Abstract: A system for accurately guiding a laser focal point along a predetermined path within the stroma of a cornea includes a contact lens for conforming the anterior surface of the cornea to a radius of curvature, Rlens, that is approximately 8.3 mm. Conforming the cornea to the lens causes minimal discomfort to the patient and does not upset the three-dimensional architecture of the corneal lamellae. As the focal point is advanced along a path within the cornea, the laser source is selectively translated parallel to the optical axis of the cornea to control the depth of the laser focal point. The movement includes three components: a first component, z1 that is dependent upon the shape of the contact lens, a second component, z2 that compensates for refraction at the surfaces of the contact lens, and a third component, z3, that compensates for refraction caused by the anatomical configuration of the cornea.

Abstract: A single lumen rapid-exchange catheter includes a distal sealing port and a proximal sealing port both dimensioned for receiving a guidewire to establish a fluid-tight seal therewith. Each tubular shaped sealing port has a length, and a diameter, and is made of a hydrophilic polymer. In operation, the guidewire is inserted through the distal sealing port and exits from the catheter tube at the shoulder of the catheter tube and through the proximal sealing port. When fluid is present, each sealing port will enlarge to establish a fluid-tight seal with the guidewire. A diverter can be disposed at the proximal sealing port to redirect the guidewire from the lumen and out of the catheter tube through the proximal sealing port.

Abstract: An isotope separator includes a cylindrical chamber having first and second ends, and a length “L.” Inside the chamber, an E×B field is applied to produce plasma rotation. The energy in the plasma rotation is chosen to be much higher than the electron temperature which is clamped by radiation. As the plasma then transits the chamber through the length “L”, the electrons cool the thermal temperature of the isotope ions while maintaining the rotation. Under these conditions, the minority and majority isotopes become substantially separated from each other before they exit the chamber. To achieve this result, E×B is determined using mathematically derived expressions and, in compliance with these parameters, the length “L” of the chamber is determined so that the plasma residence time in the chamber, &tgr;1, will be greater than the cooling time, &tgr;2 (&tgr;1>&tgr;2) necessary to affect isotope separation.

Abstract: A high throughput plasma mass filter includes a substantially cylindrical shaped plasma chamber with structures for generating a magnetic field (B) that is crossed with an electric field (E) in the chamber (E×B). An injector introduces into the chamber a multi-species plasma having ions of different mass to charge ratios. To obtain high throughput (&Ggr;), the initial density of this multi-species plasma is considerably greater than a collisional density wherein there is a probability of “one” that an ion collision will occur within a single rotation of the ion under the influence of E×B. The length of the chamber is chosen to insure heavy ions can make their way to the wall before transiting the device.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a target object through foliage includes a transmitter for generating a low-frequency electromagnetic signal. The signal is directed toward a potential target object for reflection from the potential target object. The system further includes a plurality of mutually dispersed sensors for receiving the reflected signal from the target object. A mechanism is provided to determine the relative locations of the sensors. Signal information from the received signals is sent to a central processor. The central processor inputs the signal information into a beamformer algorithm such as the Maximum Likelihood Method (MLM) to reduce sidelobe ambiguities and resolve the true location of the target from the signal information.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating and deploying an aerostat having a nose section and a tail section includes a cylindrical container for housing the deflated portion of the aerostat. The cylindrical container is formed with an open end and defines a longitudinal axis. A feed hose extends from a gas source, through the container to a hose end that projects axially from the open end of the container. The deflated aerostat is initially folded to juxtapose the nose and tail of the aerostat. Next, the nose of the aerostat is attached to the feed hose end and the remaining portion of the aerostat is folded and inserted into the container. As the tail section is inflated outside of the container, aerostat cloth is drawn from the container. A mechanism is provided to control the release of cloth from the container and maintain pressure in the inflating aerostat within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method for producing molecular Iodine for introduction into the laser cavity of a Chemical-Oxygen-Iodine-Laser (COIL) includes the step of preparing a solid mixture that contains a primary component and an additive component. The solid mixture is formulated to generate a gas having a high concentration of molecular Iodine when ignited. The primary component of the mixture is composed of oxidizer and fuel at a substantially stoichiometric ratio and includes at least one Iodine compound. The additive component is provided to cool the relatively high temperature gas that is created during combustion of the primary component. The result is a gas at a relatively low temperature in which most of the Iodine is present as molecular Iodine. The additive component is preferably an Iodine compound that either absorbs heat during decomposition such as Iodine Pentoxide (I2O5) or an Iodine compound that absorbs heat during sublimation such as solid Iodine.

Abstract: A speed controller for a single phase motor such as a permanent split capacitor motor allows the motor to be operated at a first speed, n1, and a lower speed, n2. High speed motor operation is produced by passing a single phase AC current through both the main and auxiliary windings of the motor. For low speed operation, the controller passes first and second reduced frequency AC waveforms through the motor's auxiliary and main windings, respectively. The first waveform bypasses the motor's auxiliary winding capacitor and is phase shifted 90 degrees from the second AC waveform. A split source capable of generating an AC signal and its inverted signal can be used by the controller to generate the reduced frequency waveforms. Specifically, the controller uses selected half cycles from each split source signal to produce the reduced frequency waveforms.

Abstract: A system and method for treating feedstocks containing solids, sludges or slurries that contain organics includes introducing the feedstock into a desorption chamber. In the desorption chamber, the temperature and pressure of the feedstock are elevated to volatilize a portion of the feedstock and thereby separate the feedstock into a volatile portion containing organics and a residue portion. Steam, water or oxidants can be injected into the desorption chamber to aid in the volatilization process. From the desorption chamber, the volatile portion of the feedstock is transferred to a reactor for hydrothermal treatment to oxidize or reform the organics in the volatile portion. In the hydrothermal reactor, the volatile portion may be reacted with excess oxidant and auxiliary fuel at a temperature between approximately 1000° F. and approximately 1800° F. and a pressure of between approximately 20 atmospheres and approximately 200 atmospheres.

Abstract: An on-demand system for generating Iodine gas that is substantially free of contaminants such as water, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide includes a solid mixture of oxidizer and fuel having at least one Iodine compound. An ignitor squib is provided to ignite the mixture and thereby generate a contaminant free Iodine gas. Preferably, Iodine Pentoxide (I2O5) is used as the oxidizer and a metal such as Zinc, Tin, Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminum, Silica, Sodium, Potassium, Lithium, Boron, Beryllium, Sodium Azide or Iron is used as the fuel. With this composition, the solid mixture is substantially free of Hydrogen and Carbon compounds and the corresponding combustion gas is free of water, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide. The mixture is disposed within a permeable jacket to capture non-gas reaction products generated during combustion such as solid and liquid metal oxides while allowing Iodine gas to pass through the permeable jacket.

Abstract: A cellular radar system is disclosed for detecting and tracking objects in a surveillance area that is divided into cells. Each cell is scanned by at least two radars to produce two (or more) respective datastreams for the cell. Orbiting unmanned air vehicles can be used as radar platforms. The resulting datastreams for each cell are then multilaterated by a processor to produce a multilaterated datastream for each cell. The multilaterated datastreams for all cells are then combined by the processor and the resulting data used to detect or track one or more objects in the surveillance area. The fused multilaterated datastreams allow objects to be tracked as they move from cell to cell.

Abstract: An electronic circuit stabilizes an ultrahigh input impedance amplifier by altering the amplifier's input potential. This input potential includes both the desired input signal and the amplifier's input bias current. With an amplifier having an input port and a guard, both the input port and the guard will have the same input potential. Accordingly, the stabilizing circuit of the present invention provides the input potential at the guard to an electronic device which separates the input signal from the input bias current. This creates a corrective signal. The corrective signal is then used through a feedback path to alter the input potential so that the desired input signal can be fed into the amplifier without adverse consequences from the input bias current.

Abstract: A catheter for use in a body vessel includes a relatively stiff proximal shaft that is shaped as a tube formed with a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the catheter includes a relatively flexible distal tube formed with a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon may be attached to the outer wall of the distal tube near the distal end. The proximal end of the distal tube is attached to the distal end of the proximal shaft at a transitional joint. The transitional joint provides a gradual transition in flexibility over the length of the joint between the stiff proximal shaft and the flexible distal tube. Importantly, the transitional joint includes an extension made of a material having superelastic properties when positioned inside the body vessel. One end of the extension is attached to the distal end of the proximal shaft. The other end of the extension projects into the lumen of the distal tube.

Abstract: An airborne radar antenna system for detecting a target in a volume includes a tethered aerostat and an antenna that is supported above ground by the aerostat. The aerostat-based antenna is used for transmitting and receiving a radar beam into the volume to detect the target. Additionally, the system includes a ground-based transmitter that generates a beacon signal which monitors the antenna configuration at the aerostat. A computer then evaluates the beacon signal to create an error signal which is used to maintain a predetermined configuration for the antenna. The system also includes mechanisms for orienting the radar beam along preselected beam paths between the antenna and the volume.

Abstract: A vacuum control system for a jet injector includes a power source and vacuum pump for creating suction at the injector tip. The injector includes a drive bar to expel medicament into the patient. Before injection the drive bar and an inner barrel are separated from each other, and at the end of the injection the drive bar contacts the inner barrel. A user operable switch that is moveable between an ON position and an OFF position is also provided. The power source, vacuum pump, drive bar, inner barrel and user operable switch are all electrically connected via an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit is configured to activate the vacuum pump when the user operable switch is in the ON position and the drive bar is separated from the inner barrel, and to deactivate the vacuum pump when the drive bar contacts the inner barrel.

Abstract: A bone saw blade includes a blade body having a cutting section, a hub section and a shank located between the cutting section and the hub section. The blade body is first formed having a substantially uniform Rockwell hardness between approximately Rc 49 and Rc 63 throughout. Next, a cathodic arc process is used to coat the cutting section with a hard, wear-resistant metal nitride coating. During the coating process, ion impingement on the surface of the cutting section creates heat that beneficially anneals the cutting section. Significant annealing of the shank and hub section is prevented during the coating process by stacking the blade bodies together with blade blanks that are formed without cutting sections. The heat generated during coating is insufficient to raise the temperature of the large mass above the annealing temperature of the blade material. The resultant blade has a high strength shank and hub section.

Abstract: A safety device for a sheathed injection syringe includes a needle guard having a dilatable opening at its distal tip. A plurality of slits are formed in the guard extending proximally from the distal tip of the guard to create the dilatable opening. When the guard is in the relaxed state, the opening is relatively large to allow the sheath to pass through the guard during attachment of the safety device to the syringe. A ring having a lug is positioned over the guard and is moveable to contract the opening. The contracted opening allows the syringe to be used at non-normal injection angles. A cover is provided having an aperture for engagement with the needle sheath and a slot for engagement with the lug. During withdrawal of the cover, the sheath is removed from the needle and the ring is moved, contracting the guard opening.

Abstract: A system for supplying Iodine gas to a laser cavity includes a cartridge for generating Iodine gas and delivery piping for transporting Iodine gas from the cartridge to the laser cavity. The cartridge includes a hollow, cylindrical casing having an open end. The casing contains a solid preheat material, a solid mixture containing Iodine, and a purge material. An ignitor squib is disposed in the casing near the open end to initiate a burn front. The burn front travels through the preheat material to generate hot gas for preheating the delivery piping, preventing Iodine gas condensation in the piping. Next, the burn front travels through the mixture containing Iodine to generate Iodine gas which flows through the preheated delivery piping to the laser cavity. The burn front then passes through the purge material generating a purge gas to remove any traces of corrosive Iodine gas from the delivery piping.

Abstract: A method for injecting a fluid medicament into a patient uses a syringe having a plunger that can be advanced into the syringe chamber. As the plunger is advanced, the medicament is expelled from the chamber through an injection tube that extends from the chamber. Preferably, the injection tube is formed as a cone-shaped funnel with a taper of generally decreasing radius in a distal direction. The steps for the method include creating a gas pocket in the distal portion of the injection tube. Then, as the plunger is advanced into the chamber to accelerate the fluid medicament through the injection tube, the gas pocket allows the accelerating fluid medicament to gain momentum. The change in this momentum as the fluid medicament collides with the skin will generate an impulse force that is manifested as an initial pressure spike. This pressure spike creates a hole in the skin of the patient as the fluid medicament exits the tube.

Abstract: A method for creating a corneal flap for use in a corneal reshaping procedure includes the step of creating a periphery for the flap by subsurface photoablation of the cornea using a laser beam. Specifically, tissue located at the interface between layers of stromal lamellae is photoablated to create the periphery. To accomplish this, the size of the bubbles created during photoablation are monitored using a wavefront detector and the photoablation depth is altered when the bubble size indicates that photoablation is not occurring at an interface. With the periphery established, an incision is made into the cornea extending between the anterior surface of the cornea and the periphery. Next, the corneal tissue bounded by the incision is lifted to mechanically separate the flap from the remainder of the cornea along the interface between layers of lamellae.