Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the running of multiple simultaneous solid phase reactions for mounting on a temperature controllable water bath and a method of using this apparatus in the presence or absence of paramagnetic beads to perform chemical syntheses resulting in separation and recovery of a final desired reaction product is provided. The apparatus comprises a reaction plate, a reaction vessel for mounting in the reaction plate, a reaction plate holder, a screw-like rod, a mounting block attached to the reaction plate holder for operably receiving the screw-like rod, a motor, a sonication region in the water bath and a magnetic separation region in the water bath. Paramagnetic beads having reaction sites are introduced into the reaction vessels along with the appropriate solvent and one or more reactants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a free space optical switching and routing system utilizing a switchable grating based approach together with novel noise suppression techniques. This family of devices provides for an optical switching and routing system that is useful for interconnecting any of an input array's optical channels to any of an output array's optical channels. The incorporation of free space switched grating based routing in the present invention has several distinct advantages including compactness, a reduction in insertion loss and the number of required switching devices and control signals, and improvements in switch isolation, noise and crosstalk suppression, spurious reflections, data skew, and compactness.

Abstract: A device and method for respectively providing and using a small, portable, discreet, yet complete on-the-spot stain remover unit. The unit can be activated on-the-spot to remove accidentally spilled food or beverage stains by removing the appropriate modules or body portions to achieve the desired cleaning steps. The stain removing or cleaning unit has a main applicator body, two sub-applicator bodies and two end covers. The modules, when connected together, make up the complete cleaning kit. The unit is designed to enable a user to perform four basic steps for cleaning a stain the instant it occurs, i.e., detergent soak, soiled detergent pickup, rinse and final drying.

Abstract: A multiple container transportation system having a moveable frame for transporting the frame from one location to another and at least one container unit removably secured to the moveable frame. The container unit is made up of a container and a cover. The container has an open top portion of predetermined internal size and a closed bottom portion of a predetermined external size less than the predetermined size of said top portion. The top portion is angled from the back of the container to the front of the container such that the front of the container has a height less than the height of the back of the container. This design enables an animal easy access to the contents of the container and also prevents any spilling of the contents during tilting of the container and frame during movement thereof.

Abstract: An immunoscintillating composition and method of radioimmunoassay is disclosed whereby polymer coated paramagnetic particles and binding agent such as an antibody are associated by chemical or physical means to provide solid scintillating immunoadsorbent particles which are paramagnetic. These particles are capable of selectively binding or retaining radioactive or labeled antigens or ligands and transmitting radioactive energy to a phosphor or photon emitting substance that is bound by chemical or physical means to the particles. Upon binding of the antigens or ligands to the surface of the particles the particles are separated from the unbound components in solution by application of a magnetic field. The luminescence emitted by the phosphor which is attached to the magnetically separated particles is measured by a scintillator counter and is directly proportional to the radioactive energy released by the labeled antigen bound to the antibody.

Abstract: The method of investigation of physiological components distribution in human body tissues includes optical illumination of the investigated area, recording of the spatial distribution of the intensity of the light reflected by the investigated area within a definite period of time through sequential time intervals, which are small compared to the time constant of the investigated process. The wavelength of the illuminating or recorded reflected radiation is chosen at one of the spectral intervals with a maximal steepness of the spectral changes in the physiological pigments absorption, this radiation being modulated by the frequency and the amplitude-modulated part of the reflected light thus appearing is recorded synchronously at the modulation frequency. In one aspect of the method, the investigated area is illuminated at one or several points and the reflected radiation is recorded at points shifted relative to the illuminated ones.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the field of medicine and biology, and more specifically, the invention encompasses an apparatus for performing functional imaging of biological objects. It can be used to distinguish between normal and pathological states in women's mammary glands. The aim of this invention is to increase the reliability of detection of peculiarities in the patient's physiological status, including detection of cancer. Visualization and early diagnosis of different mammary gland pathologies are achieved by recording dynamic images of both mammary glands while illuminating alternatively from opposite sides. The data thus obtained is subsequently combined and processed.

Abstract: A vertical cavity signal suppressor array having a plurality of suppressor elements, each of which incorporate therein an active semiconductor region bounded by reflective elements and a source of current 20 connected thereto. When in operation within a multichannel optical system a preselected signal suppressing element the signal suppressor array is turned "on" in the selected channel of interest. This is accomplished by either injecting a small current through the reflective elements or by optical pumping, and the desired signal channel is transmitted with little or no loss. All the non-selected channels remain undriven or "off", that is, a state in which they are strongly absorptive.

Abstract: This method and apparatus characterizes the interconnection between blood content and capillary blood flow and accomplishes a functional diagnosis of microcirculation of physiological liquids in the skin. In this invention there is a sequential recording of the IR radiation emitted by the skin with simultaneous recording of backscattered electromagnetic radiation at visible and near IR wavelengths under conditions of external illumination over the same region with subsequent superimposition of the images obtained thereby. The parameter to be measured is the relationship between the temporal changes in backscattered electromagnetic radiation in at least one of the spectral ranges of 0.3 to 2.0 .mu.m and changes in intensity of emitted IR radiation. This parameter is represented in the form of spatial-temporal distribution within the boundaries of the image region under investigation.

Abstract: An optical time shifter and routing system having high efficiency switched gratings to form optical time delay and routing networks. This system also includes a unique passive noise suppression device that can be used in multiple channel optical systems such as time shifters and routers to increase channel isolation and reduce crosstalk. The latter noise suppression devices are applicable broadly to the free-space time shifters as well as to other time shifters.

Abstract: An optical position detector for determining the angular position of a rotating element and being virtually insensitive to any unwanted radial movement of the rotating element. The position detector having a first light source and a second light source, each positioned proximate one end of the rotating element and positioned diametrically opposed from one another. Four light detectors are optically aligned with the first and second light sources for receiving light therefrom and for providing an output indicative of the amount of light received. An opaque flat element being interconnected to the one end of the rotating element for preventing a preselected amount of light emanating from the first and second light sources from being received by the light detectors. The first and second light sources and the light detectors cooperating with each other in such a manner that the output from the light detectors is virtually unaffected by any unwanted radial movement of the rotating element.

Abstract: A durable, lightweight shock absorbing shoe sole having an upper sole and a bottom sole attached to the bottom of the upper sole and including a plurality of inverted cups within the bottom sole and penetrating into the upper sole. At least one of the inverted cups being of a preselected configuration and located directly beneath and pointed convexly toward a natural contact point of the human foot for absorbing and dispersing shock generated at the natural contact point during a footstep. The cup is also angularly displaced with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sole a preselected number of degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. In addition, a reinforcing system is incoporated within the shoe sole and works in cooperative relationship with the inverted cups for increasing the structural integrity of the shoe sole.

Abstract: An interconnection assembly for electrically connecting the contacts of an integrated circuit device with the contacts of said circuit board. The interconnection assembly having a base removably and adjustably attached to the circuit board and further having a preselected configuration for accepting the integrated circuit device therein such that the contacts thereon are aligned with the contacts on the circuit board. A bladder-like member having fluid therein is interposed between the integrated circuit and a closure element for forcing the bladder-like member into contact with the integrated circuit device thereby causing the contacts thereon to make electrical connections with the contacts on the circuit board.

Abstract: A restraining barrier assembly is positionable across a roadway in a deployed position to define a restraining zone and may be moved vertically to a passive position. The barrier may be a rectangular net with wires (or cable) (21, 22, 23) spanning the net and a lower wire 24 below the net assuring effective trapping of autos and trucks of a variety of heights (of the vehicles and of their forward bumpers, hood and driver compartment sections) and a variety of spans between their bumpers and their forward wheels. Vertical strips (25, 26) are provided at intervals along the span of the barrier to maintain spacing of the wires from each other and relative to ground level. The lowest wire (24) is set back from the plane of the barrier that includes the mid-height and upper wires.

Abstract: A flexible shield made of material that prevents through transmission of fluids. The shield is constructed with a through hole and tubular portion extending normal to the shield surface. The tubular portion is designed to fit at the base of the penis with the shield laying over the pubic area adjacent to the penis. The tubular portion is designed to fit at the base of the penis with the shield laying over the pubic area adjacent to the penis. The tubular portion is designed to adhere to the penis and to matingly accept the end of a condom unrolled over the penis. The part of the tube that contacts the condom may be ripple to secure the condum during the inward or lateral stress motions associated with sexual activity.

Abstract: An integrated circuit carrier system having a carrier frame made up of a plurality of juxtaposed sides and an interior configuration sized to matingly engage an integrated circuit package. The integrated circuit package fits within the frame and is held in position therein by a plurality of locking clips which slidably engage a plurality of top and bottom channels diagonally disposed at each of the corners of the frame. Each locking clip is made up of a substantially C-shaped structure having an uppermost leg and a lowermost leg. The uppermost leg ends in a substantially perpendicularly disposed locking tab and the lowermost leg has a variety of locking arrangements, one of which permits the locking clip to be locked in two locking positions. In one locking position the integrated circuit package is held securely in place while in the other locking position the integrated circuit package may be inserted or removed from the carrier.