Abstract: Provided is a sensing catheter having an outer flexible sheath and a proximal section containing a sensing system having a sensing means, a radiant energy providing means and radiation transmitting means, preferably all housed within a fluid channel.

Abstract: A method for detecting a deflection between a source module and a detection module in a scanning apparatus and configured as a sensor pair for scanning transmission measurement of sheet material being transported in a machine direction through a sensing gap formed between the source module and the detection module. The source module is arranged on a first side of the sensing gap and emits a sensing radiation or sensing energy radiation towards the sensing gap, and the detection module is arranged on a second side of the sensing gap opposite to the first side and detects the radiation from the source module and transmitted through the sensing gap. The method includes: attaching a removable blocking device to the detection module; and performing a partially-blocked scanning process during which the source module and the detection module are jointly moved in a cross direction of the scanning apparatus.

Abstract: A method for detecting a deflection or relative deflection between a source module and a detection module in a scanning apparatus and configured as a sensor pair for scanning transmission measurement of sheet material being transported in a machine direction through a sensing gap formed between the source module and the detection module is provided. The source module is arranged on a first side of the sensing gap and emits a sensing radiation or sensing energy radiation towards the sensing gap, and the detection module is arranged on a second side of the sensing gap opposite to the first side and detects the radiation from the source module and transmitted through the sensing gap.

Abstract: Process and device for directly medicinally treating interior tissue during or after intubation of a patient by passing medicinal radiant energy transversely through the intubation device to irradiate the internal patient tissue for promoting healing or for an antimicrobial effect. The invention is useful in conjunction with endoscopies and catherizations, such as urinary catherization, gastric and pulmonary endoscopies, and the like procedures. The process and device can also provide liquid flow and/or vision.

Abstract: A sensing catheter having an outer flexible sheath and a distal section containing a sensing system having a sensing means, a radiant energy providing means and radiation transmitting means, preferably all housed within a fluid channel.

Abstract: A simple surgical drape system of generally flat shape for male urology procedures that provides full isolation of top versus bottom surface by a sealing fenestration surrounding the meatus area. It is achieved by manually forming the flat drape to a tent-like shape around the penis with a fenestration aperture smaller than glans diameter, supported by and sealing to the glans tip, and then attaching a penile clamp to hold the drape. This allows a simplified safer antibacterial preparation and less chance of infection complications. The sealed design permits better management of urology liquids, and can use absorption pad on drape top side. The drape wrinkles act as a penile position stabilizer, reducing need for extended use of the one operator hand for penile support. Drape is removable with catheter in place.

Abstract: Provided is a sensing catheter having an outer flexible sheath and a proximal section containing a sensing system having a sensing means, a radiant energy providing means and radiation transmitting means, preferably all housed within a fluid channel.

Abstract: The invention is a simple surgical drape system for female urology procedures that provides sealed isolation of top versus bottom sides of the drape and only exposes the female urethral meatus area for the procedure. It is achieved by a combination of a drape with a fenestration, a labia spreader where the drape fenestration is attached to provide a seal, and local illumination of the meatus area integrated in the drape system for safer and easier instrument insertion. The labia spreader also frees up one of the operator's hands and provides protection for false catherization. The labia spreader can have a vaginal inserted portion for precise position fixation of the drape fenestration to the female. The drape system also provides improved liquid management made possible by the unique combination of drape and labia spreader acting as seal between the two sides of the drape.

Abstract: Process and device for directly medicinally treating interior tissue during or after intubation of a patient by passing medicinal radiant energy transversely through the intubation device to irradiate the internal patient tissue for promoting healing or for an antimicrobial effect. The invention is useful in conjunction with endoscopies and catherizations, such as urinary catherization, gastric and pulmonary endoscopies, and the like procedures. The process and device can also provide liquid flow and/or vision.

Abstract: A sensing catheter having an outer flexible sheath and a proximal section containing a sensing system having a sensing means, a radiant energy providing means and radiation transmitting means, preferably all housed within a fluid channel.

Abstract: A simple surgical drape system of generally flat shape for male urology procedures that provides full isolation of top versus bottom surface by a sealing fenestration surrounding the meatus area. It is achieved by manually forming the flat drape to a tent-like shape around the penis with a fenestration aperture smaller than glans diameter, supported by and sealing to the glans tip, and then attaching a penile clamp to hold the drape. This allows a simplified safer antibacterial preparation and less chance of infection complications. The sealed design permits better management of urology liquids, and can use absorption pad on drape top side. The drape wrinkles act as a penile position stabilizer, reducing need for extended use of the one operator hand for penile support. Drape is removable with catheter in place.

Abstract: Pinch valves having a flexible, constrictable sleeve are used to control a dilution headbox for a paper making machine. A variety of pinch valves may be used in the present invention with the pinch valves being actuated by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure or by mechanically pinching the valves' sleeves by means of rams driven by stepper or linear drive motors. For pneumatic control, dynamic differential pressure drops are measured across the valves to determine flow rate through the valves. A pinch valve, referred to herein as a torsional pinch valve, is disclosed for dilution headbox control. In one form, a first end of a sleeve is fixedly mounted in a support frame and the second end of the sleeve is mounted for rotation in the frame. A driver rotates the second end of the sleeve such that a flow path through the sleeve is controlled. The flow path is a maximum when no torsion is placed on the sleeve and is reduced to substantially zero by sufficient rotation.

Abstract: A caliper measuring system is provided for determining the thickness of a moving sheet. The system comprises first and second caliper sensing heads having first and second sensing shoes positioned on opposite sides of the moving sheet for engaging the sheet. A gap sensor is associated with the first and second sensing shoes for generating distance signals representative of the distance between the first and second sensing shoes and for determining the thickness of the moving sheet based upon the distance signals. The gap sensor includes a processor which determines the thickness of the moving sheet from the distance signals, generates a count of lumps sensed in the moving web, and generates a baring profile representative of rapid thickness variations along the moving sheet in the direction of movement of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically scanning and measuring the physical parameters of a sheet material by means which are fully enclosed within an air purged cross-machine box-beam structure to protect the radiation source, the radiation detector and the optics from the harsh machine environment. The apparatus may involve a single beam enclosing a combined source/detector module for reflection measurement or dual beams on opposite sides of the sheet for transmission measurement with one enclosing a source module and the other enclosing a detector module. Standardization means are also provided either in the module itself or as an extension of the beam. Means are also disclosed for sealing the opening in the beams through which the radiation passes.

Abstract: Characteristics of moving webs are measured using a radiation source shutter which is rotatably movable between an opened-shutter position and a closed-shutter position and structured to permit access to the radiation source in the closed-shutter position. The source is configured to produce a fan-shaped radiation beam which passes through the web to a detector. The sizing of the fan-shaped beam and the detector together with the spacing the source and the detector are such that the beam width is substantially less than the detector while its length is greater than the detector. This novel beam shaping, detector arrangement provides composition insensitivity, increases solid beam angle and superior streak detection by aligning the beam length dimension with the direction of web movement.

Abstract: A device for measuring the gap between the radiation source and the radiation sensor of a basis weight gauge. A caliper sensor measures the thickness of a sheet of material as it passes through the gap, while the caliper contact shoe rides on the sheet and urges it against a first side of the gap. A linear variable differential transformer measures the distance between a reference point on the contact shoe and the opposed side of the gap. The gap dimension is the sum of the sheet thickness, the distance between the caliper reference point and the second side of the gap, and a readily measurable constant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for determining properties of a web of traveling sheet material by scanning light including at least selected wavelengths such as IR and/or visible wavelengths across the web of material and also across at least two calibration samples. The signals generated in response to the scanning of the calibration samples is used to calibrate the scanning operation preferably on every scan. By providing at least two calibration samples, better estimates of average calibration parameters can be made and detection of a faulty calibration sample is facilitated. The calibration samples preferably are protected by mounting them within a scanner housing in relatively close proximity to a scanning beam generator. In addition, at least two compensation samples are supported substantially adjacent the moving web of material and preferably at least one compensation sample is positioned on each side of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for measuring physical parameters of sheet material via infrared absorption phenomena is disclosed. The invention employs an integral filter-detector package comprising at least two optical filter-detector combinations. The package is contained within a conventional sensor housing which traverses back and forth across the sheet material. The package may comprise an additional filter-detector combination that is selected to produce a detector response having a significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio than the response of remaining detectors. The former response is used in combination with synchronous detectors to provide a reference of the general shape and phase of the latter responses in the absence of high noise.