Abstract: The invention describes radiation cameras consisting of interlaced scintillation fiber arrays and a fiber readout method using pixellated photo-detector cameras. Several fabrication methods of the fiber arrays are described. The use of such Radiation Cameras in Medical Imaging systems is also described.

Abstract: The invention consists in structuring scintillation radiation detectors as Photonic Bandgap Crystals or 3D layers of thin filaments, thus enabling extremely high spatial resolutions and achieving virtual voxellation of the radiation detector without physical separating walls. The ability to precisely measure the recoil electron track in a Compton camera enables to assess the directions of the gamma rays hitting the detector and consequently dispensing with collimators that strongly reduce the intensity of radiation detected by gamma cameras. The invention enables great enhancements of the capabilities of gamma cameras, SPECT, PET, CT and DR machines as well as their use in Homeland Security applications. Methods of fabrication of such radiation detectors are described.

Abstract: The invention consists in structuring scintillation radiation detectors as Photonic Bandgap Crystals or 3D layers of thin filaments, thus enabling extremely high spatial resolutions and achieving virtual voxellation of the radiation detector without physical separating walls. The ability to precisely measure the recoil electron track in a Compton camera enables to assess the directions of the gamma rays hitting the detector and consequently dispensing with collimators that strongly reduce the intensity of radiation detected by gamma cameras. The invention enables great enhancements of the capabilities of gamma cameras, SPECT, PET, CT and DR machines as well as their use in Homeland Security applications. Methods of fabrication of such radiation detectors are decribed.

Abstract: The invention consists in an inflatable ultralight parachute deployable before jumping, for jumping or releasing a load from any altitude, without experiencing unduly harm from the impact with the ground. It comprises at least one torus-shaped inflatable tube covered by a thin film substantially flat shroud whose buoyance lifts the parachute and when pulled down by the gravity of the attached body develops the braking force that decelerates its fall. The ultralight parachute is deployed either by the jumper if he has one, or by emergency helpers on the ground and subsequently lifted to the potential jumper.

Abstract: The invention discloses a time-of-flight method and apparatus for rapid and high resolution measurement of the optical characteristics of a set of superimposed thin layers within an object, penetrated by an illuminating beam of light. The very high temporal, spectral and spatial resolutions are obtained by illuminating the object with a femtosecond laser and collecting the data characteristic of the different layers simultaneously, by sampling the scattered radiation in the time domain, using a chain of linked non-linear gates.

Abstract: When sampled simultaneously by a set of synchronized high intensity beams, a device consisting of a sequence of interlinked Nonlinear Sampling-Gates, through which a signal beam propagates, generates a replica of the intensity of the signal beam, during the interaction period. The device may be implemented optically or electrically as an ultra-high speed parallel receiver and when sampled by a femtolaser may be used to read a data train in parallel and thus at almost in real time. The device may also be used to stretch, compress, multiplex, demultiplex, read headers and help switch data trains optically in communication networks.

Abstract: The invention discloses a time-of-flight method and apparatus for rapid and high resolution measurement of the optical characteristics of a set of superimposed thin layers within an object, penetrated by an illuminating beam of light. The very high temporal, spectral and spatial resolutions are obtained by illuminating the object with a femtosecond laser and collecting the data characteristic of the different layers simultaneously, by sampling the scattered radiation in the time domain, using a chain of linked non-linear gates.

Abstract: A hands-free telephone assembly according to the present invention comprises a speech network mounted in a base and having an input channel and an output channel, the speech network being connected to a telephone interface which is selectively connectable to a telephone line. Also included are a gain-controllable amplifier in said input channel, a primary transducer including a primary speaker connected to the output of said gain-controllable amplifier, and a primary microphone, and a gain and frequency controllable amplifier connecting the primary microphone to said input channel. The primary transducer is mounted in a housing separate from the base, said housing being constructed and arranged so as to fit within the ear canal of a user and to be releasably maintained therein. Finally, the assembly contains a cancellation mechanism for suppressing positive feedback between the primary microphone and the primary speaker.

Abstract: A user can alternately send information to one of two parties on different telephone lines by mounting a microphone/speaker transducer in each ear, and connecting each transducer to a speech network device that is operatively connected to the respective telephone lines such that each transducer is connected to a different one of the telephone lines. The user may speak exclusively to only one of the parties by selectively muting the transmission of microphone signals through the speech network device connected to the telephone line connected to other party. Because the transducers are of the hands-free type, the user can easily manipulate the muting switch of one or the other of the speech network devices in accordance with which of the two parties to whom he wishes to speak in private.