Abstract: A laser medical probe adapted for direct contact with, or insertion into, tissue undergoing laser treatment. The probe includes a laser energy transmissive surface for emitting radiation from the probe. The probe surface includes a layer of laser transmissive particles for diffusing laser energy passing therethrough and an affixing material for affixing the particles to the probe surface. Laser energy emitted from the surface may be coupled into the particles and irregularly refracted and reflected thereby causing a wide laser energy radiation profile. The affixing material and the particles form a tissue contact surface for directly contacting the tissue undergoing treatment. A substantial number of the particles partially extend from the affixing material. The resultant tissue contact surface is rough. The affixing material may be a ceramic bonding agent.

Abstract: A laser speed detector is described which includes a laser rangefinder which determines the time-of-flight of an infrared laser pulse to a target and a microprocessor-based microcontroller. The device is small enough to be easily hand-held, and includes a trigger and a sighting scope for a user to visually select a target and to trigger operation of the device upon the selected target. The laser rangefinder includes self-calibrating interpolation circuitry, a digital logic-operated gate for reflected laser pulses in which both the "opening" and the "closing" of the gate can be selectably set by the microcontroller, and dual collimation of the outgoing laser pulse such that a minor portion of the outgoing laser pulse is sent to means for producing a timing reference signal.

Abstract: This invention detects leaks in small, hermetically sealed packages, especially microchips or other packages of electronic circuits. The invention includes a procedure for detecting fine leaks, and a somewhat different procedure for finding gross leaks. To detect gross leaks, one places the package in a chamber, and varies the pressure in the chamber slightly. If the leak is not too big, one wall of the package, such as its lid, initially becomes deformed, but quickly returns to its original position, due to the leak. If the leak is very large, the wall of the package may not move at all. The position of the wall is monitored with an interferometer, such as an electronic shearography apparatus. The movements of the wall show whether there is a gross leak. In the fine leak test, the package is placed in the chamber and the pressure is changed substantially, thus causing the walls of the package to deform. If there is a fine leak, a deformed wall gradually returns to its initial position.

Abstract: A dental laser apparatus and method is disclosed for removing tooth decay. A substance which selectively attaches to tooth decay is applied to the tooth. This substance has a predetermined absorption band. A laser having an output wavelength which corresponds to the absorption band is supplied and is absorbed primarily by the decayed portions of the tooth. The use of Acid Red 52 dye as the substance and a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser as the source is disclosed as one embodiment.

Abstract: This invention tests a vehicle, such as an aircraft, using nondestructive interferometry. An interferometer detects movements in the vehicle surface due to stress. One applies such stress by pressurizing the vehicle. In one embodiment, a hood housing the interferometer attaches to the vehicle surface with the aid of a vacuum. One can vary the pressure in the vehicle in various ways, while monitoring the interferometer for signs of defects in the structure behind the surface. The invention also includes an arrangement for substantially automating the analysis. For example, one can automatically position the interferometer according to position information received from appropriate sensors, in combination with stored information about the structure of the vehicle. One preferably uses a real-time interferometer, such as an electronic shearography camera, in the present invention. One can quickly determine the location of defects by observing fringes on a video monitor.

Abstract: A handpiece for use with laser surgical contact scalpels having a housing or handle portion with a laser enabling button thereon whereby a surgeon may expeditiously cycle the laser between its on and off conditions. The handpiece further including a mechanism for facilitating the longitudinal and rotational adjustment of the surgical scalpel with respect to the handle whereby optical fiber torque may be relieved and whereby the surgical tip may be oriented properly with respect to the laser actuation button. The adjustment mechanism includes torsional and longitudinal travel limits to protect button interconnect wires and means for locking the mechanism thereby to fix the relative positions of the scalpel and handle. The laser enabling button and associated circuitry including a low voltage self-contained power source and, further, optical isolation from the laser source whereby the laser may be cycled by the surgeon through use of the handpiece button without danger of electrical shock to the patient.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning apparatus employs a movable reflector having a large number of flat reflective sides and a deflector which shifts the laser beam at high speed across a plurality of the reflective sides. The movement of the reflector is synchronized with the deflection of the laser beam to produce a desired scan pattern in a first scan direction. The reflective sides of the movable reflector may be angled relative to each other in a second direction to produce different scan lines thereby providing an X-Y scan pattern. The combined high speed beam deflection and motion of the reflector provide scanning of the beam in parallel scan segments thereby providing high scanning speed of the beam with a high degree of resolution.

Abstract: Infrared lasers are used to deposit diamond thin films onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the deposition of the film is from a gas mixture of CH.sub.4 and H.sub.2 that is introduced into a chemical vapor deposition chamber and caused to flow over the surface of the substrate to be coated while the laser is directed onto the surface. In another embodiment, pure carbon in the form of soot is delivered onto the surface to be coated and the laser beam is directed onto the surface in an atmosphere that prevents the carbon from being burned to CO.sub.2.

Abstract: A unitary contact laser scalpel for orthopedic or other operative procedures. The scalpel comprises a tapered conical member in part of ceramic or similar material characterized by high strength and low coefficient of thermal conductivity. A cylindrical passage is formed along and through the central axis of the ceramic member into which an optical fiber is secured. The distal end of the optical fiber may be oriented flush with the tapered end of the conical member or it may define a tapered extension of the ceramic material. The tapered end of the conical member may have a narrow diameter generally in the order of twice that of the optical fiber and may be coated with an enamel material. Alternatively, a larger diameter optical fiber may be employed with the combination of ceramic and fiber being formed as a conical contour.

Abstract: An object is tested for defects by interferometry, by comparing images of the object taken under stressed and unstressed conditions. The stress is applied by perturbing the object with acoustic waves, produced by a speaker directed towards the object, without any mechanical coupling to the object. The acoustic energy can be of a single frequency, or it can be distributed over a set of random frequencies (i.e. white noise), or it can be in the form of a signal which is "swept" through a range of frequencies. In the latter case, the results can be stored in a video buffer which records the maximum signal obtained, for each pixel, while the signal is swept through the frequency range. Different defects in the object may resonate at varying frequencies within the given range. By exciting the object at each frequency within the range, and superimposing the maximum signals obtained for each pixel, the resulting image is likely to show all the locations on the object which may be defective.

Abstract: Two laterally-displaced images of a test object interfere with each other to form a shearogram. Two shearograms, taken while the object is unstressed and stressed, respectively, are compared electronically to yield a composite interference pattern. According to the invention, each shearogram is formed by the interference of pairs of distinct rays of coherent light, reflected from different points on the object. The first ray of each pair is reflected from the object, strikes a mirror spaced from the object, and is reflected from the mirror. At the same time, the second ray of each pair is reflected from the object and strikes a beam splitter positioned beside the mirror. The beam splitter directs a portion of the second ray in the same direction as the reflected first ray, and a portion of the first ray passes through the beam splitter without being reflected. Since the two rays have the same polarization angle, and are mutually parallel, the rays interfere.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to improve the quality of a video signal generated by the method of nondestructive testing known as electronic shearography. In electronic shearography, two laterally-displaced images of a test object are made to interfere, and the interference pattern is stored. Another such interference pattern is obtained while the object is stressed. The two patterns are compared by computer, such as by subtracting one pattern from the other, and the resulting composite pattern is displayed on a video monitor or equivalent. According to the present invention, the subtracted signal is connected to a rectifier circuit which causes both positive-going and negative-going variations in the video signal to become positive-going variations. Thus, any changes in the intensity of the signal, due to phase changes resulting from deformation of the object, are displayed as increases in brightness of a pixel on the final display.

Abstract: This invention detects leaks in small, hermetically sealed packages, especially microchips or other packages of electronic circuits. The invention includes a procedure for detecting fine leaks, and a somewhat different procedure for finding gross leaks. To detect gross leaks, one places the package in a chamber, and varies the pressure in the chamber slightly. If the leak is not too big, one wall of the package, such as its lid, initially becomes deformed, but quickly returns to its original position, due to the leak. If the leak is very large, the wall of the package may not move at all. The position of the wall is monitored with an interferometer, preferably an electronic shearography apparatus. The movements of the wall show whether there is a gross leak. In the fine leak test, the package is placed in the chamber and the pressure is changed substantially, thus causing the walls of the package to deform. If there is a fine leak, a deformed wall gradually returns to its initial position.

Abstract: A two component laser delivery system for surgical and endoscopic applications including a reuseable head portion for insertion into the laser generating apparatus and a disposable optic guide portion. The disposable optic guide portion is provided with a cylindrical retainer adapted to be received and locked into the reuseable portion. The reuseable portion includes a housing and a lense barrel, the lense barrel adapted to automatically retract into the housing when the disposable optic guide is removed thereby to preclude actuation of the laser interlock switch.

Abstract: A fluid supply system for gas and sterile liquids consisting of a disposable sterile cartridge that is connected to gas and liquid sources and a common exhaust. The cartridge cooperates with a rotating bearing assembly which pumps the liquid through the system without ever contacting the liquid. The gas sources are provided with means for supplying the gas under pressure to the cartridge. A suitable control selects either the gas or liquid source and a pair of gauges monitor the flow rates of the fluids.

Abstract: A two component laser delivery system for surgical and endoscopic applications including a reuseable head portion for insertion into the laser generating apparatus and a disposable optic guide portion. The disposable optic guide portion is provided with a cylindrical retainer adapted to be received and locked into the reuseable portion. The reuseable portion includes a housing and a lens barrel, the lens barrel adapted to automatically retract into the housing when the disposable optic guide is removed thereby to preclude actuation of the laser interlock switch.

Abstract: A medical laser probe for contact laser surgery wherein a surgical incision, for example, is made by direct and indirect laser heating of the tissue. Direct heating is achieved in the conventional manner by direct laser irradiation of the subject tissue. Indirect heating is achieved through the use of a probe tip specially coated with infrared absorbing material. This material serves to partially absorb and partially transmit the laser energy. The absorbed laser energy heats the probe tip thereby facilitating tissue vaporization when the probe is brought into contact with the tissue. The transmitted laser energy vaporizes the tissue by the conventional irradiation thereof. The tip surface is roughened prior to application of the infrared material to enhance adhesion while an optically transparent material is placed over the tip to preclude material damage or erosion during normal tip use.

Abstract: A medical and surgical laser probe comprised of a quartz optical fiber and a laser rod member optically connected thereto which is made of an artificial saphire and has a tapered portion so as to emit the incident laser beam from the tip end of the rod member without leaking it out from the tapered face. With this laser probe, laser irradiation in contact with the tissue is enabled and any desired medical and surgical treatment such as incision, coagulation, hemostasis can be attained effectively.

Abstract: Hologram apparatus for detecting flaws has a photographic station for supporting a photosensitive medium. The photographic station together with the photosensitive medium forms a developing chamber with a transparent face having a depth in the range of from about 0.005" to about 0.125, preferably from about 0.005" to about 0.125". The developing chamber has a periphery with a contour which always changes at an angle greater than about 115.degree. and is preferably circular. Associated hydraulic equipment supplies and removes fluid from the developing chamber. A laser supplies coherent light for the article to be tested for reflection to the photographic station. A reference beam is directed to the photographic station. For use in inspecting pipe in the field, the apparatus advantageously has a housing and a pair of saddles each having different diameter pipe receiving portions and a strap securing system.

Abstract: Hologram apparatus for detecting flaws has a photographic station for supporting a photosensitive medium. The photographic station together with the photosensitive medium forms a developing chamber with a transparent face having a depth in the range of from about 0.005" to about 0.125, preferably from about 0.005" to about 0.125". The developing chamber has a periphery with a contour which always changes at an angle greater than about 115.degree. and is preferably circular. Associated hydraulic equipment supplies and removes fluid from the developing chamber. A laser supplies coherent light for the article to be tested for reflection to the photographic station. A reference beam is directed to the photographic station. For use in inspecting pipe in the field, the apparatus advantageously has a housing and a pair of saddles each having different diameter pipe receiving portions and a strap securing system.