Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely and efficiently applying a coating to the nails of ones hands and toes and covering the cuticle and skin tissue bounding the nails to prevent coating from being applied thereto and to precisely define the area of coating applied to the nails. An adhesive backed mask is provided for covering the cuticle and skin tissue which has a cut-out portion for framing the nail to be coated. A plurality of masks are provided in a booklet and are removable therefrom for use, preferably by tearing a mask from a page of the booklet with a portion of the page on which it is adhered.

Abstract: A compact high performance absorbance detector including a flashlamp light source and folded optics system with ruled grating reflecting beam splitter for minimizing flash to flash angular pattern and spectral variations of the flashlamp.

Abstract: Accurate and repeatable patient alignment with a charged-particle beam of a radiation beam therapy system, such as a proton beam delivery system, is provided. The patient is immobilized within a form-fit patient pod. Reference radiographs are prepared that are used for repositioning the patient within the pod on subsequent occasions. CT scan data of a particular tissue volume of interest, such as a region of the patient wherein a cancerous tumor is located, is obtained while the patient remains in the pod. The CT scan data is used to prepare a treatment plan for the patient. The treatment plan includes identifying an isocenter within the tissue volume at which the beam is to be directed from a selected angle(s). A computer simulation of the treatment plan may be performed to optimize the treatment plan, i.e., to help identify the number of beams and treatment angles that will best irradiate the cancerous cells.

Abstract: A method and system for separating and "unmixing" prerecorded and mixed right and left stereo sound input signals into three (3) or more output sound signals for sound reproduction by three or more loudspeakers spaced apart and located forward of a listener or listeners. The output sound signals are linear combinations of the right and left sound input signals and uniquely satisfy conditions of sound linearity, symmetry, uniformity, normality, integrity, balance, constancy, and fidelity to create a substantially more accurate sound image of the recorded performance than that created by reproducing only the stereophonic sound input signals.

Abstract: A fluid sample flow cell characterized by a circumferentially uniform radial fluid flow into an entry port to and/or from an exit port from a fluid passageway through the body of the cell.

Abstract: A fluid sample flow cell including a high pressure fluid tight circumferential edge seal for a window in the body of the flow cell.

Abstract: A raster scan control system (18) for use with a charged-particle beam delivery system (20) provides precise control of large currents driving an inductive load. The beam delivery system includes a nozzle through which a charged-particle beam (24), such as a proton beam, passes prior to being directed to a target (32). The nozzle includes both fast and slow sweep scan electromagnets (204, 208) that cooperate to generate a sweeping magnetic field that steers the beam along a desired raster scan pattern at the target. The electromagnets are driven by large currents (213, 215) from the raster scan control system.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed combination ceramic and metal package for electronic components of an electronic device implantable in a living body, at least some of the components being adversely affected by high temperatures. The package comprises a ceramic sleeve and a metal band having substantially the same coefficients of linear thermal expansion. An annular end face of the sleeve butts against and hermetically seals to an annular end of the metal band. A header plate carrying a substrate upon which the components are mounted and a plurality of electrical connectors closes the open end of the sleeve and is hermetically sealed to the metal band.

Abstract: A generally L-shaped, single piece resilient polymer-based pavement marker including a horizontially extending base, a vertically extending leg tapering inwardly as it rises from the base with a rear face extending from a lower edge of the base below a top surface thereof and with a forward face facing oncoming highway traffic, and a fillet joining the forward face of the leg and the top surface of the base.

Abstract: A floating current source comprising two identically sized field effect transistors, one defining a reference transistor and the other defining a floating output transistor. The reference transistor has its gate connected to a reference voltage and its source connected to receive an input current from an input current source and to generate a gate-to-source voltage which when applied as a gate-to-source voltage of the floating output transistor will generate an output current in the output transistor equal to the input current. Circuit means are included for applying between the gate and source of the output transistor a voltage equal to the gate-to-source drain voltage of the reference transistor.

Abstract: The electrode array is a device for making multiple electrical contacts with cellular tissue or organs. The electrode array includes a base (1), a two dimensional array of conducting protuberances (2) arising from the base and serving as electrodes, and conductors (3) embedded onto the base and connected to such protuberances for transmitting electrical signals to and/or from the protuberances. The protuberances may also include an insulating layer (15) which covers either the entire protuberance or which leaves the tips exposed for making focused electrical contact. Electrode arrays may be used used singly or in combination with a second electrode array so as to form a sandwich around a target tissue. The sandwich electrode array (16, 17) may employ indexing cones for aligning the opposing electrode arrays and for limiting their vertical proximity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely and efficiently applying a coating to the nails of ones hands and toes and covering the cuticle and skin tissue bounding the nails to prevent coating from being applied thereto and to precisely define the area of coating applied to the nails. An adhesive backed mask is provided for covering the cuticle and skin tissue which has a cut-out portion for framing the nail to be coated. A plurality of masks are provided in a booklet and are removable therefrom for use, preferably by tearing a mask from a page of the booklet with a portion of the page on which it is adhered.

Abstract: A D to A converter comprising a series of stages each including a current mirror having an input and an output transistor (Q1 and Q3) and a current adjusting transistor (Q2, Q4) connected in parallel with each input and output transistor for adjusting the output current from the current mirror as a function of the operating states of the current adjusting transistors. The operating state of each current adjusting transistor is controlled by a digital signal applied to a switch (Q2S, Q2S') connected to the gate of each current adjusting transistor. Each stage also includes a control circuit (Q1C, Q3C) for maintaining equal the drain voltages of its input and output transistors whereby the current changes introduced in the output current of the converter stage are functions of the relative geometric sizes of the input, output and current adjusting transistors comprising the converter stage.

Abstract: An earthquake resistant, roller-supported, modular, isocentric gantry for supporting and rotating a radiation beam transport and delivery system on an axis of rotation around a stationary patient so as to precisely deliver a treatment beam to a predetermined target isocenter within the patient from several different angles during patient treatment. The gantry is formed of three primary building blocks: a conical inner support structure, an outer segmented, modular truss structure and a ladder truss which may be assembled in the field to form an isocentric gantry.

Abstract: A hand held self-contained automated pipette for portable operation having an electrically operated digital linear actuator. The actuator preferably includes a stepper motor driving a rotor. A threaded screw is coaxially positioned within the rotor and is connected to an actuator shaft having elongate grooves slidable in a guide for preventing shaft rotation so that precise linear motion is imparted to the shaft. A pipetting displacement assembly having one of various sizes is removably attached for actuation by a common actuator including programmed movement of a displacing piston in a displacement cylinder to optimize air interface volume, neutralize variations in vacuum pipette effects, and provide an accommodated stroke and readout for improved accuracy while pipetting and/or titrating different ranges of volumes. Upon calibration the piston undertakes immediate excursion to an end of travel limit and after motor slippage is retracted to a home position.

Abstract: A whole-body patient positioning and repositioning support for fixedly securing a patient in an original position during radiation treatment and for repositioning the patient to the same original position for subsequent radiation treatments. The support includes a foamed-in-place mold within a disposable plastic shell carrying a grid of radio-opaque members for generating a patient registration grid on X-rays for use in the evaluation and adjusting of the position of the patient to the original position using a sheet or straps between the patient and the mold.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system mixing chamber having a motor-driven magnet situated beside an interior compartment wherein one or more stirring magnets are disposed for mixing solvents fed to the mixing chamber by appropriate metering pumps. A fitting is provided having an expandable ring seal, the fitting being insertable into the interior compartment for effecting a high-pressure seal for preventing leakage of the solvent mixture, while enabling access to the interior of the mixing chamber for maintenance purposes without the need for a tool.

Abstract: A proton beam therapy sysstem for selectively generating and transporting proton beams from a single proton source and accelerator to selected ones of a plurality of patient treatment stations each having a rotatable gantry for delivering the proton beam at different angles to patients supported in fixed orientations at the stations.