Abstract: This invention provides a support device that allows the adjustable, yet rigid placement of a probe or other medical instrument against a region of interest/treatment on a patient. The system and method of rigid fixation, positioning, and adjustment contemplated herein is useful for a broad array of medical procedures including, but not limited to, ultrasound-guided anesthetic delivery. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a flexible armature is attached to a rigid stand placed upon the floor, or attached to another stable surface such as a bed rail, wall, ceiling or piece of equipment. A joint connects the armature to an instrument holder able to accommodate and rigidly attach an ultrasound sensing probe or other medical device. The medical device then remains rigidly attached to the described invention during the procedure. Furthermore, this set position is resistant to minor patient motion or other disturbances.

Abstract: A solar panel for a spacecraft has a base with a face, and at least one row of solar cells and at least one elongated reflector are mounted on the face of said base. The reflectors and the rows are mounted generally parallel to each other in an alternating fashion. The reflector has a first and a second reflecting side when the reflector is in a deployed position. The reflector is mounted so that the first side of the reflector is adjacent to a row of solar cells and reflects radiation incident on the first side onto the adjacent row of solar cells when said reflector is in a deployed position. Preferably, a plurality of rows and a plurality of reflectors are mounted on the face of the base, with at least one of the reflectors being disposed between two adjacent rows of solar cells.

Abstract: A solar array with a blanket having solar cells incorporated in modules that can readily be removed, replaced, and accordion-folded to a stowed condition. A scissors array having tracks in which scissors linkages are slidingly fitted enables the array to be stowed or deployed from a container in which the module are interleaved with soft, compressed leaves that protect the blanket from inertial forces during handling and launching.