Abstract: Systems and methods for generating light sheets suitable for use in single plane illumination microscopy may include a series of chambers in sequential communication with each other, the series of chambers including an optics system configured to convert a beam of light, such as a laser beam, into a planar light sheet. The series of chambers may include chambers having respective long axes oriented at an acute angle to each other to form a compact zig-zag pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating light sheets suitable for use in single plane illumination microscopy may include a series of chambers in sequential communication with each other, the series of chambers including an optics system configured to convert a beam of light, such as a laser beam, into a planar light sheet. The series of chambers may include chambers having respective long axes oriented at an acute angle to each other to form a compact zig-zag pattern.

Abstract: A novel means of provided a hybrid flexure mounted moving mirror component in an interferometer is introduced herein. In particular, a linear bearing in combination with a novel flexure mounting having novel tilt and velocity control of the moving optical component is provided. Such an arrangement enables correction of the errors at the mirror itself while also solving the problem of isolating vibration and noise caused by the imperfections in the bearing surfaces used in many conventional interferometers. Using such a coupled flexure mounting of the present invention, in addition to the above benefits, also enhances velocity control because the resultant low mass of the moving mirror assembly enables the systems disclosed herein to respond faster than conventional mirror velocity controlled interferometer instruments and with a lower velocity error so as to provide a more stable and lower noise spectra from the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing optical instrument calibration and prediction accuracy within and across different optical instrument platforms can include two main submethods or routines. The first routine can include one for correcting differences among optical instruments of different model types regardless of the manufacturer and correcting differences among optical instruments of the same model type. The second main routine or sub-method can include one for analyzing new samples of a product over time and maintaining prediction accuracy as compared to a reference method over time. The first routine can include a “TRANS” procedure, a “MIN” procedure, and checkcell tests. The second main routine provides techniques on how a product database can be cleaned, condensed, and expanded automatically as it is used by one or more different optical instruments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method and communication apparatus and method suitably for use in supplying the encoded data of accumulated music for example to a semiconductor memory or a portable device. In step S461, the content data enabled for check-in into an MS are identified. In step S462, a check-in process is executed. In step S463, it is determined whether or not the content data enabled for check-in have all been checked in. In step S464, an album to be checked out is determined. In step S465, one track is selected. In step S466, the selected track is determined whether or not it is enabled for check-out. In step S467, the capacity of the MS is confirmed. In step S468, a check-out operation is performed. In step S469, it is determined whether or not all tracks in the album to be checked out have been selected. The present invention is applicable to audio servers for example.

Abstract: An accurate and low cost macro pressure sensor is described. The pressure sensor includes an array of capacitive sensing elements formed at the intersections of sets of conductors. A lower set of conductors is supported by a substrate and an upper set of conductors is supported on a flexible polymer membrane. Capacitive sensing elements are formed where a conductor in the upper set overlaps a spacer in the lower set. Separators hold the membrane away from the substrate with a separation that, because of deflection of the membrane, varies in relation to the pressure applied to the membrane. As a result, the separation of conductors, and therefore capacitance, in each cell varies in response to the applied pressure. By attaching the membrane to the separators and optionally using slits in the membrane between capacitive sensing elements, measurements made in each capacitive sensing element can be mechanically decoupled.

Abstract: An automated discrete fluid sample analyzer includes a sample preparation module. The sample preparation module includes a well configured to receive a sample deposited by a pipettor and a sample preparation device in fluid communication with the well. The fluid sample is transferred from the well to the sample preparation device, and the sample preparation device prepares the fluid sample. The pipettor then aspirates the prepared fluid sample. The prepared fluid sample may be transferred from the sample preparation device back to the well, and the pipettor aspirates the prepared fluid sample from the well. In one embodiment, the sample preparation device includes a receptacle having a catalyst disposed therein. The catalyst may include a noble metal catalyst, such as cadmium. In another embodiment, the sample preparation device includes an ultraviolet lamp configured to apply ultraviolet light to the fluid sample.

Abstract: An automated discrete fluid sample analyzer includes a sample preparation module. The sample preparation module includes a well configured to receive a sample deposited by a pipettor and a sample preparation device in fluid communication with the well. The fluid sample is transferred from the well to the sample preparation device, and the sample preparation device prepares the fluid sample. The pipettor then aspirates the prepared fluid sample. The prepared fluid sample may be transferred from the sample preparation device back to the well, and the pipettor aspirates the prepared fluid sample from the well. In one embodiment, the sample preparation device includes a receptacle having a catalyst disposed therein. The catalyst may include a noble metal catalyst, such as cadmium. In another embodiment, the sample preparation device includes an ultraviolet lamp configured to apply ultraviolet light to the fluid sample.

Abstract: An automated discrete fluid sample analyzer includes a sample preparation module. The sample preparation module includes a well configured to receive a sample deposited by a pipettor and a sample preparation device in fluid communication with the well. The fluid sample is transferred from the well to the sample preparation device, and the sample preparation device prepares the fluid sample. The pipettor then aspirates the prepared fluid sample. The prepared fluid sample may be transferred from the sample preparation device back to the well, and the pipettor aspirates the prepared fluid sample from the well. In one embodiment, the sample preparation device includes a receptacle having a catalyst disposed therein. The catalyst may include a noble metal catalyst, such as cadmium. In another embodiment, the sample preparation device includes an ultraviolet lamp configured to apply ultraviolet light to the fluid sample.

Abstract: An accurate and low cost macro pressure sensor is described. The pressure sensor includes an array of capacitive sensing elements formed at the intersections of sets of conductors. A lower set of conductors is supported by a substrate and an upper set of conductors is supported on a flexible polymer membrane. Capacitive sensing elements are formed where a conductor in the upper set overlaps a spacer in the lower set. Separators hold the membrane away from the substrate with a separation that, because of deflection of the membrane, varies in relation to the pressure applied to the membrane. As a result, the separation of conductors, and therefore capacitance, in each cell varies in response to the applied pressure. By attaching the membrane to the separators and optionally using slits in the membrane between capacitive sensing elements, measurements made in each capacitive sensing element can be mechanically decoupled.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for display of physiological data in a format useful for identifying or diagnosing physiological conditions. The system registers visual representations of different types of physiological data to aid in an understanding of bodily processes. In addition to registering the data, the system may display different types of physiological data with different visual characteristics. Further, the transparency of the visual representations of the different datasets may be controlled to enhance the understandability of displayed information. The system, for example, can be used with data representative of pressure and impedance within a patient's gastrointestinal tract to provide greater understanding of physiological processes during a swallow.

Abstract: A physiological sensor-transmitter assembly for measuring a physiological property at an internal body location of a subject over time is described. An instrument for inserting the assembly in the subject and a method of monitoring a physiological property measured at the internal body location over time are also described. The assembly includes a sensor and a transmitter adapted to transmit information from the sensor in a non-wired fashion to a receiver. The assembly also includes an anchor adapted to attach to an externally accessible portion of a subject and a tether that connects the sensor and the anchor to maintain a position of the sensor within the gastrointestinal tract of the subject.

Abstract: A stage assembly mountable on an optical microscope for orienting a sample into a desired focal position includes an X-axis plate operable for rectilinear shifting in the X-axis direction and a Y-axis plate mounted on the X-axis plate operable for rectilinear translation in the Y-axis direction. A Z-axis plate is mounted on the XY plate assembly for carrying a sample to be investigated and a piezoelectric actuator mechanism is interposed between the XY plate assembly and the Z-axis plate operable for rectilinear translation of the Z-axis plate.

Abstract: A system and methods that provide for visualization and/or characterization of manometry data. Visual representations of pressure information represent pressure information measured over time by sensors positioned within an organism. Markers may be provided on the visual representations. Using the system and methods described herein, various characteristics of an organism and/or events that occur within the organism may be determined.

Abstract: A test apparatus and method of measuring pulling of the frequency of an oscillator. The apparatus includes a bias tee, a power supply, a spectrum analyzer, a second power supply, a symmetrical resistive power splitter, a power meter and a synthesized signal generator. The method includes sweeping the synthesized signal generator frequency from the nominal frequency down to a first frequency. The first frequency is recorded when the oscillator goes out of frequency lock as a first pulling frequency. The synthesized signal generator frequency is then sweet from the nominal frequency up to a second frequency and the second pulling frequency is recorded when the oscillator goes out of frequency lock. The difference between the first and second pulling frequencies is the peak to peak pulling value.

Abstract: An automatic device prepares blood films or smears on microscope slides. The device has essentially one moving part, namely a carriage which holds the slide, and which is movable back and forth along a frame. The slide is dispensed from a magazine, onto the carriage, and the carriage moves to a position where a drop of blood is conveniently placed onto the slide. The carriage then moves to a position permitting contact between the blood and a spreading blade mounted on a flexible member. The carriage is moved in a forward direction, causing the blade to move relative to the slide, creating the blood smear. The slide is then lifted from the carriage and moved onto a storage platform. Meanwhile, the blade is cleaned as it passes over a cleaning pad on the carriage. Movement of the carriage in both directions insures that both sides and the end of the blade are cleaned.

Abstract: A clamp for securing ground-glass joints between first and second tubes, the first tube having a shoulder located inward of its end, intermediate the ground and unground portions thereof, adjacent the ground joint, and the second tube having an enlarged lip located at its end adjacent the ground joint and the shoulder of the first tube. The clamp has an mounting portion and an attaching portion having first and second parts for accommodating the shoulder and the enlarged lip therebetween, followed by a releasing portion. The mounting portion connects the first and second parts and has forward ends extending substantially symmetrically along a longitudinal axis of the clamp. The forward ends of the mounting portion are biased toward one another by the clamp. The first part of the attaching portion is an attaching collar for partially fitting around the circumference of the first tube adjacent the shoulder rearwardly of the transverse axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for optically testing products such as condoms, gloves or any number of similar objects without contact and non-destructively. In testing for holes, a light source having a wavelength at which the product to be tested is relatively opaque is used to illuminate either the inner or outer wall of the product and a photo sensor sensitive to the particular wavelength is located to sense the amount of light passing through the wall of the product. In testing for embedded particles, a light source of visible light is used to illuminate the product to be tested and a photosensor senses any variation in the amount of light passing through the walls of the product.In the testing of products, such as condoms, for the presence of holes, the condom is mounted on a transparent mandrel or distended by inflating the condom with a jet of air.

Abstract: An autocollimator having particular utility in optical aiming systems for the cannons of battle tanks comprises a pair of light sources for directing two beams of light along different paths towards a light reflector mounted, for example, on the muzzle of a tank barrel. The two beams of light are thus reflected along different paths towards a position sensitive light detector suitable for providing an output electrical signal indicative of both the receipt thereon of one or both of the reflected light beams and the position of the light beams on the light detector. The light sources are alternately turned on and off in non-overlapping time periods to provide identification of which of the two beams is being detected by the light detector.

Abstract: A microscope slide stage for holding a plurality of slides in a plane for sequential viewing by any slide viewer, the stage including a plurality of slide slots have associated with each slot a slidable wedging clamp for securing slides on the stage. The slide stage is particularly suitable for use with computerized slide mapping and analyzing devices.