Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of a form of carbon nitride with a chemical formula consisting of 3 carbon atoms and 4 nitrogen atoms, and a structure similar to that of beta-silicon nitride. The apparatus utilizes a nitrogen ion beam and a carbon arc. The interaction between the ionized nitrogen and the carbon evoluted in the arc produces copious compounds of carbon and nitrogn. Enrichment of the proportion of the specific carbon-nitrogen compound is achieved by adjustment of the operational parameters of the apparatus. A pure form of this compound is produced by an electric and/or magnetic field separator.

Abstract: A holographic disk mounting system and method is disclosed utilizing a compressible O-ring which eliminates the clearance between the spin motor shaft and the holographic disk. The holographic disk has an axial bore with a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the spin motor shaft. A compressible O-ring is placed around the spin motor shaft and then the holographic disk is mounted thereon with the O-ring and O-ring surrounded portion of the spin motor shaft positioned within the axial bore of the holographic disk. The O-ring is axially compressed to radially expand the O-ring thereby eliminating the clearance between the spin motor shaft and the bore of the holographic disk. Thereafter, the holographic disk is secured to the motor shaft with the O-ring remaining in a compressed state.

Abstract: A tool for relieving strain on a plurality of serially connected elements, such as, electrical insulators in a strong of insulators. The tool has two separate rachetable turnbuckles that each actuate a pair of opposite-hand jack screws. A strain diverter collar having a set of strain diverter halves is clamped around an electrical insulator and is releasably secured to corresponding jack screws actuated by the rachetable turnbuckles. In one embodiment, another set of strain diverter halves is clamped around another electrical insulator and is releasably secured to the other corresponding jack screws so that racheting of the turnbuckles in one direction relieves strain on the insulators and in the other direction reapplies strain on the insulators.

Abstract: A radial turbo machine has an impeller and a diffuser with a plurality of airfoil vanes. The airfoil vanes have a design point angle of attack substantially equal to or less than the angle of attack corresponding to the classic onset of pressure side stall of the airfoil vane. The pressure side of the airfoil vane faces away from the rotational axis of the impeller while the suction side faces towards the impeller's rotational axis.

Abstract: A "direct-to-press" diffusion transfer reversal positive lithographic printing plate and method for exposing same. The "direct-to-press" printing plate provides an ink receiving image area and at least one ink repelling mechanical gripper area. Additionally, the plate can include at least one ink repelling border area. The "direct-to-press" printing plate exposure method provides direct exposure of a diffusion transfer reversal photo-lithographic recording substrate by a laser imagesetter using a method of controlling both the imagesetter recording beam and the movement of the recording substrate by the imagesetter. The imagesetter improvements allow exposure of a recording substrate in regions which could not previously be exposed by an imagesetter, providing a positive lithographic printing plate which requires no additional stripping or exposure steps after imagesetter recording.

Abstract: A method of determining a conversion of a digital image representation of a radiologic image into density values wherein the gradation curve of a conventional screen/film system is approximated.

Abstract: A receptacle for cutting and chopping machines having a central circular feed opening with four circular lateral openings that partially overlap the circular feed opening. The four circular openings are grouped in two pairs of two opposed openings each around the central, circular fee opening.

Abstract: A media guide for assisting in threading the head end of a rolled, radiation sensitive media through an imaging station in an imaging device. The media guide has a longitudinally extending arcuate input media guide and a parallel longitudinally extending arcuate output media guide with the open arcuate surfaces thereof facing in the same direction. A longitudinally extending imaging aperture slot is positioned between and parallel to the arcuate input and output media guides. The input side of the imaging aperture slot is located above the output side of the aperture to prevent the media from catching in the aperture slot.

Abstract: A method for determining the boundaries between regions of color making up polychromatic document pages or images, in order to compensate for misregistration of printing plates in printing, and thereby to prevent light leaks and other errors at the boundaries so determined. A map of the boundaries is generated, to which trapping operations are applied to form a structured graphic object that is included as the last object imaged in the data representing the original image. The geometrical description of the boundary map determined according to the method of the invention is independent of specific trapping decisions applicable to the associated image.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of high intensity laser radiation of large spot size into arteries and a method for making same are disclosed. An optical radiating apparatus is formed on one end of a light-conducting optical fiber such that high intensity laser radiation leaves the optical radiation apparatus with a spot size that is expanded to a diameter significantly larger than the optical fiber diameter. The apparatus comprises a small diameter, flexible fiber which tapers to a large diameter, smooth, rounded ball tip. The taper allows the beam to expand to several millimeters in diameter and thereby ablate a large channel through an occluded artery. The smooth ball tip minimizes the chance of mechanical dissection or performation. The fiber material is continuous such that there are no optical interfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a CSF shunting system that can be used in the human body for the control of hydrocephalus or excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. The invention relates to the configuration of a fluid pressure controlling diaphragm which has a substantially planar, non-arched, or slightly convex occluding surface that contacts as its valve mechanism a non-planar opposing surface. The diaphragm element can be made out of silicone rubber or some other flexible material, and the opposing surface can be made from a dissimilar material from the diaphragm element to prevent sticking. The invention also relates to the configuration of this substantially flat diaphragm element, its central stem, and its mounting in a frame so as to facilitate pre-loads, calibrations, and optical, as well as mechanical, tests for quality assurance.

Abstract: A collapsible support structure having a generally "X"-shaped configuration that is slanted at an angle of between forty-five and ninety degrees to the horizontal floor plane. Two diagonal members cross one in front of the other and are joined near their center-points with a joint that allows rotation about an axis normal to the plane of the "X"-shape and is offset from the longitudinal axis of at least one of the diagonal members. The rotational axis is located closer to the upper end portion of one of the diagonal members than the upper end of the other diagonal member.

Abstract: A conical lens mount having a snap-in lens clamp is disclosed. The lens mount has a hollow, truncated generally conical configuration with the lens mounted at the apex of the lens mount. The base portion of the conical lens mount defines a reference plane for use in an optical system. Preferably, the conical lens mount has integrally formed spring members for maintaining the lens mount and its reference plane at a predetermined position in an optical system. The conical lens mount finds particular application in an athermalized optical system.

Abstract: An athermalized optical system and method are disclosed. A thermally compensating portion of the optical system is employed to compensate for mechanical and optical thermal effects in the entire optical system. In the preferred embodiment, the optical system comprises an imaging system having a laser diode light source, a collimating lens, a rotating mirror, a scan lens and a media transport. Temperature compensation of the imaging system is obtained by varying the spacing between the laser diode and the collimating lens to decollimate the laser light beam as a function of the system wide temperature effects.

Abstract: This invention relates to any operating pointer or arm apparatus whose position can be detected and read out on a computer and associated graphics display, and where the pointer can be changed from its pointer function to a "3D mouse" so as to alternately by use control the functionality of the computer as in calibration and display features. Specific embodiments of the invention are given, and one of them is a neurosurgical operating arm which has electronic readout for coupling to a computergraphic display which shows the position of the arm relative to patient anatomy. In one embodiment, the arm has five angular degrees of freedom to achieve a pointer position anywhere in space, at any angle. Electronic readout from the arm positions and joint angles are assimilated into a computegraphic display system. The display system displays anatomical image data taken from the patient with modern imaging techniques.

Abstract: A fiber optic mixer is disclosed. A large diameter fiber has a curved radiation input end portion and a straight radiation output end portion. The length of the curved input end portion of the fiber is long enough to cause all entering radiation to hit the reflecting core boundary while the length of the straight output end portion is long enough to provide sufficient internal reflections to mix the radiation entering at the input end to produce a nearly zero correlation between an enterirg ray position and its position as an exiting ray. The fiber optic mixer can be used to efficiently couple radiation from the source or interferometer of a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) to a multiplicity of optical fibers so that each fiber receives substantially identical spectral, angular and intensity distributions of radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for premetered "patch" coating discrete, incremental surfaces or substrates, such as printed circuit boards, integrated circuits and the like, with a pre-configured layer of a liquid in which a controlled volume per unit area of the liquid is applied to the substrate are disclosed. The liquid is dispensed from an applicator slot that is fluidly coupled to a liquid containing chamber. The volume of the liquid in the liquid containing chamber is varied in order to (1) sharply and distinctly start the coating "patch" by producing a pulse of liquid that flows out of the applicator slot to form a connecting bead of liquid coating on the coating surface and (2) sharply and distinctly terminate the coating "patch" by removing the bead of liquid connecting the applicator slot with the coated surface. The width of the coated "patch" is determined by the length of the applicator slot.

Abstract: This invention relates to a design of a floor stand structure to be used in conjunction with stereotactic radiosurgery or radiotherapy with a linear accelerator (LINAC). The floor stand is typically mounted on the floor bearing of the LINAC and rotates about a vertical axis. It has a contoured shape, which might be C-shaped, so that the gantry of the LINAC can swing by the floor stand in its lowest position. This is enabled by the contoured shape of the floor stand structure. The floor stand is used to stabilize the positioning of a patient's anatomy relative to the isocenter of the LINAC. It is typically attached to the rotating portion of the LINAC floor bearing, or could be self-standing with its own vertical bearing system to make it independent of the LINAC floor bearing.

Abstract: A screening system and method are disclosed for reproduction of images in printing. The screening angles that are used are close, but not identical to conventional screening angles. The reproduction is nevertheless Moire free by the fact that the deviations in angles from the conventional system are exactly offset by the deviations in line rulings. The screening system is particularly advantageous when used for combinations of screens with rational tangent angles. The Moire free combination of rational tangent screens can be rotated by a constant angle with the amount of rotation controlled in small increments.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of high intensity laser radiation of large spot size into arteries and a method for making same are disclosed. An optical radiating apparatus is formed on one end of a light-conducting optical fiber such that high intensity laser radiation leaves the optical radiation apparatus with a spot size that is expanded to a diameter significantly larger than the optical fiber diameter. The apparatus comprises a small diameter, flexible fiber which tapers to a large diameter, smooth, rounded ball tip. The taper allows the beam to expand to several millimeters in diameter and thereby ablate a large channel through an occluded artery. The smooth ball tip minimizes the chance of mechanical dissection or perforation. The fiber material is continuous such that there are no optical interfaces.