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: An anatomical prosthesis for implantation after a resection of the distal ulna includes a head and a stem. The head is formed with a curved surface for articulation with the sigmoid notch of the distal radius. A bore is provided in the head to allow for attachment of the head to the stem. The head is further formed with suture holes for anchoring the head to the soft tissues such as the ulnar collateral capsule, the triangular fibrocartilage and the extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath that are exposed after resection of the distal ulna. The stem is elongated, having a proximal end for engagement with the intramedullary canal of the ulna, and a distal end for engagement with the bore formed in the head.

Abstract: A plasma injector for creating a plasma discharge includes a hollow, substantially cylindrical-shaped waveguide, and a coaxial dielectric loaded cavity. The waveguide is specifically dimensioned to establish a predetermined cut off wavelength in the waveguide. A microwave power generator is connected with the cavity to generate a resonant microwave in the cavity which will establish a TE mode electrical field in the waveguide. Importantly, the resonant microwave has a wavelength that is below the cut off wavelength in order to prevent a propagation of the microwave through the waveguide. The injector also includes a feed line for introducing a waste material into the waveguide. Specifically, the waste material interacts with the TE mode electrical field in the waveguide to vaporize the waste material and thereby create the plasma discharge.

Abstract: A club shaft for a golf club and method for making a club shaft for a golf club are provided herein. The club shaft includes a shaft butt section, a shaft tip section and a shaft intermediate section which connects the shaft butt section to the shaft tip section. The shaft intermediate section includes a shaft outer diameter which tapers from the shaft butt section to the shaft tip section. Uniquely, the amount of taper varies along the shaft intermediate section to avoid any abrupt transitions in the club shaft. The resulting club shaft has a continuous, smooth geometry, without stress concentration areas. This improves the strength, fatigue and fracture toughness of the club shaft. Further, the amount of taper can be specifically tailored to obtain a club shaft having the desired moment of inertia, resistance to torsion, mass distribution, flexure, frequency, strength, and stiffness properties.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating and maintaining a plasma in a chamber, in accordance with the helicon dispersion relation, requires an antenna for radiating RF energy into the chamber. An interferometer, or some similar device, is used in the system to monitor the plasma density level in the chamber, as the plasma is being produced. The plasma density level is then used to control the variable characteristics of the RF energy in accordance with the helicon dispersion relation.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and a method for boring a perfusion channel from a coronary artery into a cardiac muscle of a patient. Structurally, the present invention includes a positioning catheter, anchor means and a cutting catheter. The cutting catheter includes a plurality of blades and is advanceable through a deployment lumen of the positioning catheter. Advancement of the cutting catheter through the deployment lumen causes a distal end of the cutting catheter to project laterally from the positioning catheter. In use, the positioning catheter is positioned within the coronary artery. The anchor means is then expanded to anchor the positioning catheter within the artery. The cutting catheter is then advanced through the deployment lumen to bore one or more perfusion channels in the myocardial tissue.

Abstract: A multi-mass filter for separating particles according to their mass-charge ratio includes a chamber for receiving a multi-species plasma that includes particles therein having different mass-charge ratios (with M1<M2<M3). Inside the chamber, which defines an axis, a radial electric field is crossed with a magnetic field (E≦B) to move the particles (M1, M2 and M3) on respective trajectories into respective first, second and third regions. For one embodiment, the filter is configured so that az2Bz is held constant in the expression for cut-off mass, Mcz=eaz2Bz2/(8Vctr). For this embodiment, only the heavier particles M3 are ejected into the third region (M3>Mc3) and only the intermediate particles M2 are ejected into the second region (M2>Mc2). In another embodiment, the radial electrical field is increased outwardly from the axis to a radial distance a2 (r2) at a first rate.

Abstract: A device for segregating high-mass particles in a multi-species plasma from lower-mass particles has a chamber surrounded by a hollow annular shaped enclosure which defines a central axis. In a radial direction outwardly from the axis, the chamber includes a light mass collection section that is in fluid communication, through an intermediate section, with a filter section. A magnetic field, Bz, is oriented parallel to the central axis in the filter section, and the filter section has an outer wall which is at a distance slightly greater than a distance “a” from the central axis. An electric field is crossed with the magnetic field and is perpendicular to the central axis in the filter section. Further, there is zero potential on the outer wall of the filter section while there is a positive potential “V” on the inner wall of the filter section.

Abstract: A collector cup for the collection and removal of the low-mass particles that exit from a plasma mass filter includes a cylindrical shaped wall, an internally cooled. getter plate and a plurality of internally cooled baffles. The baffles are concentrically mounted and are attached to the inside of the cylindrical wall, between the getter plate and the plasma mass filter thereby creating an enclosed volume that is defined by the getter plate, the baffles and the cylinder wall. Entryways are formed between the baffles to allow the gas formed at the baffles to enter the enclosed volume. When the ions and electrons exit from the filter, they collide with the cooler baffles, ano combine to form neutral atoms and vaporize. Once formed, the gas can pass through the entryways and into the enclosed volume where it can be condensed onto the surface of the temperature controlled getter plate.

Abstract: A device for imaging a wavefront to determine the optical properties of an eye includes a light source for directing an input light beam into the eye. Corrective optics focus this input beam onto a substantially circular area on the retina for reflection back through the eye as a return light beam from a point source. A shearing plate is used to introduce a phase disturbance into the return light beam and it includes at least one pattern that is positioned to determine phase shifts from the phase disturbance that was introduced into the return light beam. A computer is then used to create the wavefront image from these phase shifts.

Abstract: A device for detecting random objects that are being carried inside a container includes an excitation coil and a sensing coil with a gap therebetween. When the construction of the container includes a conducting loop, the container is positioned on a path between the two coils, with the plane of the loop substantially perpendicular to the path. The excitation coil is then activated to generate a magnetic field that is directed along the path. This magnetic field has both a sinusoidal component and a cosinusoidal component. Importantly, the cosinusoidal component is adjusted to match a characteristic dimension of the loop, to thereby cause zero mutual inductance with the loop in the magnetic field. On the other hand, conducting objects inside the loop will cause inductance perturbations in the magnetic field which can be detected to establish the presence of the objects in the container.

Abstract: An ion separator includes a plasma source for generating a multi-species plasma having ions of heavy mass (M2) and light mass (M1). Also included is an accelerator for accelerating these ions to a common velocity (vo) before they are injected into a hollow chamber. For this invention, the chamber can be configured as a toroid or a cylinder confining a curved path which generates a mass proportional drift velocity (ud) for each ion as it travels along the path. Consequently, ions will collide with the chamber wall, in sequence, according to their mass. This will be at predetermined arc lengths (L) along the path in the chamber. Specifically, ions of heavy mass (M2) will collide with the chamber wall before ions of light mass (M1). The ions can then be subsequently removed from the chamber wall. For one embodiment, the geometry of the chamber is established as a helix having a pitch angle which captures only heavy mass ions (M2) and allows ions of light mass (M1) to completely transit through the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for incision and dilation of stenotic segments within the vascular system of a patient. Structurally, the present invention includes a rigid ellipsoidal dilation probe mounted at the distal end of a catheter. A series of longitudinally oriented blades project radially from the surface of the probe. A tapered inflatable balloon is also mounted on the catheter in a position that is proximal to the dilation probe. In use, the probe and catheter are advanced over a guidewire to reach the targeted stenotic segment. The probe and blades are then advanced through the stenotic segment to incise the stenosis. The balloon may then be inflated to adopt a tapering fusiform shape, allowing the balloon to be advanced through the stenosis to further dilate the stenosis. Alternatively, the balloon may be positioned across the stenosis and inflated to dilate the stenosis.

Abstract: A disposable aplanatic lens for reconfiguring the cornea of an eye for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a lens which has a flat anterior surface that is substantially parallel to a flat aplanation surface. A skirt surrounds the aplanation surface and extends outwardly therefrom to define a chamber. Additionally, the skirt is formed with a groove which creates a suction channel between the skirt and the aplanation surface in the chamber. A vacuum pump is connected in fluid communication with the suction channel and is selectively activated to create a partial vacuum in the channel. In its operation, the aplanatic lens is positioned over the cornea and the pump is activated to create the partial vacuum. Due to this partial vacuum, the cornea is drawn into the chamber where it is urged against the aplanation surface of the lens. The result of this is that the cornea is flattened into an aplanation configuration which is free from spherical aberration and coma during ophthalmic surgery.

Abstract: A sample cell for imaging a tissue sample includes a base member formed with a pedestal and a base window. A retainer ring is engaged with the pedestal to retain the tissue sample on the pedestal. A housing with a housing window is engageable with the base member to create a fluid chamber and establish an optical path extending through the base window, tissue sample, retainer ring and housing window. A light source directs a first light beam along the optical path to illuminate the tissue sample. Also, an optical detector outside the housing window receives the first light beam after it has be transmitted through the tissue sample. Additionally, the housing has a side window distanced from the optical path and oriented at an angle, &agr;. A second light beam configured as a slit having a length that extends across the breadth of the tissue sample and a width that is approximately equal to the depth of the tissue sample can separately illuminate the tissue sample.

Abstract: A nuclear waste remediation system includes, in-line, an ionizer, an accelerator, an optional cooler and a separator. A pair of co-planar spaced-apart conductors extend the entire length of the system to establish a magnetic field which is perpendicular to the lengthwise dimension of the system. In the ionizer, the conductors are surrounded by casings which hold opposite alternating voltages that ionize a neutral gas. In turn, the ionized gas vaporizes nuclear waste to create a multi-species plasma. In the accelerator, cooler and separator, the conductors are surrounded by casings which carry the same dc current to thereby create an electric field which crosses with the magnetic field.

Abstract: A plasma filter for separating positive ions from negative ions in a multi-species plasma includes a cylindrical shaped chamber. Magnetic coils surrounding the chamber generate a magnetic field that is aligned substantially parallel to the chamber's longitudinal axis. An electrode generates an electric field that is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field to create crossed magnetic and electric fields inside the chamber. The inward directed electric field has a negative potential on the longitudinal axis and a substantially zero potential at the wall of the chamber. An injector injects the multi-species plasma into said chamber to interact with said crossed magnetic and electric fields.

Abstract: A plasma mass filter using a helical magnetic field for separating low-mass particles from high-mass particles in a multi-species plasma includes a cylindrical outer wall located at a distance “a” from a longitudinal axis. Also included is a coaxial cylindrical inner wall positioned to establish a plasma chamber between the inner and outer walls. The magnetic field is generated in this chamber with an axial component (Bz) and an azimuthal component (B&thgr;), which interact together with an electric field to create crossed magnetic and electric fields. The electric field has a positive potential, Vctr, on the inner wall and a zero potential on the outer wall.

Abstract: A method for separating charged particles according to their mass requires providing a multi-species plasma in a chamber. The plasma includes both relatively low-mass charged particles (M1) and relatively high-mass charged particles (M2) which are influenced by crossed electric and magnetic fields (E×B) in the chamber. Specifically, the crossed fields (E×B) rotate the particles M1 and M2 in respective orbits that are characteristic of the mass of the particular particle. Inside the chamber, each charged particle has a respective cyclotron frequency (&OHgr;), and the plasma is maintained with a density wherein the collisional frequency (&ngr;) of particles in the chamber relates to the cyclotron frequency such that their ratio is greater than approximately one (&OHgr;/&ngr;≧1). Additionally, a collector is positioned to intercept the particles (M2) in their orbits and to thereby separate the particles (M2) from the particles (M1).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the prevention of atherosclerosis, its genesis, progression and restenosis in human patients undergoing treatments for arterial lesions such as PTA or atherectomy, and which may be accompanied by stent implantation. Further, the treatment method disclosed has applicability in all stages of atherosclerosis in which monocytes play a role. The compound utilized in the present method as the active agent is a 2-halo-2′-deoxyadenosine such as 2-chloro-deoxyadenosine (2-CdA). The treatment method of the present invention includes the administration of 14 doses of 2-CdA in the amount of 0.12 mg/kg. One dose is given intravenously before the coronary intervention, another is given intravenously after the intervention and the remaining twelve doses are given subcutaneously at weekly intervals over a subsequent three month period.