Abstract: A wafer holder assembly includes first and second main structural members from which first and second wafer-holding arms extend. The first arm is secured to the main structural members by a graphite distal retaining member. The second arm is pivotally biased to a wafer-hold position by a graphite bias member. This arrangement provides a conductive path from the wafer to the assembly for inhibiting electrical discharges from the wafer during the ion implantation process. The assembly can further include additional graphite retaining members for maintaining the structural integrity of the assembly during the extreme conditions associated with SIMOX wafer processing without the need for potentially wafer-contaminating adhesives and conventional fasteners. The wafer-contacting pins at the distal end of the arms can be formed from silicon. The silicon pins can be coated with titanium nitride to enhance electrical contact with the wafer and to provide an abrasion resistant surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of reducing human skin wrinkles, including applying a focused ultrasound beam to a region of human skin to stimulate or irritate a dermis layer in the region of the skin without adversely damaging an epidermis layer in the region of the skin so as to cause a change in the dermis layer of the skin that results in a change in a smoothness of the epidermis layer of the skin. In particular, relatively low power, low frequency focused ultrasound is applied to the dermis layer for a period of time sufficient to cause a biological response in the body wherein the biological response causes synthesis and/or production of new connective tissue that results in reduction or elimination of human skin wrinkles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for warming a typist's hands to provide relief from arthritis, muscle fatigue, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and general discomfort. A radiative hand warming apparatus is disclosed, including a source of hand-warming radiation, and a holder for supporting the radiation source in proximity to a keyboard or other manual operation device, such that the user's hands can be warmed by radiant energy during typing. In one embodiment, the source of hand-warming radiation emits radiation having an intensity of about 10 to about 750 milliwatts/square centimeter as measured at the typist's hands. The radiation source can be, for example, an infrared (IR) radiation source. Such an infrared radiation source preferably emits IR radiation in at least a portion of the spectrum from about 1 to about 30 micrometers.

Abstract: A plurality of stations (S), for instance measuring probes, preferably comprising respective microprocessors (KL), are connected successively to a common two-wire line (SL). Supply voltages and synchronization signals are distributed through this line (SL) from a central unit (CU), and at the same time a full duplex communication between single stations (S) and the central unit (CU) is enabled.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing substances, preferably small quantities of liquids, including a container formed by two sheets, interconnected by hot sealing and cooperating to form a compartment for receiving the liquid and a pocket for receiving a brush. In the area between the compartment and the pocket, the connection between the sheets includes a pre-defined break zone which can be released by pressure exerted on the compartment, to force the liquid from the compartment into the pocket and wet the tip of the brush disposed therein.

Abstract: A phototherapy device which can include an optical fiber having a perfluorinated polymer outer buffer coating, and an optical element, such as a GRIN lens or a mirror, disposed at its distal end. A tubular housing encases the optical element and is thermally bonded to at least a portion of the buffer. The component elements of the device can be constructed of materials having similar thermal characteristic to inhibit the effect of heat cycling on the device. In addition, the materials of the device, and in particular the housing, can be selected to inhibit wear and scrapping of the lumen of the delivery instrument during use. A marker band can be positioned about the optical fiber to facilitate viewing of the phototherapy device in-vivo.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for removal of biological tissue slices or layers, preferably in the form of lamellar sections of predetermined shape and thickness employing a reference member that engages a target tissue site and cooperates with a cutter in order to remove the tissue segment or lamella. The cutter can include a flexible cutting element such as a wire or band element that is brought into physical contact with a guiding edge integrated with, or otherwise coupled to, the reference member. Alternatively, the cutter can include a stiff rigid blade element that is maintained in contact with the guiding edge. The cutter is drawn along a path defined by the guide edge through the tissue to sever, at least partially, a tissue section. In one particularly useful aspect of the invention, devices for keratectomy are disclosed employing an ocular reference member that engages the upper central region of the cornea and cooperates with a cutter to remove a lamellar segment from the cornea.

Abstract: Electrodes arrays for monitoring in vivo electrical activity are disclosed. The arrays include a plurality of electrode contact pads in a predetermined spatial orientation held together by a structural matrix material that is preferably bioresorbable. The electrode pads are connected via lead wires to monitoring, analysis, and recording apparatus. The electrode arrays can be individually prepared, and configured (e.g., by irregular spacing between the electrode contact pads) to conform to the region undergoing analysis. Because the matrix material is substantially resorbed in the course of the protocol, the individual electrode cables will no long be attached to each other (or in the case of branching electrodes, the branches will no longer be fixed in position). In either instance, the electrode cables (or trunk and branches) can be removed without a second major operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for non-invasive measurement of blood velocity in otherwise inaccessible body regions, and for correlating such measurements with externally applied pressure to detect and/or assess diseases or physiological abnormalities. The blood velocity measurements can be based on the Doppler shift that occurs when an ultrasonic wave is scattered by moving particles within the blood. Since blood vessels have elastic walls, the geometry of the walls, and therefore the flow dynamics, will change in response to elevated in vivo pressure. The change in resistance to blood flow resulting from these pressure induced changes to the blood vessel wall geometry can provide a measure of intracranial pressure, ophthalmic pressure or various other body conditions that affect blood perfusion.

Abstract: A completely implantable apparatus is provided for treatment of tissue surrounding a cavity left by surgical removal of a brain tumor. The apparatus includes an inflatable balloon constructed for placement in the cavity. A subcutaneously implantable treatment fluid receptacle is provided for receiving a transdermal injection of a treatment fluid. A catheter connects the receptacle to the inflatable balloon. Various embodiments provide for simultaneous application of heat therapy and/or radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy to the remaining tissue surrounding the cavity from which the tumor was removed.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, materials and systems for devitalizing hair follicles are disclosed in which magnetically susceptible particles are applied to a skin segment in a manner whereby the particles are deposited within the hair follicles and then subjected to a varying magnetic field to induce localized heating in the proximity of the particle, thereby devitalizing at least one component of the hair follicle to inhibit further hair growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the use of at least one serotype or a combination of serotypes of Botulinum neurotoxin either alone or in combination with other peptides or fusion proteins, that when administered in a safe and effective amount, antagonize and therefore decrease or block inflammation induced by the neurogenic mechanisms underlying or associated with inflammatory disorders, in particular, arthritis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for corneal reprofiling are disclosed in which a beam-swapping assembly is employed to redirect rays of ablative radiation passing through the assembly. Essentially, the beam-swapping assembly turns the beam profile "inside out" redirecting the inner most rays to the periphery of the beam while redirecting the outer rays at the same time to the center of the beam. The beam-swapping assembly can be used in conjunction with a beam-shaper, such as an adjustable iris or other beam-shaping device, to create convoluted annular ablation patterns of variable depth and, thereby, perform hyperopia and/or astigmatism correcting procedures.

Abstract: A beam profiler comprising: an intensity modifier constructed and arranged to separately modify the intensity profile of different subbeam portions of an initial beam to thereby create respective subbeams each having a respective predetermined modification; and a subbeam-directing optical system constructed and arranged to direct the multiple subbeams along respective subbeam beam paths that substantially overlap in an overlap plane, whereby, a resulting beam of radiation is created at the overlap plane that has an intensity profile equal to the optical incoherent summation of the predetermined intensity profiles of said overlapping subbeams. The intensity modifier preferably comprises an array of intensity-modifying profiling elements disposed across the initial beam each producing a corresponding subbeam.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the treatment of volume deficiency disorders of body structures and related syndromes, and more particularly to devices that deliver fluid at a controlled pressure into a balloon situated within or adjacent a body cavity to effect tissue expansion. The invention also provides methods for expanding volumetrically deficient structures. Methods of delivering fluid at a controlled pressure into an inflatable balloon are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for removal of biological tissue slices or layers, preferably in the form of lamellar sections of predetermined shape and thickness employing a reference member that engages a target tissue site and cooperates with a cutter in order to remove the tissue segment or lamella. The cutter preferably includes a flexible cutting element such as a wire or band element that is brought into physical contact with a guiding edge of the reference member and then draw along a path defined by the guide edge through the tissue to sever, at least partially, a tissue section. In one particularly useful aspect of the invention, methods and apparatus for keratectomy are disclosed employing an ocular reference member that engages the upper central region of the cornea and cooperates with a cutter to remove a lamellar segment from the cornea.

Abstract: A heteroepitaxial semiconductor device having reduced density of threading dislocations and a process for forming such a device. According to one embodiment, the device includes a substrate which is heat treated to a temperature in excess of 1000.degree. C., a film of arsenic formed on the substrate at a temperature between 800.degree. C. and 840.degree. C., a GaAs nucleation layer of less than 200 angstroms and formed at a temperature between about 350.degree. C. and 450.degree. C., and a plurality of stacked groups of layers of InP, wherein adjacent InP layers are formed at different temperatures.

Abstract: An improved interferometer measuring system that corrects for errors in the determination of the position of a measurement reflector along a measurement path due to the presence of an atmosphere (e.g. atmospheric turbulence) along the path is disclosed. The system includes a two-wavelength interferometer for measuring the atmosphere and a basic length interferometer for a basic measurement of a change in position of the measurement reflector. A calibration procedure for correcting the basic measurements made by the basic length interferometer uses first and second correction coefficients related to the average refractivity of the atmosphere and the change in the refractivity of the atmosphere, respectively. The coefficients can be determined by interferometric measurements or from a combination of interferometric measurements and data from an atmospheric sensor(s), including a humidity sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping an article, such as a bale of silage, in a stretchable polymeric film comprising a pair of stretch rollers for stretching the film, a film dispenser for delivering the film to the stretch rollers and means for rotating the article to take up stretched film from the stretch rollers. The means for driving the stretch rollers comprises at least one first hydraulic motor, and the means for rotating the article comprises at least one second hydraulic motor, and the at least one first hydraulic motor and the at least one second hydraulic motor are connected in series. The at least one second hydraulic motor is run at least partially on the exhaust from the at least one first hydraulic motor such that the ratio of outputs of the at least one first hydraulic motor and the at least one second hydraulic motor is fixed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring a property of a sample using low resolution Raman spectroscopy. The apparatus includes a multi-mode laser element, a wavelength dispersion element, a detector, and a processor. The multi-mode laser element irradiates a sample with laser radiation to produce a Raman spectrum. The collection element collects the radiation scattered from the molecules of the sample and transmits the scattered radiation to the dispersion element. The dispersion element disperses the scattered radiation into different wavelength components. The detection array detects the different wavelength components. A processor processes data from the detector array to identify a constituent or to measure a property of the sample. The apparatus preferably has a resolution of between 30 cm.sup.-1 and 50 cm.sup.-1. The resolution of the apparatus being determined in part by the spectral full width at half maximum of the multi-mode laser, and, in part, by the dispersion element.