventional bulk silicon CMOS processing techniques. Advantages include single chip architecture, superior high frequency performance, low power consumption and cost effective fabrication.

Abstract: A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.

Abstract: Concomitant measurement of EtCO.sub.2, EtN.sub.2 and (FiO.sub.2 -FeO.sub.2) concentrations are used to detect a VAE. In a respiratory gas monitoring system, continuous measurements of end-tidal carbon dioxide, end-tidal nitrogen and the difference between inspired and expired oxygen concentrations are averaged using a predetermined time period and stored as historical data. Periodically, a present value of each of these concentrations is compared to its respective historical average for a predetermined time period. If the following conditions are met, the device signals the presence of a venous air embolism: 1) a decrease in the EtCO.sub.2 concentration of 1.5 mm Hg; 2) an increase in the FeN.sub.2 concentration of 0.03 vol %; and 3) a decrease in the difference between the inspired oxygen concentration and the expired oxygen concentration of 0.20 vol %.

Abstract: A method and device for the automated biopsy and collection of soft tissue having a piercing needle with a receiving port to trap tissue prior to cutting. A motor drive directs and positions the tissue receiving port at a lesion site in arbitrary positions about and along the longitudinal axis of the device. A cutter advances into the receiving chamber and severs tissue which has prolapsed into the receiving port. The severed tissue is then removed from the receiving port without removing the piercing needle receiving port from the lesion site, thus allowing for the accurate, rapid removal of an arbitrary number of core samples with only one insertion. A tissue sample cassette provides storage for the samples as well as a means for coding and decoding the location from which the samples were obtained. Together, these features allow for more accurate and complete sampling of large lesions, for the complete removal of small lesions or removal of other tissue for a variety of reasons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the composition and concentration of gases present in a gas sample by measurement of the spectrum of Raman scattered light from these gases. A diode laser illuminates the unknown gas which is contained inside a long hollow tube having a highly reflective interior wall. A laser line pass filter at an entrance aperture of the hollow tube prevents all wavelengths except specific wavelengths characteristic of the laser from entering the long hollow tube. The laser beam and Raman scattered light from the gas sample reflect inside the hollow tube from the highly reflective interior wall. A laser line rejection filter at an exit aperture of the hollow tube prevents the laser beam from exiting the hollow tube but transmits the Raman scattered light from the gas sample. A spectrograph detector or array of discrete filters and detectors detects the Raman scattered light.

Abstract: A high-frequency wireless communication system on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip is presented. This system incorporates analog, digital (logic and memory) and high radio frequency circuits on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip. The devices are fabricated using conventional bulk silicon CMOS processing techniques. Advantages include single chip architecture, superior high frequency performance, low power consumption and cost effective fabrication.

Abstract: Light is focused on an interface between a transparent probe and a surface to be analyzed. The probe is lowered onto the surface using a computer-controlled actuator. Light reflected from the surface of the probe which is closest to the surface and the surface itself recombines, producing interference effects from the spacing between the probe and the surface over a 2-dimensional area. Since the shape of the probe in known beforehand, the profile of the surface can be readily calculated from the 2-dimensional measurement of the spacing between the probe and the surface. This surface profile indicates the roughness of the surface. The surface hardness and other surface properties can be measured by pressing the probe onto the surface. The contact load between the probe and the surface is detected by a load cell. The force with which the probe is being pressed onto the surface is measured using the load cell.

Abstract: A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for measuring a small spacing down to contact uses an interferometric fringe intensity calibration to calibrate maximum and minimum intensity of two or more monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic interference patterns caused by a spacing between two articles, one of which is transparent. The intensity calibration is done by measuring maximum and minimum fringe intensity of each color while altering the spacing by at least 1/4 of the wavelength of the light or other electromagnetic radiation being used. The calibration by changing spacing allows the fringe order to be calculated for each wavelength of the radiation being used. This calibration procedure allows the maximum and minimum intensity of the radiation to be known, as well as the fringe order of the interference patterns to be calculated. With the maximum and minimum intensities and the fringe orders known, the spacing is readily calculated from interferometric theory.

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopy system and method for determining a zero-calibration level. A gas sample chamber is located within a resonant cavity. A light source is located to cause light to be incident on the gas sample, the light resonates in the resonant cavity. Typically, the light source and resonator cavity in conjunction form a laser source which propagates coherent, monochromatic laser light energy through the gas sample. This causes Raman scattering from the gases constituent in the gas sample. The amount of Raman scattered light is measured at detectors along with light due to dark noise inherent in the detectors and glow from the laser source, i.e., light at wavelengths other than the laser light wavelength produced by the laser source. The resonator cavity is obstructed, via a ball inserted into the path of the laser beam for example, to prevent resonance. If the light source and resonant cavity in conjunction form a laser, prevention of resonance causes cessation of lasing.

Abstract: A universal processor-direct bus structure on a specifically partitioned motherboard uses a separate local bus translator card to adapt to a specific local bus protocol and configuration. The processor-direct bus on the motherboard contains a superset of all of the primary signals required to implement any desired local bus structure. The translator card incorporates the connectors and bus translation protocol for a specific local bus structure on a separate card which is connected to the partitioned motherboard through the universal processor-direct bus. Thus, the universal processor-direct bus combined with the translator card makes it possible to have a standard bus (for example an ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) bus, EISA bus, MCA bus, PCI bus, C-bus, S-100 bus and/or other buses) mounted directly on the motherboard with one or more of the same standard buses or a different local bus interfaced to the motherboard through the universal processor-direct bus.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a silicon-on-sapphire wafer suited for fabrication of fully depleted field effect transistors. A fully depleted field effect transistor (FET) which has minimum parasitic charge in the conduction channel and a process to make same are described. The device is made in and relies on the silicon layer on sapphire which has minimal charge intentionally introduced into the conduction channel. Both N-type and P-type transistors are described. Methods for defining threshold voltage are also described. Specific examples of the devices are presented including specific materials selections for threshold voltage options.Manufacturing processes are described, including a preferred embodiment based on ultra thin silicon on sapphire. The devices can be fabricated using conventional silicon techniques; both silicided and non-silicided versions are presented.

Abstract: An apparatus automatically determines the frequency deviation of a transmitter by analyzing a signal received from the transmitter. The apparatus automatically corrects the incoming signal for the improper deviation and maintains a record of the frequency deviation errors. Transmitters which consistently exhibit errors may then be recalled for servicing. This device increases data transmission reliability, improves compliance with FCC licensing regulations and reduces maintenance costs.

Abstract: A method and device for approximating tissue, particularly the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture is then tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection of excess or insufficient solder conditions at electrical connections on printed circuit boards are disclosed. The invention analyzes a cross-sectional image of an electrical connection to obtain the average solder thickness of the connection. This average solder thickness is then compared to an upper threshold value to determine if the connection is an excess solder defect, and a lower threshold value to determine if the connection is an insufficient solder defect. In one embodiment, the present invention compensates for variations in image intensity due to the background by employing a first and second correction factor in the calibration technique. The first correction factor is the measured background gray scale value local to the connection, while the second correction factor is determined to have a substantially linear relationship to the background image intensity local to each solder connection.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for measuring a small spacing down to contact uses an interferometric fringe intensity calibration to calibrate maximum and minimum intensity of two or more monochromatic or quasi-monochromatic interference patterns caused by a spacing between two articles, one of which is transparent. The intensity calibration is done by measuring maximum and minimum fringe intensity of each color while altering the spacing by at least 1/4 of the wavelength of the light or other electromagnetic radiation being used. The calibration by changing spacing allows the fringe order to be calculated for each wavelength of the radiation being used. This calibration procedure allows the maximum and minimum intensity of the radiation to be known, as well as the fringe order of the interference patterns to be calculated. With the maximum and minimum intensities and the fringe orders known, the spacing is readily calculated from interferometric theory.

Abstract: A tomographic inspection system which enables multiple locations within an object to be imaged without mechanical movement of the object. The object is interposed between a rotating X-ray source and a synchronized rotating detector. A focal plane within the object is imaged onto the detector so that a cross-sectional image of the object is produced. The X-ray source is produced by deflecting an electron beam onto a target anode. The target anode emits X-ray radiation where the electrons are incident upon the target. The electron beam is produced by an electron gun which includes X and Y deflection coils for deflecting the electron beam in the X and Y directions. Deflection voltage signals are applied to the X and Y deflection coils and cause the X-ray source to rotate in a circular trace path. An additional DC voltage applied to the X or Y deflection coil will cause the circular path traced by the X-ray source to shift in the X or Y direction by a distance proportional to the magnitude of the DC voltage.

Abstract: Described herein is a patient interfacing system for sampling the inspired and expired gases of a patient and removing moisture from the sample. In one embodiment of the present invention, a patient link receives the gases from the patient's airway circuit and a vaporization section vaporizes condensed moisture in the sample. A separator section allows the vaporized moisture component of the sample to exit the patient interfacing system before the gas sample reaches the monitoring instrument. A filter may also be utilized to prevent condensed moisture, particulates and liquids from entering the monitoring instrument. Thus, the patient interfacing system of the present invention provides a reliable, cost effective and efficient means for delivering gas samples to a monitoring instrument which reduces or prevents water condensation inside the gas analysis portion of the monitoring instrument.

Abstract: A high resolution laminography system for the inspection of integrated circuits wherein a beam of highly focused electrons is traced in a circular pattern on a flat target within a vacuum chamber. The target converts the electron beam into X-rays, so that a source of X-rays is produced which rotates in synchronization with a rotating detector assembly. An object is placed within the vacuum chamber, between the X-ray source and the detector so that an X-ray cross sectional image of a cutting plane of the object is produced. A computer and feedback system controls image acquisition and an automated positioning system. The computer system can also operate under program control to automatically analyze data, measure characteristics of the object under inspection, and make decisions regarding the acceptability of the object's quality.