Abstract: A dry electrode, which is a single-plate capacitor, is particularly adapted to be placed on a patient's scalp to detect brain waves in an EEG system. The electrode comprises a metal disk sandwiched between very thin and relatively thicker layers of ceramic. The metal disk is attached to a small disk printed circuit board that carries an amplifier to amplify the brain waves detected by the electrode. The quality of contact of the electrode with the patient is measured by applying a pulse or voltage step through the ground electrode.

Abstract: An efficient, objective testing method and system for evaluating mental acuity and changes in mental acuity is described. The method and system are based on measuring an individual's behavioral responses and brain function during a brief test of working memory and passive control condition. The method and system is designed to assess an individual's overall cognitive ability (“general intelligence”), and whether that overall cognitive ability has been significantly affected by a variety of factors such as progressive disease processes, medication, stress, fatigue or training. The method and system can be used to determine whether drugs being evaluated to treat diseases or conditions affecting higher cognitive brain function have a significant positive effect on delaying or improving the symptoms of such a disease or condition, especially during clinical trials for drug approval and subsequent marketing.

Abstract: The present invetion involves a tolerance based motion controller. The controller is capable of processing a group of tolerance constraints. The tolerance constraints specify where and when each tolerance constraint is to be applied, along with the information specifying the desired trajectory of motion. There are also a group of velocity constraints, specifying the maximum allowable velocity at each point along the desired trajectory. This information along with sensor feedback is used to modify the velocity along the actual trajectory of motion. This results in the time required traverse the trajectory being as short as possible. Also, the actual trajectory of motion should never exceed the permissible deviation from the desired trajectory, as specified by the tolerance constraints, with the velocity always being bounded by the specified velocity constraint.

Abstract: A machine for the forming of the body member of two-piece metal cans uses a carrier upon which are mounted six or more pairs of ram assemblies. The rams are driven by cam action on a fixed track and the rams each carry a pair of wheels which ride on the track. Each of the rams is rectangular in cross-section, to counteract centrifugal force, and is an aluminum alloy coated with a Teflon-ceramic coating so that the ram is light in weight and does not require a liquid lubricant.

Abstract: A free-standing device for the testing of ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) instruments, and for training doctors in using such instruments, includes circuits to generate electrical wave forms which simulate the EEG (electroencephalograph) detectable brain waves, EMG (electromyograph) muscle activity and heart beats of a patient undergoing ECT. In one embodiment the ECT output leads of the ECT instrument are plugged into the device, the training doctor selects the ECT current and the device generates response EEG and EMG waveforms. It also measures the current and displays its measurement as a test of the accuracy of the stimulus selection controls of the ECT instrument.

Abstract: A magnetoencephalogram (MEG) method and system for detecting and analyzing the magnetic effects of brain waves uses a dewar having a helmet-shaped cavity and an array of magnetic field detectors arranged in an array. In one embodiment the field detectors are located in the same relative locations as electrodes in the EEG 10/20 system. A subject's MEG data is compared to a normative spontaneous and/or evoked MEG database collected using standardized detector positions and sensory stimuli and/or to a normative QEEG database simultaneously or previously constructed using corresponding standardized electrode positions and sensory stimuli. Statistical parameters in these databases assess the probability that MEG features derived from a subject are within normal limits. Deviations are indicated on interpolated statistical probability maps color-coded to indicate degree of abnormality. Multivariate statistical analyses may be used to categorize brain disorders in individual patients.

Abstract: A method to dynamically connect an originating computer to a receiving computer on a dial-up network, such as the Internet. The originating computer calls the receiving computer over the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN); the receiving computer detects the call but does not answer it so that no PSTN charges are incurred; then both the receiving computer and originating computer call up the dial-up network and one of the computers obtains the network address of the other computer to establish a communication link between them.

Abstract: A can-making necker machine to form the bottom and neck of two-piece metal cans has pusher rams. Each pusher has a cam follower which follows a track or groove. The cam follower is not lubricated but instead has rolling surfaces which are coated with a low-friction high-impact diamond film.

Abstract: In non-convulsive magnetic stimulation therapy a patient is treated with magnetic pulses from a coil placed proximate the patient's head as a treatment of certain neurologic and psychiatric disorders. A set of EEG (electroencephalograph) electrodes on the patient's scalp are switched on during pauses in the electrical pulse train to the coil. If epilepsy-like brain wave spikes and/or sharp waves are detected by the EEG, a warning is given, treatment is halted and an anti-convulsive medicine may be administered.

Abstract: An illuminator system for the interior of buildings provides natural sunlight illumination. The system comprises a sunlight collector mounted on the building's roof, such as a large condenser lens or a reflector, to focus the sunlight at a focal point. A transparent end plate, at the focal point, transmits the condensed sunlight to the exterior end of a thin and flexible optical conductor, such as a polymer core fiber optic cable. The conductor extends through the roof to an exterior room and terminates in a light dispersing illuminator which illuminates the room.

Abstract: A color separation optical plate is described which is superimposed onto a transmissive LCD panel. The color separation plate separates incident white light into its red/green/blue (RGB) components and guides each component through the appropriate sub-pixel (dot) of the LCD panel. The color separation plate utilizes a microprism array of direct vision microprisms each having a combination of refractive and gradient index optics to concentrate the light onto the appropriate dot and to separate the colors. This combination has the theoretical capability of increasing color LCD panel transmissivity by as much as a factor of six.

Abstract: A fluid is injected for a period of 2 to 30 minutes using an intravenous injection ("IV") system which includes a syringe. The syringe includes an internal bag, which receives fluid, a plunger and a finger-operated air valve. The syringe operates by ambient air pressure and does not require hand-pushing or motor operation.

Abstract: An instrument and method for the biopsy of cervical tissue samples uses a needle-stylet having a sharp tip and a tissue sample cradle. A sheath surrounds the stylet and is advanced to sever tissue. A barrier disk on the sheath limits its penetration into the tissue.

Abstract: An electrocephalograph (EEG) method is provided to monitor patients during and after medical operations. An anesthesiologist administers sufficient anesthetics to cause the patient to attain the desired plane of anesthesia. The patient's brain waves, both ongoing and evoked by stimuli, are amplified, digitized and recorded. That pre-operative set of brain wave data is compared to a set of the patient's brain wave data obtained during the operation in order to determine if additional, or less, anesthesia is required, paying particular attention to the relative power in the theta band, as an indication of brain blood flow, and prolongations of the latency periods under brain stem stimuli, as an indication of the patient's ability to feel pain. A set of neurometric features are extracted, converted into a normalized statistical score, a discriminant score is thereby developed and the discriminant score converted to a patient state index using probability functions.

Abstract: An adapter connects a small solid-state television camera to a viewing port of a microscope. The adapter has a zoom lens system to focus the image from the microscope mounted in a zoom lens barrel. The lens barrel is moved by rotation of a shaft of a pulse motor through a worm gear. A mirror within the housing in its normal position, reflects the image 45 degrees and is a flat disk-shaped mirror mounted for universal movement about its center. The angle of the mirror is controlled by a control rod which is connected to a gear bracket by a ball. The gear bracket is moved one direction by a first motor connected to a worm gear. The bracket is moved in another direction by a second motor and gear which meshes with gear teeth on the bracket.

Abstract: An auxiliary lamp for a slit lamp device used in eye examination, to improve digital photography of the eye being examined, includes a casing and a fiber optic bundle terminating in a glued and polished end face, which end face forms a light emitting line. A cylindrical lens is positioned in front of the end face and is adjusted by a finger-operated screw device to be moved toward, and away from, the end face to focus the line of light.

Abstract: A method and system for routing a digital probe which signals either a triggered or non-triggered state to continuously scan a part surface without having to return to a rest position each time the probe is triggered. The probe is carried by manufacturing equipment capable of moving in response to control signals and providing manufacturing equipment feedback signals indicating the current position of the probe. Continuous movement of the digital probe is achieved by testing the probe to determine if it is triggered or not at a series of closely spaced time intervals, and rotating a move vector (corresponding to desired probe velocity) in each computation cycle to alter the probe trajectory as a function of the operating state of the probe and its position during the previous computation cycle. These techniques allow relatively inexpensive digital probing systems to gather data at speeds comparable to those of much more expensive analog systems.

Abstract: A portable EEG (electroencephalograph) instrument, especially for use in emergencies and brain assessments in physicians' offices, detects and amplifies brain waves and converts them into digital data for analysis by comparison with data from normal groups. In one embodiment, the EEG electrodes are in a headband which broadcasts the data, by radio or cellular phone, to a local receiver for re-transmission and/or analysis. In another embodiment, the subject is stimulated in two modes, i.e., aural and sensory, at two different frequencies to provide the subject's EPs (Evoked Potentials), assessing transmission through the brainstem and thalamus.

Abstract: An oral protector, especially for use by patients during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) consists of a flat unitary member which is preferably stamped from a flat sheet of material. The protector is elastic and formed of a closed-cell material, such as polyurethane plastic resin or artificial rubber. It has an elongated, generally elliptical shaped central opening which acts as an air passage.

Abstract: A computer assisted manual machine tool system and method for milling, turning and grinding uses a computer model of machine objectives and location feedback signals from the tool to control motion switch means enabling and disabling tool motion. The manual machinist may position a tool to a target position by enabling motion along each controlled axis while the tool's position feedback for that axis is outside of the tolerance specification and disabling motion once the tool is within that tolerance. The machinist may contour within a specified tolerance zone by toggling the motion switch means for each axis to produce motion along that contour. The machinist may pocket by enabling motion while the tool is away from the pocket surfaces and disabling motion when the tool position is within a predetermined distance of any pocket surface.