Abstract: A localizing wire comprising an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. A localizing wire having an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. A localizing wire that can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer.

Abstract: A marking device according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a handle, a cannula having a cannula distal end and slidably mounted to the handle, and a stylet having a stylet distal end and slidably mounted to the handle in the cannula. The stylet distal end is spaced proximally of the cannula distal end to form a marker recess that receives an imaging marker. The marking device further comprises an actuator operably coupled to the cannula to effect retraction of the cannula into the handle following implantation of the imaging marker. The imaging marker can be implanted by advancing the stylet relative to the cannula to eject the imaging marker from the marker recess, or the cannula can be retracted relative to the stylet to expose the imaging marker.

Abstract: A subcutaneous marking apparatus for placement of an imaging marker at a predetermined site in a tissue mass comprises a handle having a front portion and a rear portion, a cannula, a stylet slidably received within the cannula, a trigger extending from the front portion of the handle and operably engaging the stylet, and an imaging marker disposed within a marker recess in a distal end of the cannula. A user can firmly grasp the marking apparatus in one hand and simultaneously actuate the trigger with a finger or a thumb of the same hand to move the stylet and thereby place the imaging marker at the predetermined site.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for percutaneously implanting an imaging marker for identifying a location within a tissue mass. The subcutaneous imaging marker comprises at least a first element and a second element, each of which have a primary imaging mode. The primary imaging mode of the first element is different from that of the second element.

Abstract: A self-contained, self-piercing, and side-expelling marking apparatus for percutaneously placing a imaging marker in a tissue mass.

Abstract: A localizing wire comprising an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. A localizing wire having an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. A localizing wire that can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer.

Abstract: A self-contained, self-piercing, and side-expelling marking apparatus for percutaneously placing a imaging marker in a tissue mass.

Abstract: A core biopsy device comprises an outer cutting cannula in telescoping register with an inner spoon cannula. The outer cutting cannula is provided at a distal end with an arcuate excising blade that is biased radially inwardly to extend beyond the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The inner spoon cannula terminates at a distal end in an arcuate wall to form a biopsy sample spoon for supporting a biopsy sample thereon. The outer cutting cannula can be rotated relative to the inner spoon cannula so that the excising blade can excise the biopsy sample from the surrounding tissue. After removal of the core biopsy device from the tissue, the outer cutting cannula can be retracted away from the inner spoon cannula to reveal the biopsy sample and enable the sample to be removed from the biopsy device in a relatively undisturbed condition.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for percutaneously implanting a localization wire into a tissue mass comprises a cannula with a preloaded localization wire. An actuator is provided to effect the relative movement of the cannula and localization wire such that a distal end of the localization wire is exposed to the tissue mass. A method for implanting a localization wire includes inserting a cannula with a preloaded localization wire into a tissue mass and relatively moving the cannula and localization wire to expose a portion of the localization wire to the tissue mass.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for the percutaneous placement of a medical device at an area of interest in a tissue mass comprises an introducer comprising a cannula having an insertion tip, an expulsion opening near the insertion tip, and a medical device within the cannula comprising an imaging element, and a guide element connected to the imaging element and having a separable portion, and wherein the cannula is inserted into the tissue mass such that the medical device can be expelled through the expulsion opening into the tissue mass, and when the cannula is withdrawn from the tissue mass, the imaging element is placed within the tissue mass at the area of interest, and at least part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass, and when the separable portion is separated from the guide element, no part of the guide element extends exteriorly of the tissue mass.

Abstract: A localizing needle comprises a barbed localizing wire fixedly sheathed within a flexible hollow infusion tube for delivering fluids to surrounding tissue through a plurality of spaced infusion ports. Echogenic and/or radiopaque markers are provided at selected intervals along the infusion tube. A helical wire bead at a distal end of the tube anchors the wire to the tube.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

Abstract: A biopsy marking apparatus for placing a radiopaque marker at the location of a percutaneous biopsy. The biopsy marking apparatus comprises an introducer in combination with a radiopaque marker. The introducer ejects the radiopaque marker at the location of the biopsy. The introducer is configured to completely eject the radiopaque marker and prevent it from being subsequently drawn into the introducer as the introducer is removed from the biopsied tissue mass. The radiopaque marker has enhanced radiopaque characteristics and enhanced non-migration characteristics.

Abstract: Single crystals of (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2.6H2O represent an excellent material for filtering UV light and in an enclosed system will not deteriorate at temperatures as high as 125° C. They are particularly useful in solar-blind optical systems and sensing devices, which seek to identify the presence of UV light sources in the UV missile warning band.

Abstract: A crystal having good optical transmission between 260 nm and 280 nm and strongly absorbing at 285 nm and higher, which is nonhydroscopic and stable at temperatures to 250° C. An example of such a crystal is Cerium doped YLiF4. These properties make YLiF4 crystals doped with Ce3+ excellent materials for use as UV filters in the missile early warning spectral band. Optical devices including missile detection systems are also provided.

Abstract: A laser device which is tunable within the mid-IR range is provided. The device includes a thin etalon, formed as an uncoated plane-parallel plate of high refractive index material, which is transparent for both pump and resonant (signal, idler or both) radiation, for coupling the pump beam to the cavity of an optical parametric oscillator. Such an optical element does not require thin film optical coatings and inherently possesses a high optical damage threshold. Furthermore, high reflectivity at the pump wavelength and high transmittance for oscillating radiations are provided, by orienting the etalon at the Brewster angle. Examples of such materials include silicon and germanium, which are transparent at wavelengths longer than approximately 1 .mu.m and 2 .mu.m, respectively, and have refractive indices of n=3.4 and n=4.0, respectively.

Abstract: Inorganic membranes such as zeolite membranes or other molecular sieve membranes can be provided by using silicone polymer material as starting material. A thin film zeolite membrane or a thin film membrane formed of interlocking zeolite crystals can be provided. Water soluble or water insoluble silicones can be treated in a basic solution under conditions and with an appropriate structure directing template, suitable aluminum content and at a temperature that is appropriate for growing a desired inorganic crystal framework. The membranes can be formed across the perforation of a support, such as a steel screen.

Abstract: Methods for forming membranes of semiconductive material incorporating molecular sieve material therein can involve sol gel techniques and suction techniques. The semiconductors, such as metal oxides, sulfides or carbides have photoactivity and are useful in photocatalytic reactions. An example of such a membrane is titanium oxide including zeolite molecular sieve incorporated therein. The membranes can be used to perform useful chemical reactions such as the mineralization of organic chemicals in the presence of light. For example, many toxic organic chemicals can be converted to useful or benign products by contacting those chemicals with active metal oxide-molecular sieve membranes in accordance with the invention and illuminating the membranes with light of a suitable wavelength.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring the thermal conductivity of a thin film by determining the change in temperature near the surface of the film after a sample including the film is illuminated with a beam of light. This can be accomplished by modulating the beam of light at a selected modulation frequency and measuring the amplitude of the sound waves created in the gas near the surface of the sample as a result of the repetitive heating and cooling of the surface. The amplitude of the sound signal will be directly proportional to the thermal resistivity of the thin film, provided that the modulation frequency is selected within an appropriate range. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a portion of the thin film is removed from (or not deposited on) the substrate and the entire surface of the substrate, including the portion coated with the thin film and the bare half is coated with a layer of covering material, such as graphite or metal.