Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention embodies both the method and apparatus for converting a pattern of irradiation to a visible image. An embodiment of the present invention provides an array of micro-electro-mechanical sensors with each sensor includes a deflectable micro-cantilever, responsive to absorbed incident radiation and to an applied repulsive electrostatic field. Associated circuitry senses a change in an output signal of the sensor as it responds to incident radiation incident upon the cantilever and provides a biasing force to deflect the cantilever and maintain the detector output signal at a desirable level. The biasing element may be a piezoelectric element, a heater or a pair of electrodes and the corresponding biasing stimulus may be stress (expansion), heat, or electrostatic change. The stimulus compensates for the effect of the infrared radiation and maintains the chosen detector output level at the same level.

Abstract: An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.

Abstract: In some aspects the present invention embodies both the method and apparatus for converting a pattern of irradiation to a visible image. An embodiment of the present invention provides an array of micro-electro-mechanical sensors with each sensor includes a deflectable micro-cantilever, responsive to absorbed incident radiation and to an applied repulsive electrostatic field. Associated circuitry senses a change in an output signal of the sensor as it responds to incident radiation incident upon the cantilever and provides a biasing force to deflect the cantilever and maintain the detector output signal at a desirable level. The biasing element may be a piezoelectric element, a heater or a pair of electrodes and the corresponding biasing stimulus may be stress (expansion), heat, or electrostatic change. The stimulus compensates for the effect of the infrared radiation and maintains the chosen detector output level at the same level.

Abstract: An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.

Abstract: An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.

Abstract: An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.

Abstract: An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.

Abstract: An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.

Abstract: A vehicle detector and method for detecting the presence of a vehicle. The vehicle detector includes an array of ultrasonic transducers to direct and receive ultrasonic beams to and from a target. Further, the vehicle detector includes a control system for turning on and off the ultrasonic transducers and for generating data corresponding to the distance between the vehicle detector and the target, the speed of the target, and the direction of motion of the target; and for comparing the generated data to stored data to determine whether or not a vehicle is present. Finally, the vehicle detector includes output circuitry that directs a signal to an external device whether or not a vehicle is present.

Abstract: A guide (100) is provided for biopsy and microtherapy which includes an introducer cannula (120) defining a lumen (125) sized to receive a diagnostic or therapeutic item therethrough and a lateral opening (124) in communication with the lumen (125) adjacent the first end (121) of the cannula (120). The invention also includes a solid tip (130) having an anatomically distal end (131) secured to the first end (121) of the cannula (120) and a proximal end (132) configured to pierce tissue. A ramp (135) is disposed within the cannula (120) at an end (136) of the lateral opening (124) adjacent the first end (121) of the cannula (120). The ramp (135) is inclined toward the lateral opening (124), whereby the item will be deflected through the lateral opening (124) as it advances within the lumen (125) and exits the cannula (120). In some embodiments, the item is a biopsy needle, ablation means or a radiopharmaceutical seed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for restoring copies of a logical object to a primary computer storage device are disclosed. A copy of the logical object is provided, physical blocks of memory in the primary storage device are allocated, a map of the data blocks will be copied to the physical blocks of the primary storage devices created. The copying may then occur using the created map. The copy of the logical object may be an abstract bloc set, which includes data blocks of the logical object potentially out of order and metadata identifying relative position of the data blocks.

Abstract: A biopsy-marking assembly for obtaining a biopsy sample from a biopsy site in a patient and marking the biopsy site is provided. The biopsy marking assembly includes a biopsy device and a marking element for marking the biopsy site. In preferred embodiments, the marking assembly is configured so that the marking element is deposited at the biopsy site before the tissue sample is taken. In some embodiments, the marker element is a V-shaped rod including two legs and a joint between the two legs. In some embodiments, the biopsy device includes an outer hollow needle defining a lumen therethrough and an inner needle slidingly engaged within the lumen. The inner needle defines a marker chamber for carrying the marker element for delivery to the biopsy site, and a cavity for receiving a tissue sample. Methods are also provided for obtaining a biopsy sample and marking the biopsy site.

Abstract: A guide (100) is provided for biopsy and microtherapy which includes an introducer cannula (120) defining a lumen (125) sized to receive a diagnostic or therapeutic item therethrough and a lateral opening (124) in communication with the lumen (125) adjacent the first end (121) of the cannula (120). The invention also includes a solid tip (130) having an anatomically distal end (131) secured to the first end (121) of the cannula (120) and a proximal end (132) configured to pierce tissue. A ramp (135) is disposed within the cannula (120) at an end (136) of the lateral opening (124) adjacent the first end (121) of the cannula (120). The ramp (135) is inclined toward the lateral opening (124), whereby the item will be deflected through the lateral opening (124) as it advances within the lumen (125) and exits the cannula (120). In some embodiments, the item is a biopsy needle, ablation means or a radiopharmaceutical seed.

Abstract: A biopsy-marking assembly for obtaining a biopsy sample from a biopsy site in a patient and marking the biopsy site is provided. The biopsy marking assembly includes a biopsy device and a marking element for marking the biopsy site. In preferred embodiments, the marking assembly is configured so that the marking element is deposited at the biopsy site before the tissue sample is taken. In some embodiments, the marker element is a V-shaped rod including two legs and a joint between the two legs. In some embodiments, the biopsy device includes an outer hollow needle defining a lumen therethrough and an inner needle slidingly engaged within the lumen. The inner needle defines a cavity for carrying the marker element for delivery to the biopsy site and for receiving a tissue sample. Methods are also provided for obtaining a biopsy sample and marking the biopsy site.

Abstract: An automatic tissue sampling device includes a housing having an upper opening and a cover closable over the opening. A biopsy needle assembly is operatively disposed within the device, and includes an outer cannula and an inner stylet. A drive mechanism includes a cannula carriage and a stylet carriage slidably disposed within the housing and a system of springs for driving the first and second carriages to pierce a tissue site and obtain a tissue sample. The cannula and stylet of the needle assembly are each supported on the respective carriages by corresponding hubs. The hubs are configured to be received within the carriages to impart driving motion from the carriages to the needle assembly. In one aspect of the invention, the hubs each include a flag attached to the hub and projecting laterally away from the longitudinal axis of the hub. Each flag is sized to be manually grasped to install or remove the hubs from the carriages.

Abstract: A biopsy needle device (10) is provided which includes an introducer cannula (20) defining a lumen (25) sized to receive a biopsy needle (11) therethrough and a lateral opening (24) in communication with the lumen (25) adjacent the first end (21) of the cannula (20). The invention also includes a solid tip (30) having an anatomically distal end (31) secured to the first end (21) of the cannula (20) and a proximal end (32) configured to pierce tissue. A ramp (35) is disposed within the cannula (20) at an end (36) of the lateral opening (24) adjacent the first end (21) of the cannula (20). The ramp (35) is inclined toward the lateral opening (24), whereby a biopsy needle (11) will be deflected through the lateral opening (24) as it advances within the lumen (25) and exits the cannula (20).

Abstract: Data stored in a logger is transmitted from a vehicle by a responder. The data is received by a transceiver and stored in a device. Data can also be transferred in the reverse direction. An inductive loop is used to sense the presence of the vehicle and, when the vehicle is sensed, to initiate an interrogation of the vehicle. Data transfer takes place only if the vehicle is identified.

Abstract: A bleed valve assembly which includes a bleed valve seat having a bleed orifice partially defined thereby and a piezoelectric crystal mounted adjacent thereto so that upon bending of the crystal, as by energization thereof, pressure contact is made with an intermediate valve element. The valve element is in turn adapted to move against the bleed valve seat to close the same. When the bleed valve assembly is closed in the manner above described, pressure is permitted to build up in the orifice to modify the position of a main valve with which the bleed valve assembly is utilized. In addition the crystal is beam mounted within a bore in which the valve seat is positioned and essentially in contact with said bore solely at spaced peripheral edge positions thereof.

Abstract: A valve which is normally biased in a first operative position is provided with control means including a first pressure fluid orifice for directing such fluid to a control member for changing the operative position of the valve. The device further includes a housing which communicates with said first orifice and which has a bleed orifice assembly having a second or bleed orifice. The bleed orifice assembly further includes a bleeder valve seat and a piezoelectric crystal mounted adjacent thereto so that upon bending of the crystal, as by energization thereof, pressure contact is made with an intermediate valve element. The valve element is in turn adapted to move against the bleeder valve seat to close the same. When the bleed orifice assembly is closed in the manner above described, pressure is permitted to build up in the first orifice to activate the valve.