Abstract: An optical device for increasing the brightness of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source by folding the electromagnetic radiation back on itself. The source of electromagnetic radiation has a first width, a first input end of a first light pipe has a second width, and a second input end of a second light pipe has a third width. An output end of the first light pipe may be reflective, while an output end of the second light pipe may be transmissive. The source is located substantially proximate to a first focal point of a first reflector to produce rays of radiation that reflect from the first reflector to a second reflector and substantially converge at a second focal point; and the input ends of the first and second light pipes are located proximate to the second focal point to collect the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a telecommunication. The present provides a method for editing a first digital signal such as a constant bit rate digital signal in a cable head end. The present method uses a step of providing a first constant bit rate information stream (e.g., multiple constant bit rate streams), where the first constant bit rate stream includes a plurality of variable bit rate streams. Each of the variable bit rate streams correspond to a program, e.g., television program. The method removes one or more of the variable bit rate streams from the first constant bit rate stream, and converts the first constant bit rate stream without the one or more variable bit rate streams into a second constant bit rate stream. A step of transferring the second constant bit rate stream to a user location is included. The present invention uses a transcoding technique to edit the first constant bit rate stream without interfering with video picture quality at the user location.

Abstract: A waveguide polarization recovery system both polarizes the input light energy for use with an LCD imager and converts the polarity of unusable light energy to add to the illumination of the LCD imager. The compact polarization recovery waveguide system generally includes: (1) an input waveguide that provides non-polarized light energy into the system; (2) an output waveguide that receives polarized light energy from the system; (3) a polarized beam splitter that received the light energy from the input waveguide and transmits lights energy of a first polarization type and reflects light energy of a second polarization type, and (4) a wave plate that modifies the polarization of either the transmitted or reflected light energy. The polarization recovery system also generally includes one or more mirrors that are positioned as need to direct the transmitted and the reflected light energy to the output waveguide. The input and output waveguides may be shaped as needed by the projection system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment and diagnosis of conditions, disorders, or diseases involving cell death. The invention encompasses protective nucleic acids which, when introduced into a cell predisposed to undergo cell death or in the process of undergoing cell death, prevent, delay, or rescue the cell from death relative to a corresponding cell into which no exogenous nucleic acids have been introduced. The invention encompasses nucleic acids of the protective sequence, host cell expression systems of the protective sequence, and hosts that have been transformed by these expression systems, including transgenic animals. The invention also encompasses novel protective sequence products, including proteins, polypeptides and peptides containing amino acid sequences of the proteins, fusion proteins of proteins, polypeptides and peptides, and antibodies directed against such gene products.

Abstract: A less irritating cleaning composition is provided containing only naturally derived components. The composition preferably comprises lactic acid or other C2-C6 organic acid, alkyl polyglucoside, alkyl glucoester and collagen protein.

Abstract: An adaptor assembly for coupling light guide connectors of varying configurations to a structure housing a source of focused light includes an internal adaptor having an internal optic guide element, a coupling structure, a housing, and a connector locking mechanism. The coupling structure can be inserted into and releasably retained within the structure housing the focused light. A light guide connector is inserted into a light guide receiving channel formed in the housing and is releasably retained therein by the connector locking mechanism. An internal optic guide element extends through the coupling structure to transmit focused light from the source of focused light to the light guide connector inserted into the connector-receiving channel. The housing includes heat dissipating elements to facilitate dissipation of heat generated at the interface between the optic guide element and the light guide of the connector.

Abstract: An optical system includes a coupling for transmitting light between one single fiber light guide and multiple single fiber light guides. The interface surfaces coupling the single fiber light guide to the multiple light guides have polygonal cross-sectional shapes, and the interface surface of the single fiber light guide is substantially covered by the interface surfaces of the multiple single fiber light guides. The single fiber light guide on one side of the coupling and the multiple single fiber light guides on the opposite side of the coupling each have a smoothly tapered contracting section extending away from the respective interface surfaces.

Abstract: An optical device for increasing the brightness of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source and coupled into a target by folding the electromagnetic radiation back on itself. The optical device includes the source of electromagnetic radiation, which has a first width; a first light pipe with a first input end and a reflective end, the first input end having a second width; a second light pipe disposed parallel to the first light pipe, the second light pipe further having a second input end juxtaposed to the first input end of the first light pipe and an output end, the second input end having a third width; a first reflector having a first optical axis and a first focal point on the first optical axis; and a second reflector having a second optical axis and a second focal point on the second optical axis disposed substantially symmetrically to the first reflector such that the first optical axis is substantially collinear with the second optical axis.

Abstract: An optical coupling element for use in large numerical aperture collecting and condensing systems. The optical coupling element includes a lens having a curved surface and a tapered light pipe. The curved surface reduces the angle of incidence of the light striking the input end of the optical coupling element such that the Fresnel reflection is greatly reduced. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source is collected and focused onto a target by positioning the source of electromagnetic radiation at a first focal point of a first reflector so that the source produces rays of radiation reflected from the first reflector that converge at a second focal point of the second reflector. The optical coupling element is positioned so that a center of the lens is substantially proximate with the second focal point of the second reflector and the curved surface is between the second reflector and the center.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector assembly comprising (1) a first adapter that releasably connects to light source and transmits optical energy received from the light source along a first optical waveguide; (2) a second adapter that releasably connects to first adapter to receive and transmit optical energy along a second optical waveguide; and (3) an output optical waveguide that receives the transmitted optical energy from the second waveguide and has a proximal connector adapted to fixedly engage the second adapter. In one embodiment, the proximal connector has a slot that allows for the insertion of a clip, and the second adapter has a detente that mechanically engages the clip when it is inserted into the slot in the proximal connector. In this way, the second adapter is fixedly coupled to the proximal connector but may also rotate in relation to the output connector.

Abstract: A method and system for condensing and collecting electromagnetic radiation comprised generally of a radiation source, a reflector and a target is disclosed. The reflector has a reflecting surface for reflecting the radiation from the source which is in the shape of a cut out portion of an ellipsoid. The reflector surface has a substantially ellipsoidal curvature which is concave relative to both the target and the source, and which has a major axis, a minor axis, and a first and second focal points. The system of the present invention redirects radiation emitted from the source, located near the first focal point of the ellipsoid, to produce a magnified image of the source at the target, located near the second focal point of the ellipsoid. To acheive this spot size magnification, the ellipsoidal reflector surface comprises a portion of an ellipsoid which lies between the major and minor axes of the ellipsoid.

Abstract: A method and system for condensing and collecting electromagnetic radiation onto a target surface comprised generally of a radiation source, a primary reflector and a retro-reflector having a shape complementary to the shape of the primary reflector is disclosed. The primary reflector has a reflecting surface for reflecting the radiation from the source which is substantially concave in shape. The radiation source emits substantially uniform radiation flux in substantially all directions which is collected by the primary reflector and redirected toward the target surface. The retro-reflector, having a complementary shape which depends upon the shape of the primary reflector, is positioned so as to intercept a portion of the radiation redirected toward the target surface. The retro-reflector reflects the intercepted portion of the radiation back toward said primary reflector along the same path such that the redirected radiation is channeled back through the source.

Abstract: A portion of a first paraboloid collects and concentrates randomized light from a lamp into parallel beams directed to a portion of a second paraboloid which refocuses the light onto a homogenizer. The second paraboloid has a shape that is substantially similar to the first paraboloid reflector. The source and the target are located at the respective foci of the paraboloids such that the optical flux from the source is imaged to the target with minimal distortion in an approximately no magnification imaging system. The system may be configured to control wavelength and intensity by inserting an additional filter. In addition, a retro-reflector may be added to increase the overall flux density at homogenizer. The output is particular suitable for providing light to the light engine of projectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment and diagnosis of conditions, disorders, or diseases involving cell death. The invention encompasses protective nucleic acids which, when introduced into a cell predisposed to undergo cell death or in the process of undergoing cell death, prevent, delay, or rescue the cell from death relative to a corresponding cell into which no exogenous nucleic acids have been introduced. The invention encompasses nucleic acids of the protective sequence, host cell expression systems of the protective sequence, and hosts that have been transformed by these expression systems, including transgenic animals. The invention also encompasses novel protective sequence products, including proteins, polypeptides and peptides containing amino acid sequences of the proteins, fusion proteins of proteins, polypeptides and peptides, and antibodies directed against such gene products.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation collecting and condensing optical system includes a plurality of cascaded concave paraboloid reflectors and a plurality of electromagnetic radiation or light sources which radiate light energy onto the concave reflectors in such manner that the energy from each source is combined by the reflectors into an output target, such as the end of a single core optical fiber.

Abstract: A portion of a first paraboloid collects and concentrates randomized light from a lamp into parallel beams directed to a portion of a second paraboloid which refocuses the light onto a homogenizer. The second paraboloid has a shape that is substantially similar to the first paraboloid reflector. The source and the target are located at the respective foci of the paraboloids such that the optical flux from the source is imaged to the target with minimal distortion in an approximately no magnification imaging system. The system may be configured to control wavelength and intensity by inserting an additional filter. In addition, a retro-reflector may be added to increase the overall flux density at homogenizer. The output is particular suitable for providing light to the light engine of projectors.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation source, such as an arc lamp, is located at a point displaced from the optical axis of a concave toroidal reflecting surface. The concave primary reflector focuses the radiation from the source at an off-axis image point that is displaced from the optical axis. The use of a toroidal reflecting surface enhances the collection efficiency into a small target, such as an optical fiber, relative to a spherical reflecting surface by substantially reducing aberrations caused by the off-axis geometry. A second concave reflector is placed opposite to the first reflector to enhance further the total flux collected by a small target. In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention is directed to devices in which the square of the off-axis distance divided by the radius of curvature is equal to or less than the extent of the source of electromagnetic radiation (y02/r≦s0).

Abstract: HCMV glycoproteins B and H have been identified. The gB protein is encoded by DNA in the HindIII F fragment of the HCMV genome lying between 1378 and 4095 bases from the F/D boundary. The gH protein is encoded by DNA in the HindIII L fragment lying between 228 and 2456 bases from the L/D boundary.The genes have been incorporated in recombinant vaccinia vectors and expressed in host animals to raise HCMV-neutralising antibody, thereby indicating vaccine potential. The glycoproteins can also be used in a variety of different ways, as vaccines or in the production, purification or detection of HCMV antibody.

Abstract: A surgical tool with surgical field illuminator includes a light-conveying fiber optic member having a body portion, a light-receiving end optically connectable to a source of light, and a light-delivering end. A surgical tool can be attached to, or surround, part of the body portion of the fiber optic member, and the surgical tool can be connected to the body portion of the fiber optic member. A light-transmitting member is positioned adjacent the light-delivering end of the fiber optic member. A light-delivering port in the surgical tool can be provided. When the light-receiving end of the fiber optic member is optically connected to the source of light, light is transmitted through the fiber optic member to the light-delivering end of the fiber optic member, and through the light-transmitting member at a light density, to illuminate a surgical region adjacent the light-transmitting member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling high intensity light into a low melting temperature optical fiber which uses a high temperature, low NA optical fiber as a spatial filter between a source of high intensity light and a low melting temperature, low NA optical fiber. In an alternate embodiment, the spatial filter is composed of a fused bundle of optical fibers. The source of light may be a high intensity arc lamp or may be a high NA, high melting temperature optical fiber transmitting light from a remote light source.