Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for detecting the presence or absence of a discontinuity on a glass surface. The apparatus includes a transmitting means for directing and receiving infrared electromagnetic radiation relative to the glass surface, a positioning means for positioning the transmitting means in a fixed angular and distance relation with respect to the glass surface, and a sensing means for determining the relative magnitude of the received radiation, the magnitude being indicative of the presence or absence of a discontinuity. The apparatus may be translated relative to the glass surface to detect discontinuities therealong.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices are provided involving at least one chamber, at least one capillary, and at least one reagent involved in a system providing for a detectable signal. As appropriate, the devices provide for measuring a sample, mixing the sample with reagents, defining a flow path, and reading the result. Of particular interest is the use of combinations of specific binding pair members which result in agglutination information, where the resulting agglutination particles may provide for changes in flow rate, light patterns of a flowing medium, or light absorption or scattering. A fabrication technique particularly suited for forming internal chambers in plastic devices is also described along with various control devices for use with the basic device.

Abstract: A configuration measuring apparatus includes a contacting member for contacting and tracing a surface of an object to be measured, a supporting member for supporting the contacting member and having a reflecting surface, an optical probe, a driving device, and an X-coordinate or XY-coordinate measuring device. The optical probe supports the contacting member through the supporting member and has an automatic focusing device for moving an objective lens in the Z-direction, which is an optical direction of the lens, so that a focusing point of the objective lens is positioned at the reflecting surface in spite of a possible dislocation of the reflecting surface, which is to be at a focusing position of the objective lens for condensing a laser beam and a device for measuring a Z-coordinate of the reflecting surface by allowing interference of the laser beam which has been reflected by the reflecting surface with a reference light.

Abstract: A control panel, which includes a programmable electroluminescent touch screen, is mounted so as to be operable by the radiologist during a PTCA procedure. The system has the capability of displaying, for comparison purposes, synchronized comparable images of the arterial blood flow before and after the PTCA procedure. Synchronized image is achieved by adding or deleting video frames from the end of a patient's cardiac cycle.

Abstract: An X-ray lithography optical system has an elongated concave scanning mirror spaced a first predetermined distance from a source of X-rays. The mirror has a reflecting surface of part toroidal configuration having a first radius of curvature coincident with that of a torus of which the mirror is part and spaced opposite first and second ends having a second radius of curvature, different from the first radius of curvature, coincident with that of the circle which generates the torus. A photoresist is spaced a second predetermined distance from the mirror and positioned to receive X-rays reflected by the mirror. The second predetermined distance is greater than the first predetermined distance. A mask in proximity with the photoresist permits a predetermined pattern of X-rays to impinge on the photoresist and blocks all other X-rays.

Abstract: A system for locating a region of varying density in biological tissue such as a breast includes a controlled x-ray source for directing x-rays through the breast, a phosphor screen positioned to receive x-rays exiting from the tissue and producing light in response thereto, a cooled, slow scan CCD camera, a variable magnification optical system positioned to receive light emitted by the phosphor screen and directing it to the cooled, slow scan CCD camera, a high resolution monitor, and a control system receiving signals from the cooled, slow scan CCD camera and digitizing the signals to produce digital data representative of the densities of various locations of the tissue.

Abstract: An assembly is provided which is capable of the multiple functions that are necessary for the quality control of teleradiotherapy machines such a high energy medical accelerators, cobalt 60 machines, and low energy x-ray machines. The assembly includes a detector which is isocentrically rotatable about a pair of horizontal axes. Photodetectors or a luminescent screen are provided within the detector for detecting light and/or radiation. Tests which may be performed with the assembly include determining the position and size of a light field, the mechanical isocentricity of the gantry and of the collimator, positioning of the lasers in the treatment room, the optical distance indicator, and coincidence, symmetry, flatness and uniformity of the radiation and light fields. The multifunctionality of the assembly is based upon the isocentricity of the detector, this invariant point in space being positioned to coincide with that of the treatment machine.

Abstract: A plurality of power driver modules are removably mounted on a circuit board which interfaces with a computer control system. The input/power driver output switches in each module use optical coupling. A controller sets the power switches according to instructions from the computer control system, and the system can determine the set state of the power switches by reading a set state memory or directly determining the actual state of the switches by reading the switch state from an input circuit on the input/output power driver module.

Abstract: A double beam scan type optical apparatus for use in a laser printer or the like. Such apparatus comprises two light sources and a lens system which provide scanning means for scanning a surface with parallel output light beams of the two light sources and beam distance controlling means for controlling the distance between the light beams. The reliability of the invention is improved by monitoring the intensity of the beams. Beam intensity checking means provide signals to verify that the intensity of each beam is maintained equal thus assuring that no abnormal conditions exist with the light sources or the lens system of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for recording and reproducing an X-ray image is provided which method comprises the steps of:(1) causing a photostimulable phosphor to absorb image-wise or pattern-wise modulated X-rays,(2) photostimulating said phosphor with stimulating electromagnetic radiation selected from visible light and infrared light to release from the phosphor in accordance with the absorbed X-rays electromagnetic radiation different in wavelength characteristic from the radiation used in the photo-stimulation, and(3) detecting said light emitted by photostimulation, wherein said phosphor is a halosilicate containing as host metal at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr, Ba, Mg, Cd, Zn and Pb, as halogen at least one member selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I, and comprising as dopant(s) Eu.sup.2+ and/or Cr.sup.3+.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices are provided involving at least one chamber, at least one capillary, and at least one reagent involved in a system providing for a detectable signal. As appropriate, the devices provide for measuring a sample, mixing the sample with reagents, defining a flow path, and reading the result. Of particular interest is the use of combinations of specific binding pair members which result in agglutination information, where the resulting agglutination particles may provide for changes in flow rate, light patterns of a flowing medium, or light absorption or scattering. A fabrication technique particularly suited for forming internal chambers in plastics devices is also described along with various control devices for use with the basic device.

Abstract: A radiation treatment apparatus is provided which has an extendable imaging device. The radiation treatment apparatus comprises a stand which supports a gantry in a rotable manner. The gantry has a treatment head for emitting a radiation beam towards an object. The extendable imaging device is coupled to the gantry opposite to the treatment head in the trajectory of the radiation beam at a point past the object. The imaging device includes an holding means which is extendable from the gantry one end of which is arranged at the gantry and at the other end of which a detector head is coupled. The detector head comprises an image converting means which in its operating position is essentially perpendicular to the radiation beam and which converts an image represented by the radiation beam into a visible image. It also comprises a reflector coupled with the image converting means for reflecting the visible image into a light channel formed by the holding means and to a video camera.

Abstract: A circuit technique for reducing the sensitivity of solid-state relays, having a normally-on (closed) contact, to transients on the output thereof when the contact is open (relay is actuated). The relay has series of photodiodes, a switch, and a pair of depletion type output transistors coupled to the output of the relay. The output transistors are driven by the photodiodes with the switch in parallel with the input of the transistors. The switch allows for the rapid deactuation of the relay. A resistor, disposed in series with the switch, reduces the susceptibility of the relay to the transients by slowing the turn-on of the switch.

Abstract: An x-ray diagnostics apparatus for obtaining an x-ray exposure of a bedridden patient permits the exposure to be obtained without moving the patient from the bed. The patient bed has two patient bearing surfaces. The patient lies on the upper surface, and a lower surface is vertically adjustable beneath the upper surface. When the lower surface is lowered to permit the introduction of an x-ray cassette between the upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface is supported, such as by a fabric tentered to the bed frame. An optical system is provided for accurately positioning the x-ray film cassette, and a wireless transmission path for an automatic exposure unit may also be provided.

Abstract: A traveling wave optical modulator on X-cut lithium niobate is disclosed which has improved bandwidth capability along with a low switching voltage requirement and good impedance matching. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed invention, the impedance of a traveling wave optical modulator may be increased to a desired input impedance without adversely affecting the drive voltage or velocity matching of the modulator. This is accomplished by reducing the width of the ground electrodes to not more than 3 times the width of the hot electrode.

Abstract: A detector arrangement is disclosed for an industrial CT x-ray system which uses a three dimensional cone beam to irradiate the specimen and a large two dimensional scintillation screen to develop a light image corresponding to the energy of the attenuated radiation beams. The light image is focused by a special lens arrangement with zoom capability onto the photocathode of an intensifier. The intensified light image developed is transmitted by fiberoptics to a plurality of CCD chips, each chip developing electrical signals corresponding to a segment of the image developed in the intensifier. The chips are clocked in a predetermined manner based on a prior information developed in an initial scan to produce a high resolution image of large industrial objects in a short time.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a chamber for placing an article in a predetermined ambience; a holding device for holding the article in the chamber; a fluid supplying device for supplying a temperature adjusting fluid into the holding device through a flow passageway; a detecting device for detecting leakage of the fluid from the flow passageway; and a flow rate controlling device for controlling the flow rate of the fluid to be supplied to the holding device on the basis of the detection by the detecting device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sorting chromosomes or cells by utilizing a difference in fluorescent profilepatterns. A linear laser beam having a high beam intensity is formed from several fringe patterns, and fluorescence intensities from local portions of chromosome or cell are measured in real-time. Resolution of chromosome or cell is improved. A type of flowing chromosome or cell which permits the rotational conditions within a range can be sorted accurately and rapidly.

Abstract: A sheet of x-ray film in a film cassette is identified with patient data by first providing such data to a data carrier, such as an LCD unit, mounted on the cassette and facing away from the cassette. Then the film that is removed from the cassette in a light-tight environment and exposed to the patient data in the data carrier.

Abstract: A spot compression and magnification device for use with mammographic units to aid in the spot compression of a female patient's breast to obtain a high degree of focal breast compression and a high quality x-ray image of a suspicious mass within the breast. The device has a base including an open bottom and an upstanding pedestal opening into the base, the pedestal having a flat top surface so that an air gap is provided between the top surface of the pedestal and the surface of the imaging platform or cassettes cover of a conventional mammographic unit. The pedestal has a substantially truncated conical form while the base has a substantially truncated pyramid configuration. Clamping handles are resilientlty attached to portions of the base to permit the handles to be pulled away from the base and be urged into clamping engagement in conjunction with the bottom edge of the base against the cassette cover.