Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measurement of concentration of fluorophores in turbid media. The method uses a fluorescence plus reflectance technique to measure quantitatively the in vivo concentration of a fluorescent drug independent of the tissue optical properties. The method involves using the reflectance measurement as a means of correcting for tissue scattering and absorption in the fluorescence measurement. Light directed to the tissue by means of an optical fiber to excite the fluorophores. Fluorescence from the fluorophores is measured by another fiber at a distance (D1) from the source in the turbid medium, while the excitation light is simultaneously collected at a distance (D2) from the source. The ratio fluorescence/reflectance will be approximately constant for a fixed concentration of the fluorophore and a judicious choice of D1 and D2, regardless of the optical properties of the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically treating foodstuffs flowing through a treatment chamber with low energy, high voltage electrical pulses for non-thermal pasteurization and/or sterilization. Instant-charge-reversal electrical pulses are applied to a foodstuff located between two electrodes in a treatment chamber, each electrical pulse having a pulse width in a range from about 1 to 5 .mu.s with vertically rising voltage to a peak followed immediately with a decreasing voltage through zero volts and continuing to a voltage peak of opposite polarity and rising vertically back to zero volts. The electrical pulses are very low energy (0.1-25 Joules/pulse) and the field strengths are in the range 15 kVolts/cm to 120 kVolts/cm. This instant-charge-reversal electrical pulse is shown to have a much greater microbial killing power compared to other pulse waveforms used to treat foodstuff.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells and electrochemical systems using a one piece or unitary electrode plate hereinafter also referred to as a double electrode plate (DEP) which serves to electrically connect two adjacent cell compartments and wherein the current flow in the electrodes is parallel to the working face of the electrode. In the cell designs disclosed herein the cells are assembled as a contiguous stack of cells (cell stack) appearing similar to a filter press where the electrical connections between adjacent cells are made using the double electrode plate. In one aspect of the invention there is provided a mono-polar multiple stack electrolyser (MSE) using double electrode plates wherein the planar double electrode plates connect cells in adjacent cell stacks. The mono-polar characteristics of the cell are maintained by the presence of an air gap isolating each adjacent stack of cells connected by each double electrode plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for distinguishing a boundary of an object, and the object itself, from its background. In the method electromagnetic radiation is detected from at least one field of view substantially spanning the boundary of the object and background adjacent to the boundary and superimposed or overlaid as images onto a detector. The method includes correlating spatial transitions in intensity of the overlaid images on the detector with a boundary of the object. When used for determining the attitude of a satellite with respect to the earth, the detector is a thermal infrared detector thereby providing a sharp contrast between the thermal emission of the earth and cold space. The invention provides a simple, effective method and device for determining satellite orientation and/or attitude with respect to a thermal infrared-emitting target body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for in situ measuring thicknesses of ice buildup on airfoil. The method and device uses a probe including a radioactive .sup.241 Am gamma ray source producing 60 keV gamma ray photons which penetrate through the airfoil substrate and a photodetector mounted behind the source for detection of backscattered gamma rays. The probe is mounted on the interior of the airfoil and secondary radiation is backscattered within the ice layer and back through the airfoil substrate to the photodetector. The shape and density of the source holder in addition to the geometrical arrangement of the source and detector with respect to the airfoil substrate are used to block a substantial fraction of gamma rays backscattered in the airfoil substrate thereby favoring scattering in the ice layer over that in the airfoil material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wave generating apparatus for generating waves in for example beds, chairs and the like. In one aspect the device includes a motor driven crankshaft to which are attached several longitudinal beams. The beams mounted on the crankshafts are offset with respect to each other in such a way as to produce a phase shift between the beams. Each beam is provided with several links pivotally attached at one end to each beam and the links are spaced apart along each beam by a distance equal to the desired wavelength of the wave being produced. The other ends of each link is attached to a flexible membrane which forms a support surface of the bed or chair. The links from the different beams are interleaved at equal phase intervals so as to produce a travelling wave in the flexible membrane so that a complete wave passes during each full rotation of the crankshaft assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for nondestructive, in situ measuring thicknesses of layers on substrates. The method and device uses a probe including a radioactive source in a source holder and a photodetector mounted behind the source for detection of backscattered photons. In one aspect the method is used to measure the thickness of paint deposited onto metal substrates. The source holder and photodetector array forms a cylindrically symmetric probe for producing an axially symmetric beam of primary photons. A source containing radioactive .sup.109 Cd producing high energy photons of energy 22 and 25 keV is spaced from the painted surface so the photons impinge on the painted substrate. The intensity of photons backscattered by Compton scattering in the paint layer is proportional to the mass density of the paint to give a direct measurement of the paint thickness. The photons penetrating through to the substrate are absorbed within the substrate.

Abstract: An active and continuous passive motion (CPM) devices for exercising and/or providing therapy to the upper and lower extremities comprising a frame, a disc pivotally mounted to the frame and hand or feet support members attached to the disc. A motor is provided and is coupled to the disc for rotating the disc in the active mode. A control circuit is provided for adjusting the speed of the disc in the passive mode and for adjusting the resistance to movement of the disc in the active mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computational methods for designing chemical structures sharing common useful, functional properties based on specific combinations of steric configuration and binding affinity. More particularly the present invention provides a method for producing computer-simulated receptors which functionally mimic biological receptors. The simulated receptors are designed to exhibit optimized selective affinity for known target molecules. Chemical structures are then generated and evolved to exhibit selective affinity for the simulated receptors.

Abstract: There is disclosed a baseball batting training device provided with a base plate which is anchored to the ground by spikes, cork-shaped ground engaging pins or various other types of ground anchoring systems. A vertically extending hollow tube is mounted to a plate spaced from the base by rubber isolators. An L-shaped tube has one arm inserted in the vertical hollow tube with a rubber collar affixed about the inner tube. The vertical tube is provided with several vertically spaced pairs of holes for receiving a pin therethrough for adjusting the height of the horizontal arm of the tube. A ball is mounted to a flexible support arm which in turn is inserted into the end of the horizontal arm which is attached to a rubber joint. The flexible support arm and other rubber components provide damping of torque forces generated when the ball is batted thereby preventing the base from being dislodged from the ground.

Abstract: A pliable, fluid dispensing pouch is provided which includes a flexible shot-chamber having a venturi shaped outlet passageway leading to a discharge opening at one end of the pouch. The discharge opening is initially sealed closed by the presence of a sealing tab. The discharge opening is unsealed by tearing off the tab. The venturi shaped outlet passageway has a throat section in which a liquid meniscus forms during use which acts to prevent leakage from the pouch when not in use.