Abstract: Bacteria accumulations on the interior walls of a fluid conduit are detected by placing a bacterial target substrate in the conduit. The substrate is structured to allow bacteria to colonize it at at least the rate of accumulation expected on the conduit walls or at an accelerated rate in order to preempt normal bacteria accumulation on the walls. A bacteria getter may be used to accelerate bacterial colonization of the substrate. An excitation signal interrogating the substrate causes autofluorescence in the presence of bacteria, specifically from NADH and/or NADPH present. The autofluorescent emission is transmitted to a detector and processor. In one system when the presence of bacteria at a preset level is detected there is initiated a diversion of the fluid into an auxiliary subsystem during which the primary subsystem is remediated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing the resolution of a linear array of fiber Bragg gratings by applying a plastic coating having a high CTE over the optical fiber. Apparatus and method for determining the temperature of each of a succession of points along a tissue portion during hyperthermia treatment includes an optical fiber with a succession of closely spaced fiber Bragg gratings. Each grating is responsive to a different wavelength and is sensitive to ambient temperature to change that wavelength as a function of temperature. A tunable laser operative continuously over a range of wavelengths including those to which the gratings respond is used to interrogate the gratings. Sensitivity-enhancing coatings are used on the fibers and the lasers are tuned over very short time cycles.

Abstract: A portable golf practice device is disclosed that is easily transported by the golfer and simulates the response of natural turf when impacted by the club head during a golf swing. The device includes a simulated turf surface fitted in a carriage tray. The carriage tray is supported on a retraction assembly on which it can slide forward and back, and which has springs that will retract it after it has moved forward. The retraction assembly is supported on a base member. In use, when the turf surface is hit by a golf club it moves forward simulating the feel of actual turf, and then returns to its ready to use position.

Abstract: Distributed fiber optic chemical and physical sensors can provide a relatively highly uniform response over the length of the fiber by, for example, varying such properties as the core/cladding index of refraction ratio to compensate for the non-linearity in sensitivity. The phenomenon of spatial transient over a length of a fiber introduces such a nonlinearity that can be compensated for by varying at least one parameter of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A golf swing plane training device is disclosed that helps the user develop a correct swing plane as well as exercise the muscle groups most effective in imparting maximum power to a golf ball. The device is portable and comprises a rotating swing plane guide, one end pivotably connected to a club shaft, for controlling the swing arc of the club shaft when swung by the user to ingrain the feel of swinging on plane. The other end of the rotating swing plane guide is connected to a rotation control assembly mounted on a vertically adjustable support frame. A resistance source is connected to the hub of the rotation control assembly.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor for sensing the presence of an analyte has a plurality of optical fibers each of which has an analyte sensing segment and the fibers are deployed so that the analyte sensing segments are arranged in sequential offset relationship over a distance such that each segment is available for detecting the analyte over a part of the distance. This has the advantage that detection of an analyte can be spatially resolved to the location of the one or more segments that have responded to the presence of the analyte. It also has the advantage that the high attenuation of sensing segments is reduced due to the smaller distance traversed by each sensing segment. Also multiple sets of such fibers may be deployed in order to detect multiple analytes, each set being constructed for a particular analyte. Also a fiber carrying structure is shown that allows the sensing segments to be available for detection of analytes and to conduct lead portions of the fibers to and from the sensing segments.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor for sensing the presence of an analyte has a plurality of optical fibers each of which has at least one analyte sensing segment and one or more low loss lead portion, where the optical fibers are disposed on the periphery of a fiber carrier. The analyte sensing segments may be disposed in an offset relationship to provide continuous detection over a desired distance or they may be spaced apart to provide detection at selected locations. More than one set of optical fibers with sensing segments may be combined to provide detection of multiple analytes. Multiple fiber carriers allow each segment or the grouped sets of segments to be coupled together over a distance either in offset relationship or in spaced apart relationship.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using a light source to incapacitate a subject by a pattern of temporal flashing and/or color flashing of the light source. The light source is preferably an array of light emitting diodes. A rangefinder may be used to control the light output from the light source to avoid exposing a subject to light energy beyond a maximum permissible exposure threshold.

Abstract: A photosensitive sol-gel film containing an organometallic photosensitizer is deposited on the oxide containing surface layer of a silicon substrate. A pattern of white or ultra violet light incident to the photosensitive sol-gel film results in the unbinding of the photosensitizer from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film. A subsequent succession of first and second heating steps results in, first, the removal of the photo sensitizer constituents from the exposed regions of the sol-gel film and, second, the removal of the organic constituents from the exposed regions, resulting in regions doped with a metal oxide with non linear optical properties, such as semicondutive, etc. properties. Optical switches, couplers, waveguides, splitters, interferometers wavelength division multiplexer, Bragg gratings and more can be fabricated. A glass substrate also may be employed, instead of a silicon, in which case a separate silicon oxide surface layer is unnecessary.

Abstract: A mobile controller unit has a radio positioning system and a two-way communication system and a rover unit also has a radio positioning system and a two-way radio communication system. The controller unit can query the rover unit to send its location data so that the rover unit can be located and if desired, found, such as in the case of a lost child or items. Relative position between the controller and the rover can be displayed on the controller along with an arrow showing where the rover is, as well as how fast it is moving, a track of its movement and other data. The system can also operate in conjunction with a network system that has a PDE and an application server that perform some of the communications and calculation functions.

Abstract: A pinch valve for regulating fluid flow having a close mechanism using push-pull members and an open mechanism using open follower members in order to pinch a sleeve closed and to assist in opening it. In a particular embodiment, a four-bar linkage is employed.

Abstract: An intraocular and intracorneal lens includes an optical portion and a corrugated haptic portion. Corrugations of the haptic portion may be linear or arcuate, and such corrugations may be present on both anterior and posterior surfaces of the haptic portion. The intraocular lens may be deformed before or during insertion in an eye of a patient, and may be positioned in the posterior chamber of the eye such that the optical portion is spaced anteriorly from the crystalline lens of the eye. In alternative embodiments, an intraocular or intracorneal lens of the invention may be inserted in the anterior chamber, or within the cornea, of an eye of a patient. An alternative intraocular lens includes an optical portion having a peripheral optic zone and an inner non-optic zone. Methods for correcting visual deficiencies of a patient, by insertion of an intraocular or intracorneal lens of the invention in an eye of the patient, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wagering game in which at least one player, but preferably a plurality of players, plays against a banker. Each player and the banker are dealt five cards, discard a card, and then a common starter card is turned face up from the deck. The four kept cards and the starter card form five card hands. The hands are scored according to the rules of Cribbage. In an alternative embodiment, the game also employs the two hand feature of Pai Gow Poker.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus that can be attached to any wheeled device that is pushed in which the wheel of the wheeled device is subjected to rolling resistance so that the person pushing it had to push harder thereby experiencing exercise.

Abstract: Waveguide structures in which light confinement strength varies along the direction of light propagation are described. The waveguides include a core adapted to propagate light along a path defined by the core and a cladding material that at least partially surrounds the core. The core and the cladding material each have a refractive index profile in the direction of light propagation. One or more of the profiles or lateral core dimensions are varied along the direction of light propagation, thereby causing the degree of light confinement to vary in the direction of light propagation. With such structures it is possible to tailor the velocity of the light propagating through the core and the confinement of the light to the core for any given core cross section. The structures may be used, for example, in mode-matching an input or output of a waveguide and in fabricating compact directional couplers.

Abstract: A golf practice device is disclosed that simulates the response of natural turf when impacted by the golf club head. The device comprises a platform for supporting the golfer and a divot simulator insert installed in a cavity area within the platform. The divot simulator insert has a base; a tray rests on top of the base with a simulated turf surface fitted therein. A cover is provided to conceal the interior and strengthen the base. When a ball placed on the simulated turf surface is struck by a golf club, the force imparted to the device sends the tray together with the simulated turf surface sliding forward, thus simulating the feel of hitting off natural turf and taking a divot. Means comprising compression springs fitted over guide rails are provided to control the sliding forward and retraction to their original position of the tray and the simulated turf surface.

Abstract: A method of making a welding helmet molded from plastic having animal facial features or animal skull facial features in which a welding helmet lens is attached where the eye feature would be.

Abstract: A pinch valve for regulating fluid flow includes a close mechanism for closing a sleeve by pinching its sides together. The pinch valve also includes an open mechanism integral with the close mechanism for opening the tube by urging the sides apart. The open mechanism pushes against the ends of the closure in the sleeve as the tube is being opened. In one embodiment of the invention open cams push against the end of the closure, and in another embodiment open followers, which are part of a four bar linkage, push against the sides of the sleeve.