Abstract: An improved interferometric measuring system wherein the system projects a first beam of light at a first measurement wavelength along a reference path to a reference reflector and a second beam of light at a second measurement wavelength along a measurement path to a measurement reflector, and determines a change in position of the measurement reflector from an interference pattern produced between a first light beam reflected from the reference reflector and a second light beam reflected from the measurement reflector, and wherein the system can measure atmospheric disturbances along the measurement path, concurrently with measuring a change in the position of the measurement reflector.

Abstract: The system of the invention relates to continuous speech pre-filtering systems for use in discrete and continuous speech recognition computer systems. The speech to be recognized is converted from utterances to frame data sets, which frame data sets are smoothed to generate a smooth frame model over a predetermined number of frames. A resident vocabulary is stored within the computer as clusters of word models which are acoustically similar over a succession of frame periods. A cluster score is generated by the system, which score includes the likelihood of the smooth frames evaluated using a probability model for the cluster against which the smooth frame model is being compared. Cluster sets having cluster scores below a predetermined acoustic threshold are removed from further consideration. The remaining cluster sets are unpacked for determination of a word score for each unpacked word.

Abstract: Catheters including at least one component having a tissue interfacing surface characterized by a substantially nonleaching surface treatment of antimicrobial metal. The component can be a subcutaneous cuff, and the antimicrobial metal can be silver. The process for implanting the silver atoms can include dry coating the tissue interfacing surface of the catheter by way of ion beam assisted deposition. Alternatively, the silver can be introduced into the tissue interfacing surface by ion implantation.

Abstract: A medical device provided with a subsurface bacteriostatic/bactericidal stratum to a predetermined depth is disclosed. The bacteriostatic/bactericidal stratum is introduced into the medical device by ion implantation of sufficient concentration to impart thereto the desired bacteriostatic/bactericidal property. The acquired bacteriostatic/bactericidal property has a useful life coterminal with the device. The treated medical device remains biocompatible, is non-leaching and, depending on the specific device, also is thromboresistant.

Abstract: Polymeric implants provided with coatings of bactericidal compounds in the form of ionized atoms by a vapor process. The polymeric implants include products designed to penetrate or enter the body, such as catheters, shunts connectors and the like. Coatings of bactericidal compounds on the polymeric implants are intended to make their use safe. The coatings are formed thereon in the form of ionized atoms of the compounds by ion-beam-assisted deposition in a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is provided, inter alia, with an evaporator and an ion source mounted in operative association therein, including means for rotatably mounting a plurality of polymeric implants for exposure to the evaporator and the ion source.

Abstract: Surface metallized polymeric implants, such as cannula, needles, catheters, connectors and the like, a dry coating method therefor and apparatus to accomplish the same are disclosed. The metallization of the implants is intended to improve their biocompatibility and to reduce infusion-associated phlebitis and infection. The method essentially includes the dry coating of the outside surfaces of the polymeric implants with a metallic thin film. The apparatus to effect the dry coating method essentially includes a vacuum chamber, an evaporator and an ion source mounted in operative association within the chamber, and means for rotatably mounting a plurality of polymeric implants for exposure to the evaporator and the ion source.