Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for providing an optical fiber transmission mixer wherein the cladding material is removed from an intermediate region of a plurality of fibers and the exposed fiber cores are encapsulated in a matching or slightly higher refractive index material. The encapsulated intermediate region of the fibers is then enclosed in a low index sheath to prevent light from escaping from the mixer.

Abstract: A generally flexible fiber-optic light guide comprising a multifilament bundle of coated fibers in a sheath and having at least one permanently bent portion defining a rigid curve, the bent portion being arranged within an end piece or socket of the light guide; the coated fibers within the bent portion being closely packed and embedded in a solid material capable of serving as a lubricant when in an uncured state. The permanently bent portion is produced by arranging the coated fiber closely packed in a straight tube made of a ductile material, filling the tube with an agent capable of serving as a lubricating agent when in an uncured state, bending said tube with the fibers and the lubricating agent and curing the lubricating agent so as to form a solid matrix or bedding for the fibers in the bent portion.

Abstract: A communication cable is composed of a number of optical fibers with an outer coating, loosely twisted together to form basic groups, provided with tension-relieving wires and sheathed to form a cable while filling the interspaces with lubricants.

Abstract: A mechanism for focussing the objective lens assembly of a variable power telescopic rifle sight. A rotatable cam ring is used in conjunction with a coil spring which urges the lens assembly against the cam ring. A lens retainer portion of the lens assembly adjacent to the cam ring has formed thereon a camming ramp which is complimentary to a camming surface formed on the cam ring.

Abstract: A process for the reproducible manufacture of fenestrated hydrogels is described whereby unpolymerized hydrogel monomers are cast, polymerized in the mold and fenestrations produced in situ.

Abstract: An optical harmonic microscope assembly and an examination method which provides for focusing lased coherent light as an incident beam onto a specimen, disposing the optical path of a microscope and the incident beam at a relative angle in a range which is at least as broad as 0.degree.-90.degree., blocking the fundamental frequency of the lased light and viewing light of a harmonic of said fundamental frequency generated by nonlinear diffraction by said specimen.

Abstract: A transmitted illumination device for microscopes which can furnish brilliance for viewing, illuminate objects with uniform light and is compact in construction and easy in handling. The device consists of a collector lens, a detachably mounted additional lens system, a field stop, a rear lens system and a condenser lens, arranged in succession from a light source toward a test piece and optically aligned with each other. The additional lens system consists of front and rear components. The front component is composed of a convex lens and the rear component is composed of a convex lens followed by another convex lens. The rear lens system consists of front and rear components each composed of a convex lens.

Abstract: A progressive power ophthalmic lens is described on which one refractive surface is formed to provide zones at the top and bottom of the refractive surface having constant dioptric focal powers. The two zones having constant dioptric focal power are of different radii of curvature such that a near viewing zone is located at the bottom and a distance viewing zone is located at the top of the refractive surface. Between these two constant dioptric focal power zones lies an intermediate zone having progressive dioptric focal power within a range centered between the dioptric focal powers of the upper and lower zones. There is a downwardly positive discontinuity in the dioptric focal power at the boundary between at least one of the constant dioptric focal power zones and the intermediate zone having progressive dioptric focal power. This power discontinuity lowers the rate of addition of dioptric focal power through the progressive power intermediate zone.

Abstract: An improved flexible contact lens is provided having hydrophilic and lipophobic properties which allow extended duration of wear by eliminating or greatly reducing the risk of rupture of the natural tear film produced by the cornea. These properties are achieved by crosslinking a selected water soluble polymer which has been grafted onto a pre-formed substrate, for example crosslinking polyvinyl pyrrolidone which has been previously grafted onto a silicone substrate. The grafting and the crosslinking are accomplished in separate stages.

Abstract: An Achromatic Aplanatic Condenser having a numerical aperture of 1.30 has 3 components.

Abstract: Refractive characteristics of the eye or eyes of a microscopist can result in an unfocused image in the film plane of a camera attachment if accommodation occurs in the objective focusing system and an unfocus image can be prevented by providing a separate image for adjustment of the eyepiece or eyepieces to accommodate refractive characteristics of the eye or eyes of the microscopist independent of the object focusing mechanism.

Abstract: A progressive power ophthalmic lens is described on which one refractive surface is formed to provide zones at the top and bottom of the refractive surface having constant dioptric focal power. The two zones having constant dioptric focal power are of different radii of curvature such that a near viewing zone is located at the bottom and a distance viewing zone is located at the top of the refractive surface. Between these two constant dioptric focal power zones lies an intermediate zone having progressive dioptric focal power between the dioptric focal powers of the upper and lower zones. The intermediate zone makes a smooth optical connection to each of the other zones so that the refractive surface is continuous over its entire area.

Abstract: A contact lens has a concave surface which is adapted to contact the cornea of an eye and a convex surface which is adapted to contact the eyelid. At least the convex surface of the lens possesses hydrophilic characteristics although the concave surface of the lens preferably possesses such characteristics also. In any event, the convex surface of the lens has a greater wettability than the concave surface thereof. The more highly hydrophilic character of the convex surface prevents the deposition thereon of fatty substances carried by the tear fluid which may cause opacity of the lens. The less highly hydrophilic character of the concave surface decreases the forces responsible for maintaining the lens in position in the eye, although not to such an extent that the lens does not remain properly positioned.

Abstract: A multifocal ophthalmic lens is described on which one refractive surface is formed to provide a plurality of vertically juxtaposed viewing zones each of which has constant dioptric focal power. The constant dioptric focal power in the various zones increases successively from top to bottom of the multifocal ophthalmic lens. The refractive surface in the zones other than the viewing zone having the lowest focal power at the top of the lens is divided into a plurality of laterally disposed areas. In those areas near the periphery of the lens, the lens is provided with an aspheric surface formed from sections of a figure of revolution such that the principal axes of astigmatism lie in vertical and horizontal planes so that a wearer of the multifocal ophthalmic lens continues to perceive horizontal lines as being horizontal and vertical lines as being vertical and unbroken.

Abstract: A microscope drape fabricated from a very thin, transparent, heat-resistant plastic film which is adapted to completely house an operating microscope including its support arms, is provided with an improved tubular ocular housing extension, the free outer end of which terminates in a pull tab which serves not only to facilitate positioning of said tubular portion over an ocular, but also to facilitate removal of said pull tabs whereby to accurately and effectively position the free outer end of the ocular housing extension remaining after removal of the tab portion closely adjacent to the outer ends of the eyepieces of the oculars.

Abstract: An optical system, commonly referred to as an Optical probe in the simulation art, that views either a two dimensional or a three dimensional model in the scale of the model world and then images the view remote from the model to television cameras of real world scale. The two dimensional model viewed is an orthographic projection from a perspective free, full color strip film. The system can view either a front or a rear screen projection. When viewing the projection from any scale eye height, the device introduces the proper perspective with vanishing points from the scale eye height for the television pick-up cameras. The invention can also be used with solid three dimensional models to perform the same function.

Abstract: A floor or ceiling mounted microscope for microsurgery with various accessories wherein the microscope is rotatably journalled in a suspension mounting in a manner so that the pivot axis of the microscope coincides with the axis of the beam splitter. The accessories may either be rigidly secured to the suspension mounting, or be rotatable together with the microscope.

Abstract: A microscope illumination system provides light for both transmitted and vertical microscopy techniques. A transmitted light illuminator comprises a collector lens system, a zoom lens system, and a collimator lens system which direct the light from a source to the microscope condenser. The vertical illumination system utilizes the same light source and comprises a collimator lens system, a relay lens system, and a collector lens system which provides the light directed into the rear of the microscope objective by a beam splitter.

Abstract: In a half-duplex or multi-channel optical transmission line, parallel rods, which retain and concentrically align movable and stationary fibers, form a precise switch detent for reproducibly switching a movable fiber from one to another of a plurality of stationary fibers.

Abstract: A wettable contact lens of the type applied to the human eye to correct vision deficiencies, said lens formed of a transparent, dimensionally stable, solid material characterized by an index of refraction approximating that of the human tears.