Abstract: A system for providing therapeutic radiation to a predetermined tissue region within a body cavity of a living being utilizes an applicator arrangement which may, in a specific embodiment, comprise a pair of colpostats in conjunction with a tandem. The colpostats and tandem are formed of a material which is transparent to an imaging modality, such as CT scanning. Imaging-transparent source carriers containing dummy, or test, sources are placed in the colpostats. After the location of the colpostats, for example, has been determined, by imaging, the dummy source carriers are removed therefrom and replaced with selected source carriers containing actual radiation sources. The radiation source carriers further contain shielding which controls the strength and radiation pattern of the emitted radiation, all of which may be selected in response to the image.

Abstract: A system for guiding an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle through a field of operation having obstacles thereon to be avoided employs a memory for containing data which defines an array of grid cells which correspond to respective subfields in the field of operation of the vehicle. Each grid cell in the memory contains a value which is indicative of the likelihood, or probability, that an obstacle is present in the respectively associated subfield. The values in the grid cells are incremented individually in response to each scan of the subfields, and precomputation and use of a look-up table avoids complex trigonometric functions. A further array of grid cells is fixed with respect to the vehicle form a conceptual active window which overlies the incremented grid cells. Thus, when the cells in the active window overly grid cell having values which are indicative of the presence of obstacles, the value therein is used as a multiplier of the precomputed vectorial values.

Abstract: A system for scrambling and descrambling the image associated with a video signal employs the shifting in time of a video image after removal of synchronization and color burst reference signals. Coded data which contains information necessary for unscrambling the video image is transmitted in the video signal itself during the vertical blanking interval. A high level of simplification in the decoding is achieved by merely restoring synchronization and color reference data without the need for returning the video image to its original timing. This system provides the significant advantage of permitting unscrambling of the video image using inexpensive circuitry at the decoder end, while affording the operator of the transmitter to select whether the unscrambled signal is recordable using a conventional video tape recorder.

Abstract: An arrangement for collecting blood from a source of blood employs a filter chamber having a substantially predefined volume for accumulating the collected blood, and first and second access ports for receiving the collected blood and for venting the filter chamber, respectively. A protamine filter is arranged within the filter chamber, and preferably is formed of regenerated cellulose hollow fibers which have been activated with CNBr and have protamine immobilized thereon. The amount of protamine immobilized thereon is controlled in a variety of ways, prior to installation and sealing of the filter element within the filter chamber. In a practical embodiment, the first port of the filter chamber is coupled to a conventional cannula needle for communicating transdermally with a living being or through a membrane of a blood storage container. The second port is coupled to a conventional syringe which applies a suction for facilitating withdrawal of the blood.

Abstract: A system for comparing a subject image against a reference image for determining the closeness of match, or against a plurality of reference images for determining the one of the reference images which corresponds to the closest match. The closest match is determined in response to the extrema of light transmitted through complementary versions of the images. More specifically, the present system compares the true subject image against the complement of each reference image, and the complement of the subject image against each true reference image. Alternatively, the true subject image is compared against each true reference image, and the complement of the subject image against each complement reference image. The particular reference image which achieves a preselected minimum or maximum of transmitted light for each such comparison is selected as the image which most closely matches the subject image.

Abstract: A microcarrier bead system for culturing anchorage-dependent cells is formed of a polystyrene core with a coating of collagen fixed thereover. In certain embodiments, the coating is a protein, such as laminin or fibronectin. The microcarrier bead is of low density, illustratively 1.02 g/cc, and therefore requires less agitation of the nutrient media to maintain suspension. This reduced stirring causes lower shear forces to impinge upon the cells, thereby improving the attachment and proliferation of the cells being cultured. The microcarrier bead of the present invention exhibits surprising advantages with respect to cell attachment and harvesting over beads formed entirely of collagen, or of DEAE-dextran coated with collagen. During harvesting, contamination of the product resulting from dissolved collagen, particularly when proteolytic enzymes are used, is minimized. Additionally, adsorption of toxins and product by the subject microcarrier beads is minimized.

Abstract: A cadaver preparation station which is particularly adapted for embalming and dissecting a cadaver is provided with a pair of air exhaust vents in the form of longitudinal slits mounted on a tray support so as to extending along either side of a tray on which the cadaver rests. The air exhaust vents eliminate noxious and potentially carcinogenic formaldehyde fumes, as well as reduce offensive odors. The tray has a drain hole therethrough which, when the tray is installed on the tray support, is disposed over a sink. A deployable system of flush fluid conduits with nozzles affixed thereto maintain a fluid flush on the tray. Thus, excess embalming fluid, tissues, and discharges from the cadaver are caused to flow along the tray and through its drain hole into the sink. The sink has a rim flush system associated therewith for maintaining a continuous water flush. A comminuting arrangement in the drain of the sink facilitates disposal of tissues and clots.

Abstract: A dosage system for administering drugs and conducting gastric flow studies is configured in the form of a multiplicity of substantially spherical subunits which have advantageously preselected particle diameter and density to customize the flow rate of the subunits with respect to the rate of flow of at least certain portions of the chyme. The diameter and density are related to one another in accordance with a relationship: ##EQU1## where N.sub.V is a dimensionless group having a predetermined value representing gastric residence time, g is the gravitational constant, .DELTA.p is the difference in density between the subunits and the chyme, and <v> is the linear velocity of the chyme. The flow rate of the subunits can be made slower, faster, or substantially equal to that of the chyme, as required to treat certain disease states. Also, the subunits can be provided with an enteric coating which permits more precise administration of certain drugs, such as those used in enzyme supplementation therapy.

Abstract: An arrangement for counting detectable events, such as scintillation events in a specimen sample utilizes first and second detector elements arranged on either side of the sample. The first detector is of the type which is able to produce information relative to the position of the event in the sample. The second detector generates a timing signal responsive to the detected event. In certain embodiments, the first detector also issues a timing signal in response to the detection of the event, and both timing signals are compared for temporal coincidence, whereupon circuitry for determining the position of the detectable event is triggered. The total energy of the event can be obtained from addition of the analog amplitudes of the timing signals. In certain embodiments, the second detector also produces position information, and the first and second detectors may provide respective coordinate values of a coordinate pair.

Abstract: Novel radioiodinated analogues of naturally occurring phospholipid ethers are tumor-specific to enable selective visualization of neoplastic lesions by gamma-camera scintigraphy. The novel compounds enable a physician to differentiate neoplastic lesions from non-neoplastic lesions in a manner not heretofore available.

Abstract: An intelligent vehicle-highway system utilizes a transmitter installed on the vehicle for communicating with modules having memory elements for storing site-specific information, a receiver for receiving an enabling signal from the transceiver on the vehicle, and a transmitter for making the site-specific information available to the operator of the vehicle. The data storage system is installed in the vicinity of the roadway, such as alongside of the roadway, overhead of the roadway, or preferably embedded in the roadway itself so as to ensure communciation with vehicles within predetermined lanes. In a highly advantageous embodiment, the site-specific data can be changed by reprogramming an erasable memory with a memory programmer, which may be installed on a programming vehicle which is authorized to travel on the roadway for the purpose of reprogramming the data within the data storage systems. Such reprogramming may use access codes which prevent tampering with the stored data.

Abstract: A system for locating the position of a source of a detectable emittance is particularly adapted for locating the position of a scintillation event in a scintillation crystal which has arranged adjacent thereto a plurality of photomultiplier tubes arranged in a predetermined configuration for detecting the scintillation event. In a single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) embodiment, a system which utilizes the present invention is initialized by storing weighting factors which are derived from placing a source of radiation in a plurality of known locations. The output values of the photomultiplier tubes are stored in a calibration file and subjected to a mathematical process to produce the weighting factors which are subsequently stored in a memory. During operation of the system, the signal values from the photomultiplier tubes are combined with the weighting factors to produce weighted signals which are then summed together to produce a composite weighted signal.

Abstract: A lens system for a beam of energetic ions employs a focusing element in combination with a defocusing element. In a preferred embodiment, the focusing element is in the form of an electromagnetic lens, such as a solenoid, through which is propagated the beam of energetic ions. Also in the beam path is provided a defocusing element which also may be in the form of an electromagnetic element, such as a solenoid, or a magnetic element, such as a magnetic dipole. Alternatively, an electrostatic defocusing element may be employed in the practice of the invention. In a magnetic embodiment, defocusing is achieved by propagating the beam of energetic ions around the exterior of the defocusing element. The focusing element may be of the electrostatic variety, such as a radial an electric field lens. In other embodiments, a further focusing element, or a further defocusing element may be arranged in the beam path.

Abstract: Novel iodinated arylaliphatic triglyceride analogs as radiologic agents are liver and hepatocyte site-specific. The triglyceride backbone structure is preferably 1,3-disubstituted or 1,2,3-trisubstituted with, in some embodiments, a 3-substituted-2,4,6-triiodophenyl aliphatic chain wherein the chain has a structure similar to naturally occuring fatty acids. In another embodiment, a monoiodophenyl aliphatic chain is utilized. Any position remaining on the triglyceride backbone is substituted with a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain of the type found in naturally occurring fatty acids. The triglyceride analogs can be radioiodinated. In a preferred embodiment, a lipid emulsion is provided as the carrier vehicle.

Abstract: A quasi-periodic sequence of a plurality of types of layers is produced by selecting successive subsequences of the layers in response to at least one prior subsequence of the layers and a predetermined substitution matrix. In one specific illustrative embodiment, the substitution matrix is such that each successive term of a series corresponds to a Fibonacci sequence. Quasi-periodic structures produced in accordance with the present invention are produced simply and inexpensively without the need for very stringent manufacturing tolerances and controls. Optical embodiments of the invention yield highly desirable characteristics with respect to incident radiation in the ranges of X-rays, ultaviolet, and visible light. Additionally, electrical devices having unusual electrical characteristics can be produced.

Abstract: A system for locating the position of a source of a detectable emittance is particularly adapted for locating the position of a scintillation event in a scintillation crystal which has arranged adjacent thereto a plurality of photomultiplier tubes arranged in a predetermined configuration for detecting the scintillation event. In a single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) embodiment, a system which utilizes the present invention is initialized by storing weighting factors which are derived from placing a source of radiation in a plurality of known locations. The output values of the photomultiplier tubes are stored in a calibration file and subjected to a mathematical process to produce the weighting factors which are subsequently stored in a memory. During operation of the system, the signal values from the photomultiplier tubes are combined with the weighting factors to produce weighting signals which are then summed together to produce a composite weighted signal.

Abstract: An evironment which is protected from fire employs a nozzle arrangement having three discharge apertures for distributing a fire suppression fluid such as HALON. The environment is arranged in a predetermined area or space having an odd shape, such as an L-shape, and is adequately protected with a single nozzle arrangement. The nozzle arrangement is characterized by a chamber for receiving the fire suppression fluid at a rate of flow sufficient to supply the fire suppression fluid to the three apertures in conformance with applicable specifications, such as those established by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. The discharge apertures in the nozzle arrangement are in the form of through-holes arranged in the chamber wall. Preferably, the apertures are arranged at 90.degree. increments around the chamber wall, whereby the fire suppression fluid is discharged in diametrically opposed directions, and orthogonal thereto.

Abstract: A novel approach is employed for attaching an aircraft tug to the nosewheel tire assembly of an airplane. A tire capturing mechanism comprising a pivoting capture arm and a transversally adjustable crossbar opens to allow positioning of the capturing mechanism around and beneath the portion of said tire that is not in contact with the runway surface. After tire capture is accomplished, said capturing mechanism is elevated off the runway surface by a lifting mechanism, so that the entire portion of the weight of said airplane supported by said tire is borne by said aircraft tug. A universal tire clamping mechanism is employed to secure said tire firmly to said capturing mechanism.

Abstract: A photodetector system for producing electrical signals responsive to the orientation of a light source, such as the sun, with respect thereto utilizes a diffuser to eliminate position-dependent sensitivities of the photocathode. The extent to which the diffuser or the photocathode itself is exposed to the incident radiation can be controlled by a shroud or by applying an absorptive coating in a predetermined pattern on an absorber cap, or on the diffuser directly. The shroud, by its configuration and its height above the photodetector, defines the range of angles of elevation and azimuth at which the diffuser can be illuminated. Such angles can also be controlled with printed or sprayed-on markings on the diffuser or absorber cover which form an opaque coating so as to prevent light transmission over predetermined regions. A fine dot pattern may be applied to the diffuser or the absorber cover, so that only partial transmission of the light can be achieved therethrough.

Abstract: Novel radioiodinated analogues of naturally-occurring cholestrol esters, arylaliphatic cholesteryl ethers, are selective for low density lipoproteins and have been shown to be successful imaging agents for adrenal glands. The arylaliphatic cholesteryl ethers have the general formula: ##STR1## where X is a radioactive isotope of iodine and n is an integer between 1 and 20. Two illustrative examples, m-iodobenzyl cholesteryl ether and 12-(m-iodophenyl) dodecyl cholesteryl ether, were radiolabeled with .sup.125 I by an isotope exchange reaction. Tissue distribution studies indicate significant accumulation of the cholesteryl ethers in the adrenal glands, and to a lesser extent in the liver. The cholesteryl ethers selectively incorporate into plasma lipoproteins as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.