Abstract: A method and system for clear signal capture comprehend several individual aspects that address specific problems in improved ways. In addition, the method and system also comprehend a hands-free implementation that is a practical solution to a very complex problem. Individual aspects comprehended related to echo and noise reduction, and divergence control.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus that is attached to the objective lens of a microscope to split its field of view into at least two. In one embodiment, a mirrored gonio lens is snapped to the objective of an ophthalmic surgical microscope to provide a view of the eye's anterior surface and a view of the eye's anterior chamber.

Abstract: Example embodiments include a dynamic wavefront sensor, a controllable wavefront offsetting element and a controller that controls the controllable wavefront offsetting element to offset selected non-plane wave aberration components in order to allow remaining non-plane wave aberration components to be more efficiently detected and measured.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method to not limit the device's manipulation of the data to that of the manufacturer, but to allow greater freedom for customization by the individual user for their preference.

Abstract: In one embodiment, R and B values for each G pixel element are interpolated and the RGB values are converted to HSI values. The converted HSI values are interpolated to determine interpolated HSI values for the R and B pixel elements and then the interpolated HSI values are converted to RGB values.

Abstract: A method and system for clear signal capture comprehend several individual aspects that address specific problems in improved ways. In addition, the method and system also comprehend a hands-free implementation that is a practical solution to a very complex problem. Individual aspects comprehended related to echo and noise reduction, and divergence control.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a body of deformable material capable of retaining different shapes. The body comprises a slotted wall defining a cavity for receiving a bone of the middle ear. The wall is deformable proximate slots in the wall between an open position for receiving the bone and a closed position wherein the body is reshaped to grasp the bone.

Abstract: A digital camera that combines the functions of the retinal camera and/or corneal camera into one, single, small, easy to use instrument includes features such as image and laser spot stabilization, an LED light source, stereo corneal imaging, polarizing reflection reduction, visual function testing, and so on.

Abstract: Reference media data and monitored media data are accessed. Media data may be accessed as streams of media data, as media data stored in a memory, or any combination thereof. A first pattern of first media content (e.g., a video event) and a second pattern of second media content (e.g., an audio event) are identified in the reference media data, and their corresponding counterparts are identified in the monitored media data as a third pattern of first media content (e.g., a video event) and a fourth pattern of second media content (e.g., an audio event). After these patterns are identified, a first time interval is determined between two of the patterns, and a second time interval is determined between two of the patterns. A difference between the two time intervals is then determined and stored in a memory. This difference may be presented as a media synchronization error.

Abstract: Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.

Abstract: An adaptive sequential wavefront sensor comprises a sub-wavefront focusing lens, a sequential wavefront scanning device, a variable aperture, a position sensing device, and means for coordinating the operation of the wavefront scanning device, the variable aperture and the position sensing device. An adaptive sequential wavefront sensing method comprises the steps of sequentially projecting portions of a wavefront as image spots on a position sensing device, determining the deflection of each received image spot from a reference point on the position sensitive device, and coordinating the operation of a variable aperture with the operation the sequential projection and image position sensing. The adaptive sequential wavefront sensor has high speed, large dynamic range and variable spatial resolution, and hence can be used for real time measurement of the dynamics of eye accommodation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for characterizing organisms by identifying the presence, absence, size or sequence polymorphism of intronic regions. The method involves selecting intronic regions from nuclear or organellar gene sequences that are useful for differentiating between and among taxonomic groupings of organisms. Such intronic regions can be analyzed directly or after amplification in a primer extension reaction. The amplification product is then analyzed by, for example, size fractionation, nucleotide sequencing or (RFLP). Intronic regions that contain an open reading frame encoding all or a portion of a protein can be used to generate antibodies to detect the presence or absence of the protein, which indicates the presence or absence of the intronic region. Methods of detecting an organism in a sample by detecting the presence or absence of one or more intronic regions also are provided using nucleic acid based or immunological based approaches.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of transmitting a file having an advertising portion and a requested portion different from the advertising portion. The method includes receiving a request to transmit the file, via a streaming protocol allowing non-sequential access, transmitting the advertising portion of the file, receiving a request to transmit a portion of the requested portion of the file prior to completing transmitting the advertising portion of the file, completing the transmission of the advertising portion of the file, and transmitting the requested portion of the file.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a one piece disk shaped prosthesis including a generally circular malleable body including a bore. The body engages a tympanic membrane and the bore receives a head of a stapes when implanted in a middle ear. More particularly, the middle ear prosthesis comprises a body comprising an annular head, a collar, and a plurality of radially extending members connecting the head to the collar. The head engages a tympanic membrane and the collar receives a head of a stapes when implanted in a middle ear.

Abstract: A light delivery technique includes optical configurations as well as the associated methods that generate a ring beam from a linear light source. In one embodiment, a remote light source module delivers illumination light to a fundus camera and/or slit lamp. In another embodiment, an arrangement combines the use of a light pipe homogenizer and a ring beam transformer for efficiently collecting light from a substantially axially linear light source, homogenizing the collected light that lacks low angle flux relative to the optical axis, and transforming the light into a ring beam with a substantially improved low angle flux distribution. In still another embodiment, light emitted from a substantially axially linear light source is directly collected by a curved surface mirror and spatially filtered into a ring beam.

Abstract: In embodiments of optical arrangements of a working distance sensor in a fundus camera that can improve the determination of a correct working distance as well as the transverse positioning of the camera a number of near infrared light sources are arranged to project a number of near infrared illumination beams into the visible light illumination path of the fundus camera and a live view of the retina under near infrared illumination is captured and displayed on a monitor. These embodiments of optical arrangements and associated methods will enable an operator to directly determine if there is any undesirable flare or other artifact appearing within a designated region on the infrared retina view as a result of a wrong alignment of the fundus camera with respect to the eye in terms of not only the working distance but also the horizontal and vertical positions. Pattern recognition algorithms can be used to further enhance the positioning sensitivity of the working distance sensor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of transmitting a file having an advertising portion and a requested portion different from the advertising portion. The method includes receiving a request to transmit the file, via a streaming protocol allowing non-sequential access, transmitting the advertising portion of the file, receiving a request to transmit a portion of the requested portion of the file prior to completing transmitting the advertising portion of the file, completing the transmission of the advertising portion of the file, and transmitting the requested portion of the file.

Abstract: A system for distributing information over communications systems comprising a question database, a solution database, a set of protocols, a user information system, a selecting system, and a filtering system. The question database contains questions related to the information to be distributed. The solution database contains solution elements related to the information to be distributed. The set of protocols links at least one of the questions in the question database with at least one of the solution elements in the solution database. The user information system allows a user to enter user data related to the user. The selecting system allows the user to select one or more questions from the question database to generate a set of selected questions.

Abstract: An agitator blade and toner cartridge that enables a higher capacity of toner while lowering the load exerted by the print engine motor as toner is agitated. This allows for greater efficiency at low toner levels as the blade is brought closer to the inner wall of the cartridge toner tank. The blade consists of an axially directed axle shaft having a plurality of rigid, radially directed ribs A plurality of cross bar members are mounted between each pair of ribs. Each cross bar includes axially extended, rib-engaging wings. The wings are mounted so that the cross bars are generally prevented from passing between the ribs when the cross bars are driven by the ribs in the normal direction of agitator rotation. The toner cartridge can include a volume extension member that is sized to fit within the empty space of a corresponding print engine.

Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis delivery system having an ossicular prosthesis including an enlarged head and a shaft axially, moveably mounted to the head to adjust shaft length. An elongate main body having an operating portion, including a cylindrical through bore, connected to an adjusting portion, including a generally semi-cylindrical upwardly opening channel coaxial with the bore. An end wall at a distal end of the adjusting portion includes a through passage coaxial with the channel and an upwardly opening cavity. An elongate cylindrical plunger has a claw at one end. The plunger is received in the bore with the claw in the channel and an opposite end extending outwardly of the operating portion. The ossicular prosthesis' shaft is positioned in the channel with the head received in the cavity and the plunger is rotatable in the bore to capture the shaft and is reciprocally moveable in the bore to adjust shaft length of the ossicular prosthesis.