Abstract: Methods for filling an internal volume of a liquid filled lens mechanism with fluid are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include creating a vacuum within the internal volume, de-aerating the fluid, filling the vacuum in the internal volume with the de-aerated fluid, and sealing the internal volume. In some embodiments, the methods include elevating a temperature of the fluid prior to sealing the internal volume. In some embodiments, the internal volume is formed by a structure having at least one flexible component.

Abstract: An endoscope realized as either a borescope or a fiberscope including one or more fluid filled lenses is described. In an embodiment, the optical power of the fluid filled lenses may be adjusted to adjust the focal length associated with the endoscope. Thus, variable working distances are allowable while maintaining focus on an object in front of the endoscope. The endoscope may include a distance sensor, which is used to determine a distance between the endoscope and a sample. A processor may compare the measured distance to the current optical power of the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses. The processor may transmit signals to one or more actuators coupled to one or more sealed fluid filed lenses to change the optical power of the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses based on the comparison.

Abstract: A binocular loupe containing one or more sealed fluid filled lenses is described. The binocular loupe includes one or more eyepieces, a distance sensor, and control electronics. In an embodiment, the optical power of the fluid filled lenses may be adjusted to adjust the focal length associated with the binocular loupe. The distance sensor may be used to determine a distance between the binocular loupe and a sample while a controller compares the measured distance to the current optical power of the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses. The controller may transmit signals to one or more actuators coupled to one or more sealed fluid filled lenses to change the optical power of the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses based on the comparison.

Abstract: An embodiment of a piezoelectric actuator system for a fluid-filled lens is described herein. A piezoelectric reservoir is provided encompassing a fluid. In an embodiment, the reservoir is disposed around the perimeter of a lens module within a housing. In an embodiment, electrodes are woven into the reservoir and connected to a power source. An applied potential causes the reservoir to flex with a magnitude and direction related to the amplitude and polarity respectively of the potential. In an embodiment, flexing of the reservoir causes fluid to either inflate or deflate the fluid-filled lens module.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a non-powered actuator arm for controlling liquid flow to a fluid-filled lens are described herein. A vertical tweezer assembly compresses a reservoir of solution in a first vertical direction by lateral disposition of a slider mounted on the outside of the housing. The assembly may also be shaped to provide compression of the reservoir in a second horizontal direction by lateral disposition of a slider. In another embodiment, a housing may contain a piston that moves laterally within the housing and collapses the reservoir disposed adjacent to the piston and also within the housing. The housing may contain a plurality of compressible domes which can each be compressed to cause a local compression on the reservoir disposed within the housing. Compression of the reservoir causes liquid inflation of a lens module.

Abstract: A non-round fluid lens assembly includes a non-round rigid lens and a flexible membrane attached to the non-round rigid lens, such that a cavity is formed between the non-round rigid lens and the flexible membrane. A reservoir in fluid communication with the cavity allows a fluid to be transferred into and out of the cavity so as to change the optical power of the fluid lens assembly. In an embodiment, a front surface of the non-round rigid lens is aspheric. Additionally or alternatively, a thickness of the flexible membrane may be contoured so that it changes shape in a spheric manner when fluid is transferred between the cavity and the reservoir.

Abstract: A medical tube has one or more permanent passive integrated transponders associated therewith that are capable of being located by a detection apparatus which senses the electromagnetic field strength gradient generated by each passive integrated transponder associated with the medical tube and indicates the value of the gradient to the user. In one embodiment, the passive integrated transponder is associated with the distal end of an endotracheal medical tube in a fixed orientation with an electromagnetic field pointing at a preferred angle of no more than 15 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the medical tube. The passive integrated transponder's static electromagnetic field is sensed by the detection apparatus and indicates the location of the distal end of the medical tube within a body.

Abstract: A mechanism allows for changing the optical strength of a liquid-filled lens having a cavity filled with fluid. A reservoir contains additional fluid and is in fluid communication with the cavity, and the mechanism draws fluid from the reservoir into the cavity or pulls fluid from the cavity back into the reservoir, whereby a change in the amount of fluid within the lens cavity changes the lens's optical strength. A membrane seals the reservoir, and a plunger impinges upon the membrane. A movement device, such as a barrel screw or lever, moves the plunger in a controlled manner toward the membrane to increase pressure within the reservoir and thereby force fluid out of the reservoir into the lens cavity, and away from the membrane to decrease pressure within the reservoir and thereby withdraw fluid from the lens cavity and into the reservoir.

Abstract: A variable focus optical apparatus including a rigid, curved, transparent optical component; two transparent, distensible membranes attached to a periphery of the rigid optical component to define two cavities, a first cavity between the rigid optical component and a first membrane and a second cavity between the first membrane and a second membrane; and a variable amount of fluid filling each of the cavities, and a reservoir containing additional fluid and in fluid communication with the cavity, wherein the reservoir is configured to provide injection of fluid into the cavity or withdrawal of fluid out of the cavity in response to a force or an impulse.

Abstract: A retractor tool for retracting target tissue is provided for use with a medical probe. The retractor tool includes a guide piece that defines a probe channel and at least one retractor arm channel. Further, the retractor tool at least one retractor arm, each retractor arm passing through a corresponding retractor arm channel.

Abstract: A medical device includes a device core and fluorescing molecules attached to the device core. The medical device may be formed in a variety of ways, including providing a medical device and coating at least a portion of the device with a polymer containing the fluorescing molecules, attaching a container containing the fluorescing molecules to a medical device, or molding a medical device from a polymer that includes the fluorescing molecules.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon. The hanger is characterized by a plate comprised of an integral support member, and an integral generally rectangular base frame made from the plate that lies in a first plane and an integral plurality of prongs that extend generally normal to the plate plane. The prong members may be at different elevations to ensure engagement with the cutaneous trunci muscle. The bacon hanger preferably includes a spaced extension which provides for a space between the pork belly and the plate member.

Abstract: A method of locating and identifying, during surgery, target regions within a body intended for excision of suspect tissue and/or removal of diseased organs or foreign objects, resides in implantation within the body proximate the suspect tissue or object prior to surgery of one or more passive integrated transponder tags and, at the time of and/or during surgery, scanning of the body with a radio frequency scanner or reader that activates the tag or tags and provides the surgeon with one or more signals indicative of the approximate location and unique identification of each of the tags, thereby to aid the surgeon in performance of the surgery. Verification of the success of the surgical procedure is obtained following surgery by scanning the site for absence of the tag or tags and/or by scanning the excised tissue for presence of the tag or tags.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon characterized by support member, and a generally rectangular base frame with a top bar and a bottom bar, and a series of generally L-shaped prong members attached to the base frame and defining a prong assembly extending laterally from the base frame. The prong members may be at different elevations to ensure engagement with the cutaneous trunci muscle. The hanger structure may be stabilized by a generally vertical rod connecting the base frame and the support member.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon. The hanger is characterized by a plate comprised of an integral support member, and an integral generally rectangular base frame made from the plate that lies in a first plane and an integral plurality of prongs that extend generally normal to the plate plane. The prong members may be at different elevations to ensure engagement with the cutaneous trunci muscle. The bacon hanger preferably includes a spaced extension which provides for a space between the pork belly and the plate member.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon characterized by support member, a force distributing strut member and a generally rectangular base frame with a top bar and a bottom bar, and a series of generally L-shaped prong members attached to the base frame and defining a prong assembly extending laterally from the base frame. The prong members are attached to the bottom bar opposite the side of the prong assembly. The force is distributed in the hanger structure from the support member to the base frame by a generally vertical force distributing rod connecting the base frame and the support member.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon which is characterized by a generally rectangular base frame with a top bar and a bottom bar, and a series of generally L-shaped prong members attached to the base frame and defining a prong assembly extending laterally from the base frame. The prong members are attached to the bottom bar opposite the side of the prong assembly. The prong assembly includes a cross bar spaced from and generally parallel to the base frame that defines a space between the cross bar of the prong assembly and the base frame. The space is designed to receive the latch of a mechanical device for removal of the hanger from the pork belly.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon which is characterized by a generally rectangular base frame with a top bar and a bottom bar, and a series of generally L-shaped prong members attached to the base frame and defining a prong assembly extending laterally from the base frame. The prong members are attached to the bottom bar opposite the side of the prong assembly. The bottom bar includes an offset extending laterally from the base frame in a direction opposite the prong assembly. The offset is designed to receive the latch of a mechanical device for removal of the hanger from the pork bellie.