Abstract: A dissolvable repair device, and a method utilizing the same, that is intended to aid in the repair and healing of a perforation in body tissue, such as a nasal septum. The repair device is intended to be placed over the area of the perforation to act as a scaffolding for the regrowth of tissue over the perforation. The repair device is made from a bioerodable material that is dissolvable upon exposure to certain fluids, including body fluids. Over time, the repair device will dissolve, allowing sufficient time for tissue to regrow over the area of the perforation. Since the repair device is dissolvable, a surgical procedure is not required in order to remove the repair device.

Abstract: A septal splint that does not require surgical removal after implantation. The septal splint is designed to be dissolvable over a period of time, thereby eliminating the need to surgically remove the splint. Preferably, the splint dissolves within four weeks after placement. The dissolvable splint of the invention allows surgeons that provide services to rural and small medical facilities at infrequent intervals, such as once per month, to perform septoplasty procedures without requiring the surgeons to make special arrangements for follow-up visits to remove the splints. Furthermore, the dissolvable splint eliminates the need for a splint removal procedure, which is particularly difficult to perform with children.

Abstract: A high resolution delay line includes a coarse delay having a minimum period of delay and a fine delay having a total delay, wherein the total delay is equal to or greater than half the minimum period. Each delay can be implemented in analog or digital form and the delay line can be implemented with one portion in analog form and the remainder in digital form. The digital delay can provide a delay upward of 1,500 milliseconds. The fine delay provides a resolution of ten microseconds or less. An unknown delay is measured by coupling a signal into two channels, wherein the first channel includes the unknown delay and the second channel includes the coarse delay and the fine delay. The output signals from the channels are correlated while adjusting the coarse delay for maximum correlation and then adjusting the fine delay for maximum correlation.

Abstract: The signal in each channel of a stereo is modulated at an inaudible frequency by a replica of the original signal. The modulated signal is broadcast into a room by a loudspeaker and is picked up by a microphone. The microphone is coupled to the stereo, which includes a demodulator for separating the replica from the signal as received at the microphone. By comparing the replica with the demodulated signal, data is extracted to compensate for the acoustic characteristics of the loudspeaker and the room in which the loudspeaker is located.

Abstract: A robot positioning apparatus for use with robot devices having a movable portion, wherein the movable portion may be spatially oriented to, and controllably spaced from, a reference surface. Initial locating of the reference surface is accomplished by an approximate positioning subsystem using multiple, angularly oriented units which send and receive acoustic orientation positioning signals in search of the reference surface. Once a return signal is received, switching logic indentifies the necessary reorienting of the movable portion to achieve approximately the proper facing relationship of the movable portion to the surface. For precise positioning and ranging after the facing relation is established, a precision positioning subsystem emits an acoustic signal toward the surface, and a response signal is received back from the surface by at least two, and preferably three, receivers mounted upon the movable portion of the robot device.

Abstract: A robot positioning apparatus for use with robot devices having a movable portion, wherein the movable portion may be spatially oriented to, and controllably spaced from, a reference surface. Initial locating of the reference surface is accomplished by an approximate positioning subsystem using multiple, angularly oriented units which send and receive acoustic orientation positioning signals in search of the reference surface. Once a return signal is received, switching logic identifies the necessary reorienting of the movable portion to achieve approximately the proper facing relationship of the movable portion to the surface. For precise positioning and ranging after the facing relation is established, a precision positioning subsystem emits an acoustic signal toward the surface, and a response signal is received back from the surface by at least two, and preferably three, receivers mounted upon the movable portion of the robot device.

Abstract: An instrument for monitoring the surface characteristics of materials, whereby the surface is characterized by measurement of a current of photo-emitted electrons flowing from the surface to a collector on the instrument. The instrument directs ultra violet light against the surface being measured, and the photoelectrons emitted are characteristic of surface features such as oxide thickness, contamination, or fatigue. The current of electrons emitted from the surface is compared with previously established limits for surface quality to provide an acceptability test of the surface. The instrument is portable and does not require the use of a vacuum chamber.