Abstract: A sleeve assembly for thermally interconnecting a pulse tube, two stage cryocooler with a superconducting device includes a heat transfer cylinder, a heat transfer receptacle and a wall extending therebetween to define a passageway. The heat transfer receptacle is formed with a tapered recess wherein a tapered cooling probe of the cryocooler is urged against the heat transfer receptacle to establish thermal communication therebetween. A cooling element of the cryocooler is disposed in the heat transfer cylinder to establish thermal communication therebetween. In operation, the cryocooler moves relative to the sleeve assembly between a first configuration wherein the cryocooler is engaged with the sleeve assembly to establish thermal communication therebetween and a second configuration wherein the cryocooler is disengaged with the sleeve assembly.

Abstract: A closed-loop control system for the superficial photoablation of stromal tissue from an exposed surface includes an active mirror for directing a diagnostic laser beam through the exposed surface to a focal point on the retina of an eye. The reflected beam is analyzed by a detector to identify a distorted wavefront that is indicative of required corrections, and an induced wavefront that is indicative of optical aberrations that have been mechanically introduced when the stromal tissue was exposed. A compensator alters a desired wavefront with the induced wavefront to create a rectified wavefront. A comparator then compares the rectified wavefront with the distorted wavefront to create an error signal. In the operation of the closed-loop control system, the error signal is used to maintain a focal point on the retina for the diagnostic laser beam. Also, at a null, the error signal indicates when the required amount of stromal tissue has been photoablated.

Abstract: A device for folding a balloon of a balloon catheter during balloon deflation includes a band and a plurality of elongated fingers that are attached to the band. The band is formed with a tab and a notch and the length of the band corresponds to the diameter of the catheter tube. The band is folded into an annulus to interlock the tab with the notch. The annulus is attached to the catheter tube of the balloon catheter with the fingers extending over the balloon in a substantially same axial direction. In operation, the fingers are moveable between an unstressed configuration, when the balloon is deflated, and a stressed configuration, when the balloon is inflated. In a stressed configuration, the fingers urge against the balloon and are biased toward the stressed configuration to return to an unstressed configuration.

Abstract: A plasma torch for vaporizing a molten salt containing a volatile component and a refractory component injects the molten salt into a device that includes a cylindrical shaped outer member and a cylindrical shaped inner member coaxially positioned inside the outer member to surround a chamber. An induction coil positioned between the inner and outer members generates r.f. power which is initially used to vaporize the volatile component of the molten salt to create a carrier gas having an elevated temperature. The carrier gas then heats the refractory component, under an increased vapor pressure from the carrier gas. This action, in turn, breaks down the refractory component of the molten salt into fine droplets. These fine droplets are maintained in the chamber until they also vaporize. In one embodiment, the plasma torch includes a nozzle for spraying droplets of the molten salt into said chamber.

Abstract: An injector for the intra-muscular, subcutaneous, or intra-dermal delivery of a fluid medicament to a patient includes a cylindrical member which has a closed end and an open end, and which is formed with a compartment between these two ends. An injection tube extends from the closed end through the cylindrical member and into the compartment. A suction pump is connected in fluid communication with the compartment to create a partial vacuum in the compartment when the open end of the cylindrical member is held against the skin of the patient. Due to this vacuum, skin of the patient is drawn into the compartment to position the tip of the injection tube against the skin. Also, skin that is adjacent the tip is drawn by the vacuum into the compartment. This stabilizes the skin around the injection tube tip and thereby minimizes any movement of skin relative to the tip during an injection of fluid medicament into the patient.

Abstract: A helmet lighting system for a motorcycle helmet includes a transmitter mounted on a motorcycle for broadcasting a radio-frequency signal to a receiver mounted on the motorcycle helmet. The transmitter includes a microprocessor that is connected to the brake light circuit, the running light circuit, the turn signal circuits and hazard circuit of the motorcycle. When one of the motorcycle lighting circuits is energized, the transmitter microprocessor generates and broadcasts a radio-frequency signal containing a function-specific code. The receiver receives the code and signals a pulse generator to create a function-specific electrical pulse package in a circuit containing a plurality of light emitting diodes to thereby simulate a running light, brake light, turn indicator or hazard light.

Abstract: A linear plasma mass filter includes a container which is shaped as a rectangular prism. Magnetic coils encircle the container for generating a uniform magnetic field (B) in the container, and electrodes are mounted on the container for generating an electric field (E) in the container. Specifically, the electric field is rectilinear in that all of the electric field lines are parallel to each other. Further, the electric field is oriented perpendicular to the magnetic field to create crossed electric and magnetic fields (E×B). A plasma source is provided for injecting a multi-species plasma into the container which includes relatively low mass particles (M1), and relatively high mass particles (M2). Both M1 and M2 are responsive to the magnetic field with respective cyclotron orbits of a first diameter (D1) and a second diameter (D2).

Abstract: A filter and a method for separating ions in a partially ionized plasma according to their mass includes a chamber with crossed electric and magnetic fields established therein. A feed, including metal atoms having ionization potentials in a low range, and gas atoms having an ionization potential in a high range, is introduced into the chamber. An electron temperature below the low range is generated to partially ionize the feed by dissociating the metal atoms from the gas atoms, and by ionizing the metal atoms into light and heavy ions according to their mass to charge ratio. The light and heavy ions are then influenced by the crossed electric and magnetic fields to separate the light ions from the heavy ions.

Abstract: A cusp filter for altering a multi-species plasma to separate ions of different masses (M1 and M2) includes first and second axi-symmetric magnetic fields which are coaxial, have the same magnitude (B), and are oriented back-to-back to establish a null cusp. The null cusp is thus oriented perpendicular to the axis between the magnetic fields. An injector is provided for directing the plasma ions along the axis toward the null cusp to divert the ions (M1) away from the axis and prevent them from crossing the null cusp, while allowing the ions (M2) to cross the null cusp and proceed along the axis through the filter. In one embodiment, a cut-off mass, Mc, is determined such that M1<Mc<M2 with Mc=e2B2r2/2W where “e” is the ion charge, “r” is the radial distance of the ion from the axis, and W is its kinetic energy.

Abstract: A multi-mass filter for separating particles of a multi-species plasma includes a chamber, which defines an axis. A radial electric field is crossed with a magnetic field (E×B) to move the particles of different mass (M1, M2 and M3) on respective trajectories into respective first, second and third regions. Specifically, particles M1 are confined in the first region, while both particles M3 and M2 are ejected from the first region into the second region and only the particles M3 are ejected from the second region into the third region.

Abstract: A device and method for precisely delivering dosage of radiation from a radiation source to a treatment site of a vessel is provided herein. In one embodiment, the device includes a catheter which inserts into a vessel lumen of the body. The catheter includes an adjuster section for altering a portion of the radiation emitting radially from the radiation source so that the radiation source delivers an asymmetrical radiation profile to the vessel. The device can also include a catheter supporter which inhibits rotational deformation in the catheter between a catheter distal end and a catheter proximal end. This allows the delivery section to be precisely rotated to properly position the adjuster section within the vessel lumen.

Abstract: A device and method for establishing an aberration-free delivery system for use in evaluating an optical specimen includes a light source for directing light through the system and along a beam path toward the specimen. A first beam splitter is positioned on the beam path to direct light radiated from the system toward a detector for creation of a first wavefront, and for generation of a signal. In turn, the signal is used to program an active mirror that is also positioned on the beam path, to thereafter establish an aberration-free wavefront for light incident on the optical specimen. Further, a second beam splitter is positioned on the beam path for directing light reflected from the specimen toward the detector for the creation of a second wavefront having characteristics of optical aberrations in the specimen. The second wavefront is then used to further program the active mirror for analysis and evaluation of the optical specimen.

Abstract: A protective device for injection or aspiration needles has a barrel piece telescopically slidable over an adapter sleeve mounted at one end to the luer coupling of the syringe or to a multisample collector. An injection needle is mounted within the adapter sleeve, projecting out through an opening in the opposite nose end of the barrel piece. An interposed spring urges the adapter sleeve and barrel piece apart towards a fully extended position. The barrel piece and adapter sleeve are latched together in a ready to use position with the needle partially protruding out from the barrel piece. As the syringe or multisampling system is advanced, the needle is extended out through the barrel piece end to allow penetration into the patient's body, and automatic unlatching is induced as penetration begins.

Abstract: A device and method for aberration-free imaging of the fundus of the human eye includes a light source, an active mirror for directing light from the light source to and from the fundus and imaging units for viewing the fundus. A sensor compares the wavefront reflected from the eye with an aberration-free wavefront to establish an error signal, and the error signal is used to program the active mirror to remove aberrations from the reflected light. Importantly, all of this is done by focusing the light to a focal spot on the fundus which has three dimensional volumetric measurements, i.e. point spread function (PSF), of as small as approximately 2 &mgr;m×2 &mgr;m×20 &mgr;m. The imaging units include an ellipsometer and a fluoroscope, and the light source can be a laser diode or an AP-diode.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed infant carrier for holding an infant while walking includes a container and a handle. The container includes an enclosing sidewall attached to a bottom wall to establish a compartment. Importantly, the sidewall is formed with two indentations that extend into the compartment. The indentations allow the carrier to fit snugly against the person's hip or leg during walking. The container is further formed with two handle attachment points. Each handle attachment point is located between the pair of indentations. In this configuration, when the handle is attached to the container, the straight section of the handle is oriented parallel with the sides of the container that are formed with indentations.

Abstract: A device for generating a plasma includes an enclosed chamber and an antenna positioned adjacent the wall of the chamber. A ceramic shield is mounted on the wall, with the antenna located between the wall and the ceramic shield. There is also a barrier that is mounted on the wall with the ceramic shield being between the barrier and the antenna element. An alternating voltage source is provided to energize the antenna element to generate a plasma in the chamber. In operation, the ceramic shield isolates the antenna from the plasma in the chamber, and the barrier prevents the deposition of material components from the plasma on the ceramic shield.

Abstract: A scalpel blade is made by depositing a coating onto a tapered region of a substrate which is tapered with an included angle of from about 10 to about 25 degrees to an edge. The substrate is made of surgical-grade stainless steel hardened to a Rockwell C hardness of at least 54 and then annealed to a Rockwell C hardness of from about 46 to less than about 53. The coating overlying the tapered region has a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 2.5 micrometers and includes a first coating layer of a first metal, and a second coating layer overlying the first coating layer. The first coating layer is preferably zirconium or a zirconium-base alloy, and the second coating layer is preferably zirconium nitride. The edge may be atomically sharpened by applying a large negative voltage to the substrate relative to the deposition source while a portion of the thickness of the second coating layer is being deposited.

Abstract: A device and method for separating ions uses electric and magnetic fields that are specifically configured and oriented in a vacuum chamber. Also, a central electrode that is made of the materials whose ions are to be separated is positioned in the chamber. Magnetic coils mounted on the chamber generate a magnetic field, B, that is oriented parallel to the central electrode and is configured with a disk-shaped magnetic mirror at one end of the chamber, and an annular-shaped magnetic mirror at the other end. A plurality of electrodes generate an electric field, E, that is oriented perpendicular to the central electrode. In operation, neutral atoms in the chamber are ionized by the electric field. The electric field, however, is specifically configured to confine relatively lighter mass ions in the chamber. These ions are then subsequently removed from the chamber through the opening in the annular-shaped magnetic mirror.

Abstract: A plasma filter for separating particles includes a hollow semi-cylindrical chamber that is enclosed by a wall. At least one plasma source is mounted in the chamber between the longitudinal axis of the chamber and the wall for generating a multi-species plasma containing light mass particles (M1) and heavy mass particles (M2). A magnetic coil is used to generate a magnetic field, Bz, in the chamber that is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis, and electrodes at each end of the chamber generate an electric field, Er, in the chamber that is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. These crossed electric and magnetic fields rotate the multi-species plasma on a curved path around the longitudinal axis, and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, to separate M1 from M2.