Abstract: A system and method for moving an aerial vehicle along a flight path includes rotatable hubs mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle. Elongated airfoils are mounted on the hubs parallel to a common hub axis for rotation about the hub axis on a blade path. Each airfoil defines a chord line and the system includes a gear assembly changeable, during hub rotation, between a first modality wherein airfoil chord lines remain tangential to the blade path (curtate flight), and a second modality wherein airfoil chord lines remain parallel to the flight path of the vehicle (prolate flight). Also, rotation of the hub can be stopped and the airfoils used for fixed wing flight.

Abstract: A plug-in, optical add/drop (OAD) device includes a filter for adding and dropping a light beam of wavelength (?k) from a combined light beam having individual beams of different wavelengths (?1 . . . n). Several devices can be selectively integrated to create an optical communications system that will handle “n” different optical communications circuits. In operation, the devices are individually connected (plugged-in) to a GBIC, and they are serially connected (plugged-in) to each other. Consequently, immediately upstream from a device, the combined light beam includes wavelengths (?1 through ?n). On the other hand, the combined light beam immediately downstream includes (?1 through ?k?1 and ?k+1 through ?n).

Abstract: A device and method for operational switching between line-of-sight wireless communications transceivers requires evaluating a useful received signal strength intensity (RSSI) for a first transceiver, and switching to a second transceiver when the consequent bit error rate (BER) is not useful for the first transceiver. Subsequent switching between the first and second transceivers is accomplished in accordance with a timed sequence regimen that involves variable time delays, and considerations of RSSI changes within determined time periods. Preferably, the first transceiver transmits and receives on a laser beam and the second transceiver transmits and receives on a microwave beam.

Abstract: A catheter usable for cryogenic ablation of tissues is described. The catheter has a deflectable segment with a reduced diameter and a tip portion with a diameter greater than the reduced diameter. A resilient element allows for bending of the deflectable segment preferentially in one plane, and an actuator is used to control the bending of the deflectable segment.

Abstract: A holding plate includes a flat base member with a surface that is formed with a plurality of stations (wells or depressions) for holding specimens. A panel extends downwardly from the edge of the surface to create a concavity for receiving a lid member therein. The panel also has a flange extending outwardly from the concavity. The flat lid member has a skirt with a rim that extends from the edge of the lid member to create a hollow for receiving a base member therein. In operation, a robot or mechanical device selectively engages the flange of the base member and the rim of the lid member to engage or disengage the base and lid members. This allows for individual movement of either the base member or the lid member. This also allows for collective movement of the engaged base and lid members for stacking and storage.

Abstract: A passive navigation system for an airborne platform includes an on-board computer having a database that contains preprogrammed information regarding pre-existing ground-based signal emitters (e.g. cell-phone, television and radio broadcast transmitters). For each emitter, the database includes the geolocation of the emitter and identifying signal characteristic(s) of each emitter's signal such as frequency, bandwidth and strength. An antenna array and digital receiver cooperate with the computer on the platform to passively receive signals from the emitters and determine a direction of arrival (DOA) for selected signals. The computer also extracts identifying signal characteristic(s) from selected received signals and matches them against the database information to ascertain the geolocation of the emitter that corresponds to the received signal. The platform location is then calculated from the DOA(s) and emitter geolocations using a triangulation-type algorithm.

Abstract: A system and method for cryoablating tissue at a target site in a patient includes a cryotip attached to the distal end of a catheter tube. The cryotip is made of a conductive polymer material that is heat set into a spiral configuration. Inside the cryotip is a configuration lumen. The cryotip assumes a straight configuration when a straightening member is positioned in the configuration lumen, and it assumes the spiral configuration when the straightening member is absent from the configuration lumen. The cryotip in the straight configuration is guided through the vasculature of a patient to the target site. At the target site, the straightening member is removed to configure the cryotip into the spiral configuration to contact the cryotip with circumferential tissue around the target site. A refrigerant fluid is then introduced into the expansion chamber of the cryotip to cool the tip to cryoablate the circumferential tissue.

Abstract: A chair mounted lumbar and trapezius support system that offers the support for an individual required to work leaning forward in an office style chair for a prolonged period of time. The device reduces the strain on the back by supporting the individual in the abdominal area of body. Adjustable elbow rests mount to the support belt structure to support the elbows and allow maximum movement of the arms while remaining in a fixed position with relation to the torso when a individual is leaning forward or twists to one side or the other doing delicate work. The support belt structure is either permanently or removably attachable to an office chair using fasteners, belts or a flexible support.

Abstract: A system for cryoablating target tissue at a treatment site includes a cryo-element mounted at the distal end of a cryo-catheter. A balloon catheter is provided having a U-shaped balloon attached thereon. The cryo-element is threaded onto a pre-positioned guidewire and advanced within the patient's vasculature until the cryo-element is positioned at the treatment site. Next, the balloon is threaded onto the guidewire and advanced within the patient's vasculature using the balloon catheter. At the treatment site, the U-shaped balloon is interposed between the cryo-element and the target tissue. Saline solution is pumped into the balloon causing the U-shaped balloon to expand and contact both the cryo-element and the surrounding target tissue. Next, a refrigerant is expanded to cool the cryo-element, which in turn, freezes the saline solution. The resulting “ice ball” extracts heat from surrounding tissue resulting in the cryoablation of a substantially circumferential portion of tissue.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate surface using ultrasonic energy includes an array of ‘N’ transducer elements. Electrical signals, Sn, having signal parameters including a voltage, VN, and phase, ?N, are provided to drive each transducer element and generate respective ultrasonic waves. A computer sub-system is used to control the signal parameters to establish a substantially uniform cavitation energy at a plurality of locations on the substrate surface. The signal parameters can be established to focus or steer the ultrasonic energy from the array to each location. To calculate the electrical signal parameters, the computer sub-system can use some or all of the following as inputs; the arrangement and inter-element spacing of the transducer elements, characteristics of the fluid medium, and the coordinates of the locations requiring cleaning.

Abstract: A closed-loop control system for the intrastromal photoablation of tissue includes an active mirror for individually directing the component beams of a diagnostic laser beam to a focal point on the retina of an eye. The reflected beam is analyzed to identify a distorted wavefront indicative of required corneal corrections, and an induced wavefront indicative of optical aberrations introduced by bubbles formed during tissue ablation. A comparator alters the induced wavefront with a desired wavefront to create a rectified wavefront, and a comparator compares the rectified wavefront with the distorted wavefront to create error signals. The error signals are then used to operate the active mirror and to control an ablation laser until the absence of error signals indicate the required stromal tissue has been photoablated.

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 device for covering and protecting a syringe needle after a syringe procedure includes a needle guard component, a base member component and a spring. The needle guard and base member components of the device are both formed with cylindrical shaped portions that are arranged coaxially. The base member is affixable to the syringe with the spring positioned between the needle guard and base member components to urge the components in opposite axial directions. One component is formed with a plug that extends into a guide mechanism formed on the other component. The guide mechanism includes a locking cutout, an axially aligned linear track and a deflectable arm. The arm deflects to allow linear plug movement during retraction of the needle guard over the needle and redirects the plug to the locking cutout when the needle guard moves to re-cover the needle.

Abstract: A nebulizer for atomizing a high-temperature liquid includes a truncated, conical concentrator that defines a vertex and that has a small-diameter end and a large-diameter end. The small-diameter end has a spherical-shaped, concave surface and the large-diameter end has a spherical-shaped, convex surface. A piezoelectric transducer has a spherical-shaped, concave surface that is attached to the convex surface of the concentrator. A cylindrical-shaped droplet manifold is positioned over the small-diameter end of the concentrator to create a liquid chamber in the manifold with the vertex inside the liquid chamber. A feeding tube introduces the high-temperature liquid into the liquid chamber until the surface of the liquid reaches the vertex. With an activation of the transducer, acoustic waves that have spherical wavefronts are launched away from the concave surface of the transducer. The concentrator propagates and directs the spherical wavefronts for convergence at the vertex to nebulize the liquid.

Abstract: A system for the onsite storage, treatment and disposal of contaminated soils and sediments includes a trench that is excavated at the site. The trench is formed with a bottom surface that includes a sump reservoir and a sloped portion oriented to feed liquids into the sump reservoir. An impervious liner is positioned in the trench to prevent leakage into the surroundings. A sump system that includes the sump reservoir, drain tubes and geotextile netting is disposed in the trench to transfer fluids between the sump reservoir and the contaminated material. A geotextile filter sheet is positioned over the sump system allowing fluid transfer between the sump system and the contaminated material while preventing solids from entering the sump system. An access pipe allows fluids to be introduced into and withdrawn from the sump reservoir to accomplish various treatment methods including de-watering, vapor extraction, bioremediation, surfactant washing and solvent extraction.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring an encrypted file over the Internet involves a seller, a buyer, and a transaction agent. The file has a first part (administrative information) and a second part (subject-matter content) that are respectively encrypted with first and second encryption/decryption non-public keys. In operation, the appropriate key is released by the seller or the transaction agent for respective use by either the transaction agent or the buyer, to decrypt and reveal the second part of the file to the buyer.

Abstract: A safety device for protecting the needle of a blood collector includes a guard member that automatically covers the needle, after a blood collection procedure has been completed. Prior to the procedure, the guard member is restrained on the device in a proximal position to expose the needle, and to thereby facilitate the insertion of the needle into a vein of a patient. When a blood collection vial is engaged with the device, the guard member is released to move distally over the needle. Thus, after a procedure, and as the needle is being withdrawn from the patient, the guard member covers the needle to protect against subsequent inadvertent “sticks”.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring an encrypted file over the Internet involves a seller, a buyer, and a transaction agent. First, the seller creates a file for publication on the Internet. This file has, at least, an overhead part that is encrypted with a public key provided by the transaction agent, and it has a content part that is encrypted with a private key provided by the seller. In operation, the buyer selects the desired file from the Internet and sends its overhead part to the transaction agent for decryption. The decryption is then done using the public key to ascertain the private key. Subsequently, the private key is used, either by the transaction agent or by the buyer, to decrypt and reveal the content part of the file from the Internet for use by the buyer.

Abstract: A butterfly needle device having a passive needle protection system includes a needle that has a proximal end, a distal tip and defines a needle axis. A cylindrical base member having an axially aligned groove is disposed over the needle with a first wing extending radially from the base member. A second wing is provided for rotation about the needle axis relative to the first wing between a closed configuration in which the wings are juxtaposed and an open configuration in which the wings are displaced from each other. A cylindrical needle guard having a plug is disposed over the needle. A spring biases the needle guard distally relative to the base member. A wing-activated mechanism is provided to align the plug with the groove after a closed-open-closed wing cycle allowing the needle guard to distally advance to cover the needle tip at the end of the cycle.

Abstract: A test system and method for testing a processor circuit board having at least one processor. The system includes a processor control circuit connected to the processor circuit board which enables test routines to be run on the processor of the processor circuit board, a peripheral emulator circuit, having a connector for connecting to at least one peripheral connector on the processor circuit board, for emulating at least one function of at least one peripheral device, a response circuit measuring the response of the processor circuit board to a test routine, a main controller in electronic communication with the processor control circuit and the response circuit. In operation, the processor control circuit receives instructions from the main controller and causes the processor on the processor circuit board to run a test routine. The response circuit will then communicate the results of the test routine to the main controller.