Abstract: A retaining device for fixedly holding a surgical instrument in a predetermined spatial orientation during surgery comprising an arm having a ball-and-socket joint for grasping the surgical instrument, another arm having a ball-and-socket joint for securing the device to a stationary base and an intermediate pin joint which connects the arms and acts in conjunction with the ball-and-socket joints to allow placement of the surgical instrument in a desired position. The retaining device further comprised a means at the pin joint for simultaneously tightening all joints of the device after placement of the surgical instrument and thereby fixing the position of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument for controlling eye position comprising a substantially oblong shaped blade that has a textured surface and that is formed with a hole substantially in the middle of the blade. In operation, the blade is manipulated by the operator to depress against the sclera of a patient's eye for either rotating or immobilizing the globe of the eye during examination. The instrument further comprises a handle, with optional pocket clip, which is attached to the blade at an offset angle to facilitate manipulation of the blade from a position that leaves the field substantially clear for the simultaneous use of other instruments, such as an opthalmoscope.

Abstract: An integrated, completely automatic solar heating and cooling system for buildings is disclosed. The system includes a first and a second interconnectable cooling/heating subsystem each of which includes a group of solar heat collecting panels, a heat storage reservoir, and a piping network for transferring the heat exchange media, preferrably water, therebetween. A third subsystem transfers the media from one or both of the reservoirs to a heat exchanger which transfers heat to or from the building's heating and cooling distribution system. Cooling for the building is accomplished by using a fourth subsystem to chill the media in the first subsystem. In the cooling mode, the solar panels of the first sybsystem are covered and used as a heat exchanger, and the second subsystem, isolated from the first heating subsystem, is used to heat the building's hot water system and to provide building heat if required.

Abstract: An impulse generator for providing an impulsive force substantially normal o the axis of a missile to provide the missile with the desired angle of attack. The device includes radial explosive paths to its periphery and from each point on the periphery detonation is transferred to the periphery of the main charge causing it to implode.

Abstract: An improved embedment system is disclosed which is comprised of an embedm granule portion in percent by weight of nitrocellulose of about 23.0, nitroglycerine of about 15.0, resorcinol of about 1.5, 2-nitrodiphenylamine of about 1.0, ammonium perchlorate (10 micrometers) of about 45.5, and aluminum powder (20 micrometers) of about 14.0 and an embedment resin portion in percent by weight of bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin of about 44, epoxidized dimer acid of about 20, and a curative which is the condensation product of 2 moles of 1,2-bis(maleimido)ethane and one mole of triaminotriazine of about 36.0. This embedment system has superior characteristics of a high peel strength and greater resistance to penetration by or absorption of carboranylmethyl propionate or casting solvent absorption.

Abstract: The dual-secondary mirror optical system utilizes, in principle, the Cassain optical system. An apertured, single, primary mirror is coaxially aligned with two secondary mirrors to provide coaxial transmit and receive optical paths. Separation of the optical paths is in radial distance from the central optical axis. An apertured secondary mirror in conjunction with the primary mirror directs the transmitted beam, providing a hollow expanded output beam. The other secondary mirror in conjunction with the primary mirror directs received radiation coaxially within and spatially separated from the hollow transmitted beam, providing dual transmit receive operation.

Abstract: The therapeutic use of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), its analogs aor metabolites in the treatment of circulatory shock and/or central nervous system (CNS) ischemic damage is disclosed. Additional evidence of the utility of TRH as a CNS stimulant is revealed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an integrated optical grating device having extremely low scattering losses. The method employs a highly polished and prepared silicon chip for receiving a grating pattern or any other surface relief feature on the silicon wafer surface for its predetermined use. The pattern after it is generated is etched to a predetermined period, for example, when the pattern is for a waveguide device. An SiO.sub.2 growth layer is thermally grown to a thickness of about 4 to 8 micrometers to replicate the generated pattern in the SiO.sub.2 growth layer. This method yields a waveguide or similar optical grating device having undulations of extremely low values as determined by SEM photographs of this device.

Abstract: An ultraviolet preionizer for high power gas lasers. The preionizer is a spark gap array or groups of arrays adapted to be fired preceeding the main discharge pulse of the laser. A fast energy dump to the spark array results in efficient ultraviolet light production. The spark gaps of an array are automatically fired in sequence providing a series current path through the gaps to dump the energy, while providing an electrical glow discharge at each gap for ultraviolet emission.

Abstract: A concentrating/tracking solar energy collector comprised of a rotatable reflective trough assembly having a heat absorber assembly integrally therein. A heat exchange tube supports the absorber assembly in the trough and also serves as an axis point about which the collector rotates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the burning rate of solid propellants hich contain metal staples and/or metal flakes, etc., through the use of an electrical field effect created by the application of direct-current to a propellant grain placed between direct-current electrodes. This method also provides a means of correcting for anisotropy of burning rate in propellants which contain metal staples, metal flakes, etc., where non-random orientation may occur at the motor wall and mandrel surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of growing a layer of CdTe on HgCdTe by liquid phase epitaxy. The solution for growth comprises Sn and Hg with a small amount of CdTe. A typical composition is Sn:Hg:CdTe=36:5:0.15 parts by weight. The growth temperature is a function of the amount of CdTe in solution. For the typical composition stated, the growth temperature is about 520.degree. C. The layers were grown on (111)A oriented CdTe substrates. The HgCdTe epilayer with a desired Cd composition is first grown, and an epilayer of CdTe is subsequently grown on the HgCdTe epilayer. The cross-diffusion at the CdTe/Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te interface has been as small as 0.3 .mu.m for the thin CdTe epilayer. The first CdTe/HgCdTe heterojunction sensitive to .about.2.8 .mu.m at 77K has been demonstrated.