Abstract: A surgical cutting and coagulation device includes a cutting blade having a cutting edge and a metallic overlay affixed to the cutting blade configured to contact tissue during an incision of the tissue by the cutting edge of the cutting blade. The cutting blade is configured to cut or shear the tissue with the cutting edge while the metallic overlay touches and coagulates the tissue. The metallic overlay is powered by an RF generator. A method of cutting and coagulation includes powering the metallic overlay with the RF generator, cutting or shearing a tissue with the cutting edge, and during the cutting or shearing the tissue with the cutting edge, coagulating the tissue with the metallic overlay.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cutting and/or coagulating device that includes a cutting and/or coagulating member and a radio frequency generator such that an output of the radio frequency generator is connected to the cutting and/or coagulating member. The cutting and/or coagulating member is electrically resonant at the frequency of the radio frequency generator. Further, the cutting and/or coagulating member may include a resistance wire which is configured to directly contact a target cutting material. The cutting and/or coagulating member may be further heated to a visible glow. Furthermore, a method of cutting and/or coagulating is also contemplated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cutting and/or coagulating device that includes a cutting and/or coagulating member and a radio frequency generator such that an output of the radio frequency generator is connected to the cutting and/or coagulating member. The cutting and/or coagulating member is electrically resonant at the frequency of the radio frequency generator. Further, the cutting and/or coagulating member may include a resistance wire which is configured to directly contact a target cutting material. The cutting and/or coagulating member may be further heated to a visible glow. Furthermore, a method of cutting and/or coagulating is also contemplated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cutting and/or coagulating device that includes a cutting and/or coagulating member and a radio frequency generator such that an output of the radio frequency generator is connected to the cutting and/or coagulating member. The cutting and/or coagulating member is electrically resonant at the frequency of the radio frequency generator. Further, the cutting and/or coagulating member may include a resistance wire which is configured to directly contact a target cutting material. The cutting and/or coagulating member may be further heated to a visible glow. Furthermore, a method of cutting and/or coagulating is also contemplated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cutting and/or coagulating device that includes a cutting and/or coagulating member and a radio frequency generator such that an output of the radio frequency generator is connected to the cutting and/or coagulating member. The cutting and/or coagulating member is electrically resonant at the frequency of the radio frequency generator. Further, the cutting and/or coagulating member may include a resistance wire which is configured to directly contact a target cutting material. The cutting and/or coagulating member may be further heated to a visible glow. Furthermore, a method of cutting and/or coagulating is also contemplated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of interrogating a resonant circuit that includes embedding a resonant circuit into a material, wherein a dielectric of a capacitor of the resonant circuit is the material. The method includes remotely determining the resonant frequency of the electrical circuit with a measurement device, wherein the determining is accomplished automatically. Finally, the method includes remotely automatically determining at least one of an estimated or precise resistance of the resonant circuit, an estimated or precise quality factor of the resonant circuit, and an estimated or precise voltage ratio of the resonant circuit, wherein the voltage ratio is a ratio of a voltage of the energy absorbed by the receiver at resonance and a voltage of the energy absorbed by the receiver at a fixed frequency shift from resonance.

Abstract: A method and associated electrosurgical apparatus for cutting and/or coagulating living tissue of a mammal. The glow blade cuts and/or coagulates the tissue with a glow blade accompanied by sufficient electrical current across the tissue to enable the cutting and/or coagulating to be performed while the glow blade is heated to a sufficient temperature. The electrosurgical apparatus includes the glow blade, a radio frequency (RF) generator such that a first output of the RF generator is electrically connected to the glow blade, and an energy source coupled to the glow blade. The RF generator is configured to supply sufficient RF power and associated electrical current across the living tissue for performing the cutting and/or coagulating by the glow blade while sufficient energy is being supplied by the energy source to heat the glow blade to a sufficient temperature for performing the cutting and/or coagulating by the glow blade.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for cutting and/or coagulating living tissue, a method of forming the electrosurgical apparatus, and a method of using the electrosurgical apparatus. The cutting and/or coagulating living tissue is performed with one or two heated loops of resistance wire accompanied by sufficient electrical current across the living tissue to enable said cutting and/or coagulating to be performed. The electrosurgical apparatus may include: a glow blade having one or two glow loops of resistance wire; a radio frequency (RF) generator; and one or two voltage supplies configured to operate concurrently, while the one or two glow loops are heated to said glow, to supply both sufficient RF power and associated electrical current across the living tissue for cutting and/or coagulating the living tissue by the one or two glow loops. A first output of the RF generator is electrically coupled to the one or two glow loops.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of interrogating a resonant circuit that includes embedding a resonant circuit into a material, wherein a dielectric of a capacitor of the resonant circuit is the material. The method includes remotely determining the resonant frequency of the electrical circuit with a measurement device, wherein the determining is accomplished automatically. Finally, the method includes remotely automatically determining at least one of an estimated or precise resistance of the resonant circuit, an estimated or precise quality factor of the resonant circuit, and an estimated or precise voltage ratio of the resonant circuit, wherein the voltage ratio is a ratio of a voltage of the energy absorbed by the receiver at resonance and a voltage of the energy absorbed by the receiver at a fixed frequency shift from resonance.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for cutting and/or coagulating living tissue, a method of forming the electrosurgical apparatus, and a method of using the electrosurgical apparatus. The cutting and/or coagulating living tissue is performed with one or two heated loops of resistance wire accompanied by sufficient electrical current across the living tissue to enable said cutting and/or coagulating to be performed. The electrosurgical apparatus may include: a glow blade having one or two glow loops of resistance wire; a radio frequency (RF) generator; and one or two voltage supplies configured to operate concurrently, while the one or two glow loops are heated to said glow, to supply both sufficient RF power and associated electrical current across the living tissue for cutting and/or coagulating the living tissue by the one or two glow loops. A first output of the RF generator is electrically coupled to the one or two glow loops.

Abstract: A system, method, and devices for remediating soil of an area of land. The devices are partially inserted into the soil within the area. The devices have vent holes fluidically coupling each device to the soil. A hot fluid is circulated through the devices to heat the soil in the area to a temperature sufficient to cause a transformation in the soil. The transformation may transform an environmental contaminant in the soil such that a gas is generated from the transformation, and the gas is sucked from the soil into the devices via the vent holes and the out of the devices away from the soil. The transformation may cause a bioremediation of an environmental contaminant in the soil such that a product is generated from the bioremediation, and a bioremediation fluid is injected into the devices and into the soil via the vent holes to facilitate the bioremediation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting moisture. An oscillatory electrical signal S1 generated by an oscillator is propagated into a body that includes an electrically insulative material. A signal due to S1 emerges from the body as an oscillatory electrical signal S2. The signals S1 and S2 differ in phase by ??, wherein ?? is indicative of moisture along a path traversed by S1 within the insulative material, and wherein the conductance ? of the insulative material is also indicative of the moisture along the path traversed by S1 within the insulative material. S2 is received at a sensing surface of a sensing part (e.g., probe, sensing antenna, etc.) and then transmitted to a moisture detecting device. The moisture detecting device determines from S1 and S2 a measure M of the moisture as a function of ?? or as a function of ?.

Abstract: A material analyzing apparatus and associated method for analyzing. The apparatus comprises an analyzer body that contains a generally insulative material casing; a material analyzing circuitry that includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a control; an antenna system that includes a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, and a ground layer; a coupling structure that couples the antenna system to the material analyzing circuitry. The transmitter of the material analyzing circuitry generates a electromagnetic wave signal that is adapted to be sent by the transmitting antenna and directed into the material to be analyzed. The receiving antenna receiving any returned signal from the material and send the returned signal to the receiver and control. The control then analyzes the signal for material characteristics, including at least one of density, material segregation, and moisture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting moisture. An oscillatory electrical signal S1 generated by an oscillator is propagated into a body that includes an electrically insulative material. A signal due to S1 emerges from the body as an oscillatory electrical signal S2. The signals S1 and S2 differ in phase by &Dgr;&phgr;, wherein &Dgr;&phgr; is indicative of moisture along a path traversed by S1 within the insulative material, and wherein the conductance &sgr; of the insulative material is also indicative of the moisture along the path traversed by S1 within the insulative material. S2 is received at a sensing surface of a sensing part (e.g., probe, sensing antenna, etc.) and then transmitted to a moisture detecting device. The moisture detecting device determines from S1 and S2 a measure M of the moisture as a function of &Dgr;&phgr; or as a function of &sgr;.

Abstract: A material analyzing apparatus and associated method for analyzing. The apparatus comprises an analyzer body that contains a generally insulative material casing; a material analyzing circuitry that includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a control; an antenna system that includes a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, and a ground layer; a coupling structure that couples the antenna system to the material analyzing circuitry. The transmitter of the material analyzing circuitry generates a electromagnetic wave signal that is adapted to be sent by the transmitting antenna and directed into the material to be analyzed. The receiving antenna receiving any returned signal from the material and send the returned signal to the receiver and control. The control then analyzes the signal for material characteristics, including at least one of density, material segregation, and moisture.

Abstract: An integrated soil warming probe assists soil remediation by heating contaminated soil. A thermal probe is driven into the contaminated soil and fluid injected into the soil proximate the thermal probe for enhancing remediation. Such a soil warming probe includes an elongate tube with permeable walls and a conical cap at one end for assisting soil penetration. Circulating tubes within the hollow region of the elongate tube circulate contained fluid therein while providing thermal coupling between the contained fluid to the permeable walls of the elongate tube. The circulating tubes are disposed within the elongate tube so as to leave an independent channel between the circulating tubes and the permeable walls of the elongate tube for channeling a supplemental fluid within and out the permeable walls of the soil warming probe.

Abstract: An improved adhesive dispensing pump control system for automatically changing the flow rate of adhesive materials being dispensed onto a workpiece in conformance with changes in movement of an automatically controlled adhesive dispensing nozzle used to apply adhesive materials automatically onto the surface of a workpiece in accordance with a predetermined pattern.In operation, the adhesive or other mastic dispensing pump control system operates to maintain substantially constant inlet and outlet pressure difference across the dispensing pump thereby making the system relatively insensitive to changes in viscosity of the adhesive being dispensed and allowing adhesives to be dispensed at relatively high pressures.

Abstract: A taping head for applying a film of pressure sensitive adhesive to a receptor surface has a drive means for driving the adhesive to the applicating roller by driving a liner supporting the adhesive, and a dancing roll positioned between the apparatus for stripping the liner from the adhesive and the applicating roller adjusts the speed of movement of the film of adhesive to match the same with the application of the adhesive. The applicator is pressed against the receptor surface under the control of a compression device and a cutting device for adhesive severs the adhesive below the applicating roller and an air nozzle maintains the cut end of the adhesive in a position for subsequent application.

Abstract: An improved adhesive pump and pump control system for automatically changing the flow rate of adhesive materials being dispensed onto a workpiece in conformance with changes in movement of a robot controlled adhesive dispensing nozzle used to apply adhesive materials automatically onto the surface of the workpiece in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The system includes an improved adhesive gear pump having a novel sealing arrangement which employs lubricant grease supplied under pressure for preventing leakage of the adhesive along the shaft into the bearings of the pump thereby assuring long and reliable operating life for the pump under normal operating conditions.

Abstract: A high speed, low mass positioning apparatus is provided for positioning a test probe or other like item at any desired point within an x-y plane. The apparatus comprises a first axis of movement mechanism for positioning the item along one axis of movement and a second axis of movement mechanism for positioning the item along the remaining transverse axis of movement. Both of the axis of movement mechanisms comprise motor driven pulley wheel and drive cable arrangements arrayed around the outer periphery of the x-y planar surface area within which it is desired to position a test probe, tool or other like item. A light inflexible track member is secured between and carried by two spaced-apart movable trucks and is movable therewith in either direction along the said one axis of movement. A small lightweight movable carrier is movably supported on the track member and is movable therealong in either direction.