Abstract: A light source for illuminating a fiber optic cable comprising a housing having an internal cavity and an aperture communicating said cavity externally of said housing, an optical system located within said internal cavity; said optical system comprising a reflector and a high intensity lamp positioned within said reflector for directing light along an optical axis, a plate of heat absorbing material spaced from said reflector, and at least one color filter spaced from said plate and said reflector.

Abstract: Illumination and imaging subsystems for a system for inspecting ophthalmic lenses. The subsystems include a lens holder, a light source, a pixel array and a processor. In use, the light source generates light pulses that are transmitted through the lenses in the lens holder and onto the pixel array to produce thereon light patterns representing the ophthalmic lenses. The pixel array generates signals representing the intensity of light thereon, and the processor processes those signals according to a predetermined program to generate an output signal representing a condition of the lens.

Abstract: A surgical instrument cleaner includes a containment chamber with an intake opening on a front thereof and an exhaust vent on a rear thereof. A manifold is positioned in the intake opening, and connected to a steam source. Nozzles arranged around the manifold emit converging steam jets at a single point positioned away from a plane defined by the nozzles. The steam jets are directed rearwardly into the containment chamber, so that they create a front-to-rear airflow between the intake and the exhaust vent. An instrument is positionable at the jet convergence point for cleaning. The airflow carries steam and airborne debris blasted from the instrument safely away from the user.

Abstract: A holding tray assembly for holding an endoscopic sheath during installation of the sheath onto an insertion tube of an endoscope and removal of the sheath from the insertion tube, wherein the sheath has a distal end and an open proximal end shaped to receive the insertion tube. The holding tray assembly has a tray with a slot formed therein extending inward from the peripheral edge of the tray. The slot is adapted to receive at least a portion of the endoscopic sheath so the proximal end of the sheath is positioned above the tray and the distal end of the sheath is below the tray. A sheath holding clamp is connected to the tray adjacent to a closed end of the slot, wherein the sheath holding clamp is adapted to releasably hold at least a portion of the endoscopic sheath within the slot. A tray securing apparatus is connected to the tray and is adapted to secure the tray onto a floor stand or other tray support structure.

Abstract: A coupling cartridge and end cap for protecting an endoscope from contamination during use. The coupling cartridge provides fluid communication between a pair of external fluid conduits and respective channels formed in an endoscope insertion tube, and between a biopsy channel port projecting from the cartridge and an additional insertion tube channel. In one embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by an external fluid control unit that is electrically controlled by respective switches mounted on the control handle of the endoscope. In another embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by a valve mechanism in the coupling cartridge that is controlled by either an actuator on the cartridge or an actuator on the control handle that is mechanically coupled to the valve mechanism. The coupling cartridge may be removed from endoscope after an endoscopic procedure for disposal or rigorous cleaning.

Abstract: Bio-erodible ophthalmic shields comprising gelatin, a glycosaminoglycan (for example chondroitin sulfate) and carboxymethyl cellulose, and a method of treating a traumatized or "dry" eye by administering the gelatin-based ophthalmic shields to the traumatized eye. The ophthalmic shields are bio-compatible and bio-erodible in traumatized, non-traumatized and dry eyes. The gelatin-based ophthalmic shields can further include one or more therapeutically active substances that will be released to the eye.

Abstract: A beverage package and a method of packaging a beverage such as beer containing gas in solution has a container can 1 having a primary chamber 1A charged with beer 14 to form a small headspace 15. The can 1 is sealed and includes a submerged insert 8 forming a relief chamber 6 which is sealed by a closure 11. The insert 8 is responsive to heat applied during pasteurization which causes the closure 11 to open the relief chamber so that the latter can accommodate beer derived from the primary chamber 1A to provide an enlarged headspace 15A. The small headspace 15 initially provided facilitates removal of air therefrom prior to sealing of the container while the enlarged headspace 15A is adequate to accommodate froth or foam developed by the intentional liberation of gas from solution in the beer. An insert part 7 forming a secondary chamber 5 may be provided for injecting gas or liquid into the beer to liberate gas therefrom for froth or foam development in the enlarged headspace.

Abstract: A process modification of the content of a sequence of images which can be represented as a matrix of pixels. For that purpose a non-deformable target zone to be replaced in the scene is identified and is characterized, both in position and in dimensions, by reference to marks located close to each other and connected to the target zone in each image. The position with respect to the marks to be assigned to a model which can be superimposed on the target zone, stored in digital form, is determined. For each particular image, the geometrical transformation to be carried out on the model so that it corresponds to variations in the appearance of the target zone in all the successive images in the same shot is determined automatically using a correlation calculation based on the marks. Data suitable for enabling replacement of each current representation of the target are derived from the transformation and output. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A soft contact lens which comprises a water-swollen gel of a polymer prepared by polymerizing one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, one or more cross-linking monomers, and a monomer that contains metal-chelating functionality such as an aminopolycarboxylic acid that contains a polymerizable olefinic group.

Abstract: A method of making a multifocal refractive lens to focus light on the retina of the eye. The lens includes a plurality of segments, having different optical powers, at least one for distance vision and another for near. The lens does not require orientation to produce adequate far and near vision and normal stereoscopic effect. One or both of the segments having the optical powers may have aspherical lens surface. The central zone of the lens consists of only one lens segment, providing a clear central axis. Segments of the other optical power border the first segment along a path defined by a semi-circle or hyperbola that extends from one point along the periphery of the adjoining segments to another point along the periphery of the adjoining segments.

Abstract: A wrench for installing and removing a tip onto and from a tool comprises a rotary part and a locking hub. The tool includes a housing and a rotatable shaft which has a threaded bore. The tip includes a working portion and a threaded shank which is to be secured in the threaded bore of the shaft. The hub includes a projection which has a non-circular opening which engages a complementary surface on the shaft and a non-circular exterior surface which engages a complementary surface on the interior of the housing to prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the housing. The rotary part includes a passage which includes a non-circular portion which engages the tip to screw the tip into the shaft.

Abstract: Autostereoscopic imaging is achieved by acquiring succession of first and second image frames from at least two different points of view, and image processing the first and second image frames, such that progressively different partial images of at least focussed and converged subject images in the second image frames are substituted for corresponding subject partial images in the first image frames in repeating sequence on a corresponding image frame-by-image frame basis to create a succession of composite image frames. Two-dimensional display of the resulting succession of composite image frames is perceivable in three-dimensional illusion.

Abstract: An observer is presented, through a pair of viewing glasses, a field/frame multiplexed, synthesized three-dimensional or stereoscopic image on single monitor generated from a two-dimensional monocular video signal. The field/frame multiplexed, synthesized 3D image is generated in a converter. A controller controls the left and right eye vision of the glasses along an unobstructed path without need of any connecting wires. A wide range of input sources can provide the 2D input video signal for conversion. The resulting synthesized 3D image is especially suited for medical and other purposes which require realistic, accurate and visually comfortable 3D visualization of video images, as for example in minimally-invasive surgery to allow complex navigational and manipulational procedures carried out over a continuous period of many hours.

Abstract: A method of making multifocal refractive contact lens to focus light on the retina of the eye uses a plurality of at least two of each alternating segments having different optical powers for distance vision and for near. The lens of the invention does not require orientation to produce adequate far and near vision and normal steroscoptic effect. One or both of the segments having the optical powers may have aspherical lens surface. Preferably, the lens has at least one aspherical lens surface and the segments are divided by an arcuate path going from the center of the lens to edge. Such a lens is manufactured by taking lens molds and cutting the molds from the edge through the center to the opposite edge along a predetermined path. The molds are cut so that the segments produced are interchangable and can be fitted together to make a mold that can produce the multifocal refractive contact lens by molding.

Abstract: A method of controlling the colour balance of a video signal which comprises green, red and blue channel singals. Pixels are identified which have a green intensity within a peak intensity band. For these pixels, the red and blue intensities are examined to identify pixel subsets which are within respective red and blue peak bands. If the red and or blue peak bands are greater than the green peak band the gain of the red and/or blue channel(s) is increased. If the red and/or blue peak bands are lower than the green peak band, red and/or blue peak bands are determined for the entire video frame and are compared with the green peak band. If the red and/or blue peak bands for the entire frame are lower than that for the green channel, the gain of the red and/or blue channel(s) is increased.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting ophthalmic lenses. The system comprises a transport subsystem for moving the lenses into an inspection position, and an illumination subsystem to generate a light beam and to direct the light beam through the lenses. The system further comprises an imaging subsystem to generate a set of signals representing selected portions of the light beam transmitted through the lenses, and a processing subsystem to process those signals according to a predetermined program. The illumination subsystem includes a light source to generate a light beam and a diffuser to form that light beam with a generally uniform intensity across the transverse cross section of the light beam. The illumination subsystem further includes a lens assembly to focus a portion of the light beam onto an image plane, and to focus a portion of the light beam onto a focal point in front of the image plane to form a diffuser background pattern on the image plane.

Abstract: A multifocal trial frame system includes a trial frame shaped to engage the head of a wearer and which includes an adjustable nose bridge and a pair of downwardly-depending studs which are laterally adjustable relative to the nose bridge, a pair of lens brackets adjustably attachable to the studs, each including first and second lens rims; a pair of distance prescription lenses shaped to be retained by the first pair of rims; and a pair of multifocal lenses shaped to be received by the second pair of rims. The multifocal lenses each include a neutral portion and an insert portion having a close-viewing prescription. The insert portion is incorporated into the neutral portion to form a continuous, unitary lens with the neutral portion, so that the distance and the multifocal lenses cooperate to simulate multifocal eyeglasses of a predetermined prescription and configuration.

Abstract: An integral input/computer component combination is disclosed wherein a input device may share a single data port on the host computer with a Fax modem and be mounted to a monitor, printer, keyboard etc. so as to have a small footprint. A pair of UARTS coupled to a a microprocessor in the input device implements a passthrough connection from the port of the input device coupled to the data port of the host to a data port of the input device coupled to the Fax modem whenever the input device using scanning technology is not in use. A relay makes the same passthrough connection whenever power is turned off to the input device. In one zero footprint embodiment, the input device input device has snap-in projections which are pushed into slots formed in the computer component housing to lock the input device into place.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by the steps of:(1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising:(a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and one or more cross-linking monomers; and(b) an inert, displaceable diluent selected from the group consisting of:(i) ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(ii) ethoxylated bisphenol A;(iii) polyethylene glycol;(iv) mixture of propoxylated and ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(v) single phase mixture of ethoxylated or propoxylated alkyl glucoside and C.sub.2-12 dihydric alcohol;(vi) adduct of .epsilon.-caprolactone and C.sub.2-6 alkanediols and triols;(vii) ethoxylated C.sub.3-6 alkanetriol; and(viii) mixtures of one or more of (i) through (vii),under conditions to polymerize said monomer mixture to produce a shaped gel of a copolymer of said monomers and said diluent; and(2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

Abstract: The visualization method includes generating a relatively wide beam of light directed onto an object to be inspected and determining the center of intensity of the wide beam of light reflected from the object for facilitating geometric dimensional calculations of a large number of such objects, such as solder deposits on the surface of a printed circuit board, in a very short period of time and in a very accurate manner.