Abstract: A system and methods for the production of cranial remodeling orthoses are described. The patient's head is scanned to produce three dimensional data. The scanned data is modified to produce data which is representative of a preferred head shape. The preferred head shape data is used to produce a custom cranial remodeling orthosis for the patient.

Abstract: A light source that utilizes light emitting diodes that emit white light is disclosed. The diodes are mounted on an elongate member having at least two surfaces upon which the light emitting diodes are mounted. The elongate member is thermally conductive and is utilized to cool the light emitting diodes. In the illustrative embodiment, the elongate member is a tubular member through which a heat transfer medium flows.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated optic device having at least one waveguide formed in a surfaced thereof is described. The waveguide is formed utilizing a two-step proton exchange process in which the substrate is bathed in a strong acid and then subjected to a plurality of annealing cycles.

Abstract: A variable chirp optical modulator is provided in which an optical waveguide is split for part of its length into first and second waveguide arms. Electrode pairs are utilized to provide modulating electric fields in a portion of the first and second waveguide arms. The optical lengths of the portions of the first and second waveguide arms that are subject to the modulating electric fields are different and are selected to provide a predetermined level of chirp. By controlling the optical power split from the optical waveguide to the first and second arms, the chirp is varied from the predetermined level.

Abstract: A variable chirp optical modulator is provided. An optical waveguide is split for part of its length into first and second waveguide arms. Electrode pairs are positioned to be proximate a first portion of corresponding waveguide arms. The lengths of each of the electrodes are different and are selected to provide a predetermined level of chirp.

Abstract: A massage device for the head or scalp has flexible, metallic prongs or fingers. The massage device includes a handle and a plurality of flexible, elongated members protruding from the handle. Each of the plurality of flexible, elongated members are bendable. In one embodiment, the handle includes a hollow body, end caps, and a solid insert member. The plurality of flexible, elongated members are attached to the handle by compression fitting between the end caps and the insert member. In another embodiment, the handle includes a hollow body, end caps, and a solid resilient filler material. The plurality of flexible, elongated members are attached to the handle by the solid resilient filler material, which may be solidified around the plurality of flexible, elongated members. In a further embodiment, the plurality of flexible, elongated members are made of nitinol material, which is a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: An integrated optic device includes at least one waveguide formed in a surfaced thereof. The waveguide is formed utilizing a two-step proton exchange process in which the substrate is bathed in a strong acid and then subjected to a plurality of annealing cycles.

Abstract: A system and methods for the production of cranial remodeling orthoses are described. The patient's head is scanned to produce three dimensional data. The scanned data is modified to produce data which is representative of a preferred head shape. The preferred head shape data is used to produce a custom cranial remodeling orthosis for the patient.

Abstract: The invention is a tunable optical transmitter and light source in which a gain media is connected in an optical loop or resonator and a tunable filter is inserted in to the loop. A sensor is coupled to the loop and provides wavelength indicative signals that a processing unit utilizes in accordance with a predetermined algorithm to determine the wavelength of optical signals in the loop. The processing unit adjusts the tunable filter to a wavelength selected from a plurality of predetermined wavelengths.

Abstract: A tuner for optical signals comprises a surface acousto-optic tunable filter utilized to provide signals indicative of the wavelength of the optical signals, a tunable filter, and a processor responsive to the wavelength indicating signals to control the tunable filter such that the tunable filter passes only optical signals at a predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: An integrated optic device for optical signals comprises substrate carrying a surface acousto-optic tunable filter utilized to provide signals indicative of the wavelength of the optical signals, and a tunable filter controllable via a processor such that the tunable filter passes only optical signals at a predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: A laser source in accordance with the invention includes a broadband laser generating optical output signals including a plurality of predetermined wavelength components. A bi-directional optical switch having a first port and a plurality of second ports is responsive to control signals for establishing an optical coupling between said first port and a selected one of the plurality of second ports. A circulator having a first port is coupled to the broadband laser, a circulator second port is coupled to the bi-directional optical switch first port and a circulator third port provides output optical signals. A plurality of wavelength selective reflectors is provided. Each wavelength selective reflector is coupled to a corresponding one the optical switch second ports, each of the wavelength selective reflectors reflects optical signals at a predetermined one optical wavelength selected from a plurality of predetermined optical wavelength. Apparatus is provided for generating the control signals.

Abstract: A sanitary device for use with toilet seats is used to prevent urine from squirting out from the gap between a toilet seat and the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A cushion for a shopping cart seat that provides a child riding in a shopping cart seat with a comfortable, safe, sanitary and entertaining environment. The cushion easily envelopes all surrounding areas of the shopping cart seat, giving complete coverage over the handle, seat, sides, top edges and back, and includes an attached pouch for storing the cushion. The pouch has a sealable opening, and is optionally provided with entertainment features.

Abstract: Casino Poker games are described in which a plurality of independent progressive jackpots are included in the game. Each player choosing to participate in a round is automatically eligible to win the jackpots. In certain embodiments of the game, a qualifying hand is used which either must be beaten by the house or the players. The qualifying hand is dealt for each round of play and is not a fixed qualifier.

Abstract: A composite loudspeaker diaphragm is disclosed having first and second substantially flat carbon fiber skins, and a honeycomb core sandwiched between the first and second carbon skins. In a preferred form, each carbon fiber skin comprises a sheet formed of primarily unidirectional carbon filaments bound together by an epoxy resin. In the preferred embodiment, the honeycomb core is formed of nomex, and is glued with epoxy to the first and second carbon skins, and then heated. The sandwich diaphragm is manufactured so that the direction of the carbon fibers of the cross plies of each outer skin are out of phase relative to each other, preferably in the range of approximately ninety degrees. The improved diaphragm is used in an flat-panel loudspeaker system having improved performance at higher frequencies.

Abstract: A urinal or toilet ventilation system for removing unpleasant odors from the vicinity of the urinal or toilet, both during usage and for a short period of time following usage. The ventilation system has a series of flexible water ducts extending throughout the device and leading to the outside. Additionally, the device has a series of air ducts extending throughout the device and attaching to a motor which in turns pushes the air through another series of ducts leading to the outside. In a further embodiment the urinal or toilet has a sensor to detect the presence of a user for actuating the motor and begins the air extraction system. Upon the user leaving the vicinity of the urinal or toilet, the sensor has a built in delay, and continues to extract any unpleasant odors for a short duration.

Abstract: An aerosol container cap assembly includes an actuating lever which is movable between first and second positions. A momentary depression of the lever will latch the container valve open so that the contents are discharged. A second momentary depression of the lever unlatches the valve to allow the valve to close.

Abstract: A visor construction and an attachment to a visor are described which makes unlikely the unintentional removal of the visor or cap to which the visor is attached by wind. The visor, in accordance with the invention, has a cross-section from its front edge to its rear edge which resembles an inverted airfoil.