Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pointer within a region of interest includes a first reflective element extending along a first side of the region of interest and reflecting light towards the region of interest. A second reflective element extends along a second side of the region of interest and reflects light towards the region of interest. The second side is joined to the first side to define a first corner. A non-reflective region generally in the plane of at least one of the first and second reflective elements is adjacent the first corner. At least one imaging device captures images of the region of interest including reflections from the first and second reflective elements.

Abstract: A variable-intensity, wide-angle illuminator is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable to receive the light beam; an optical fiber, operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam; an optical element, optically coupled to a distal end of the optical fiber, for receiving the light beam and scattering the light beam to illuminate a surgical field, wherein the optical element comprises: a polymer matrix; and a plurality of microbubbles displaced within the polymer matrix; and a cannula, operably coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber and the optical element. The optical element can be a small-gauge, diffusive optical element having circular or semi-ellipsoidal incident surfaces.

Abstract: A knife having a blade tip configuration that reduces incisional force by providing a more efficient distribution of tissue piercing and cutting forces over the cutting edges. The distal tip of the blade has a profile in plan view in the region of approximately 150 microns from the distal most point of the tip that may be described by the equation w=adn, where w is the distance from the blade's longitudinal axis to the blade's cutting edge, a is a constant of proportionality not greater than 0.5 and d is the distance along the blade's longitudinal axis from the extreme distal point of the blade tip. The extreme distal point of the tip has a slightly rounded, rather than pointy, profile, with a tip radius of approximately 40 microns or less.

Abstract: A conveyor/elevator web is provided and comprises transverse bars attached to rubber traction belts, wherein the transverse bars have a plurality of spaced outwardly extending fingers or projections in order to provide a means of attachment of either a flexible conveyor sheet and/or of the above rubber traction belts. Also at least some of the outwardly extending fingers or projections of the transverse bars provide a means of entrainment of the crop or material being conveyed/elevated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved latching mechanism for use on doors and in particular, mini storage doors. The improved latching mechanism includes a latch and latch plate which permits the latch to have an open position and a closed position. Attached to the latch is at least one loop, whereby a person can insert a finger or prosthesis into the loop to facilitate moving the improved latch from its closed position to its open position and vice versa.

Abstract: A cable comprising a stress-bearing matrix extending substantially through the length of the cable; and a plurality of conducting elements extending substantially through the length of the cable, the plurality off the conducting elements being located within and spaced from one another by the stress-bearing matrix, wherein at least one of the plurality of conducting elements is in intimate contact with a low friction liner disposed about at least one of the plurality of conducting elements, and the at least one of the, conducting elements is longitudinally moveable relative to the stress-bearing matrix.

Abstract: A combination of a cable (308) and a device (350) comprises a cable (308) with an outer surface and having a stress-bearing matrix (312) extending substantially through the length of the cable, a plurality of conducting elements (316) each extending in a path substantially through the length of the cable and being located within the spaced from one another by the stress-bearing matrix (312). At least one hole (352, 356) is cut from the outer surface of the cable to a point within the stress-bearing matrix and intersecting the path of at least one of the conducting elements (316) and a conducting element (316) extends through the hole and is connected to the device.

Abstract: A cable comprising a stress-bearing matrix extending substantially through the length of the cable; and a plurality of conducting elements extending substantially through the length of the cable, the plurality of said conducting elements being located within and spaced from one another by said stress-bearing matrix, wherein at least one of the plurality of conducting elements is in intimate contact with a low friction liner disposed about the at least one of the plurality of conducting elements and the at least one of the conducting elements is longitudinally movable relative to the stress-bearing matrix.

Abstract: A conveyor/elevator web is provided and comprises transverse bars attached to rubber traction belts, wherein the transverse bars have a plurality of spaced outwardly extending fingers or projections in order to provide a means of attachment of either a flexible conveyor sheet and/or of the above rubber traction belts. Also at least some of the outwardly extending fingers or projections of the transverse bars provide a means of entrainment of the crop or material being conveyed/elevated.

Abstract: An agricultural separating device has a starshaft (7) comprising a row of resilient starwheels (2) mounted on a rotatable shaft. Rings (5) formed of a rigid material (e.g. nylon or polypropylenes), and having an outer diameter such that they extend radially along 40-80% of the radial length of the fingers (4) of the starwheels (2), are mounted between adjacent starwheels (2) so as to close off the radially inner space between the fingers (4) without reducing the length and therefore flexibility of the fingers (4).

Abstract: An LCD projector includes: a light source assembly for supplying light source required for the LCD projector; an image generating mechanism for generating image to be projected, having an LCD panel; a projection objective lens assembly for projecting the image generated by the image generating mechanism onto a screen; and a cooling mechanism for cooling off the surface of the LCD panel of which the temperature is raised due to the radiation of the light source. A thermal diffusion film having good transparency and thermal diffusivity is attachd to the surface of the LCD panel on the one side nearer to the light source assembly so as to facilitate homogeneous thermal diffusion in the surface of the LCD panel, and thus prevent deterioration of quality of projected image due to thermal shimmering caused by cooling air flow coming from the cooling mechanism.

Abstract: A sliding needle bar tufting machine is provided with two needle bars each carrying a single row of needles, at least one needle bar being mounted to be adjustable in a warpwise direction relative to the other needle bar to enable the spacing between the two rows of needles to be varied. In an alternative construction a needle bar is arranged at each side of a needle bar carrier and both needle bars are adjustable along a common support member mounted in the carrier.