Abstract: A disinfection solution, primarily for use in conjunction with contact lenses is disclosed comprising an amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable ionic salt which is equivalent in ionic strength to at least 5% w/v sodium chloride, at least one of a C.sub.2-6 alkanol and a C.sub.3-8 alkylene glycol, a pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant, optionally a buffer, and water.

Abstract: Concentric lens designs are disclosed for astigmatic presbyopes which comprise at least one surface which has a circular central portion and a plurality of concentric annular rings with at least three separate optical powers corresponding to a prescription for a patient and corresponding to 1) a basic distance spherical prescription Rx, 2) a near add spherical prescription Rx, and 3) a spherical prescription corresponding to the full, or preferably a fraction of the, cylindrical prescription Rx. An astigmatic presbyopic prescription contains an astigmatic correction, normally in the nature of a cylindrical prescription which specifies both the cylindrical optical power and the orientation of the cylindrical axis. The cylindrical prescription is taken into account in the design of the lens, but not with a cylindrical optical surface.

Abstract: A portable cart for transporting highly sensitive equipment such as an excimer laser is disclosed. The portable cart includes a first frame support including spaced feet for supporting the equipment on a floor surface. A second frame support includes rollers for rolling movement of the equipment. The first frame support is vertically movable relative to the second frame support. Expandable/retractable shock absorbing element are positioned between the first and second frame supports. The shock absorbing elements when expanded lift the first frame support including the spaced feet above a floor surface while rollers of the second frame support to engage a floor surface for rolling shock absorbing movement of the equipment. The expandable/retractable shock absorbing elements when retracted lower the first frame support to cause the spaced feet to engage a floor surface for fixed support of the highly sensitive equipment on a floor surface.

Abstract: A photochromic article that includes a host material and a photochromic amount of a naphthopyran compound, the naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 ', R.sub.2 ', R.sub.3 ', R.sub.4 ', R.sub.5 ', R.sub.6 ', R.sub.7 ', R.sub.8 ', R.sub.9 ', R.sub.10 ', R.sub.1 ", R.sub.2 ", R.sub.3 ", R.sub.4 ", R.sub.5 ", R.sub.6 ", R.sub.7 ", R.sub.8 ", R.sub.9 ", and R.sub.10 " are each selected from the following group: a stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, halogen, a nitrogen-substituted group, and a nitrogen-substituted ring compound.

Abstract: An optical detector includes a charge-coupled device (CCD). The CCD comprises an active cell for receiving a narrow beam of incident illumination and generating photoelectrons in response thereto, and a first stage readout register comprising a row of N transfer cells, where N>1. A first stage gate structure transfers charge packets consecutively from the active cell into the first stage readout register, whereby N successive charge packets are read into the N cells respectively of the first stage readout register. N second stage readout registers each comprise M transfer cells, where M>1, and a second stage gate structure transfers N charge packets from the N cells of the first stage readout register into respective first cells of the second stage readout registers and subsequently shifts the N charge packets from the respective first cells of the second stage readout registers to respective Mth cells thereof.

Abstract: A production line tracking and quality control system and method thereof comprises a series of pallets for carrying one or more first contact lens mold halves or one or more complementary second contact lens mold halves throughout a contact lens fabrication facility. Each pallet of the series is transported on a conveyor device throughout the fabrication facility, and each pallet includes a unique identifying code. The fabrication facility includes one or more process stations and a control device provides real time monitoring of contact lens fabrication processes at the one or more process stations. The control device further includes a tracking device for identifying the unique code of each of the pallets at one or more process stations while continually receiving monitored process condition values at each station.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a polarization altering substance, such as ice, on a surface includes a polarizing filter on the surface between the surface and the polarization altering substance. When the polarizing filter includes alternating regions having orthogonal polarizing properties, only one viewing of the surface through a blocking filter is required. When light, either polarized or unpolarized, reflects off the surface, it passes through the polarizing filter and becomes polarized. Reflected light that additionally passes through ice after leaving the polarizer becomes unpolarized. When viewed through a blocking polarizer filter, polarized light passing through ice appears bright due to the unpolarizing effect of ice. On the other hand, polarized light not passing through ice retains its polarization and appears dark when viewed through a blocking filter.

Abstract: A photochromic article that includes a host material and a photochromic amount of a naphthopyran compound, the naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 ', R.sub.2 ', R.sub.3 ', R.sub.4 ', R.sub.5 ', R.sub.6 ', R.sub.7 ', R.sub.8 ', R.sub.9 ', R.sub.10 ', R.sub.1 ", R.sub.2 ", R.sub.3 ", R.sub.4 ", R.sub.5 ", R.sub.6 ", R.sub.7 ", R.sub.8 ", R.sub.9 ", and R.sub.10 " are each selected from the following group: a stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, halogen, a nitrogen-substituted group, and a nitrogen-substituted ring compound.

Abstract: Spray bottle dispensers for liquid products featuring, in the case of a first embodiment, a refillable and rechargeable container especially designed so that the product being dispensed does not come into contact with working parts of the valve structure, thus obviating problems due to gum-up. In an alternate embodiment, loss of the propellant (compressed air) through the container wall is prevented by using a first compliant walled container for the product to be dispensed and a second compliant wall container as a liner.

Abstract: A casino game based on a selected card game in which a player wagers on one or more of a group of hands, and where the chances of winning are not enhanced by the skills of the player and no discretion in the selection of cards is vested in either the player or dealer. A card game, such as blackjack, baccarat, or stud poker, is selected. A number of hands are dealt as lines on a playing surface and players wager as to which hand will win. The playing surface has a dealer position including a line for each hand dealt, and player positions in a semicircle around the dealer position, each including a location at which wagers are placed. Winning wagers are paid a multiple of the wager. Optionally, the multiple is based on the odds of obtaining the particular winning combination.

Abstract: To simplify the process of preparing microscope slides, an advanced automatic staining apparatus is disclosed. The disclosed automatic staining apparatus comprises an electromechanical automatic staining device that is coupled to a personal computer system using an interface card. An autostainer control program runs on the personal computer system. The autostainer control program allows a user to simply program the automatic staining apparatus using simple commands entered in the graphical user interface. The autostainer control program includes several features that simplify the programming such as safeguards that ensure compatible reagents are being used; automatic buffer solution requirement calculator; and the ability to determine optimal staining procedure. The electromechanical automatic staining device includes features such as dual waste bins for hazardous and nonhazardous waste storage, an automatic dispenser cleansing system; and unique slide clip that minimizes capillary effect.

Abstract: An automated means for hydrating a molded hydrophilic contact lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. A first rotary transfer device then hands the first hydration carrier to a second robotic assembly which immerses the first hydration carrier in a hydration bath to hydrate the lens and to release the lens from the lens mold. While the lens is immersed in the hydration bath, each lens is transferred from its respective mold to a lens transfer means found within the top chamber plate.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable lateral illumination system comprising a housing having an internal cavity and an aperture communicating the cavity externally of the housing, an optical system located within the internal cavity; the optical system comprising a reflector and a high intensity lamp positioned within the reflector for directing light along an optical axis, a plate of heat absorbing material spaced from the reflector, and at least one color filter spaced from the plate and the reflector; the optical cable including a plurality of optical fibers and a ferrule assembly for supporting the cable to the optical system.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for employing a surfactant which is provided in order to assist in the release from each other of mold components of a multi-part mold employed in the molding of polymeric articles; for instance, such as a hydrophilic contact lens, upon completion of the molding process for the polymeric articles. The surfactant is applied in the form of a film or coating on surface portions of one of the mold components in order to facilitate the disengagement between the mold components during demolding, and the removal of excess polymeric molding material adhesively deposited on surfaces thereon.

Abstract: A presence of a polarization altering substance on a specular surface is detected by transmitting light from a single strobed light source to the surface over a transmitting path and receiving the transmitted light from the surface. An intensity of the light is measured in both an optical non-isolator state and an isolator state by a same detector by delaying the non-isolated return light for a definite period of time before measuring it with the detector. The measured isolated and non-isolated intensities are converted to logarithmic form, range corrected, and compared to reference data established for the specific specular surface being investigated to detect the presence or absence of the polarization altering substance. Attenuation and backscattering effects of scattering and/or absorbing interference in the transmitted light are compensated so that the reference table is entered at the correct point. Using different intensities of transmitted light increases the dynamic range of the system.

Abstract: A design family of contact lenses includes a central area utilized for distance vision, surrounded by multiple alternating annuli of near and distance optical powers, surrounded by a peripheral distance zone. The design can also be used in intraocular lenses (IOL). The distance optical power is constant across the design family of lenses, but the near optical power increases as a subject's presbyopia increases. The design family of contact lenses can be fitted to a patient in a standard fashion by fitting both eyes to the best distance visual acuity (VA), and obtaining near acuity from the near annuli. A modified monovision method fits the patient's dominant eye with a contact lens as described having the full prescription distance power and fitting the nondominant eye with a contact lens as described having a distance optical power between the full prescription distance optical power and the near optical power.

Abstract: A bicycle seat suspension includes a parallelogram linkage having one end mounted to a seat post and another end supporting a saddle. A resilient member between opposed members of the parallelogram linkage deforms during linkage displacement to absorb shocks and to provide a restoring force to the linkage. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the initial preload on the resilient member to adapt the suspension system to varying terrain and riding conditions. The resilient member is also configured to provide varying restoring forces at varying degrees of compression to further adapt the suspension to varying riding conditions. The various members of the parallelogram linkage are configured for strength, light weight and manufacturing economy. A universal sleeve and shim arrangement is provided for adapting the seat suspension for use with bicycles having frames formed of tubing of different diameters.

Abstract: A microelectronic light-emitting device (10) is made with dual lateral thin-film emitters (35 and 40) substantially parallel to a substrate (20). Emitter electrodes (35 and 40) have a thickness of not more than several hundred angstroms. Each emitter has an emitting blade edge (110 or 115) having a small radius of curvature. Thus, opposed emitters for two opposite-sign carriers are provided, shaped to provide very high electric field intensity at their emitting tips. A region containing phosphor (50) extends between the two emitters and contacts them. When a suitable bias voltage is applied, electrons are injected into the phosphor from the blade edge of one emitter and holes are injected from the other emitter. The sum of diffusion lengths of the carriers (including secondary carriers) is equal to or greater than the shortest distance between the emitters. DC, AC, pulsed, or other voltage waveforms can be applied. Light emission is excited from the phosphor by carrier recombination.

Abstract: A microsurgical scalpel assembly including an elongate scalpel handle and a scalpel blade affixed at one end of the scalpel handle and a shield releasably affixed to the one end of the scalpel handle and extending away from the handle to operably surround the scalpel blade to isolate sharp surfaces of the scalpel blade from a surgeon and to protect the blade from damage during a re-sterilization autoclave procedure.