Abstract: A corneal prosthesis including an optical element having an optically transparent central portion and an anterior surface capable of supporting a layer of epithelial cells, the optical element being made of optical material having water content between 50% and 90% and a tensile strength greater than 20 kg/cm.sup.2, and a porous outer skirt secured to the periphery of said element, said skirt being sufficiently porous to permit cell ingrowth and tissue attachment. Also disclosed are methods of making, seeding and using corneal implants having epithelial layers thereon and porous implant material of a coherent mass of randomly oriented fibers having an interconnected network of pores.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating obscured conduits, such as buried cables, employs a novel signal processing technique to increase the sensitivity of the apparatus, particularly in congested areas. The cable locating apparatus is similar to prior art dual-peak detection devices which compare signals from two parallel induction coils, but a phase shift is introduced into one of the signals prior to the comparison. This phase shift serves to minimize the effects of side minima in the response curve of prior art dual-peak devices. This effect is enhanced by adding a gain mismatch to the two detected signals. The locator preferably operates with analog signals to reduce expense.

Abstract: A detector for detecting electrostatic discharge events in an electronic component, assembly or system and including a display element which produces an immediate indication on exposure to a change in voltage level, an electrostatic discharge sensor, and circuit means for connecting said sensor to said display element. In one embodiment, the detector and the board or other device to be monitored are mounted in a housing having a visual access window with the display element of the detector viewable through the access window and with the detector positioned at the electronic device being monitored.

Abstract: A sensor cassette for use in measuring a compositional parameter of blood comprising a housing having a wall defining a passage which is adapted to receive blood. The wall is at least somewhat permeable to the compositional parameter. A support element, which is less permeable to the compositional parameter of blood than the housing, is carried by a region of the wall. A sensor is carried by the support element and provides a signal in response to the compositional parameter. The support element separates the sensor from at least a portion of such region of the wall so that the affect of the permeability of the housing to the compositional parameter on the signal from the sensor is reduced.

Abstract: A detector for detecting electrostatic discharge events in an electronic component, assembly or system and including a display element which produces an immediate indication on exposure to a change in voltage level, an electrostatic discharge sensor, and circuit means for connecting said sensor to said display element. In one embodiment, the detector and the board or other device to be monitored are mounted in a housing having a visual access window with the display element of the detector viewable through the access window and with the detector positioned at the electronic device being monitored.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire comprises a wire having the same dimensions as previously used orthodontic arch wires. The wire is coated with an opaque coating of a composite material having a thickness of no more than 35 microns, and preferably less than 12 microns. The composite material comprises a resin binder loaded with filler particles for strengthening the coating and making it approximately tooth colored. The composite coating is sufficiently adherent to the arch wire for bending from a straight wire to a curved arch wire installed in a patient's mouth while retaining the aesthetic coating, and to prevent stripping as the arch wire moves through the arch wire slot in an orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: A heat-sealable oriented film or layer of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer. The film has a thin, heat-sealable layer of the same thermoplastic polymer having a different heat-seal temperature, which layer is heat-sealable without requiring fusion of the entire film. There is also provided a method for producing the claimed heat-sealable film.

Abstract: An adaptor for using a tape cartridge in a standard VHS videotape machine. The adaptor includes a thumb operated winder and a take up reel. The take up reel includes a clutch to minimize drag on the winder.

Abstract: A base plate for use in a data cartridge using pre-coated aluminum. The coating is applied before cutting the aluminum into a base plate shaped article.

Abstract: A sensing element for sensing the concentration of an analyte in a medium is disclosed. The sensing element comprises a matrix material having at least one indicator component covalently bonded thereto. The indicator component is capable of providing a signal dependent on the concentration of a analyte in a medium. The indicator component is derived from at least one indicator compound having an aromatic ring to which is directly bonded a group including a functional portion which is conjugated relative to this aromatic ring.

Abstract: A cuvette comprising a housing having a passage therethrough and being adapted to receive blood. The housing has a wall with an outer face. An optical window leads from the outer face to the passage and the optical window is transmissive to an optical signal so that a parameter of blood in the passage can be measured. A magnet is carried by the wall and spaced from the optical window for use in providing information about the cuvette. The cuvette is releasably attachable to an optical head. The optical head includes a plurality of Hall effect transducers which respond to the position of the magnet on the housing so that the position of the magnet can be used to provide information about the cuvette.

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive organo-halogen compounds having a photo-labile halomethyl-1,3,5-triazine moiety and at least one amine-containing moiety within one molecule. The compounds serve the dual purpose of photoinitiation and polymerization acceleration, thereby eliminating the need for the use of two separate compounds. The compounds of this invention are good photoinitiators, and compositions containing them are useful in printing, duplicating, copying, and other imaging systems.

Abstract: A clamping and tensioning system for securing a sheet of photoconductor film to an outer circumferential surface of a carrier drum includes a clamp rod mounted to the carrier drum by first and second mounting blocks. The first and second mounting blocks include elongated slots that allow the clamp rod to rotate about its longitudinal axis and further permit linear radial movement of the clamp rod with respect to the carrier drum. The clamp rod includes mounting pins and spring tabs that engage leading and trailing edges of the photoconductor film. The leading and trailing edges of the photoconductor film are releasibly clamped to the clamp rod by a clamp bar. Leaf spring elements associated with the first and second mounting blocks bias the clamp rod radially inward to a first position wherein the photoconductor film extends loosely about the outer surface of the carrier drum.

Abstract: A brush segment for mounting on a slotted support structure is presented. The brush segment generally comprises: a substrate; a carpet of bristles mounted on the substrate in a preferred manner; and, a root system projecting outwardly from a side of the substrate opposite from the carpet of bristles. Brush segments according to the present invention are particularly well-adapted for mounting in association with longitudinal slots of a cylindrical hub arrangement, including conventional cylindrical hub arrangements. In preferred applications the substrate is formed from a pliable material which is then hardened in a preferred configuration.

Abstract: Shaped articles of superconducting YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 are made by a sol-gel process from a sol that is a mixture of an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide, a compatible aqueous solution of copper carboxylate, and at least one of a compatible aqueous solution of yttrium carboxylate and an aqueous suspension of colloidal oxide of yttrium. The sol has a Y:Ba:Cu molar ratio of approximately 1:2:3. After adjusting the concentration of the sol, it is formed into a shaped article which is dried and then fired to convert it into orthorhombic superconducting YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7.

Abstract: A rotatable wheel for removing material from a workpiece has a rigid circumferential surface on which a removable abrasive strip is mounted. The circumferential surface has a transverse slot extending into a cavity within the wheel which is generally covered by a coverplate secured over the cavity. Within the cavity is a first device for engaging the leading end of the strip and a second device for engaging the trailing end of the strip. The first device includes a positioner which is operable to align the first device under an opening in the coverplate to permit insertion or removal of the leading end of the strip. Similarly, the second device includes a locator arm which is operable to align the second device under an opening in the coverplate to permit insertion or removal of the trailing end of the strip. The first device places static tension on the strip, while the second device places dynamic tension on the strip as the wheel is rotated.

Abstract: A combined skirted oil-sorbing boom and oil-sorbing sweep has a buoyant inner core and an oil-sorbent outer core of a spirally wound sheet of polymeric, oleophilic, hydrophobic microfibers. Adhesively bonded to a sheet of the microfibers at the outer face of the outer core is an open-mesh netting of polymeric monofilaments that are fused at their crossings. The netting and the sheet to which it is adhered extend from the outer core to form a depending skirt which acts as a barrier to oil that is being sorbed by the microfibers. The buoyant inner core can be an open-cell foam that sorbs oil slowly, thus supplementing the oil-sorbing capability without significant loss of freeboard.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes a transparent vapor and gas permeable polymeric film which has an adhesive coated surface. A pair of liners or release sheets cover the adhesive coated surface and the liners define overlapping gripping flaps. Additional adhesive strips are positioned at opposed edges of the film and interposed between the adhesive coated surface of the film and the liners. Increased adhesion of the film to the liners occurs at the adhesive strips. The film is perforated adjacent the adhesive strips.

Abstract: Light emitting apparatus for curing photocurable dental material includes a handpiece having a housing, a depending handle and a detachable light guide. The light guide is received in a head connected to the housing. Rotational movement of the head relative to the housing also rotatably moves the light guide so that the guide may be turned by the same hand of the user that is grasping the handle. Additionally, a pivotal connection between the housing and the handle permits limited pivotal adjustment of the angle of the housing relative to the handle for improved manipulation and user comfort. A base of the apparatus includes an upright pedestal that houses a device for determining the intensity of light provided by the light guide.

Abstract: A mixture of hydroxy functional polymers which can be used to form isocyanate prepolymers which are non-hairing at application temperature are disclosed. Examples of suitable mixtures of hydroxy functional polymers that can be used to form the prepolymers are:(1) linear polyester blends, comprising a first and second polyester wherein each polyester is the reaction product of a polyol and a polyacid, whereina+b<or=4, c+d>or=6a+b>4 or .ltoreq.6, c+d>or=10a+b>6 or .ltoreq.