Abstract: A device for maintaining a passage through the prostate gland (13) after treatment of a catheter (10) inserted through the urethra into the prostate gland, the catheter (10) being provided with means (11) for heating the prostate gland. A sleeve (12) is received over the catheter (10) so as to follow the catheter (10) during insertion into a desired position within the prostate gland, and the sleeve (12) is formed to remain in the desired position when the catheter is removed from the prostate gland, thereby maintaining a passage having a predetermined lower inner diameter through the prostate gland when tissue in the prostate gland swells.

Abstract: A method of preparing a supporting substrate of an optical subassembly for metal-oxide bonding an optical element to the substrate. The method includes providing a supporting substrate including a metalized region for metal-oxide bonding an optical element to the substrate and rinsing the substrate in a potassium hydroxide solution. The potassium hydroxide solution removes any excess metal oxide or other contaminants from the surface of the metalized region.

Abstract: A new bacteria species within the genus Streptococcus is disclosed, designated as Streptococcus sp PT DSM 8747. From this bacteria species a lipoteichoic acid LTA can be isolated which has a lipid anchor, galacto-furanosyl-beta-1-3-glycerol with different rests of fatty acids esterified to the two adjacent hydroxy groups in the glycerol moiety and a non-glycosylated, linear, unbranched GroP chain. The hydrophilic backbone may comprise 10 glycerophosphate units esterified with D-alanine in an extent of about 30%. The invention further concerns a pharmaceutical composition with the LTA, optionally together with a monokine and/or hyaluronidase, a method of treating cancer comprising administrating an antitumor effective amount thereof, a method of producing the LTA, and degradation products of the LTA and their use.

Abstract: The present invention includes a MZI comprising a pair of folded waveguides disposed between a pair of couplers. Each folded waveguide comprises a pair of segments intersecting at a reflector. The respective reflectors are different distances from the couplers to provide a major portion of the differential path length between the two arms. In a preferred embodiment, the reflectors are polysilicon mirrors and can be formed by etching through the intersecting waveguides and depositing polysilicon. The result is a compact MZI that can be used as a multiwavelength reference for a laser light source on a common silicon optical bench chip.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive, flame-retardant adhesive is disclosed comprising a composition fabricated with the polymerization of acrylic esters, dibromostyrene, and vinyl phosphonic acid, with or without acrylic acid, mixed with dispersions of antimony trioxide. The adhesive composition preferably is an emulsion polymer fabricated with dibromostyrene, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and vinyl phosphonic acid, mixed with Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 in an approximate ratio of 100 parts polymer per about 8-12 parts Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3. Preferred polymers are those containing at least about 11.6% to 15.6% bromine and from 0.25 to 2.5% phosphorous. The adhesive is particularly advantageous in fabricating optical circuit devices.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber device includes a length of optical fiber having a longitudinally tapered region for causing a portion of light signals guided by the fiber to emerge outside of the fiber. The tapered region is surrounded by a coating that operates on the portion of the light signals emerging from the fiber to modify their propagation properties. The tapered optical fiber device can be used in an optical fiber system which includes at least one source of light signals, wherein the optical fiber device is disposed in the path of light signals from the source.

Abstract: A device for changing the power levels of signals transmitted by an optical fiber, along with signal modulation and wavelength routing, comprises a length of optical fiber in which for a predetermined section of the length of the fiber, the fiber core is surrounded by a cladding having one or more variable refractive index (VRI) regions disposed therein in close proximity to the core. A grating region is disposed along the length of the fiber overlapping the VRI region. The VRI regions have an index of refraction lower than that of the core to change the effective index of the guided light and thereby define a tunable grating.

Abstract: An introducer for use in interventional vascular procedures having a sealing mechanism for closure of a puncture site is disclosed. The introducer has a vessel-engaging component and a sealing component thereon. The vessel-engaging component comprises an elongated filament engaged within a channel in the wall of the introducer. The filament has an expandable part that is changeable from a first configuration to a second, expanded configuration. When the distal end of the introducer is inserted into the lumen of a blood vessel, the expandable part may be inflated. Pulling the introducer through the puncture in a direction opposite the vessel then causes the expandable member to be engaged on the vessel wall at the location of the puncture to provide resistance in pulling the introducer away from the blood vessel. In this way, the vessel-engaging component locates the puncture site.

Abstract: N,N-disubstituted amines in which the amino nitrogen atom is bound to the carbon atom of an aromatic ring disubstituted in the positions ortho to the carbon atom, are prepared by allowing a primary amine and a compound in which an ortho, ortho-disubstituted aromatic compound carrying a nucleofuge substituent, to react in a basic environment in the presence of a catalytic palladium(0) complex and a ligand, the ratio of palladium complex to ligand being greater than at least 1:1. A typical embodiment involves the reaction of 2-methyl-6-ethylphenyl-trifluoromethylsulfonate and (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane in the presence of bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium, tri-tert.-butylphosphine, and sodium tert.-butoxide to yield (S)-N-(1-methoxyprop-2-yl)-2-methyl-6-ethylphenylamine.

Abstract: A temperature-compensated tunable optical waveguide grating device comprises a length of optical waveguide grating including an optical grating region, a guiding tube or frame mechanically coupled to the waveguide at one end of the grating region, and mechanically coupled to the waveguide at the other end of the grating region, a movable element responsive to control signals for applying adjustable strain across the grating region, thereby tuning the grating. The device further comprises a temperature-compensating element for modulating the strain in proportion to changes in temperature, thereby temperature compensating the device. Advantageously the waveguide is an optical fiber and the movable element is a movable magnet.The inventive device can reduce the temperature-dependent wavelength change to less than 0.5 nm/100 deg. C., and advantageously less than 0.05 nm/100 deg. C.

Abstract: A wearable carrier including a band that can be worn on the body of a user, and a pouch member detachably connected to the band. The pouch member includes at least one storage compartment for storing personal items of the user. The wearable carrier can be made in different sizes so that it can be attached to different parts of a user's body. This allows the wearable carrier to double, for example, as a hair-holding device or sweat band.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an improved optical communication system employs light-generating devices comprising a phonon-tuned crystal alloy host doped with an optically active atom. In one embodiment, the crystal alloy host and optically active atom respectively comprise spinel and nickel. The spinel material is typically a solid solution between magnesium aluminate and magnesium gallate.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a device for controlling alignment between two optical devices comprises a mobile magnet attached to a mobile optical device and a plurality of programmable magnets for moving the mobile magnet (and attached optical device) in relation to a second optical device. In preferred embodiments, the programmable magnets are latchable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collectable article authentication system in which the collectable article is placed in a core. For example, the collectable article can be a comic book. Means for authenticating the collectable article is coupled to the core. The core is received in a cavity of a case. The cavity is formed between a top and bottom. The top and bottom are ultrasonically bonded together. The case is designed to include means for positively indicating sealing of the top to the bottom which means form a visible irreparable condition of the case indicative of tampering. Key slots are formed in the side of the case to allow a purchaser after purchasing the collectable article to insert a tool, such as a screw driver, in order to open the case. After the case is opened, the core layers can be peeled apart for allowing the purchaser to handle the collectable article. It will be appreciated that after the case has been opened, the collectable article is no longer certified as authentic.

Abstract: A multilayered printed wiring board (PWB) with improved probing for in-circuit, functional, and prototype testing. The PWB includes a support layer and at least a top layer disposed over the support layer. The top layer has one or more circuits with traces for measuring signals produced by the circuit. A test-layer for routing the signals to the edge of the board is provided between the top layer and the support layer. The test-layer includes long traces extending from a first location substantially beneath the traces to a second location adjacent to the edge of the board. Contacts for measuring the signals produced by the circuit are provided on the top layer adjacent to the edge of the board. A first set of vias may be used to connect the first ends of the long traces to the traces on the top layer and a second set of vias may be used to connect the second ends of the long traces to the contacts.

Abstract: An improved platen-based image acquisition apparatus has a preview feature which enables the user to view anticipated output from the apparatus so adjustments may be made before operating the apparatus in orienting a workpiece upon the platen or in selecting image control features. The preview feature comprises a display screen visible to the user and an image-processing system coupled to the preview display screen. The image-processing system images a region of the platen to define the platen-image and forms the platen-image upon the display screen. It may simultaneously form upon the screen a frame-image for indicating the portion of the platen bounding the image to be processed so a user can determine whether a workpiece is positioned in a desired orientation before operating the apparatus. The improved image-acquisition apparatus may comprise a photocopy machine, a scanner, or a facsimile machine, and preferably the platen-image is formed in real-time characteristics.